Pride & Polyjuice (Professor Snape Story)

Chapter 4

                I quickly rose to my feet and dumped my cup into the sink before following him into the study, a room I had only been in a few times. This room was much smaller than the other rooms and seemed to have crammed twice as many books onto the shelves. There was a desk placed in the middle of the room that didn’t seem to fit in, although not much of a uniform had been established anywhere in this place. “Sit.” He commanded and I fought every urge to fight back but bit the inside of my cheek and obeyed, all the while cursing him in my head.

                “Snape I’m tired can we stop?” I asked for the thousandth time. It felt like I had spent days in the cramped room, although a few hours would have been a better estimate. I felt like my head was going to explode. He hadn’t seemed nearly as disturbed as I was. “Firstly, it’s Professor Snape, and secondly no. you have two more subjects before you may have a break.” He replied, his tone never wavering. I groaned and put my head on the desk, refusing to look at another parchment, book, word, letter, anything. I twisted my head to look out the window, only to find the same dull grey sky, threatening to spill over. “I have to pee.” I said suddenly, lifting my head and interrupting his sentence. A flicker of annoyance touched his features. “Don’t lie to me.”

                “I’m not lying. I have to go to the bathroom.”    

                “You just went half an hour ago.”

                I paused to think, did I really? It felt longer. “I can’t focus on any of this” I said motioning to the books.  “Sit down, Miss Malfoy, and if you have another outburst I will double your lessons and start your etiquette today as well.  I fell back into the chair with a loud grunt and knocked one of the books to the ground. “Oops, I lost my page. Can I go now?” I asked again feeling restless. It was probably a bad idea to have caffeine in my system.

Within seconds his face was within inches of my own. His breath touched my face, his nose almost grazing mine. “Do you think I enjoy teaching you? is there nothing else you think I would rather do because I can assure you that is not the case.” I couldn’t seem to find my voice. “Could you not get so close?” I asked suddenly taking an interest in the paper that was on my desk. He didn’t budge. My eyes flickered up and instantly met with cold black ones. But I couldn’t look away. “Please?” I added, my voice small in my throat. “Turn to page three hundred and fifty and do not make a sound until you finish the assigned chapters.” I could smell his breath on my face and chewed the inside of my cheek. “Now.” He added. I grabbed the book off the floor and opened it on the desk, muttering under my breath. “Silencio.” he cast a spell at me, ceasing my muttering, though my mouth was still moving. I looked up from the book and frowned. Mouthing “asshole” as hard as I could. which earned me five more chapters of history of magic. Greaaat.

               

                It only took another hour for another outburst. Since I couldn’t speak verbally I did the next best thing. I gathered pieces of parchment and crumpled them into small wads, tossing them at Snape, who grew more and more irritated with every passing minute. The last one I threw hit him in his nose, the next landing in his hair. I laughed silently which only seemed to piss him off more. He muttered the counter curse and closed the book he had been working on and stood silently. “Are we done?” I asked hopefully, closing my own book. “I will notify your father of your decision.” Huh? “What decision?” I asked confused, still sitting at the uncomfortable desk. “Of your refusal for my assistance; it seems that you will not be advancing to your third year after all.” He answered stoically. I felt my face drop, but quickly masked it under a indifferent expression, which he saw through instantly. He turned and left me alone, and I could have sworn I saw a smirk. Part of me didn’t want him to write to my father while the other part stood with her middle finger up at both of them. I sighed deeply and rose to my feet following him into the other room.

                “Snape.” I approached him keeping my eyes anywhere but on him.

                “Professor Snape” he corrected in the same tone as always. “This is never going to work out. I think you and I both know that. So there should be some mutual agreement.” I said, my voice braver than my insides. He tilted his head in a mock amusement. “What did you have in mind?” I was surprised he would even offer to hear me out. “Well…I…” I wasn’t sure what to say.

“No stupidly long lessons, and I don’t have to do everything you say.” I stated after a long pause. He let out a snarky laugh “That would be counterproductive don’t you think?” I pursed my lips. “No.” I answered sourly. “Perhaps next time you will think of the consequences of your actions, Miss Malfoy.” He replied just as sour. “Arguing isn’t going to get anywhere. I’m trying to be diplomatic-”

                “In a place where you have no power.” He took a step closer to me and I frowned. I didn’t like how he felt the need to always be closer than what was typically allowed. I crossed my arms defensively. “I’m not changing my mind.”

“Of course not, insolent child. You refuse to take responsibility for your actions.” I rolled my eyes. “Just keep repeating yourself, that’ll work.” I replied sharply. He took another step towards me, I eyed him carefully. He glared down at me, suddenly making me realize his height over me, at least a foot. “At least meet me halfway.” I said stepping forward, challenging him. “Why would I want to do that?” he asked monotone. I frowned, wasn’t it obvious? I ran a hand through my hair and shifted my weight. “The rules are as follows.

1.       You do not talk back, or disrespect me in any way.

2.       I determine how long lessons are.

3.       You will do as I say.

4.        You do not leave the house unexpectedly.

5.        I have the power to discipline how I see fit.”

He paused momentarily, “I believe that is everything.” He concluded boredly while I stood, dropping my arms, most likely with a dumb look on my face. “That’s not fair, sir.” I replied suddenly. “Oh?” he replied raising a dark eyebrow. “I can leave any time I want.” I stated defiantly. I was not about to have all my rights taken away. “Non-negotiable, Miss Malfoy. As it comes to be, your father asked that I keep a watchful eye over you, during your stay.”  He seemed slightly off put by this. “You can’t go in my room.” I stated smugly, surely this was reasonable. “Nothing here is of yours.” He replied in an indifferent tone. “I don’t see why you can’t respect privacy.”

                “Once again, not your house. not your rules. I dare say your temper is something foul. Perhaps writing lines would cure that.” He thought aloud. I couldn’t help but scoff, “We aren’t in school. It’s not my fault that you’re being unreasonable.” It was almost as if he couldn’t help but exert his control over me, in any way he could. “You realize the sooner you comply, the sooner we could be done with this little…chapter.” He stated, “I shouldn’t have to ‘comply’. I’m not a child, nor your slave, I have no ties to you other than you being a rude teacher at a school I won’t even be attending much longer. He chose to ignore my comment. For some reason that irritated me more than I cared to admit. “Got it?” I tested the waters before I felt my wrists being pinned to my sides. “Wh-what are you doing?” I spluttered, trying to free myself from his grasp. “Do you ever just not speak whatever comes to mind?” he asked only to be answered by silence. I felt like I would just liquefy and seep through the wall. The only sound that accompanied us was the rain from outside. It always seemed to rain here. “Let me go.” I squirmed uncomfortable with the situation. He instantly released me from his grasp, awareness crossing his face. However he did not apologize and I retreated to my room, as soon as I closed the door I sat down and leaned my back against it. I thought about how close he was to my face and my breath became locked in my throat and I felt a blush cross my face. What the bloody hell was that?