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"Okay, you have to explain that again, please", Edward repeated, the ice cream in front of him slowly melting away. "You got detention…"

"…for a perfectly brewed potion, yes", I answered and stared at my barely touched dinner. I still couldn't believe what happened, still couldn't believe my head of house would do this to me, he would do this to me.

The black-haired boy across from me reached out for my hand. "It's okay, Liz, detention isn't that bad. Take it from me, I am an expert on it. Plus, it was bound to happen one day. You can't go through your schooldays without it."

"Edward is right, Liz", Alex chipped in. "Although I get how upsetting it is that it was your-"

"Don't Alex", I said warningly and turned to her, knowing exactly what she wanted to say. "I am really not in the mood."

"Could this be the day Elizabeth Brighton is going to say something slightly nasty about her beloved Snape?"

Edward started to chuckle and even though I wanted to scold Alex, I couldn't help joining into the laughter of my best friends. They were right, it was just detention. Still it upset me that Professor Snape would talk and punish me this way. I have always hoped that I was his favorite student, someone slightly more special to him than the other students. I thought my skills with potions would've impressed him somehow, would've make him see something in me. Obviously I was mistaken. Horribly.

My eyes wandered to the head table where all the professors were seated – all but one. The Potions Master's chair was empty – he hadn't joined his colleagues for dinner. It was maybe the first time I was actually happy about him not being here.

I'll see him soon enough at detention tomorrow, I thought with a sigh and pushed dinner away from me. My appetite being gone for good at the thought of the hatred-filled eyes of the young professor.

Tuesday night arrived earlier than I liked it to. I didn't know what Professor Snape had in store for me but as far as I heard, his detentions were the worst of all professors in Hogwarts. And my outburst surely didn't help in softening my punishment.

Sighing I looked at the clock that was hanging over the fireplace in the common room. I should go if I didn't want to be late. Grabbing my bag, I nodded towards Edward and Alex, who were doing their homework in a corner of the full room. Their reassuring smile made me feel a little better, as I left the room.

The way to the office of my Head of House was short. As I reached the dark door, I took a deep breath and knocked. I just hoped that whatever the potions professor had prepared for me, wouldn't require much interaction with him. The hate and anger I've seen in his dark eyes the other day were still hurting me more than I'd like to admit.

"Come in."

The first thing I noticed, was the cauldron. The professor himself was siting behind it at his desk, his eyes following me as I stepped closer. There were all kinds of ingredients around the cauldron and I knew exactly for which potion they were used. Did he want to make me brew it again?

"Good evening, Miss Brighton."

"Sir", I simply answered, not trusting my voice enough to say more.

"As you were so confident in your potion-making skills yesterday, you will brew the Draught of living Death once more for me today."

Surprised I looked at him. That was all? That almost seemed too easy. I put down my bag and wanted to get out my potions book, as he stopped me.

"Oh you won't need your book, Brighton."

Slowly he got up and moved closer again. A shiver ran down my spine as I tried to avoid his gaze. "You will brew it without the instructions. That shouldn't be a problem for someone with your skills, right Miss Brighton?"

I heard the sneer in his voice and stared at him in disbelief that quickly turned into anger. Two could play this game. "Of course, Sir."

With a loud noise, I let my book fall back into my bag and started working. I knew exactly what to do, having brewed the potion just yesterday. Even the steps which I hadn't gotten to, required little thinking. Meanwhile the professor circled me like a predator its prey. He didn't say a word, just observed my steps with eagle eyes, just waiting for me to make a mistake – but that wouldn't happen. The strength that always filled me while brewing didn't betray me now either. I added and stirred like I was born for it and when I mixed the last ingredient in I looked at the rich purple liquid.

When I set the ladle aside, the man stepped closer and his scent I had noticed yesterday for the first time was enveloping me once more.

I could see that he was displeased and impressed at the same time while he stared into the liquid and I couldn't help feeling a little proud.

"You may go, Brighton."

Nodding I grabbed my bag and made my way to the door, stopping as I reached it though. It would be now or never.

"Professor?"

I turned around and looked at him, his dark eyes scanning me and almost making my courage vanish. Almost.

"I didn't tell anyone. I never would."

I could see the surprise in his pale face. I didn't know why I have wanted to tell him but for me it felt necessary. Not expecting an answer though I turned to leave, as I heard the sonorous voice behind me.

"Good night, Miss Brighton."

A small smile found its way to my lips as I spun around one last time. Green eyes meeting black.

"Good night, Professor", I whispered before I left his office for good.

I stared into the potion before me. A perfect draught, brewed without even reading one line of instruction. Never had I seen a student being capable of doing that. Of course I had noticed that the blonde girl was gifted when it came to potions but I didn't realize she was that capable.

With a flick of my wand I let a vial appear and filled it with some of the potion. I couldn't let a potion that good go to waste.

'I didn't tell anyone. I never would.' Her words still echoed in my ears while I put everything away. I didn't know why she'd say that. I hadn't expect her to say a word to anyone. Knowing my reputation I thought she would be too scared anyway. But the way she had said it, wasn't to reassure me that she was too afraid to reveal my secret. I couldn't say what her motives were. I had seen something in her green eyes when the smile had appeared on her lips. I couldn't say what it was – and that intrigued me more than I'd like to admit.