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<div class="chap-title">
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26. Chapter 26
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 26</strong></p>
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<p>Harry could honestly say that Christmas that year had been great fun. Draco had
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been great company – despite his muggle-hating tendencies – and had spiced things up
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a bit. While it was always fun to have Ron and Hermione over, it was quite amusing to
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have a cohort of sorts that didn't fear Snape in the slightest. Suffice to say that
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Harry was sad to see Draco go but he had to go home. Besides, he was not one of the
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invitees for boxing day at Alex's home.</p>
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<p>"Did you have a good Christmas?" Snape asked after Draco had left.</p>
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<p>"I did," Harry replied, "Do you think Draco did?"</p>
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<p>Snape smiled and ruffled Harry's hair. "I'm sure he did," he said, "It was kind of
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you to invite him. I know that he appreciated it."</p>
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<p>"Good," Harry said, "What are you going to do until we have to go?"</p>
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<p>"I would very much like to make use of the book Professor Bell gave me and go back
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to deciphering the ancient texts of Pythagoras," Snape replied, "I don't believe I
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will have a lot of time to do so once we're back at Hogwarts so I want to make the
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most of my time now. What about you?"</p>
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<p>"What else?" Harry replied, "I would like to try and add those plums Luna gave me
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to the potion I'm making."</p>
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<p>"Don't forget about Draco's suggestion," Snape reminded Harry, "He may not be
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aiming for a mastery in Potions but he has definitely always been adept in the
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subject."</p>
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<p>"I haven't forgotten," Harry said, "But you don't mind me brewing it by
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myself?"</p>
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<p>"I see no possible disasters happening with the combination of ingredients you
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have been using thus far," Snape said, "But if you do wish to add something that
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wasn't on your list yet, I ask that you come to consult me."</p>
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<p>"Of course," Harry said easily. "Happy translating."</p>
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<p>"Happy brewing," Snape retorted as he made himself comfortable in the sitting
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room. Zippy was depositing a cup of tea on the table as Harry went down the stairs to
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the potions laboratory. Another interesting day of brewing lay ahead of him.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Harry had absolutely no idea how much time had passed when someone knocked on the
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door.</p>
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<p>"Come in," Harry called and the door opened to reveal Snape. His hair was wet and
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he smelled like soap. Harry groaned when he realized that it had to be nearly time to
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go.</p>
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<p>"Don't groan," Snape chided, "It's mainly you that wished to be present at Alex
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and Emma's home, so you can't back out now."</p>
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<p>"But I'm nearly done," Harry argued.</p>
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<p>"So put a stasis on your cauldron and finish up tomorrow," Snape said. "It's time
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for you to take a shower and get dressed. We need to be there in an hour's time."</p>
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<p>"I understand," Harry sighed. He flicked his wand once to put a stasis on his
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cauldron and walked up the stairs in clear discontentment.</p>
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<p>He very hastily took a shower, making sure that his hair no longer reeked of
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potion fumes, and got dressed in the nicest muggle clothes he could find. When he
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came down again, he found Snape dressed in his typical black attire and frowned.</p>
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<p>"Black again?" He asked, "No, absolutely not. Out of the question."</p>
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<p>Snape raised a sardonic eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"</p>
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<p>"You are going to wear something a tad more colourful today," Harry urged, "You
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wore all black to their dinner party last year as well. You're not going to a
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funeral, you know?"</p>
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<p>"I am not changing my attire," Snape said icily.</p>
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<p>"At least wear a different tie," Harry said.</p>
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<p>"Absolutely not."</p>
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<p>"I have a nice blue one you could borrow," Harry tried.</p>
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<p>"Forget it."</p>
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<p>"How about Slytherin green? You must have one of those."</p>
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<p>Snape sighed. "It's not going to happen, Harry. Now if you're quite finished, I
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would hate to run late."</p>
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<p>"Fine," Harry muttered.</p>
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<p>They both donned their coats and braved the cold weather as they made their short
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walk towards Alex' house. Snape had once again bought a bottle of wine - a 1985
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Bordeaux - and had handed Harry some flowers to give to Emma. When they arrived,
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Snape straightened his tie and knocked on the door. That's when Harry took his
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chance. He whipped out his wand which he had hidden in his coat pocket and swiftly
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muttered a spell. Before Snape had the time to react, his tie had become an azure
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blue.</p>
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<p>Snape opened his mouth to no doubt hit Harry with a scathing remark when the door
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opened to reveal Emma.</p>
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<p>"Severus!" Emma greeted heartily as she pulled the man into a hug, "Prompt as
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always. And what a gorgeous tie." She then turned her attention to Harry who handed
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over the flowers with a sheepish grin. "Oh Harry, how kind of you. They're simply
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gorgeous. Do come in, both of you."</p>
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<p>She stepped aside and allowed the two wizards entry.</p>
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<p>As soon as they walked into the sitting room, they were greeted by Alex much in
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the same manner that Emma had greeted them. When Snape handed over the wine, Alex
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chuckled and clapped him on the back. "Good old Sev," he said, "We can always count
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on you to uphold proper etiquette and manners, can't we? Handsome tie by the
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way."</p>
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<p>"Thank you," Snape replied through gritted teeth. Harry hid a chuckle in his
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hand.</p>
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<p>"Harry, you must have grown ten inches since the last time I saw you!" Alex
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exclaimed when he noticed Harry.</p>
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<p>"We've seen each other only yesterday," Harry argued.</p>
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<p>"Must be a growth spurt," Alex said knowingly.</p>
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<p>"Where's Charlie?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"Oh, he's at his grandparents'" Emma informed them, "So don't worry about waking
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him up. He's not here. Now don't mind me, I'm just going to put these flowers into
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some water."</p>
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<p>When Alex had Harry and Snape alone, he motioned for them to come closer and
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whispered in a hurried tone: "I am so sorry but Emma invited one extra person
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tonight."</p>
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<p>Snape frowned. "A tad unorthodox but I'm sure we'll manage."</p>
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<p>"You don't understand," Alex said, "She invited her sister over."</p>
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<p>Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Really? Why would she do that?"</p>
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<p>"Well, <em>she</em> says that it's because her sister is finally back in the area
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but <em>I</em> say that she wants to introduce her to Severus."</p>
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<p>"No," Harry said in an exaggerated tone of voice, "She wouldn't."</p>
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<p>"Oh, but she definitely would, my young friend," Alex said, "You don't know her as
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well as I do and she <em>lives</em> for this sort of thing."</p>
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<p>"What sort of thing?" Snape asked.</p>
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<p>"Matchmaking," Alex said in a horrified voice.</p>
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<p>Snape sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Alexander," he growled, "I
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thought I made it perfectly clear what my wishes are on the matter."</p>
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<p>"Oh, I know," Alex said, raising his hands in mock surrender, "Believe me, I do.
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But there's no stopping Emma once she's got an idea in her head."</p>
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<p>"Oh, cheer up," Harry said, "Maybe you'll like her."</p>
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<p>"That remains to be seen," Snape drawled, "But I wouldn't get your hopes up;
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Either way, I appreciate the warning but I think that next year I shall decline
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dinner at your house."</p>
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<p>"He's right," Harry said, "Next time, we should probably invite <em>you</em>."</p>
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<p>"So, who's ready for the appetizers?" Emma asked as she came bustling into the
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room. Alex put a finger to his hand to signify that Harry and Snape should pretend
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like he hadn't said anything so they didn't.</p>
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<p>"That sounds great," Harry said honestly. He was already a bit hungry. When Harry
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looked around the room, he could see that many things had been refurbished or simply
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replaced with newer things. It was quite clear that Alex was doing very well
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nowadays.</p>
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<p>It didn't escape Harry's notice that Emma kept checking the clock and wondered if
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her sister was running late. After an hour of waiting and having eaten all the
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appetizers available, Emma invited everyone to the dinner table which was quite
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obviously set for five people.</p>
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<p>Snape smirked, "Expecting Charlie to come home early?" he asked.</p>
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<p>"Oh no," Emma replied, visibly flushing, "I just set a plate for him out of habit,
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nothing more." Emma glanced outside once more before disappearing into the kitchen
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with a barely noticeable frustrated sigh.</p>
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<p>"Looks like you got stood up," Harry said to Snape who snorted rudely in
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response.</p>
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<p>"I will not lose any sleep over it," Snape said easily.</p>
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<p>Emma re-emerged balancing four plates of cheese croquettes. Harry quickly got up
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and took two of the plates from her.</p>
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<p>"You're such a gentleman," Emma said appreciatively as they set the plates
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down.</p>
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<p>"This looks absolutely delicious, my princess," Alex said, "Very much like
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yourself, in fact!" He took her arm and pulled her into his lap, giving her an
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exasperatingly long kiss. Snape met Harry's gaze and rolled his eyes. Harry snorted
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at his father's antics.</p>
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<p>"Alex," Emma chided after a while, blushing fiercely, "The food will get
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cold."</p>
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<p>"Can't have that," Alex agreed, "Dig in, everyone!"</p>
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<p>At that moment, the doorbell rang twice and Emma got up from her seat immediately.
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As she rushed towards the front door, Harry could've sworn he heard her mutter
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'finally' under her breath.</p>
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<p>"Watch out everyone," Alex hissed, "Here she comes."</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled. "She can't possibly be that bad."</p>
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<p>They heard the door open and heard muffled voices as well as some higher-pitched
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exclamations that could be expected from two sisters greeting each other. Footsteps
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came up front and Emma hushed someone behind her before approaching the dinner table
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somewhat sheepishly.</p>
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<p>"Harry, Severus," she said, "I have a confession to make."</p>
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<p>"Is that so?" Snape asked sardonically. Harry kicked him lightly under the table,
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smiling politely all the while.</p>
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<p>"I invited my sister over for dinner today as well," Emma said, "She's a bit late
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but I'm sure you'll get along just fine if that's okay."</p>
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<p>Harry knew that Snape did not appreciate being lied to but was amazed by the grace
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Snape exhibited as he gestured that all was well.</p>
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<p>"Oh, good," Emma said at the sign of approval. "Come in, sis!"</p>
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<p>A much too familiar chocolate brunette stepped forward, her amber eyes widening as
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she took in the company in her sister's dining room.</p>
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<p>"Maya, this is Severus and that is Harry. Guys, this is Maya."</p>
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<p>Harry's mouth fell wide open as his History Professor appeared before him. He
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glanced at Snape for a sign as to what to do but the Potions Master seemed entirely
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unable to process this information. Maya seemed equally stunned but was the first to
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break the tense silence by breaking into a fit of giggles.</p>
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<p>"Maya!" Emma chided, "That is not a proper way of greeting my guests."</p>
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<p>"Oh Emma," Maya laughed, "You have simply no idea how amusing this is."</p>
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<p>Snape snorted and Harry too began to laugh. He was entirely too confused about all
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of this. If Maya was Emma's sister, did that mean that Emma knew about magic? And if
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she did, was she aware if Alex visiting the wizarding world every so often? Did she
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realize that Snape was a wizard?</p>
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<p>"Emma," Snape said as he threw a wary glance at Maya. "Could you please excuse us
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for a moment?"</p>
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<p>Emma blinked in confusion a couple of times but seemed to oblige. "I suppose I
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will need to make some extra food for Maya. Alex, would you care to join me?"</p>
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<p>"I actually believe it would be beneficial for Alex to stay for a moment," Snape
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said. When Emma frowned at him, he smiled at her kindly. "Don't worry, Emma. If I am
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correct about certain… things, you will soon be informed."</p>
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<p>"Fine," Emma said, "But I swear, you're just as weird as my sister is
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sometimes."</p>
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<p>Harry broke into a new fit of laughter at that and Emma left the room.</p>
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<p>"So," Maya said, grinning widely.</p>
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<p>"So," Alex said, "What's going on here?"</p>
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<p>"Maya," Snape said, "Does Emma know you're a witch?"</p>
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<p>"Of course she does," Maya said easily, "How could she not? I don't go around
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obliviating family members, you know?"</p>
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<p>"Hold on," Alex said, "A witch?"</p>
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<p>"Oops," Maya said, slapping a hand in front of her mouth, "Oh Severus, look what
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you made me say. I really don't want to keep obliviating Alex. I think it's making
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him sort of loopy."</p>
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<p>"Are you telling me that you've obliviated Alex as well?" Snape asked.</p>
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<p>"Frequently," Maya said, "It's so difficult to keep magic hidden from this
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one."</p>
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<p>"No one is obliviating me!" Alex protested, "I have a license."</p>
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<p>Maya frowned. "What is he talking about?"</p>
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<p>"He's a licensed observer now," Harry interjected, "We took him to the ministry
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last year."</p>
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<p>"You know what," Maya said, "Emma said that she thought the person she was
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introducing me to was a wizard but I never imagined that I would stumble onto
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you!"</p>
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<p>"Are you sure this is not some very elaborate prank?" Snape asked, "Because if so,
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I must admit that it's very well executed."</p>
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<p>"It's not a prank," Maya said, "I merely came here to have dinner with my sister
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and her goofy husband. Sure, I knew that I would have to face another matchmaking
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attempt but that's how that goes."</p>
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<p>"This is ridiculous," Harry snorted.</p>
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<p>"It's fantastically confounding," Snape agreed. "Alex, if you would summon Emma
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back into the room. I'll heat up the food."</p>
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<p>He took out his wand and placed a warming charm on the plates that were already
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set on the table. Shaking his head in utter confusion, Alex stuck his head in the
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kitchen and asked his wife to come back.</p>
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<p>"Alright, what's going on here?" Emma asked as she placed a plate in front of
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Maya.</p>
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<p>"Emma," Snape said, "Harry and I are wizards."</p>
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<p>Emma glanced at Alex who didn't seem at all shocked by the announcement. She then
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looked at Maya who was eyeing her somewhat sheepishly.</p>
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<p>"You see," Maya said, "I teach History of Magic at Hogwarts. Severus is my
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colleague. He teaches defence against the Dark Arts and Harry is a student of
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ours."</p>
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<p>Emma looked at her somewhat wide-eyed. "But – that's, - Alex?"</p>
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<p>"Ah, that is entirely my doing," Snape said matter-of-factly, "I've had to erase
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Alexander's memory a couple of times already in the past and thought it prudent to
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have him registered as a licensed observer instead. He keeps finding out,
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anyway."</p>
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<p>"I knew it," Emma then said, "I knew you had to be a wizard. No one is
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<em>that</em> good at healing people, no matter how potent you say your herbs
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are."</p>
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<p>"But if your sister is a witch, why didn't you ask her help?" Harry asked.</p>
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<p>"She lived in America," Emma said, "And since she doesn't use phones or anything,
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I couldn't very well contact her."</p>
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<p>"I can't believe you knew all along," Alex said, a small smile on his face.</p>
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<p>"And I can't believe you've been able to keep this secret," Emma countered.</p>
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<p>"What <em>I</em> can't believe is that I just found Severus and Harry in your
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dining room!" Maya added happily.</p>
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<p>"No wonder you're so crazy!" Alex exclaimed, "You're magical!"</p>
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<p>"As magical as they come," Maya said with a wink. "Now let's eat please. I'm
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starving! I got lost on the way here and thought I'd never eat again."</p>
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<p>"Don't be so melodramatic," Emma said.</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled. "This is mental. And you're all so calm about this!"</p>
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<p>Emma and Alex eyed each other for a moment before showing off a big toothy
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grin.</p>
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<p>"We've learned to expect the unexpected from each other," Alex said.</p>
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<p>"Surprises like these keep our marriage exciting!" Emma agreed.</p>
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<p>"Muggles," Emma and Snape said simultaneously which made Harry laugh again.</p>
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<p>"Wine, Severus?" Alex asked and without waiting for a response, he filled Snape's
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glass to the rim. "No need to be polite. We have enough of everything."</p>
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<p>"Yes, how <em>are</em> you managing that, Alex?" Maya asked, "Last I checked,
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there's nothing interesting to be seen in this town."</p>
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<p>"Nothing but Voldemort's place of death," Alex said evenly.</p>
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<p>Maya almost choked on her whine. "You're telling me that you're giving wizards and
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witches tours of that event?"</p>
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<p>"Absolutely!" Alex said, "Affluent folk, you magical people. And quite generous as
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well."</p>
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<p>"That's such a relief," Maya said, "For a moment, I thought you might have become
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a drug lord or something."</p>
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<p>"How dare you!" Alex said in mock anger, "I'll have you know that there is no man
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more honourable in the entirety of this town."</p>
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|
<p>"So did you two have a nice Christmas?" Maya asked Harry, now ignoring Alex
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completely.</p>
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|
<p>"Absolutely!" Harry said, "Draco and I went sledging. We made Christmas Pudding
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and we sang Christmas carols!"</p>
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<p>"Oh yes," Snape drawled, "They wrote quite the interesting rendition of 'Twelve
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Days of Christmas'."</p>
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<p>"Is that so?" Maya said, "Perhaps I'll have you two perform it in class."</p>
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<p>"Merlin, no!" Harry exclaimed, "Please don't. That would be mortifying!"</p>
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<p>"So, do you two ever have joint classes?" Emma asked as she put away the last
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mouthful of food on her plate.</p>
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<p>"No, Sissie," Maya said, "I mean, how would that even work?"</p>
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<p>"Hm," Emma responded, "Are your rooms close to each other?"</p>
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<p>"Not at all!" Maya said, "Severus lives in the dungeons –" Alex snorted – "And I
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live nearer to the towers."</p>
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<p>"Of course Severus would live in the dungeons," Alex said, "Why am I not
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surprised."</p>
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<p>"It's not <em>that</em> bad," Harry interjected, "His rooms are nice… as far as
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dungeons go, at least. You should come to check them out sometime, Professor
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Bell."</p>
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<p>This earned him a light cuff on the back of his head courtesy of Snape. "Mind your
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cheek, brat," he said.</p>
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<p>Emma chuckled as Alex topped Snape off once more.</p>
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<p>"Harry is going to try and get me to fly a broom," Alex proclaimed out of the
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blue.</p>
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<p>"Muggles can't fly brooms," Maya said easily.</p>
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<p>"No," Harry agreed, "But I'm trying to brew a potion that could make it
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possible."</p>
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<p>Maya laughed. "Alex on a broom? He would kill himself!"</p>
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<p>"Or perhaps I could become the world's greatest quidditch player!"</p>
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<p>"Impossible," Harry said, "Because that's me."</p>
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<p>"Oh?" Snape said, "Getting a bit cocky, are you? How many times must I remind you
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that pride is a Slytherin quality"</p>
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<p>"Yes well, intelligence and wit are Ravenclaw qualities," Harry retorted, "But
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that doesn't stop you from making cleverly snarky comments every chance you get."</p>
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<p>"Point taken," Snape admitted as he sipped his wine.</p>
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<p>"Oh you and your house rivalries," Maya chided, "Some of the best relationships
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out there are between people from different houses."</p>
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<p>Snape made a noncommittal noise.</p>
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<p>"Time for the main course," Emma said happily as she went back to the kitchen to
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fetch the turkey.</p>
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<p>"Your sister is quite the cook," Snape noted, "Does her skill run in the
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|
family?"</p>
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<p>"Goodness gracious, no," Maya said easily, "Kitchens hate me as do pots and
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|
pans."</p>
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<p>"I would imagine you could get quite lost in the kitchen," Snape smirked.</p>
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<p>"Oh please," Harry said, "As if <em>you</em> cook all that much."</p>
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<p>"Just because I don't doesn't mean I can't," Snape remarked. "In actuality, I am
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quite a good cook."</p>
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|
<p>"I can imagine," Maya said, "Isn't every potioneer good at cooking? It's kind of
|
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|
the same skillset, isn't it?"</p>
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|
<p>As the evening progressed, Harry noticed that Alex kept the wine coming in rather
|
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|
large quantities. He wisely decided to only have two glasses but the older and
|
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supposedly wiser adults all partook in the emptying of several large bottles. Even
|
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|
Snape didn't seem to be paying too much attention to the amount he was ingesting, but
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that could honestly have everything to do with Alex who kept secretly topping off his
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|
glass.</p>
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|
<p>After dessert – which was a Christmas cake – they all made themselves comfortable
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|
in the sitting room where they enjoyed a cup of tea with biscuits. Even when one was
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stuffed, there was always room for biscuits.</p>
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|
<p>"You know what Severus," Maya said, "You're actually quite friendly when you want
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to be."</p>
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<p>Snape barked a laugh, "I dare you to proclaim that sentiment at the Gryffindor
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|
table."</p>
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<p>"Oh, they know," Maya said easily, "They see how you're coddling this boy." She
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pinched both of Harry's cheeks, smiling at him as she did. "Doesn't he look extremely
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|
coddled? Look at him!"</p>
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|
<p>Snape regarded Harry for a moment. A smile slowly crept on his face before he
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finally nodded. "Yes," he admitted, "He is properly coddled."</p>
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<p>"Professor Bell," Harry complained, "If you could please let go."</p>
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|
<p>"Oh, Harry," Maya said as she drew him into an impromptu hug that was much too
|
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|
tight. "Call me Maya, would you? My sister says you're practically family! Severus
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|
too!"</p>
|
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|
<p>Snape grunted. "That might be a bit of an exaggeration."</p>
|
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|
<p>"Or you simply need to drink more wine!" Maya said happily. She took the bottle
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from the coffee table and poured Snape another glass. Much too Harry's surprise,
|
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|
Snape chuckled pleasantly.</p>
|
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|
<p>"We're having tea now," he said, "You should be clever enough to know the
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|
difference."</p>
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|
<p>"Ah –" said Maya, "Spoken like someone who has never mixed the two before."</p>
|
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|
<p>"In this country, we respect our tea enough to not mix it with alcohol."</p>
|
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|
<p>Emma laughed as she snuggled closer to Alex. She kept whispering into his ear as
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|
she pointed at Snape and Maya. Meanwhile, Alex just nodded with a goofy grin on his
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|
face. Harry kept wondering how these people were all older than him.</p>
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|
<p>"Tell me, Maya," Snape said in a voice that Harry could only describe as sultry,
|
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|
"Where would you look if I asked you to find a bezoar."</p>
|
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|
<p>Maya giggled as if that was the funniest thing anyone had ever asked her. "A
|
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|
goat's stomach, silly!" she replied, "How are you a Potions Master if you don't even
|
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|
know that?"</p>
|
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|
<p>Maya shuffled closer to Snape to get to the biscuits. For some reason, Snape had
|
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|
grabbed the entire plate and placed it next to him. At that moment, Harry decided
|
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|
that Snape was entirely too inebriated as was Maya. He would probably be quite cross
|
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|
with Harry the next morning if he did nothing now. And as much as Harry would like to
|
|
|
see Snape come out of his shell, doing so under the influence of alcohol would
|
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|
probably do nothing to further any future familiarities.</p>
|
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|
<p>"It's time to go home, Severus," Harry said.</p>
|
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|
<p>"Just a moment, Harry," Snape replied. He had picked up a biscuit and held it out
|
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|
of Maya's reach. Maya tried grabbing it but apparently couldn't think of the solution
|
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|
to simply stand up to take the biscuit away from Snape. Instead, she half leaned over
|
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|
him to try and get it.</p>
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|
<p>"<em>Now</em>, dad," Harry urged.</p>
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|
<p>Snape groaned and tossed the biscuit Maya's way. "I'm afraid that Harry is quite
|
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|
right. We would best be going."</p>
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|
<p>"Do you have to?" Alex asked, "It looked like you were having fun."</p>
|
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|
<p>"I must admit that it was an enjoyable get-together," Snape said as he rose from
|
|
|
his seat, "But all good things must come to an end."</p>
|
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|
<p>"Not history," Maya said dreamily, "History never ends. It only begins."</p>
|
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|
<p>"Bye Alex," Harr interrupted, "Bye Emma. I'll see you two later. And I'll see you
|
|
|
in school, Professor."</p>
|
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|
<p>Maya waved her biscuit at him. "See you in school, Harry. Remember to write your
|
|
|
essay on troll folklore."</p>
|
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|
<p>"Already done that, Professor," Harry said. Snape had donned his coat and was
|
|
|
ready to go. Even when inebriated, he seemed steady enough on his feet.</p>
|
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|
<p>"Thank you for a pleasant evening," Snape managed to say before Harry all but
|
|
|
pushed him out the door. As they left, they could still hear laughter coming from
|
|
|
within the house.</p>
|
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|
<p>"I didn't require you to rescue me, you know," Snape said and Harry detected a
|
|
|
slight slur in his speech pattern.</p>
|
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|
<p>"You'll thank me in the morning," Harry said. The rest of the walk home they
|
|
|
walked in silence but a comfortable one. Harry's annoyance had dissipated already and
|
|
|
he was enjoying the cold winter air on his face.</p>
|
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|
<p>When they reached the door, Snape sort of fumbled with his keys, so Harry took
|
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|
them from him and opened the door.</p>
|
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|
<p>"Inside and straight to bed," Harry ordered.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape managed to raise a sardonic eyebrow. "Harry, I'm almost entirely certain
|
|
|
that I have not had enough to drink for you to give me orders."</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Only almost?" Harry asked.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Snape waited for a moment before replying. "Almost," he said and he dutifully went
|
|
|
up to his room. Harry followed behind wondering if he was going to have to help Snape
|
|
|
even more but the man shut the door in Harry's face.</p>
|
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|
<p>"I am definitely certain that I'm not inebriated enough for you to take off my
|
|
|
shoes," came Snape's muffled voice from behind the door.</p>
|
|
|
<p>"Well, if you're certain," Harry chuckled before going into his own bedroom. It
|
|
|
was long past midnight and he was very tired. At least <em>he</em> wouldn't wake up
|
|
|
to a headache the next morning. Grinning to himself, he fell asleep.</p>
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