InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Don't make me come over there!"

S.S. (sollicitussnape) wrote in veritaserum_rp,
@ 2008-06-13 23:49:00

Entry tags:

parvati malfoy, severus snape

Who: Snape+Parvati
What: Snape gets pinned into a conversation with Draco's wife.
When: June 13th
Where: Malfoy Manor
Why: B'cause?</br> All-magic communities always seemed to possess an air of dense silence after Snape had stayed in his house at Spinner's End. Muggle towns seethed and shuddered with noise, silent only in the hours before dawn, but wizarding villages retained the stillness of twilight through the entire day. The Malfoy Manor was no exception.
Snape, always twitchier than usual after a night without sleep, found this stillness particularly unnerving today. Something yelped just above his right ear, successfully shattering the quiet and eliciting a sort of minor spasm from Snape. A snowy white peacock glared down at him from a branch, feathers puffed up proudly. Without looking back, Snape fired a round of sparks over his shoulder, pocketing his wand only after he was satisfied with the volume of the frantic squawking behind him.
By the time he'd crossed the garden and struck the serpent-shaped door knocker against the heavy wooden doors, the screeching had subsided, leaving him in silence to wonder why Draco had summoned him.

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sollicitussnape
2008-06-14 12:44 am UTC (link)

Most would be relieved to find themselves in Parvati's company rather than Draco's. Snape was not one of them. While he couldn't quite remember her being allied with any disruptive instance in his class, it -had- been five years since she'd graduated, and since she'd been in Gryffindor it was relatively safe to assume that she'd been mildly obnoxious, at best.
The manor's decor only affirmed his suspicion- in place of the gleaming silver artifacts that used to hang from the walls and line the tables [some of them ancient family heirlooms, undoubtably] were vases of yellow flowers and enchanted paintings of flowing green landscapes. The drapes had been pulled back from the tall windows, flooding the room in warm light and banishing the shadows to the deepest corners of the room. Certainly not up to par with Snape's aesthetic tastes.
But where was Draco? Snape was about to tell Parvati that Draco had invited him earlier that day, but he bit his tongue. His arrival seemed to have taken Parvati by surprise, and it wasn't unreasonable to assume that Parvati hadn't been informed about Snape's visit beforehand for a reason...
Snape studied her face for a moment. Her eyes were slightly too large for her face, which in itself wouldn't have been so unpleasant if her stare hadn't been completely vacant. Judging by the way her lips hung open slightly, unconsciously, this expression wasn't uncommon.
Snape decided right then that if Draco was looking to off his wife, he would have nothing to do with it- Toxic potions had never been the most discreet way to murder, anyway.
"My owl had a run in with a rather aggressive lamp post on the way to deliver my message, so I thought I'd come speak to Draco myself."

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_prettyparvati
2008-06-14 06:19 pm UTC (link)

Parvati cringed inwardly at the thought of Snape's less than clean hair on her beautiful new furniture. Silently she cursed her husband's housing. "Oh, I see." She managed pleasantly enough, sitting down across from him. And then, more perceptively than Snape probably thought her capable of, "And a firecall was out of the question?"

A house elf appeared with a silver tray topped with a teapot and cups, one of which Parvati immediately filled and offered to Snape. Like him or not, she was still a good hostess. "One of the companies we are new investors in needed a few forms signed, so Draco had to rush off unexpectedly when we received the notice. Would you care to wait around for him? I doubt he shall be long."

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sollicitussnape
2008-06-14 10:51 pm UTC (link)

The prospect of making small talk was never a pleasant one, but Snape was willing to endure it if there was a chance some scrap of information could be scavenged from the bones of polite conversation. Snape had barely had any contact with Draco since Lucius's soul had been devoured. If anything, he could at least dissect Parvati's speech enough to gather how he currently stood with Draco.
"Personally, I only rely on firecalls when I'm comfortable with the idea of an audience. The ministry, as I'm sure you know, is just as devoted to upholding the ideals of personal freedom as it ever has been."

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_prettyparvati
2008-06-14 11:00 pm UTC (link)

"Hm, yes, the Ministry." Parvati hummed, a note of dislike in her tone. "They meddle both with muggleborns and purebloods nowadays, somehow I find that is worse than the governments that favor one over the other."

Inside, Parvati was fuming, wanting her husband home quickly. She already had to have put up with some razzing from the other Gryffindors over the fact that Snape had been a guest at her wedding, and now here she was, having high tea with him.

Although, she relented, if he treated her husband well, then perhaps better him than Draco's pseudo-tyrant of a father.

"Are you hungry? Would you like some cakes, freshly made this morning." She pushed a plate of pastries toward the man.

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	sollicitussnape 2008-06-14 11:26 pm UTC (link)
	Snape lowered his tea slowly, eyes narrowing imperceptibly. "...Indeed." Snape replied carefully. "An openly repressive government is at least forward about it's motivations." He grabbed one of the cakes from the plate. It was somewhat shriveled, like a slug that had spent a day on hot pavement. "My compliments to the chef." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_prettyparvati
2008-06-14 11:36 pm UTC (link)

"Yes, exactly." Parvati agreed,"But then hopefully, that's what we'd like to change once we get the Party on it's feet."

Large doe eyes narrowed at his comment, "You've not even tried it yet. I know they look...a little off, but it's an Indian sweet, it's meant to look that way." Her defenses were up now, for you see, said cakes were one of Parvati's precious forrays into cooking.

"It's alright." She said quickly. "Pushy!" A small elf appeared. "Order whatever you'd like, Professor. The elves can make your favourite."

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	sollicitussnape 2008-06-14 11:53 pm UTC (link)
	It took a surprising amount of physical effort to repress the eye-roll that the situation so desperately called for. Snape shoved the sad little pastry into his mouth to postpone further conversation on the matter. "Contrary to popular opinion, it is possible for me to make a statement without sarcasm." Snape replied, after some difficultly swallowing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_prettyparvati
2008-06-15 12:02 am UTC (link)

"I'm aware of that." Parvati sniffed, "I did marry Draco, you realise, I don't always fall for stereotypes."

She dismissed the elf with a quick nod. "Look," This was the direct Gryffindor side of the girl, "Draco and you are close, and I'm his wife, also now a Malfoy. So, shouldn't we treat eachother like family friends? Instead of so coolly? Unless, of course, this is how you treat your family friends," Parvati blinked, a little thrown off at this revelation if it is to be true. "Professor."

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	sollicitussnape 2008-06-15 01:30 am UTC (link)
	Snape shifted in his chair. He fixed the sugarbowl with a stare that would have caused a less inanimate object to cringe and didn't lift his gaze until he had emptied half of the bowl's contents into his teacup. "In that case, feel free to drop the formality- 'Professor' is hardly necessary under the circumstances." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_prettyparvati 2008-06-15 01:52 pm UTC (link)
	Parvati would've thought Snape was the kind of man to shun sugar, but as the shimmering crystals dissapeared from her bowl into his cup, she was surely proven otherwise. "Oh." Surprised, Parvati floundered for a response. She hadn't expected a slightly favourable reply to her direct statements. "Well, then, what would you prefer to be called?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sollicitussnape
2008-06-16 12:07 am UTC (link)

Preferably, something that omitted the words 'greaseball' and 'snivelly.'
"I hardly think it matters." Snape smirked, relishing the perceptible pause that had preceded Parvati's response. He'd been off-footed by her bluntness, and it was of some comfort to know that he'd been able to return the favor. "Titles are only as useful as the powers they impart, and since I can't hold the threat of detention over you any longer, my title is fairly useless." He let the statement stand without further comment. It was ambiguous enough to be taken as a forfeit of power, or possibly as a subtle reminder of all the times Snape had abused that power in the past. He'd deliberately handed Parvati the reins of the conversation-He was curious to see whether she'd challenge him or let his remark slide.

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_prettyparvati
2008-06-16 12:18 am UTC (link)

Parvati's eyes narrowed just a little. She was much more perceptive than some gave her credit for, and would call someone out on evasive speech without a thought. Being Draco's wife however, meant that more than often she had to bite her tongue to appear the submissive, pureblood wife that their society demanded her to be. In her own house however, toward her husband and people from her past (And Snape was included), she didn't feel the need to hide her intelligence or opinion.

"Yes, but by noting that, aren't you simply making sure I remember that you did once hold that power? Regardless, I need something acceptable to call you - I feel as if your given name would be disrespectful of me. In my culture a respected family friend is often referred to as...well, uncle." Her face scrunched up, as if she wasn't sure whether to laugh or vomit at that possibility. "And then the only other choice is, in fact, Professor."

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	sollicitussnape 2008-06-17 11:23 pm UTC (link)
	"I see." The look Snape gave Parvati was enough to forever forbid further discussion, mention, or thought of ever referring to him as 'uncle'. He hoped. "You'll have to settle for Professor, in that case. Hopefully the title won't be too reminiscent of my former power. I'd hate for you to feel obligated to display an unwarranted amount of respect." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_prettyparvati
2008-06-17 11:34 pm UTC (link)

Parvati didn't pay much heed to Snape's look about the term: Uncle. Perhaps when they were closer. After the she got him to do something about that awful hair.

She fixed her former professor with a dry look, "Professor, you really need to learn some social skills, it would help you quite a lot. Perhaps cut down on the sarcasm just a little?"

"Come, let's have a nice conversation. How is work? Will you be attending that Potions Conference in Sweden this summer? My father is contemplating going."

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	sollicitussnape 2008-06-18 12:11 am UTC (link)
	Snape was sure the expression he'd just worn could only be classified as 'witheringly intimidating', but Draco's bride neither wilted nor cowered. Clearly, there was something terribly wrong with her eyesight. "Considering the fact that you haven't felt compelled to throw anything at my head yet, I'd say my social skills are up to par." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_prettyparvati 2008-06-18 12:15 am UTC (link)
	Parvati looked disgruntled as he continually ignored her opening for polite conversation, "Not that I haven't felt compelled, simply that I'm restraining." "Why must you spurn my attempts to be friendly?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sollicitussnape 2008-06-18 12:28 am UTC (link)
	"Restraining?" Snape asked softly, brow arched. "Then I suppose you imagine yourself adequate enough to advise me in the ways of socially acceptable discourse?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

_prettyparvati
2008-06-18 12:32 am UTC (link)

Way to be a Gryffindor, Parvati. She had broken the seal and was now on a roll. "Well, yes! Anyone, really. We used to wonder why some Slytherins were just so antisocial and unfriendly, but it's clear they were just modelling themselves after their mentor. The polite thing to have done was to have simply conversed with me instead of throwing snarky commentary in my face."

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sollicitussnape
2008-06-18 12:56 am UTC (link)

For a moment, the room was silent. Snape's expression was stoic- he was sure he'd won back the upper hand in this conversation, but the triumphant smirk he was holding back would be premature if he displayed it now. But soon.
"Indeed." He said, after he was certain the silence must have become uncomfortably heavy for Parvati. His voice barely rose above a whisper. "I'm certain that screeching at your guest, however, is never the polite thing to do. I'd have thought that the wife of such a prominent pureblood would know when to bite her tongue."

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	_prettyparvati 2008-06-18 05:42 pm UTC (link)
	"I hardly think I was screeching at you, why I barely raised my voi-" She began before his subsequent remark was processed. Immediately her cheeks flushed, expression becoming somewhat unsure, "And what is that supposed to imply?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sollicitussnape
2008-06-18 10:38 pm UTC (link)

"I thought my meaning was clear enough- I'm sure Draco would be disappointed to know that his wife was unable to conduct herself properly in the company of a...family friend."
Snape would never consider letting it slip to Draco that Parvati had been goaded into an argument with him, but there was no reason for her to know that. He was certain that, at least in relation to Draco, Parvati was the stereotypical pureblooded princess- docile and incredibly reluctant to pit her will against her husband's.

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_prettyparvati
2008-06-18 10:53 pm UTC (link)

Parvati felt a little torn at this moment. It was entirely possible that Draco would certainly not be pleased if Parvati made an enemy of Severus, but perhaps more likely not pleased with his mentor. Her gaze flickered a moment before she directly met Snape's gaze once more. "And I should play nice because otherwise I will be punished by my husband? Oh, Professor," She sighed, "You can tell Draco if you wish, but I think you have misunderstood. Draco is not my Lord and Master. Don't get me wrong, he is certainly the head of this house, but we are also equals. I'm well aware that in society I am expected to be a submissive wife, but do you honestly believe Draco would go for such a woman?"

"I will play the role for everyone, because I want our Party to succeed, and I want Draco to succeed, and I love him more than anything." There was a fierceness to her voice at that. "But in my own home, I will certainly not let anyone bully me, and trust me when I say that Draco will not raise his hand against me for that, but will rather stand behind me, whether or not I have to do some ear tweaking." She smiled wryly.

"Please don't think I'm an idiot, Professor. Draco is my husband and I will defer to him when I have to, but our relationship works because he respects me and I respect him, he is strong and so am I."

"My earlier arguments were not that of a disobedient wife that has yet to be tamed, but of a woman who wants to make nice with you for the sake of a man who we both obviously care for. You can fight it all you want, Professor, but it's going to happen. So? Truce?"

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sollicitussnape
2008-06-18 11:23 pm UTC (link)

Snape had started to cut her off, but at the mention of her love for Draco her voice resonated with an intensity that gave him pause. She must have perceived his hesitation, because her voice gained the clarity of one who knows that she has convinced another of her point...or, perhaps in this case, of one who has genuine conviction in what she is saying.
Snape's finger rested on his lips for a moment, concealing an expression that just barely held enough contempt to be considered a smirk.
"I certainly can't see why we shouldn't be able to maintain the illusion of a civil acquaintanceship...In public, at least."

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	_prettyparvati 2008-06-18 11:32 pm UTC (link)
	Parvati tilted her head to the side, "But my question, Professor, is why can we not have that acquaintanceship privately as well? Surely I'm not completely distasteful in your eyes?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sollicitussnape 2008-06-18 11:52 pm UTC (link)
	Snape let his sneer stand as his response. This sort of frankness was his exit cue. "Tell Draco that I'll contact him as soon as my owl's vertebrae is in a less shattered state of existence," he said as he rose from his chair. He snatched one of Parvati's shriveled pastries from the table before disapperating with a crack. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	_prettyparvati 2008-06-18 11:55 pm UTC (link)
	Glaring at the spot where Snape had disapparated from, Parvati let out a strangled noise, "UGH!" Throwing one of the throw pillows from her loveseat into the air as if it might've hit him. Oh Uncle Snape. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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