Angharad's Risky Business by Peppermint

Angharad's Risky Business by Peppermint

Thanks to ScatteredLogic for looking this over for me, and ladyinthecloak for the late-night pep talk.

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We were all sitting down at supper when Jemima and Carlie started snickering in my general direction.

“What? Did I spill gravy on my tie? Ugh, you’d think I’d learn to cast a repelling charm on it, with breasts like mine…”

Jemima laughed and pointed at my shirt pocket. “No, Angharad, dear – your pocket is glowing. It’s your turn!”

“Do I really have to do this one? I’m going to be scrubbing toilets with my toothbrush until N.E.W.T.s for this!! Well, that is if he doesn’t kill me first…”

“Nobody forced you to play, Ang,” Carlie pointed out. “Although, I’d get the card out of your shirt pocket – the boys are beginning to stare.”

“Oooooh, and did you hear about Sadie Fawcett?” I asked, stuffing my card in my robe's inner pocket. “She apparently didn't succeed with her dare – she's stuck in hospital, covered with scales!”

**********

Returning to the Slytherin common room from the library later that night, I saw Professor Snape wading his way through a crowd of fourth-year Astronomy students who were on their way up to the tower to take a look at some constellation or another. I insinuated myself in front of him and just stood there. This has to count as a crowded hallway, right?

“Miss Marchbanks, what is the meaning of this?” he snarled. “Move yourself!”

I bit my bottom lip and looked up at him. Must. Not. Laugh. Or smile. Or waggle my eyebrows. Merlin, he smells nice! Who would have imagined? What was I doing again? Oh, yes. The dare. Right.

The last of the fourth-years trickled by, and he took the opportunity to sweep around me and stalk away.

I turned around. It was now or never, or nobody would hear.

“Why are you doing this, Severus? YOU KNOW THIS IS YOUR BABY!” I yelled, throwing in a few dramatic sniffles for good measure.

I heard a collective gasp from the troupe of fourth-years that had just passed. Sodding little gossipmongers. They had their mouths gaping open, and I knew this little scene would be all over the school by breakfast.

Did you know that Snape can get even paler than he is? I swear I saw all the blood drain from his face. He just stood there. To be honest, I felt kind of bad. Then I remembered the rest of the dare, and I took off running. There was an alcove behind a statue of Peregrine the Portly that I’d hidden in a few times before. No doubt the Weasley twins know better hiding spots, but this one was close. I squirmed back there and held very still, which was difficult with the adrenaline skittering through my veins.

“One hundred points from SLYTHERIN!” I heard him bellow. Well, I can settle any wagers on Snape and House points; he’s perfectly willing to take points from us. Did he just say a hundred? Blast!

He came by the statue and stopped suddenly. No! I’ve hidden from Filch, his stupid cat, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Draco Malfoy (the horny little git) in here! This is one of the best hiding spots in the castle! He can’t possibly know I’m here! I flattened myself against the wall of the alcove and held my breath, closing my eyes. If I can’t see him, he can’t see me, right? I heard the rustling of robes and felt another body near mine in the alcove. He’s going to kill me right here and nobody will know. Circe! Merlin and Morgana! Nimue’s satin shreddi…

“Miss Marchbanks,” he intoned, “I am not going to harm you. I’m not even going to give you detention.”

I opened one eye. “Um, all right, sir?” I whispered.

“I can only deduce that you’re playing some kind of adolescent game; you don’t strike me as the type of young lady to have a death wish. I have been the recipient of so many odd comments, conversations, and gifts that I can only hope it’s a game, and the girls in your year haven’t gone round the bend completely,” he wryly quipped. “You and I both very well know we are not acquainted… intimately; however, should you wish to explore such an avenue, I suggest you wait until after you sit for your N.E.W.T.s – it would be a shame to expel you when you’re so close. Regrettably, the lost points must stand – unless, of course, you'd like to... spill the beans.”

I shook my head in the negative, inching toward the corridor. One does not betray the group. It's uncouth.

“Pity. How I hate to remove so many points from my own house. Oh, and Miss Marchbanks?”

I turned back toward Professor Snape, against my better judgment.

“It was not so long ago that I was a student here, and I do know most of the “good” hiding spots. Next time you attempt mischief, do choose a different alcove.”

I nodded and squeezed past the statue, taking off running back toward the common room. I grabbed the card out of my pocket and was overjoyed to see the letters were glowing green – apparently the game thought my choice of hiding spot was “really good”, even though I got caught!

I sure feel sorry for Beatrise. Professor Snape has about lost his mind.

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And the fun continues…

Author’s notes:

The original prompt is:

#31) On the off chance that you actually see Snape in a crowded hallway/corridor, go up to him and stand in his way until he storms off. When he storms off, cry and yell, "Why are you doing this, Severus? YOU KNOW THIS IS YOUR BABY!" Run and hide before he has chance to kill you. Make sure you pick a really good hiding place.