My Lunch With Tenbrook? And Severus

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

Chapter 42 – My Lunch With Tenbrook... And Severus

Lunch.

With Michael Tenbrook.

Lunch with Hermione and Michael Tenbrook.

Severus nodded curtly at Tenbrook's confirmation of lunch, afraid to speak lest the first words out of his mouth were a spell he'd learned, but not used, since his Death Eater days: a Dark spell based on advanced Alchemy principles to turn flesh and bone to ashes, most convenient in disguising nefarious deeds.

Hermione and Tenbrook continued their discussion of his lecture, Tenbrook going into greater detail on some of the more technical points of the processes. With a disarming smile, he'd explained he was Muggle-born and never understood the wizarding world's resistance to accepting anything created by Muggles.

They arrived at the Dining Hall and joined the queue to turn in their meal tickets. The same witch that had taken their vouchers for breakfast was still on duty. She smiled as they approached the doorway.

"Good afternoon, Professor Snape. Table for two, sir?" she asked, greeting him warmly, while managing to glare in Hermione's direction.

"No, we'll need a table for three."

"I see." Her manner even frostier, she regarded Tenbrook standing next to Hermione and held three fingers up to the young witch located in the middle of the room. "If you'll follow Sharon, she'll seat you. Have a pleasant lunch."

The witch led them to a booth on the far side of the room, Hermione sliding in first before Severus took the seat next to her, Tenbrook sitting across from the two. "Your server this afternoon will be Callie. I'll take your drink orders and she'll bring them straight away." The young woman took their order and disappeared. An awkward silence descended on the trio before Tenbrook cleared his throat and smiled in Hermione's direction.

"I must say, Hermione, very few grasp the principles of the Muggle-to-wizard technology process in the first go around. I normally have to spend weeks teaching associates the basics before they can assist me in any experimentation. Your comprehension of the facts, coupled with your enthusiasm, make for an extremely refreshing change from the academic types I'm used to dealing with."

You bloody berk, are you just going to sit there while he romances your witch? What is wrong with you? Say something, or you can just kiss her goodbye now.

Severus didn't need the annoying voice in his head to agitate him any further. Tenbrook, while acting as pleasant as possible, was sending his blood pressure, something most wizards just took for granted, up through the stratosphere.

"Hermione has always been quick to understand new material."

Very nice. I'd give you a tumble myself. That comment is sure to endear you to her even more. If he could have been sure casting the Cruciatus Curse on himself would silence the voice again, he might have risked it.

Instead, he gazed fondly at Hermione and said, "I only wish I was in the position to have her as my apprentice. She is more knowledgeable than quite a few masters I've encountered." Severus smiled thinly, annoyed that he should have to justify his reasoning to anyone.

Tenbrook nodded amicably. "I can understand. There are only a handful of masters that have the ability to brew the Wolfsbane Potion properly. If Hermione is able to not only brew it but understand the complexities of ingredient interaction as well as material influence, then she is head and shoulders above just about everyone else." His countenance turned serious. "If my lecture interested you and you haven't decided to apprentice with anyone else, I would be happy to entertain thoughts of taking you on, as per the program, of course, when you're ready."

Severus watched Hermione's eyes light up. Tenbrook had been the most interesting and the most knowledgeable of all the presenters and, more specifically, the most qualified out of all the masters Hermione was interested in, so far. Considering the wizard was also well versed in the Wolfsbane Potion probably didn't harm his chances for being Hermione's top pick, either.

A young witch, with blue hair and orange eyes, brought drinks to the table and took their lunch order. She and the young witch taking tickets, Meredith, were close mates. Her friend had been in her cups last night, lamenting about her hopeless attraction to the dark wizard and how unfair it was that Granger, the cow, had him all to herself and didn't seem to worship the ground he walked on, like she would if he'd only look her way.

Severus sat quietly, his mind racing as he thought about Tenbrook's offer. There was a possibility, no matter how slim, that Tenbrook was as harmless as he looked. Right, and he and Weasley might become best mates too. Tenbrook. There would be time to dwell on what might be, later, he thought snidely, during a lull in the conversation as their food appeared in front of them.

The witch eyed Hermione. The glasses and condiments were lined up perfectly, she thought. Taking a deep breath, she walked back to the table. A false smile appeared on her lips as she surveyed the table once more. "Is there anything else I can get you?" The young woman gestured widely with her outstretched hand and hit the saltcellar at the edge of the table.

In a move worthy of the current world domino champion, the saltcellar tipped, hitting the pepper mill next to it, which knocked over a full glass of pumpkin juice before the mill landed with a resounding thud in Hermione's coffee. Both the pumpkin juice and spilled coffee seemed to be magically drawn to the witch, not wasting even a lone atom to fall on Severus's robes, but choosing, instead, to travel uphill and land entirely in Hermione's lap.

"Oh. God, I'm sorry. Tsk, how clumsy of me." The waitress reached for her wand, ready to clean up the mess she'd 'accidentally' created.

Hermione laughed as she looked at the mess in her lap. "Don't worry, I've been covered in worse." A fast Scouring Charm on her part had the spill cleaned up and her robes returned to their original pristine state before the waitress had even drawn her wand. "You're in good company; I've been spilled on by the best. I'm fine, really."

Severus watched the witch's expression fall. He'd been around troublemakers too long to not know this was planned.

"I'm really sorry. I...uhm, I don't know why I'm so clumsy today." The waitress refused to look any of them in the eye. "Let me get you both another drink."

He was sure the incident had not been an accident, but to what purpose?

Michael indicated the full glass of pumpkin juice sitting to the side of his plate. "Are you all right? I haven't touched my drink yet; you're welcome to it, if you like."

"I'm fine. No harm done. It's just some juice and coffee. I think the time Fred and George substituted those magic dribble glasses was worse. They designed a special spell that turned the drinks in the glass neon as they dribbled out. It took more than three incantations to get it off, and then there was still a slight stain wherever the liquid had touched. Come to think of it, they still owe me a new set of dress robes."

"Fred and George Weasley?" Michael had heard, as had most of the wizarding world, of the twins' exploits during the final battle. Since Hermione was known to be a good friend of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, it would be natural to assume she meant the Weasley twins.

Hermione nodded. "Fred and George like to use their family and friends as test subjects for some of their 'safer' products. That's not to say none of us have never hexed them for it; they just think they have less chance of having an Unforgivable cast on them by one of us."

"Fortunately, the idiots have never tried anything out on me."

"That's because they're not too sure you won't turn them into inanimate objects."

"They would make an interesting set of bookends," he said thoughtfully.

"I think they're hoping you'll advise them on a new formula for a children's bubble bath they're working on. It's based on the skywriting charm I used, but instead of letters, a magical creature would hover in the air before turning into a cascade of bubbles that would fill the tub. Unfortunately, the creatures come out of the can fighting, spraying bubbles everywhere." Hermione remembered quite well when she wrote "Slytherin Rules" in green and silver bubbles just before one of their baths.

Severus raised one brow. Judging by the slight blush to her cheeks, he thought she was recalling the time she'd demonstrated the spell for him too. "Sounds more like a charms problem, than potions."

"No, it has something to do with the initial ingredients having an adverse reaction once the charm is activated. I think they need to change the potion base if they're going to get it right."

Michael Tenbrook was a student of the Muggle art of body language. He could tell quite a bit about those he met simply by watching them speak and interact with others. He took the time now to watch the byplay between witch and wizard, aware that there were underlying comments of a more intimate nature left unsaid, merely by the angle and movement of their bodies.

"I believe I will wait for them to approach me; I might have an answer to their problem, but I need to check a few facts first." Severus rose from the table. He had discretely watched their waitress as he and Hermione spoke. Up until just a few minutes ago, the young witch had been busy taking care of the surrounding tables. He watched her signal to the witch at the door before moving off to a side alcove. "If you'll excuse me for a moment."

Both Hermione and Tenbrook nodded before launching into a discussion of the types of Potions apprenticeships available as he left the table.

He followed a side corridor leading to the men's room, but instead of entering, he cast a Disillusionment Charm and walked back to where the waitress was talking to her friend.

"...she's not. I'm sorry, Meredith, but you're wrong. She was really very nice about it. She seems like a nice person."

"Oh, come off it. She's Potter's best friend; she's got to be full of herself. I heard her arguing with the professor yesterday. She doesn't deserve him." Defiantly, the witch crossed her arms in front of her, scowling at her friend.

"Well, I feel bad I spilled those drinks on her. I'm sorry I listened to you; she didn't have to be so nice, you know. I'm not doing anything more. Besides, Snape only has eyes for her; he wouldn't notice you if you were covered in chocolate and danced nude around the room for him." The waitress's orange eyes had take on a distinct red cast that matched the annoyance in her voice.

'I was the one that was covered in chocolate, not the other way around,' Severus thought with a chuckle. The need to take points and hand out a detention arose at the thought the waitress's actions had been intentional, but it was an automatic response, at best. He found it impossible to wrap his mind around the confession: Meredith, the witch that took their meal tickets, was interested in him. Interested to the point of getting her mate to try and sabotage his relationship with Hermione. As if a spilled drink could break them up.

"Why is that cow sitting there talking to another man? The Professor is nowhere around. Did you happen to notice that?" Meredith said triumphantly.

"I saw Snape head for the loo. I'm sure he'll be back any minute. Besides, did you read the article in The Quibbler? They're crazy about each other."

Meredith frowned. "You can't believe everything you read in the The Quibbler."

"That isn't what you said when you tried their chocolate and fudge diet. Just forget it."

"But Callie, if you'd ju..."

"No! That's final. I have to get back on the floor before someone notices I'm gone. Let it go."

Severus walked back to the bathroom doorway before dropping the Disillusionment Charm and returning to their booth, still unsure of what action he should take. Hermione and Tenbrook were engaged in a lively discussion, debating the finer points of Tenbrook's earlier lecture.

Despite himself, Severus felt drawn into the conversation. The hour passed quickly as a lively discussion ensued, jumping from topic to topic until finally settling on the Wolfsbane Potion and the range of experiments they'd performed.

Hermione explained the various cauldron materials they'd tried and their effects on the Wolfsbane's ingredients. She recited, almost chapter and verse, the details of their research: the cauldron tests; the materials they'd rejected, and why; the various ingredients and their variants when combined with other ingredients and cauldrons. And the ensuing results that gave them hope that the potion could actually be altered to improve the inflicted's control.

Tenbrook sat in awe, listening to the detailed explanation. "That's amazing. You don't need an apprenticeship, my dear. I believe you deserve the title of master right now. I dare say you surpass most of the masters in the field today. Have you thought of applying this principle to other potions?"

Hermione blushed at the man's praise. It was one thing for her friends to think she was smart, but for a complete stranger to sing her praises – that was an entirely different matter.

"I think there are quite a few potions that might benefit by Hermione's alterations. We were focusing on the Wolfsbane first." Severus noted the slight flush that coloured the witch's cheeks and made a mental note to discuss her feelings regarding Tenbrook when they were alone.

Unfortunately, it was the annoying voice that managed to catch the mental note and decided to torment him further. Right, you're going to ask her – what? Are you interested in Tenbrook? Do you want to shag the man? Why do you blush so enticingly whenever he praises you? Is that the problem – I don't compliment you enough? I know, the next time she pleasures you, why don't you tell her...?

Severus slammed down on that thought. It seemed the annoying voice had met up with the deranged voice he'd first heard when he found Hermione's thong.

The Thong, the voice corrected him.

'Perhaps the annoying voice was suffering from schizophrenia,' he thought, since it seemed to vacillate between annoying and deranged at every turn. Maybe they could invite paranoia to join them and get a group rate next time they all went on holiday? Severus shrugged and brought his attention back to Hermione. She was expounding on their plans to test the altered Wolfsbane on a test subject and what they hoped the results would be.

Tenbrook nodded. It appeared the two were actually working on the alteration as a joint venture. He knew Severus Snape was as brilliant as he was antisocial. The papers and articles the dark wizard had published in the last two years held testament to his intellect. The fact that the two, witch and wizard, seemed to talk to one another on almost a separate plane, was something he hadn't considered.

"Of course, I think we can have a private lab available to you, if you want to continue your research. I have quite a private library, too. There might be information there that would be useful in your research. I normally give my apprentices every other weekend off, so you'd have a bit of downtime to work at your own project if you wanted. Mind you, most tend to spend their off time frivolously, but I don't think that would apply to you."

A private lab – research – a library. Hermione's eyes lit up.

Tenbrook smiled. "We have a residence facility attached to the main research building. I could have rooms available for you, Snape, if you two would like to continue your work."

"Severus can visit?"

"Of course. We're a private facility, however ..."

Callie appeared, smiling brightly at Hermione. "I'm really sorry about spilling the drinks, earlier. I'm glad the juice didn't stain."

"Thanks, but I'm fine." An owl sounded signalling the end of the lunch period. "I don't know where the time went. Michael, this was most interesting. I'd like to owl you with a few more questions, if I may?"

"You mentioned you had plans tonight. What about breakfast tomorrow? I don't Portkey out until three."

"I'm sorry, we can't tomorrow, either. Severus has arranged a special Portkey to Florence for us."

"I see," Tenbrook said, letting his disappointment show.

"You're not too far from Cambridge. Maybe we can make other arrangements to meet. Why don't I owl you next week?" Hermione started gathering her belongings. "Severus, we need to go. The presentation I want to attend is on the far side of the building."

Callie had moved off to the side, under the pretence of clearing and resetting the tables around them while trying to hear their conversation.

Unobtrusively, Severus moved alongside the waitress; he noticed her hands shake as she waved her wand over the table. His tone was just this side of menacing, but still silky, as he said quietly, "You may tell your friend that if she comes near Hermione, or plots against her again, they won't find so much as an eyelash when I'm through. The same applies to you. Do I make myself clear?"

The young witch's hands shook uncontrollably, her wand dropping to the table from the movement. "Professor, I am so sorry. I never should have let Meredith talk me into..."

A raised hand silenced the girl. "You'd do well to reevaluate your friendship. And for the record: I was the one wearing the chocolate sauce, not Hermione." He smirked as he moved away from the witch. She'd gone quite pale and sounded like a stuck Newt. He could see her eyes rolling up and thought she might pass out, though whether it was from his threat or the image of him wearing chocolate sauce, he couldn't be sure.

Hermione had paused in the doorway when she realised Severus was not behind her. She smiled as he caught up to her and Tenbrook. "There you are. I was just telling Michael that Wednesday might not work this week. I wasn't sure if you still had the night off or not. Will you be coming to my flat, or did you take too much time off for this weekend?"

Oh wonderful, now she's cancelling dates with us to be with Michael! This calls for a bit of subterfuge. A fast Memory Charm to her and a quick Killing Curse followed by a Disillusionment Spell to him, until you can dispose of the body, should do nicely.

They had moved into the main corridor, the crowd moving around them gently buffeting the trio as they tried to move out of the main flow of traffic. Severus's voice held a note of detachment as he tried not to follow what he thought was sound advice from the deranged voice. "I was planning on coming out, but if you and Tenbrook have made plans..."

Hermione gave him an odd look. "No, I meant if you were coming over, we could both go see the facilities. I thought you might want to have a look at the lab we could use if I apprentice with Michael. There are a few things I need to check out with my Charms professor before we talk further. I just thought we could kill two birds with one stone. But if you'd rather not...?"

She wanted him to go with her to Tenbrook's? He was under the impression she would be meeting the wizard on her own. They definitely needed to talk. "No, Wednesday would be fine. I may be able to come after my last class. I'll owl you on Monday after I speak with Albus."

Tenbrook smiled. "Wonderful. I'll expect the two of you Wednesday, then. You can owl me with the details." He was distracted by a group gathering in the entrance to the Dining Hall.

Hermione rose up on tiptoe trying to see what the disturbance was. "I think someone passed out on one of the tables. It looks like our waitress; I hope she's okay."

Severus nodded to Tenbrook. "We'll see you Wednesday." His hand at the small of Hermione's back directed the witch to join the flow of people moving past them. "We need to get moving if you want to attend the presentation."

"Don't you want to know what happened in there?"

Severus smiled. "I'm sure she's fine. Must have been something she ate. What room did you say the next lecture is in?"

Hermione fished her schedule out of her bag, thinking Severus looked a little too smug. She glanced back to the group that had gathered around the doorway and looked at the dark wizard once more. She was sure there was something he wasn't telling her. "Room 509. That's down here and to our left."

"Shall we?"

The witch allowed him to guide her away, his mood much lighter than just a few minutes ago. She almost thought he was going to start whistling as they walked, he seemed that happy at the moment.

Except Severus Snape didn't whistle.

Ever.

TBC

A/N: A bit shorter chapter, but important to the story, nonetheless. And posted faster, too!

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never-ending supply of commas, she is truly the best of the best. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine. Nak – glad you're feeling better, take care of yourself!

Still to come: more of the Symposium, a surprise meeting in Florence, the unexplained magic (which will make sense soon), the Wolfsbane Potion, Christmas break (including breakfast at The Burrow), and more. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are most welcome.

Pearle