Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Assistant ❯ An Invitation ( Chapter 4 )

Charly had the most uncomfortable sleep of her life that night. She fell asleep in the bathtub, not wanting to face Snape. The great thing about it was that she had already washed herself the night before, but she didn't take into account that Snape needed to clean himself. There was a knock on the door that awoke Charly, and then she remembered where she was.

“Ms. Chip?” Snape's voice was faint, but still had the deepness that the author is in love with. She slowly got out of the tub and cracked open the door, only exposing her head.

“Yes?” Charly's voice cracked a little.

“I was wondering if I could use the bathroom for fifteen minutes or so.” Snape suggested and then added, “Unless…you want to stay in there longer.”

“Oh, no, that's all right.” She stammered and then rushed right out. As soon as he was in the bathroom Charly immediately started to dress, not want the incident to repeat itself. As soon as she was completely ready, Snape walked out of the bathroom door.

“Are you ready for breakfast?” He asked

“Sure…” Charly sighed and then followed Snape out the door. As they walked to the Great Hall it was completely silent, and the two of them didn't make eye contact once. Inside everyone was seated at their regular table, but when Snape and Charly were seated a piece of parchment appeared in front of them. Snape picked up the piece of parchment and read it silently.

Dear Severus,

You are invited to the Nyplin Ball along with the rest of Hogwarts. Thanks to Lucius Malfoy's funding, Hogwarts is able to host it on Halloween.

Requirements:

Costume

Invitation

An escort (someone to go with)

Wishful Thoughts,

Knips

“Wow…” Charly sighed and Snape gave her a glance.

“I didn't think he'd do it this fast, and she's already excited.” Snape thought. Charly looked as if she were amazed by the news then she gave Snape a smile.

“This letter is written by a house elf isn't it?” she asked and Snape's thoughts were screwed up.

“Is that what you were getting all worked up over?”

“Yes, I think it's astonishing how well they can make sentences.”

“I'm sure anything is astonishing in your feeble mind.” He mumbled and Charly rolled her eyes. They ate their breakfast in peace and then went on with the day. That is, until 6 o'clock came around. Charly was getting into her dinner robes when the door flew open. Snape rushed out of his private chambers to see what is was only to find Draco sitting in the back of the dungeon.

“Why are you here Mr. Malfoy? Shouldn't you be at dinner?” Snape asked

“I would be, but that arrogant assistant of yours gave me detention!” He yelled, and at that moment Charly had walked in.

“His arrogant assistant believes you deserved it very much.” She chimed in with power. Snape looked over his shoulder at her, raised an eyebrow, and then looked back at Draco.

“Why did you get this detention Mr. Malfoy?” Snape coyly asked.

“She told my father that I had used terrible language with someone.” He spat out and then Charly chimed in once more.

“He had called Miss Granger a mudblood, and I take offense to that because I am not of pure blood,” she stated and then Malfoy rolled his eyes.

“I don't need a history of your life.” He mumbled. Charly was about to yell at him when Snape held his hand up.

“How many times do we have to go through this with you, Mr. Malfoy?” he asked and Malfoy started to shuffle in his seat, “I want you to write an apology note to Miss Granger at once. You may leave when it's believable.” He turned around and re-entered his private chamber while Charly kept an eye on him.

“I hate her…old bat wouldn't make me do this if she wasn't around.” Malfoy thought as he b.s.'d through the letter. Handing it to Charly when he finished, she dismissed him. She knew it wasn't the truth, but it was the best they were going to get out of him. Snape walked out and looked for Draco, but couldn't find him.

“Where'd he go?” He asked slightly confused. Holding up the letter Charly responded.

“He wrote a decent letter, so I let him go.” Soon after they were on their way to dinner. Besides the fact that Draco kept shooting the two of them nasty looks, everything turned out nice the rest of the night.

After their first week passed by, Charly and Snape were ready for a relaxing weekend. The two of them walked around the courtyard just chatting with one another, and students were starting to take notice. They had never seen any professor have a conversation with Snape that didn't involve the school.

“I wasn't much of the social type when I was younger. A lot of kids made fun of me because I liked to be different…how `bout you? Any childhood problems?” Charly asked with a strong sense of curiosity, but the idea of Snape's past made him shudder.

“I'd rather not talk about it.” Was the simple answer she received. Charly wanted to push the subject on, but she noticed something in Snape's eyes. She saw it and cocked her head to the side, but not wanting to make him uncomfortable she changed the subject.

“SoOoO…Halloween's coming up. Any plans beside the ball?”

“Halloween isn't for another month or so, and I never have anything planned for that time of year. All we do is have a feast, and now we're going to have this…ball.”

“Sounds fun,” she responded and then Christmas popped into her head, “Do you go anywhere for Christmas?

“No, I live my full year here.” He answered and Charly looked at the ground. This wasn't exactly how she wanted their conversation to be.

“You should come with me to my family's house.” She offered aloud without putting any thought into it, and Snape stared her straight in the eye. As he stared into her eyes he could see her pupils dilating with the new light, and he could also see the sincerity within them. But he wasn't going to let his guard down for one second, even if she did seem…sincere.

“Now tell me, whywould I want to spend my vacation with you?” He spat out and Charly glared at him.

“Is there something that you just despise about me, professor?” Charly asked coldly and Snape's lip curled.

“I don't despise you,” was all he managed to get out. He left the sentence hanging all by itself which infuriated Charly.

“You'd better watch your veritaserum supply, sir.” And with that she walked off, again, leaving Snape speechless; and once again in front of a bunch of students. The only thing that was different was that she had left him with a thought.

“She's not serious is she?” he thought to himself and then rushed to his supply source. He quickly scanned the shelves until he found his veritaserum. Giving a sigh of relief he turned around only to stare Charly in the eyes again.

“Good job…professor. You beat me.” She said flatly and Snape was in utter shock.

“You were actually going to subdue me, weren't you?” he stammered and Charly raised an eyebrow.

“Does that mean youhave something to hide?”

“Well…” he started gathering up the right words, “You probably have more to hide than I do!” Charly's eyes widened, and Snape was really starting to get into it. “Yes, you wouldn't know when I'd…slip…some into your drink.”

“You try…you just try. I'll be sure to get you before you get me.” She scathed and then left, slamming the door behind her.

“Why is she the one who always leaves?” Snape thought and then opened the door, but hit something. It was Knips, the house elf, and she was knocked over.

“I have a message for you Professor.” She said as she stood up.

“What is it?” He asked irritably.

“Mr. Malfoy would like to know of Miss Chip's reaction to the Nyplin Ball.”

“Ugh…tell him she hasn't put much thought into it.”

“Mr. Malfoy also told me if you were to say something like that Knips should ask you to read her mind.”

“Honestly?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very well, tell Lucius I will send him an owl by tomorrow evening.” Snape said and then made his way down to the dungeons. Once he entered his private chambers he noticed the bathroom light on, and he knocked on the door.

“What do you want?” Charly barked from the other side. Snape wanted to retaliate, but thought of a better idea.

“I just wanted to apologize for my actions earlier.” He said slowly and then the door cracked open.

“This isn't just some wise ass joke is it?” She asked, peering outside the door. Snape looked as sincerely as possible and shook his head. Amazingly (and shockingly) Charly came out of the bathroom and hugged Snape. That was the most awkward moment that Snape had ever experienced, and it was even harder for him when she wasn't letting go.

“Um…Miss Chip?” Snaps voice quivered a bit giving Charly the signal to let go.

“I'm sorry, it was just…th-that was a huge breakthrough.” She said while backing away. She looked up at the sallow skinned professor and smiled. Snape was looking for any distraction to talk about, and then he noticed the Nyplin Ball flyer pinned above Charly's bed.

“How about that Nyplin Ball?” He asked trying to get away from the awkwardness, and Charly's face lit up, “I never actually read the flyer.”

“I'm so excited for it! Here, here, let me read it to you!” she exclaimed and then read the flyer out loud for him.

“An escort? Could Lucius be anymore predictable?” Snape thought as he listened to the last words. Breathing in heavily after finishing the letter Charly beamed with absolute joy, but then she put on a serious face.

“Anyways, about my Christmas vacation,” she started and Snape cringed, “I can't go there this year. I don't think I can handle the festivity level at my parents house this year.” Relief rushed through Snape's entire body, he thought she was going to ask him again. The thought of meeting other people's parents made his stomach churn.

“That would mean you're staying here, am I correct?” Snape asked and Charly rolled her eyes.

“Weren't you listening? That would mean, yes, I am staying here.” She said and then sat down on her bed.

“Perfect…” Snape thought and then went into his office. Shortly after he sat down Charly popped her head into the room.

“Umm…well, I was just wondering…this is sort of awkward asking. Do you have a muggle as a parent...one at least?” Charly's lips quivered and you could see the sudden regret from asking.

“Um…” Snape stalled. He didn't like digging into his past very much, but he thought it would make their situation a bit easier, “Yes, but I don't like to talk about my past very much…for future reference.”

“Oh…alright,” Charly said and as she was about to leave, she thought of the ball. “Umm…Professor?”

“Yes, Miss Chip?”

“Wow…I feel even more awkward asking this, but um…since I don't really know any of the other professors (or anyone in Europe) do you think we could escort each other to the ball?” Charly's face turned completely red as she waited for a response. Snape couldn't resist putting a smirk on his face, but then answered.

“I believe we shall. Now if you'll excuse me I have an important letter to write.” He said and then Charly left. Snape took out a piece of parchment and a quill and wrote a letter to Lucius.

Dear Lucius,

Everything is going according to plan. Miss Chip seems very enthusiastic towards the ball.

Severus

When Charly was out of the dungeons Snape snuck up to the Owl Tower (haha) and sent the letter. It wasn't until later that night, when he was back in his private chambers, that he saw Charly.

“Where have you been all day?” Snape asked curiously

“Conversing with students,” Charly responded and then changed into her pajamas (in the bathroom). Snape had already changed and was sitting in bed reading a book on elixirs. Once Charly was changed she plopped into bed and almost fell asleep immediately.

“Speaking to students couldn't have actually worn her out like that.” Snape thought as he saw her fall asleep. After about 30 pages in his book, he levitated it and put it back on the shelf. Contemplating what Charly had really been doing he slowly drifted into slumberland.

 

 

A/N: This one has been ready to be posted for a while, it was just on another site so sorry for that. Umm…yea next chapter should be coming up soon