alisanne (alisanne) wrote in snarry100, @ 2006-09-10 01:14:00 |
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Entry tags: | challenge 22: back to school, dracofiend |
Revelation
Original poster: dracofiend
Title: Revelation
Author: dracofiend
Rating: PG
Word Count: 7.5x100
Challenge #22: Back to School
Warnings: None
A/N: Sequel to Crush, because you lovely readers asked for it, despite my absolute inability to drabble. I FAIL at the drabble!!!
Disclaimer: JKR owns them.
Severus was there when Potter arrived at the gates. With the blond.
"Headmistress," Potter smiled. Minerva embraced him.
"Professor Snape," Potter said, with a questioning nod. Severus returned it, curtly.
"Hagrid." Potter was beaming, and the shaggy brute was enfolding him with thumps and hearty exclamations.
Severus spun away and started up the walk, refusing to listen as Potter introduced his companion.
***
Severus was sneering at the second-years when Potter crept into the classroom.
The burly blond crept in behind him, hovering close. They took seats at the back.
Severus had planned to throw a few jibes Potter's way--nothing malicious. Just--something to draw Potter's smile, the wry one, the one Severus liked better even than the brilliant grin that had charmed the world. Usually Potter looked fresh-faced, or silly, or exuberant--or blazingly angry.
He never looked wry, except at Severus. Sometimes.
Now Potter was grinning at the blond, giving the strapping shoulder a quick pat before casting his eyes to the children. Severus remembered that shoulder, bared, in the upstairs hallway of Potter's home. He whirled to the chalkboard.
No one was singled out.
At the end of the class, he nodded stiffly at Potter, who rose with a friendly smile.
"Mr. Potter will dismiss you." The words rang harshly as he strode toward the exit. Behind him, there came a bright, "Hullo! I'm Harry! And there in the back, he's a bit shy, but maybe if you all wave to him--"
Severus slammed the door shut.
***
Severus readied the Hat and stool, ignoring the first-years' nervous sighs. Potter was at one end of the head table, watching interestedly.
The blond sat next to him, craning a heavy jaw. He bent to whisper in Potter's ear.
Potter's mouth split in a silent laugh. He whispered back, smiling.
Severus looked away. He unfurled the parchment, and started calling out names.
After the pudding was cleared and Minerva had finished her start-of-term speech, Severus pushed back from the table, determined to leave before staff mingling began.
"Professor."
Severus was still in his seat, and Potter was at his elbow. The blond loomed behind him, a protective shadow.
"I haven't had a chance to talk to you much." Potter smiled, a touch tentatively.
"The first day of term is always hectic," Severus responded acerbically. He stood, prepared to sidestep the pair.
"Wait a minute!" Potter grinned, grasping a fistful of black. Severus froze. "Before you go billowing off to the dungeons," Potter continued, "I'd like you to meet someone." He looked happily at the broad-shouldered blond.
Severus gritted his teeth, then met blue eyes with a sneer.
"This," Potter announced proudly, releasing Severus' robes as he gestured, "is my cousin Dudley. Dursley," he added, as if Severus might not know.
Severus nearly gaped in surprise. He knew who Dudley Dursley was--but he'd never seen the boy.
"You--saw him this morning, right?" Potter went on. "He's been staying with me. Had a bit of trouble with the showerhead--it's temperamental sometimes, needs a hex to keep it in line every so often..."
"Or a good shot to the twisty bit," the blond put in, smirking.
"Yeah, that went over well," Potter snorted. He leaned toward Severus, stage-whispering loudly. "Needed four charms before the swelling went down."
Severus unstuck himself and glanced down at last, to Potter's tilted-up face and his mischievous grin.
"Yes," he replied. Brusquely.
Potter leaned away and Severus opened his mouth. But Minerva was there, saying Harry, and Dudley, and Severus, if you'd kindly do me the courtesy of greeting the new Astronomy professor? So Severus only nodded and let Minerva steer him off.
Another half-hour, and Severus was free. He moved down the dais past chairbacks, toward Potter and his cousin (!), who were sitting at the table. His steps slowed as he neared them, then quickened.
He couldn't. Couldn't speak to Potter, couldn't ask him down for a drink. Even had Potter been alone tonight, he simply couldn't.
"That Professor Snape," the cousin was frowning. "He's the one you've been going on about? Your favorite?"
Potter shrugged. Severus paused, unseen.
"He wasn't always," Potter replied off-handedly. He shrugged again. Severus barely glimpsed the edge of that mouth, curving wryly. Rarely. "But, yeah. He is now."
Severus swept on. Tomorrow, he'd send an owl.
Sequel: Impulse