Another debt paid

[queen_of_snapes]

Recipient: kelly_chambliss
Title: The Line of Duty

Author: queen_of_snapes
Pairing/Character(s): McGonagall/Snape
Prompt: Fancy meeting you here
Word Count: 501
Rating: G
Warning(s): None, really.
Summary: Two people bumping into each other at night.

Author's Notes: This scene has been in my mind for quite a while, but I found it extremely difficult to write down. Hope you like it, Kelly! Congrats to you and Tetley!

Minerva was on her way back from Dumbledore's office after yet another late-night meeting. It had been the third one this week and she was longing for a good night’s sleep.

Just as she had reached the top of a staircase, she saw light moving around a corner below and coming up the stairs towards her. She couldn't see who it was against the shine, but the person was approaching rapidly.

"Twenty points from whichever House you belong to!" The eager voice of Severus Snape carried through the dark; he was clearly triumphant that he had caught a rule-breaking student.

"That would be Gryffindor," she replied, waiting for him to come up the stairs.

"Minerva?" He said, briefly surprised but recovering quickly. "What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" He demanded after stepping closer and lowering his wand so they could both see properly.

"Visiting my boyfriend. In Hufflepuff," she replied dryly.

"Ah,” he said. “In that case, twenty points from Hufflepuff as well.” His lips twitched. “And ten more from Gryffindor, for bad taste."

She shook her head, smiling. "And what are you doing out of bed at this time?"

"Patrolling the castle for rule-breakers."

"I see. Any luck?"

"Indeed.” He fixed his eyes on hers and a familiar smirk was spreading on his lips. “Another Gryffindor strolling around after bedtime, thinking the rules don’t apply to her..."

"Really!" She said with feigned surprise. "What are you going to do about that?"

"Well, first of all..." He stepped closer and took her arm at the elbow. "I shall escort her back to her rooms." He started to walk, pulling her along. "And see that she gets into bed, where she should be at this late hour."

She smiled, falling in beside him. "What if I sneak out again to see that boyfriend of mine? I really do miss him."

"Don't worry. Once I'm finished with you, you'll have forgotten all about him."

"Now there's something to look forward to." She decided that sleep could wait a bit longer. After walking for a while, she said, "You weren't by any chance on your way to see me?"

"Of course not! I was doing my duty," he protested indignantly.

"A duty that brings you very high up Gryffindor tower," she said with a smile and a sideways glance at him.

"Gryffindors are known for their lack of respect towards rules.” He refused to look at her and instead tightened his grip. “I was merely paying particular attention to the immediate vicinity of their common room."

"And yet you are about to abandon this noble quest just to make sure that I stay in my bed?" With her free hand she removed his hand from her elbow and instead placed her hand on his arm.

"I’m willing to make that sacrifice," he said with a certain drama in his voice.

She chuckled. "Funny how you were walking in the opposite direction of the common room.”

"Be quiet and keep walking."



~*~