Another uneventful week of school passed. Just loads of homework. Lily and Audrey's friendship quickly grew and Audrey couldn't have been happier. She was glad that she was able to make a new friend and so soon after the fallout with her old friends. There was still a sting of pain whenever she thought of Jessica and Ann. She still kept trying to think of ways to talk to them, to explain her side to them, but every idea she had was deemed dumb by the voice in her head. I should just give up. If they really want to make things right, they will come to me.
The fourth week of classes started with Potions, of course. Audrey had woken up late due to staying up till 3AM working on her homework. She rushed to get ready. She threw on her uniform managing to tuck half of her shirt into her skirt. She brushed her teeth and forgot to run a brush through her brown hair. She grabbed her bag, praying her potions' book was inside. She didn't want to chance it so she had to stop to make sure it was there. Indeed it was and she gave herself a mental pat on the back.
She ran down the stairs into the dungeon and into the classroom. She stopped just inside the classroom and tried to catch her breath. Some of her classmates turned around and gave her an odd look. She sighed. I look like crap. She was very self-conscience as she slowly walked to the front to sit next to Snape.
"Bad night, Sterling?"
Audrey gave Snape a sideways glare as she finished tucking in her shirt and fixing her uniform.
"I like what you did to your hair. It screams homeless person." He snickered.
Audrey's hand immediately went to her head. She felt part of her hair puffed up while the other part was flat. This is just great.
Meanwhile, Slughorn made his appearance and asked a few students how their weekend was. As he made his way to the front of the room, he stopped by Audrey.
"Miss Sterling, is everything alright? Are you sick?" He looked concerned.
Audrey blushed because of nerves and embarrassment. She found her voice to say, "No professor, just woke up late." She forced a smile toothless smile as she played with her hair.
He nodded and moved on. Audrey let a huff. Snape was looking at his potions book, obviously holding back laughter.
Audrey glared at him. "I'll hex you if you don't cut it out," she tried to say coldly. But it came out more as a mean request and not very threatening. Snape just smirked in responds.
Slughorn began class. "Today, we are going to do something different. We will have a quiz over what you have been learning thus far this year and a few questions about material we haven't gone over. It's just for me to see if you have been reading ahead and preparing."
Great, I barely get any sleep and now I have to be functional for a quiz. I don't know if my brain can handle that. Audrey slowly closed her eyes in frustration and held them tight before opening them again.
"Get out a piece of parchment and your quill and ink. The questions will be on the board."
With in seconds, there were ten questions on the board. Audrey did an internal groan. She started the quiz. Most of the questions were really easy. The questions about future material Audrey didn't have a clue because she has been too busy to flip ahead in her book.
Eventually everyone got done with the quiz and Slughorn collected them. He was flipping through the pages with a large smile and telling the class that he was interesting in reading their answers.
He sat the papers on his desk and looked at the class again. "There isn't enough time to start to brew a potion…"
He was cut off by Black. "So you are letting us go? How very thoughtful of you, Professor." Audrey could basically feel the ridiculous smile pasted on Black's face without having to look back at him.
Slughorn chuckled, "No, I'm afraid not Mr. Black. What I have in mind is a project." There were a few groans. "This project will be done with your partner. Don't worry, it's simple. You will pick a famous potion brewer and research about him or her. You will put together a five to ten minute presentation for the class."
A presentation?! Audrey's heart raced. She didn't like public speaking or being noticed in general. She did a sideways glance at Snape. Great, quality time with Snape. She thought some more. It could be worst; I could be doing a project with Black. She shuddered at the thought.
Slughorn continued explaining the guidelines and expectations. "By Wednesday, I want the name of the potion brewer. No duplicates; each group does a different person."
Lily raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Evans?"
"When do we give our presentations?"
"Excellent questions, I was just getting to that. The presentations will be next Monday." Louder groans were audible. "Tisk tisk, class. This is just a simple and fun project. It builds teamwork which is important for the real world. I just want you to have fun with it and make it interesting." He looked at Black and Potter and gave them a hollowed look. "But not too extreme." He paused to let that sink in. "Now the remainder of the time can be spent with your partner discussing what you two will be doing. If you have any questions, I'll be at my desk."
Audrey turned to Snape who was looking in his book. She stared at him for a couple seconds and when she realized he wasn't going to respond, she took action. "I think we should meet later in the library to discuss what we will be doing." He still was looking at his book. "Maybe later in the afternoon or after dinner. How about meeting at 6:30 outside the library? Or if that doesn't work we can meet Tuesday…" She kept rambling because she didn't know what else to do.
He finally looked up from his book and gave her a look that made her shut up. He closed his book and turned to her. "We will present on the potion brewer, Reginald Leyton." He started to pack up his stuff.
"Wait a second. Two things, one, who is Reginald Leyton? And two, I get no say in this matter?"
He looked at her. "Do you know of any potion brewers you would like to discuss?" He eyed her, knowing the answer would be no.
"Fine, your right, I don't know any potion brewers. But we still need to figure out when we will meet to work on learning more about this Reginald guy." Snape looked as though he wasn't paying attention and didn't care about one word she said. "I mean, if you want to do the project all by yourself, be my guest."
Snape stood up and slanged his bookbag over his shoulder and made no attempt to reply to her suggestion. Audrey stood up as well. "I was just kidding. We have to work on this together; we are partners. Plus, I would feel guilty about you doing all the work."
He finally made eye contact with her. They have made eye contact numerous times before but this was the first time Audrey noticed how dark his eyes were. They were somewhat haunting yet there was a hint of softness reflected in them. She almost got lost looking into his eyes but was brought back to reality when he spoke.
"Your suggestion of meeting tonight at 6:30 at the library is fine with me." He said as he began to make his way out of the classroom. Audrey followed him out.
"Great," is all she could muster up with a quick smile. Snape took little notice to this and walked off further into the dungeon.
Audrey's smile fell. For some reason she felt disappointed but couldn't figure out why. She checked the time and became aware that she needed to head off to care of magical creature.
Ooooooo eye contact time! lol. Couldn't resist. Now Audrey and Severus have to spend time together. Yay! So, I made up this potionbrewer, Reginald Leyton. He is my creation so don't try to look him up. In the next chapter you will learn about who Leyton is.
