Snake's Lair #8

Lesser students might have cowered under Snape's deadly glare, but Anjay was hardly phased. It was well known that the Slytherin head of house had a particular distaste for Gryffindors, not unlike many of the students in the House he headed. So what? Anjay suspected that Snape was one of those people who benefited from an unearned reputation. All bark, no bite, that sort of thing.

"Good morning, Professor," Anjay said. He wasn't overly cheery- no need to piss the man off, after all- but he was pleasant in that distinctly Xcalyn way. "I think it's high time I earned my potions kit, with your permission." Anjay could anticipate a number of objections- he'd never been very much interested in potions to begin with- but wasn't afraid of them.

Instead he waited with a smile for the Professor's response.

Anjay opened his mouth and began to speak, but something made him hesitate. He had expected the question, of course; nothing with Snape came easily, and the idea that the Slytherin Head of House would just grant Anjay permission to use the Student Laboratory was unthinkable. Of course he would have to explain himself, to justify, and to earn the Potion Master's favor first. The fact that he was a 5th year and had expressed no interest in the subject before now would only make things harder.

He had prepared a speech and rehearsed it a few times on his way down, but before he began to speak he knew it was a bad idea. He knew Snape didn't like him. In truth, he knew most of his peers didn't like him either- not that they actively hated him or didn't respect him, but the fact that he wasn't particularly close with anyone in the castle besides his sister confirmed it. It didn't bother him that others found him a bit pretentious and formulaic.

With Snape, though, he considered that a long winded and teacher's pet type speech, the type that Anjay had made synonymous with the Xcalyn name, would do more harm than good. Snape was a dry and to the point man. No doubt he would be expecting some long winded, well thought out nonsense. Anjay decided to employ a different tactic and see how it worked for him.

"I'm rubbish at Potions and I need to get better," Anjay said with a shrug. Would Snape appreciate his honesty? "I'm probably one of the worse in my year at Potions and if I want to get read for O.W.L.s my future, I need to be a well rounded wizard. I've put off the potions part too long and I've got some catching up to do." He cut himself off at the end as he felt himself beginning to slip into the rehearsed, canned monologue. It happened so naturally he almost hadn't noticed it.

It took everything in his power to suppress the smirk he felt forming at his lips, but somehow Anjay stopped himself from smiling. His direct approach had worked, and Snape had granted him permission- not enthusiastically, and not without a trial, but the permission to try had been granted. Anjay would take that and make it work. "Thank you, Professor." He knew he would collect the ingredients without issue and bring them back to Snape before dinnertime.

Anjay chanced to look down and noticed the book Snape was reading- A Forbidden Study of Ancient Curses and How to Break Them. Anjay frowned and considered making a comment- why would the potions master be reading a tome of curses that were forbidden?- but then he remembered in whose office he stood. He looked up quickly and nodded and Snape, then went to go about his day collecting ingredients and investigating fireplaces.

[EXIT]

Professor Snape had barely been rid of the Gryffindor Xcalyn before his peace was intruded upon again. The door was still open, though his glance towards it when someone knocked was met with minuscule relief hat at least this time it was a Slytherin.

'Enter,' he said.

Snape moved aside a book, then awaited Ashworth's approach. Though confident he knew what this was about, he'd learned years ago to never assume students to choose the most rational or expected matters to bring to his attention.

Professor Snape walked around his desk and gave her ingredients a careful glance over. He summoned an empty glass jar and vial for her to accept. 

'Follow me.' He strode passed her to leave the office, expecting Ashworth to follow him to the Potions classroom, which she'd seen him lead one of her classmates earlier.

He indicated to a bench of mucky pewter cauldrons.

'You'll require a spare cauldron to work with,' he said. 'If you're willing to clean it, without magic, I suppose you may take ownership of one of these.' 

Though it was unsaid, it was clear that this was either yet another test to check she was serious about her request. Snape headed to the front of the classroom to read what appeared to be a personal letter, not bothered much with supervising her task though did glance over once or twice. It was rather close to be entrusted to carry out her task properly, to completion.

Professor Snape tucked away the letter. He approached her workspace and briefly peered ino the cauldron. It was quite a physical task and here arms would be at least a bit achy, but her work paid off and he gave it a satisfied nod.

He eyed the spot where her Band-Aid had been, which had turned a rather neon shade of purple from unprotected exposure to whatever sort of potion contact she'd been cleaning out, but didn't comment as it was rather harmless and should fade by dinner. She should have known better, but that sort of lesson was often better learned the hard way. She go lucky, this time.

'You are permitted to use the Student Laboratory at will,' he said. 'Do so responsibility or else such privileges shall be revoked. If I ever catch you there at curfew...' Snape let Reena form her own conclusions.

With the task complete, Snape headed back to his office. He sat at his desk, moving aside another book. With a sharp swish of his wand, the office door shut with a snap. It was locked, as he no longer tolerated any visitors for the remainder of the morning before lunch.