Title: Dinner Party
Author: Sage
Pairing: Snape/Hagrid (implied)
Rating: G
Summary: Snape has been invited to dinner at the home of an old friend. He brings his lover along.
Archive: My site, my LJ, Sweet and Sour
Feedback: Oh please, oh please!!! Either in my guestbook or by email would be lovely.
Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been J.K. Rowling. This is just for fun - no money is made, no copyright infringement is intended. I'm just borrowing, and I promise to put them back (in the original wrappings even!) when I'm finished.
SPOILERS: Nothing significant, unless you haven't read ANY of the books.

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"Severus, how wonderful to see you again after all this time," Zoltan Ertsey greeted him.
Severus nodded politely and shook his host's hand. He and Zoltan had been childhood friends. When they turned eleven, Zoltan had gone off to Durmstrang, while Severus went to Hogwarts. "A pleasure to see you, as well, Zoltan. It has been too long."

Zoltan, a short, stocky fellow with greying auburn hair, peered around Severus as though looking for something. "Your guest?" he asked tentatively.

"Will be along shortly. There was a slight delay," Snape explained.

"Ah, of course. Well, while we wait, please come in and join me for an aperitif. Katerina!" he called to his wife, "Severus is here!"

A tiny blond slip of a witch hurried into the foyer as Zoltan took Severus' winter robe. "Professor Snape, I presume?" she asked in lightly accented English. "Zoltan has told me so much about you!"

"Please, you must call me Severus," Snape said, then followed his hosts into a warmly lit library.

After they were all seated with cocktails in hand, Zoltan spoke up. "So, Severus, you must tell me about this mysterious person who has suddenly become so important to you. Knowing you as I did when we were children, I simply could not imagine you giving your heart to anyone. What is she like?"

Snape fought the wicked grin that threatened to break loose. "Hmmm. Jovial, trustworthy, honest to a fault. Somewhat loud. Very good with animals. One might even say "common." My father would be furious, were he still alive," he said wryly.

An incredulous chuckle tumbled from Zoltan's lips. "You don't speak very flatteringly of your lady-love," he commented.

The conversation was interrupted by a thunderous pounding that shook the stout oaken door to the chateau.

Snape's old friend eyed the door as though expecting it to implode at any second. "Good Lord, what on Earth is that?"

This time, Severus couldn't stop the sly half smile that twitched at the corners of his mouth. "Did I mention large?" he asked as he rose to go let his lover in. "Brobdingnagian, even? And Zoltan, I never said my lover was a lady."

Flabbergasted, the other man could only gape at the Postions Master as he crossed the foyer.

Snape threw open the front door, and Rubeus Hagrid ducked so that he could enter the house. "Ah, thank yeh, Sev," he boomed as he shrugged out of his great overcoat. A deft toss landed it on the finely wrought robe stand, which bowed under the garment's weight.

Hagrid's sharp eyes darted around the large entryway and caught sight of the two wide-eyed, motionless people in the adjacent library. "Oh, these must be yer friends, wot? Rubeus Hagrid, at yer service," the giant bellowed. The effect of his greeting was somewhat hampered, however, by the hanging, wrought iron chandelier that got tangled in his hair as he headed in their hosts' direction.

"Whoops, I should'a been watchin' out fer that. Beggin' yer pardon; I'll be jest a minnit." Hagrid trailed off, grumbling beneath his breath as his large fingers worked to extricate the candelabra from his hair and beard.

Snape slanted a glance at Zoltan, much gratified to see his pompous former school-mate staring at Hagrid in complete shock.

"Ah, there we go," Hagrid growled cheerfully as he advanced, sans chandelier, on the Ertseys. "Pleased ter meatcha," he roared, sticking out one huge paw in Zoltan's direction.

Snape tried not to laugh as a squeak and a rustle indicated that the lovely Mrs. Ertsey had fainted dead away.

Fin.