Flinging the door to the classroom open, Severus Snape demanded, "What in Salazar's name are you about, you daft harpies?"
Neither Hermione Granger nor Paola Sinistra bothered glancing at him as they continued their activities. Hermione was sitting at the desk with a half-empty basket of zucchini next to her and a gobbo abruzzese in her hand, systematically tossing slices of courgette into the air and Transfiguring them into pebbles and pigeons and other targets. Paola slouched in a chair on the other side of the room --
Severus narrowed his eyes. "Hermione's wand. In your right hand, no less. You do like to show off, Paola, don't you?"
Paola casually demolished a clay cobra. "Leave off, Severus. It's been the longest day in history --"
"That is, since yesterday --"
"And keeping my wand in my non-dominant hand all damned day is the only reason your Slytherins aren't all uccudati filler by now."
Snape's lips twitched. Then he stepped into the room, closed the door behind him, and settled himself into a chair to Paola's right.
He extended his hand. "Your wand, please."
Paola looked at him then, and smirked. "Now who's the showoff?"
Hermione chimed in, "Pot meeting kettle, episode --"
Snape aimed a glare at her. "I too have had a trying day, Miss Granger."
Hermione Transfigured the next slice of zucchini into a stuffed black poodle.
Paola dissolved into giggles. Snape threw Granger an incredulous scowl -- and then broke into laughter as well. The three of them were still grinning when Lupin sauntered into the room with a bottle and four glasses.
"How did you know?" Hermione asked, accepting her drink.
"I've known you all for years," said Remus. He locked his eyes with Snape's, having noted the other man's involuntary start at his words. Yes, even you. Even when you thought and think I couldn't possibly.
Snape closed his eyes, almost unable to bear the intensity of Lupin's gaze. But it was there, the promise of comfort: the brush of Lupin's knuckles against his palm, the glint of approval and affection in Sinistra's smile.