Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Stress Relief	By : pittwitch Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 29374 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the world or characters of Harry Potter. I make absolutely no money from this.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Alecto sputtered, momentarily drawing back from the enraged witch. Nicole held her position, strong, steady, fully intent on intimidation.

“I may be the Headmaster’s cock-whore as you so eloquently phrased it, but know full well that I am more than capable of defending myself and these children.   Unlike others here, I also firmly believe that the best defense is a decisive offense. One more child cries within my hearing, speaking of Unforgiveables or horrible curses, punishment or threats, believe me that you and your despicable brother will be rendered useless,” Nicole whispered through clenched teeth.

“How dare you!” Alecto finally found her tongue. “I have the Dark Lord’s full permission – and protection!” she threatened back.

“Are you so certain?” Snape drawled from the shadows; his drawn countenance masking complete fury. Alecto spun around, flailing her arms just a bit, reminding Nicole of an overly large insect caught in a spider’s web, in this case, trapped between two very dangerous people. “Perhaps we shall discuss your liberties at dinner these evening? At Malfoy Manor?” He arched an eyebrow at her in counterpoint to his question.

“T-t-tonight?” she stammered, her hands fluttering uselessly.

Nicole pressed her rouged lips together to form a thin, stern line as she crossed her arms in front of her, fighting not to hex the other witch when her back was turned. Instead, she steadied her gaze on Snape, waiting to match his play.

“Yes, dear. Weren’t you invited?” Snape asked with feigned innocence.

“I am quite certain it was an oversight on Narcissa’s part,” Alecto sniffed haughtily.

Snape stepped closer. Alecto skittered backwards a step, nearly into Nicole, who took some small mercy on the woman and stepped aside to allow her room to flee.

“Must be off! Classes!” she called out much too loudly, making a dash down the hall.

Nicole and Snape stood side by side, silently watching her escape.

“Unforgiveables, Nicole?” Snape finally whispered harshly at her.

“I study in the stacks, Severus. The children do not know I am there. I hear their sobbing and conversations.”

“Why has no one told me?” he demanded to know.

“Who would think you care?” Nicole replied softly, resting her hand on his arm as if to reassure him.

“I must have misplaced my faith in you,” Snape snarled.

“Do not throw this in my lap, Headmaster. I desired only to spare you more grief,” she snipped. “You must keep up appearances after all,” she added in an even softer tone as Professor Flitwick turned the corner of the hallway, spied them then executed an abrupt about-face to avoid them.

Snape glared at the disappearing elf. “You should have informed me,” he stated flatly.

“I shall endeavor to share all of my eavesdropping with you in the future,” she promised snidely. “I shall see you at lunch, Headmaster.” As she strode away, she halted, turned back to meet his black glare, and called out gaily, “I may need to blot once more.” She turned and strode away, covering the stones quickly, leaving him to watch her progress.

With a decided sneer at her back, he swirled his cloak in front of himself and spun to head in the opposite direction, his thoughts exploding in different directions as he processed everything she said to him.

“Unforgiveables,” he growled under his breath. As he moved towards the Great Hall to make his appearance, students scattered from his path, innately sensing the dark man’s even darker mood.

Even Draco, quite familiar and accustomed to his godfather’s foulness, arched an eyebrow surprise and quickly stepped into the shadows to allow him to pass unimpeded. His sharp eye followed Snape until he disappeared around the corner, clearly heading towards the staff entrance. Feeling safe, he made to move for the Great Hall and breakfast. Snape reappeared suddenly from around the corner. The two men stared each other down; one furious, the other masking his fears with every spare ounce of his energy.

“You should have told me, Draco,” Snape accused him.

Draco nodded his answer and quickly escaped for his breakfast. Inside, as usual, none of the staff spoke to the Headmaster beyond the most cursory of school business conversation. He swooped towards the table, perching above them all, surveying the student body, which he was acutely aware, was considerably more quiet, more subdued than ever in the past. The students huddled together in small groups at their respective tables, whispering when they did talk, mostly with their heads down. As he watched them, cowering in their seats, his mood darkened further. He stabbed a sausage and tore it apart with his teeth.

At that transparent display, Amycus clearly decided that what he was about to tell the Headmaster was definitely not important enough. He gulped down the remainders of his coffee and fled to the relative safety, for him, of his classroom. No one watched him go.

Snape watched as a few intrepid owls made their way to the students, carrying messages. One Hufflepuff girl unfurled her message and began to sob, obviously receiving bad news from home. Her friends wrapped their arms around her, shushing her yet offering support.

“Lucky child,” Snape hissed into his coffee.

“Pardon?” Minerva asked from his side.

“Check on the child,” he amended, indicating the distraught youngster.

“Sudden flash of conscience?” McGonagal shot at him, her eyes blazing with fury.

“I don’t want any further disruptions of our instruction, Professor,” he answered smoothly. “I should think that yesterday was quite enough for all of us.”

McGonagal snorted contemptuously, daring to snipe back at him. “As if this entire year hasn’t been a huge disruption of instruction – for everyone,” she spat between clenched teeth as she gathered herself to go after the distraught young girl. She didn’t hear Snape’s undertone reply.

“Yes, indeed it has.” His thoughts wandered into the realm of addressing the pressing issue of the Carrow’s Unforgiveable treatment of the students. Surely, even the Dark Lord would not condone child abuse, would he?

A/N: funny how those DD&T prompts inspire more -- this is in keeping with the original 1,000 word frolic standard. Enjoy, I hope. Please review, good, bad, indifferent - all helps!
- 9
- 10
- 11
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Stress Relief