Snafu

Chapter 3

The rest of the week went by without much incident. Harry's classes and the Professors had not changed much since the previous year.

Professor Trelawney, Harry's Divination teacher, was still predicting great sorrow and distress in his future.

"Life as you have known it dear, will be over before Christmas," she predicted on Tuesday, with the usual air of drama in her voice.

Harry, of course, took everything she said with a grain of salt. Technically, he should have died about fifty times by now according to her "insights".

Professor Binns, the ghostly History of Magic teacher, who apparently unbeknownst to himself had been dead for years, was still as boring as ever.

After an hour-long lecture through which most of the class slept, Harry, Ron and Hermione emerged from his class hungry as bears.

"What I find strange," Hermione said, as the three friends made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, "is that we're in our fifth year at Hogwarts and now Professor Binns wants to focus on the origins of magic. You would have thought that would have been dealt with in our first year."

What I find strange," Ron replied, stifling a yawn with his History of Magic text, "is that you actually stayed awake to make that statement."

Hermione was used to Ron's lackadaisical attitude towards his schoolwork.

"Well, if I were you, I'd learn to force myself to stay awake during class," she said. "That project Professor Binns assigned is due in three weeks and you'd better not be expecting me to help you with it. Either of you," she added, glaring at Harry, who still did not look like he had completely woken from his nap.

"Don't worry, Hermione," Ron said as he rolled his eyes, "I think we can handle a four parchment essay on an important wizard in history."

"Alright then, who are you going to write about?" she asked, a bit surprised that he even knew what the project was.

"Merlin," Ron replied.

"That is so cliché," Hermione said disapprovingly, as she headed into the crowded Great Hall ahead of them.

XXXXX

Finally Friday came, a day Harry had been looking forward to most of all, not because it signaled the end of a long week, but because their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class was scheduled for that day.

"I wonder what it's gona be like having Sirius as a teacher," Harry said as he, Ron and Hermione were finishing breakfast. He was so excited at the thought of this class he could barely finish his black pudding.

Harry had not been able to talk to Sirius much at all since he'd been back at Hogwarts. Between Harry's assignments and Sirius' class preparations, neither of them had much free time. The few spare moments Harry had tried to meet with Sirius, he had been hanging around with Professor Kidrin who, for some reason did not seem to be too keen to be around Harry.

"Think Sirius will tell us about Azkaban?" Ron asked, as he leaned back from the table with a full stomach.

"First off, Ron, you'd better not call him by his first name in class," Hermione replied in her usual all knowing tone, "He's a Professor now you know, so you had best address him as one."

Ron shot her a look and was about to make a snide remark when Harry broke in.

"What gets me is that he seems more interested in Professor Kidrin than spending any time with his own godson," Harry said jealously, "I mean he was my father's best friend, I'm his godson and we've been apart for the last fifteen years. You'd think he'd be making more of an effort to spend time with me."

Hermione started in, "Harry, you've got to remember he spent thirteen years in Azkaban, then another two on the run. He's probably trying to - uh..." she leaned in closer and lowered her voice to a whisper, "make up for lost time."

Hermione noticed that neither Ron nor Harry seemed to understand what she was getting at.

"You know," she continued quietly as her eyes darted around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, "Professor Kidrin's young and attractive, Sirius fresh out of a long prison stay...it's only natural you know."

Ron's jaw dropped as a look of comprehension came over his face. "Do you think they're...together?"

Harry, who up until hearing Ron say that had had no idea what Hermione had been babbling about, looked up quickly.

"I don't know," Hermione continued, shrugging her shoulders, "but it makes logical sense, doesn't it?"

All three of them glanced up to the Head Table where Sirius was talking animatedly to Professor Kidrin with a very perturbed Professor Snape sitting between them.

"Yeah, alright I can see it happening," Ron said as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"I suppose," Harry said reluctantly, not quite sure what to make of Hermione's hypothesis.

XXXXX

Friday's Defense Against the Dark Arts class was quite interesting. Sirius spent much of the time answering questions about Azkaban and the Dementors.

No one in the class though, could mull up the courage to ask Professor Black how he had managed to escape the prison two years earlier. They were, of course, all interested to know how he had done the impossible, but could not bring themselves to ask such an obviously personal question. Professor Black seemed to be avoiding the subject anyway.

By the end of their first Defense Against the Dark Arts class, the students had been scared straight by his tales of dread and doom within the prison walls. Many continued talking on through lunch that afternoon with their ideas of what it would be like to be imprisoned there and, in hushed voices, they discussed the dilemma which had stumped the Ministry: how he had escaped. The speculations were just as sensational now as they had been two years ago.

Harry, Ron and Hermione on the other hand, did not tread towards the subject of Azkaban or the Dementors at all.

Ron and Hermione knew Harry's feelings on the Dementors and what effect they had on him. In the back of his mind, Harry heard his father (Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off!), and his mother's plea for mercy before Voldemort murdered her, too.

XXXXX

The only class left that week was Double Potions with every Gryffindor's least favorite instructor, Professor Snape.

At the end of his fourth year, Harry had found out a great deal about Severus Snape. Various references to Snape's loyalty and Snape's final gesture of confession when showing his Dark Mark confirmed his previous suspicions that Snape was, or had been, a Death Eater.

What was most surprising to Harry was that Snape, for reasons unbeknownst to anyone but Albus Dumbledore, had changed sides so to speak. Now, instead of pledging allegiance to Lord Voldemort, Snape's loyalty was with Dumbledore, same as Harry.

Any chance of Harry and Professor Snape being on better terms now that Harry knew this was quickly dashed as the first Potions class of the year began.

As usual, Harry, Ron and Hermione chose to sit as far back in the class as was possible, preferring to put as much distance between themselves and the sallow faced Potions Master as they could.

They had just begun grounding the scarab beetles that would be used in their potion assignment when they heard Draco's drawling voice from a table full of Slytherins across the room.

"My father is going to speak with Dumbledore about Kidrin's teaching methods," he said to Crabbe and Goyle, "He doesn't doubt that I'd be able to take her of course, but it's clearly unprofessional for a teacher to threaten a student."

Harry turned to Ron and said quietly, "Yeah, right, like Snape doesn't threaten us at least twice a week."

Ron nodded in agreement, "Kidrin didn't even threaten him. I don't see what the big deal is. Why did the git have to go off and cry to his father?"

Hermione leaned in while sweeping her freshly ground beetles into her boiling cauldron.

"I bet he's scared," she whispered, " Probably trying to get the whole thing called off so he doesn't have to look like a fool when she wins. Can you imagine what Professor Snape is gonna do when Slytherin loses fifty House Points?"

"Do you really think she can do it though?" Ron asked skeptically, as he prepared to add his own beetles to his potion. "Man that would be ace. I'd love to see the look of disgust on Snape's ugly face..."

"If you want to see a look of disgust on my face, Mr. Weasley," came Snape's voice from behind the trio, "you can take a good look right now as I am once again disgusted that you have chosen my class as the meeting place for the Potter and Company Social Club."

Ron's tray of ground beetles dropped from his grip crashing to the floor, scattering the fine powder everywhere.

A horrified Ron shrank down and avoided looking back at Professor Snape.

"Unlike Professor Kidrin, I do not allow students the opportunity to redeem themselves," Snape continued coldly, moving around to the front of their table so that he was now facing the three Gryffindors. "I prefer instead, to simply take the points directly. I find it saves everyone time that way."

Snape leaned in close to Ron, who was now shaking under his menacing glare.

"Gryffindors, please note that fifty points will be taken from your House for Mr. Weasley's blatant lack of respect."

Snape smiled crookedly, revealing his yellowed teeth before moving his coal black eyes to Harry and Hermione.

"And an additional fifty points will be deducted on each of your behalves," he added.

"We didn't do anything!" Harry exclaimed, knowing full well Snape did not need a reason to take points from him.

"Precisely," Snape spat, "The next time one of your friends decides to berate a Professor, Potter, you will find it in your best interest to make sure they bite their tongue."

"But..." Harry started before Snape interrupted him.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor," Snape shot again, his eyes barring down on Harry intensely.

"Professor, he didn't..." Hermione said, finally finding her voice.

"Twenty more points from Gryffindor," Snape spat again, his eyes not leaving Harry's.

Harry opened his mouth when Snape leaned in closer.

"You have something else to add, Potter? Is your over-inflated ego worth another fifty points from your Housemates?" Snape's teeth were clenched as tight as Harry's fists. "Are you curious to find out whether it's possible to have a negative in House Points?"

Snape straightened up and stepped back from their table, his eyes never moving from Harry's.

Harry was glaring back, trying to find some hint of feeling from the man whom Dumbledore trusted so much, but there was none. All he saw, though, was the same malice and contempt that he had grown so accustomed to over the past four years.

"No?" Snape continued, seeing Harry was not going to say another word, "What a shame."

Without another word, Professor Snape returned to his desk, leaving them to work in silence.

When Harry glanced in Draco's direction, he saw him and the rest of the Slytherins smirking.

"We'll see who's laughing on Monday, you slimy git", Harry thought to himself.

XXXXX

After dinner that evening, Harry, Ron and Hermione were walking slowly back to the Gryffindor dormitory, when Fred and George Weasley, Ron's twin brothers, came up from behind them. Fred and George, both seventh year Gryffindors, were notorious for their love of jokes and general mischief.

"Congrats Ron! You managed to be the first to lose Points for Gryffindor this term," George said, patting Ron on the back.

"Yeah," Fred chimed in, "usually we're the ones to get that honor."

"That's not funny, you two," Hermione cut in.

"Ah, Hermione, don't get shirty," Fred said noticing her disapproving expression, "Ron's a Weasley, after all. Getting into trouble is what we do best."

"Last time I checked," she stated, "Ron was his own person, not just a 'trouble-making Weasley.'"

Ron looked over at Hermione, puzzled as to the source of this newfound defense of his person.

"Why Miss Granger," George said with an air of surprise, "Are you defending Ron's honor? How sweet."

Ron finally spoke up, "Get lost, you two. Don't you have someone else to annoy?"

"Hey Fred," George said to his twin, "Ya' get the feeling that a certain someone may fancy a certain someone else:"

Ron stopped short, his lips pursed. Harry noticed Ron's face getting as red as his hair.

"Put a sock in it!" he growled, clearly agitated.

The group had all stopped walking and were standing in the middle of a deserted corridor. None of them seemed to have noticed that Professor Snape, who always seemed to appear out of thin air, had just entered the corridor and was watching the scene before him unfold.

"By George! I think you're on to something George," Fred said, ignoring Ron, "Methinks a love may be blossoming here. And it seems like only yesterday our young Ron was running away from members of the opposite sex."

Fred and George both stood back and stared at Ron like proud parents.

With that, Ron reached inside his robes and pulled out his wand, pointing it directly at his stunned twin brothers.

Harry and Hermione both jumped to grab Ron before he did something he would regret.

Professor Snape, had been waiting for the chance to take more Points from Gryffindor.

"Ten? Twenty? No, let's just make it fifty points..." the Potions Master thought to himself, as he started swiftly towards the group of Gryffindors.

Before Snape had a chance to open his mouth, a stern voice came from behind him.

"Put that wand away this instant, Mr. Weasley."

Ron put his wand down at his side and the group turned quickly turned to see where the voice had come from. Professor Kidrin was storming up the corridor from behind Professor Snape, who was just as startled by the sudden outburst.

She came to a halt before the students, her eyes blazing.

"I may be new here, boys, but I'm quite sure that what was about to take place here is against school rules," she said, her voice harsher than they remembered from Monday's class.

Ron glanced at his brothers and dropped his head in defeat. He hadn't intended to harm them. They had just hit a nerve he had not realized existed.

"Now you can add the first detention of the year to your list of 'honors'," she continued, glaring at Ron. Her eyes shifted slightly towards the twins as she continued, "An honor you will be sharing with your brothers."

"Professor Kidrin, please don't blame Ron," Hermione pleaded, "It was my fault entirely. We were just..."

Professor Kidrin put her hand up to silence Hermione and continued speaking to the three Weasley brothers.

"The three of you will be serving your detentions tomorrow evening," Professor Kidrin continued, her voice softening slightly.

All three of the Weasleys looked as if they had just been hit by a pile of bricks.

"But Professor, tomorrow is Saturday!" Fred and George exclaimed in unison.

"Seven o'clock tomorrow evening and I advise you all to be on time," she continued, ignoring them, "It would probably be wise for all of you to make your way back to your dormitories now. Goodnight."

Without another word, the five Gryffindors turned and walked down the corridor in complete silence.

Professor Kidrin watched as they turned the corner, disappearing from sight, then tuned back from where she had come.

"Good evening, Professor Snape," she said, glancing his way as she strode past him down the corridor.

Severus turned to follow her, matching her stride.

"I must admit, Professor, I am quite impressed," he said, his voice showing no emotion.

Jena sniggered slightly.

"Funny, I don't see you as the type to be impressed with anything," she replied, keeping her eyes straight ahead as they walked.

"I suppose I just assumed you would have 'challenged' them to some sort of silly task to avoid punishment," he sneered back, not liking her tone.

"Ah, I see," she said, nodding her head in comprehension. Up until this moment, Severus had barely spoken more than two words to her since she had arrived at Hogwarts. Jena now knew where this newfound interest in conversing with her was coming from.

"You don't approve of the way I handled Mr. Malfoy's issue," she said as she stopped walking. "Well, I can understand why. Being Head of Slytherin, you must surely be quite upset that your House will be losing those fifty points on Monday."

Severus, who had stopped alongside her, turned to face her with a menacing gaze, which she met, unshaken.

"I am not worried in the least in the ability of one of my most prized pupils," he growled, "I am however, disgusted that a Hogwarts Professor would willingly make a fool of themselves in front of the entire student body.

"So, you do not believe that I will succeed then," she said with a slight grin, "Well then, I've got a proposition for you, Professor."

"Go on," he said, attempting not to sound intrigued.

"I'm sure Albus doesn't want to have to replace one of his most valuable teachers," she paused a moment before continuing, "and I'm afraid the way you're headed, you'll surely going to kill yourself."

"What are you talking about, Professor?" he snarled back, "You know nothing about..."

"The way you rush through meals, Severus," she interrupted, "I'm talking about your eating habits. No one else may have noticed, Professor, but I see the way you hurry through every meal, making excuses to leave before most of us have even taken a first bite."

His eyes narrowed.

"And I know why you do it," she continued calmly. "I'm perfectly aware that for whatever reason you do not seem to enjoy the company you keep at the table. Either myself or Sirius, or both of us... So what I'm proposing is a friendly wager, between the two of us."

Severus was beginning to wonder why he had even began conversing with this woman as she continued, "If on Monday, Mr. Malfoy is successful in his 'mission', I will make sure that new seating arrangements are made immediately so that you may eat without distraction. Really, at the rate your going, Professor, you'll wither away to nothing in no time."

Snape stared blankly at her a few moments before replying, "Well, I admit I am rather intrigued by the idea of dining without the childish interruptions. And being as my odds are so good..."

His eyes narrowed further as a thought struck him, "And what do you get if I, by some far-off chance lose this wager?"

"Well, I'm afraid you may not like it, Professor," she said coolly.

"Try me."

"If I win, you will escort me on the first outing to Hogsmeade."

The Potions Master scoffed at the thought of a day in Hogsmeade, let alone accompanying her.

"You will spend an entire day visiting shops, eating, drinking, seeing the sites... basically just having fun," she said with a smirk.

He cringed as the word fun fell from her lips.

"Very well, Professor" he said abruptly, "If it means I will finally get some much needed peace during meals."

"Good. So we have a deal then," she said, with a mischievous grin.

She held her hand to seal the pact, and he shook it quickly.

"Well then, Professor Snape, if there is nothing else, I shall be retiring for the evening," she said, still grinning, "Good evening."

She turned away from him and continued down the corridor without looking back.

"You'd best not fail Malfoy," he thought to himself as he watched her disappear around the corner.

XXXXX

As Jena made her way to her quarters, she thought of the events that had just transpired between herself and Severus.

Sirius had given her his opinion of the temperamental Potions Master, which she of course knew was completely biased.

"True, he is a bit of a heel," she thought as she approached the door to her quarters, "but who can blame him?"

She reached into the pocket of her wool coat for the key to her room, when the door opened for her quickly.

"Where have you been?" Sirius asked, sounding distressed. He held the door open so she could enter.

Jena stepped across the threshold into a large circular room with two doors on either side of a large stone fireplace. A fire was roaring heartily, throwing dancing shadows over the room.

"I told you I had to go see Hagrid," she replied, as she removed her coat and hung it on a hook by the door.

"Well, I was just down to Hagrid's and he told me you left quite some time ago," he said, watching her collapse with exhaustion on the sofa. "I thought you had run into trouble. Wandering around and all..."

Sirius poured her a cup of warm tea, which she accepted gratefully.

"No, no trouble at all," she lied. She had decided, during her journey up to her room, that she certainly would not be telling him of her confrontation and wager she had made with Snape.

She took a sip of her tea and glanced over to Sirius, who had taken a seat in a chair across from her.

"Actually, I did have to reprimand some students on the way back," she added, noticing the suspicious look Sirius was shooting her way. "Detention tomorrow evening."

Sirius relaxed his stare. "And who, pray tell, were the unlucky recipients?" he asked.

"The Weasley brothers."

Sirius rolled his eyes, having heard of their track record for trouble. "Fred and George Weasley...of course."

"Actually, Fred, George and Ron Weasley," she corrected him.

He raised his brow slightly at the mention of Ron's name.

"I believe that Ron and Miss Granger may fancy each other," she continued, "His brothers were teasing him about it."

"You don't say?"

"I think it's quite romantic, really," she said with a smile. "The young man defending her honor and all."

Sirius leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful look.

"Sounds like something James would've done," he sighed.

Jena looked at him with a smile and nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, it does. They were happy, weren't they?" she said quietly, more as a statement than a question.

XXX

Meanwhile, in the Slytherin Common Room, Draco Malfoy sat surrounded by his usual clique.

"Did you notice the way Kidrin's always hanging around with Black?" Draco snarled, "I find it disgusting, really. To go from being hailed the Dark Lord's trusted steed to nothing more than a puppet to that Muggle lover."

He shook his head in disgust, his group of cronies mimicking his revulsion.

"I can't wait to see the look of terror on Kidrin's face when the Dark Lord comes," he continued, with a hateful glint in his eyes. "Her and the rest of those..."

Malfoy's speech was suddenly interrupted by a flash from the fireplace.

"Malfoy, my office. Now!" Snape's voice boomed through the Common Room, causing Draco's audience to break up.

Although Professor Snape was Head of Slytherin, and showed an apparent favoritism to his own students, he was still able to strike a note of fear among them.

Malfoy stood up swiftly, upon hearing his Head of House's commanding voice, and exited the Common Room.

Snape was seated behind his desk when Draco arrived in his office.

"Close the door, Mr. Malfoy," he said, standing from his chair.

Draco closed the door as he was directed. Snape motioned to an empty chair facing his desk and Draco sat obediently.

"I trust you've put some thought into your upcoming duel with Professor Kidrin?" Snape asked.

"Well, sir, my father..." Draco started, before Snape interrupted him.

"I hold a great deal of respect for Lucius," Snape said, forcing the statement out, "but due to circumstances beyond his control, he has yet to successfully show any type of influence over the goings on of this school. His attempt to have the Headmaster dismissed three years ago; the failed execution of that Higgogriff...which to his day, I know Potter had something to do with."

Snape's voice spate the last statement out with such loathing, Draco could not help but smirk. One of the reasons Draco held such high regards for his Head of House was his blatant hatred of Harry Potter.

There were moments when Draco, secretly of course, that he held a higher respect for Snape than for his own father. Lucius was constantly reminding him to keep his feeling of malice towards the Boy Who Lived to himself. Snape, on the other hand, did not seem to mind Draco's outward loathing, as he himself was constantly vocalizing his feelings of contempt for Harry.

"It has been my experience, that if you want results, you must take matters into your own hands," Snape continued, silkily, "Depend on no one, Malfoy. Not your father, not your friends, no one."

Draco nodded as Snape's gaze dropped on him.

"What do you suggest, Professor?" asked Draco.

A glint came into Snape's eyes and Draco suddenly felt relieved that he was not the object of this man's hatred.