(A/N: I've had this chapter waiting in the wings for a while, just wanted to give my mind a break before reviewing it, you know what they say "a fresh pair of eyes" and all that jazz)

Rated: K

In Search of a Laugh

Fall: 1980

"Where is it." Snape rooted through the shelves in search of a component for his latest potion. Each container he flung behind him rested in mid air, waiting to be returned to their designated spot as soon as he located what he desired. Upon finding the proper ingredient jar, the potions master grumbled in disbelief. Empty, no wonder his usual 'Accio' spell didn't work. Strutting out of the room, the man whisked his wand to the right, organizing the levitating containers and returning them to their proper shelves within seconds. 'Perhaps Professor Sprout would have some alihotsy growing in the greenhouses', he though. Deciding to make the short journey himself rather than send an owl, Professor Snape locked the ingredients closet and his adjacent classroom before ascending the stairs out of the dungeon and onto the main floor of Hogwarts.

Once the professor reached level ground, the concentration of students rose dramatically. The damp dungeons he enjoyed working in were usually only populated by a few Slytherins due to its proximity to their dormitory or couples in search of a quiet place to snog. Now that he was among the throng of adolescent witches and wizards however, his ears became filled with dull humdrum as they vocalized their emotions to one another. Tuning out the squealing youths with ease, Snape strode through the small clusters and continued his walk toward the main doors.

Finally making his way past a clump of Ravenclaws debating cloud formations and their meanings, Snape opened one of large main doors and left the comforting heat of the castle, practically hitting a wall of crisp, autumn air as he entered the yard. Making an immediate right, the man continued his journey, his usual black cloak whipping in the wind dramatically as it protected him from the cold.

Sanctuary would hardly describe his destination, although warmer than the grounds, the greenhouse was terribly humid as well as overheated. Deciding to put manners aside so he could leave as quickly as possible, Severus called out to Professor Sprout from the threshold of the door, " Professor Sprout, are you here?"

There was a rustle from nearby followed by a shrill voice answering his query. "JUST A SECOND DEARIE." Snape listened as nearby shears opened and closed with vigor before the squat woman entered his line of vision. "Oh, Severus, what can I do you for." Dropping the clippers unceremoniously on the ground, the witch wiped her forehead with a muddy glove, smearing some already present dirt across her brow.

"I was wondering if you had some spare alihotsy, seems I'm fresh out." Snape told the herbology professor. Pomona scrunched her eyes in thought before replying.

"No, sorry. I removed them a few months ago to make room for some flitterbloom, you know how much they love to uproot gardens. Just finished trimming the devils as a matter of fact." She gestured to the clippers beside her. Snape began to consider his options for retrieving the plant, a run to Hogsmeade wasn't impossible, but homegrown ingredients were always more reliable in terms of potency. Before further contemplation however, his train of thought was interrupted. "Wait, I think we may have some, just not here." Pomona picked up the clippers she dropped and started meandering toward the man, gesturing for him to leave the greenhouse. Together they walked along a line composed of similar buildings until they reached a somewhat beat up, mid sized greenhouse. Opening the door, the older witch ushered him inside before shutting it quickly behind them. "One of my star pupils wants to keep a constant temperature in here, so the doors can only be open for seconds at a time." Professor Sprout beamed upon relaying the information to the man.

"I see, and this concerns me because?" Snape looked around the room, plants were strewn about the place in a more than haphazard manner. Looking up he even saw a few potted plants suspended in the air.

"She may be growing what you need." The herbologist looked around before spotting an occupied coat rack and pointing it out to the man. "Ah yes, she's here. There's her cloak." Sure enough, the knobby old coat rack housed a Hufflepuffs gold trimmed robes as well as two polished mary janes, evidently the student swapped clothes before beginning her work in the garden so as not to dirty the uniform. Pomona was about to begin her search for the girl when the sound of shattering glass reached the duo's ears. Perking up, the older witch bit her lip. "Uh oh. That came from shed nine, never a good sign. LINNAEA." Professor Sprout called out into the cluttered greenhouse. "SOMEONE IS HERE TO SEE YOU." Quickly turning to face Snape, she explained rather rushed. "I need to check out next door, you'll be fine, the girls a peach." Quickly she exited the building, slamming the door behind her.

"PROFESSOR? ARE YOU STILL THERE? I HEARD THE DOOR SHUT?" Leaves began to rustle as a young witch neared the potions master. Rather than arrive through the quivering bush, the fourth year Hufflepuff took an alternative route. Crawling under a few low hanging branches beside the entrance of the building, Linnaea looked up at the man in shock before her face melted into a smile. "Oh, are you my caller Professor Snape?" Scootching forwards, Linnaea stood up and brushed off her shorts and airy shirt before readjusted her wide-brimmed, light brown hat. "To what do I owe the honor?" The Hufflepuff questioned him as she retrieved a watering can off of a nearby hook. Casting a quick spell, she filled the container with water and added a splash of a nutrient potion before sending it on its rounds through the building.

"Professor Sprout believes you may have some alihotsy, a plant I am in dire need of." Snape looked around the room, searching for said plant until he snapped his head back when he heard the girl giggle in amusement.

"Ah yes, I am often in 'dire' need of a laughter inducing plant." Linnaea snorted before nodding her head to tell him that she did infact grow the plant in question

"Are you mocking me Ms. Cyprari, because I am not beyond deducting points from even the most helpful of students." She shook her head in the negative and cleared her throat before addressing the stern professor once more.

"There's some in back. Follow me if you want to pick the cuttings." Taking an alternate route which allowed the duo to move standing upright, they reached a small clearing in the center of the greenhouse. Although Linnaea moved on, Snape stopped when he felt his shoe connect with something other than soil, looking down he realized he was stood atop a small one way glass chamber full of devil's snare. Pausing for a second to admire the writhing vines, the Professor continued following his student deeper into the building. "Here we are." Linnaea gestured to a cluster of large pots.

Snape knelt down to critique the small tree. Although Linnaea was clearly busy maintaining so many different plants, she didn't shortchange any of them on care. He was hard pressed to find a bruised leaf on his walk over and spotted none on this tree either. "Diffindo", a soft green light was emitted by his wand as a section of the plant was easily cut. Placing it in the jar he brought with him, the potions master tucked the container away and was preparing to stand when Linnaea let out a soft cry.

"Oh no," The young witch pulled off her hat and held it above Snape as the watering can she previously charmed began to douse the area near them. While Linnaea shut her eyes to prevent the nutrient rich water from irritating them, she got drenched in an effort to keep her potions teacher dry with the protective hat. Upon the can's departure, Linnaea remarked "that was close." Curling her hat inward, she used the pooled water to feed shielded plants before returning it to her crown.

Although marginally touched, Snape was quick to inform the Hufflepuff of her mishap. "I hope you are aware that as a Professor at Hogwarts, I can perform a beyond satisfactory shield charm to deflect falling water. Next time, warn me and defend yourself." Standing upright he watched the girl clear mineral filled water from her eyes before she nodded in agreement.

Upon opening her somewhat watery, mismatched eyes, Linnaea verbally agreed, "All right, sir."

(A/N: Reveiws (as usual) would be lovely~)