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Freddie found the recipe for the Cat Flu Potion in a book in Snape's office titled Magical Maladies and Remedies. She spent the next few hours working on the brew, being extra careful because she knew it was vital to get it right the first time. She didn't have anyone looking over her shoulder, checking her work.

The potion was almost finished by 10 o'clock, the black brew simmering consistently in the pewter cauldron. Freddie was listening to an old Eric Clapton album playing on the record player. She was humming along as she cleaned up the workstation, careful not to disturb Ziggy who was napping near the cutting board, when she heard an eerie tenor voice singing along to the music that made the hair on her arms stand on end.

"We go to a party
And everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady
That's walking around with me

And then she asks me,

'Do you feel alright?'
And I say, 'Yes, I feel wonderful tonight'"

Freddie followed the sound into the outer office and was shocked to find Snape sitting at his desk. He was leaning back in his chair, his eyes closed, and he was singing!

"I feel wonderful
Because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you..."

His eyes opened as he finished the verse and he saw Freddie standing there gaping at him. He met her gaze as he sang the last line and she saw him give a hint of a smile. He didn't sing the last verse of the song, just sat there drinking in the sight of her, his eyes lingering on her colored hair.

"You have a lovely singing voice," she said, finally finding her voice. He smiled and Freddie's legs felt like rubber as she crossed the room and sank into the chair in front of his desk. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Mm. Your music was loud," he said, his voice slightly slurred.

"You've been drinking?"

"Bit. What are you working on?" he asked, his gaze finally leaving hers and sliding towards the open door of the lab.

"Madam Pomfrey asked me to brew a cure for the Black Cat Flu. She couldn't find you and she really needs it."

"I was out."

"I noticed. Where were you?"

He didn't answer but stood up from his desk and walked into the Brewing Lab, swaying a bit on his feet. She followed him quickly. He turned the volume down on the record player then approached the cauldron.

"Looks like you're almost done," he said, peering in at the brew.

"Yeah it should be done-" she checked her watch. "-now actually."

She pulled out her wand and extinguished the flames beneath the cauldron. Snape sank onto the stool and watched as she bottled the potion. He petted Ziggy's head absently, not speaking, but she got the feeling something was bothering him.

"I have to take this upstairs real quick," she said, putting the cork in the bottle. "And then I need to go outside. It's the full moon and I have to do the Animagus thing."

"Mm," he acknowledged, fiddling with Ziggy's tail. The kneazle shot him a curious look and flicked his tail out of his grasp.

"McGonagall wrote me a pass to be out so you don't have to go with me if you don't want to."

"I want to," he drawled. "I'll meet you outside."

"Okiedokey," she said then hurried out of the room, feeling like a dork.

Freddie hurried up the Grand Staircase making her way to the Hospital Wing as quickly as possible. She was wondering about Snape – wondering where he had been, why he had been drinking. And enough to get drunk, too, something that did not happen often. He liked to keep his mind sharp so why would he get drunk now?

She pushed all thoughts of Snape out of her mind when she entered the Hospital Wing and employed her Occlumency. She didn't know if Madam Pomfrey might be a Legilimens and she wasn't going to risk it. As it was she needn't have worried. Even if Madam Pomfrey could read her mind, she was too busy to do it. The nurse was at the bedside of a small Hufflepuff boy who was pale and sweating. She had a wet rag pressed to her forehead and it smelled like he had been puking.

"Madam Pomfrey, I have the potion," Freddie said quietly. The nurse turned to look at her and an expression of relief washed over her face.

"Thank goodness," she said, bustling over to take the flask from her. "He's finally fallen asleep. Thank you so much, Miss Gray."

"Any time," Freddie said with a nod.

"Do you need a pass to go back to your dormitory?"

"No ma'am. I have to go outside – it's the full moon and I have to mix a small brew as part of the Animagus process. Professor McGonagall gave me a pass earlier."

"Good luck – I've had my fair share of students over the years who failed in an attempt to become Animagi. Hopefully I won't see you back in here this evening."

"Probably not," Freddie chuckled.

"Thank you again," Madam Pomfrey said as Freddie turned to leave.