p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThat evening at dinner, I strode into the Great Hall to see that Severus was not there yet. I sat down at looked at some potions notes I took. I was starting to feel better but there must have been something going around the school. A few students were sick too./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongAbout ten or fifteen minutes later, Severus stalked down the aisle, his long robes swishing behind him. When he reached my table, he glanced stoically in my direction. I wondered why he was late. The Potions Master sat next to Dumbledore and McGonagall. He looked at me again and sighed before speaking to Dumbledore and eating at the High Table./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI shook my head. Harry Potter suddenly stopped next to me and sat down in the vacant seat. "Do you mind if I sit?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"No..." I stammered./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Thanks. I'm just getting tired of hearing Seamus go on and on about how You Know Who isn't really back."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThis wasn't good. I looked back at Severus who was giving me a death glare./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Why not sit with your friends?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Maybe because I want to sit with you."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI gave him a side glance. "I thought you were dating Cho now?"/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'm not sure yet." Harry replied. "I don't really want to talk about her right now."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"So are you here to impress me? You think I'm impressed?" I asked casually. "Because I'm not interested, Harry. I'm really not. You seem like a nice guy but you're not my type."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHarry drank some pumpkin juice. "Maybe you're just not sure yet what your type is. I'll try again later."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe got up and walked back over to sit with Hermione and Ron, who looked as if they wanted all the gory details./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI couldn't eat after that. I felt sharp daggers eyeing me from the High Table, those belonging to a certain furious Severus Snape./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI got up and left, making my way to the Potions classroom./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI sat down and waited on Severus, who was fuming when he came in./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe scowled at me. "On to Potter now, Miss Jones?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI stood from the seat. "Don't jump to conclusions. He came over to me on his own. Then he started flirting with 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 glared. He brought his fist to his lips and coughed deeply, clearing his lungs. "I know just how to find 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"You're awfully jealous all of a sudden. This afternoon you didn't seem to care."/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 again. He gave me an intense look. "Winter, do not be stubborn. If you honestly have nothing to hide, take the potion. I brewed it this afternoon after you left."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI changed tactics. "Are you feeling better, sir?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe sighed, closing the space between us. "I shall after you brew the potion you promised."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"And I will if you went to the infirmary, as you promised."/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 did." Severus scoffed./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"And?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"And..." Severus took in a deep breath and sighed. "I have atypical pneumonia."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"So don't you need something stronger?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"No, the potion I directed you to make is suitable." He replied coolly, striding over to his desk./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI rolled my eyes and went to the storeroom. I got out the ingredients and the cauldron. For about an hour we worked in silence. Him on the students parchment and me on the potion./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongAfter I brewed the pepper up potion, I collected it into a vial for Severus. "Christmas is coming soon, in about two weeks."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"And?" He didn't look up from the parchment he was marking./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"And I thought you might like some company." I placed the vial on his desk. "You're welcome."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus drew in a breath and sighed slowly from his lungs. "Thank you...for the potion, Winter. However, I am not a man who indulges in the mindless frivolities of Christmas. Now please..."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThe Potions Master finally met my gaze, standing up from his desk. He handed me a vial. "Drink this for me."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI took the vial from his hand as he looked me over carefully. "Drink." Severus repeated./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI drank the vial and held the empty container back out to him./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 loudly. "Sit."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI sat in a chair next to one of the tables in the middle of the room./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 observed me thoroughly as Severus circled me in the chair. "What is your name?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Winter Jones." I answered./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"How old are you?"/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 am fifteen years old." I replied./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 you love me, Miss Jones?"/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 responded./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe sighed. "Did you save my life that day because you love 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"I heard an explosion. I thought maybe you just had a lesson going on. Failing students, you know? But when I saw it was you alone, I knew I couldn't let you die."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus raised an eyebrow. "Do you love Harry Potter?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"No."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus sighed loudly. "I apologize, Winter. I should have trusted you..." He looked down at me from above. He must have been about six feet and a few inches tall./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus drew in a breath and sighed deeply from his lungs. "I suppose trust entitles a good friend. It is not a quality I greatly possess."/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, listening./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 am afraid I do not have a good history with trust. I do not usually speak of my past to anyone but the Headmaster..." Severus paused./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe sighed heavily, eyes boring into mine. "However as it seems, things are becoming less complicated between you and I and much more...clear."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI didn't know what to say./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus continued giving me the intense look so I spoke. "Is there something you want to tell me?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe inhaled sharply and sighed loudly from his lungs. "Not at present, Winter. Soon...very soon."/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 should go."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus burst into a violent coughing fit, expelling the air deep in his lungs. His tall frame vibrated from the forceful convulsions. I stood and clapped his back gently until he finished coughing./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Here. Take a deep breath."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus obeyed and inhaled deeply, then sighed. "Thank you, 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"Drink this now, not later." I walked to his desk and grabbed the potion, urging it into his hands./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe let a heavy sigh escape his lungs. "Very well." Severus opened the vial and drank./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongObsidian eyes met my blue-green. "That reminds me. I spoke with the Headmaster about your apprenticeship. You shall start immediately."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Are you sure you want 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 sighed impatiently. "I would not accept anyone other than you."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Then you'll have me." I smiled./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. "Excellent. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening then."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI turned to leave./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 deeply, clearing his lungs. He took a deep breath and sighed from his lungs./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Be careful, Severus. Don't blow anything up while I'm gone."/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 deep frown. "No, Miss Jones."/strong/span/p