Two Houses (HarryxDraco)

Chapter 43

Despite a false start, the performance of Romeo & Julien was declared a resounding success. Considering how most years at Hogwarts tended to go, the distinct lack of dark wizards or grizzly deaths (other than those of the ill-fated characters in the play) came as a considerable, yet pleasant, surprise to everyone involved.

Even more surprising was that the rest of the school year passed without incident, and it was only on the second to last evening of school term that Minerva felt that she could finally stop holding her breath. By some miracle, for the first time in living memory, disaster in any shape or form had been avoided. Not a single serious injury or fatality had occurred, and there had been absolutely no drama whatsoever involving one student in particular...

"Potter has arrived," Snape's portrait informed Minerva as she sat at her desk. "Shall I let him in?"

Minerva nodded and pulled Harry's extensive school record towards her. "Yes, just send him up. Thank you, Severus."

Snape responded by letting out a tired sigh and slinking out the side of his portrait.

"Do you ever plan on getting the gargoyle repaired?" Phineas's portrait whined.

"At some point, yes," she replied without looking up from the file.

Phineas clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "You've been saying that for months!"

"I'm sorry, Phineas, but fixing the doorbell is not high on my list of priorities at the moment," she explained. "We're coming to the end of the school year, we've had examinations to contend with, and the girl's bathroom on the first floor still requires extensive repairs. You'll just have to be patient."

"Patient?" he cried. "It's been almost a year, Minerva!"

"Well, what else would you be doing with your many free hours if not answering the door?" she shot back.

Phineas drew her a scandalised look. "Need I remind you that I am a former headmaster of this fine institution? My role is to use my many years of knowledge and life experience to consult and advise you during your tenure, not to answer the door like a common bellboy!"

Finally losing her temper, Minerva spun around in her chair and glared at him. "Would you rather I moved your portrait somewhere else?"

Phineas narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Phineas glowered at the headmistress for a long moment before exiting his portrait, muttering mutinously as he did so. Minerva let out a weary sigh and spun back around in her chair.

"I cannot speak for everyone, but I rather enjoy answering the door," Dumbledore's portrait noted lightly. "It's a fine opportunity to chat with students and staff."

"Urgh, you would enjoy it," Snape sneered as he reappeared in his own portrait. "He might be a pompous idiot, but I happen to agree with Phineas on this matter, it's below our station to be answering the door."

"I find it interesting that you only ever seem to take exception to the role when it is Mr Potter at the door," Dumbledore observed with an amused smile on his face.

"That's because any time Potter is involved, something disastrous tends to follow," Snape argued.

"Well, tonight is an exception to the rule," Minerva assured him. "He's here by my invitation to discuss his plans after graduation. Nothing more."

"Really?" Snape cocked an eyebrow at her. "Do you plan on discussing graduation plans with every student or just your favourites, Minerva?"