Chapter three: I've got nowhere to run from you.
Kyra made no reply. Instead, she stopped walking towards the door and turned to face him. John and Hélène did the same and to Snape it looked as if they had assumed their fighting positions, ready to protect her from him.
" Funny, I don't recall having three students under the name of 'Miss Gardner'," he said mordantly, glaring at the two Gryffindors.
" It's alright, guys, you go. I'll see ya at the Great Hall," she whispered, not wanting them to get in trouble.
" Yes, I will not compromise Miss Gardner's morals or anything of the like," he assured with a sneer.
John had to suppress a disgusted snort, as he and Hél stared at Snape for a few seconds before turning to leave. " We'll be at the door," he said.
" And don't you two even bother listening," snapped their Professor.
They didn't need to be told twice and shot out of the room, leaving their friend to face an uncertain fate. They didn't go too far, though, they just stayed at the corridor, waiting for Kyra.
" What a touching display of loyalty!" Snape mocked.
Kyra bit her tongue to stop herself from retorting, disappointing him. He was up to a verbal fight. When she remained silent, his usual scowl deepened. He still didn't know why he had asked her to stay behind... well, maybe he did, but he refused to admit it. He wanted to spend a bit of time alone with her...
' Absurd, that's what you are,' he told himself.
Noticing Kyra was staring at him, unsure of what to do, he signaled for her to follow. She did and they entered his office. Severus sat behind his desk.
" Sit, Miss Gardner," he commanded.
She complied and took the chair that was in front of him. Truth was, Kyra feared she was there to be reprimanded for helping Hélène. That was why his following words surprised her.
" You have been studying during the summer, haven't you?" He asked.
" Not really, Professor. I know I should have, but…" She trailed off. ' But I preferred to sunbathe and go shopping,' was the end of her sentence, but that would have enraged her teacher and Kyra chose to remain silent.
" Then how did you manage to brew the potion so promptly?"
" I don't know. I never know," she said, looking down.
" You must have read something previously to the class..." Suggested Snape.
" We are not going to go through this again, are we?" Asked Kyra, a bit more harshly than she had intended. She was recalling all those times in which she had had to go to Dumbledore's office and answer hundreds of questions on how she knew everything she knew, how much time she spent studying and things like that.
She had realized that some teachers suspected she cheated on her exams. It had been insulting at first and she hadn't had any trouble in voicing that, but in time and, after a good amount of pop quizzes and unexpected questions during the classes, it had been obvious that she wasn't a cheater. She was intelligent, that was all.
" What exactly are you talking about?" He asked. She knew that tone and it meant danger. Still, it didn't stop her from speaking her mind.
" You know, when you all suspected I cheated," she stated.
" I never…" Snape couldn't finish as she lifted an eyebrow in a slightly challenging gesture. " Fine, I will not lie to you. However, Miss Gardner, you must acknowledge that the entire situation was... is rather perplexing."
" I am aware of that, Sir and I understand, but it was a bit unfair, don't you think?" The only answer she got from him was a noncommittal grunt.
Kyra smiled at that. " Is there anything else you wish to discuss with me, Professor?"
" Are you in a hurry?" He asked, brusquely.
" No, I was just... asking," came her soft reply.
" Indeed, there is another matter I'd like to talk about with you."
" What is it?"
" I was wondering if you would be interested in assisting me with a particular potion I need to brew," he said, looking at her intently to see her reaction.
" Sure!" She answered without thinking twice. The idea of assisting the extremely talented Potions Master was a great honor for her.
Her immediate conformity surprised Snape. He was expecting her to accept, of course, but only after some hesitation and even annoyance.
" May I ask what potion is it?" Asked Kyra. Might as well know what she was getting herself into.
" Veritaserum." This time, Severus was mildly amused at her reaction (not that he let it show). Her eyes widened and her smile turned into a grin.
" Wow…" She mumbled. ' Veritaserum, what a great opportunity to learn. And to spend some time with him... hey, where did that come from?'
Snape was staring at her, sizing her up. " Do you think you will be up to the challenge, Miss Gardner?" He inquired. The man enjoyed defying her, that was for sure.
" I will try, Sir. When do you need me?" She asked, good-naturedly.
That was a question that made Snape's heart skip a beat. (Yeah, he does have a heart). Shaking his head, angry at how his own body betrayed him, he looked at Kyra.
He seemed so irate that his gaze made her flinch a little. That infuriate him even more, he hadn't meant to scare her.
" Today would be ideal..." He hinted.
" I'm free for some hours before dinnertime," offered Kyra with a sweet smile.
" Don't you have schoolwork?"
' Mmmmm... let me think, 3 feet of parchment on the 1789 Wizards Convention or spending the afternoon with you and a nice, bubbling cauldron?' The choice was obvious.
" It can wait. Is 3 PM OK with you?"
" Yes, it is most convenient," agreed Snape. He was already anxious to get started. Thinking back, he couldn't recall when was the last time he had been that expectant about anything.
" Great, I'll see you then," she said as a goodbye.
He nodded and watched her race outside his office, shining black hair streaming out behind her. Snape felt a slight warmth around his body.
' She certainly is beautiful,' he thought to himself. ' And she wants to spend some of her time with you. Not Reid or anyone else, just you.'
***
Kyra hurried through lunch and her usually long shower after the afternoon flying lesson. She felt thrilled, but couldn't pinpoint why. What she knew was that she spent an unusual time in front of the mirror, pulling her hair into a very flattering French twist ponytail, applying make-up and checking her uniform and robes were in mint condition. Because she was going to be with him.
' Geez Kyra, you're really fucked up,' she told her reflection. It just smiled back. Seeing that she had to hurry if she didn't want to be late, she darted out of her bedroom and sped through the corridors.
Apparently, the Highest Powers were against her as she slumped against John right before going down to the dungeons. She hadn't told her friends anything about her appointment with Snape. They just wouldn't understand.
" Sugar, where are you going?" He asked.
" I have to help Professor Snape with a potion. See ya later!" She said, without even pausing her run. Johnny frowned as he lost sight of her.
Kyra stormed inside the classroom and found Severus sitting behind his desk, staring at the wall clock.
" You are late," he stated, without even looking at her.
" I know, Professor, and I'm very sorry, but Madame Hooch's lesson took longer than I had expected," she lied. Kyra couldn't tell him the real reason for her tardiness was her utter idiocy.
" That doesn't make up for the fact that you've wasted five minutes of my life," he said with a sneer. ' Time I could have spent torturing students,' he mentally added.
" I'm really sorry, Professor," she whispered humbly.
" Well, there is no point in dwelling on that, let's get to work."
" OK."
They worked in silence for a good long while. Kyra would consult the instructions from time to time as she collected, powdered, sliced and processed the ingredients. Snape worked by the large cauldron, inspecting the items she passed him at his request, before adding them to the blend.
" Come here and help me stir, Miss Gardner," he said, breaking the silence.
Kyra complied immediately. It was his tone that moved her more than the request itself. All his students and those who had worked with him before had heard it at least once. The potion had turned very consistent and she knew that it needed to be mixed energetically, that was why it was better if two people took care of that.
Severus stepped aside and Kyra stood next to him. They both took the stirrer and began working it through the thick substance in circular motions. She was a bit distracted by the heat that radiated from his body and the scent of spices his robes emanated, while he was simply mesmerized by how his body reacted to her proximity, her warmth. They were both lost in the moment, up to a point in which the club remained unmoved and they just stared at each other, flames dancing in their eyes.
His gaze deviated to her full lips. He was so hungry he could almost taste her. But then, he came to his senses and was horrified to find how close he was to trespassing every single rule. The haze in her eyes told him she seemed willing to do so and, for a moment he felt a flicker of hope, but then he remembered what he looked like and how despicable he was and attributed it to his own imagination.
" I think we better keep the powdered roots of asphodel handy, in case the potion starts bubbling out of control," he said, breaking the spell.
" OK, I'll get them," Kyra offered. She was still a bit disheveled by what had transpired between them and used that as an excuse to get away from him. Not that she liked the idea, but she needed to clear her mind.
" Hummm... Professor... I think there aren't anymore left," she informed, after a while of going through the cabinets.
" What? Let me see," he said and joined her in the search. After checking every single jar, they gave up. " Mighty cauldrons!" He hissed under his breath. An explosion of laughter coming from his student surprised him to no end.
" Miss Gardner?" More laughs. " Miss Gardner!" She looked up at him, still chortling. " What is it?" He demanded.
He had to wait for a while until Kyra caught her breath and was finally in shape for answering him.
" It's just that, you know, 'mighty cauldrons', that was sooo funny," she said and stared laughing again.
" I am unaccustomed to have people finding humor in my observations," Snape stated flatly.
" True, comedy isn't exactly your strong point, Professor. Still you have your moments…" There was a mischievous glimpse in her eyes.
" Such as?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at her comment.
" This one. You totally sounded like Robin."
He eyed her quizzically. " Who?"
" Robin, from Batman and Robin..." The only answer she got was a blank expression. " You know, the comics..." More blankness. " DC, Marvel..." Even more blankness. " Ummm... never mind," she gave up.
" Are you mocking me, Miss Gardner?" Asked Snape who had no idea if he was supposed to laugh, cry, be angry or congratulate her.
" No, Professor, of course not!" She replied softly and then decided it would be better to change the subject. " Now, without the asphodel we won't be able to counteract the misuse of any other component, right?"
" Indeed. I do not understand how could I have been so careless... Well, considering we do not have that ingredient, we better be very careful not to ruin the batch."
" OK, Sir."
Without another word, they went on working keeping safe distance from each other. They both regretted that, but knew that was for the better. Kyra was growing more and more fascinated by how the potion was slowly starting to turn a murky brown.
" Tell me something, Professor, how can you stand to teach children who have no interest in Potions?" She asked, sounding as if she thought those children were complete morons. And she actually did.
He seemed pleased by her question. " You find ways, Miss Gardner. Taking house points off for no reason usually keeps them on their toes. They stay alert because they don't know when you're going to strike or why," Severus said with a malicious grin. " Then, you just have to hope they take some of what you're saying in."
" Now I understand... that's not a bad idea, actually," she recognized, joining him in his evil grin. Kyra still thought he was utterly unfair at times, but she decided not to bring that up. After all, he had opened a bit and she didn't want to spoil the moment.
Severus nodded and turned his attention back to the cauldron.
" But why don't you ever take any points from me? I mean, apart from the fact that I'm a Slytherin," she insisted.
" Because, even though it looks like you enjoy defying me, at least you show interest in what I talk about." To her never-ending surprise he turned his head toward her and smiled, an actual, kind smile without a mocking slant at all.
Kyra thought she would faint. The man wasn't an Apollo, that was for sure, but he looked so much better when he smiled. He actually looked human. She smiled back and they locked gazes once again, feeling the electricity stirring in the air.
Shaking her head, Kyra broke the eye contact. She was still unsure of what she felt for the man and didn't want to get too carried away. Not yet, at least. " Oh man, look at the time!" She exclaimed after casually glancing at her watch.
It was dinnertime already and Kyra couldn't believe how fast time had gone by. Well, when Severus was with her, she wouldn't notice if a rainbow-colored dragon burst into the room and started to polka on top of his desk.
Snape was surprised as well. And a bit distraught by the fact she had looked away. He felt somewhat rejected and stupid for having felt like that.
" You may go, Miss Gardner. I will take it from now on," he said, as formally as he could.
" Won't you go get something to eat?" Was Kyra's kind question. He looked thin and she didn't want him to overwork himself.
Severus refused to believe she could actually care about him and dismissed her question with a wave of his hand. " I'm sure a house-elf will bring something to me."
" Are you positive? I can stay and take care of the stirring," she offered.
" That will not be necessary," Severus said curtly.
" OK, but if you need anything, I'll be at the Great Hall and then at my room."
" Very well, Miss Gardner. And twenty points to Slytherin for your valuable help."
" Bye, Professor, and thank you!" She said, beaming, before darting out of the room. She was surprised to realize she had had a pretty good time at the dungeons with him... and that moment when she had got lost in his beautiful eyes... ' Damn, Kyra, you are attracted to Snape. Big time,' her conscience told her. And she knew there was no point in arguing with it.
Severus couldn't turn away from where he'd last seen her leave, even as the brilliance of her presence began to fade, leaving him cold once again. He remained standing there for Merlin knows how long, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides, before getting back to work.
He knew that it would take him long to forget about that afternoon. And he wasn't sure he even wanted to.
***
Without even changing, Kyra ran to the Great Hall, applying a bit more lipstick and combing her fingers through her hair as she made her way towards it. Upon entering, she noticed her friends looking at her with inquiring looks she chose to ignore.
" Filthy Mudblood," she heard Draco Malfoy mumble as she approached the Slytherin Table.
' Oh, great, now children five years younger than me insult me as well,' Kyra though, both amused and exasperated. After her afternoon with Severus she felt so high, so above everything that the little git's insults didn't touch her.
But Kyra didn't know that Draco had been talking non-stop about her for the last two summers and his father was very curious about that 'mudblood' that had managed to outwit every student at Hogwarts.
An idea had started to form in Lucius Malfoy's mind, but it seemed so ludicrous that he feared voicing it. It was the foretold year and he knew the Shekhsmet Order had done everything they could to hide the creature... What if...? Research would have to be done and, if he were proven right, he would become the Dark Lord's favorite follower.