AN: I don't quite know when I'll update next since this week is going to be chaotic for me. Still, I thank you for your support! It is very deeply appreciated!
He shouldn't be spending this much time thinking about the bloody bubonic plague cure. The subject only warranted one minute of reflection, yet it dominate his thoughts for the entire weekend.
Severus leaned back in his recliner and groaned. Despite his insistence to the contrary, Hermione's knowledge of the plague cure intrigued him enough for him to scour a muggle library. Unlike the other patrons, he hadn't been brave enough to venture on the internet for research. Then again, why bother learning the latest muggle technology when one had a perfectly acceptable tome on muggle medicine?
Last night, he had promised that he would only read the section on the bubonic plague. Three hours later, his attention had wandered to the yearly flu vaccine. He'd heard of it in passing, but to know that a disease could be prevented instead of waiting until it developed intrigued him. Why hadn't the Wizarding World considered this? It would save him so much time brewing potions for his students' symptoms if he could just give them something akin to a vaccine. It was something to look into…
He yawned before he could continue his musings. Best to listen to his body. Researching while fatigued was rarely productive.
After a good night's sleep, he spent the morning scouring the book. Within an hour, he was on the section regarding HIV research. It was embarrassing to admit he knew so little of this disease, especially since there were members of the Wizarding community who left in order to receive muggle antiviral treatments. It was devastating to think anyone would give up their magic to obtain a cure for a deadly disease. If the muggles had a treatment then surely it couldn't be impossible for the magical world to find one. It might not be feasible to get any good research done on the topic before the school term, but any start was a good start…
"Severus?"
He closed the book and frowned. Was part of him was disappointed it wasn't Ms. Granger's voice? Of course not! He had no desire to discuss these things with a bushy haired know-it-all, even if her babbling had inspired this line of inquiry.
He did not wish to be around her in the slightest, and it would remain that way for the rest of his life.
"Are you here?"
"I will be with you shortly." Severus stood and shook his head. Neville always had the worst timing.
"Okay."
Severus opened the door. "How can I be of service?"
"I think I found some magical properties in an iris' petals," He was grinning as he held up a pot with a purple flower. "I wanted to know if you could use it for a potion."
"I would have to determine what kinds of magical properties it contains," Severus took the pot from his hands. "Though I am certain if it contains any at all, it could prove useful."
"I would hope so."
"At the very least, I could start on a few projects with it." Severus motioned for Neville to follow him inside.
"Like what?"
"Like an HIV treatment, or perhaps a magical cure for the bubonic plague."
"What's HIV?" Neville shut the door behind him.
"It's a deadly virus which attacks the immune system. It is spread by the transmission of bodily fluid, and if untreated is often fatal."
"Is there a treatment for it?"
"Not in the magical world."
"That's horrible."
"Indeed it is." Severus entered his kitchenette. "But apparently muggles have a treatment for it."
"But we don't even have that?"
"No." Severus exhaled. "It is one of the few things in which muggles are ahead of us."
"I see," Neville watched Severus rearrange the flowers. "Out of curiosity, why are you interested in HIV? Do you know someone with it?"
"No," Severus plucked a purple petal from the plant and examined it. "But any kind of magical treatment would be nice."
"Indeed," Neville replied. "But if you don't know anyone with it, why are you interested in it?"
"I was reading a book on muggle illnesses which piqued my interest."
"What inspired you to look into that?"
"I was," Severus twisted his lips "Intrigued by a point brought up by Ms. Granger."
"You've been seeing Hermione?"
"Against my will."
Neville cocked his head.
"She has taken a liking to my chair in the library, and insisted upon visiting me and requesting my help in determining the curriculum for her class."
"That's great."
"No." Severus scowled. "That's obnoxious."
"How could being looked up to ever be obnoxious?"
"Because she needs to focus on her own classes, not distract me from mine."
"Well, I think it's great that she looks up to you and wants your help."
"If you believe it's so great, then you are more than welcome to help her out. Merlin knows you could use someone to look up to you. So long as I stay out of Ms. Granger's orbit I couldn't care less what you two do."
"I'll help her out if need be," Neville replied. "But you have been teaching longer than me, so you'd probably give better advice."
"Unless she wants advice on how to terrorize dunderheads, it's doubtful I'll be of any help."
Neville chuckled.
"Although." Severus scratched the table. "She does have a point about me living in the muggle world. For that alone, I could provide some insight into her course."
"Does she want you help on her course content?"
"Yes, which on some level I suppose I understand," Severus replied. "Sadly, other than her I'm probably the most knowledgeable in muggle living."
"See, you can help her in ways others can't. Don't be afraid to help her."
"I suppose I could prove useful, though if I am quite blunt, this whole situation is confusing."
"How?"
"Ms. Granger has taken quite a liking to me in this last week," Severus said. "I am trying to figure out where it originates since I have given her no inkling that I want to be anything other than a person she occasionally sees in the dining hall."
"Perhaps she wants to be friendly to all her colleagues."
"Friendly enough to stroll over to their office and discuss the bubonic plague cure with them?"
"That makes sense to me."
Severus bit his lower lip.
"If she was interested in infectious diseases at all, you would be the only person on staff who could discuss that with her," Neville said. "Or at least the only one who could do so knowledgeably."
"I suppose you and Minerva are hopeless when it comes to understanding the intricacies of a pepper up potion," Severus admitted.
"See, she wants an academic conversation both potions, and only you can give it to her."
"Why?"
"She's always been academically gifted…"
"No, I mean why does she want to discuss potions with me when she's a muggle studies professor?" Severus flicked a bread crumb from his table. "If she knows so much about other fields, why settle for Muggle Studies?"
"Only she can answer that." The joy left Neville's eyes.
"I would prefer not to speak with her, hence the reason I'm asking you."
"I know, but I don't give out personal information like that," Neville replied.
"Surely you can make an exception in this case."
"No, I have to be fair," Neville answered. "I won't do it when people ask about you, and I won't do it when you ask that about other people."
Severus glared at him. Stupid Gryffindor honor and loyalty regarding confidentiality. It was always the thing he appreciated most about the herbology professor. He knew Neville's ethics would come back to bite him eventually.
"If you want to speak with her about it, I'm sure she'd be more than happy to answer any questions though," Neville replied. "It sounds like she's receptive to a friendship with you."
"I suppose if she was under the delusion she was my friend then she'd be more willing to answer certain questions," Severus mused aloud.
"Who knows? After answering those questions, you may find your curiosity turns into a liking for her."
"No." Severus shook his head. "I am not curious about her. I am merely have too much free time on my hands, which I could be using for my research."
"So you decided upon reading a book she recommended?"
"She didn't recommend the book," Severus replied. "But she did inspire me to look into certain diseases, hence the book."
"You two could make a great team if you worked together." If anyone else had the smile Neville had on his face Severus would hex it off.
"I have to ensure that she could keep up with me in potions first, which is no guarantee."
"Oh she can keep up with you."
"Then why is she teaching Muggle Studies?"
"Ask her."
Severus rolled his eyes.
"That being said." Neville glanced back at the doorway. "I need to take care of a few things in the greenhouse. Still, I wanted to hand deliver that iris to you in case you were busy."
"I greatly appreciate it," Severus replied.
"Also." There was that stupid smile again. "Think about what I said about Hermione. You two could make really good friends."
With that, Neville left, leaving Severus to meditate on the obnoxiousness of the Gryffindor House and the migraines its former know-it-all member was causing him.