elmyraemilie (elmyraemilie) wrote in snape_potter, @ 2014-07-10 21:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | summer challenge14 |
Summer Challenge 14: Ben Franklin Was Right (General)
Title: Ben Franklin Was Right
Author: elmyraemilie
Other pairings/threesome: Ron/Hermione
Rating: General
Word count: 572
Theme chosen: Travel; the receiving end of travel, anyhow
Warning(s): None
Summary: It was very generous for Harry and Snape to offer their guest room.
A/N: Unbetaed.
"They're lovely people, the Grangers." Harry was twirling his wand in his fingers, a nervous habit that drove Snape up the wall.
"I am not saying otherwise, Harry." Snape closed his mouth firmly and looked out across the park toward the fountain. There was so very much more waiting, no, begging to be said.
"You know Hermione and Ron appreciate what we're doing. There's just no room in their house. Even if they put Rose in Hugo's room, there's not--"
Holding up one hand, Snape broke in. "Harry, I was present when Hermione made her request. I understand the reasons."
Again, he waited. Harry fiddled with his wand some more and glared over at the fountain as well.
"Okay. I'll admit it. There have been some little annoyances. Mr. Granger scrapes his fork on his plate when he eats, and Mrs. Granger did rearrange the spice cabinet."
"Harry, she put a slipcover over my reading chair. 'Vintage sixties is very chic,' indeed. That chair was vintage during the sixties."
Harry sighed. "Come on, Severus. It's not so bad. You can take it off when they go back to Australia."
"You cannot tell me their presence is not getting under your skin. I saw your face at dinner yesterday."
"If he refers to Hermione as his little pixie in that squeaky voice one more time..." Harry shook his head to dispel the irritation. "It's only for a couple more weeks. We can put up with them until then."
That was it. "Harry, the wards on my lab are already worn thin with all their efforts to go down to the cellar. They stare at us when we're not watching them, and Mr. Granger twitches every time I bring out my wand." He gathered himself and gritted out, "They continually look at my teeth. My teeth. I cannot sleep for fear that I'll wake up with them fitting me for some kind of bizarre dental appliance."
"They can't help they're dentists, can they?" Harry peered earnestly him; what he saw there, despite Snape's effort at a neutral expression, made him loop his arm around Snape's tense shoulders. "I'm sorry. It's just, Ron and Hermione would do anything for us. I wanted to do this for them."
Relief coursed through Snape's body. "We are hardly throwing them out to fend for themselves. Volunteering to foot the cost of a superior Muggle bed and breakfast is a more than adequate solution to the problem. All we have to do is persuade them to go."
They mused on this thought for a while. In a resigned voice, Harry said, "I could have Hermione talk to them. But how am I supposed to tell her that her parents are driving us batty?"
"Ever the Gryffindor. I happen to have an order for doxie repellent, which is composed in large part of the noxious and very volatile herb, asafoetida. Perhaps a failure of my ventilation charm will inspire them to take us up on our offer."
Harry leaned back and gave him a narrow look. "That's mean, Severus." He broke into a broad smile. "But I bet it will work."
They stood and started back toward their home. Snape noticed that Harry's gait seemed lighter. "It is good to have that issue settled," he ventured.
Humming agreement, Harry took his hand and leaned toward him a bit. "It is. Guests and fish really do stink after three days."