"Good morning, Poppy. I hope you slept well, especially after yesterday." Selena greets merrily, but with a slight groan, as she enters the Hospital Wing with a slight skip in her step. The older matron was just beginning to clear away a few empty potion vials laying around the side-tables when she walked in.

"If by well, you mean; it's the last day of the school year, then yes, I probably would have." Poppy only clicked her tongue when Selena's chuckles filled the room. "Honestly, dear, you expect me to have a good night's sleep knowing I'll have to report to work on a Sunday morning? The sun isn't even fully up!"

The Mediwizard chuckled defeatedly as she tidies her apron. "This serves us right for being too lazy to clean up after ourselves last night, Poppy. I'm just glad there aren't any more Quidditch games until after the holidays. I don't think I can attend to another load of patients for thirteen hours straight."

"Oh dear, neither can I. Not even before you arrived were there a lot of injuries." The matron grumbled before muttering a spell to clean the wooden desk before her. "'Don't know what's gotten into the students these days…"

"I know… In fact, I don't remember Quidditch being so aggressive at all—at least, student-initiated Quidditch."

"And I can't help but notice, everytime someone gets injured… I don't want to be that person, but it's always because of those darn—"

"Miss Stellifer," A deep voice cuts Poppy off mid-sentence. The Potions Master situated at the entrance of the Hospital Wing wore a sour look on his face, but now that Selena has resided at the castle for a few months, it seemed that the countenance was quite common as far as Severus was concerned.

"Professor Snape," Selena acknowledged with a single nod, followed by a soft smile. "Good morning."

"Speak of the devil," Poppy fussed to herself before Severus spit any reply. The two, especially Severus, turned to her with a frown. "Your hands got on a few of my bicorn horns last night, young man. Don't think for a second that I didn't notice."

"Miss Stellifer, the morning is never a good time, take this for one of the reasons why." He says boredly while also eyeing the direction of Poppy. Selena rolled her eyes but her smile widened amusedly. Severus turned to Poppy, "As for the bicorn horns, Poppy, the potion was an urgent request from the Headmaster. You did mention that if ever I needed anything, I must come here at once…"

"Yes, but I meant it in regards to your health, Severus, not as an apothecary customer." The aged woman countered, making Selena laugh while the potioneer sighs. Poppy resumed her task, drawing her wand and enchanting two brooms to sweep the floor. "Anyways, it's uncanny, finding you here on a Sunday this early in the morning. What brings you here?"

"I am to deliver a message," Severus returned his gaze towards Selena, "Your presence is requested at the gamekeeper's hut. It's urgent, he says, though personally, I highly doubt it."

"Hagrid?" Selena parroted in a mix of shock and confusion."Why would Hagrid send for me now? How does he even know I'm awake?"

"He, and I quote, "Needs you badly, it may not even be just his life at stake for this." Replied Severus. "And he knows you're awake because of that screeching owl of yours at five in the morning. I swear, if I didn't know you owned I may have already… done something to it."

Now, the Mediwizard was just in complete bemusement. "But I don't… own an owl?"

"Oh?" Severus' said in a newfound surprise. "Well, let's not squander our time any longer, Miss Stellifer. You must seek Hagrid while I search his hut for a good weapon."

She pulled a face at him. "I'm not letting you kill birds on my watch, Professor."

He flailed his hand, "It's not difficult to escape from the menacing hands of a Mediwizard anyway."

"You'll never escape the matron's, however," Poppy says. "You owe me those bicorn horns, or all these chores are going to you."

"Now, now, why am I part of…" He addressed the untidy infirmary. "This? I only play the messenger." Severus scowled.

"Because you never listen to me whenever I tell you to visit Diagon Alley once you run out of ingredients," Poppy chided, and Selena thought how amusing it was to watch an unknown relationship unravel itself.

"Poppy, being a teacher is not an idle task. I don't have the time." He said.

"Yes? Well, so is being the only matron in this school." She retorted, "And yet, I can go out and fetch what I need! Merlin, Severus, if I was your mother I would have taught you a lesson"

Severus raised a brow, unamused. "Funny, so would she."

Albeit her growing curiosity on how far the bickering in front of her would go, the Mediwizard knew she had to intervene if she wanted to get to Hagrid's.

"Poppy, I'll be back as soon as I see what's wrong with Hagrid, leave some work for me, if you must."

"I don't have to, Selena dear, take your time. I can get this done in an hour or so."

"Well, if that's the case," Selena shrugged, feeling a little guilty for leaving Poppy. "I'll do the chores next weekend, and you can take the day off. No exceptions, you know I never take 'no' for an answer."

"I can vouch for that," Severus adds in a lower tone, and Selena shot him a smirk.

"Or I can always hand them to Severus, here," Poppy quips and Severus rolls his eyes, making a movement to exit. The matron waves her hand dismissively, "Now, go to Hagrid and find out what he wants, then perhaps, come back and let me know if I need to drop all these chores and save them for him as well."

Selena switched her apron for her coat by the double doors and laughed out loud. "Sure will. Shall we, Professor?" Severus left first at the sight of Poppy shooting him a knowing stare, Selena, naturally, laughed at it all.

"Are you coming with me to Hagrid's?" Selena inquired once they were alone in the stairwell.

"No."

"Oh? Why not? Are you busy?"

The potioneer pursed his lips, "Not quite." He said simply.

Selena's lips formed a doubtful pout while she let out a soft hum, "Allow me to rephrase then; I'd like you to accompany me to Hagrid's. I insist."

Severus tilted his head so they made eye contact. His brow was raised, clearly unamused, he was even very subtly shaking his head, but eventually, after a few quiet and unsettling seconds, he said, "As if that would change my mind."

Selena adjusted her sleeves, smirking under all the movement. "I'll give it a minute or two." She chuckled. "Anyways, I didn't know you and Poppy were close. She was always so stern back in the day…"

"Isn't she now, though?" He wittingly asked, to which Selena shook her head, unimpressed. "And close? Whatever do you mean by that? I like to think I'm not close with anybody."

"Please, you obviously have some sort of friendship with Dumbledore and Minerva," Selena pointed out. "You and Hagrid annoy each other in a good way, that could be considered as bonding…"

"That's nonsense." He sneered.

"All friendships are," She added, and Severus looked even more bemused. "All friendships are unique, alright? So obviously it's nonsense to anyone who isn't part of the friendship… I mean, look at us, we're probably the most boring people in school. We have our own sense of humor, we both like reading and… our jobs relate to potions? The list goes on, Professor, really."

Severus didn't give any verbal response, only a subtle nod, Selena would've missed it if she hadn't looked his way in the last second. She wondered why the sudden speechlessness, especially since it would've been a very good time for a witty comeback, but then it dawned over her, she had just called Severus her friend, so casually at that…

Though, what quietly shocked her even more was the fact that he simply agreed.

"Oh." She pulled on the hem of her coat sleeve after a wave of unease washed over her.

"Yes," Severus drawled awkwardly.

Selena bit her lip in rising frustration, she didn't want him to think any less of her now. "Look, if you have anything to say about it—"

"Relax, Selena, I don't intend to make any comment whatsoever." At the sound of her first name, the Mediwizard looked even more dumbfounded now. "As long as you stop gaping. We're in the corridors."

"Anything to protect your precious reputation, Professor. But I'm warning you, being seen with me is a second-hand embarrassment." She quipped, to which he rolled his eyes. Her voice softened afterwards, "But you agreed, I'm your... friend now? When did we move onto that level?" She began to giggle, reminiscing that night at the third-floor corridor.

He hummed impassively, "Mocks the one who called me by my name first."

She frowned. "That was different, I was panicking."

"Yes, and I can't help but wonder why my name, when all this time you only ever called me Professor?"

Selena quirked her lips, deriding the conversation. Oh, how she loathed seeing the smug twitch of Severus' smirk. She looked around instead, only noticing then that they had just crossed the covered bridge. When her eyes landed on the gamekeeper's hut in the close distance, she paused in her steps, making Severus do the same but in slight puzzledness.

"I thought you said you weren't coming with me to Hagrid's?" She crossed her arms, growing a smirk at the sight of Severus losing his.

His brow pried upwards. "You instructed me to accompany you,"

"You said you were busy." Selena was already suppressing her laughter.

"You know I did not say such." Severus pointed. "As a matter of fact, you insisted, Miss Stellifer. Correct?"

Rolling her eyes, she beckoned him to follow her after she resumed her walk. "Come on, you silly man. Before I'm tempted to return back to Poppy and hand over the chores to you."

"If it is in your desire to handle the whole Potions department and get 800 essays checked by tomorrow morning, I'd gladly trade places with you."

"See, I don't know if I should pity you or laugh."

His lips formed into a lour. "Neither is a good decision as well."

She shrugged, "It's not funny though."

"Just like you." He countered, and Selena didn't get a chance to reply because Fang—Hagrid's dog—came hurling towards her in great excitement. The force brought her to the ground, falling on her arse making her wince in slight pain.

The dog turned its head towards Severus, and the wagging of its tail only increased in speed. The Potions Master glared and pointed at it in a scolding manner. "No. Definitely not."

"Fang! You damn dog! Get off 'er!" The loud roar of Hagrid's voice made Selena flinch a little, even Severus looked a little surprised. Fang eventually obeyed its owner, after a few more licks, that is. He hopped off Selena as the half-giant approached them.

"He missed me a lot, I see." The Mediwizard chuckled, ruffling Fang's head.

"A lil' too much if ye' ask me." Hagrid shook his head. "But that was just rude, Fang. Don't ever do that."

"Yes… It's your turn now, Miss Stellifer. Up." Severus called, and his pale hand was stretched out high enough for her to reach.

At first, there was nothing, she saw it as a kind gesture to help a lady back up, but as soon as her palm slotted into his, her heart began to speed up again, blood rose to her cheeks, and all her focus was on the firm yet… gentle grip of the Professor's hand. He had surprisingly a warm touch, especially when she expected it to be quite the opposite. She tried to avoid the gaze she was suddenly put under as soon as she was back onto her two feet, but it was helpless, and as soon as their gaze was reconnected, their hands were broken apart…

…By Hagrid clearing his throat. "Miss Stellifer, yer' lookin' kind o' feverish… Are ye' alright?"

"Oh, uh," Selena brought her freezing fingers up to the warmth of her cheeks, mentally cursing at the obvious contrast of temperature. "It's probably just the weather."

"The weather? It's been freezin' for weeks!"

"Anyways, Hagrid, why did you call me up so early today?" She inquired, initiating the walk to the hut. The two men followed behind, and she was occasionally glancing at them.

"Because, er, Miss Stellifer, I'll be goin' somewhere fer a mission fer Dumbledore an' I won't be back til' before the Hogwarts Express leaves fer Christmas break."

"I see… but how is this connected to why you called me today?"

"'M gettin' there." He said. "I just need some'ne to watch o'er Fang, here. Y'see he doesn't really like bein' alone… And I think yer the most eligible person 'ere to do that." Hagrid paused when Severus purposefully cleared his throat. The gamekeeper rolled his eyes. "The most eligible an' wants a dog, Professor Snape… But anyways, I know this sounds like er' big favor but Fang is really an angel, trust meh'... Though I'd understand if yeh' don't want teh'—"

"I'd love to!" Selena beckoned for Fang and bent down to rub his face in sheer merriment. "I will always have enough room for you in my living quarters to sleep in, you little cutie." She cooed in a sweet voice.

"Thank yeh', Selena. You were a blessing ever since yeh' arrived 'ere. C'mon, follow meh inside for some tea while I jot down sum' stuff yeh' need to remember."

The noon after that was Hagrid's departure, and after Selena's shift was over, she decided to take Fang out for a little walk by the lake. Before that, however, Fang accompanied Selena to work, sleeping at the back of the infirmary or resting his head on the Mediwizard's lap when she had time to read. Poppy, thankfully, didn't mind, as long as the dog did nothing to destroy the Hospital Wing.

The lake, later that afternoon, was freezing, as Selena attempted to wash away a little dirt on her hand. Unlike the muggle world, there were no leashes in the magical world, so Fang strolled by her side or in front of her, sometimes occasionally leaving her to sniff something or dig a little but he would return eventually.

"You've been such a good boy today, Fang." Selena sighed, watching the ripples of the lake shimmer under the setting sun. The dog shared a soft whine, rubbing his head against the thick layers of her clothed leg. She chuckled at this, massaging his head with careful fingers. "Yeah, and because of that you get to sleep with me tonight." She brought her hand up to her nose. "Maybe after a shower."

"Talking to a dog? How odd," Severus' voice came up from behind her. When Selena turned, he was a few feet away, hands behind his back. His flowy robes weren't on him today, making it easier for Selena to trace his figure with her eyes. "Then again, I should have expected it from you."

"Is class over already?" She inquired with her usual lopsided smile.

"No, I locked them up in the dungeons to starve." He kidded, and Selena couldn't help the chuckle escaping from her system.

"How cruel of you, Professor." She said. "Dumbledore will have you fired for that."

"I was just in the middle of escaping actually," Severus rolled his eyes at Selena who had just chuckled louder. "In all seriousness, however, I merely came to tell you that it's quite advisable to return to the castle. A storm is on the way and I'm just saving you from the earful you may receive from Madam Pomfrey in the event of you catching the flu."

"Thank you, that's very helpful… Say, why are you suddenly being so nice today?" Selena arched a brow. "You don't have the flu, do you?"

"You're being funny again." He turned around. "Let's go."

"Come on, Fang, it'll be dark soon." Selena beckoned in a fit of laughter, and they began walking again, back towards the warm castle.