Chapter 6
Chapter 6 of 11
MinervaA chance comment on encountering Severus Snape on a bad hair day leads to mortification (hers), teasing (his) and eventually to Emma, Elizabeth and Simon Granger-Snape.
Three days later Kingsley Shacklebolt was slightly surprised by Snape's attendance at a meeting for the purpose of analysing the latest mission. Usually, the solitary man avoided such things like the plague, sending his input via owl in precise and cutting words that made the Minister of Magic wince in sympathy for Snape's former pupils. He put the thought aside in favour of listening to Hermione Granger's presentation – precise, but slightly too long, as always.
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Hermione was taking her time in leaving the conference room. She wanted everyone to be gone because she didn't trust her temper. Did they really think she wouldn't see their eyes glassing over halfway through her presentation? Save for clobbering them over the head she couldn't think of anything more to make them get her point.
Still fuming, she hadn't noticed Snape lingering on, shrinking his robes and looking surprisingly at home in dark Muggle jeans and a turtleneck sweater.
“Do you want my advice?”
Of course he would notice the inattention of her colleagues, having been a teacher for so long. As she hadn't noticed any derision in his address, she nodded.
“Yes, please. I must admit I'm at the end of my wits.”
“Your presentation was very thorough but the team has probably heard it before. I think you should encourage them more, coddle them, if you like, about things they got right this time. Cut the rest short. And put more stress on your fourth topic; that is a Muggle concept I doubt anyone save Potter, you and me understands. It is completely alien to somebody with a Wizarding background.”
“Excuse me? Severus Snape is telling me about positive motivation?!?”
“Don't play dumb, Granger. Potions and law are two different things. If I hadn't kept them on their toes, the dunderheads would have blown themselves up by the dozens. Did you know that the Potions Masters before me had an average death count of two pupils per year?”
Hermione could tell he was completely sincere. Not wanting to continue right in the MOM she offered, “I want to get out of here. Will you come with me? My chocolate intake is too low right now for me to appreciate your input.”
It was Snape's turn to look surprised, but he acquiesced readily enough and followed her to a small Italian bakery.
With a double espresso and a chocolate cake in front of her, she looked markedly calmer. His eyebrow nearly got lost in his hairline at the speed the first half of the cake vanished.
“Don't look at me that way, just try it.”
He did, and Hermione had a hard time defending her cake hence. They parted amicably.
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During the next few weeks neither thought a lot about the other. Maybe Hermione now and then compared how other men wore their black jeans to how Snape wore his. Maybe Severus' memory of their meeting in the café was triggered by chocolate cakes, spoons, Italian shoes, Italian soccer teams …
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Latest 25 Reviews for Bad Hair Day
160 Reviews | 7.12/10 Average
It's always hard to keep your temper , when you are under stress, especially if your name happens to be Snape.
Stupid review box won't let me review so I have to go to the one that won't let you rate stories. Ugh. Anyways, I liked your little story, except for the last chapter they did seem a little out of character (of course, when do we ever see Snape happy, or professing love?), but I adored your epilogue with the potions accident of "Longbottomish" proportions. Brilliant.
Response from Minerva (Author of Bad Hair Day)
You are right. As much as I (and all readers of HGSS, I guess) wish him to be happy or at least content, it is terribly difficult to plot and write AND stay in character. Although JKR leaves a lot to our imagination (thankfully, the books are written for children) about what being a DE-spy means for Severus. Is he mainly at the castle, going to meetings rarely and to raids not at all? While I guess he would feel guilty nevertheless with this scenario it is possible to heal and have a future eventually . Stories like Loten's Post Tenebras, Lux or Chaos Has Come Again (don't know the author) ring true and in character for me but now and again I ran away with a lighthearted plot-bunny like BHD (besides - I haven't the stamina for a serious, novel-length endavour). Thank you!
Response from Minerva (Author of Bad Hair Day)
You are right. As much as I (and all readers of HGSS, I guess) wish him to be happy or at least content, it is terribly difficult to plot and write AND stay in character. Although JKR leaves a lot to our imagination (thankfully, the books are written for children) about what being a DE-spy means for Severus. Is he mainly at the castle, going to meetings rarely and to raids not at all? While I guess he would feel guilty nevertheless with this scenario it is possible to heal and have a future eventually . Stories like Loten's Post Tenebras, Lux or Chaos Has Come Again (don't know the author) ring true and in character for me but now and again I ran away with a lighthearted plot-bunny like BHD (besides - I haven't the stamina for a serious, novel-length endavour). Thank you!
Aw, nice happy ending. Well done.
Response from Minerva (Author of Bad Hair Day)
Thank you for all your reviews!
Response from Minerva (Author of Bad Hair Day)
Thank you for all your reviews!
Not really a romantic place for a first kiss, but you do what it takes.
Or is it a running gag?
Sounds like they both got a bit of revival from meeting together. And poor Hermione with her family. I can completely understand having relatives you don't want to be around.
I see a chance meeting in the future.
Ah, a budding relationship and it looks like they got over the shock of comments that should have remained un-uttered.
That would definitely leave a person dumbfounded considering they aren't in a relationship beyond occasional coworker. LOL
Ah, a throwback to the beginning. Nothing like sleep deprivation causing you to say something you regret after it's out.
Oh what words might those be? Enquiring minds want to know. And maybe he'll remember to lock the door next time.
You are really good at these little cliffhangers. I wonder what comes of shortened tempers?
Well, that's a get your attention type of start. On to read more.
Anonymous
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There are lots of types involving wedding gifts that you could choose out of but you will want to take your time and effort deciding for you to make your making your decision.Take a while to ask yourself what the wedding couple might such as.If you know them w.
There are lots of types involving wedding gifts that you could choose out of but you will want to take your time and effort deciding for you to make your making your decision.Take a while to ask yourself what the wedding couple might such as.If you know them well enough you can purchase them a very personal surprise, such as framed pictures that mean something for them.If you're have no idea much about the personal tastes of the newly wedded couple you will want to stick having wedding gifts which are more broad in wide variety, such because small appliances, bottles associated with wine, or even bedding.
Ensure that you find out when there is a engagement registry plus where it is, since this really is a terrific way to get the wedding couple something how they really wish
Such a sweet, well told tale! I loved it 
Anonymous
Cartier, Cartier Panthere
Lovely story. Very enjoyable to read!
Absolutely adorable. This is really a cute story so far.
LMAO, what a response. I think I would be dumbfounded too.
That was magic. Well done! Best wishes, Love Ali xxxx.
Chocolate cake, and kisses, a perfect ending. Thank you 
AWWWWW Lovely 
Now for the epiligue. 
MERLINS BOXERS!!! On to the next chapter.
More chocolate cake sharing, in public too, I'm shocked! ,I tell you, shocked!
I wonder who he will meet, in the cafe?