Emily spent Sunday evening in her room, reading. She felt the need to read through her Potions notes before starting her semi-apprenticeship with Snape. She didn't know what to think about him. He was dour and it seemed that he already decided to hate her but yet, there was something in him – Emily couldn't put a finger on it what it was – that made him… interesting. Still, the witch was nervous since she knew what a renowned Potions Master Snape was and she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of him.
The other reason she stayed in her room was that Sirius Black annoyed her. As far as Emily knew, he wasn't allowed to leave Grimmauld Place and the captivity made him fidgety. This amplified his already quite flirtatious nature and he didn't waste time to try to woo Emily. She wasn't blind, she saw that Sirius was handsome and he was likeable but simply he wasn't her type. Emily didn't want to hurt him, so she rejected him very politely a number of times and when she had the opportunity, she hid in her room surrounded by her beloved books.
~0~
'Miss Graham, your aunt informed me that you had your OWLs in Potions.'
'Yes, Mister Snape. And, erm, you can call me Emily.'
Snape raised an eyebrow.
'We'll see how our – ah – cooperation works out, Miss Graham,' he answered with a sneer and turned around to check on a bubbling cauldron. Emily rolled her eyes.
'For most people, an OWL would be enough to prove one's capability to brew the more difficult potions,' he said turning back to her, his voice low, 'I'm more meticulous. Before I will allow you to assist me with anything, I would like to see your brewing skills.' He flicked his wand a parchment emerged from nowhere. 'Here's a list of five potions which you have to brew until tonight. I don't care if you make the potions without a break or take time to have lunch or tea – you're an adult witch, you can manage your time. Just finish the potions before the deadline.'
'Alright, Mister Snape.'
He nodded.
'The ingredients are on the shelves and you can use that cauldron,' he pointed to the other side of the room.
'Thank you,' she replied and started to read the list. She was slightly relieved, she knew every concoction on the parchment by heart. She put back the parchment to the desk and hurried to the shelf to gather the ingredients. Snape eyed her.
'One more thing, Miss Graham.' The witch turned to him. 'I like to work in silence. Unless it is utmost important, please, refrain from babbling in the lab.'
'It's alright, Mister Snape. I don't talk too much either.'
The only thing Emily said to Snape during that day, when she announced that she will having lunch. He asked him if he would join her but he said that he wasn't hungry. The only thing he consumed was tea.
At exactly 6 in the evening, Emily put down five vials before Snape. Without a word, he grabbed the vials, poured their contents in several bowls and performed some diagnostic spells over the bowls. Emily was sweating, she felt like a school girl. After a minute or so, Snape vanished the liquids from the bowls and turned to Emily.
'Be here at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. You'll be brewing Blood-Replenishing Potions in large measures, nowadays, we can't get enough of them. You're dismissed.' With that he turned back to his cauldron.
Emily whispered 'thank you' and scurried out of the room. Only when she was in the hall dared to let out the air she held.
