Snape took a sip of the tea on his desk, surprised slightly by how sweet it was but too focused on his task to really think about it.

Him and his little club were devising some ground-breaking alterations to the tanderin-potion that he hadn't even thought to consider before. Having some fresh creative minds taking an interest in his subject really was proving to be invaluable. He looked into their shared cauldron and saw that the mixture was thickening correctly, time for stage three.

"Allllrighhht, now addd the neeeeewt."

The Potions Master froze in horror at the musical tones that came rolling unhindered over his tongue. What on earth?

A sharp glare turned towards the twins, his accusation clear. We had a deal!

But the two boys themselves stared back at him with genuine shock painted across their faces eyes wide and slightly nervous hands both raised in supplication.

"Wasn't us Professor"

"Honest it wasn't"

For some reason Snape was inclined to believe them, the boys hearts were too set on this joke shop to risk upsetting their only benefactor this early in the game. With no other possibility available the glare was turned slowly onto the only other occupant in the room, its intensity softening in question.

Luna looked back at him with an expression of absolute innocence.

"I'm sorry Professor, it's just…..you have such a lovely voice. It seemed a shame not to"

To their credit the twins did at least attempt to restrain their laughter, hands clamped over their mouths as they doubled over

Snape spared them little more than a quick eye roll.

Mostly he kept his focus on the girl, his mind whirring….if anyone else had done this….anyone….and yet…

Some traitorous part of his mind couldn't help thinking, what's the harm?

There was no one there but them and he had already relaxed around these students more than anyone else had seen him relax in years.

He could stay silent until the effects wore off, but then, he was really excited about this potion and wanted to finish it, and of course he could just write the instructions down for them and finish it that way but….and damn himself for caring but….when was the last time anyone had complimented anything about him?

So he looked a little silly for an hour of so…he'd suffered through worse and something told him that of all the people in the world these three were among the few least likely to judge or mock him for it.

With a deep calming breath he decided, 'sod it' and grabbed the aforementioned newt, quickly adding it to the mix.

"Nooow stir to the riiiiight!"

Luna's smile and the twin's cheer of triumph gained no visible reaction but inside Severus Snape felt an odd warmth appear that lingered long after the singing potion wore off.

This was meant to be a funny chapter when I started typing and somehow turned into one of the most sugary sweet things I've ever written.

Chapter for Fenris Jin who quite rightly pointed out….that voice.

I had intended to wait a few days before posting this to space out my updates more but as it turns out I have no willpower. :)