Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, though I wish I did.
A Moment of Weakness
I sigh as I wipe the sweat from my forehead with a black sleeve. Potions is not exactly a comfortable occupation. My back is aching from bending over a cauldron too long, and my eyes are drooping from the lack of sleep I've had.
The potion I'm working on is very volatile, and requires attention for at least twenty hours. It's almost done though, and it will be worth it. There is nothing like reaping the fruits of one's labor. Especially if it's hard earned. If only I could make it a bit easier and less time-consuming to make. That would raise my profits.
I try to think of what I could do to improve this potion, but my brain is too worn out to think of anything but how soon I can get to bed.
I add a couple drops of newt slime to the mixture and quickly vanish the fire under the cauldron. After stirring it three times clockwise and two counter-clockwise, I let it sit for about a minute before I douse all of the lights in the room. The contents of the cauldron are glowing a light lavender color, and I finally allow myself to relax. It is done.
I chose my summer project very carefully at the end of last term. I have a long list of ideas. The wizarding world needs improvements in potions. Hopefully I can get it into the Ministry's thick heads that we need an innovative potions department. I will send a proposal with my newest creation. Surely the pompous idiots will be impressed enough to comply with my wishes.
I have created a new way to survive under the water. One that doesn't involve all of the complications that were shown during the second part of the Tri-Wizard Competition years ago. That event actually spurred this idea. Seriously, who wants to accidentally be bitten by their friend when his head is that of a shark? And really, floating around underwater with a bubble around your head? You can hardly see, and the risks of that bubble popping are too high to be going too deep into the water anyways.
There is only one side-effect that I am a bit upset at. Oh well. I'll have to find time to fix it later.
I relight the room with a wave of my wand and summon some bottles to deposit the potion in. I'll have to wait until I'm very well rested to try it out. I wouldn't want a measly little Grindylow to have its way with me because I'm too exhausted.
After the potion is carefully stored away in my closet I walk to the small bookshelf beside it and pull on the Hogwarts: A History book. The shelf slides silently to the right and I step through before it closes. Yawning, I slowly walk down the tunnel leading me to my chambers. It's so nice to have a potions lab next to my rooms. The castle was very accommodating when I was moved to the second floor because of my new teaching subject. It seems that I broke the curse on the DADA job here.
Not wanting to expend anymore energy than I need to, I wave my wand again and crawl into bed naked. I'm too tired to wrestle with sleepwear tonight…
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Snape is avoiding me. Well, at least that's what I thought, until I saw him dragging himself to the head table. He looks absolutely exhausted. He plops down in between professor Sprout and myself without a word and stares at his plate as if he forgot how to dish himself. Pomona scoops a big spoonful of scrambled eggs and dumps it on his plate. He nods and then starts to dig in. The man must be really exhausted to not be complaining about being helped.
I raise an eyebrow at Pomona across Snape, and she's very quick to explain. "Severus must have done one of his potion projects yesterday. It probably took all day and most of the night. I'm surprised that he was even able to show up to breakfast this time. Usually he's too exhausted." I nod, thinking that he should just sleep the rest of the day.
After he has added toast, sausage, and orange juice to his meal, I decide to ask what he was working on. What can I say? I'm kind of curious as to what could make this man this exhausted. "A new and better way to stay underwater." He replies shortly. I want a more in depth explanation about it, but I know it will have to wait. I'm almost wondering how he'll get back to his rooms.
Dumbledore sees this as well. "Severus, let Hermione escort you back to your rooms. I would do it, but I'm way too old and today is not a good day for my joints." He points to the sky, which is dark and rainy. Snape makes to protest, but Dumbledore interrupts him. "I'll have no argument from you, son." The endearment catches me off guard, but I find it a bit touching. Snape looks like he swallowed a lemon. I guess that's what it feels like to swallow an argument for him. I almost want to laugh, but smile instead, so I don't offend the man into talking and wasting more energy than he has to.
We finish at about the same time. I stand up and wait for him to slowly rise. I hold out my hand for support, but he brushes it away, walking out as fast as he can in his state. The rest of the staff chuckle at his antics, and I go to catch up to him. I find him leaning against one of the stone walls in the Great Hall, near the stairs. There is a bit of perspiration on his face. I want to tell him not to overexert himself, but I know he won't listen. In fact, he'd probably do the complete opposite of anything I ask him, even in his state. He's just snarky like that.
This time he accepts my support and we go up the stairs at an easy pace. I think he just didn't want to show his weakness to the others. It's understandable for a proud man like him. We finally make it to his rooms about five minutes later, and he opens the door with a whispered password that I don't catch. He is about to shut the door in my face, but my foot stops it. He blinks down at the offending foot and then looks me in the eye.
"I want to help you test your experiment." I say boldly. It sounds fascinating, and I don't want to give up this opportunity. I'd like to see those underwater creatures upclose in their natural environment.
He raises an eyebrow with effort, and I feel that I already know the answer. No. He surprises me though by saying, "I'll think about it." Satisfied, I remove my foot from the door, which he promptly closes in my face, but not with force. He probably couldn't exert the force, even if he wanted to.
I almost skip back to my rooms in the dungeons, but use caution on the stairs, not wanting another incident to take place. When I get into my rooms, I light a fire and walk over to the water window. Soon I'll be out there. Well, if Snape allows it. I smile and sit in a chair by the fire. This is a perfect day to stay inside and read. Not that I wouldn't do it on a sunny day as well. I'm such a bookworm.
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I'm surprised that I was able to get to the head table for breakfast. I was so exhausted when I woke up, but my stomach won over my poor sleep-depraved body, and I managed to drag myself down there. If I were still in the dungeons, that would be a different story. There is a big difference between upstairs and downstairs, especially if you are very exhausted.
When I actually get down there, I stare down at my plate. Will I have the energy to actually eat? I hadn't thought that I'd encounter that problem. Before I embarrass myself by trying to land some food on my plate, Pomona plops a big scoop of eggs on it. Usually I would protest at this babying, but right now I'm too weak, so I just nod my head in thanks. I can just feel the curiosity emanating from Granger like a perfume where she sits next to me on the other side. Doesn't she know that curiosity killed the cat? I think back on her botched polyjuice potion incident and want to laugh, but I really don't have the energy or the space in my mouth for it. I can slowly feel a bit of energy trickle into me as I eat my fill. I don't think it'll be enough to get me back to my rooms in one piece, but there's no way I'm asking for an escort.
It seems that Dumbledore sees the problem, and enlists Granger's help. I try to argue, but he silences me with words and a look. We finish eating at about the same time, and Granger comes to stand at my shoulder. She holds her hand out when I raise myself from my chair, but I brush it away and stalk out of there as fast as I can, which isn't that fast. There is no way everyone is going to see my weakness. It's bad enough that Granger is going to help me, as if I'm a feeble old man. A man cannot be subjected to this kind of torment.
As soon as I reach the stairs I stop and lean against the banister. They look a bit daunting right now. A few seconds later, Granger is beside me, and this time I accept the proffered hand. We make the trek slowly upstairs, and I almost sigh in relief when we reach my door. I whisper the word 'Devil's Snare' quiet enough so that certain prying ears do not hear. I try to shut the door in her face, but am stopped by her foot catching the door.
I try for an annoyed look, but find that I'm too tired. She asks to help with testing the experiment. I barely manage a raised eyebrow at this. Hmm. She could be an asset. But, then again, it's Granger. I tell her that I'll think about it, as I can't really concentrate on pros and cons in this state. I catch a glimpse of pleasured surprise before the door finally shuts on her face. She thought that I would refuse. Usually I would without delay, but she caught me in a vulnerable mood. I owe her anyways for helping me up here. I'll think about it later.
I hear the silent call from my bed, and follow it like a possessed man, waving my wand to vanish my clothing. I fall into bed with an almost loving sigh. Let it not be said that Severus Snape cannot be happy.
