Chapter 5: Draco

Chapter 5:

Draco:

Draco guffawed loudly as Hermione's words echoed around the Great Hall. The thought of Severus being aligned with the Chosen One was laughable... Wasn't it? A sliver of doubt began to rise in Draco's mind. But before that doubt could materialize, Severus Snape himself stood up.

"Miss Granger," the Headmaster said in a decidedly icy tone, "I would ask that you please keep your inane ponderings to yourself. And if the urge to hypothesize about my loyalty overwhelms your impressionable young mind, I would remind you of what happened to the last man who sat in this chair. 50 points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. And detention with me later today, to show you whose side I'm really on." With that, Severus smugly sat down in the Headmaster's chair.

Draco watched with glee as the Boy Wonder started to stand, his cheeks flushed with rage. Granger and Weasley were barely able to restrain Potter. And Granger, that thief of Severus's attention, looked sheepishly mollified. For once, Draco mused, the expression on Granger's face perfectly matched the texture of her hair.

Draco was even more delighted later to see the angry look Severus gave her as he left the Great Hall. Perhaps all was not well between Severus and Granger after all. Maybe now Severus would see Hermione's true colors and realize that Draco was a much worthier and loyal student. If Severus could see that, Draco might still have a chance at winning him back.

In Potions later that day, Granger was blessedly silent. She asked no questions and did not hang around after class to speak with Severus. This is my chance, Draco thought. An unusual sensation of nervousness splashed onto Draco. He had always assumed that Severus's fascination with Hermione Granger wouldn't last, but there was this uncomfortable fear that Severus would reject him again. Unbidden, the words, "It is over", flashed before Draco. But what was he worried about, really? What did that Mudblood have that he didn't? Okay, there were the breasts and other female parts, but surely by now Severus would be missing Draco's manly touch. It was simple, really: Draco was just a better catch than Granger. Now he just had to bring Severus back to his senses.

He sauntered up to Severus’s desk, trying to ooze confidence that he still wasn't entirely sure he really felt.

"Good afternoon, Professor." Draco mentally stroked his ego as he congratulated himself on a smooth start.

Severus looked up from his desk in what appeared to be, but couldn't really be, amusement. For a brief moment, Severus's eyes locked onto Draco's. Basking in the attention, Draco momentarily forgot that Severus was an accomplished Legilimens. His entire scheme blinked into his mind and that same amusement flitted across Severus's face. It couldn't really be amusement, though, because Draco was worth more than that. Still, he had to admit that the amusement broke the starkness of Severus's face like pears mixed with sharp cheddar cheese. It had been a long time since he had seen anything but starkness on Severus's face.

"Perhaps I have been too hard on you, Draco." No, Draco thought wryly, the problem is that you haven't been hard on me at all. "If you like, I might still be able to find time for," Severus paused as if he wanted to savor the words that would follow, "private instruction."

"Of course, Professor. I can always find time for you," Draco added boldly.

The smallest hint of a smirk appeared on Severus's face. "How about later this evening, after Miss Granger's detention?"

"And how late would that be, Professor?"

"Shall we say 10 o'clock?" Draco beamed at the time suggested. Perhaps this would be easier than he thought.

"Of course, Professor."

"Then 10 o'clock tonight it is, Draco. But do be sure to be on time. I would hate for our evening together to be cut short because of your aptitude for tardiness." Draco couldn't help but smile as he remembered the many times during the spring when he had been no more than five minutes late for Severus. Draco had received some very pleasant punishments for his tardiness.

"Certainly, I will be on time, Professor. But I humbly beg your forgiveness if my punctuality does not happen to agree with your clocks."

"Until then, Draco. But now I must ask you to leave, as it appears that my hopeless class of first-years desires my attention."

Draco turned around in surprise to find dozens of meek first-year students looking on. He nodded politely to Severus, gathered his things, and walked out of the dungeons. An enormous smile split his face as he felt that, finally, he was going to have his Professor back.