p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThe next day,/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI skipped breakfast and lunch as I wasn't feeling very well. I knew I still had to help Severus tonight with everything. About 3, I headed straight for the Potions classroom. I knocked and was greeted with a hoarse "Enter."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI went in and Severus was busy scribbling across parchment. "Miss Jones, where have you been today? I have not seen you at all."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"I've been sick." I said lowly./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus coughed loudly. "I understand, Miss Jones. It appears I have as well."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Severus, you look like white death. Have you caught something?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe looked up at me, quill ceasing. "I do not know. I have..." Severus paused and sighed. "I have been far too busy to go to the infirmary."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongBlack eyes gazed back to me hopefully. "Could you..." Severus hesitated. "Would you do me a tremendous favor and kindly brew me some pepper up potion this evening when you arrive, Winter?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Of course, I will." I promised him. "But you have to promise me you'll go to the infirmary the first chance you get. Promise me."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus shot me a dark glare but softened almost immediately after he saw the pleading in my eyes. The Potions Master drew in a deep breath and sighed it loudly from his lungs. "I suppose I shall..."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI smiled. "Thank you, sir."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Do not thank me." Severus eyed me intensely from his desk. "You have been extraordinary. Perhaps I shall also recommend you as my apprentice to Dumbledore."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThat same intense stare. It was almost too much. "Please, sir. Don't look at me like that anymore."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus exhaled deeply. I could hear the sound in his lungs. He stood and made his way slowly to me. He stopped mere inches from my face. "Look at you how, Winter?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI could feel his hot breath on me as he posed the question. I did not answer. This only gained me another dramatic sigh from Severus. "Please divulge me, Winter. Look at you how?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Please..." I stuttered. "Don't stand so close."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus frowned at me, bringing his fist to his lips and coughing deeply. He moved away from me quickly as he did so. "Excuse me, Miss Jones. My apologies if I have all of a sudden made you uncomfortable. You have only been coming to visit me in my loneliness for a grand total of three months."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe stormed to his desk. "I believe you know the way out."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Severus, I-"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Get. Out. Now, Miss Jones." The velvet voice was low and menacing. I'd only heard him speak that way to idiotic students he despised, but never me./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Severus, please..." I begged. "Please forgive my stupidity. I didn't mean to hurt you if I did. It's just that I don't understand what's happening between us. You make me very nervous. Good nervous, of course. I want to be your friend but it seems like it's threatening to become more."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongA loud sigh echoed in the silent classroom. "It seems like this to you as well?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Yes. I-I just wanted to be your friend, Severus. But I feel more for you."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus whirled around, coming back toward me. His glare melted and he looked at me sympathetically. "Winter, I feel...similiar affections toward you. However, this evening will be resembling of last night. I shall..." He let a weary sigh issue from his lungs. "I shall need your assistance greatly."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"I'll be more than happy to give it." I agreed./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus seemed apprehensive at first. He nodded as he encircled me. "I shall see you no later than after dinner, then?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Yes."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus inhaled sharply, continuing to watch me as he outlined me to my spot. If I was nervous before I was definitely overwhelmed now. Was he breathing me in? Severus sighed deeply from his lungs. "Very well, Winter."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI nodded quickly./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe smirked. "And yes. I was breathing you in. You smell of fresh flowers."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongDid he just-? Read my mind?/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"I hope you feel better, sir. By tonight."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI went toward the door./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Do not worry, Winter." He paused. "I have a strong inkling that I shall."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI skipped breakfast and lunch as I wasn't feeling very well. I knew I still had to help Severus tonight with everything. About 3, I headed straight for the Potions classroom. I knocked and was greeted with a hoarse "Enter."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI went in and Severus was busy scribbling across parchment. "Miss Jones, where have you been today? I have not seen you at all."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"I've been sick." I said lowly./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus coughed loudly. "I understand, Miss Jones. It appears I have as well."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Severus, you look like white death. Have you caught something?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe looked up at me, quill ceasing. "I do not know. I have..." Severus paused and sighed. "I have been far too busy to go to the infirmary."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongBlack eyes gazed back to me hopefully. "Could you..." Severus hesitated. "Would you do me a tremendous favor and kindly brew me some pepper up potion this evening when you arrive, Winter?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Of course, I will." I promised him. "But you have to promise me you'll go to the infirmary the first chance you get. Promise me."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus shot me a dark glare but softened almost immediately after he saw the pleading in my eyes. The Potions Master drew in a deep breath and sighed it loudly from his lungs. "I suppose I shall..."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI smiled. "Thank you, sir."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Do not thank me." Severus eyed me intensely from his desk. "You have been extraordinary. Perhaps I shall also recommend you as my apprentice to Dumbledore."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThat same intense stare. It was almost too much. "Please, sir. Don't look at me like that anymore."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus exhaled deeply. I could hear the sound in his lungs. He stood and made his way slowly to me. He stopped mere inches from my face. "Look at you how, Winter?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI could feel his hot breath on me as he posed the question. I did not answer. This only gained me another dramatic sigh from Severus. "Please divulge me, Winter. Look at you how?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Please..." I stuttered. "Don't stand so close."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus frowned at me, bringing his fist to his lips and coughing deeply. He moved away from me quickly as he did so. "Excuse me, Miss Jones. My apologies if I have all of a sudden made you uncomfortable. You have only been coming to visit me in my loneliness for a grand total of three months."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe stormed to his desk. "I believe you know the way out."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Severus, I-"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Get. Out. Now, Miss Jones." The velvet voice was low and menacing. I'd only heard him speak that way to idiotic students he despised, but never me./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Severus, please..." I begged. "Please forgive my stupidity. I didn't mean to hurt you if I did. It's just that I don't understand what's happening between us. You make me very nervous. Good nervous, of course. I want to be your friend but it seems like it's threatening to become more."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongA loud sigh echoed in the silent classroom. "It seems like this to you as well?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Yes. I-I just wanted to be your friend, Severus. But I feel more for you."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus whirled around, coming back toward me. His glare melted and he looked at me sympathetically. "Winter, I feel...similiar affections toward you. However, this evening will be resembling of last night. I shall..." He let a weary sigh issue from his lungs. "I shall need your assistance greatly."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"I'll be more than happy to give it." I agreed./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus seemed apprehensive at first. He nodded as he encircled me. "I shall see you no later than after dinner, then?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Yes."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus inhaled sharply, continuing to watch me as he outlined me to my spot. If I was nervous before I was definitely overwhelmed now. Was he breathing me in? Severus sighed deeply from his lungs. "Very well, Winter."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI nodded quickly./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe smirked. "And yes. I was breathing you in. You smell of fresh flowers."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongDid he just-? Read my mind?/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"I hope you feel better, sir. By tonight."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI went toward the door./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Do not worry, Winter." He paused. "I have a strong inkling that I shall."/strong/span/p
