Ugh. Double ugh. The alarm at 7:45 was not a welcome sound. I stumbled out of bed and threw on some shorts and a tank top. magic's my hair out of my face, but pretty sure it was lopsided. I still had last night's make up on. Fuck it. It's fine. I tried to cover up the smell of whiskey and shame with some perfume and tried to knock on Snape's office door. I missed. I just threw open the door and fell into the chair. Snape glared at me.
"Yeah yeah I don't need a lecture"
He pulled a bottle of whiskey out of his drawer and poured me 2 fingers and passed it to me silently
"Hair of the dog and all that..." I pounded it "Thanks. And thanks for not judging me...out loud anyways." I smiled
He passed me a cup of black coffee.
"Fun night I presume"
"Don't really remember too much of it honestly. I'll have to ask Harry and Neville how fun it was. I can tell you this morning is not fun so far"
"No I can't imagine it is"
He let me sit in silence drinking my coffee. Once finished, we made our way up to meet the rest of the staff. I swore Snape was walking more slowly this morning so I could keep up.
Today, Minerva gave us the morning to work on prepping our classrooms and lesson planning. Herbology and Potions would need to start supplying the hospital wing. After lunch would be a staff meeting, and then Snape and I would go to Diagon Alley to purchase more supplies at the apothecary. I was grateful for an easy day doing what I love. All things potions.
we spent the first 2 hours brewing healing potions. I loved watching Snape work. Methodical, efficient, and for the first time I felt a peaceful emotion radiating from him. I found myself staring.uckily healing potions are easy to brew and they didn't require my complete focus. He met my gaze a few times, but I quickly looked away not wanting to seem like a weirdo.
"Do you need assistance Miss Lee?" he finally asked
"What? Oh. No. I...I finished, so I'm just gonna go...wash this...my cauldron...yeah"
He nodded towards the washing station.
I quickly carried everything over to the sink before he noticed my face turning red. I started hand scrubbing the cauldron. For some reason, I really enjoyed scrubbing by hand. It seemed silly when I could just use a charm, but it was relaxing to do it myself. I let my thoughts wander back to Snape and his kindness this morning. Not lecturing me. And watching him in the potions classroom. It's easy to see how he could be intimidating to his students, but it's getting easier to see him as a human. A man. A bit sexy, especially when he's doing something he loves. Ugh I must still be drunk from last night.
"What are you doing?" I didn't hear him come up behind me
"Cleaning... I know there are charms for this, but I really like doing it by hand." I thought I caught a slight smile? or maybe just less of a frown. "Give yours here, I'll clean it for you. Then we can work on lesson planning."
When I was finished, i noticed a small desk next to his in the classroom with quills, ink, and textbooks.
"Thanks" I smiled as I sat in my own chair. I worked on the first and second year lesson plans for the first month. I started flipping thru the 5th year text out of curiosity.
"So I noticed that there's nothing in the curriculum about contraceptive potions..."
"No. There is not"
"May I ask why?"
"The behavior that leads to the necessity of such potion is not permitted at Hogwarts."
"Yeah, but it happens you know right? Shouldn't we prepare them as best we can?"
"Like I said, such activities are not permitted and should not be sanctioned by the staff"
"Yeah, but..."
He dropped his quill and glared at me
"Are you too idiotic to understand the words I'm saying or are you just trying to argue?"
"I just don't agree with the policy" I said through gritted teeth. I don't appreciate being called an idiot.
"Then take it up with the Headmistress"
"Perhaps I will"
'The behavior that leads to the necessity of such potion'. God. who talks like that. Can't he just say sex? What a prude. You would think he was 90, not... I don't know how old he is I guess... less than 40...younger than my parents for sure.
He sighed loudly and kneaded the bridge of his nose. "Are you quite finished?"
"Yes. I'm sorry. I just .. nevermind" I sighed. I wasn't going to get into it
We worked quietly until lunch. I didn't eat breakfast so I was starving. We all went to Minerva's office for our staff meeting.
We reviewed The upcoming year and talked about the incoming 6th years sitting for their exams in October. We had 1 month to make sure they were prepared. Then it was time for questions.
"I have a question"
I could hear Snape sigh loudly next to me.
"Yes Alex?"
"Well I was reviewing the 5th year potions curriculum and noticed that contraceptive potion was not included. I really think it should be included and I was wondering if we could add it."
I could see all the other teachers fidget around nervously.
"We have never had any form of contraception as part of our curriculum, potions or otherwise. Is there a reason you feel so strongly that we add it?"
Here we go.. "Yes actually. The whole point of school is to prepare students for life. Contraceptive potion is THE most home brewed potion in the entire world. Most witches do not feel comfortable buying it from an apothecary. I feel it is our duty to ensure everyone who leaves this school should be able to brew it properly."
"You make a compelling argument about learning it, but why wouldn't we leave that up to parental discretion?"
I knew she would ask this... I took a deep breath.
"My parents never talked to me about anything important. Or anything not important for that matter. They were always off at social events or...otherwise indisposed. When I was in 5th year, I got pregnant. I wasn't ready to have a child. I had heard about a muggle doctor who would perform a procedure to terminate the pregnancy. But something went wrong. Now it is 'highly unlikely' that I will be able to have children. I mean it's possible, but not likely. That choice was taken from me. I don't want that to happen to anyone else." In that moment, all the emotions I felt at 16 came flooding back. I sunk to the floor in a puddle of tears. Minerva, Filius,and Pomona rushed over to comfort me. Harry, Neville, and Professor Snape sat uncomfortably nervous.
"Severus. Bring her to Poppy and go get a calming draught"
I felt strong arms pick me up and carry me to the hospital wing and set me on one of the hospital beds. Poppy Pomfrey started uncoiling my hair and combing it out to help calm me. Professor Snape brought a calming draught quickly. After about 10 minutes I felt better. Luckily the only person who was in the hospital with me was Snape. No one wants an audience for an emotional breakdown.
"Are you ready to go to Diagon Alley?" I asked Snape
"I think you should stay here"
"What? No way!" I got off the bed "I need to go too"
"Severus, are you agitating my patient?" Poppy rushed over
"Miss Lee is under the impression she can come to Diagon Alley with me"
"But I am!" I looked at Poppy "I think the fresh air would be good"
"She might have a point. She seems much better and your calming draughts are the best I have ever seen."
"See? I'm fine" Poppy kept smoothing my hair. I loved when people touched my hair. My inner Lynx wanted to purr.
"Alright then. Follow me. We have to leave the grounds to apparated"
"Can you give me like 10 minutes to change my clothes? I don't want to go to the apothecary looking like a hungover scumbag" I looked at my shorts and hoodie.
"Agreed. Meet me in the courtyard in 10 minutes"
I ran down to my chambers and put a pair of tight black pants, a red lace trimmed cami and leopard print flats. I only had time to put my hair in a high ponytail and I ran up to the courtyard.
"Ok...ready..." I panted
Snape stared at me. I forgot he had never seen my tattoos before. I had a Lynx from my collarbone to my shoulder and my inner bicep had 'Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam'.
" 'I will find a way or make one'... How fitting"
"Oh. Yeah. Am I supposed to cover them? I don't remember seeing anything in the rules.I also have a Thunderbird on my foot that is enchanted to move when a storm is coming."
"There is no rule, however in my class the dress code does not include whatever you call that. Clearly not a shirt"
"Wow. That hurt" I clutched my chest in feign injury
Snape held out his hand. I took it and we immediately apparated.
When we arrived in Diagon Alley, my hair had flown around in my face
"Apparently apparition is not mean for long hair" I said clawing at my face so I could see.
"This is beyond what would be called 'long hair's Miss Lee." He gently brushed a few strands from my face
"I guess I can't decide what to do with it, so I've never cut it"
"Indecision is a decision. Follow me"
"Can you...maybe...walk a tiny...bit... slower" I panted.
"Ah yes. I'm not used to walking around with second years"
"You only walk that fast for the dramatic flair of your cloak. Do you always wear it? it's like 90 degrees out."
We arrived at Slug and Jiggers Apothecary. I was promptly introduced to Mr Leyton
"Please call me Romayne, Miss Lee" The wizard winked at me.
"Then I insist you call me Alex" Two can play this game. I looked around the store being sure to bend over to look at the lower shelves. A flash of cleavage here and there never hurt.
"I love your shop. It has everything I could ever need"
"Miss Lee I think we're done here"
"It was a pleasure meeting you Romayne" I offered him my hand which he promptly kissed and handed my our bags. "I put in a few extra items for you. Please come back soon"
"Thanks, Love. I'll be back soon" I winked. As I walked out the door I made sure to add some extra hip action.
"Second year my ass. That guy was thirsty as fuck and I got you some free stuff. Your welcome. Care to take back the comments on my size. Show me a 12 year old who can do that"
"Language Miss Lee." sighed Snape
"I have a first name you know"
"I'm aware"
"Wanna have a drink? or something? anything?"
"Do you really want another morning like this one?"
"Ah shit. You're right. I should get some sleep anyways"
"Please hold on to your hair this time" he offered me his hand
Back at the castle, we walked to our chambers.
"Are you sure you're ok. Do you need anything to help you sleep?"
"No. I'm fine. And please don't treat me like I'm fragile. Emotions hit me differently and it was just overwhelming for a minute."
"Goodnight Miss Lee. 8;00 please"
We both went to our chambers for the night.