Chapter Ten: Tennis, Anyone?

Disclaimer: If they were mine I would keep them under lock and key. They can't be trusted.

Chapter Ten: Tennis, Anyone?

“I wonder where Mr Sneyd is this morning. It’s not like him to be late, even on a Sunday.”

“Yeah, Cathy. I haven’t seen him at all.”

“Do you think he had too much to drink last night and slept in? Have you seen him, Harmony?”

“Why would you think I had seen him?”

“Why are you blushing then? Have you seen him?”

“I haven’t seen him have breakfast, Lee.”

“Look! There he is. Wow, he looks a little flushed… and sort of sexy.”

“You always think he looks sexy, Amelia.”

“No. I mean he looks like he has just been shagged. Do you think… Why are you giggling, Harmony?”

“Er… Nothing. Just laughing at your reasoning. Sneyd looks a little rumpled this morning, and you immediately deduct he’s been having sex. Perhaps he’s just a little tired after his big night out.”

“Well, he was dancing with you a lot. Perhaps you wore him out.”

“Oh, I’m sure my hands are clean. It must have been you girls.”

“We only had one dance each, not like some people, who had at least four.”

“Six.”

“What, Amelia, you were counting?”

“Six! You lucky tart! What have you got that we haven’t?”

“Magic?”

***

“Anything?”

“No. Not a trace. She must have thought everyone was still at the ball the other night. Just sheer luck I came back a little earlier than the rest.”

“You didn’t notice anyone else slipping away early, then?”

“No. And I’ve talked to all three of them about the ball. Who they went with, how they enjoyed it, and how long they stayed. Nothing. Have you had a chance to check their records?”

“Not yet. I’m collecting them this afternoon. I thought you might like to join me after your last class to help. I’m sure another pair of eyes wouldn’t go amiss.”

“I’d like to help, but I won’t be free until after dinner. I have sports practice.”

“After dinner will be fine, around six-thirty? Meet me at the door we used last time – we’ll use my office. Call it extra tuition if you need an excuse. Merlin knows your classmates will believe it. I know you’re supposed to be playing the average student, but you really took it too far today. You don’t have to act completely clueless.”

“A little overdone, was it?”

“Even Mr Weasley could have answered that question with more insight.”

“Ouch.”

“Indeed. May I ask what sport you have chosen?”

“Tennis. And I’m hopeless. I can’t seem to get the racquet to connect with the ball. I’ve read all the books about techniques, and it just doesn’t help. I always miss the ball by a split second.”

“Not everything comes from books, Granger. You must have some hand-eye coordination, or you wouldn’t be so proficient with Charms. It’s simply your timing. No doubt you’re over-thinking each swing. Try to relate it to using your wand – set your body free from your mind and just let instinct take over.”

“I thought you weren’t interested in foolish wand-waving.”

“Have you seen me demonstrating duelling?”

“Yes.”

“Did I use a wand?”

“Yes.”

“Well?”

“It was like watching you dance… Your wand was an extension of your body… It all just flowed.”

“Exactly. Now think of your tennis racquet in the same way. You’re not holding it, merely using it as an extension of your arm.”

“How do you know so much about tennis?”

“I know nothing about tennis. But I have seen it played, and the same principles apply.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll give it a try. Thanks!”

“You’re welcome. Six-thirty then?”

“I’ll be there.”

***

Hermione

Bloody hell. What’s he doing here? Couldn’t help himself I suppose. Had to come and watch me make an idiot of myself.

Oof. Didn’t even see that one coming. How does someone hit the ball that hard? How does someone actually hit the damned ball? Think of it like your wand, he said. I’d like to see you try it, git!

Missed again!

Oh, just look at the bastard smirk. He’s enjoying this far too much. Now he’s waving his hand like a wand. Okay, I get it!

Here it comes.

It’s not a tennis racquet. It’s an extension of my arm.

It’s not a… Hey! I hit it!

And the sarcastic one is applauding.

Take that!

Ah. That’s the trick. Pretend they are Snape’s balls you are hitting over the net.

If he ever mentions this at Hogwarts, it’ll be canaries for him!

***

Snape

Granger should wear shorts and skimpy tops more often. Preferably not in front of any young men.

Just me.

Pervert.

She really is hopeless. I don’t think she could hit the ball if it was three times slower. Remember the water balloons, Granger. You had no problem tossing them around. I suppose she used magic then.

Come on, Granger. Relax. Think of your wand like I told you.

That’s it.

That’s my girl!

Why is she looking at me like that? Have I done something wrong?

***

“Do you fancy a walk after dinner, Harmony? Lee and Amelia are keen to wander down to the village shop for some sweets.”

“I’d love to, but I have to meet Mr Sneyd up at the school at six-thirty. He wasn’t particularly impressed with my performance in class today and offered me a catch-up session.”

“Lucky you, getting him all to yourself. I hope you behave yourselves.”

“Cathy! He’s a teacher!”

“Just saying – you, him, alone. He seems to like you, you know.”

“He’s just doing his job. Teaching. Nothing else.”

“Okay. Okay. Don’t get your knickers in a knot!”

“Hi. What’s up with you two? You look like you’ve been arguing. Coming to the village, Harmony?”

“No, Lee. I’m studying.”

“With Seth.”

“I’d like to have private lessons with Seth. Private anatomy lessons!”

“Amelia!”

“What? Don’t try and tell me you haven’t thought the same? Well, Lee and Cathy, anyway.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Definitely!”

***

A/N: I'm not sure why this chapter ended up so short. It's just the way it turned out.

This was written for the Severus Big Bang Birthday Bash on LIveJournal. Many thanks to karelia for the beta. Hugs to Amelia for... well, just being Amelia!