Fürst

Fürst

Disclaimer: Dinna fash yersel', Jo, hen. Ah hav'nae made ony siller fae this.

Translation: Scots/Doric – Don't worry, Ms Rowling. I've made no money from this.

Slamming the door open dramatically as he entered the classroom, the dark-haired wizard smirked briefly when several students jumped in their seats. He strode to his desk and whirled round to face the class from the front of the room, a scowl marring his features.

His second sigh was deeper. It was bad enough teaching History whilst Professor Binns was on spectral leave, but having to teach this shower took the biscuit.

~*~

Draco watched the British countryside roll past the windows of the speeding Express. When his mother had seen him off at Kings Cross, her gentle squeeze on his shoulder had been a little tremulous, but with a regal lift of her head she had told him, "Stand tall and be strong, my boy. Act like a Malfoy and do not dishonour the family name any further." Leaning forward to kiss him delicately on the cheek, she had murmured in his ear, her low voice quavering slightly "... and take care, son."

Straightening up, she had squared her shoulders before stepping away from him and wending her way through the crush of well-wishers on the platform. Behind the crowd, he had spotted his father waiting for her at the platform exit. Lucius had inclined his head towards Draco, raised his cane in farewell, and slipping Narcissa's hand into the crook of his elbow, they had disappeared.

As Draco gazed out of the train window through tear-glazed eyes, London suburbs had given way to intermittent urban sprawls. After a stop in Bradford to pick up the Patil sisters, the Hogwarts Express picked up speed, hurtling northwards and across the border into Scotland.

The tame countryside of England gradually changed to rugged moorlands and mountains the closer they got to the school.

Light summer drizzle grew steadily heavier as they travelled further north, and the clouds lowered and darkened. The miserable weather mimicked Draco's darkening mood, with the rain tracking through the grime on the outside of the train windows mirroring the tears sliding down his cheeks.

Swiping a dismissive thumb under his eyes, Draco leaned his forehead against the glass pane, feeling the rhythmic vibrations judder through his skull. He was glad Goyle and Crabbe had left him alone in the compartment when they went in search of the sweetie trolley. Their presence had been starting to wear on his nerves, and their absence allowed him some time to reflect. It also meant no-one was there to observe his misery as another silver tear slipped quietly down his cheek and hung in a quivering droplet from the tip of his chin.

His forehead creased in a frown as he recalled his holidays. The expected peace and relaxation in the summer sun at the manor had been shattered by the presence of Voldemort and his grim entourage. A wave of nausea surged through the pit of his stomach as he recalled the horrors he had been forced to witness, with his father's hand clamped firmly on his shoulder and his own fist stopping screams from escaping his mouth.

Merlin, he never wanted to see anything like that again. Draco shuddered and the teardrop fell to his knee, darkening a small patch of the grey material.

As he dropped his gaze to watch the dampness spread, a small hand brushed past his shoulder and headed rapidly towards his ear, startling him. With mercurial reflexes, Malfoy caught the slim wrist in a vice-like grip, twisting the arm of his would-be attacker viciously. A slim, feminine body landed on the seat beside him, toppling across his lap and banging her head on the window sill.

"Lovegood!"

"Horny Golloch!" she declared, wriggling backwards as she tried to right herself, bony elbows digging into his knees and wispy, blonde hair tickling its way under his nose.

"What the hell...?" Draco shoved her away from him.

"It was a Horny Golloch, Draco," Luna answered, pushing her wayward tresses off her face and rubbing her bruised temple. "It was nearly in your ear, and you wouldn't have wanted that, would you? My Scottish granny... that's my mammy's mammy... she used to say, 'You have to be careful of the Horny Gollochs, Luna'. Apparently, they crawl into your ear, hold on with pincers on their bottom, lay eggs in your brain and drive you quite mad."

"They're not the only thing to drive people mad," muttered Malfoy, shimmying back into the corner of the carriage away from the eccentric witch.

"No, seriously, Draco. You should always have someone looking out for them, protecting you. They can be a real nuisance, especially when you're camping."

"Malfoys never camp."

"No, I don't suppose Malfoys do." Luna hummed quietly. "My friends are camping, and I'm worried the Horny Gollochs might get them, causing untold anguish. You never know what could happen." Fixing him with her clear-eyed regard, she continued, "Looking at you, I can tell you're no stranger to misery. Have you had a Horny Golloch infestation?"

"Are you bonkers?"

Luna continued to watch him without answering.

"What would you know? Have you been living with the worst Death Eaters this summer? Has the Dark Lord been staying at your house? No, I don't think so." Draco spat the words dripping with vitriol, his eyes flashing with anger. "What do you know of misery?"

"You might be surprised," she answered quietly, undaunted by his animosity. "You only know what has been happening in your household, Malfoy. Perhaps you should speak to someone at Hogwarts. Your mentor... A confidant..."

"Lovegood, you don't understand. She... She... and then... they..." Closing his eyes when his voice trembled, Draco turned his head away, his mouth thinning into a tight, grim line. A gentle touch on his hand stilled the fine tremors he had previously been unaware of.

"Hey!" a rough voice barked from the compartment doorway. "Looney, get your creepy hands off! What d'you think you're doing in here, crackpot?"

"It's all right, Crabbe. Miss Lovegood was just leaving." Draco opened his eyes and settled his flinty gaze on the Ravenclaw. "She is well aware she is not welcome in the presence of groups of Slytherins. Aren't you, Lovegood?"

"No groups... no..." Luna murmured, catching the slight widening of Malfoy's expressive, grey eyes and the minute inclination of his head as he addressed her.

Goyle's bulk loomed over her. "Get out, Looney."

"Well, I'd best go. I've got to find some wacky earrings to maintain my image. Remember my advice, Malfoy," she called back over her shoulder, making nipping motions with her fingers as she skipped out into the corridor.

"What was that all about?" Crabbe stared after her, mouth agape.

"Something to do with Gollochs. Just ignore her. She's a Ravenclaw." Tapping his temple with a finger, Draco returned his attention to the passing scenery.

Goyle's head nodded in agreement, as if Malfoy's comment explained everything.

~*~

Headmaster! Severus could hardly believe they had made him headmaster of Hogwarts. Of course, it was an honour, but one he would rather have let pass at this stage. Peering out through the small leaded panes of the headmaster's... his... office window, he found the diamond-shaped glass which allowed him to watch the train approaching with this year's consignment of children. All those innocent, talented young people, ready for him to guide and enlighten. Thanks to the Ministry's decree making school attendance obligatory, there would be an influx of unschooled, home-schooled and previously expelled larrikins. What a delightful challenge; Snape sneered at the thought.

Rubbing the base of his spine, he straightened up. The spying pane was still set for Dumbledore's height, marginally too low for Snape to use comfortably. He wasn't sure if he wanted to change it or leave it as it was, realising his tenure there was only temporary.

He knew in his heart he had come by his new job by ill means. Bribery, corruption and murder were not the tools he would have chosen to use to gain this post. A long time ago, he had hoped that one day the headmaster's chair would be his due to an exemplary career as a teacher at the school, an outstanding research project or for being a role model to the students.

Who was he trying to kid? That was a pipe dream, and this was reality. A Board of Governors overrun with Death Eaters and their cronies, a staff of teachers who mistrusted or hated him and a bunch of feeble-minded, idiot students. At least he wouldn't have to deal with Potter and his minions, but there were still plenty of other dunderheads to be shielded from the vile ministrations of...

"Alecto and Amycus! The Dark Lord has been most generous allowing you to leave his presence. He assures me you will be most conscientious in assisting with the running of the school."

Amycus grunted as he plonked his lumpy carcass onto the leather sofa, patting the seat next to him to indicate to his sister to sit down. "Severus, we are mere servants of our great master, are we not? All of us working for the greater good." An unpleasant grin smeared itself on his sweaty face.

"Indeed."

"I'm looking forward to this very much. I've never been a professor before, and now I'm to teach Defence Against The Dark Arts. That's a laugh, isn't it?" A wheezy giggle escaped from the large man.

Smiling indulgently at her brother, Alecto clapped her hands with enthusiasm. "Oh, this is going to be such fun."

"I don't know what you're so excited about, Alecto. You get to teach Muggle Studies." Both Carrows shuddered in unison.

"I'm sure I can think of some way to turn that to my advantage."

"Mmm, I'm sure you can, my sweet sister. You have such talent when it comes to everything Muggle."

Alecto's gruff bark of laughter joined her brother's high-pitched giggle. "Oh, Amycus, you are such a card. We shall enjoy ourselves, shan't we? Think of all those young, impressionable minds for us to mould."

Wiping a grubby handkerchief over his thick, moist lips, Carrow's lopsided leer increased. "And Alecto, dearest, just think of all that lovely, juicy, untouched flesh..."

"Enough!" growled Snape, fixing the siblings with a fearsome glare.

"Oooh! Grumpy!" Amycus sniggered.

"That's enough for now," Severus repeated. "We've got work to do."

The Carrows' heads nodded in agreement.

"Yes, work."

"Um... What exactly do we have to do today, Severus?"

"This year's Head Boy and Head Girl must be elected."

"Oh, goody!" The witch clapped her bony hands again. "Has electing got anything to do with Muggle electrickery?"

Snape sighed and rubbed the furrow between his eyes where he could feel a migraine brewing. "No, Alecto. Unfortunately for us, it is a much more mundane chore. The students who were supposed to be Head Boy and Girl are... unable to take their posts."

"Did one of us nobble them?"

"No."

"Shame!"

Clearing his throat, Severus continued. "Instead, we will elect one student from each house to represent their fellow..."

"But how can we choose? We don't know any of the filthy little tykes," whined Amycus.

"Which is why I've already chosen four students for us to elect... with your approval, of course." Snape's lips thinned as he looked to the Carrows for their agreement.

"Yes, yes. Let's just get on with it. I'm dying to get down to the Great Hall for the Welcome Feast. I can almost taste the spotted dick already."

~*~

The four students standing in the headmaster's office were not his favourites, nor, in the normal course of things, would they have been anywhere on his list of candidates. Snape had picked them because they were the least likely to cause any problems during the coming year, which was bound to be fraught with difficulties. He needed the students to be as invisible as possible, to avoid the attention of the Carrows and not distract him from his own plans.

The exception was Draco Malfoy. Snape had chosen to keep him close, to try and prevent the stupid blond from getting himself into any deeper trouble. Promising to kill Dumbledore had been foolhardy in the extreme; Severus couldn't imagine what idiocy Draco would conjure up this year. However, as his assessing gaze swept over the young man, he could sense a change in him. Maybe, just maybe, the youngster would manage to keep his expensively clad feet out of the poo.

As for the others, well...

"Headmaster Snape, will you be kind enough to introduce us to these delightful young people." The leer on Amycus' face was directed equally between the two blonds in the small group.

"Indeed, Professor Carrow."

Snape's jaw clenched as he noticed the proud look on Alecto's face as she mouthed "Professor" to her lecherous brother.

"To represent Gryffindor we have Neville Longbottom." Snape indicated impatiently for the nervous boy to step forward.

Neville shuffled out of the line to shake the professors' hands, but the Carrows looked him up and down with disdain, ignoring his proffered hand.

"Is this a pure-blood?"

"Yes, he is."

"Ugh! You would hardly believe it to look at him. Go away; I don't wish to look at you."

Blushing and stammering, Longbottom sidled behind the other students.

"Slytherin will be represented by Draco Malfoy."

Draco stepped forward with confidence, grasping Amycus' hand in a firm handshake, before turning to his sister and lifting her knuckles to his lips for a gentlemanly kiss.

"Charming! So like your father, young man. And with as much prowess, I'd wager," Alecto remarked.

"Have no doubt about that, Professor," Draco purred, winking at the simpering woman and ignoring the vicious glare from Snape as he returned to the line.

"For Ravenclaw we have Luna Lovegood."

Everyone stared at Luna, who appeared oblivious to the proceedings and was gazing up at the roof.

"Miss Lovegood!" Severus growled.

"Professor Snape, did you realise this roof has an oculus? What an unusual aperture." Luna's smile was beatific.

Snape felt his gaze drift unintentionally upwards before he gave himself a mental shake. "This is not the time to be whimsical, Miss Lovegood."

"Indeed it isn't. It is a time for ridding ourselves of unwanted infestations, is it not, professors?" She turned her smile on the Carrows.

"I couldn't agree more, my little beauty," replied Amycus. Grasping her hand, he brought it to his fleshy mouth and placed a wet kiss on her palm.

"Oh, sir, I can tell you are a true gastropod," said Luna as she inspected the moist patch.

"I certainly am," replied Amycus, patting his paunch. "I love my food."

Only Draco noticed the narrowing of her eyes when she turned away, discreetly wiping the slime from her hand.

"Is that it, then?" asked Alecto.

"No. We have four houses, so there is one more."

Alecto sighed melodramatically.

"And finally, our representative for Hufflepuff, Justin Flinch-Fetchingly..."

"Flinch-Fetchingly? Does he?"Alecto clapped her hands in the air close to Justin's face. "Look, boys. He does flinch fetchingly. How... delectable..." Her tongue flicked out over her pale lips.

Amycus chortled.

"It's F-finch-Fletchley, M-miss," the Hufflepuff stuttered.

"Of course it is." Snape's rejoinder appeared absentminded, but there was a slight curl of the lip for the more observant to see.

"Well, congratulations to all of you. I'm sure we shall all get along divinely and have a wonderful school year, shan't we?" Alecto's gaze became pointed at the lack of response from the house representatives. "Hmmm?"

"Yes, absolutely, Professor Carrow. We're honoured to have you on the teaching staff. We can't wait to start working with you and..."

"Flench-Flummery!" snarled Snape.

"It's... it's Finch-Fletchley, sir."

"Desist!"

"Delightful as this has been, my sister and I would like to go and freshen ourselves up before dinner. If you would excuse us please, Headmaster, gentlemen and gentle lady." Amycus winked broadly at both blonds as he escorted his sister from the room.

Luna gave a delicate shudder. "As I said... a nasty, slimy infestation," she commented under her breath.

"Indeed, Miss Lovegood," Severus murmured, "how uncommonly astute of you."

Fixing his dark gaze on the four students in front of him, he continued aloud, "Well, what are you waiting for? You all have duties to attend to before the Sorting Ceremony."

Neville and Justin were out of the room and running down the circular staircase in a flash. Draco caught the door before it swung back in Luna's face.

"Plebs!" he growled. "Have they no manners? Allow me, Miss Lovegood." Opening the door fully, he swept a hand elegantly through the air, indicating for her to precede him out of the office.

"Why, thank you, Mr Malfoy. What a gentleman."

Draco smirked as Luna passed him. Of course he was a gentleman, even towards the dippy Ravenclaw, if it meant he could walk behind her down the stairs with a view over her shoulder of her surprisingly delectable cleavage. A Malfoy understood he should never miss an opportunity.

On reaching the foot of the stairs, he was surprised when Luna stopped him with a light touch on his hand, turning her face up towards him. Her clear, grey gaze reflected his darker grey, her eyes seeking something in his. "You're a gentleman, Draco, a prince among commoners..."

Draco straightened his slim frame with pride, only for his shoulders to hunch forward sharply as Luna's pointed finger jabbed him hard on the sternum. "So, behave like one. Ogling is most undignified, Malfoy." Crossing her arms underneath her rounded breasts, she continued, "If you want these puppies, you'll have to work for them."

Aghast, Draco stared at her for a moment. "What? Want... what? Want you?" He sounded appalled.

A quick smile flitted across her lips as her finger twirled one of her button mushroom earrings. "If we're going to work together this year, you'll have to get used to it."

Pulling his shoulders back in a good imitation of his father, he bestowed his haughtiest look on the elfin blonde. "I can assure you, I do not fancy you, Looney, and I will not be working with you."

Luna's light melodic laugh fell tinkling from her smiling lips. "You Slytherins can be so detached from reality. When you need me, let me know. Until then, don't get caught up in the pestilence." With the last word, her petite nose wrinkled.

"Reality? What would you know about reality, Lovegood? You're as nutty as a fruitcake."

"So they say." She replied, giving his arm a gentle squeeze and winking at him. "Don't believe everything you hear, Draco." Turning daintily on her tiptoes, she hummed as she skipped away down the corridor.

Malfoy shook his head, trying to clear the feeling of confusion.

A/N: I was asked to write a story to fill in some gaps around the Deathly Hallows, featuring the relationship between Snape and Luna. Well, you know me and sticking to what I'm told...

This is about Snape and it's about Luna, but there are heaps of other people involved, and, perhaps, not exactly what was envisioned. Sunny33 requested this, I hope she enjoys it.

Translations:

Fürst – German – head of a principality.

Flench-Flummery – roughly translates as "cut the crap". (flench = to strip or cut the blubber off, flummery = complete nonsense.)