Bedeviling the Billowing Biddies

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Thanks to Karelia for betaing. Any remaining mistakes are my own. Warning for excessive silliness.

“Good morning.” Severus coolly greeted Professors McGonagall, Sprout, and Vector. “My wife wishes to avoid staircases, so I’m to ask if you would care to walk in the dungeons with us this morning.”

“Of course! Poor Hermione! But aren’t there stairs in the dungeons?” chattered Pomona Sprout.

Minerva rolled her eyes. “Yes, Pomona. I assume Severus knows the dungeons well enough to avoid stairs. It’s fine with me, Severus.”

Septima Vector concurred. “Oh, yes! I’ve noticed that stairs are getting harder for Hermione. You won’t mind if we still Transfigure our club tracksuits, Severus?”

“Hermione would be disappointed if you didn’t,” he replied.

They soon reached the Snapes’ quarters where they were warmly greeted by Hermione. “I’m so glad you’ve joined us!” She hugged each of her friends before the club started off walking.

They had just rounded a corner near the Slytherin common room. Hermione and Severus were setting the pace slightly ahead of the others. Hearing a gasp from Headmistress McGonagall, they turned around to see the three older ladies wearing their wizarding robes instead of their club tracksuits. Suddenly, a strong, blustery wind filled the corridor. The ladies’ robes billowed with air, their ballooning robes forcing them back down the hallway.

Severus held Hermione tightly, using his body to shield her from the worst of the wind. Once the ladies reached the junction to the corridor they had walked down previously, the wind died out.

“Are you all right?” Hermione asked anxiously.

“Yes. Just surprised.” Minerva glared at Severus. “Severus, what was that?”

“It’s a ward that has long been taught amongst Slytherins. It reverses the magic of anyone who is not a Slytherin and discourages them from approaching any closer. That is why your robe Transfiguration reversed. The spell is forbidden; I shall make sure it doesn’t happen again, Minerva.”

The startling incident ended the club’s walk prematurely that day. Severus and Hermione returned to their quarters. “Do you have any idea who cast that spell?” Hermione asked curiously.

“A pretty good idea, yes,” Severus replied casually.

Hermione regarded Severus carefully, surprised that he wasn’t more irate with whichever student had cast such a spell.

“I doubt that the ladies will want to billow any time soon.” Severus glanced slyly at Hermione from the corner of his eye.

“Billow? Severus…” Hermione walked towards him and cupped his face in both hands. “What did you do?”

Severus tried to appear apologetic but ended up looking so much like a little boy who had been caught being naughty that Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. Severus was soon laughing as well. Then Hermione said seriously, “Someone could have been hurt.”

Severus held Hermione close. “They’re your friends, and they care for you. I wouldn’t want them hurt.” He kissed her thoroughly. “However, I do have a reputation to uphold.” A gleam of humor showed through his lofty sneer.

Hermione snuggled closer, knowing that only his family would see this softer, humorous side of Severus. “Your secret is safe with me.”