The next week, however, proved to be a very busy one. Lots of professors, like Lupin, requested help in translating runes on their various artifacts. This on top of her lessons, grading, and other school duties meant that she couldn't make it to Snape's dungeon that weekend. Vanessa sent him an owl, "I have loads to do, so I will have to test the potion next month. Sorry, but thanks again Severus." His response was brief, "Very well. Halloween it is then. But wait any later and the potion will be a waste, Vanessa."
Busy as she was, Vanessa still managed to make time to visit Snuffles and share their lunch. The dog became a comfort to her, a living creature she could tell all to. In the castle, Vanessa enjoyed talking with her students and she was on good terms with her colleagues, but she wouldn't consider them close friends. Even Snape somehow seemed more distant to her because of how much she had shared with him so soon after they met. Snuffles looked up at her with adoring brown eyes that held no barriers or judgement. She knew he was just a dog, and probably only liked her for the food she offered, but that didn't discourage her from claiming him as her new best friend. That dog heard every silly piece of gossip she heard in the staff room. Sometimes, she would bare to him the deepest parts of her soul, like the night she was attacked, or the feelings she had when her father disowned her. When she talked about these things, the dog seemed to sense her sadness. Snuffles would lick her hand and rest his head in her lap. Knowing an innocent creature cared about her was comforting and helped her feel less alone.
So far, she had no more run-ins with Lupin. She noticed Harry Potter loitering in the hallway and enlisted him to deliver the translation for her. Later, Lupin sent her a simple thank you note. Thank goodness that was over with, even though translating the unique runes had been thrilling to solve.
Halloween day finally arrived. She had dreaded its arrival because that meant another painful night. Last month she had holed up in her room and did her best to dress her wounds with bandages. She almost had to fetch Madame Pomfrey, but fortunately she pulled through. Snape had knocked on her door, but she refused to open it. She was too embarrassed to face him afterwards. But now that the full moon was here she would have to.
Vanessa threw on a deep purple gown and a black cloak to try and at least look festive. She decided to forgo lunch and arrange some runes in her office. On her way to the first floor, she was intercepted. "Professor Branson!Goodmornin' to ye! I was jus sayin to Flitwick that we awrt to bring a larger group to the Three Broomsticks. What'd ye say, fancy a drink?" Hagrid beckoned her forward with a slightly too forceful push on her back. Before she could decline, Vanessa decided that maybe a break would help take her mind off things. Plus, it would be nice to visit the famous Hogsmeade village. "Alright then!" She and Hagrid joined Flitwick and McGonagall. Vanessa had more fun than she anticipated. She only had one drink, not wanting to mess up any effects of the potion later. However, you didn't have to get drunk to appreciate Flitwick's hilarious jokes or Minerva's clever wordplay. Hagrid told some stories that were too outlandish to be completely true, but his wholesome delivery made them twice as entertaining. They were all laughing loudly when Severus walked into the bar. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but he was looking for her. Vanessa hadn't spoken to him since he had knocked on her door last month. He knew it had been bad from the sounds of her labored breathing, but he wouldn't push the issue. Now he wanted to make sure she would try the potion tonight. Seeing her in high spirits gave him a sense of relief. He didn't know whether it was the respect he had gained for her talents, or the fact that he knew her secret, but he felt concerned. He wanted to look out for Vanessa.
When he caught her eye, Vanessa saw him approaching their table. She had been avoiding him, but now she felt glad Severus was there. Somehow it felt like an old friend was joining her in a party of new ones. Someone who could read her expressions and share an inside joke. Nonetheless, she felt shy when he sat down by her, his knee brushing hers.
"Severus, I'm glad you finally made it out here! It is good for you to get out of the dungeons once in a while and celebrate!" McGonagall said with a hiccup. "Yes I thought the fresh air would do me some good." He answered stiffly. Hagrid patted him on the back approvingly, knocking him into Vanessa's shoulder. "How about I get you a drink?" She said, hiding a giggle. "Thank you. A firewhiskey then." He answered, disgruntled by his giant coworker. Severus sipped his drink as McGonagall, Hagrid, and Flitwick became more and more incoherent. "Are you coming tonight?" he asked Vanessa slyly.
"Yes, I am. I will skip the feast and see how it takes."
"Good. So Let's meet right before to apply the salve."
She had forgotten that he would have to see her scars again. It made her feel extremely vulnerable, showing him such an ugly part of her. Hopefully the salve would be worth it. "Ok. In fact, it will be time when we get back to the castle. Shall we?" She asked and stood from her seat. With a glance at their now sleeping friends, Severus Snape rose too. "Let's go."
They made their way to the castle, past the dementors and a zealous Filch. "Get that out of my face, you idiot!" Snape growled at Filch's illicit items detector. Vanessa glared at Filch pointedly, and he didn't even attempt to screen her.
In the castle, ghosts were zooming around excitedly. Jack-O-Lanterns were displayed in high stacks around corners. Hogwarts buzzed with energy. A group of students snickered as they walked by together. Vanessa had overheard several rumors about her and Snape after that Parkinson girl had seen them in his office. Everything from calling them penpals to a one night stand. Snape never mentioned it, but he heard them too, and secretly thought some of the stories were rather creative.
In the dungeon, Vanessa sat on top of a desk in the front row of tables. "For goodness sake, Vanessa, don't sit on my tables." he said in amused exasperation. She grinned and pulled up a chair to sit in instead. Severus lifted a medium-sized cauldron full of slimy blue goop and placed it on the front table. He took a brush and dipped it into the mixture.
"So you just put the stuff on my wounds and they stay closed? Or it's like a pain reliever…" She asked uncertainly.
"Yes and yes. This potion should prevent the magical wounds from reopening, and there should be little discomfort. Just in case of a different reaction, you should rest for tonight, do not do anything strenuous. This is only a prototype, so I still need to hone the details." Severus was speaking matter-of-factly, but in a tone less harsh than his teaching voice. Vanessa jittered with nerves as she unzipped the back of her dress for Snape. He tenderly brushed on the paste-like potion until each spot was coated. Then he covered them in bandages.
"Also there's...there's another on my arm." Vanessa said apologetically.
"Oh?" He replied in surprise. Slowly, she zipped her dress back over the bandages and then slid her sleeve off her shoulder and upper arm. One more dark bite mark was visible, and Snape's eyes temporarily shone with anger. He wordlessly dressed the wound and replaced her sleeve. Feeling his fingers slide up her arm in that motion made her stomach flop upside-down. Control yourself, she thought. She barely knew this man, there was no need to develop strange...feelings around him.
"Thank you. This means more to me than you know."
"You are welcome. Just be careful and don't undo the bandages for three days. We will have to reapply next month. And tell me how it goes, Vanessa." He seemed like he wanted to say more, but instead, he walked away to put up the supplies.
" I will. Enjoy the feast."
Vanessa was anxious to know whether that night would be pain free, or just another reminder of the worst day of her life. The potion tingled on her skin, but otherwise she felt nothing so far. She decided that she would go work in her office for the night. After all, there wasn't much to do in her room, and she was too anxious to sleep. She walked against the flow of students heading to the great hall and reached her office. Even Griggs was out, hunting for rodents in the chilly night. She left both windows open, enjoying the refreshing, misty air that was drifting in. Vanessa settled down at her desk and delved into her runes. She didn't know how much time had passed when a hand suddenly clasped over her mouth, and her own wand was aimed at her neck.
"Shhhh, it's ok Vanessa, I don't want to hurt you. Trust me, after 12 womanless years, you are quite the sight for sore eyes. But unfortunately, I have a mission, and I can't let you go telling anyone I'm here. So I apologize for what I'm about to do."
Just as she tried to lunge for her wand, Sirius Black shouted "Stupify!" and she was frozen in her chair. He brushed her hair from her eyes.
"Sorry love, This was the only way. I promise, once I clear my name I am coming back for you!" He tossed her wand on the floor outside her office door and sprinted away.