Disclaimer: I only own Katya and the plot
A/N: thank you to all of you who reviewed (total: 1) As for your speculation Ailah, well, we'll see. ;)
Discovered
Professor Snape walked into his classroom. It had been a month since Christmas break had ended and he already longed for those days when he could spend all day with Katya and not worry about teaching classes.
"Good morning class," he said almost cheerily. The students exchanged surprised glances. Had Snape been almost cheerful?
"If you will please open your textbooks to page 398," he continued, ignoring their shocked looks, "We will be making the Caritas Potion. Can anyone tell me the purpose of this potion and why it is unwise to use?"
Hermione raised her hand. Rather than ignoring her, Severus called on her, "Yes Miss Granger?"
"The caritas potion, also known as love potion number 37, is used to reveal the creator's soul mate. It is unwise to use this potion because it is not very accurate and a person's soul mate can be someone who is already dead or has not yet been born. They spend their whole lives trying to find someone who does not exist. Those who do find their supposed soul mates still on this earth find they usually don't get along with each other. Only one out of every ten witches and wizards actually find a compatible mate using the caritas potion."
"Very good Miss Granger," Snape said. The entire class stared at him. Had he just given Hermione a compliment? "Now," he continued, "because we don't want you spending your lives searching for nonexistent people I will be coming around and personally adding a drop of newt's blood in your cauldrons which will cause the pictures of your 'soul mates' to be too hazy to see what they look like."
The class set to work. Everything went as usual. Neville melted his cauldron, Hermione tried to help him without getting caught, and Harry and Ron began a sword fight using frog legs. One thing, however, wasn't the same. When Neville's cauldron melted Snape told him to clean up the mess and then gave him a spare cauldron without another word. When he saw Hermione whispering instructions to Neville he suggested that it would be more helpful if she were sitting next to Mr. Longbottom. Harry and Ron's fight was calmly stopped without points being taken or detention given. What had happened to Professor Snape the slimy git everyone hated? The answer to this came walking through the door in the form of the defense against the dark arts professor.
"Professor Snape?" she said.
Smiling as he recognized the voice he turned from the cauldron he had just been adding newt's blood to. "Yes Professor Poiston?"
"I was wondering if I could borrow some potions ingredients."
Snape, to his class's amazement, didn't ask why. Instead he simply motioned for Katya to follow him back to his stores.
"Couldn't wait until supper to see me again?" he teased when they were in his storage room.
"Something like that," she said, "actually I really do need to borrow some of those litledel legs I gave you. I'm teaching my students about litledels and their magical abilities. Since I can't get an alive one or even a whole dead one I figured a leg was the next best thing."
"Alright," he said going to the back wall and lifting the box containing the legs.
"And I was also wondering if you'd care to eat dinner with me on the roof this evening."
"On the roof?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, I just, well, I've heard of students eating by the lake, but the roof?"
"Yes, that way we have a great view of the sunset and we won't be disturbed by students."
"In that case, yes, I'd love to eat on the roof with you."
"Okay, I'll pick you up at seven."
"Pick me up? In what?"
Katya rolled her eyes, "Not in what, on what. We can't very well climb up to the roof. I'll meet you in the front entrance at seven and we'll take a broom up."
"Alright darling, now here, take your leg."
"Thank you," she said. Giving him a quick kiss she turned and left.
"Professor Snape!" a student called, "You'd better get out here quick!"
Hurrying back into the classroom he found the entire class surrounding Seamus Finnigan's cauldron.
"Excuse me," he said pushing aside students. Drat! Seamus had finished the potion before Snape had added the blood. In the cauldron was a perfectly clear picture of Parvati Patil.
"What did I tell you about finishing the potion?" he asked in a cold voice.
"Y-you said not to add the final ingredient until you added the newt's blood," Seamus said.
"Well, it's a shame you didn't listen Mr. Finnigan," he said, "I hope you and Miss Patil are very happy together."
The students let out quiet chuckles.
"But please, Mr. Finnigan, remember that this potion isn't usually accurate. Don't start stalking Miss Patil or anything. Everyone please return to your seats. If I have not yet put the blood in your cauldron please raise your hand."
* * *
At seven o'clock sharp Katya was waiting in the front hall holding her Firebolt.
"Hello darling," Severus said kissing her on the cheek.
"Sev," she whined, "you're thirty seconds late!"
Severus raised an eyebrow, "I'm sorry?"
"I'm just teasing," she smiled.
"Oh, right"
"Well, shall we go?"
"Please, I'm starving."
Walking outside they mounted the broom and Katya flew them up to a spot on the roof she had previously picked out. She had set up a table and chairs on the roof. The table was covered in a lacy tablecloth and had two candles sitting on it. Classical music was softly playing from an unseen source. A picnic basket sat on the roof next to the table.
"Wow, you went all out," he said as she secured her broom to her chair.
"Surely you didn't expect to be sitting on the roof."
Severus smiled at her. Looking up she returned the smile.
"Let's eat," she said.
They sat down and Katya muttered a spell, which caused the table to set itself. Once the food was on their plates they began to eat.
"This is delicious," Severus said, "I wasn't aware the houseelves could possibly cook better than they usually do. Apparently I've been proven wrong."
"Thank you, but I made it," Katya said.
Severus blushed, "Oh, I'm sorry, it's just that . . ."
"It's okay. You said I cook better than the houseelves so I'll overlook the mistake."
Severus grabbed her hand, which was lying on the table, "You're so good to me."
"I know," she agreed, "I spoil you."
"But that's okay," he reassured her, "I don't get spoiled often."
Katya smiled before returning to her food. They finished dinner in silence.
"That was very good darling," Severus said patting his stomach, "I think I've eaten enough to last a week."
"Then I guess it's good I didn't make a dessert."
"You didn't make dessert?"
"No, I didn't have time. I had classes to teach, papers to grade . . ."
"It's alright, Katya, you can make it up to me some other way."
"And what way is that?"
"Dance with me," he stood up and offered her his hand. Taking it she stood up and they danced to the quiet music for a while.
Katya sighed and put her head on his shoulder, "I don't want this night to end."
"You make it sound like we're never going to see each other again."
"No, what I mean is once this night ends tomorrow begins and then I have to teach and I can't see you for almost the entire day."
"I think you'll survive," he chuckled, "Why would you want to spend the whole day with me anyway?"
"Because," she murmured into his shoulder, "I love you."
Severus stopped dancing and pulled back so he could look into her eyes, "Do you really?"
"Of course, I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Love is not something you joke about." Her eyes told him she was serious.
Severus was at a loss for words. He knew he loved her, he had known for a few weeks now. But he couldn't bring himself to tell her. Something was holding him back. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on. So instead he placed both hands on her face and began to kiss her deeply and passionately. Her arms slipped around his shoulders as she kissed him back. Sliding his arms down to her back he pulled her closer. They continued to kiss only coming up occasionally for air. Usually Severus would end the kissing after a short time but tonight he didn't stop. Kissing Katya just felt so right, nothing else mattered when she was in his arms. Moving his lips along her cheek he began to kiss her neck. Katya let out a small gasp of surprise but didn't push him away. Instead she kissed the top of his head. Making his way back up he kissed her forehead, nose, and cheek before returning to her lips. It was then that they heard someone clearing his throat.
"Professor Poiston? Professor Snape?"
Quickly pulling apart they looked up to see Draco Malfoy on his broom with Ginny Weasley behind him; her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Both were staring at them with faces that registered both shock and disgust.
"Mr. Malfoy, Miss Weasley," Severus said trying unsuccessfully to hide his embarrassment, "What are you two doing up here?"
"We should be asking you the same question," Draco replied.
"What we do in our free time is none of your business Malfoy," Severus sounded annoyed, "Twenty points from Slytherin for your disrespect."
"Sev, give the kid a break. He just stumbled across two of his teachers practically snogging on the roof of the school," Katya pleaded. "Besides," she added, "they would have found out about us eventually."
"Professor Poiston does have a point," Ginny said quietly.
"Very well," Severus relented, "Come along Katya. It's getting late and we both have classes to teach in the morning. I suggest you two return to your common rooms before I change my mind and take points from both your houses."
Pulling out his wand he said, "Castus." Immediately everything was packed into the basket and the table and chairs folded. Levitating everything with his wand he got on the back of Katya's broom and they flew to the ground. After helping her return everything he walked her to the suit of armor that was the entrance to her rooms.
"Well that was embarrassing," he said.
"You'd better get used to being embarrassed, kiddo," she said, "because by this time tomorrow the whole school will know about our little dinner on the roof."
"Kiddo?" he questioned raising an eyebrow.
"You got a problem with that?"
"No, well good night," he said giving her a hug.
"Sev?"
"Yes?"
"Are you afraid of getting walked in on again?"
"No," he said unconvincingly.
"Then why don't you give me a kiss good night?"
Severus sighed, "Why do you always have to be so difficult?"
"Oh you like it, admit it"
He rolled his eyes and gave her a quick kiss. "Good night, darling."
"Good night, honey."
It wasn't until he was lying in bed that Severus realized what had kept him from telling Katya how he felt. Her safety. He couldn't let anyone know how deep his feelings were for Katya, not even Katya herself. If Voldemort were to discover that Snape was a traitor and if he knew that Snape was in love he would use Katya to hurt him. Dating her was putting her in enough danger as it was. He refused to put her any further at risk than he may already have.
* * *
Katya was right, by lunch the next day the entire school had heard about Draco and Ginny's discovery. All the students, it seemed, were talking about the snog fest between the grumpy potions professor and the beautiful DADA professor that had occurred on the roof of the school.
Now that their relationship was out in the open Katya and Severus began to call each other by their first names in front of the students. They even held hands while walking through the halls. Almost all the students were astounded as to how the lovely, kind, and energetic Professor Poiston could possibly have feelings for the rough, grumpy, and strict Professor Snape. But they figured it was none of their business and didn't pry. Of course, there were the usual obnoxious students who made rude comments about Severus and Katya's relationship. But they soon learned to keep their mouths shut in front of the professors after losing many points for their houses.
Katya and Severus continued to spend every free moment together. There were the few times when Severus would be summoned to a Death Eater meeting and he would have to make up an excuse to leave, but other than that they were often seen together when not teaching classes. It got to the point where Severus moved his desk into Katya's office (Hers was bigger and brighter than his. Yet another reason he had wanted the DADA job) so that they could grade papers together. It was during one of these grading sessions when Severus felt the familiar pain in his left arm.
"Sev? Is something wrong?" Katya asked noticing his clenched teeth.
"Nothing, just a cramp in my arm," he said grabbing his arm with his right hand, "I think I'd best go see Madame Pomfrey." He stood up.
Katya stood up too. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No darling, it's alright. I can manage. You stay here and finish grading papers. I'll be back soon."
Once out of her office he quickly walked to the front entrance. Pulling the doors open he stepped outside. Making sure no one was watching he broke into a run. Once off Hogwarts grounds he apparated to the meeting.
"Is everyone here?" Voldemort was asking when Severus joined the circle.
"Malfoy couldn't make it master," a death eater called out, "something about a school governor meeting. Said it would look suspicious if he missed."
"Yes," Voldemort hissed, "He spoke to me about it after our last meeting. He already has his assignment."
"Avery!" he said noticing a death eater whispering something to his neighbor, "Do you have something you'd like to share with the rest of the class?"
"I was just wondering, m-master, assignment for what?"
Voldemort's mouth curved into a smile, if you could call it a smile. "I have a plan," he said, " a plan that is guaranteed to rid me of Harry Potter."
Quickly he outlined the torture and eventual death he had planned for the young wizard and appointed tasks to various death eaters. When he was finished, he turned to Severus.
"Now Snape," he said in a threatening whisper, "Now is your chance to prove your loyalty to me once and for all. I have a very special assignment for you."
A/N: Haha! A cliffy! Anyways, we're getting close to the end. Only two, possibly three, chapters left. I'm so excited! I've already got the last chappy written. It's just a matter of writing the one or two I need to put in between. PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!
