February 12, 1997
3:31 AM
Severus has classes to teach tomorrow, but he has yet to go to bed – too many potions to brew in too little time. There are five cauldrons bubbling in various parts of the lab – make that six, since Hermione Granger has taken the opportunity to work on something of her own – he won't ask what it is. Anyway, if he can just sneak over there he can see what it is.
Unfortunately, sneaking would take more concentration than he currently has available – he was up late last night too – though perhaps not quite this late.
"Miss Granger."
"Yes, Professor?" She sounds much more awake than he is.
"What time is it?" Severus sweeps over to one of his cauldrons – the one nearest to Hermione's – to check the consistency.
"Around three in the morning, I think." Hermione frowns into her potion. "I don't think this is right. Damn it… Evanesco!"
Severus raises an eyebrow – so much for being able to see what that potion was.
"Experimenting, are we?" he says. "Perhaps now you can get back to the work you're supposed to be doing."
Hermione glares at him, but she's been spending enough time with him lately that she can tell when he's genuinely annoyed and when he's just being nasty for the hell of it – so she moves to a different cauldron without comment. On the way, she glances into the one he's currently stirring.
"That isn't one Professor Dumbledore asked for."
"I am a spy, Miss Granger. Professor Dumbledore isn't the only person employing me for my potion-making abilities," says Severus coldly.
Hermione stops in her tracks and looks up at him. A strand of hair falls in front of her face, but she doesn't seem to notice – and Severus is struck with the odd urge to brush it away. He's definitely been spending too much time with her.
"I'm sorry," she says after a long moment of silent staring.
Severus grunts and turns back to his potion – but inwardly he feels a little bit warmer at the knowledge that one person, at least, knows what this is costing him.