Corina downed the potion, making a face. The taste was horrible. Moving out of the store room, she placed the empty vial on his desk and looked at him. Letting out a small cough, she shook her head. "That was disgusting." She said.
Sighing, Snape shrugged. "It'll help your wounds heal faster." He explained simply.
Licking her lips, she nodded. "Thank you. Um, there's no way I'm going to finish tonight..." There was a big hope that he'd tell her she could finish tomorrow.
"You have one more hour tonight. Do what you can, and resume it as soon as you come into detention tomorrow." He told her.
She nodded, going to turn back to her work. Stopping mid-step, she looked over her shoulders. "Thanks. For the potion, I mean." With that, she quickly went back to work. Just because she disliked him didn't mean she wouldn't at least thank the man.
Snape said nothing, just watched her walk away from him. It was odd to have a stupid speak to him and not sound scared or annoyed. He gave it a few moments before he followed her. As he stood in the doorway, he watched her qork quickly. She moved all potions that started with 'A' to one part of the cupboard, and so on and so forth.
Feeling like she was being watched, she turned. "...Yes?" Corina asked, not sure what was going on.
"Have the rumors stopped?" He asked, knowing the answer to that. He was curious to see how she felt knowing her plan failed.
Groaning, she shook her head. "No." Her voice was low, and disappointed. Looking down to the vial in her hand she shrugged. "I guess I got into trouble for nothing." Turning, she placed it on the shelf.
"You did it to stand up for yourself." Snape replied, finding himself reaching out to her. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he turned her back around. "I understand." He admitted.
"Y-you understand?" She asked, confused.
"Yes. I wasn't exactly popular when I was a student here. There was a boy and his friends who liked to bully me." He explained. "I can see why you felt the need to act out." Not that he approved, really.
Corina raised an eyebrow. "You mean you didn't just glare at them until they left you alone?" She asked sarcastically, smirking.
"No. I was very different then."
"I know. You went to school with my Aunt Gerry." She shrugged, knowing that there was a pretty good chance he wouldn't even know who that was. It was some time ago.
He wasn't sure how to reply to that. Unless she told him what was said, there was no way to know what her Aunt told her. And asking wasn't something he wanted to do. Crossing his arms over his chest, he let the silence hang between them for a moment.
Corina wasn't sure if he wanted her to go back to work or if he wanted to talk some more. She'd much rather work, that way it would be done. "Was there something else?" She asked.
Snape seemed to be in a trance and snapped out of it. Part of him wanted to stay and talk to her about what was happening, another part knew he shouldn't hover. Clearing his throat slightly, he shook his head. "Not unless there was anything else you wanted to discuss." He'd leave it up to her.
"Not that I can think of. I mean, it's not like you can magically make people shut up. Although I guess once my wounds heal, that will be one less thing to worry about." She just hoped someone else didn't feel the need to give her some new ones.
"They should heal in a day or two. Three tops." He informed her. "If you need anything, I'll be at my desk." He told her before turning and leaving her to sort everything.
Her mind was spinning. It was hard to see him as a real person, it was making her wonder how he was dealing with the rumors. The teachers knew, and that couldn't have been easy. "Blast it." She muttered to herself and followed him. "Professor?" She called to him, staying a couple feet away. "How are you dealing with well, the rumors? I know the teachers have heard it by now, and I know you aren't exactly a school favorite..." Her cheeks flushed a light pink, unsure of herself at the moment.
Snape was in shock as he heard her question. No one ever thought to ask how he was feeling, let alone a student. "I've simply told them the truth." He replied. "I imagine they are quicker to believe me then the students are to believing you." Which was true. Students could be cruel.
"Alright, I just wanted to, ya know...make sure you weren't getting it as bad." Obviously he hadn't gotten into a fist fight, but who knew what teachers said to each other.
Corina hurried back to work, moving vials around and focusing on the task. Neither said anything more to the other for the remainder of the detention. Once her time was up, she gathered her things and made her way to the door.
"Ms Bates?" Snape said just loud enough for her to hear.
"Yes?" She asked, moving to stand side ways and look at him.
It took him a moment, but he finally found the words. "Thank you." Corina couldn't help but smile at him. She gave him a small nod and left. In all the time she'd known about Snape, she'd never known him to thank someone. He'd thanked her twice in a short time period.