Summer School

Chapter 6: A Rough Start

The next evening at dinner, it was obvious that Hermione was more than a little irritated that she had to continue the charade of having detention with Snape. Even though their fellow Gryffindors were supportive and sympathetic, they still managed to express their disbelief that Hermione Granger had landed herself in such trouble.

The three friends rose from the table when they saw their professor do so. This time, they arrived before he did at the Room of Requirement. He swept into the room and the air turned chilly as he eyed them from high above their already seated positions.

"Miss Granger, after reviewing your list, I have some corrections to make."

"Yes, Professor? Did you think of something to add?" Hermione asked.

"No. I do believe that there are a few items that can be dispensed with," he intoned in a low voice.

Hermione jumped up. "But, sir! You can't leave out any of it and be well-prepared!"

"I fail to see what the subjects of entertainment, manners or clothing have to do with the success of the assignment," Snape sneered.

Harry stood up, "Professor, they may have everything to do with your success. You need to know how these things are different for Muggles, because believe me, they are very different. You don't want people to think you're weird or something ... then you'd never learn what you need to."

"Weird, Potter?" Snape's voice had a dangerous snarl to it.

The three looked at each other, clearly at a loss to see what was wrong, and what they were supposed to say.

At that moment, the door opened and Dumbledore strolled in. "Ah, here you all are. It's good to see you all settling down to work so eagerly."

Silence. Dumbledore looked around at them all. After a few tense seconds, he continued, "Perhaps a third party, such as myself might be able to smooth over any rough starts?"

"Rough start? How about no start?" Ron began. "Professor Snape seemed agreeable last night, but now he wants to back out-"

"I had not yet seen the extent of the ridiculous topics that comprised the list." Snape's chin was raised defensively.

"Ridiculous?" Hermione's voice was soft, but the boys both recognized the tone that meant that her fuse was lit. "You asked for our help. You made it seem like major detentions for the three of us - punishment for offences we did not commit. You sat here and listened as we all discussed what topics should be covered, so you could be prepared for this role of Muggle teacher. You did not voice one objection [Author ID1: at Sat Oct 7 23:20:00 2006 ]last night. And now you have the gall - the audacity - to call it ridiculous-"

"You will not use that tone with me, Miss Granger. You are in no position to decide what is needed to prepare for this role," Snape sneered down into her face.

Hermione took a step backwards, her narrowed eyes not leaving his flashing dark ones. After a few moments, she drew herself up and lifted her own chin. "You're right, of course, Professor. I am sorry to have presumed to know anything of use to you concerning Muggles. After all, I only lived and breathed it for twelve years and return to it now on holidays. My mistake. I apologize for taking up your valuable time." With that, she turned and walked out the door, closing it softly behind her.

The teenage boys and the two professors looked at each other. A muscle was twitching in Snape's jaw, his fists opening and closing at his sides. Dumbledore spoke softly to the boys, "You may both return to your dormitory for now. I believe Professor Snape and I have some business to discuss before your lessons continue."

Silence reigned for several minutes after the door closed behind Ron and Harry. Albus sat down in a chair and watched Severus calmly as the younger man paced the floor. Finally, he broke the silence by asking softly, "Severus, what is it? Why is this such a difficult thing for you?" [Author ID2: at Sat Oct 7 20:36:00 2006 ]

More silence stretched out as Severus continued his frenetic pacing. Once, he stopped and appeared to try to speak, but the effort proved unsuccessful, and he whirled around, walking even faster. Albus chose to wait him out, knowing that any answers would have to come from within the tall man before him.

Severus had never felt at such odds within himself before. For Merlin's sake, he was a Death Eater! He had been a spy for both sides for years! He had been the bane of Hogwarts' students for years! A single look from him caused fear and trembling in almost everyone he encountered! What was the difficulty? Why was this such a distasteful project to him? It should be a respite from the constant thoughts of deceit and death. It should be an easy accomplishment for a man of his skills ... perhaps that was it. He was steeped in intrigue and strategies. This project was entirely too - fluffy. It was not worthy of his consideration. Perhaps there was (there must be) someone better suited to giving this project the attention it needed. He turned to Albus. "I refuse to believe that I am the man for this. Give me the order to go to the Dark Lord himself and seek whatever information he has in the way of plans for Muggles and Muggle-borns. But I will not take this upon myself. I am needed to do to those more demanding roles. These exercises in discovering Muggle-born psychological motivations may be left to those who truly care and have this as the only way they can contribute to the cause." He stopped and looked down at Albus, his arms crossed over his chest.

Albus peered up at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he observed the superior attitude being displayed. "My dear Severus. We have already been over this. It is not an assignment that is beneath you as you so obviously believe." He held up a firm hand to belay the protest about to erupt from Severus' mouth. "I believe what you are feeling is a fear of the unknown. For all the horrors and trials you have endured over the years, it was the expectation of horror that has held you steady. Now that we have the opportunity to use your skills in a more innocuous way, you are feeling understandably off-centre. Innocuous doesn't mean unimportant, remember. This, too, is part of the bigger picture. The Muggle-born witches and wizards are vulnerable to being persuaded to Voldemort's side in the war, or be killed for simply being Muggle-born. For he will, no doubt, see them as possible pawns at some point. We have an opportunity to help them be better versed and more comfortable in the wizarding world, and thus keep them safer and on our side - Harry's side." He watched the other closely now, for he knew that his willingness to undertake the Muggle-born project might be in serious jeopardy. He knew that Snape was the best man for the job. His powers of observation, together with his ability to play any role necessary, would ensure quick success in obtaining the information they needed.

The glare from the obsidian eyes was palpable. Both men kept their eyes locked with the other. In one set, there was defiance, anger, and pride. The blue eyes of the Headmaster were calm, but also pleading in a way. Pleading for Severus to put aside old animosities; fears of the mundane, fears of losing his status as a fearsome figure among the people of Hogwarts. Albus felt the unseen and unspoken battle that Snape waged with himself. The men had shared so many thoughts, explored so much in the ways of the mind of the most evil wizard alive, supported each other through the emotional turmoil of battle strategies, winning, losing, trying again. Knowing that Snape was so resistant to this newest project was difficult for Albus. Before, they had always been able to discuss, debate, and then settle the details easily, even if not in total agreement. The fact that Snape had come back around to voicing his severe displeasure of this idea again, and was trying to remove himself from it was proof of his extreme agitation about it. Albus almost sighed out loud. They could, of course, place another in this role. But he stood by the belief that Snape was the best at the spy game. In the event that unforeseen difficulties arose, he would be the best man to deal with those as well. Albus trusted no one else as much to be able to make split-second decisions and alter plans as necessary in the heat of battle. It was Snape who sighed. His shoulders dropped a notch, and his eyes lost a bit of their anger.

"Albus, perhaps 'off-centre' is an accurate description regarding my state of mind. I am concerned that I will be unable to project the necessary more 'human' side of myself in this endeavour. You, more than anyone, know how closely I guard my emotional state. What if this role weakens me with regard to my role as Death Eater? What if he calls in the midst of it? Do you have any idea how much damage can be done if, in a moment of my weakness, he sees what it is we are doing? He would most likely go after Muggle-borns with more malice than ever before. Knowing we are infiltrating Muggles will make him wish to harm them all the more." He paused in his speech, thinking that he was saying aloud more of his emotional thoughts than he'd ever let loose. He did not like this feeling of vulnerability, even with Albus, with whom he had shared mental closeness for the last decade and a half. It left him even more than off-centre; it made him feel weak.

Dumbledore continued to gaze calmly at Snape for another long moment. His voice was soft, but firm when he continued. "I understand how you must be feeling now, Severus. Do you not see that the difficulties you anticipate reinforce the fact that you are the best man for this job? I cannot see any other in the Order being a success in this role of Muggle teacher. You alone have proven to me time and again how well you adapt to sudden changes in your surroundings." He paused, and then added, "With the possible exception of accepting the help of the Trio."

Snape scowled at Dumbledore's use of his pet name for referring to Potter, Weasley, and Granger. "You did not see that list the Trio came up with. I cannot fathom what Muggle entertainment has to do with teaching Muggle-borns, for instance."

"Muggle forms of entertainment are quite different from our own. It is a vastly important part of their world, and I doubt that whatever you do will make much headway into it. However, it is reasonable to see that a basic understanding of the culture should include an overview of personal experience." Dumbledore let his twinkling eyes be warm upon this man he considered almost a son. "Besides, Severus, you do not often avail yourself of wizarding entertainment. So, at this point, you cannot honestly say that you have much in the way of any experience regarding how entertainment might affect the lives of young people."

Snape drew himself up and raised his eyebrows in affront. "When one's life is full of the kinds of drama and intrigue mine has had, there is no need for entertainment. The very thought that my life might end in the next instant is quite enough entertainment." He finished with a sneer.

"But, Severus, entertainment is, I believe, meant to be a respite from that kind of stress in life. It is meant to help one relax." Dumbledore's eyes continued to twinkle. Then he laid a hand on the Potion Masters' arm. "Can you not try to let the Trio help you prepare? I truly believe that their aid will be invaluable."

After willing himself not to shrug off the Headmasters touch, Snape finally nodded his head. "I suppose their insight might be helpful. I just do not enjoy them believing they know more than I do regarding my proper preparation."

The twinkling eyes were joined by a victorious smile when the Headmaster replied, "But, Severus ... despite your misgivings ... they do."