November 1994
Severus had been pulled into Dumbledore's office along with Minerva one evening. It appeared as though the first Triwizard event was going to be bloody fucking dragons. Minerva McGonagall was livid.
"This is absolutely reckless! How is Potter to survive this? Without Miss Granger to teach him any kind of methods..." Minnie trailed off with an exacerbated huff. Severus, for what it was worth, was annoyed too. Surely Potter would either get eaten or roasted. Then he would no longer be burdened with the need to protect him. Surely Lily would forgive him if he couldn't save her fucking son from a fucking dragon because his name was entered into a fucking contest.
"Don't worry, Minerva. I have a plan to get Harry some help, Hagrid is quite awful at keeping secrets you see, and it appears he has been made aware of the dragons by Charlie Weasley".
Minerva sighed with relief. Hagrid would tell Potter and Potter would tell Granger and Granger would pull every book in the library and find a method. Severus rolled his eyes. Waste of time this bloody meeting was if Dumbledore already had a plan.
XOX
Several days passed by it seemed Olivia was purposefully avoiding him. Maybe she finally figured out what a git he was. Did he make her mad by turning her away? It was only a bit of fun, and she didn't seem mad at the time. She easily could've transfigured herself some clothes if it was really an issue. Nevertheless, Severus found himself in a bad mood.
The potions master was in his classroom, getting it set up. He smirked as he plotted his potion lesson for the day. He'd make Potter test his antidote. Maybe a bit of poisoning would pull him from the tournament? Or if it didn't, it would still be fun to watch the boy puke for a few days. He really should learn bloody potions. Severus was startled when he heard shouting outside his classroom. Striding to the door, he pulled it open and menacingly stepped into the corridor.
"And what is all this noise about?" said Snape is a soft, deadly voice. The Slytherins shouted out their explanations, but Severus didn't care to listen. He pointed a finger at Malfoy and snapped, "Explain."
"Potter attacked me, sir..."
"We attacked each other at the same time!" Harry shouted.
"... And he hit Goyle! Look!" Snape examined Goyle, whose face now resembled a disgusting form of poisonous fungus.
"Hospital wing, Goyle," Snape said calmly.
"Malfoy got Hermione!" Ron whined. "Look!" Weasley pulled Granger's hand away from her mouth which was desperately trying to cover up her rapidly growing teeth.
Some of Snape's Slytherin girls were bent over silently laughing, pointing at her behind his back. Foolish children, as if he wasn't able to tell what they were doing. Snape looked coldly at Hermione, then said, "I see no difference."
Internally, Severus winced. It's not that he enjoyed making fun of children... they just made it so easy sometimes and always seemed to catch him in a bad mood. Still, he supposed that was uncalled for. But... he did have a reputation to uphold so he decided to not let it bother him too much as she tearfully ran off towards Poppy.
He could go check in on her later... Perhaps Olivia would be up there? It'd be a perfect excuse after all.
Potter and Weasley, he noticed, were yelling at him. They were lucky he wasn't paying attention because he was sure they'd bought themselves a far worse detention than he had planned.
"Let's see," he said, in his silkiest voice. "Fifty points from Gryffindor and a detention each for Potter and Weasley. Now get inside, or it'll be a week's worth of detentions." Snape smirked as he saw Potter's face turn red. Severus strode to the front of the room, ignoring the anti-potter badges everyone was wearing.
"Antidotes!" said Snape, looking around at his students, his cold black eyes glittering unpleasantly. "You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one…
Then he was interrupted by a meek knock on the door before it slowly creeped open. It was that mousey kid, Creevey.
"Yes?" said Snape curtly.
"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs." Snape stared down his regal nose at Colin, whose smile faded from his eager face.
"Potter has another hour of Potions to complete," said Snape coldly. "He will come upstairs when this class is finished." There was absolutely no way his lesson plans would be interrupted twice by this bloody tournament.
Blushing, Creevey spoke up again. "Sir, Mr. Bagman wants him," he said nervously. "All the champions have got to go; I think they want to take photographs…"
"Very well, very well," Snape snapped. "Potter, leave your things here, I want you back down here later to test your antidote."
"Please, sir...he's got to take his things with him," squeaked Colin. "All the champions ..."
"Very well!" said Snape. "Potter — take your bag and get out of my sight!" It seems his mood was not about to get any better. He might as well take out his ire on Weasley then.
XOX
Olivia was upset about the amount of work she had been doing. It appeared as though she had pissed off karma. The next day after her discussion with Minnie, one of the Beauxbaton girls found herself sick and missing her cycle. Olivia performed the necessary diagnostic spells and had to tell the young witch she was with child. She allowed the young witch to stay in the hospital wing for a few days, Pomfrey offering her some prenatal and anti-nausea potions. Olivia made a mental note she'd have to brew some replacements for her new friend.
While she was busy with the pregnant witch, she was overrun by at least 6 more students from her own school, as well as Poppy dealing with 3 of her own. It appeared that the Weasley twins were attempting to sell some new candies they were experimenting with, and accidentally poisoned the students. True, it wasn't anything too bad, some puking here and there, but she was busy, nonetheless. She found herself unable to even attend meals in the great hall, gaining some empathy for the Mediwitch who seemed to live a solitary life. Still, during any quiet moment she had, she thought of the dark wizard and hoped she'd get a chance to see him again soon.
She wasn't too lonely however, Poppy provided her with good company, and they often chatted about America and Scotland, different potions and spells, and of course, some gossip. It seemed Minerva had already told Poppy about her little... interruption from the other night. Olivia was understandably embarrassed, but after a few days of gentle teasing, she was able to see the humor in it as well.
After about a week, she had already discharged just about everyone and was looking forward to having a bit of a social life again. She was getting ready to head out when a young, bushy haired girl came running into the wing crying. It appeared that someone had cursed her, and her teeth were growing at an incredible rate. She had never seen a curse like that before, so she eagerly watched Poppy get to work.
The treatment seemed easy enough, but the young witch was still awfully embarrassed and asked to remain in bed for the time being. Apparently, this had all happened in front of her potions professor who not only failed to comfort the girl, but apparently had teased her as well. Olivia would have to have words with him the next time she saw him. Being a teenage girl was hard enough, she didn't need a grown wizard poking fun at her appearance.
XOX
A few hours later Olivia was gathering her things to head down for dinner. She was tired of the sandwiches she was having the house elves provide her and she really wanted to see Severus; they had a lot to talk about. She was still angry about the young witch's teeth and wanted to get his side of the story. She didn't understand how the funny, passionate man she had engaged with could make fun of a child. As she strode out of the hospital wing, she bumped into a cloaked figure who was attempting to enter.
"Do watch yourself madam," Severus smirked.
"Severus! I didn't expect to see you here".
"Clearly".
"What-What are you doing here?"
Severus cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "I was checking in on a student. She missed my class and needs to be informed of her work she missed". Olivia smiled at this. Clearly the man did care. "Do not look at me in such a way Miss Wright. She is an insufferable know it all and will undoubtedly pester me in my free time seeking her information. I'm simply saving myself the time and energy". Snape shrugged, indifferent to the conversation. He didn't want anyone to know he actually cared. Or worse, that he was specifically seeking Olivia out.
"Severus Snape! Why are you so rude to her! She's like what? 14? Did you really make fun of her teeth? That is cruel! Girls have enough going on at that age, you don't need to contribute to it!" Olivia was becoming angrier than she intended but she honestly couldn't believe how blasé he was. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Are you quite finished, Miss. Wright?". Olivia crossed her arms and shot him what she hoped was an intimidating look. Obviously, the man was not affected in the least as he sneered at her. "I'll take your assessment of the behavior into consideration," he quipped before spinning on his heel and striding off towards the dining hall.
"I'm not finished, Professor!" She muttered under her breath as they reached the head table.
Leaning to whisper in her ear, he responded, his breath tickling her skin. "Really? Well, I am. Unless you have something more titillating to converse about?" Snape curled the corner of his mouth into his 'almost smile' that she loved. Olivia flushed as her mind immediately went back to the other night. She had forgotten he had seen her completely nude.
With that one little phrase she was no longer angry. Instead, her mind was full of lecherous thoughts. She imagined his wicked tongue driving her crazy. His lips parted to allow a flash of pink as he ran his tongue across his top teeth. Olivia flushed again, feeling exposed as if the man was reading her mind. They sat side by side in silence throughout dinner. They both were internally grinning as their legs brushed against one another while they sat.
Perfect. He was a bloody hormonal teenager, sporting half a stiffy at some light contact under a table. At this rate he'd have her in his bed when he was sixty.
XOX
24 November 1994
The rest of November passed pretty uneventfully. Severus was a bit riled when Skeeter's article was published, speaking of Potter entirely too much for his own liking. He couldn't care less about the boy's private life, but it was impossible to not notice that Potter and Weasley were fighting, and that Granger was stuck in the middle of it. Severus and Minerva had been made aware that Hagrid had indeed taken Potter to see the dragons. However, the big lug also took his giantess girlfriend along so naturally, the Beauxbatons were made aware, and he'd bet every galleon he owned that Karkaroff knew as well. So much for Potter's advantage.
Severus had been lucky enough to avoid Karkaroff and Moody so far this semester, but it was getting harder and harder to dodge them both. He also was trying to avoid Minnie but that was a lost cause. The witch was worried sick over her favorite cub and wouldn't stop bothering Severus about it. Olivia had proven to be a nice distraction, however. He had allowed her to use his workspace to brew some potions she had required, but he would be absent from his office during those times. Frankly, he didn't trust his own damn hormones around the witch, and he bloody well knew better than to mess around in front of a boiling cauldron.
Severus awakened the morning of the first event early. He felt anxious for some reason - not bloody Potter. No. He wasn't worried about the boy. Severus bit the inside corner of his mouth while he debated with himself. Alright, maybe he was a bit apprehensive... but certainly not because he cared for him.
Severus stood in his kitchen, waiting for his kettle to boil so he could enjoy some tea. Severus found he preferred the muggle way of boiling water on the stove as opposed to magic when it came to his tea. He hadn't yet dressed from the previous night, standing nude in front of his decorative stovetop. He ran a hand through his thick, black hair as he continued mulling over his thoughts.
The sudden roar of the floo snapped him out of his thoughts as he noticed the green light coming from his fireplace right next door.
"Severus! Severus, can I come through? I'm still worried about Potter!"
Bloody hell. Minnie would call first thing in the bloody morning.
"Left my bloody wand in the bedroom... no bloody clothes to put on..." Severus muttered under his breath as he searched his kitchen for an apron. Tying it around his waist, he hesitantly stepped out into the living room. He rushed past the fireplace towards his bedroom so he could dress quickly.
"Severus?"
"Yes, yes, hold your thestrals, witch! It's the first thing in the bloody morning!"
Minerva stepped through the floo after his first "yes'' left his mouth. Unfortunately, she caught the tail end of him pulling his shirt on, allowing her to gaze upon his scarred back. Averting her gaze, she cleared her throat.
"I've been teaching here for 13 years, and not once over that decade and a half, have I had this many visits to my private quarters," Snape sneered. "What is so bloody important?"
"First of all, Severus... what are you doing in your kitchen starkers?" Severus snapped his head to his friend, opening his mouth to likely hex her as she laughed, holding her hands in surrender. "Secondly, you said 'yes' when I queried so you can't blame me. It's the morning of the event and it's geein me the boak". Minerva tended to allow her Scottish slang to slip when she was a bit nervous.
"My nocturnal attire is not any concern of yours, Minnie. Piss right off about that or I'll obliviate you. What do you need from me? Please let it be a calming draught and not some form of idle chit chat that you are seeking".
"Oh, Severus," Minerva clasped her hands over her face as she began to weep. Severus assumed it was for the boy. He wasn't wrong, she was crying for Potter. But she was also crying for the boy Severus was unable to be. Seeing his scars broke her heart, knowing someone had hurt the lad so badly during his youth. It made him harsh, older. Her motherly instinct for the man had her pulling him into her embrace as she cried for the two boys she loved the most.
Snape stiffened under her grasp. He wasn't used to physical affection, especially nothing remotely close to maternal. He wasn't exactly sure how to react, but he did know he wanted her to stop touching him. He thought it was ridiculous that she was this upset over Potter having to face a dragon. Surely Granger had come up with some sort of solution.
"Minerva," he said gently, trying to catch her attention. "Minerva?" There still was no response other than her sniffles. "Minnie! Kindly remove yourself from my person," he slowly reached up to pry the witch away.
"Sit, Minnie. I'll get us some tea, just the way you like it - black with two sugars and a shot of whisky". Minerva sniffled as she allowed a small smile to creep over her features. "Thank you, Severus". The brooding potions master would allow her to stay with him until it was time to walk to the event.
XOX
It was around lunchtime when Minerva scampered across the great hall to collect the boy. "Potter, the champions have to come down onto the grounds now... you have to get ready for your first task".
"Okay," the boy replied before standing to follow his head of house. Minerva tried to hide her anxiety from the boy but was doing a terrible job. As she walked him down the stone steps and out into the cold November afternoon, she put her hand on his shoulder. "Now, don't panic," she said, "just keep a cool head… We've got wizards standing by to control the situation if it gets out of hand… The main thing is just to do your best, and nobody will think any the worse of you… Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Potter replied, more confidently than Minnie assumed he felt.
She was leading him toward the place where the dragons were, around the edge of the forest, but when they approached the clump of trees behind which the enclosure would be clearly visible, Potter saw that a tent had been erected, its entrance facing them, screening the dragons from view.
"You're to go in here with the other champions," said Minerva in a rather shaky sort of voice, "and wait for your turn, Potter. Mr. Bagman is in there . . . he'll be telling you the — the procedure… Good luck."
"Thanks," said the boy, in a flat, distant voice. She left him at the entrance of the tent. Turning around, Minerva went to find her seat in the stands next to Severus.
XOX
Severus Snape was reluctantly sitting in the stands waiting for the first event. The bleachers were filling quickly as students, staff, and various others filed in to watch the first Triwizard event. Severus pulled his teaching robes tighter around his body as he waited for Minerva. He was still a bit uncomfortable after her morning breakdown, but he was a bit excited to watch the champions compete.
He noticed Poppy and Miss Wright approaching, likely to be on standby for any injuries. Olivia scanned the crowd before her eyes fell on him. Leaning over to whisper to Pomfrey, she excused herself and crept up the stairs towards the black-eyed boy.
"May I sit with you?"
"Of course," Severus scooted over and held his hand out to assist her in sitting. She sat closer than was absolutely necessary, he was sure, but was thankful for it, nonetheless. It was a bit cold, and he was enjoying her body heat. Minerva sulked up the stairs next, taking a seat right beside Olivia.
"Well... I dropped him off. I hope it all works out," she announced in a quivering voice. Olivia placed her hand on the elder witch's leg reassuringly. "It'll all work out, I'm sure of it. There are plenty of wizards here to control the dragons; and Poppy and I are on standby. I'm obviously confident there won't be any injuries if I'm sitting here with you, right? Try to relax, Minerva. It'll be ok". Olivia wanted her friend to feel relaxed, she hated the helpless feeling of watching someone suffer from anxiety and always tried her hardest to prevent it if she could.
A whistle blew in the distance, signaling the start of the event. Cedric Diggory emerged from the tent while the band played a cheerful march. Diggory looked a bit green, but ''twas obviously trying to display some confidence. The crowd roared their appraisal of the young wizard as he made his way towards his Swedish Short Snout. The crowd yelled and screamed and gasped as he attempted to capture his egg.
"Oooh narrow miss there... very narrow," called out Bagman. "He's taking risks, this one!"... "Clever move - pity it didn't work!"
About 15 minutes passed of the poor sod struggling before he was finally successful. Diggory cast a transfiguration spell, turning a rock into a dog. The dragon went after the poor dog as Cedric made a move for the egg. When he was about halfway there, the dragon turned back to the wizard and burned his face. Letting out a scream of agony, he quickly snatched the egg, passing the task as 5 dragon wranglers sedated the Short-Snout and Poppy sprinted into action, casting a spell to heal the lad's face.
"Merlin!" Cried out Minerva as Olivia half-stood from her seat, looking to see if her assistance would be needed. Convinced he was in good hands; she returned her attention back to a very anxious Minerva. "One Hogwarts champion down, one to go! He was brilliant and Harry will be too".
Olivia stiffened as she watched her own champion exit the tent. This time, Minerva grabbed Olivia's hand in support. The whistle blew again as the trembling witch stepped forward, following the command of Bagman to begin. Olivia watched as her champion bravely fought her own dragon, the terrifying Common Welsh Green.
Again, Bagman called out commentary as if this was an enjoyable sporting event, opposed to young witches and wizards risking their lives. "Oh, I'm not sure that was wise!" He commented. "Oh! Nearly! Careful now... good lord I thought she had it!"
Fleur only struggled for about 10 minutes before she successfully enchanted her dragon to sleep. The witch creeped towards the egg, but while she was retrieving it, the dragon let out a jet of flame while snoring that set her skirt on fire. She quickly extinguished the flames, much to the disappointment of the young men that were hoping the sheer fabric would burn right off, grabbed her egg and left successful and unharmed. Olivia stood quickly and ran down the stairs to check on her champion. Severus followed her with his eyes, trying to look indifferent until she returned with a grin.
"She's fine! Not a scratch!" Olivia exclaimed with relief. She hugged Severus upon her return, overwhelmed with happiness that her champion was successful and unharmed. Snape cleared his throat and moved away quickly before Olivia blushed and muttered an apology.
The whistle blew for the third time while Krum exited. He strode off towards his Chinese Fireball. The crowd roared at his confident entrance and Severus couldn't help but glance towards Karkaroff, noticing him smiling with his rotten teeth as his champion performed.
"Very daring!" Bagman yelled. The Fireball emitted a horrible, roaring shriek as the crowd gasped. Krum cast a conjunctivitis curse to blind the dragon. "That's some nerve he's showing!" Krum grabbed the egg but was docked points as the dragon fell onto her real eggs. Severus heard Hagrid let out a whimper over the broken shells. "He's got the egg!" Screamed Bagman. Applause broke out over the crowd as Krum finished successfully.
Minerva grasped at Olivia's hand, the young witch squeezing it in return. Severus himself shifted a bit in his seat, though he'd never admit to being trepidatious.
Of course, Potter would have drawn the very worst option. The Hungarian Horntail.
Potter timidly exited the tent. The crowd roared, chanting the name of the youngest Triwizard champion. Potter made a run for the egg, apparently, he had forgotten whatever strategy he had come up with. Potter was thrown back instantly by the rush of air caused by the dragon swinging her tail in an attempt to crush the boy. The dragon had glowing yellow eyes as she perched next to her golden egg; a heavy chain keeping her bolted to the ground.
The dragon screeched and roared as she turned to face Potter before blowing a stream of fire. He narrowly missed it, the crowd gasped. Harry ran around the dragon, quickly trying to scale a large boulder. The dragon flew the couple of feet the chain would allow before swinging her tail again. Minerva screamed and jumped in her seat while Severus himself winched and withdrew a little. Potter narrowly missed one of the 2-foot spikes, scrambling to his feet to hide behind a rock.
The crowd roared at the boy's attempts. Suddenly, he brandished his wand, shouting "Accio Firebolt!" He famines hidden until his broom was summoned and he was able to jump onto it. Severus secretly relaxed a bit; he knew the boy was a good flier. He should be fine now.
'Attaboy Potter,' Severus thought to himself.
Potter flew back and forth, attempting to get the dragon's attention so he could lure her away from her golden egg. Potter plummeted just as the Horntail opened its mouth, but this time he was less lucky — he missed the flames, but the tail came whipping up to meet him instead, and as he swerved to the left, one of the long spikes grazed his shoulder, ripping his robes —He could feel it stinging, he could hear screaming and groans from the crowd, but the cut didn't seem to be deep. . . . Now he zoomed around the back of the Horntail, and a possibility occurred to him…The Horntail didn't seem to want to take off, she was too protective of her eggs. Though she writhed and twisted, furling and unfurling her wings and keeping those fearsome yellow eyes on Harry, she was afraid to move too far from them . . . but he had to persuade her to do it, or he'd never get near them.
He flew higher. The Horntail's head rose with him, her neck now stretched to its fullest extent, still swaying, like a snake before its charmer...Potter rose a few more feet, and she let out a roar of exasperation. His plan was working well until the dragon snapped her chain and took off after him, breathing fire and swinging her tail. The dragon's jaws opened wide... and then she reared, spreading her great, black, leathery wings at last, as wide as those of a small airplane — and Potter took off towards the crowd, the dragon closely behind.
Potter swept through the stands, cutting between Olivia and Minerva, causing them to duck for cover as the dragon's tail burst through the wood as they both excited the arena. The students erupted in applause at the near-miss of the dragon hitting the professors.
Severus found himself buried under a pile of witches, one of which was nuzzling him beneath his cloak. He scowled as he attempted to sit up.
Minerva stiffly sat up, rubbing her back and apologizing to a blushing Olivia who gently pushed off Severus' chest to sit upright again. Her hands fell to his lap, trembling. She was quite shaken from the dragon and didn't want to move away from the warmth that was radiating off him, onlookers be damned.
"Would you look at the size of that thing?!" Olivia called out to no one in particular.
"While I admit the size is quite impressive, perhaps you could kindly remove your hand from its current... perch? I fear if you continue, I'll be forced to scare the children that would likely watch us," Severus whispered into Olivia's ear, enjoying watching her face and chest flush with embarrassment as her breath hitched. Clearing her throat, she removed her hand from his groin and continued looking for the boy as Severus smirked, quite proud of himself.
The boy came soaring back a few moments later, sans dragon, collecting his egg.
"Look at that!" Bagman was yelling. "Will you look at that! Our youngest champion is quickest to get his egg! Well, this is going to shorten the odds for Mr. Potter!"
"That was excellent, Potter!" cried Professor McGonagall as he got off the Firebolt — which from her was extravagant praise. He noticed that her hand shook as she pointed at his shoulder. "You'll need to see Madam Pomfrey before the judges give out your score… Over there, she's had to mop up Diggory already. . . Right then, Potter, the first aid tent, please". Potter walked out of the enclosure, still panting, and saw Madam Pomfrey standing at the mouth of a second tent, looking worried.
"Dragons!" she said, in a disgusted tone, pulling Potter inside.
One event down, two to go.
