Dear readers,
before you start wondering whether I'm still alive – here's the next chapter. I apologise to all of you who left reviews for the last one. I read them all, I loved them all, but I didn't get round to answering them. So here's a BIG THANK YOU to all reviewers and another one to those of you who included this story in their list of favourites. Your support is very much appreciated.
Leliha
The usual disclaimers apply – and off we go...
Chapter Ten
Sunday evening, two weeks later. Lisa and Severus were standing at the narrow garden gate after a rainy afternoon spent unravelling the mysteries of the world of magic. A few brave rays of evening sunshine had managed to break through the clouds by now, transforming the raindrops on the shrubs next to the brick wall into glittering jewels. Snape was leaning on his walking stick, a plastic carrier bag dangling from his free hand. The bag contained a compromise: Having refused Lisa's offer to eat dinner with her and Nathan once again he had eventually, after some discussion and much insistence on her part, reluctantly agreed to accept some of the shepherd's pie and green salad to take home and eat in solitude.
Lisa watched him with professional concern. It had been obvious to her that the practice session with Nathan had been more intense than the one a fortnight before, with Snape challenging the boy with stronger images and emotions. Nathan had done well, breaking only two small flower pots with an uncontrolled outburst of his magical energy. His reward had been a reluctant 'acceptable', modified by 'but you can do better, you have to practice every day, you must learn to be always in control' from Severus, who had come prepared this time, bringing a potion vial with him and drinking it immediately after the practice while Nathan was being revived by his mother with an extra-large bowl of chocolate ice-cream.
So the wizard looked a bit pale and worn out now, but not as if he would faint any moment. Lisa still held the small, empty glass container she had collected from the dining table in her hand and sniffed it curiously.
"What did you say it was?"
"A modified version of the common Pepper-up-potion."
"A modified version…?" she echoed pensively, her curious frown asking for more information. Snape, still in teaching mode, was ready to oblige.
"The formula is my own invention, keeping the strengthening and invigorating properties of the original version and combining them with the soothing qualities of a calming draught, thereby reducing the tendency to cause restlessness and high blood pressure. One of the main ingredients of the potion is chili, that's where the colour comes from."
Lisa acknowledged the lecture with a smile.
"Pepper-up-potion? What a funny name."
"It's what people call it in everyday language; it's a very common potion. The textbooks refer to it as potio piperata reficiendo."
"I see. Does it have any side effects?"
"You may start feeling very thirsty half an hour after taking it, with some people it causes mild diarrhoea. But nothing serious."
"Potions", she said softly, shaking her head and turning the vial in her hands. "They seem to be so much more divers and effective than the medications we use. It must be fascinating to know how to create all kinds of effects by using a substance in a bottle or a jar. Do you have to be a wizard to make potions? Do you need magic?"
"Not necessarily, and certainly not for a harmless class A potion like this. Only the most potent and, of course, the Dark and dangerous ones require powerful magic. In most cases it's just the ingredients and the correct way of preparing and mixing them that make a potion effective."
"So even I could make potions?"
His mouth twitched.
"After several years of studying the art of potion making, yes, why not?" he replied dryly.
She gave a short laugh of surprise.
"Several years – oh my!"
"It's nothing you should dally with," he said gravely.
"Well, yes, I suppose. What a pity I haven't got the time."
Stoppering the vial she slipped it into the carrier bag while giving him a sidelong glance.
"I really would like to learn something about how potions are made, though," she continued wistfully.
He said nothing. Lisa waited, biting her lower lip and playing with one of her long silver earrings. When he showed no sign of reacting she took a deep breath.
"Severus…"
He raised his eyebrows inquiringly.
"I don't know if it is too much to ask for… but…"
She stopped, waiting, exhaling noisily, then started again.
"I mean, I really don't want to be impertinent, but…"
"Yes?" he prompted.
"I can understand if you say 'no', but…"
He lifted his arm in exasperation, giving the carrier bag a little shake.
"This bag is getting heavier by the minute; I would appreciate if you didn't make me stand here all night. What is it you want to ask?"
"Can I come over one day and watch when you're making potions?"
The sentence came out in a rush. Her cheeks had become very pink. He blinked in disbelief.
"Why would you want to do that?"
"To get an idea of what it is all about. I'm a nurse and I'm interested in everything concerning drugs and medicine."
"But potion making often takes hours and there's nothing to see, it's not a show, not exciting at all. Just cutting, mixing, stirring, waiting, more stirring, more waiting … you'll become bored."
"Still… I'd like to see it, I don't think it will be boring. There was a short chapter in the book you gave Nathan and…"
He snorted.
"I can't have Nathan," he said categorically, "children that young lack the patience and understanding for potion making."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Next time it's Nat's weekend with his Dad. His Dad is collecting him on Friday after school and bringing him back on Sunday evening. I'm on my own all weekend. I have to work the night shifts on Friday and Saturday, so I could come over one of these days in the afternoon… I mean, only if you plan to make potions then, of course and if you have time; and I promise I won't disturb you…please…"
She stopped, confused, and smiled her sheepish smile again.
Snape snorted once more. Brewing potions was a solitary art, only the production of the most complex ones required some assistance. And the solitude was what he had always liked about potion making, he had never been good at working in a team – and here the fleeting memory of himself and Lily Evans, the only partner he had been able to tolerate, working together in Slughorn's classes at school passed his mind and the pain made him wince inwardly… how pathetic, after all these years, he thought angrily and banished the image into the deepest pits of his consciousness – he preferred the peace and quiet of being on his own, he needed the concentration, especially if he was experimenting with new formulas. What he didn't need was someone breathing down his neck, getting in his way, asking stupid questions, making silly comments, engaging him in mindless, idle conversation. On the other hand he would have to replenish his supplies of pain potions in two weeks' time, a simple routine job which was boring and which he could do in his sleep. So it wouldn't be so much of a nuisance if Lisa came over and watched him…
"If you promise not to make a nuisance of yourself and pester me with silly questions", he heard himself say before his mind had reached the end of his inner debate.
Lisa smiled happily, her eyes sparkling like amber in the evening sun.
"Thank you so much. I'll stay in a corner, make myself invisible and won't say a word. Cross my heart!"
He grunted, staring at her doubtfully, wondering what he had got himself into.
"Come over on Saturday then, 2 o'clock and don't be late."
Without waiting for a further 'thank-you' he turned, opened the gate and limped away, heading for the security of his house.