Chapter 5

The day seemed to go on forever, but soon the last student left the stage. Snape let out a long sigh, Remus got up to move his legs, and Alexi stretched her limbs. As
she leaned back in her chair her shirt crept up and Snape could see her Navel ring and the faint lines of her abs. But as soon as the view was available it was gone.
He shook his improper thoughts away.
* I am NOT thinking THAT WAY about HER*
"Well that wasnt so bad. There are some real hopefuls. I rather liked that last performance. Who knew he could have Billy Idol down to a T? "
Remus laughed.
"Oh and what about the group of spice girl wannabees? "said Remus
"Classic!"
"I rather liked the performance by Miss Summerville. Better than the real thing I thought. That muggle Mariah Carey can get extremely annoying with all her octave flurries. Miss Summerville, thankfully, deleted those from her rendition."
"Why Headmaster Snape. I didnt think you listened to muggle music, let alone Mariah Carey." she said in a playful tone.
He looked at her with a sly look on his face.
"You'd be surprised what you dont know I like Professor Morrocan."
Her eyebrows lifted and she fought the sudden urge to blush. Flustered, she changed the subject.
"So when should be post the list?"
"After dinner I suspect is the best time. " said Snape.
"Right then. I'll see you all at dinner then."she spoke sweetly before moving to collect her things. Before she made it to the door, Snape called out.
"Professor Morrocan.."
She turned around at his voice.
"Headmaster?"she tilted her head inquisitivley.
"Your coffee."he held up the thermos still at the table.
"Oh yes...I almost forgot"
Her hand brushed his as he passed it to her. She couldnt stop the blood rushing to her cheeks this time.
"Thank you "he said. "For the coffee.."he added quickly.
"You're welcome" she relpied shyly.
"I wonder if you would consider helping me with something later. I've read up on your schooling and you had most excellent marks in potions. Would you assist me with making some wolfsbane for Remus?"
She blinked at this.
"Why....yes....of course Sev..I mean Headmaster. "
"Good. Then after dinner we post the list and then head to my lab."
She nodded then left quickly.

When she was far enough away, to her standards that was her room, she let out a squeal of delight. She would be spending extra time with Snape. A part of her brain was protesting her excitement.
*He is snarky! Mean! Insufferable! Yes, but he's tall! Dark! Handsome! Sexy! Intelligent!*
She shook her thoughts away to be able to ponder what she would wear.

The time for dinner soon came and most of the students and staff had arrived. Snape walked in and made his way to his place at the high table and began to chat with Remus. Then Alexi entered the hall in a flourish of pink and silver robes. When she was at her seat she removed her outer cloak to reveal her black sleeveless dress. She chatted with Ginny excessively about the try-outs and her classes, while an astonished Snape tried to hide his surprise and interest in her attire. Remus didnt miss a thing.
"So, I heard you asked her to help you make my potion. Gonna give her some late night lessons old friend?"
He chuckled.
"Lessons on how to not be so annoying maybe."
Remus grinned.
"Right. Dont play that act on me. You like her."
"I most certainly do not."
"Oh really? Since when do you need help with my Wolfsbane? You never needed any help the hundreds of other times you made it."
He couldnt think of a comeback fast enough.
"Ha! See...you DO like her."
"And what IF I do?"
"Hey, Im sure she wouldnt mind."he said with a slight edge in his voice.
"Oh really. And how, may I ask, would you know that?"
"She might have said something to me in passing."
"Like what?"
"Oh it was a slip of the tounge really. Nothing big."
"What did she say?"
"That you were like Simon Cowley..only sexier."
"Thats Simon Cowell, and she said that?"
He nodded.
"And that she IS attracted to you."
"Sure sure sure."
"Hey I promise. Wolfcubs honor!" Remus made a mock salute with his hand.
"Well I am NOT attracted to her. She is simply more pleasant to be around than she was before." he said rather sternly.
Remus put his hands up in defeat.
"Ok ok. You're the boss. I get it." They both got up to leave the hall.
Before they were to part ways Remus couldnt resist a last taunt.
"Hey, if you run out of things to do, give her a lesson on how to use that voice of hers in some creative ways. You know how that humming thing can be!"
Snape turned to him sharply.
"Lupin I swear if you dont shut your dirty mouth I'll.."
"Boys boys! What seems to be the trouble out here?" asked Alexi.
"Oh, I was just telling the good headmaster how good you were at singing and that you should hum for him while you work.... on my potion tonight. You know, calm the senses and stuff." he said playfully while walking away from the pair.
"Right..."she spoke slowly.
"Anyway...so I just posted the lists. They all look so excited. I cant wait for the finals this weekend."
"Its a needed distraction for them." he said shortly.
"Indeed. So, shall we?" she pointed the way towards the dungeons.
He motioned for her to go first in a gentlemanly gesture.

The first stages of the potion were the most difficult and tedious. They chopped and diced and sliced and stirred for the first hour and a half. Alexi watch his hands work from time to time and marvelled at their skill and ease. Snape took his moments looking at her as well. He loved the look of utter concentration on her face as she worked.
As Alexi added the last ingredient she looked over at Snape.
"Now what?"
"Now it simmers for 15 mins and then we stir 12 times counter clockwise."
She nodded and sat, playing with her hands.
She began to hum absentmindedly.
Snape noticed this and immediatley swore to himself.
*Damn you Remus!*
The mental image that he tried to shut from his mind broke through his shields and now ran around in it.
"Professor Morrocan..."
"Alexi..."she said absentmindedly.
"Alexi...could you not do that? I just have a headache thats all."
"Oh Im sorry. Yes Headmaster.."
"Severus.."
"Oh....Severus."
His name from her lips wasnt good either. She had never uttered it before in his presence that he could remember and if she had it never could have sounded like that.
There was a silence again and Snape stirred the potion when it was time.
"Now it simmers for 3 hours and we then add some powdered mandrake root."
She nodded and stretched.
Suddenly she looked over at him.
"Do you have a library Severus?"

2 hours later they sat engrossed in a conversation about the uses of faerie dust in medicinal potions.
"But I thought that might counteract the entire affect?"
"No it does the opposite because of the Beozar."
"Of course! Why didnt I think of that.?"
"Not everyone can know everything."
"True."
Just then a flash of fur was seen and Alexi was plowed by a big orange cat.
"Well hello to you too!"
SNape laughed.
"I suppose this is Crookshanks?"
"Yes. Im sorry for his behavior. He usually isnt very social. He's been very withdrawn since his owner's departure."
"One could only imagine what he feels right now" she spoke softly.
"May I see the Phoenix?"
He nodded.
He motioned for her to follow into his main living room.
"Nice color choices."
"Thank you. You must excuse Fawkes. He is nearing his rebirth so he looks rather shabby at the moment."
"Hello Fawkes." she spoke to the bird. He sqwaked at her in return.
All of a sudden, Crooks came from nowhere and tackled Fawkes' dangling tail feathers. Fawkes let out a loud sqwak and flew after the retreating animal.
Alexi laughed.
"Silly animals."
"I never thought they would get along so well."
She looked over at him.
"Neither did I."
She looked into his eyes for a long moment and almost thought she saw something there until the chime went off to check the potion.
He quickly walked away from her to stir the potion.
She came into the lab moments later and went to pick up the mandrake. They both grabbed at the same time. She let go and he turned to place it in. As he stirred she stood, emotions warring within her. He began to worry her hands together.
As the potion began to simmer he put a stasis charm on the cauldron to keep the potion safe until Remus could drink it tomorrow.
He turned back to see her sitting on his desk, looking at her feet. She started to hum again to break the silence. He walked over to her and tipped her chin upwards.
He looked in her eyes for a moment and saw her desire for him. He let his mask fall and she saw his as well.
"Im not very good at this.."she spoke softly.
"Then you are in luck to have a good teacher." he said with a smile before kissing her.

The next morning, Alexi's internal clock woke her up. She quickly disentangled herself from Snape's arms.
"Accio wand!" she whispered. She quickly performed her morning ritual before sending her wand back to the nightstand. She then snuggled back into his embrace and fell into slumber.