"Miss Stellifer, you're not exactly part of the faculty, are you?" Ron inquired after a big bite of his chicken leg. It was New Year's eve, dinner time, and the Great Hall was almost completely empty if it weren't for the few students that stayed, two of the few were Ron and Harry. Selena joined them at the Gryffindor table since the rest of the staff were preparing for their own agenda.
"Well, sure. You could say that." She shrugged, then rested her chin atop her open palm. "Why do you ask?"
Ron broke his gaze with her and turned to Harry with a newfound skeptical look, as if he was trying to tell him something. Harry didn't quite get the message, making Ron roll his eyes and eventually leaned in to whisper instead. All the while, Selena waited patiently with a small smile. They seemed to be agreeing on something, and after a few seconds, Harry spoke up.
"I saw my parents a few days ago." He said straightforwardly, making it sound as if it wasn't what he really wanted to say. Even Ron was evidently puzzled, but after a stern look from Harry, he dismissed his suspicions and looked the other way. Despite this, however, Selena was still very much surprised by his words.
"Your parents, Harry?" She asked, now genuinely curious. Harry nodded. "How? Through a photograph? A dream?"
The bespectacled boy shook his head and forced a smile, though his eyes were downward towards his plate. He was picking on his food, Selena noticed. "Professor Dumbledore told me it was the Mirror of Erised. Ron was there with me, but oddly enough, he didn't quite see the same thing."
Selena's eyes widened in shock and the voices of the two drowned into the background. Mirror of Erised?
She finished the rest of her dinner with haste and left the two Gryffindors with short salutations of a joyous new year. She stormed right for the big bronze eagle leading to the Headmaster's Office and impatiently waited for it to rise completely.
"Professor! You brought Harry to see the Mirror of Erised?" Was the first question Selena asked when Dumbledore allowed her inside. The Headmaster's eyebrows rose in surprise at her abruptness. "Why!"
"I believe it's best you're aware that I did not lead him to the Mirror, rather, he found it himself." Dumbledore said with the breath of a chuckle.
Selena paled even more. "But the trials!" She thought of Minerva's chess board and Pomona's Devil Snare.
"Before you worry, my dear, I should tell you that I transferred the Mirror a little later than we have discussed, mainly because of Mr. Potter's discovery. He looked like he was enjoying himself and it was Christmas, after all." Selena seemed very confused, and Dumbledore laughed at her. "The boy is safe, Selena, calm yourself. It is much easier to watch over him now that there are fewer students in the castle. You must trust me, he doesn't know any more besides the Mirror."
"Yet." The Mediwizard added with a grunt, scanning the room for a seat and upon eyeing a small couch, she walked over and slumped against the backrest. "You know what James was like, he never stopped until he got answers. And Harry's been wandering the castle ever since he got here, you told me. What if he already knows everything about the stone?"
"I'm not talking falsely when I say that may be a possibility, considering that Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger are by his side, similar to how James had the other three." The old wizard stroked his white beard. "However, if Harry was truly like his father, he would've made an attempt to get farther than—what was the dog's name—Fluffy."
Selena released a frustrated sigh. "And if he does?"
"Then you keep in mind that Miss Evans is also his mother, and I'm sure Harry has, at least, a little sensibility in him. He will not put himself into harm's way unless it is impossible not to."
The Mediwizard didn't respond to that. Debating with Dumbledore was useless. "How did he discover the Mirror?" She asked instead. "He told me he saw his parents."
"He did, yes. Harry sat in front of it and with such innocent eyes. When I first found him, he looked quite peaceful, it almost felt rude to pry. However, I knew it couldn't go on for long. I feared he would develop a strong attachment with the Mirror, so I had to interfere somehow." He explained despondently.
"At least he understood the Mirror's purpose, and he didn't have any hopes." Selena heaved another breath and walked over to a nearby window. The lake was frozen but it still reflected the bright moonlight like any other night. "My heart aches for the boy. Constantly. He never deserved the childhood he went through. It must've been traumatizing."
"I know you empathize with him. Your own childhood was not entirely different." The witch tensed up, they were on the topic of her youth once again. She refused to face Dumbledore, whom she oddly felt was intently staring at her. "Selena, I must say that—"
There were three raps on the wooden door. The Headmaster had no choice but to pause his words and answer the visitor. Good timing, Potions Master.
"Headmaster," Severus' established baseline voice was heard as soon as he entered. He turned to the Mediwizard immediately after. "and Miss Stellifer, I knew for a fact you would be here."
Selena's mouth twitched upwards. "And how is that?"
"Simple intuition..." His hands met at his back. "Sense… Sensibility…"
"Peeves?" She chuckled.
"...Annoying jester ghosts and the like." An instinctual grunt. "Anyways, the deputy is calling for both your attention. The staff gathering will commence shortly after the curfew begins. If I were you, I would rush, Minerva's patience is wearing off."
"Duly noted, Severus." Dumbledore nods. "Perhaps, you both should go ahead. I'll just finish tidying a few things."
"Your decision." Severus tells Selena, who glances at Dumbledore once.
"We'll see you there, Headmaster." She bows slightly and shows off a small smile before awkwardly pacing out the door. Severus does the same after a short while.
"Did I…" He paused to seemingly find the right words. "It feels as though I arrived at the wrong time."
"Nevermind that. You sounded really excited for this party." Selena teases the potioneer.
The man picks up and doesn't question her any further. He instead scowls at her. "It is a gathering, Miss Stellifer, not a party."
She scoffs. "Potato-pohtato, similar thing."
"No. Different thing. Gatherings, like what is about to begin, are untroubled drinks and low chatter. Whereas, parties may as well be an alternative definition of hell. It's too loud, too hot and too sweaty for anybody above twenty-eight. Therefore, we are attending a gathering. Get it right, Ravenclaw." He glares at her challengingly while she has a hand over her chest and a dramatic gasp.
"I don't think I'm the Ravenclaw in this situation, Professor." She shook her head.
"And to be clear, I am far more excited to return back to the dungeons after ten-minute salutations."
Selena stared at him puzzledly. "You can't just leave the party."
"Gathering." His lips quirk. "But watch me."
"Impossible. You're the tallest one there—besides Hagrid, of course—but even so, you're the only one dressed in black. Compare that to the colorful robes of the others."
"You haven't been to a Hogwarts staff gathering, of course that's what you think."
"Whatever." She smiled. "What's it like, though? Be honest, is it slightly boring?"
"Not even close to slightly boring. It is extremely palling."
A noise of doubt came from the witch. "Now that I think about it, I wouldn't trust your opinion too much." She giggled as he proceeded to roll his eyes. "You don't see the frivolity in anything."
He scoffed. "I am not ashamed to admit that."
The moment the two stepped into the staff room, Selena beheld her eyes to such fancy decorations and the various colors of the freshly-made dishes. Pomona was seen coordinating with the kitchen elves, while Flitwick was charming the last of the decorations in one corner. Minerva was the one who welcomed them inside.
"There you two are! Where's Albus?" She questioned, but even before an answer arose, she dismissed it. "Nevermind that. The preparations are almost over! All we need are the beverages at that side." She reminded Selena of whenever Miriam was frantic at the hospital.
"Anything I could do to help?" Selena inquired, to which Minerva shook her head.
"It's your first gathering, dearie, you're obliged not to do anything."
Severus overheard this and turned to the Transfiguration Professor with creased brows. "How unfair. I was quickly needed for assistance during my first year."
"You were a Head of House, Severus, and a tall man who could reach tall shelves. We needed you quite badly." Elves arrived with a trolley of wine and whiskey, and Minerva's attention was set elsewhere. "Over there please—Careful now."
"We work at Hogwarts, a bloody magic school. When did we ever need ladders to reach high places?" The potioneer grumbled to himself, though Selena was still able to hear it and proceeded to laugh quietly to the side.
"Liven up, Professor Snape, we're all done here, anyway." Filius nudged as his short stature approached them. The three stood in the middle of the room, inspecting the last of the decorations being set up. "You know, I think I spotted a bottle or two of Firewhisky on the drinks tray." He added.
A soft groan came from Severus, though it was not one of spite. "Bilshen's or Odgen's Old?"
Filius smirked through his mustache. "Both."
Selena watched as a wave of something like alleviation washed over Severus' face. "Finally, some good news." He instantly separated from the two Ravenclaws to inspect the bottles brought in a few minutes ago. Filius chuckled quietly.
"Something tells me he delights in Firewhisky a lot." Selena said, her gaze still not detaching from the potioneer's back.
"Oh, he loves them. Never admitted it but we all know he does." The Charms Professor replied. "It's all he ever has during our gatherings. He was never really a wine-person or something, now that I look back." Selena took note of that, she didn't know what for, but she did.
At some point during the night, she didn't dare admit that Severus was right, these parties—gatherings—weren't particularly as lively as she imagined. Then again, she should have expected such from a staff consisting of adults decades older than herself. The event began with high-spirits and excited chatter, Selena would move from one person to another after a good half-hour ended, apart from Quirrell, who she did not hesitate to avoid. Though she made an exception with Hagrid, whom she stuck with for the rest of the night. Not even her and Severus could hold a long conversation, though it wasn't because nothing fueled their chatter, rather because they kept being borrowed by other staff members. They were unfortunate occurrences, but being two of the youngest staff members gave them no choice. And it wasn't that they didn't want to converse with them—even if Severus may oppose that—topics like "back in the day" or wizard politics just really weren't ones they had the energy to keep up with.
Luckily, Hagrid and Selena were currently laughing their heads off about a story the half-giant just finished telling, quite a distance from the other staff.
"Hold… Hold on… Don't say any more… My stomach may not handle it." The Mediwizard advised in between giggles. One hand clutched her stomach while another attempted to keep a strong hold on her champagne glass and prevent it from shattering on the ground.
"Didn't I tell ya' t'was hilarious! Best part o' mah' life, if ye' ask me." Hagrid's roaring laugh eventually died down as well. His big hand fished into his vest for his pocket watch. "Blimey, it's a good six minutes ere midnight."
"Is it really!" Selena gasped, wide-eyed. "Oh! 1992 better be a troll-less, stone-less, lockhart-less year."
Suddenly, there was a loud yell from the end of the long table. "1992 is quickly approaching! Brace yourselves!" Screamed Pomona, who abruptly stood with a bottle of Beetle Bary Whiskey in one hand.
"Aye, Madam Sprout, ever the lightweight. Survivor o' wine but never whiskey." Hagrid chuckled as he watched the Hufflepuff Head begin to dance.
A jaunty commotion began after Flitwick charmed his record player to let out some songs, the middle of the room was immediately occupied by staff who shimmied to the melody, even the damned Argus Filch swayed with his cat. She was inclined to join in, especially when Hagrid stood and invited her to take his hand, but something in the corner of her eye pushed her to decline. She was only able to catch the flowy cape of Severus Snape slip outside the staff room door. To this, she silently laughed at him, but she grabbed two scotch glasses and a bottle of Bilshen's before following suit.
Selena checked both sides of the corridor, frowning upon finding it dark and empty. There were no echoing footsteps either, making her wonder where he could possibly be. The courtyard in front of her was dimly lit merely by the glow of the moon. When her shoes touched the thin snow, a cold breeze hit her figure, but weirdly enough, it wasn't the reason for her slight shiver.
"Going somewhere, Miss Stellifer?" Severus' voice was low from behind her. She sagged in relief.
"Fresh air?" Selena turned to him and gave a lame excuse, to which he only rolled his eyes.
"Fresh air with two glasses and a bottle, how uncanny." He drawled. "Pray tell, why are you following me?"
There was no point in finding detours this time. "You're alone, it's only minutes until the New Year and it's freezing out here." She watched her breath fog up in front of her nose.
"And what in your strange mind gave you the idea that I desire company at this very moment?" It was quite dark, but Selena still perceived the condescending raise of his eyebrow.
"You know, if you really wanted to be alone, you would have abided with your ten-minute salutations plan and left the par—gathering—early." The man in front of her scoffed while she briefly giggled. "Well, that or you would've actually attempted to hide from me when I exited the room. Yet, here we are, you approached me and I," Selena pushed a glass to his free hand—which he accepted, much to his own surprise—and began pouring the whiskey in. "...Will be sharing the last of this bottle with you."
Severus gave his glass a slight swig. "What are you trying to gain by providing me more Firewhisky?"
"Your silence." Selena stifled a small laugh while filling her own glass. "There we are… Now, we wait for midnight." She pulled out a rusty, gold pocket watch out of her robes.
"You own a pocket watch?" The potioneer asked.
"Nicked it from Hagrid a while ago. I do hope he doesn't notice it's missing." She giggled even more when Severus sighed louder than he usually does.
"I'm beginning to believe we truly switched Houses for today."
They were engulfed in temporary quietude, though strangely, it wasn't as awkward as they both expected it to feel. Severus faced another direction, surveying the white courtyard, possibly for students out of bed. Meanwhile, Selena focused on the cool of the snow under her feet, which she could feel seeping through her shoes. It was tempting to take a sip of her drink before the countdown was up.
"Severus, why do you like Firewhisky so much?" Asked the witch so suddenly.
Now, she didn't know whether the slight incline of his brows were because of the sudden mention of his name or the question. Eitherway, it took a few wordless seconds before a reply. "I revel in the taste it provides."
It didn't sound like an honest answer. "More than wine and champagne?"
A single nod. "More than wine and champagne."
Selena simply hummed at his reply, redirecting her eyes over to the golden liquid in her glass. They stood in silence again, admiring the snow and the night sky above them, until Selena glanced at the watch again and noticed twenty seconds to midnight. However, just as she was about to cheer a happy new year and make a toast, the potioneer spoke up.
"It was the first alcohol I ever tasted." Said Severus. She noticed how he didn't look at her.
"Firewhisky?"
"No, apple cider." He scoffed, to which Selena let out a loud laugh despite how vague the sarcasm was. She blamed it on her previous drinks. "As much as I don't value sentiment, I'm always inclined to… give priority to my first-time experiences."
"Yeah, alright, don't call it sentiment even if it clearly is." She rolled her eyes, though she grinned at this revelation. "Although, I can't help but agree with you…" Their eyes meet and she catches the hint of serenity in his. "First-time moments really are amazing." She smiled.
In the background, loud cheers came from the staff room nearby and the Gryffindor tower up above. Severus looked slightly bothered but he didn't say anything, much to Selena's bleak bewilderment. They were still outside in the cold of the night, two minutes into January 1, 1992.
"Happy New Year, Severus." The Mediwizard held out her glass.
The other did the same after a sigh. "To the new year, Selena." The glasses lightly clash with one another creating a soft clinking noise, and the two colleagues drink away. The feeling of Firewhisky burning their insides followed after.
"Merlin," Selena groaned as her hand shot up to massage her throat. "What do they put in this? How do you like this stuff? Oh, jeez," She grimaced at the sight of the bottle, which Severus immediately swiped from her grasp.
He scoffed, but through his features, eventually noticed her discomfort. "My, my, you act like it's the first time you took this." It came out as more of a question.
"That's because it is, you silly man." The witch began coughing a few times, still quite irritated from the strong sting. "Never in my lifetime had I taken anything other than wine or champagne. I regret ignoring my instincts."
"I doubt I'm the silly one right now, Miss Stellifer. It is called Firewhisky for a reason." He pointed out yet he brought his hand to her shoulder, which he used to maneuver her back inside the staff room. Selena felt her throat begin to swell though she couldn't ignore how warm Severus' hand was, even through her robes she could feel it. "I think it's best that you get some water." He advised.
"I really hate this stuff now." She scowled like a worn-out child.
Another scoff. "Why did you bloody drink it then?" He asked.
"I thought it was good because that darn Flitwick said you liked it!" Selena cried absentmindedly, too focused on her throat to notice the flash of a smirk on Severus' face.
"Silly girl."