The next day the students arrived to start another school year. Severus wasn't really looking forward to teaching these students. But he was not looking forward to his apprentice. He would dread ever saying yes to her if she were incompetent.
By the time Nergis arrived the students had been sorted and dinner had begun. She walked through the giant doors and was met by Filch. She was immediately disgusted by him but was cordial all the same. He looked her up and down and showed her to the Great Hall. As the doors opened the hall fell silent and all eyes were on her. Nergis did not shy away but stood tall. Minerva stood and rounded the long faculty table to the podium.
"May I present Ms. Nergis Avius, apprentice to Severus Snape." Nergis inclined her head at Minerva and turned towards Severus and bowed to him.
"I will make my way to my chambers." She said telepathically, temporarily stunning Severus. He answered with his mind and she walked out of the Great Hall. Filch escorted her to the dungeons. He left her at the entrance to Severus' office. She sat there a moment then heard the slow footsteps. Severus stopped a few feet from her and said nothing taking her in. she stared him down never blinking.
"I will show you to your rooms." He finally said turning away. "But first, please place your hand on the door." she did just that so the wards recognized her and allowed her in. they walked through to a hall. On the right was Severus' office. On the right was his personal lab. Further down at the end of the hall were two doors. "The door on the left will lead to your chambers Ms. Avius." She once again inclined her head and opened the door. "I expect to see you in the lab tomorrow at seven." Severus went through the door on the left and let the door slam. Nergis walked in and was immediately repulsed. The room was overly feminine and bright.
She placed her rucksack on the floor and began to change the room. The pink walls were changed to a deep red and the carpeted floor was changed to dark wood. The furniture was also changed to dark leather. She did this to all the rooms, which consisted of a living area, bathroom, mini kitchen (with stocked fridge and cabinets), and bedroom. On some of the walls she fashioned windows. Though she was underground the windows mimicked what was going on outside from the position of the rooms. Thankfully it was a clear night with a moon meaning she would be able to see the stars. After all of that she proceeded to unpack her belongings. It wasn't much, just the basics of clothes, books, and little items from her travels. She finally sat and was proud of her work though she was in a castle that was a few thousand years old the room was of a modern and vintage muggle style. She removed her blue scarf, jacket, and boots. She would no longer have to wear that uniform. Nergis sat and relaxed a little bit longer until one of the house elves cracked in a foot from her.
"Will miss be wanting anything?"
"Dinner and a large cup of coffee would be nice." She answered telepathically.
"Any specific kind of coffee, miss?"
"Make it a cappuccino if you can. Please?"
"Yes miss." The house elf left with a crack. Nergis stood and went to her bedroom and changed in to sweat pants and a t-shirt. She sat at the small breakfast nook by her windows. It didn't take long for the tiny house elf to come back. He placed everything in front of her and left. She ate in silence. A knock came to her door. She placed down her cup of cappuccino and opened the door. Severus strolled in and stopped a few feet from her. Nergis stood and waited for him to speak. For a moment he said nothing as he looked around.
"I take it pink is not your thing." Nergis nodded no. "Good. I was coming to give you an overview of the lab. Follow me." Nergis put a stasis charm on her dinner and drink and slipped on a pair of shoes and followed Severus to the lab. Once again she had to place her hand on the door so that it recognized her. The door swung open and to her amazement the lab was different from what she had expected. She had expected a dark room with low ceilings and slightly unkempt. Instead the lab was of smooth stonewalls and floor with high ceilings and well lit. Against one wall was a large cabinet filled with flasks of different potions; then a door that led to a room of every conceivable potions ingredient. Severus led her out of that room to another room that held all the equipment they would use. Along another wall was a long bookshelf that went from floor to ceiling, so high that a ladder was required. In the middle of the room were three long workbenches and another table that could be used as a desk by the two of them. Severus ended back at the door they had entered through. They walked out back to the hall and to their doors.
"Goodnight Ms. Avius."
"Goodnight." She was about to walk in when she stopped. "Sir, is there anything I should call you? Like professor or master?"
"Sir is fine. Goodnight Ms. Avius." Nergis nodded and turned went back into her rooms. She finished her dinner, took a shower and went straight to bed.
The next day she woke and showered and had a quick breakfast. She quickly changed in to her black skinny jeans, black boots; button up blue shirt, and black vest. She brushed her hair back and braided it and walked out and waited for Severus in the lab. He walked in five minutes later and walked to where his desk was.
"I won't be with you all day but I will be checking on you from time to time. Today you will be brewing a few potions for me. You might find these potions to be easy but they are needed for the infirmary. You will be brewing blood replenisher, sleeping draught, and a wide eye potion. I will take it you know how to brew these?" Nergis nodded yes. "Good, I will leave you to it then." Severus then left her there as she began to bring the cauldrons over to the workbenches. She gathered up all the ingredients and set about brewing the necessary potions.
Meanwhile, Severus was teaching the first years. Striking fear and respect in to their young minds. When they sat began to brew Severus sat and attended to some papers on his desk. But that was for not when the image of Nergis came to mind. He had not expected her to show up in clothing that showed off her curves but she wasn't really paying attention to his reaction to her dress. It was evident she was not throwing herself at him. He tried to convince himself he was relieved about that but in truth he wasn't. It had been a very long time since a woman willingly showed him any attention. Severus was immediately brought out of his own mind by the sound of loud sizzling coming from a student's potion. Today would be a long day.
Around lunch time Severus went down to the lab to find Nergis removing the heat from the cauldrons, which meant all the potions would be done. Severus walked over and inspected all the potions. They were up to par. "These are acceptable Ms. Avius. Please put them in the appropriate containers and take them to the infirmary. I suggest you get some lunch afterwards." Severus left. Nergis quickly bottled and labeled all the bottles and gently put them all in a padded box and left for the infirmary. She did not need to be directed because she had done something no one else knew she had the power to do. That morning before walking out of her chambers she had done something like sonar mapping of the entire castle. Thus telling her where everything is and who was in the building. A handy trick. She made it easily up to the infirmary and dropped off the potions. All the while to there she was given odd looks and a wide berth.
She though about going to the Great Hall for lunch but then realized she wouldn't know where to sit. She was not affiliated with any of the houses and she couldn't sit at the faculty table. She instead decided to walk down to her chambers for her lunch.
"Good afternoon." Came a voice below her. It was professor Flitwick with his had extended for a handshake.
"Good afternoon." She answered back telepathically with a handshake and slight smile. He was taken aback by the fact that she did not speak. Nergis stood and continued to walk down to the dungeons at her own pace. She observed the students around her and the painting, as well as the ghosts. She had a quick sandwich and soup for lunch before returning to the lab. Severus sat at his desk with his head in his hands. He slowly raised his head when she stood in front of him. "Would you like anything for your headache?" with a wave of her hand her question appeared on the blank piece of paper in front of Severus.
"No, I've already taken the appropriate potion."
"Doesn't seem to work." Nergis came around his desk and placed her hands on either side of his head. Severus was about to protest when he felt the pressure and the pain dissipate.
"What did you do?" he whispered.
"Your headache was obviously caused by stress so I simply loosened some of your muscles and calmed the nerves. Feel better?" there was the faint hint of a smile.
"Yes. Thank you." He grumbled. Severus stood and gave her a list of potions to have complete by dinnertime then left. He walked out of the lab and into his office and leaned against the door. Her hands were warm and soft to the touch, and he had in fact caught her smile.
