Chapter Ten

Broken Glass

Hermione was ready to get back to work. She spent the weekend in the library looking over the requirements of a student looking to become a potions apprentice. She discovered which N. E. W. Ts were expected for an apprenticeship were Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology and of course Potions. Which she was thrilled. Those were already on her list along with Arithmacy and Ancient Runes. Of course she would have to wait and see which subjects Professor Snape would require. She read through as many books as she could on receiving ones mastery in Potions. Then the whimsical part of her that was falling for him, sighed at the thought that he himself sat in the library looking over the same texts. She would gently stroke the cover of the book as her she stared off into nothing imagining a future of studying potions side by side the tall dark wizard by day and become more intimate by night. When she could feel herself blushing, she shook her head and banished the wayward thoughts to back of her mind. There was no time for this kind of wool-gathering.

When Monday arrived she walked to the potion master's office and knocked confidently. She heard a mumbled enter. Upon entering she could see Snape's terrible posture hunched over the desk. Much like Friday. She dug in her bag for a newly replaced bottle of headache relief potion. And placed the tiny glass vial on the desk. Where she then sat in the seat across from him to allow him time to recover. It took him more than a few moments to actually acknowledge her presence. Which for her was dangerous, because it gave her time to admire him. Something she kept telling herself she had to stop. Even if her feelings for him were legitimate, they would have to take a back seat for the most eminent future.

"I suspect you are ready to work on the last of the potions from the texts?" Using his absolute disdain tone in reference to the books in question show through his last word. Hermione nodded. As Snape snatched up the vial and tossed it back. He opened the door to the private lab and let her enter. Hermione almost cried when she saw the large cauldron steaming on the fire. "Since it was my doing that your last base was unfit to use. I used your notes to brew this." He said simply pointing toward the workspace.

Hermione almost threw herself into his arms to show her gratitude, but quickly thought better of it. Seeing as he would only get more spooked of her affection. She beamed a huge smile at him. "Thank you so much." But she was still bouncing. And he definitely notice her restraint by showing her gratitude, physically. Which he appreciated, there was no need to fuel the small flame, best to let it die out.

"Well get to it."Snape said, dismissively. She felt amazing being back behind the cauldron. She started to gather the ingredients she needed for the remaining potions. The only one she was truly worried about was the potency of the aromatic. Would the effects take place while it brewed or was there a way to capture the vapor before it would need to be used? She finished her set up and ventured in to Snape's office.

"Excuse me, Sir." He looked up for the briefest moment to acknowledge her. "I was wondering about the aromatic? Will the aroma while it brews be when it's the most potent? If so do I have a way to protect myself from the exposure?"

"I'm surprised that this is just occurring to you." There was a hint of playful mocking in his tone. Hermione huffed slightly.

"It had occurred to me earlier. But it was one of those things I kept putting off until I was here." She stared at him, almost worried. Having already experienced the harsh effects to the exposure to the previous potions. She wasn't so keen on falling under that kind of enchantment again, if she could help it. "I had thought a bubble head charm might be enough. But wasn't sure. Or if I should put a shield around the caldron after I finish and leave it to brew. But wasn't sure if I knew a strong enough charm to place on the caldron."

"This particular one only works after it's been sufficiently cooled, then reheated. Making it efficient for its intended purpose." His implication made her blush. "So there will be no worries over the aroma. I do also suspect that you will using a smaller separate caldron for the one called Wedded Bliss?" He said the name of the potion with disgusted tone.

"I had intended that to be the first I brew since it's concentration was higher and appears to take less time to brew. Then the two dilatable drinkables and end with the Love is in the Air." Adding her own uncomfortable tone to that potion.

"Sounds like a solid plan. And I take it Amorentia is being left for another day?"

Hermione found herself blush again. She was uneasy about the last potion. Her readings on it showed it to be quite complex and the some of the effects of it happens at brew. "It's the one I have the most apprehension over. So yes it will be the final one completed."

"There are no ill effects while it brews. The fumes only exposes you to scents that you have an affinity for, so it won't make you uncomfortable. The real effect comes when you drink it. It is just a rather complicated potion for its type." Hermione nodded her head in understanding. And was actually thrilled he attempted to ease her worries, it didn't work entirely. But it was the thought that counted. She made her way to the brew station and prepared her ingredients as Snape returned to his office for more mindless grading.

#9

She was an hour into her detention when she heard him groan as if in great pain. Then the sound of his chair scraping along the stone floor. She was prepping the ingredients for the aromatic and checking her timing for the two dilatable potions for their next round of stirs, when she heard his boots come into the lab, pounding with each step.

He stepped around the counter and grabbed some of the ingredients, without consulting her notes began to chop and mash them. She looked up at him, puzzled. In all the time she had spent in the dungeon with him. He never came into the lab, let alone assisted her. She was about to ask him why, when he spoke.

"If I have to read one more of those misspelled, under researched reports. I do believe my head will explode."

"Well we wouldn't want that. It would quite the mess to clean up." Hermione said jokingly, then slapped her hand over her mouth at her candor. She was about to apologize when he began to chuckle.

"Indeed." Snape said with amusement in his tone. "This is better for my stress, instead violently destroying my personal property. Mindless prep helps me be less ornery." Hermione stopped herself from saying another quippy remark. She didn't think her cheek could go over well a second time.

"I bet you're thinking I should always prep ingredients." He said in self deprecating tone, but he laughed any way.

"I would never say those words." She said with sly smile and she was greeted back a small half smile when she looked over at him using her peripheral.

They worked in comfortable silence until all the remaining book potions were bottled. "These I will test for efficiency tomorrow. But suspect they will be adequate." Hermione nodded as she began to clean up the work area. She kept wanting to turn and tell him she enjoyed the time working together. But was afraid he would turn on her and ruin the perfect evening they had shared. Her mind whirled as she thought about quite a few scenarios if the future worked out as she hoped. Working side by side as master and apprentice, becoming equals, friends and possibly more. She would shake her head to wipe those feelings away. Hoping it was just because she was still in the lab with the lingering fumes of love potions.

But her absentmindedness left her clumsy and she dropped empty glass Ingredients jar she had been holding. She gasped loudly just as it smashed to pieces. In all her foolishness, she reached down to pick up the pieces and of course cut her fingers and palm. "Damnit!" She exclaimed loudly as Snape joined her near the scattered glass. The pain of the cuts made Hermione begin to tear up. And her embarrassment of again becoming susceptible to the potion fumes made her whimper.

Snape vanished away the glass and asked, "What were you thinking trying to pick that up?" He wasn't scolding, more out of concern. He sat knelt down on the ground beside Hermione and looked at the damage of her hands. He grabbed a piece flannel from the counter and wet it from his wand to clean away the blood. She jerked and held her wrist firmer. "I apologize for the sting. But I need ascertain if these are surface wounds or going to need dittany." Hermione shivered at the thought of the mending solution being poured on her skin. "The one on your palm will need it." She whimpered again. In his free hand he used his wand to summon his box of first aid potions. Using his teeth to remove the cork, he assisted her to drink a pain reliever and then topical cream over shallow cuts on her fingers. He then opened the vial of dittany. She held her breath as he poured it over her open wound. She let out a silent scream as it fizzed on her skin, mending it. "It's over. I'm sorry, the pain is unavoidable." He truly sounded pained by it.

Hermione's eyes were still watering as he pulled out a different jar of cream and began to lightly massage it into her healing, tender skin. "It's fine." She said while she sniffled "I think I'm just mad at myself for doing something so dumb in the first place." Then she got his attention. "I appreciate you helping me." She said tenderly.

They stared at each other for a few moments more then was appropriate. There was that familiar pull she always felt when he was near. The compulsion to lean forward and kiss him was so strong, that it took every ounce of her will power to not move. But involuntarily she let her tongue come out and lick her bottom lip, then he cleared his throat and stood. Seemingly getting himself back in control sooner then Hermione was able to. "I didn't want to foist you on to Madam Pomfrey unless it was absolutely necessary." He helped her stand by light pulling on her wrist. "It's going to be tender for a couple of days. We can convene then to discuss when we will meet to finish the last one." He finished as he grabbed a small roll of gauze and wrapped it to protect the healing ointments. Then charmed it so it could withstand water.

Hermione was flushed from the proximity, his care and the intensity of their shared lingering stare. "Of course." Snape then abruptly walked away from her. Coming back with her belongs in hand and called for an elf. "Please take Miss Granger to the prefect bathroom. Bring her a change of clothes and get the ones she wearing cleaned immediately." It nodded and with a snap the pair disappeared from the lab.

#9

When she was left alone in the bathroom waiting for the shower to warm up. She tried to calm her heart, as the traitorous organ was racing. She almost kissed him, proximity was so intense she felt like she was being compelled to initiate things with him. Her mind's will being the only thing that kept her from doing something she would, well she wouldn't regret it. She was attracted to him and kissing him was something she wouldn't mind experiencing again. But knew that he would instantly call off her remaining detention and possibly her apprenticeship if they crossed that line again. She wondered if he had felt the same compulsion to kiss her, he was the one whom kissed her the first time. Did that mean that was having the same need to be with her, that she had for him? She touched her lips daring them to remind her of the sensation. But it was very faint, but still lingered in her memory.

She cleansed herself as thoroughly as possible. She was having too many thoughts about being romantically involved with her professor, that she knew it was potion's related. She then dried and dressed and returned to her tower. She grabbed the vial of the liquid she sprinkled on her pillow to counter the effect of the potions while she slept the familiar smell of books, rain soaked concrete and some earthy scent she could never really discern encompassed her as she fell asleep.

A/N: First and foremost, the next chapter should be the final chapter. I mean it is containing the last potion. I had originally planned this to be 9 chapters long but as these things go my imagination got the better of me. I have had the ending in mind since the beginning, so I am really glad to be here, finally. But I am announcing that we are in the final couple of chapters.

Second, I was playing around with the idea of a small aside with who Severus felt after this last little interaction. But I have been really good staying only in hermione's perspective. If you all want a short chapter before the finale do let me know and I can get it written and up.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!