At dinner,

I felt the same black eyes gazing at me from the High Table. Severus practically bored his eyes into me the entire meal.

All I wanted to do was get out of there and get the evening's work finished with him.

I ate and got up to leave, Severus watching all the way to the archway.

I went down to the dungeons in the classroom and waited.

The Potions Master appeared several minutes later. His entrance was nothing short of beautiful, glorious robes flowing behind him.

"Now, Miss Jones. What was the meaning of your staring competition?"

"Only the one you always give me during meals." I teased.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Please mark the parchment while I gather the ingredients."

He waved me toward the desk. I didn't take his seat. I sat in the chair opposite.

As I was marking the parchment, Severus gathered the ingredients from his storeroom.

He came up to the desk and sat down. "You are not finished?"

Severus snapped one of the papers from my hand. "At least you are not being lenient on these dunderheads." He stated, reading my notes next to the answers.

"I don't go easy when it comes to schoolwork, sir." I replied thickly.

"You have potential to be a great Potions mistress someday." Severus told me. "As long as you do not become incompetent."

"Maybe..." I said. "But I really would like a job at the Ministry. It's what I've been working toward for five years."

Severus sighed. "There are very few students who turn out like you, Miss Jones."

He took a paper from the stack and began marking too. "Begin the potion if you will. Draught of Living Death. I am out."

"The Christmas holiday starts tomorrow. Will you be at the feast, sir?"

"Perhaps..." Severus trailed off. "If you are there."

"I will be." I said coolly, walking over to the cauldron and starting the potion.

He rubbed his temples, a sigh escaping his lungs. "Good, Miss Jones." Quill dipped back in ink and scribbling filled the air.

"Why don't you tell me more about yourself besides what you've said, sir?"

"I shall reveal more later. Preferably after the feast." Severus said, not looking at me.

I rolled my eyes. "All right..."

Severus stopped marking. "You seem to be very interested in me. I know nothing of you, Miss Jones."

"I'm sure you've used your Legilimency on me. Maybe you can teach me to block my thoughts and memories...like Harry." I laughed.

"Potter's lessons are for his own safety." The Potions Master exhaled. "I can only hope you will be significantly better than him."

"So you'll teach me?" I asked.

"I suppose." Black eyes flew over to me. "After the holiday."

I smiled.

Severus shot me a serious look. "It will not be as simple as you believe, Miss Jones."