Title: Of Summons and Salt
Challenge: "Superstitions" on LiveJournal's Snape100 community
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: Shades of a longer Hermione and Snape mentorship tale WIP…Not HBP or DH complaint. Written years ago, just sharing now.
Scattered flecks glinted ignominiously across the table as sparks erupted from the ruined potion. He stilled his shaking hands, loathing her sympathetic gaze, cursing himself for the oath that had slipped from between his clenched teeth.
"Some muggles believe spilled salt is bad luck, Professor," she offered quietly.
"And why would that interest me, Miss Granger?" he snapped, fixing her with venomous black eyes. "Get back to work!"
When she turned away, he abruptly pitched a few grains over his shoulder. The Mark had begun its slow burn and, within hours, he would have all the ill-fate he could bear.
