Severus sighed deeply, looking at me. "This is the Veritaserum, is it not?"
I nodded.
He coughed, clearing his lungs. The Potions Master waved the smoke away. "Well done." Severus noted the pellucid color.
"I'm sorry, Severus."
"I told you, Isabella." Severus replied brusquely. "Just be careful."
He saw my timid look and inhaled deeply, sighing from his lungs. "Isabella, I am not angry. I simply made a statement."
"It is imperative that you are cautious at all times when brewing." The black haired man circled me and the cauldron. "Every student I teach knows this, whether they choose to hear me or not."
"All right. You don't have to lecture me about it." I retorted.
Severus sighed, leaning in close to me. "However, you have done a fine job."
His breath was hot against my neck as he drew in another breath and sighed out.
"Severus, do you really want me?" I asked.
The raven haired man rolled his eyes. "I think the question is, do you really want me?"
He took a deep breath and let it out. "Yes, Isabella. I love you. You have shown me something that I could have. Something that I have needed for years. Something that I have desired. Love."
Severus closed in the space between us and pressed his lips to mine in an increasingly wild kiss.
As we parted, he smirked.
"Are you feeling better now?" I asked.
He rose an eyebrow.
"With your cold?"
Severus sighed. "It is not a cold. It is a lung infection..."
He stiffened, turning back to his desk.
"Severus..."
The potioneer coughed, covering his lips with his fist.
He looked back at me. "Yes?"
"You said you were ok."
"I am improving." Severus corrected.
He sighed, seeing my concerned look reappear. "Do not worry, Isabella. I shall be fine."
"I was too busy brewing and doing everything else, that I allowed it to get worse." I detected irritation in his voice.
"Do." Severus paused. "Not. Give me that look, Isabella. You know how hard I work for this school."
"Teaching?" I questioned.
"It is more than that." Severus told me bitterly. "So much more than that. So many more things that if you knew about me, you would hate me."
