Unexpectedly Expecting

10: An Awkward Dinner

I was still reeling over what I said to Harry in Ginny's guest bedroom. Had I really said all of those things? Did I really feel those things for my best friend? Somehow, Severus understood, and he didn't need to say anything, just holding my hand underneath the table as dinner progressed was enough.

The meeting was dull for the most part, all tedious stuff about comparing which fan boy club had the most members, and how to recruit more heavily. The Weasleys weren't altogether comfortable with being in "Slytherin territory," as Bill Weasley phrased it, and the Malfoys were looked at with suspicion.

"...You can do more to keep the Carrows off of the students, Severus!" Mrs Weasley admonished.

Severus sipped his drink before answering, "I have less power than you believe as Headmaster, Molly. In any case, I have no intention of allowing Alecto and Amycus more authority than the Dark Lord allows, rest assured."

She made a hmph noise and turned her ire on Malfoy senior, "The same goes for you, Lucius! You're a Hogwarts Governor. Surely, you can do more to make the lives of the students easier in these trying times."

Lucius dabbed at his lips with his cloth napkin, and folded his hands. He frowned, "My hands are just as heavily tied, Molly. You have to understand that if it were not for the Dark Lord, I would have ended my days in Azkaban and--"

"It's no more than you deserve!" Harry cut in.

Remus Lupin frowned, "Harry, haven't you been listening? The fact that we are even in this mansion sitting at dinner with Slytherins proves that they are not loyal to V--Noseless Asshole any more."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Oh, do translate for Potter in smaller words so he can best understand them, Lupin. He tends to forget the world doesn't revolve around him."

"Shut up, Malfoy!"

Severus sipped his wine calmly, but his expression was cold, "Potter, need I remind you that you remain within this house due to my hospitality alone? You strain the limits of this alliance with your foolish, intemperate words."

Molly Weasley soothed, "Harry dear, please do try to keep that temper of yours in check. The Order needs the support of powerful Slytherins like Severus and Lucius. We cannot hope to win this war with only a handful of the Hogwarts Houses as members."

Charlie Weasley cleared his throat, "Mum's right, Harry. I know you have your....history with the Malfoys, and Snape too, but right now, we all need each other. I have the rest of the Romanian Draconologists to send in dragons if you guys need it. Although, I would hate to bring in too many Horntails and Hebridean Blacks. They tend to get the most fired up about destroying everything in their path once their blood is up."

"Well said, son," Arthur Weasley commented. "Harry, please try. I understand your rivalry with the Malfoys more than most, but like Lucius just said, he has less power now than you think."

Harry huffed. "Fine! I'll just sit here and wonder if Snape poisoned my food."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance, but then I felt Severus's hand on my knee. ("Let them talk, lioness. We can stave off our boredom in another way.") His hand crept up my leg, and I shivered at his touch. ("Touch me.")

My eyes widened. ("N-Now? But we just...earlier in the pool...Why are you doing this?") Severus betrayed nothing on his face as his hand parted my thighs, and began to stroke the front of my jeans.

His obsidian eyes sparkled with mischief. ("Shhh...As I said, I want you to be less timid around me. Also, spontaneity is good for an arrangement such as ours.")