Ch 11
The days became weeks and soon it was nearly Christmas. Sinead's parents wanted to come to London but she was sent an invitation to go to Hogwarts for the holidays. She was happy with the invitation and used it as a reason why she her parents should stay in Boston. It was a week before the Christmas when a healer named,Tina, flooed into the apartment.
"We need you now. A man has been attacked by a snake." Sinead who was dressed in pajamas since it was late used a spell to change into appropriate clothes and followed Tina. Tina worked mostly nights but Sinead had met her a few times.
"What kind of snake?" Sinead said following the healer.
"Not sure, he just came in and we have no idea."
"Can he speak?" Tina shook her head.
"I'll get to work on some basic anti-venoms but without knowing the breed it won't do much help. Any witnesses?" Tina shrugged and Sinead hurried down to her working station. She brewed two different potions within the hour and rushed up to the room where the healers were working. The man had red hair and she heard the name Weasley.
"Is that Arthur Weasley?" Sinead asked a healer who was filling out a chart.
"Yes, do you know him?"
"Yes, let me see him." Sinead moved to the front of the team and looked at the wounds. "It looks to be from some sort of hybrid. These will not do much. This one might actually do more harm then good." Sinead said as one potion disappeared from her hand. She applied the other potion as Arthur finally fell asleep.
Molly arrived a short time later and pulled Sinead into a hug. Albus arrived an hour later with some details. He told her privately that Harry had seen the snake attack Arthur in a dream and alerted someone that is how Arthur was found at the Ministry. The next day Molly came in with a picture that Harry had drawn of the snake. Sinead did her best to brew a potion and after several tries she finally found one with helped and the wounds began to heal. Sinead wrote down the potion and kept in on her desk incase someone else was attacked. Molly who was thrilled to see her husband doing well invited her for dinner at Grimmauld Place.
"Albus will approve. You can go to Hogwarts later on."
"Yes, I must insist. I wish to talk some more about muggles in America." Arthur said with a smile.
"Sure, I can do that. Would you like me to bring anything?"
"No need, I'll take care of everything. You saved Arthur and we are so grateful. Plus you had everyone over your place for dinner. Just bring
yourself."
Sinead baked brownies anyway and went to Grimmauld Place on Christmas morning. Arthur had been released early that morning. After spending the day with the Weasleys, Sirius, Harry, and Remus Sinead returned to her flat even though Molly insist she spend the night. She had a nice time and laughed with Fred and George but she did want to go to Hogwarts. Sinead packed some of her things and apparated to Hogsmeade. She walked onto the grounds and made her way into the castle. Minerva McGonagall greeted her.
"Nice to see you again, Sinead. Merry Christmas. Albus said we should be expecting you. The elves set up the spare faculty bedroom for you so let me bring you there to drop off your things and I'll take you to Albus's office."
"Merry Christmas and thank you."
"I hear you saved Arthur's life. Everyone has been talking about it."
"Just doing what I could." After putting her bag down and leaving her cloak Sinead followed Minerva to Dumbledore's office. When they walked in Severus was sitting looking bored.
"Ms. O'Neil, Happy Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
"How is Arthur doing?"
"Well, he's on the mend."
"St. Mungo's seems to be impressed with your skill. I hear you are only working there one day a week." Sinead nodded.
"I was working there three days a week, two brewing and one healing but my potion business has become quite a success."
"I am hoping that you and Severus can work together over the next few days. Also if you'd like to spend some time in the hospital wing I'm sure Poppy will appreciate any help."
"Sure."
"Would you like anything?"
"No thank you. Molly tried to overfeed me." She said with a small smile.
"Why don't you and Severus set up your schedule? It is late."
"Good night." She said walking down the hall with Severus. "Did you have a nice Christmas?" Sinead asked.
"It was ok, not one of my favorite holidays. When would you like to brew?"
"Want to start after breakfast?" Sinead asked as he nodded. "Good night then." Sinead stood in the hallway alone with her heart thudding. Since the summer she couldn't stop her heart from doing that every time she was around the man.
Over the following days she brewed most of the day with Severus and then would spend an hour or two helping out in the hospital wing after dinner. Sinead was planning to return to London before Dolores Umbridge and the students returned in time for the New Year but she was summoned to the hospital wing. Sinead rushed into see several students burnt from using Weasley's Wizard Wheezes products. Poppy was working on the most severe student so Sinead went to the next. The two women spent the next two hours treating the burns. Two of the students were healed quickly and were allowed to go to the welcome back feast. Sinead had finished up and was about to go pick up her things when a house elf appeared.
"Professor Dumbledore has invited Ms. O'Neil to stay the night and to join everyone in the Great Hall for dinner."
Sinead nodded and used a spell to change into a dress. When Sinead arrived at the Great Hall she spotted Harry, Hermonie, and the Weasley's and made her way over.
"You two will be in all sorts of trouble with Professor McGonagall. I've sent the afternoon with Madam Pomfrey treating burns from on of your products."
"No way." Said Fred.
"Six Gryffindor boys came in with burns. Two of them were free to go but four are still in the hospital wing."
"Must not have followed the directions." Fred said as George gave Sinead a goofy grin.
"How was the rest of your holiday?" Sinead asked Ginny, Hermonie, Ron, and Harry.
"Great." Ginny said as Harry nodded.
"What did you do to get Snape angry? He's glaring at you more than usual." Ron asked.
"Oh I have to take remedial potions lessons." Harry muttered.
"He's a git." Ron muttered.
"Professor Snape isn't so bad once you get to know him." Sinead said as Ginny gave her a smirk.
"Maybe he's just nice to you. Cause he's horrible to all of us. Harry gets it the worst." Ron said.
"That's because he hated my dad and he hates Sirius."
"Excuse me. Will you be joining us for dinner or staying with the students?" Sinead bit her lip as she turned to face Severus.
"Just checking in on how Arthur's doing. I'll be right there." Severus walked away as Ron shook his head. "Your dad still doing well?"
"Yes, loads better." Ginny said as Sinead turned and walked towards the staff table. There was a seat between Minerva and Severus.
"You shouldn't be talking to Potter." Severus said as Sinead sat. Sinead gave him a look and turned to Minerva to talk.
