Leah and Olivia hadn't gone to breakfast. Valentine was sure they hadn't gotten up at all. She hadn't even spoken to either of them despite sleeping in the same dorm. It surprised her that although not being even a full twenty-four hours since Draco had been injured, it felt like a week. What was it about Leah's constant talking and Olivia's constant meekness that made the days go faster? She'd spent her own morning fighting off anyone in her direct vicinity with a dark glare, especially if they asked for the whereabouts of the two girls. That left Valentine to attend her classes with Draco, Liam, Blaze and the growing irritant that was Pansy Parkinson. Today was there first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson and Valentine was honestly eager to see how Lupin would fair.
"Morning, morning." Lupin stood by the door gesturing them all inside with a warm smile. He paused when Valentine stepped up. "Miss Lestrange."
"For your own sake, you better not screw this up." She pushed on past the student in front of her.
"Well, nice to see we all woke up in good spirits." Lupin chuckled and continued to wave the others in.
Smartass.
All the desks had been pushed aside to one wall, leaving the centre of the room open for a large wardrobe, tall and dark wood with mirrored panelling reflecting the students gathering in front of it. The wardrobe gave a sudden jolt as of something was inside.
Interesting...
"Alright then," Lupin stood to the back of the class. "as probably already know, I am Professor Lupin and I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Let's get along shall we?"
Oh, if only things were that simple.
"Now, if you could turn your attention to the wardrobe..."
He really hadn't needed to say so, the class had been keeping a close watch on it since the moment they stepped inside. The wardrobe gave another violent rattle and several students leapt step back.
Blaze and Liam shoved a few students out of the way so Draco wouldn't be at risk with his injury. Valentine very nearly rolled his eyes. Draco was perfectly fine, Madam Pomfrey knew exactly what she was doing. Not that she was surprised that he was milking this, insisting on wearing a sling and all.
Pushing her way close to the front and leaning against the wall just in front of Draco, Valentine was getting sick of this. It made making sure she had Harry in her line of vision all the more difficult.
What's wrong with sitting at desks? We're not all freaking giants.
"What do you think it could be?" Liam whispered.
"A dragon?" Said Blaze sarcastically, knowing that would be unlikely. This wasn't Hagrid's class after all.
"Yeah." Liam scoffed good-naturedly. "Why would anyone think otherwise?"
Valentine gave the wardrobe a hard glare, the same one she has been wearing all morning.
I don't get the sense it's enchanted. It seems like something is trapped inside and would very much like to be out. Hmm, I have read about something like this...
"Intriguing, isn't it?" Said Lupin. "Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what's inside?"
"That's a Boggart, that is." Said Dean.
I figured as much.
"Very good, Mr Thomas." Lupin hoovered about them, shifting up to the front of the class. "Can anyone tell us what a Boggart looks like?"
"No one knows." Said Hermione.
"When she'd get here?" Ron jumped, staring at her in bewilderment.
Okay, something is definitely going on with her.
"Boggarts are shape-shifters." Hermione continued. "They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears most. That's what makes them so-"
"Terrifying, yes." Lupin nodded. "Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart. Let's practice it now. Without wands, please. After me 'Riddikulus'!"
"'Riddikulus'!" The students, save for Valentine and her friends repeated.
The wardrobe gave another jolt, startling students again. Lupin, standing only a foot or two away from it didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, he seemed rather comfortable. Valentine supposed he must have taught before.
"Very good. A little louder, very clear. Listen. 'Riddikulus'!"
"'Riddikulus'!"
"This class is ridiculous." Draco scowled under his breath making Blaze chuckle.
"So much for the easy part." Said Lupin. "See, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart off is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing. Let me explain. Ah...Neville! Will you join me please?"
Neville glanced around like there had to be some kind of mistake.
"Come on now, don't be shy. Come on." Lupin motioned him to the front of the class. "Neville, what frightens you most of all?"
Oh, dear God. If his Boggart is me I swear I will explode with pity and self-loathing.
Neville muttered something under his breath now could hear, clearly uncomfortable with this entire situation.
"Sorry?" Lupin prompted him to speak up.
"Professor Snape."
Laughter rang throughout the classroom. Valentine felt strangely relieved and somehow insulted. Was the likes of Snape really scarier than her?
"Yes." Lupin chuckled, eyes glazing over for but a fleeting second. Valentine tilted her head ever so slightly. She doubted anyone else in the class had caught it, but she had seen it. "Frightens us all...and I believe you live with your grandmother?"
"Yes. But I don't want it to turn into her either."
The room was filled with laughter again.
"No, it won't." Lupin shook his head in assurance. "I want you to picture her clothes, only her clothes, very clearly in your mind."
"She carries a red handbag-"
"We don't need to hear, as long as you see, we'll see." Lupin gave the nervous boy an encouraging nod. "Now when I open that wardrobe here's what I want you to do..."
Lupin leaned down and whispered to the boy something that Valentine couldn't make out. Neville blinked at the man in surprise.
"Can you do that?" Lupin asked. Neville nodded. "Wand at the ready. One, two, three."
Lupin flicked his own wand at the wardrobe, the brass nob turned and the door slowly swung open. A familiar face appeared and out stepped the perfect image of Severus Snape.The Boggart stepped down out of the wardrobe and strolled towards the boy, dark eyes narrowed. If Valentine hadn't known better she would have said that was Snape himself. The Boggart crept closer and Neville lift his wand, hand trembling.
Come on, Neville. You can do it.
"Riddikulus!"
Then, Valentine saw a sight she would never forget, something that somehow managed to be better than the sight of him drenched in quickly drying orange goop. The Boggart, still in the form of Snape was dressed in a green, taxidermied fox and bird monstrosity with a red handbag just as Neville had said.
The class burst into laughter even more rowdy than before. Valentine could see Blaze out of the corner of her eye. A bead of sweat rolling down his face from the pure effort it took not to laugh. Valentine could most certainly related.
Why is my faith in humanity somehow restored?
"Wonderful! Wonderful, incredible, Neville!" Lupin applauded, clearly quite overjoyed by the sight himself. "To the back. Everyone form a line!"
Oh no. No, this is not happening. Nope, not happening.
The very, very last thing Valentine needed was to walk up to the wardrobe and have some kind of damning evidence reveal itself to the entire damn class.
Nope.
Now, Valentine couldn't honestly be sure what exactly she feared the most. Truth be told, there wasn't a whole lot she feared in general. But there was something she thought it might have been, something that would definitely raise some eyebrows. Long story short, she didn't want to deal with the backlash if her Boggart turned out to be Dumbledore telling her how she had failed in her mission or, because her life tended to be consistently inconvenient, the corpse of Harry Potter.
The students all rushed to form a line, eager for a turn. Draco, Blaze and Liam saw this as the perfect opportunity to shove people around again, turning the line into more of a neat cluster. Valentine trailed after the boys to the back of the line. It seemed they weren't exactly hankering for a turn themselves.
Whatever happens, I am not standing in front of that wardrobe.
"I want everyone to picture the thing they fear the most and turn it into something thing funny." Lupin dropped the needle onto an old gramophone that begun to play a joyful, bouncing track. "Ron!"
Ron, having been first in line stepped forward wearily.
Lupin watched him closely.
"Concentrate, face your fear, be brave!"
It only took moments before the Boggart shifted and formed the shape of a giant spider, towering far above him. It looked down at Ron with many dark eyes, snapping its pincers threateningly.
"Wand at the ready, Ron, wand at the ready."
Ron lifted his wand with a whimper.
"Riddikulus!" The spider was suddenly wearing a roller skate on each foot, struggling to stay upright in a comedic display.
"Yes! You see? Very good!" Lupin congratulated and pointed to the next in line.
Valentine glanced at the door not too far behind and then at her friends. Try as they might to be indifferent, they were utterly pulled in my the lesson as was everyone else. It would be easy to slip away. If she was lucky, Harry wouldn't die between now and lunch.
As one of the Patil sisters stepped up and the Boggart changed to a giant cobra, Blaze tapped on Valentine's shoulder.
"What?" She half snapped at him.
"Uh..."
"Blaze."
"Yes?"
"I'm not in the mood to deal with your staggeringly low IQ today. Either spit it out or shut up."
"Okay, yeah, okay." Blaze chewed his lip, glancing about the room nervously. "So, uh...I want to ask you something...about Leah-"
"Tread carefully."
"I swear, I'm not trying to rock the boat or anything, I mean, I'm no boat rocker...I just- I just want to ask if you could, I don't know? Go easy on her maybe?" Blaze was now looking anywhere but in Valentine's eyes. "It's just that you know what she's like. She does stupid stuff every day but I bet she learned her lesson this time so, um...yeah."
Valentine blinked at without a single shred of emotion.
"Blaze."
"Oh, God, please don't kill me." Blaze winched, screwing his eyes shut tightly.
"Get the hell out of my face."
"Yes, right away." Blaze quickly shuffled back into the line, head down.
Well, would you look at that? Blaze looking out for Leah. Was that real or did I just have an aneurysm?
"And next!" Lupin announced.
Valentine peered around the cluster of a line to see Harry step up to the Boggart, now in the form of a ginormous clown jack-in-the-box. She hadn't even considered what Harry's greatest fear might have been but when the Boggart shifted to take the form of a Dementor, her heart nearly stopped. The creature leaned in forward, gaping mouth open like a dark chasm.
Valentine's instincts kicked in and she had moved forward maybe an inch when Lupin beat her to it. He threw himself directly in between Harry and the Dementor, arms wide. A second of stunned silence passed and the Boggart transformed again, twisting itself into the shape of a glowing full moon, floating amidst the clouds.
"Riddikulus!" Lupin raised his wand and the moon turned into a pale yellow balloon.
It whizzed around the room as the air escaped it, students ducking down out of its way.It zipped back up to the front of the class and Lupin flicked his wand again. The wardrobe door opened and the balloon quickly found itself back inside.
"That's enough for the day!" Lupin turned to face the class. "If you would all like to collect your books at the back of the class, that's the end of the lesson, thank you!" The students gave a collective groan at that but Lupin just laughed breathlessly. "Sorry! Sorry! You can always have too much of a good thing."
"Let's go." Draco huffed, pushing his book into Pansy's arms.
"Well, that was..." Liam trailed off.
"Weird." Said Blaze. "That was really freaking weird."
"What's weird about Potter being a wimp?" Draco snorted.
"No, not that." Blaze waved him off."I just mean, who's afraid of the moon?"
Valentine's head snapped over to Blaze and then slowly rotated to look at the scarred Professor, his own attention on Harry.
You have got to be kidding me.
--Pretending To Hate--
Leah and Olivia hadn't gone to any of their morning classes, but having skipped dinner the night before, the girls couldn't stay hidden forever, not with Leah's appetite.
That was how Valentine, Liam and Blaze found themselves sitting a considerable distance away from the two in the Great Hall at lunch.Olivia caught Blaze staring to which she sent a little wave and he returned one awkwardly.
"Well, at least they came out of their room?" Blaze shrugged, not sounding particularly confident.
"I imagine they got hungry." Valentine rolled her eyes, attention on the book in her hands. "Leah isn't exactly the type to fast."
"Do they really have to sit so far away though?" Liam asked lowly. "Everyone's talking about what happened."
"Who's everyone?" Valentine looked up sharply.
"Oh, uh." Liam swallowed, sitting a little straighter. "Just people in general. You know what the rumour mill is like here."
"Hmm." Valentine lowered her gaze back to her book, unconvinced.
She pushed Leah from her mind as much as she could manage with the girl sitting in the same room. Though her anger had dissipated, that didn't count for the public image she put out. Like Liam had said, people were talking. Everyone heard what had happened and everyone knew she was at the very least upset with Leah. She would give it some more time. Leah would probably try to talk to her sooner rather than later and Valentine would be able to control the situation, fix things so Leah could go back to normal while not comprising her own holier than thou aura.
Liam and Blaze ate in silence for a time, not wanting to risk irritating what they believed was an already irritated Valentine. Everything was fine given the circumstances. Until Draco showed up, already healed arm in a sling, Pansy stuck to his side like glue.
"Hey, everyone." Pansy greeted, far too chipper for the stale atmosphere.
"Hey." Liam replied in a manner that would have seemed causal to others but was very clearly cold to his friends.
"What's wrong with you?" Draco frowned.
"Me?" Liam blinked innocently. "There's nothing wrong with me."
"What's with that tone?" Draco's brow furrowed.
"Ah..." Pansy glanced between the two of them, not seeing anything other than Liam being his calm self.
"The girls are over there." Blaze gestured with his head.
"Oh, is that it?" Draco barked out a laugh. "I knew it couldn't be long before Leah got hungry."
Draco took a seat between Blaze and Liam. Pansy quickly moved to shove her way forcefully into the two-inch gap between Draco and Blaze. She quickly turned all her attention to Draco, asking him a million questions as if she was worried Draco would tire of talking about himself and the conversation would die.
Valentine raised her eyes just in time to see Blaze miming strangling Pansy behind her back, eyes lit with up frustration and fury. Liam saw this too and bit his lip, trying not to laugh aloud. Then she felt Blaze nudge her leg and he shoot her an almost begging look. She arched a brow questioningly and he leaned across the table towards her.
"Feel like some company?"
Valentine looked at him, then at Pansy fluttering her lashes at Draco and back to Blaze again. She sighed and managed to make it sound more like a growl.
"I believe I may be experiencing pity for the first time in my life."
"You're amazing, Val, you know that right?" Blaze didn't wait for an answer before sliding his way under the table and popping up at Valentine's side. "So, what are you reading?"
"Don't push your luck, Blaze."
"Noted."
"What are you doing over there?" Asked Draco.
"Escaping."
"What's with you all today?" Draco scoffed. "Is this seriously because Leah is sulking? She'll get over it, she always does."
Liam's head perked up as he spotted something further down the table.
"Uh-huh, well now might be that time."
They all turned except Valentine. Instead, she listened to the sound of shuffling feet and encouraging whispers from Olivia.
"Um..." Leah cleared her voice. "I, uh..."
"Well, what is it?" Pansy asked tersely.
"Shush!" Blaze hissed at her.
"Go on." Olivia nudged Leah gently.
All aboard the Awkward Express. This is a one way trip to Cringe-Ville.
"...Val?" Leah spoke meekly.
"Hmm?" Valentine still didn't look up at her.
"I'm...I'm sorry, Val." Leah pouted, eyes glued to the stone floor.There was a long pause. It was as if no one had even heard her. "Val, I said I'm sorry."
"I heard you the first time."
"Then why aren't you saying anything?" Leah stamped her foot on her floor in utter frustration.
"Yes, act like a child, that'll get you whatever you want."
"Val!" Leah whined the desperation in her voice made Valentine's insides churn. "I said I was sorry!"
Valentine huffed as if this was all a minor inconvenience and turned to the next page of her book.
"And I said I heard you. I'm not deaf."
"She...she said she's sorry." Olivia cut, her voice rising slightly. "She apologized to you three times already, what more could you want?"
Liam and Draco shared and equally horrified expression. Blaze damn near gasped, throwing his hand over his mouth.
"Does she want to die?" Pansy whispered into Draco's ear, loud enough that the entire hall would have been able to hear her.
Valentine took her time closing her book and setting it on the table.
"She's just upset," Liam spoke up quickly, watching Valentine nervously. "Don't take her seriously."
"I-I'm being perfectly serious." Olivia swallowed thickly.
Valentine could hear the tremble in her voice, the fear and near panic.
"Yeah, Val." Blaze laughed pitifully. "Leah's probably just finally rubbing off her on."
Valentine brushed invisible lint off her robes and threw a curl over her shoulder.
"Val." Draco hissed. "Do not make a scene."
Valentine stood from the bench, turning to face both Leah and Olivia. They were both equally pale, Leah's eyes brimming with regret, Olivia's with fluttering determination. Valentine's own eyes were bright, piercing and yet devoid of any discernible emotion.
Other students in the Great Hall had caught wind by now and we're watching the scene play out before them. Valentine kept an ear out to hear if anyone was talking about getting a teacher but no one was saying anything. The Great Hall could have been a cavern devoid of all life. The tension on the air was almost suffocating, like Valentine's every move somehow had the ability to rid the room of its oxygen.
"Val don't." Draco hissed again.
Valentine's eyes narrowed so severely, so coldly, that Draco fell silent in an instant.
Valentine took a step towards the girls, then another and another until she was standing directly in front of them. Even with the height difference she somehow managed to tower above them. She reached out and grabbed a handful of Olivia's shirt, dragging her down to her own level.
"No, don't!" Leah squeaked, grabbing Olivia's arm and pulling her back.
Valentine's gaze snapped over to her making her pause.
Crap. What the hell do I do?
"What trouble are you causing now?"
That'll work.
The voice that broke the silence was that of Severus Snape, striding across the hall to berate her. She'd never thought she'd actually glad to hear the long, deep drawls of his words. Not that she wouldn't go to the grave before admitting that.
Valentine let her hand drop from Olivia's robes. There was no point in scaring her any further.
"Nothing Professor." Liam quickly pipped up.
"Nothing. Right." Snape eyed him briefly before looking over at Olivia and Leah. "I've heard reports that both of you have been absent from classes since yesterday afternoon."
"Why don't you mind your own business?" Valentine crossed her arms over her chest, not at all impressed with his ever-present scowl.
"As they are Slytherin's I think you'll find it is precisely my business, Lestrange." He looked swiftly back to the girls. "I demand to know the reason for your absences."
"Leah was sick, sir." Olivia put a hand on Leah's shoulder, eyes wide. "And I didn't want to leave her by herself."
From Snape's expression, Valentine knew that he didn't believe a single word of it.
"Are you finished here?" She cocked her head to one side.
"Your arrogance is far from intimating, Lestrange." He sneered down at her.
"And your pungent stench isn't nauseating. Isn't it fun making up stories?"
"Lestran-!"
"Don't even bother." Valentine turned away from him, going to collect her book with a dismissive eye roll. "There isn't a damn thing you can call me that I haven't heard before."
"Why you-!'
"I'm done with you for now." She headed for the door without pause."Good day, Professor."
"Get back here this instance! Lestrange! Lestrange! How dare you ignore me!"
--Pretending To Hate--
"Ah, hello my dear." Dumbledore smiled as Valentine sat across from him. "Is anything wrong? It's not often you come to see me during the day. Your cousin was injured, was he not?'
"Draco will endure, believe me. But that's not why I'm here."
"Oh?"
"You trust Lupin, right?"
"Yes, of course."
"Completely?"
"Completely and utterly."
"Hmm." Valentine stared at him for a minute before letting her head rock back to look at a ceiling instead. "Than he's not a danger to anyone I presume?"
Dumbledore smiled, leaning back in his own chair.
"That was quick. I believe you only had your first lesson today, correct?"
"You couldn't have mentioned it yourself?"
"I was confident you would realize the truth within due time."
"How long have you known?"
"Since Remus was a student here himself. He's one of Fenrir Greyback's victims. I can assume you've heard of him?"
"Notorious child murderer who just so happens to be a werewolf. Yes, I know of him."
"Remus's father was a member of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He had a rather, unfortunate, encounter with Greyback. This resulted in Greyback enacting his revenge by both attacking and turning Remus when he was very young. When he came to Hogwarts, certain things were put in place so he would be able to attend like any wizard without harms to others."
"And he was never discovered?"
"His friends knew, although they told no one. And Professor Snape was aware as well, though he wasn't as eager to keep the secret."
"I can imagine." Valentine rolled her eyes. "Well. I can see this all going horribly wrong. However, given my bleak outlook on just about everything, I see everything how it could go wrong."
"I assure you, my dear. Remus's condition is well managed. I would not permit him to teach if he did not."
"I don't doubt that, sir." Valentine sighed. "They'll be hell to pay if this becomes public knowledge."
"Remus fully understands the risk of this, but I have high hopes after he attended here with minimal problems. His closest friends actually became Animagus for his sake. To keep him company during his transformation in the form of animals. I am confident that if students could handle the situation over a decade ago, that we could handle it today. " Dumbledore nodded resolutely. "Now, forgive me for changing the subject, but I believe your first trip to Hogsmeade is fast approaching?"
"It is."
"I'll be a well-deserved break for you, my dear."
"We'll see. I'll step out those gates when I see Harry hand in his permission form."
"You've no need to deprive yourself of this." Dumbledore smiled softly. "Harry will be perfectly safe in the castle."
"Right. The same place in Voldemort has already tried to kill him twice in one way or another."
"Miss Lestran-"
"You know I'm right, sir."
"Yes, well, the decision to attend is in your hands. Although I hope you'll allow it of yourself."
"Hmm."
They lulled into a silence in which Dumbledore picked up a sherbet lemon from the bowl on his desk. He opened it with a crinkled and then popped it into his mouth.
"Severus tells me that progress has been made."
"Yes, actually." Valentine nodded. "I'll be seeing him tonight after lights out."
"In that case, I wish you the best of luck and health."
"I think I'd just settle for a nap right about now, sir."
As if on cue the bell for next period echoed about the castle.
"Story of my life." Valentine sighed and stood from her seat.
--Pretending To Hate--
Valentine didn't bother to knock or announce her presence, instead, she pushed it open with her and entered with a yawn.
"Never heard of knocking, Lestrange?" Snape drawled, not looking up from his desk.
"I'm aware of the phenomenon, Professor." She strolled into the classroom, leaning on a desk in the front row.
"Then I suggest you make use of such a phenomenon." Snape growled in reply.
"Suggestion denied. Now. please tell me you finished the damn potion."
Snape finally looked up at her, glaring hatefully.
"I have."
"Fantastic." She clapped her hands together once. "Now, let's save me. God knows your poor little soul could never handle my loss."
"You're painfully sarcastic tonight."
Valentine frowned.
"What are you talking about? I'm always sarcastic. Have you been asleep for the past three years? Because I wish I was."
"What about your dramatics on the Great Hall?"
"What about them?" Valentine narrowed her eyes.
"Is it a habit of yours to terrify the only people who actually put up with you? I don't suspect you'll have many friends if you continue to terrorise them."
"Worked for Voldemort, didn't it?"
Valentine saw Snape's jaw tighten but he didn't reply. What could be say to that? She was right.
"Now, where were? Right, killing this damn parasite."
"Oh? Is that what we were doing?"
"I'm the sarcastic one, remember?"
"You're also petulant, spoilt, brat."
"If you say so, sir."
"I do."
Valentine made a face.
"Those are the last words I'd ever want to hear from you."
Snape made a face of equal disgust, clicking his tongue. He stood and levelled his black eyes on her.
"Wait here. And do not touch anything." He turned and headed for the door to his office.
Valentine pushed off the desk she had been leaning on and Snape turned right back to her.
"Lestrange."
"Bloody hell! I'm not doing anything, alright! Just go get the damn potion!"
"Do not order me about like one of your servants!"
"As if you'd pass for a servant. You couldn't manage a fraction of the work they do in a day in the span of three!"
"Do you forget that I am responsible for saving your life?" From the look on his face, Valentine would presume that those words left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"No, actually. I have a great memory. Do you forget that Dumbledore asked you to do this?"
"I do not." Snape grit his teeth. "But I will not pretend to be happy about his."
"Oh, Professor. We would never ask you to pretend to be anyone but your delightful self."
"I should let you die."
"Probably. Unfortunately for you, you don't have much of a choice. So, go on." She waved him towards the door with a patronising smile. "Go on now. Actually, be useful for once."
"You are not worth the effort of an insult." Snape scoffed.
"Then why the bloody hell are you still standing there?"
Snape curled his lip at her and turned away again, slamming the door behind him as he left.
Wow. What a picture of maturity.
Then just to spite him, Valentine occupied herself by flicking through the parchment on his desk. They were exam's, sixth years by the looks of things. One she was currently looking at was most certainly a flat failure. She knew Snape would not be kind. She grabbed the quill off the desk and inked it, channelling her inner Leah and drawing a small smiley face in the corner. She heard Snape thundering back up the steps and quickly put the quill back, looking thought the exam papers casually.
"I told you not to touch anything," Snape growled the second he saw her. "Don't you ever listen?"
"Always. It's more of a matter of me actually giving a damn and that really doesn't ever happen when you're talking."
"Perhaps I shouldn't give you this if you insist on treating me with such disrespect?" Snape held up a small vile filled with a thick dark purple liquid.
"Purple. Very pretty, sir." She held out her hand. Snape arched a brow at her.
Someone has their jerk turned way up tonight.
"I understand you're not used to helping others in any way shape or form so I'll give you hint. This is the part where you put the vile in my hand."
"I am not incompetent, Lestrange!"
"Then prove it. Give me the freaking potion."
Snape snarled some other insult under his breath and stormed over to her. He pushed the vile at her, shoving her away from his desk as he did.
"There, see. You're getting the hang of this."
"Shut up, or die quietly." He snapped harshly, sitting back in his seat.
Valentine held the vile up close to her face to examine it, then she removed the stopper and took a whiff.
Oh, hell! Is he trying to kill me?
"Do I want to know what's in this?" She made a face.
"Are you, by chance a fan of leech juice, horned slug, eel eye, cat hair, cockroach, armadillo bile, turtle shell and vinegar?" Snape asked coldly.
"Not that I know of."
"Then, no."
"Need I remind you again that I'm the sarcastic one?" Valentine grimaced, holding the offensive potion away from her face. "I don't have to take it straight, I do?"
"Unfortunately, no. It'll be most effective taken with a meal."
"And when will we know if it's effective at all?
"Anywhere between one to two weeks."
"So, I could be taking, possibly the most disgusting potion ever created, for it to not even slightly serve its purpose?"
"Possibly."
"Sir. If you had a sickle for every time your we're an insufferable bastard, you could probably buy a friend."
"Get out! He hissed.
"Oh, but I was so enjoying our friendly banter." Valentine pouted.
"Leave Lestrange!"
"Are you sure? You might get lonely."
"I said out!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going. I get it. The truth hurts."
"OUT!"