-1Severus stirred the potion once more. Taking out the stirring rod, he awaited the clear, watery look that signified its completion. A foray of triumph had overcome him as he began to pour the Verituserum into a small vial. Carefully moving over towards the steaming goblet on his desk, he poured the colorless liquid into the Wolfsbane Potion.
He heard a knock at his door. "Come in," he growled.
Lupin walked into the office, looking rather ragged. The full moon was hastily approaching. Severus had told him to come by the dungeons to pick up his Wolfsbane Potion for tonight's transformation.
"I'm here to pick up my Wolfsbane Potion, Severus."
"It's right there, Lupin, on my desk. I think it'd be best if you drink it now. Wouldn't want a nasty accident to happen on the way to your office, now would you?"
"Right you are, Severus," Lupin said, bringing the goblet to his chapped lips. Severus turned away for a moment to hide his smirk. When he had downed the potion, he set the goblet down.
"Lupin, can I have a word?" Severus asked, turning to him. Lupin looked at him from the doorway from which he was about to exit.
"Yes, sure, Severus." Lupin walked toward him. "About what?"
"I want to ask you a few questions about our dear colleague, Professor Burke."
"Oh, sure."
"Are you in a relationship with her, whether it be romantic or sexual?"
"No, of course not, Severus," Lupin said confidently.
"Well, then, do you want to be in a relationship with her?" Severus asked.
"No, Severus, we're only friends. I daresay, I don't think I've ever thought about her as such."
"Did either you, or Professor Burke, have any to do with the break in of Sirius Black?"
"Of course not."
"Very well, then, Lupin," he said, taking out his wand.
"Severus, what are you doing?" he asked, taking a step back.
"Just ensuring that this little chat will not escape the confines of this office," Severus said, raising his wand. "Obliviate!"
For a moment, Lupin looked sick. Then, he looked up at Severus. "Severus? What happened?"
"Oh, Lupin, you look sick. You should get back to your office. It's a full moon tonight, remember?"
"Yes, yes…right. Thank you for the potion, Severus," Lupin said, walking out of the office in a hurry.
"Not at all, not at all…" Severus said, seating himself at his desk.
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The air of late October was not approaching unnoticed. That was the first thing Audrey noticed when she woke up on the morning of the last Sunday of the month. The night before had been a full moon, and she was a bit worried about Remus. When she was walking back to her office, they ran into each other and he seemed a bit anxious.
Throwing the sheets and blankets off of her, she got out of bed and walked over to the wardrobe, shivering. She pulled off her pajamas and pulled on a grayish blue gown and her usual black wool robe.
When she was done dressing and getting ready for the day, she heard the clock tower toll. It was nine o'clock. Today, she had to chaperone a study hall session with another teacher, in the Great Hall. She had intentionally missed out on breakfast because she was just too tired.
She made her way down to the Great Hall in an awkward daze. When she had entered the Hall, Audrey noticed that mostly Fifth and Seventh years were seated in the Hall, while there were a few other students scattered about.
Looking ahead at the front of the Hall, Audrey saw Severus. Obviously he was the teacher who was also chaperoning the session. Sighing, she remembered that it would last until lunchtime.
Trying not to make eye contact with Severus, Audrey began walking along the tables where many students were scribbling away notes or scanning textbook pages.
After an hour, she was helping a fourth year with History of Magic homework. She was sitting across from him, and was running a hand through her hair. He was completely hopeless, or at least he wasn't even trying.
"…well, then, who was the most famous wizard to use the Flame-Freezing Charm during the Salem Witch Trials? Any ideas? Any at all?" she pressed, eyeing the boy.
"No…um…I think I remember this from last year. Uh…"
While the boy was still contemplating, Audrey looked up to see Severus slowly passing behind him. He looked her in the eye and smirked. Rolling her eyes at him, she looked back down at the boy.
"It was Wendelin the Weird, Troy. Wendelin the Weird. Remember that, and you'll score high on your next test," she told him irritably.
"Right…" he muttered under his breath. Sighing again, Audrey got up to help the next student.
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Almost ten minutes later, she walked to the front of the Great Hall. Most of the students had left now, and the only ones that were hadn't yet were all sitting towards the back of the Hall, far from earshot.
Off to the side of the Hall, Severus was walking towards her, with a look of sickening satisfaction on his face. It had, in some fashion, disturbed her a bit. He stood next to her, surveying the Hall.
"Very recently, I've had the privilege to speak with Lupin."
"Oh?" Audrey inquired. "And what did he say?"
"Let's just say that I may have been wrong about my accusations toward your…relationship."
"Professor Snape, you might find this rather surprising, but there is no sort of relationship between Remus and I. For God's sake, I haven't seen him for thirteen years, and let's just say he's not the only one I had the privilege to meet again."
He slightly turned his head in her direction. "If you're implying that I'm the only one who has changed, then you are sorely mistaken, Professor Burke."
"Oh, am I, Professor Snape? Tell me, how have I changed in any way?"
"Well, apart from your lack of credibility to even be an Ancient Runes instructor--"
"Lack of credibility? It may pain you to remember, but I was one of the very best students in that subject when in school!"
"--And your unprofessional behavior."
"Excuse me? What on earth do I do that counts as 'unprofessional behavior'?" Audrey was staring into his eyes, trying not to break contact.
"Well, firstly, you are terrible at disciplining your students."
"Oh, so I guess if I don't cause them pain, then no gain for me, then?"
"What I'm trying to say is that you should reconsider your disciplinary tactics."
Audrey sighed deeply. "Professor, my punishments are my business, and yours are your business. And I'm just going to leave it at that."
"Fine. I'm just giving you an ample bit of advice."
"And I appreciate that, I really do, but now you know that I don't want your advice."
Severus narrowed his eyes. "Fine."
He shook his head suddenly as if to clear it. Spotting two girls whispering in the corner, he marched off to discipline them, leaving Audrey alone with her thoughts.
What on earth just happened? Audrey thought to herself while watching Snape give each of the girls a week's worth of detentions. Her eyes lingered on Severus, watching how he tipped his head to the side slightly as he bent over the two rather wide-eyed looking girls.
Severus looked up and their eyes met. Audrey, however, looked down quickly and nervously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Before Severus could approach her, the bell rang, and Audrey fled to her rooms.
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A/N - Yes, I am aware that their relationship is very slowly building. It's making me ill too. Anyways, leave me reviews! Constructive critisism welcomed. Also, my good friend Indigoenigma helps me with a lot of my writer's block on this story, so kudos to her:)
