Disclaimer and notes:

As ever, everything in this story but Allosia and a few clever turns of phrase belongs to JKR.

This isn't beta'd or anything like that, so please do forgive the occasional typo.

For those of you who have asked, yes, there will be more romance soon, I've even figured out how to get there, but you have to be patient, these two are neurotic and I love the angst of people dancing around each other anyway. Remember, someone's hand hovering mere millimeters over your skin is almost always more erotic than actually being touched. I swear.

As always, read, review, enjoy, lalala.

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Allosia carried the box of potions carefully, trying not to rattle them against each other. While Snape was surely still awake, she didn't want to jar him.

"I've brought everything."

"Yes, yes," impatiently. "Bring it here."

She had hesitated only to give him some privacy, but as she came around the corner she realized he hadn't moved in the time she'd been gone.

"Sit," his voice was still weak, but its tone as an order was unmistakable, and so Allosia sat uncomfortably on the edge of the bed, the box of potions on her lap. As Snape named them, she passed them to him, watching with increasing awe as he downed one foul mixture after another.

Eventually he raised his head and looked at her. "Practice," he said, with a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth.

"Is there -- ?" She started to ask, as he set down the wormwood and asphodel on his night stand.

"You can go," he said coldly.

"It was an offer to do something Severus, not a request to leave."

"Excuse me if I'm not in command of my manners right now, Allosia. I've spent the better part of my weekend as a pain puppet."

She was silent.

"Allosia," he said kindly.

"What?" she snapped, turning, only to see him holding his hand out to her. She took it, and he squeezed.

"Thank you. Your generosity tonight has been immense, and I hate to make further demands on it,"

"But?" she smiled this.

"I would like, more than anything to bathe and then find my way to bed. Unfortunately, I'm somewhat concerned about passing out. Would you mind," he paused embarrassed. "Waiting in the sitting room? If I don't emerge in twenty minutes, I suppose you could come see if I've drowned."

"Yes, of course," she said getting up quickly.

"Thank you," he said, rising.



Allosia took the same chair she had sat in during their first discussion, and found herself curling up the same way after lighting a fire in the hearth. She sat there, immensely grateful for the first intersection of physical and emotional quiet she had, had in days.

She looked up at the sound of the bathroom door opening. Snape leaned in the doorway, wet, bedraggled and wrapped in a voluminous black bathrobe.

"I didn't die. I'm going to bed now, as I have classes to teach in a few hours, I suggest you get some rest as well."

Allosia stood. "You can't possibly be intending to teach tomorrow."

"I have little choice unless I feel like enduring more of the same for such a petty fucking reason." At that his shoulders sagged and he turned, disappearing behind the way to find his bed.

"Goodnight Severus," She said to the wall.

"Goodnight Allosia," Came his voice from the other side of it, followed by the rustling sounds of someone burying themselves under blankets.

Allosia took her leave as efficiently as she could manage.