The Misadventures of the Fab Four
The Misadventures of the Fab Four
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Chapter
1: The Interviews
Severus Snape had to admit to a certain amount of trepidation when the
Headmaster asked him and the other Heads of House as well as Professors Tonks,
Weasley, and Hagrid to stay after the staff meeting. Actually, from the looks
Tonks and Minerva were shooting at the door, he felt he could safely assume he
wasn\'t the only one harboring such feelings.
"Well," Professor Dumbledore began when otheothers had all left,
to stay?" Severus sincerely distrusted that twinkle. "It has come to
my attention, especially after the rather unfortunate incident at the end of
last term," there was some uncomfortable shifting at the mention of the
incident at the Department of Mysteries, "that our students perhaps feel uncomfortable
coming to us, I or their Head of House, with problems." Dumbledore held up
a hand to forestall Minerva\'s angry interruption, "It is not a matter of
ability, or trust. At least not entirely. We simply
hold too much sway over discipline and grades for the students to feel they can
entirely trust us. The incident with Harry only served to prove that there has
been something missing from Hogwarts for some time."
"Well, Albus," Minerva grouched, "You obviously have a plan,
what is it?"
"It has recently come to my attention, via a colleague of mine in
seeking their Masterships in their various fields. For reasons, I am not able
to go into at this moment. They need to find a place where they may continue
their studies together. Hogwarts is one of the only facilities in the world
that houses so many Masters in so many fields."
"What does all of this have to do with anything?" Severus asked, his
patience wearing thin.
"I\'m getting to that. I have it in my mind to appoint these four as Deputy
Heads of House. In this capacity they may act as guidance councilors, in
effect, being here specifically to act as confidantes and advisors to the
students. At the same time, if you agree, they can undergo their
apprenticeships and obtain their Mastership."
"What are their fields?" Severus asked, dreading the answer.
"Miss Jezebel Ravenwood\'s field is Potions, Severus. Miss Katie Koneko\'s
field is Defense Against the Dark Arts, Tonks. Miss Molly Kittah\'s field is
Transfigura, Mi, Minerva. And Miss Megan Nutmeg\'s field is Care of Magical
Creatures, Charlie." There was a definite look of sadistic pleasure in
Dumbledore\'s face as he looked at Severus.
"And what if we do not wish to take on an Apprentice, Albus?" Severus
sneered, "What if one of these \'wonderful\' young ladies is not up to our
own standards?"
"You of course have the right to deny them Apprenticeship, Severus,"
His voice however gave the distinct impression that this would be a bad idea,
"You do not, however, have the right to determine the capability of the
one assigned as Deputy Head of House. I have already done that."
Severus snorted, but otherwise gave no comment.
"Now I have set up an interview for you all with your prospective
Apprentices. I hope that tomorrow morning following breakfast will be convenient
for all? Fillius, Ceres? Will a meeting after lunch be convenient to meet your
new deputies, for you as well Minerva?"
All nodded, but Severus had one more question, "How come I do not need to
meet with my new Deputy?" His lip curled in distaste for the last word.
"I would have thought that would be obvious, Severus," That look was
back in the Headmaster\'s eyes, "She is to be your Apprentice."
***
"Severus," Dumbledore called before Snape could make his escape back
to the dungeons, "If I might have a word?"
Severus sighed, and turned to face the Headmaster. "Of course,
Headmaster."
"I thought I should let you know that your interviewee will not be able to
meet you in the dungeons tomorrow?"
"Why ever not?" Severus asked, irked that he
was to be put through even more trouble bse ose of Dumbledore\'s harebrained
scheme.
"Madame Pomphrey has informed me that Miss Ravenwood will be unable to
leave the Hospital Wing for at least a week. I do hope it will not be too much
trouble for you to go see her?" His eyes were twinkling again.
&q
"So the four girls are already here then?"
"Oh yes, mostly because of Miss Ravenwood\'s condition. They\'ve been here
for two days actually."
Severus narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore in suspicion before replying, "Of course
I will be there tomorrow, Headmaster. I look forward to it," He sneered,
then veered off in a swirl of black robes.
***
At first Professor Charlie Weasley was skeptical when he saw the strange young
woman approaching the field. She was dressed in a flowing, gauzy, pink dress
with a skirt that stopped a goodly way above her knees. Beyond this, her hair
was black, streaked down one side with a sizable pink stripe. Further
intriguing him, when she came closer, he could see her cat\'s tail and ears, and
finally, when she reached him, her cat\'s slitted
e
"Professor Weasley?" She asked, her voice
was light and airy.
uot;uot;Yes, pleased to meet you, Miss Nutmeg," he said shaking her
outstretched hand.
"The pleasure\'s mine," She replied with a ready smile, "Please
call me Megan."
"It\'s Charlie then," Charlie saw this as a wonderful beginning.
An hour later, Charlie was well convinced that this would be a very good
working relationship. He learned that she had a remarkable relationship with
animals of all kinds, with the sole exceptions of the unicorns, and that she
had gained her rather unusual appearance in an unfortunate accident with a
botched Polyjuice Potion. Apparently Megan ha aff affinity with a cauldronliknlike
her roommate Miss Ravenwood, and had gotten herself stuck in this halfway form
that was part cat. She didn\'t seem to mind.
***
Tonks knew there would be no problem the moment Miss Koneko crashed into her
class room. Her riotous curls were a deep auburn streaked liberally with bright
red and blonde. She wore slightly baggy jeans and a black t-shirt with the
emblem from the band Flogging Molly on it.
"You must be Miss Koneko," Tonks said as the younger woman struggled
to right both herself and the chairs she had knocked
over.
The girl looked up, slightly winded, and replied, "And you must be
Professor Tonks."
"Drop the Professor bit, would ya?" Tonks
replied with a grin, "It makes me feel so old."
"And I\'m Katie. Never was one for formality." She gestured to the
fallen chairs, "Sorry about the mess. Some days I really think I\'m
cursed."
"It\'s good to know I won\'t be the only clumsy one around here anymore at
least," Tonks laughed.
"You think I\'m bad, you should meet my roommate, Jez.
That girl can and will drop anything."
The interview continued much along the same lines.
***
At first Minerva was thrilled with the look of her new Apprentice. She was of
average height, not exactly slim built, but not heavy either, with short
cropped brown curls. She wore a crisp white collared shirt underneath a pastel
blue cashmere sweater. It was as Miss Kittah stepped forward to shake her hand
that Minerva noticed the pink flannel pajama pants decorated with happy
penguins.
She raised an eyebrow. Miss Kittah flushed.
"Got up late, sorry."
"Well then, what are your qualifications, Miss Kittah?"
Minerva asked, taking her seat behind the desk and motioning for the girl to be
seated. After an hour’s discussion and no few demonstrations later, Minerva was
quite satisfied.
***
Severus was led into the quiet of the Hospital wing by a disapproving Madame
Pomphrey. He immediately saw the young woman he was to be meeting with. She sat
in a chair by the window, the sun shining on her. Her features were finely
carved, her dark lashed eyes, bold and well formed brows and full lips all very
dramatic against the unnatural whiteness of her skin. Her high necked gown was
of black velvet and the sleeves ended in gothic points at the back of her
hands. Her black curls were gathered on top of her head. The only thing he
could immediately find tsappsapprove of were the pink streaks in her curls,
dramatically visible in the sunlight.
He was stopped from approaching her by Madame Pomphrey\'s hand on his arm. She
pushed a vial into his hand.
"Make sure she drinks this, will you?" She clucked in disapproval,
"That young woman is an even worse patient than you, Severus."
"Indeed."
On hearing this, the young woman finally looked up at him. Her eyes were a
startling shade of stormy gray. *Like a sea in an approaching storm* He shook
off this reaction.
"Miss Ravenwood, I presume," He practically purred.
She nodded at him, "Professor Snape," At his raised eyebrow, she
smir
voice was low and throaty, a little strained and breathless as well.
"I\'m sure." He narrowed his eyes at her in annoyance before forcing
his face back into indifference. "Well, Miss Ravenwood, I believe my first
question is what exactly landed you in the Hospital wing to begin with?
with contempt.
"Not in a manner of speaking, no," She replied, no less contempt in
her voice, "I suffer from a condition that causes non reactive substances,
such as glass to sometimes react violently with my skin." She nodded at
the gloves she wore, black velvet, like her gown, "My professors and I had
thought we had it under control, but three days ago, I was working in my lab
when the, thankfully empty, glass vile I was working with exploded. You see I
hadn\'t need the gloves in so long..." She looked
down at them, a hint of sadness in her pale face. She looked back up at him,
"I lost a lot of blood." She reached for a glass presumably of water.
He noticed her hands were shaking badly and handed it to her. After drinking
she studied him for a minute before saying, "I presume you got the recommendations
from my previous Potions Master?"
"Yes," He nodded, "They were adequate."
"Are there any other questions, Professor? Because I must admit I am just
too tired for this right now." Her sigh was weary.
Severus rose to leave, marginally convinced that the two of them could work
together, if not entirely so. "Of course, Miss Ravenwood.
I have no further questions at the moment; any practical demonstration of your
skill must, of necessity, wait until you are well. There are other things we
need to discuss as well though. Tomorrow at the same
time?"
"Certainly, Professor," she replied, her eyes now closed
wearily against her cheeks.
"Oh and Miss Ravenwood?" She looked up at
him expectantly, "Madame Pomphrey said to be sure you take this." He
handed her the vile, which she took with a grimace, and left with his trademark
swirl of robes.
***
Jes looked after the dark professor, thoughtfully. Of course Dumbledore had
already informed her of his role as a spy. She could not perform her duties as
Deputy without that knowledge. Why did he
have to be so snarky? She thought in despair,
Well, the other three were always knocking her choice in men. kly,kly, she was
sure it scared the hell out of them. She was doomed.
She was in love with the Potions Master.
A/N: Well
here it is. Reviews are always lusted after. I have one small stipulation. This
is a blatant self-insertion. You have been warned. You can flame me for
anything else you want, but not that. If you have anything against
self-insertion, do not inflict it upon yourself. I can only hope that my
mediocre writing skills will make up for this awful no-no. Anyway, please
review. Thanks so much for reading.
Love
always,
The Tree
in the Corner