Chapter 4: A Potions Lesson
Author's Note: I hate viruses! I got one, then my computer obviously felt left out cos it got one too. *grumble* If some of this chapter seems slightly disjointed, I offer my apologies since it is a retyping of work that disappeared in the recent upheavals of my hard drive. Things always sound less coherent the second time around.
Oh, and at the end is a tribute to the wonderful people who have reviewed me so far.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Snape stalked down the dim corridor to the dungeons, wondering why he had agreed to give that MacGinty girl extra tuition. As if he didn't have enough to worry about, he grumbled to himself. Still, he was committed now, so he may as well make the best of it. As he unlocked the door to the room, hurried footsteps behind him announced the arrival of his student. He turned to see her skid to a stop beside him, a relieved smile on her face.
"Oh good, I'm not late." She heaved an exasperated sigh. "I'd strangle Peeves if it wasn't for the fact he's already dead." Rolling her eyes, she shifted her stack of books into a more comfortable position and then cocked her head at him. "Are we going to have the session out here?"
Shaking his head in bemusement, he pushed the door open and gestured for her to precede him. Following her into the room, he pulled out his wand and muttered the charm to ignite the torches and then placed it on the desk. Sitting, he folded his hands in front of him. "Well, I'm assuming you have decided what you wish to work on first?"
Nodding, the girl deposited her books on his desk - his desk! He choked back an expression of annoyance - and opened one at a bookmark. Taking it from her, he peered at the writing for a moment and then glanced at her sharply. "This is a very strong sleeping potion. Why would you be interested in this?"
She had the grace to look slightly sheepish as she replied, "I have a real difficulty getting to sleep most nights. I've tried sleeping potions and charms and such, but I'm still only getting two or three hours a night. I thought that maybe if I could make something like this, I might be able to do something about it."
Frowning slightly, he scanned the list of ingredients required. "Well, I can see why you wouldn't have been able to try this yourself... The only reason I can get most of these things myself is because of my position here." He shot her a dark look, then added, "Is this why you were so eager to work with me?" When she nodded, a slight flush creeping into her cheeks, he frowned. Why was the girl so quiet and submissive?
His silent question was not so much answered as added to a moment later when she looked up at him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Of course," she said, "I could be lying. It could just be your utterly charming and winsome personality."
For an instant, anger bubbled up within him at the sheer impertinence of her words. Then he noticed her eyes watching him carefully and realised that she knew full well what saying something like that to him was likely to get her, and yet still had the courage to push him just to see what reaction she would get. And, he realised, he didn't really want to punish her for it. She didn't deserve to be punished for seeing him as a person, especially since the only other person who was willing to extend him that courtesy was Albus Dumbledore.
Keeping his voice carefully neutral, he replied, "Really? I thought it was so you could learn how to poison any professors who don't give you full marks."
There was a pause, then her hands flew to her mouth in an effort to stifle her laughter. "Now that, Professor, is the last thing I would have expected to hear from you!" she gasped. Bringing herself under control with obvious effort, she added slyly, "Of course now that you mention it... But perhaps I'll allow you to remain exempt in return for teaching me."
Dipping his head in a mocking parody of a bow, Snape murmured blandly, "So kind of you." Rising, he unlocked his storage cupboard and began removing boxes and bottles so they could begin work.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Reviewers Tribute (which may become a permanent feature):
Many thanks go to:
Melanie C (OK, I did, eventually *grin* and I'm not sure if it will turn into a romance or not... depends how they get along), Mykerinos, Ms. Snape (yeah, I'm trying to be really conscious of that. Thanks.), Cosette Valjean (me too, and I'll be more than happy to give him a hug... ooh... snape huggles... *happy sigh*), Jade, Star-shine (OK, I won't), Zidler'sChick, Kazza
Thanks also to anyone else who ready my ramblings but couldn't be bothered reviewing, but not as much thanks as to the wonderful people who take the time to write to me. *grin*
Author's Note: I hate viruses! I got one, then my computer obviously felt left out cos it got one too. *grumble* If some of this chapter seems slightly disjointed, I offer my apologies since it is a retyping of work that disappeared in the recent upheavals of my hard drive. Things always sound less coherent the second time around.
Oh, and at the end is a tribute to the wonderful people who have reviewed me so far.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Snape stalked down the dim corridor to the dungeons, wondering why he had agreed to give that MacGinty girl extra tuition. As if he didn't have enough to worry about, he grumbled to himself. Still, he was committed now, so he may as well make the best of it. As he unlocked the door to the room, hurried footsteps behind him announced the arrival of his student. He turned to see her skid to a stop beside him, a relieved smile on her face.
"Oh good, I'm not late." She heaved an exasperated sigh. "I'd strangle Peeves if it wasn't for the fact he's already dead." Rolling her eyes, she shifted her stack of books into a more comfortable position and then cocked her head at him. "Are we going to have the session out here?"
Shaking his head in bemusement, he pushed the door open and gestured for her to precede him. Following her into the room, he pulled out his wand and muttered the charm to ignite the torches and then placed it on the desk. Sitting, he folded his hands in front of him. "Well, I'm assuming you have decided what you wish to work on first?"
Nodding, the girl deposited her books on his desk - his desk! He choked back an expression of annoyance - and opened one at a bookmark. Taking it from her, he peered at the writing for a moment and then glanced at her sharply. "This is a very strong sleeping potion. Why would you be interested in this?"
She had the grace to look slightly sheepish as she replied, "I have a real difficulty getting to sleep most nights. I've tried sleeping potions and charms and such, but I'm still only getting two or three hours a night. I thought that maybe if I could make something like this, I might be able to do something about it."
Frowning slightly, he scanned the list of ingredients required. "Well, I can see why you wouldn't have been able to try this yourself... The only reason I can get most of these things myself is because of my position here." He shot her a dark look, then added, "Is this why you were so eager to work with me?" When she nodded, a slight flush creeping into her cheeks, he frowned. Why was the girl so quiet and submissive?
His silent question was not so much answered as added to a moment later when she looked up at him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Of course," she said, "I could be lying. It could just be your utterly charming and winsome personality."
For an instant, anger bubbled up within him at the sheer impertinence of her words. Then he noticed her eyes watching him carefully and realised that she knew full well what saying something like that to him was likely to get her, and yet still had the courage to push him just to see what reaction she would get. And, he realised, he didn't really want to punish her for it. She didn't deserve to be punished for seeing him as a person, especially since the only other person who was willing to extend him that courtesy was Albus Dumbledore.
Keeping his voice carefully neutral, he replied, "Really? I thought it was so you could learn how to poison any professors who don't give you full marks."
There was a pause, then her hands flew to her mouth in an effort to stifle her laughter. "Now that, Professor, is the last thing I would have expected to hear from you!" she gasped. Bringing herself under control with obvious effort, she added slyly, "Of course now that you mention it... But perhaps I'll allow you to remain exempt in return for teaching me."
Dipping his head in a mocking parody of a bow, Snape murmured blandly, "So kind of you." Rising, he unlocked his storage cupboard and began removing boxes and bottles so they could begin work.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Reviewers Tribute (which may become a permanent feature):
Many thanks go to:
Melanie C (OK, I did, eventually *grin* and I'm not sure if it will turn into a romance or not... depends how they get along), Mykerinos, Ms. Snape (yeah, I'm trying to be really conscious of that. Thanks.), Cosette Valjean (me too, and I'll be more than happy to give him a hug... ooh... snape huggles... *happy sigh*), Jade, Star-shine (OK, I won't), Zidler'sChick, Kazza
Thanks also to anyone else who ready my ramblings but couldn't be bothered reviewing, but not as much thanks as to the wonderful people who take the time to write to me. *grin*