Chapter eighteen:
Essence
It was the next day and classes begun once again after the holidays once breakfast had ended. Once the students and staff left the great hall to begin classes, Snape had met up with Victoria by her History of Magic classroom. Victoria turned to spot Snape walk up to her and formed a gentle smile on her face as she noticed the scent of the cologne she had given him - he had indeed out it on for her sake. "I have worn it at your request..." Snape informed about the cologne, wearing a brooding expression. Victoria found herself entertained at his sulking behavior over cologne but wanted him to wear something that made him feel special. "I can tell, It smells sexy on you." Victoria replied slightly flirtatiously as she flashed a crooked smile. Snape quirked an eyebrow at her response and had to be honest with himself, he liked what he had heard. "Consider myself elated." Snape replied to her flirtatious comment, hiding a smirk from the passing students that went to their classes. Victoria formed a pleased smile onto her lips at his words before they had to leave to teach class.
Harry and Ron had to admit to themselves, they found themselves quite amused by the fact that Snape was gifted the cologne from Victoria as they knew he was known to smell somewhat like an old shoe. They headed to History of Magic class for their first period class that Tuesday and sat through Victoria's class while she passed out their graded essays and assigned a new assignment for the week. The hours seemed to pass by before it was lunch time and Ginny had just gotten out of potions, smiling ear to ear before arriving at the Gryffindor table as Ron began complaining to Harry and Hermione about the pile of homework from the classes they got out of. "What are you on about?" Ron questioned his sister as they sat down at the table. "Nothing nosey. Nothing besides Professor Snape smelling like he came out of a fresh cut suit." Ginny pointed out.
Ron and Harry snickered at the words Ginny explained, causing both Ginny and Hermione to shoot looks of suspicion at them. "What's so funny?" Hermione asked. Ron grabbed a sandwich from the tray and took a bite while Harry parted his lips to explain. "My aunt bought him some cologne while we were in Paris. Don't tell anyone." Harry explained briefly. Ron grabbed another sandwich before Harry had nudged him in the arm. "Erm, she asked us if Snape would like it and we said yes...and yeah, we don't want everyone to know Harry might be having Snape as an uncle." Ron shrugged. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other before looking away with smirks. "I can't believe you did that." Hermione said, slightly amused. Harry shrugged and began digging into the food at the table while the professors were all seated at the professors table at the podium. While Victoria sat in her usual chair beside Sinistra, Snape had sat in his usual chair next to McGonagall and unfortunately, the visiting Karkaroff. McGonagall had noticed the new scent coming from Snape and had furrowed her eyebrows in confusion though she was merely impressed otherwise.
Snape had noticed McGonagall's reaction beside him but remained facing forward, not giving a response and in hopes that Karkaroff wouldn't speak of it either but Karkaroff had just sniffed in the cologne scent and inspected his breakfast, wondering who had been wearing the musky scent. Victoria had leaned over to look at Snape out of pure curiosity to spot his attention seeming to be placed on neither of the people beside him before she caught a side glance from him. Victoria had then smiled softly to herself before eating her lunch then a while later, everyone returned to classes. As Snape entered his potions classroom with his curriculum papers in hand, he hastily passed by the students at their tables and went to the front of the classroom with the ingredients and vials in place for the potion they will be taught this lesson. Harry and Ron Immediately began smelling the cologne on Snape and attempted to hold back their laughs, having a snicker slip through instead. Several other students began noticing the new scent from their Potions professor became amused as well. Snape's dark eyes pierced at Harry and Ron after overhearing their snickering before hearing small chuckles from the others in the classroom. "Is that cologne?" Dean Thomas whispered to Ron and Harry. Harry nodded. "Yeah." Ron replied with a smirk on his expression.
Draco seemed confused but also amused by the scent of the cologne. "What is that?" Draco questioned. Using the curriculum papers in his hand, Snape smacked Ron and Harry across the head for their snickering. "Quiet..." Snape warned the rest of the class. Harry and Ron smiled at the smack from Snape before hesitantly looking over to Snape as the classroom quieted down. Snape noticed the smiles thar continued and simply ignored them as he went on to teach the class. "Today, we will be making the Girding Potion...which may be consumed to increase one's endurance for a considerable number of weeks. I do warn those of you who wish to experiment with this potion that the maximum dosage is no more than two of these vials." Snape instructed, picking up a vial to show the class. The class continued on with making the potion and taking notes, but while the students made their potion, Snape recounted that Harry was involved with getting him the cologne and that surely didn't make life easier for him at Hogwarts.
Snape had then walked around and graded each potion that had been concocted, grading on the accuracy of the potion. Snape had passed Hermione Granger with Exceeds Expectations and several other students while barely passing Ron Weasley with a Poor and Draco Malfoy with Acceptable before he had reached Harry's potion, looking into the gold liquid in the cauldron. Snape had leaned back and though Snape had been dating Harry's aunt, he was still prone to the most opportune grading. "Dreadful." Snape graded before walking off. Of course Snape would continue being harsh towards Harry as he had suspected he knew about the cologne situation the entire time. Harry sighed before giving a brief look to his friends, knowing the same old Snape still remained despite his relationship with his aunt but he had also took it into count that Snape had also suspected him being involved with the cologne. As the classes went by, the day ended with dinner.
Victoria day in her usual spot and Snape decided to once again take Sinistra's seat though Sinistra had no problem as she wanted to speak with McGonagall anyway. Victoria watched as Snape took a seat beside her and tried to refrain from a smirk playing on her face. "How did your day go, Severus?" Victoria asked curiously. Snape turned his attention from his plate and onto Victoria with a placid expression. "Slightly wretched...or rather inane in the sense of your perspective." Snape replied. It was easy for Victoria to tell that Snape might have gotten more attention than he wanted with the cologne she talked him into wearing. "I'm sorry it has been perceived that way. But..." Victoria stated before lowering her voice, leaning a little closer to him. "...I think it's quite alluring on you.." Victoria added, trailing off before leaning back. Snape shown a sly smile on his lips at the words, figuring it had pleased Victoria and took the moment to be proud of himself. "Indeed." Snape simply replied, causing Victoria to smile before they began eating their dinner. As dinner ended, everyone exited the great hall, including the professors, for the night. Victoria and Snape walked to her classroom and stopped just inside the doorway. "I hope the others weren't too harsh on you." Victoria pursed her lips to tuck away a grin from slipping. Snape developed a wry smile at her words and parted his lips to speak. "Nothing I couldn't handle. Though, Potter and Weasley had a flicker of amusement." Snape replied.
Victoria remembered that Harry and Ron had agreed on the gift of cologne to Snape and now as she thought about it, they went along with the idea to embarrass their teacher. "I had no idea they would act that way. Though personally, I had good intentions and i most certainly enjoy the fragrance, Severus." Victoria explained. Snape quivered a small smile onto his lips. "I'm positive that you do, Victoria. However, I must return to my living quarters for the night, have early classes tomorrow." Snape pointed out. Victoria agreed as she, too, had an early class to teach which was third years. "Yes, I agree. So do I. Have a good night, Severus." Victoria smiled softly. Snape gave a nod before Victoria went to her living quarters. Snape watched for only a moment before he swiftly left the doorway and headed towards the dungeons.
A month went by and it was now the end of February, a day before the second tournament would be underway. Harry had no idea what to do with the golden egg he had gotten from the first task as the screeching noise kept escaping the egg when it would be opened. Luckily, Cedric Diggory had decided to return the favor and told Harry to try it under water. Of course, some of the professors knew about the tasks that the champions would be competing in but as Victoria was Harry's relative, Dumbledore kept it from her, even having Snape not say a word knowing that they were close. "She cannot know any tasks ahead of time, Severus. After all, she is foremost, Potter's guardian." Dumbledore stated shortly after the rest of the professors exited the office. Snape paused for a moment. "And if she found out from Potter himself?" Snape questioned. Dumbledore sat back in his chair at his desk. "If she does by Potter finding out himself, nothing we can truly do about that." Dumbledore explained. Snape then exited Dumbledore's office swiftly and stepped out of the gargoyle.
Victoria had caught Snape down the hall from her classroom moments after he had left Dumbledore's office, causing Snape to halt. "Do you know what the next task is, Severus? Apparently, I was advised that my presence wasn't needed for the meeting." Victoria pointed out, she felt that her being Harry's guardian had made her immune to some information among her colleagues. "I'm afraid I cannot say, I was advised not to... for the sake of word getting around to the champions." Snape replied, not fond of withholding anything from his girlfriend but had no choice as he has his double agent secret hidden from her as well unfortunately. Victoria frowned though she understood the reasoning about the champions. "Your secret is safe with me." Victoria insinuated. Snape formed a sly smirk for a moment before dropping it. "Intriguing...but my hands are tied." Snape explained. Victoria figured that would come up. "I understand." Victoria replied hesitantly before walking back to her classroom and Snape hesitantly walked in the opposite direction.
Victoria was irritated that she wasn't being told about the following task but had found out when Harry had visited her office. Like the rest of the champions had through the egg, Harry had known the about the task ahead and she was informed by her nephew about the black lake and the merpeople. "I need something to help me breathe underwater for an hour. Have any ideas?" Harry asked Victoria in her office. Victoria knew the rules on being school staff and unable to help the champions on the tournament, no matter the desperation, but she figured she could at least point him in the right direction. "Perhaps I can suggest the bubblehead charm, but I would suggest looking in the library for ways, Harry." Victoria suggested. Harry knew that staff weren't allowed to help unless it was urgent but decided to take her advice and head the the library - he wanted an alternative way besides the bubblehead charm.
By the time the second task would begin, the day before, Harry had been in the library looking for alternatives to breathing underwater for an hour with Ron and Hermione when Moody had called both of them to Dumbledore's office. Dobby had appeared to Harry the following morning an hour before the task with a solution to the underwater problem in front of the dock. As Victoria had walked out to the dock to meet Harry in order to wish him luck since only limited amount of people were allowed to fit on the one, small deck in the middle of the lake, she spotted the elf speaking to Harry. Dobby handed Harry the green plant called gillyweed, before Harry began talking. "How did you find out about this, Dobby? And what exactly is this?" Harry asked curiously. Dobby laughed nervously. "Well, I overheard Mr. Moody and Professor McGonagall talk about the tournament and breathing underwater, mentioning if you could succeed through this task. Gillyweed helps breathing underwater, so I've read." Dobby explained.
Victoria curiously listened on, though she felt like an eavesdropper. "Thank you, Dobby. You're much more help than Ron and Hermione right now, where are they?" Harry questioned, looking around before he noticed his aunt Victoria feet from them. "Sorry...I just wanted to wish you well on the task, Harry." Victoria stated, feeling awkward, feeling she interrupted them. "No, it's fine, really. I appreciate it." Harry replied, smiling briefly before looking back at Dobby. "This is Dobby, Dobby my aunt Tori and Professor Hawthorne." Harry quickly introduced as he held the gillyweed in his hand. "Nice to meet you, Dobby." Victoria said kindly. Victoria hasn't seen many elves up close and personal like that before, she usually knew they were working in the kitchen or in a witch or wizard's personal home. "You too, ma'am. Ever so kindly to meet you. Dobby likes making new friends, especially ones important to Harry Potter." Dobby greeted, walking up to gently shake her hand. Victoria smiled softly as she returned the soft handshake. Dobby then disappeared with a snap of his fingers and Harry got onto the boat with Neville and Seamus to the small deck located in the middle of the lake for the task.
Victoria had remained by the castle but attempted to watch from afar, standing in an outside corridor as she watched from the distance. While she stood watching and overhearing the announcements from Dumbledore's enhanced voice, there was the sound of footsteps coming from behind her. Snape had approached Victoria and stood beside her on her left side as she kept her focus on the black lake ahead. Snape took her left hand into his right and caught Victoria's attention instantaneously. Snape figured that the school had their attention solely on the champions and others were inside, that he could make a generous move on his girlfriend out of sight out of students. "Severus." Victoria said, delightfully surprised. Snape glanced at Victoria for a moment before turning his dark eyes onto the black lake. "What are you doing?" Snape questioned curiously. Victoria pursed her lips in attempt to hide an amused smirk. "Lurking from afar at the task. Clearly obvious." Victoria replied.
Snape quirked a brow for a moment before letting it drop and form a quick, sly smile that dissolved from his expression. "Not worrying about Potter, are you?" Snape asked. Victoria had always worried about her nephew, even if she had only been his guardian and in his life for a couple of years now, blood is thicker than water. "I try not to, Severus. I really do, but finding out what everything entailed when I found out I had a nephew, the danger and now officially his guardian...I cannot afford to not be worrisome of his life. I feel as if something happens to Harry, I've let my sister down and though I never knew her, I don't want to do that." Victoria explained. Had this been on her shoulders this whole time? Slightly. Snape went to turn towards her as he kept his hand in hers, causing Victoria to now face him. "As long as Dumbledore is around, do not worry about Potter." Snape explained, he couldn't detail anything about his share of keeping an eye on Harry as it may expose his job as a double agent but wanted to reassure Victoria.
"Okay, Severus." Victoria replied hesitantly before looking back at the lake, dropping their hands. Severus studied her movements before taking a step forward and lifted his right index finger to turn her face towards him, locking with her green eyes. "I meant what I said, Victoria. Dumbledore is an extrodinary wizard..." Snape clarified. Victoria sighed, knowing she would have to worry less. "I suppose so." Victoria said, slightly hesitant. Severus listened on to the cheers from far away at the black lake while around them was quiet before he leaned in slowly as he cupped Victoria's left cheek and kissed her tenderly, to have her calm down but one thing many others did not know was that deep down, Snape was a romantic and sensitive on the inside but with a hard exterior - not many have seen this side of him, just Lily in his past and Dumbledore when Lily died. Victoria enjoyed the kiss, even though it was spontaneous and short due to the interruption of cheering and shouting from the lake task. Snape leaned back with a quiver of a crooked smile before students began coming back to the castle from the black lake in cheerful voices.
Victoria smiled back at Snape before they turned their attention onto the arriving students. Victoria spotter Harry wrapped up in a towel with damp hair, walking with Ron, Hermione, Fred and George. "Harry! How did it go?" Victoria asked greeting him. Harry walked along with Victoria, Ron and Hermione while the twins departed and Snape had watched a moment before walking off to speak with Dumbledore. "He got second place! Harry rescued not only Ron but Fleur's sister in the black lake." Hermione pointed out. Victoria was astounded and turned to Harry again, looking away from Hermione. "Is that so?" Victoria questioned. Harry nodded as he kept warm in the towel, entering the hallway of the castle towards the Gryffindor common room. "Yes." Harry confirmed. They reached the Gryffindor tower in front of the portrait. "That's good, Harry. Do get changed, don't need you catching a cold." Victoria insisted before walking off down the staircase. Soon, the last task would set place, the most dangerous of the tasks.