Opposites Attract

Parenting

Chapter five: Parenting

SNAPE'S POV:

I slowly drifted around the classroom, peering over students shoulders to see how far they have progressed with the assignment. It was the last class of the day, thankfully, and to be perfectly honest I was getting tired of shoving kid's heads down to keep them looking at their textbooks.

After a while class had ended, students poured out of my classroom in a hurry. They were all anxious to get to the great hall for dinner or to gather the courage to ask someone to the upcoming ball.

"Where are you going, Miss. [l/n]?" My statement had caused the [h/c] haired girl to turn around instantly and come farther back into the classroom as the others left.

"I was going to have dinner." She stated, giving me an anxious look, worried she had done something wrong. I crossed my arms slowly, staring down at the girl.

"Before you go, let's have a talk." My words made her swallow nervously. She then sat down at a desk and straighten her posture, mainly out of fear. [y/n] stayed quiet and waited for me to speak.

"How has being a Hogwarts student been so far?" I put some of my things away as I awaited an answer.

"It's been..." She paused to think of the right word, something I also did often. "Fine. It's been fine." Once I finished putting everything away I stood in front of her desk to face her.

"Just, fine?" I interrogated, not believing her answers remotely. I've been around enough to see how most students treat her like an outcast, something my younger self could relate to all too well.

Her brows lowered, "Did I do something wrong?" [y/n] asked, assuming this was all a lead up to something.

"No."

"Okay? Why am I here then?" The girl hesitantly looked me in the eyes as I thought. 'What an awkward situation.'

"I'm your... Caretaker now. It's my job to make sure your school life is going... well." That's a sentence I never thought I'd say, especially to [y/n] of all people. At first she was a new burden, but now it seems I may have gotten somewhat attached. I see a bit of me in her. I want to be the professor I wish I had when I was [y/n]'s age to her now.

"Oh." Was all she said before going quiet again. 'This entire parenting thing is harder that I had anticipated.' So, I decided that a bit more effort may be needed on my part.

"Do you plan on attending the Yule Ball?" I was hoping to get a bit more from her than a 'fine' this time. But all my question prompted her to do was nod her head. "With... who?"

"Well, I was just gonna go alone." It took some effort to hide any emotion showing on my face due to her words. I remember when the horrible event was held when I attended Hogwarts as a student. Lily went with James, so I simply didn't go at all. But [y/n] was still going to go even without a date. 'How interesting.'

The girl huffed, thinking to herself before adding onto her statement. "The only people I really talk to are Cedric, who's my friend and has a date so that's a no. Then there's the Weasley twins-"

"Absolutely not." She froze and went wide eyed when I interrupted her, but once her brain processed the situation she let out a laugh.

"Exactly why they aren't an option. And the only other person I've really spoken to is Malfoy." My brow arched at the mention of the Slytherin as she continued, "But I heard he's taking Pansy. Plus, he wouldn't be caught dead with a Hufflepuff like me. And it's not like anyone else will ask me, considering I'm the 'American psycho.'" She exaggerated the nickname half the school had given her and put air quotes up with her fingers. I hated how my heart melted a bit, almost feeling bad for her. I didn't let that keep me from taking note of how she spoke of Malfoy. The boy was arrogant and self centered, also I believe I remember the two of them not necessarily getting along earlier in the year. However, now [y/n] was considering Malfoy as a possible date. But Pansy was in the way much like how James Potter was in my way for me. 'No matter. This situation can be fixed.'

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Malfoy was now sitting in front of me in an empty classroom at the same desk [y/n] had sat at only minutes ago.

"Professor," he said, his usual arrogant look hardly visible at the moment. "Pardon me if this is rude but, why exactly is it you pulled me out of my dinner time?"

"To inform you that you'll be attending the Yule Ball with [l/n] as your date." Malfoy's jaw dropped instantly, staring at me as if he were a muggle who just saw Nearly Headless Nick for the first time. After a long moment of silence the blonde began to laugh hysterically, hitting his hand against the table repeatedly.

"That's a good one professor!" he exclaimed, laughing until he saw the seriousness behind my eyes. Suddenly his laughs turned into scoffs. "No, I'm taking Pansy. I'd rather be caught dead than with a half-blood, American, Huffelpuff!"

Pulling out my wand swiftly, I pressed it against the boy's neck, causing him to pale and begin to shake.

"You ought to learn how to speak kindly of those' daughters in their presence." I couldn't help but clench my jaw, wanting Malfoy to like [y/n] just as much as she apparently likes him. Malfoy nodded his head violently, icy eyes not leaving my wand. "Tell Parkinson that you've decided that your parents shouldn't have encouraged you to ask her out and that you're no longer going with her. Then, ask out [l/n] properly and never speak of our conversation today. Understand?"

"Y-yes sir." He stammered out. Once my wand left his neck he somehow gained a bit more courage, "But what else is in it for me?"

Side eyeing him I answered, "A passing grade." He considered it for a moment before raising his eyebrows and tilting his head, obviously liking the idea. He then stood up and strode over to myself, reaching his hand out for me to shake.

"Pleasure doing business with you professor." His cocky demeanor was back and evident as ever now. Slowly I accepted his hand.

"Likewise."