The Gray Nightshirt, part three
Nov. 19th, 2008 10:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
averygoodun42Part one
Part two
“How long has she been sleep-walking?” Albus asked, leaning close and tapping Hermione with his wand while muttering under his breath.
“Her roommates don’t know for sure, but their guess is about six weeks.”
Severus sighed. “It’s been closer to ten weeks.”
Everyone looked at him sharply. “What do you know of this, Severus?” Albus asked.
“Only that she’s been sleep-walking in that grey nightshirt for months.”
“And you didn’t ever think to say anything to anybody?” Minerva shrieked. The anger and accusation in the room was palpable.
“Trust me, Minerva, I have been wondering that myself, all night long.”
-8-
“Harry, Ron, would you please go back to your common room and let it be known that Miss Granger is safe and sound?”
Both boys looked like they wanted to protest, but a stern glance had them reluctantly leaving.
After they left, Albus took off his glasses and wiped them clean – never a good sign.
“Severus, was there anything odd about her sleep-walking behavior?”
Severus moved to shake his head, then stopped.
“She thanked me one night when I helped her over a missing stair.”
Albus focused on the girl on the bed. “By helping her, did you touch her?”
-8-
Severus bristled. “I touched her hand, yes.”
Albus smiled gently. “I am not accusing you, my boy. Merely seeking information.”
“Do you know why she is here, Albus?” Minerva asked impatiently. The headmaster didn’t respond, though.
“That nightshirt is very similar to your own. It isn’t yours, I am assuming?”
“Didn’t you know I give out my nightshirts to all the promising students? They’re very fashionable, these days.”
“Sarcasm won’t help, Severus!” Minerva snapped.
“Perhaps not, but how else am I to respond to such an asinine question?”
Albus hummed quietly, ignoring their exchange as his mind went to work.
-8-
Severus and Minerva continued to take their fear and frustration out on each other until Albus coughed softly.
“As good as it is to see you two getting along so merrily, I’m afraid I have a rather awkward question for you, Severus. Have you noticed Miss Granger exhibiting any signs of fancying you?”
Severus looked at Albus disbelievingly for a moment, then laughed.
He stopped immediately when Albus said, “This is not a laughing matter.”
“No, Albus. Fortunately, she prefers ginger over licorice.”
“Are you sure about that?” Minerva asked.
“She only has eyes for Weasley, or hadn’t you noticed?”
-8-
Albus’ right eyebrow twitched up, but he said nothing more on the subject.
“I will need to examine the nightshirt more closely. Minerva, would you please change Miss Granger’s clothes? And please take care not to touch the nightshirt.”
He then lead Severus into the sitting room, lowered his chin to look at him more closely and said, “Why didn’t you mention her somnambulation, Severus? Ten weeks is a long time.”
Severus shook his head and turned away to pace.
“I have no idea! I haven’t any idea why I didn’t wake her when I first discovered her roaming about!
-8-
With a sigh, Albus sat down in Severus’ favorite chair. Severus turned to face him abruptly.
“Have I been bewitched? Did touching her activate some spell?”
Albus smiled for a moment. “The only spell cast by touching her would be how she has touched you. No bewitchment was needed for that, though.”
Severus scowled and turned to study the fire.
“You assume too much, old man.”
“I only assume that you are human.”
“And therefore fallible?”
“I prefer the word dynamic.”
“I would never harm a student in any way.”
“You would not be here if I thought you would.”
Part two
“How long has she been sleep-walking?” Albus asked, leaning close and tapping Hermione with his wand while muttering under his breath.
“Her roommates don’t know for sure, but their guess is about six weeks.”
Severus sighed. “It’s been closer to ten weeks.”
Everyone looked at him sharply. “What do you know of this, Severus?” Albus asked.
“Only that she’s been sleep-walking in that grey nightshirt for months.”
“And you didn’t ever think to say anything to anybody?” Minerva shrieked. The anger and accusation in the room was palpable.
“Trust me, Minerva, I have been wondering that myself, all night long.”
-8-
“Harry, Ron, would you please go back to your common room and let it be known that Miss Granger is safe and sound?”
Both boys looked like they wanted to protest, but a stern glance had them reluctantly leaving.
After they left, Albus took off his glasses and wiped them clean – never a good sign.
“Severus, was there anything odd about her sleep-walking behavior?”
Severus moved to shake his head, then stopped.
“She thanked me one night when I helped her over a missing stair.”
Albus focused on the girl on the bed. “By helping her, did you touch her?”
-8-
Severus bristled. “I touched her hand, yes.”
Albus smiled gently. “I am not accusing you, my boy. Merely seeking information.”
“Do you know why she is here, Albus?” Minerva asked impatiently. The headmaster didn’t respond, though.
“That nightshirt is very similar to your own. It isn’t yours, I am assuming?”
“Didn’t you know I give out my nightshirts to all the promising students? They’re very fashionable, these days.”
“Sarcasm won’t help, Severus!” Minerva snapped.
“Perhaps not, but how else am I to respond to such an asinine question?”
Albus hummed quietly, ignoring their exchange as his mind went to work.
-8-
Severus and Minerva continued to take their fear and frustration out on each other until Albus coughed softly.
“As good as it is to see you two getting along so merrily, I’m afraid I have a rather awkward question for you, Severus. Have you noticed Miss Granger exhibiting any signs of fancying you?”
Severus looked at Albus disbelievingly for a moment, then laughed.
He stopped immediately when Albus said, “This is not a laughing matter.”
“No, Albus. Fortunately, she prefers ginger over licorice.”
“Are you sure about that?” Minerva asked.
“She only has eyes for Weasley, or hadn’t you noticed?”
-8-
Albus’ right eyebrow twitched up, but he said nothing more on the subject.
“I will need to examine the nightshirt more closely. Minerva, would you please change Miss Granger’s clothes? And please take care not to touch the nightshirt.”
He then lead Severus into the sitting room, lowered his chin to look at him more closely and said, “Why didn’t you mention her somnambulation, Severus? Ten weeks is a long time.”
Severus shook his head and turned away to pace.
“I have no idea! I haven’t any idea why I didn’t wake her when I first discovered her roaming about!
-8-
With a sigh, Albus sat down in Severus’ favorite chair. Severus turned to face him abruptly.
“Have I been bewitched? Did touching her activate some spell?”
Albus smiled for a moment. “The only spell cast by touching her would be how she has touched you. No bewitchment was needed for that, though.”
Severus scowled and turned to study the fire.
“You assume too much, old man.”
“I only assume that you are human.”
“And therefore fallible?”
“I prefer the word dynamic.”
“I would never harm a student in any way.”
“You would not be here if I thought you would.”
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 04:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 04:26 pm (UTC)*sporfle*
Have to echo Dicky here - enjoying it very much indeed!
no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 04:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 04:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 05:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 08:42 pm (UTC)*gigglesnort* I do like a defensive Severus.
Thanks for the quick updates!
no subject
Date: 2008-11-19 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-20 04:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-20 04:04 pm (UTC)~dashes off again~