Strangers With Candy

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"Page three hundred and ninety four," Snape droned on to the seventh year Gryffindors whom he now had the displeasure of having for class.

"Werewolves, sir?" Hermione questioned, unsure of whether this new professor would tolerate her inquisitorial nature.

"Huh?" Snape questioned dumbly as if in a daze. He looked down at his own textbook. "Oh, no. Sorry. I meant page nine hundred and thirty four. Today we will be learning about counterjinxes."

Everyone in class began flipping their pages frantically, so that they could follow along with the new professor.

Earlier that day, Severus had begun to think about what he was to do about his situation. And while he was thinking of it, he had divided his mission into two parts. And just to be cool he entitled these two parts Operation One and Operation Two.

Operation One was to get close to Harry Potter. He felt that he would need to form some sort of a friendship with the boy, in order to gain his trust. Even though just the thought of interacting with the boy in a professional manner made him nauseas, he knew there was no other way. He, Severus Snape, rival of James Potter, and hater of Harry Potter, would have to be nice.

Now that every student had their book turned to the correct page, he gave the class a short lecture and ordered the students to break into pairs, so he could begin on Operation One. He planned to make Harry an example in class. Not in the way he usually did though, by berating him continuously on how idiotic he was. No, he was going to... compliment the boy. His stomach turned at the thought and he felt sure that his face had turned a pale shade of green.

And so he walked around the classroom watching as each student had failed to properly produce a counterjinx. But, he thought, surely, that Harry would achieve one, despite his dunderheady tendencies.

However, Severus was wrong. He watched Harry fail, time and again, until he was forced to discretely point his wand at Weasley and produce a counterjinx himself.

"Perfect!" Snape exclaimed, striding over to Harry and clapping him on the back. Harry looked completely surprised and examined at the tip of his wand as if waiting for something to come out of it.

"Class," Snape began, "Our young Mr. Potter has just performed a brilliant counterjinx! I want you all to bear witness of me complimenting him to gain his trust! I mean..." he covered hastily... "bear witness of Mr. Potter's mental and physical prowess. He is clearly superior to you all!"

The class stared at him silently, not sure of what to do.

Snape's face was clearly flushed, and then his face twisted up so much that it looked like he'd sucked on a lemon.

"Ten points... to Gryffindor!" Snape exclaimed, looking thoroughly disgusted with himself. All of the Gryffindors patted Harry on his back.

Snape looked at Harry with disgust. "Quite like your father..." he mumbled. Harry stared up at him imploringly, and Snape, realizing his error continued on with class hastily, hoping that Harry would forget the mention of his father.

But, he hoped in vain. For when he dismissed the class and all of the students had filed out, he was met with a very curious Harry Potter standing in front of his desk.

"Yeah, what do you want?" Snape snarled.

Harry looked a bit taken aback, but went on to ask, "I was just wondering... how you knew my father, sir..." his eyes glistening with the ghosts of his past.

Snape managed to compose himself enough to wipe the sneer off his face and replace it with a silly smile.

"Think, Severus, think," he thought to himself. What could he say that wouldn't bury him deeper?

"Well, um..." Severus began, stalling.

"It's a simple question professor," Harry stated impatiently as though he were interrogating him.

"I- uh- well... Your father and I used to... bowl... together," Snape finished feebly sure that Harry would see right through his pathetic response.

"Wow, really?" Harry asked excitedly, his eyes sparkling.

Seeing Harry's lack of suspicion, and abundance of eagerness he continued, "Ah, yes. James and I used to be bowling champions. He used to grab those balls with such fierce... ferocity and hurl them toward the pins like a... husband would hurl his battered wife into a wall... Those were the days..." Snape finished observing Harry for his response.

"Wow, I never knew my dad was so good at bowling," Harry mused. "Lupin and Sirius never told me... I think I'll ask Lupin about it..."

"Um, you don't want to do that," Snape stated hastily. Harry looked at him questioningly. "Your father was very- ah- sensitive about his bowling habits. Didn't really let it known. I don't think he'd want his secret revealed even after his death."

Harry nodded, "I understand."

"Indeed," Snape responded feeling that he was gaining some ground with Harry. He began feeling around his desk for something. "Would you like some candy, Harry?" he offered, knowing that the certain way to a student's trust would be to offer them confiscated goods.

Harry, however, eyed him suspiciously. "I'm not allowed to take candy from strangers," Harry stated refusing the sweets becoming very wary of the new professor. "I-uh... think it's time that I went to my dorm... to... uh... not be here..." Harry excused himself and Snape, feeling that he had completely lost any trust that he had gained, let Harry go. He would try another day. He took off his glasses and lay his head down on the desk in frustration.

Just as Harry left a hooded figure entered the room and tapping Severus on the head asked very loudly, "Have you ensnared the Potter boy yet!"

Severus' head shot up and he grabbed the hooded figure by the throat. "Shhhh, Lucius!" he hushed him. "What the hell is wrong with you? What the hell are you doing out of my quarters?" he demanded.

"Honestly, Severus. You can't expect me to stay cooped up in there forever. It's absolutely dismal," he drolled.

"It's better than staying cooped up in Azkaban," Snape observed.

"You raise a valid point," Lucius admitted straightening his robes and taking a seat on Severus' desk. "By the way, Severus. Have you seen the new potions mistress? She's positively hott! I'm thinking of introducing myself..."

"Lucius," Severus began ignoring him. Lucius listened intently. "Do you remember those little rules we talked about earlier?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm adding a rule. You are not to go cavorting around Hogwarts in broad daylight!" he said dangerously. "Normally, I couldn't care less what happens to you, but you are putting my mission in danger. I will not have your pathetic need to be yourself bring me down!" he finished and grabbing Lucius by the collar, began dragging him down the hallway and threw him unceremoniously into his rooms.

"Prude!" Lucius exclaimed as Severus shut and locked the door.

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Well, there's another chapter. I know it's kinda short. But, I still think it's good. R/R plzkthnx!