Here is another chapter. PLEASE review and tell me what you all think! I need to know that there are people still reading this story! Chapter Nine

            "Yppop!" (Poppy!) Alex yelled, storming into the infirmary. She hadn't known any place else to go and wasn't about to try and ask Snape for the antidote for whatever he had done to her. Madam Pomfrey looked up from where she was organizing a large oak cabinet; various vials and equipment were surrounding the area around her.

            "Oh dear. Not a dyslexia potion." Poppy sighed. Obviously Severus had not taken her words to heart and had continued the battle with the girl who stood in front of her. Alex nodded weakly as she sat down on the empty bed. She wasn't only mad at Snape but also at herself. She should have expected it but she had let her guard down. Poppy came bustling over with a small glass vial in hand that contained a clear light blue liquid.

            "Here dear. This should reverse the effects." Poppy said, handing her the vial. Alex drank it down quickly. It tasted horrible but she didn't care, only happy that the elderly nurse had the antidote on hand.

            "Knaht Uoy." (Thank You) Alex said but looked confused as to why she was still talking backwards. Maybe it didn't work and she would have to go and beg Snape for the antidote?! She would rather go around talking backwards for the rest of her life then to ask for his help.

            "It takes a few moments until it starts to work." Poppy explained taking the empty vial from Alex. Alex sighed thankfully and leaned backwards comfortably on the bed.

            "You know, I haven't seen Severus like this since he was a child." Poppy commented as she cleaned up.

            "Tahw? A thgirnwod dratsab?" (What? A downright bastard?) Alex lashed out, obviously still upset. Poppy raised an amused eyebrow at her, chuckling lightly at Alex's choice of words.

            "No, not a downright bastard, even though he can be that at times." 

"Ylno semitemos?" (Only sometimes?) Alex scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Truthfully, if he was being a downright bastard he wouldn't even waste his time thinking of pranks he could do to you. He also wouldn't have admitted to me that you are talented when it comes to potions." Poppy smiled. Alex looked up sharply at her words.

"Eh dias taht about me?"(He said that) Alex asked. The antidote was starting to work as some of her words were actually starting to make sense.

"Yes he did. You see, as a child he would constantly attempt pranks on a certain group of rivals. Although…. they always seemed to have the advantage over him." Poppy chuckled; remembering back when James Potter and the group would pulls tricks on Severus and how he would always try to get them back. But one boy against an entire group wasn't fair odds.

            "Ko so tahw does taht have ot do htiw me?" (Ok, what, that, to, with) Alex asked.

            "It is my belief that Severus actually cared for a couple members of that group. He has actually shown compassion towards them in the past, whether he realizes it or not." Poppy explained. She had seen more in Snape then others have because she had taken the time to watch him and study his actions over the years. He had grown into a fascinating man but he had the bad habit of pushing people away when they got too close. Alex had gotten more of a reaction out of him then anyone for years, even though neither has realized it.

            "You're saying that Professor Snape actually cares about me?" Alex asked looking to the nurse as if she was out of her mind. Snape and her loathed each other! They could barely be in the same room together. How do you get caring from that? Poppy just shrugged and chuckled to herself.

            "It seems that the antidote had taken full effect and I believe that dinner is about to be served." Poppy just stated, moving back to continue organizing her supplies. Alex got up from the bed and cast Madam Pomfrey one more questioning look before exiting the Infirmary.

            Alex's stomach gave a low growl as she made her way down to the Great Hall; Poppy's words were still ringing in her ears. Before she had a chance to further think about what the older lady had been hinting at, Alex spotted Remus, Lia, and Fiona waiting for her outside the Great Hall.

            "We heard about what happened!" Fiona gushed as they all made their way up the aisle, towards the head table. Alex could imagine how fast the news of the latest prank had spread. No one could keep a secret in that place.

            "Did he really slip a dyslexia potion in your drink?" Lia asked.

            "Yeah he did." Alex said, nodding her head.

            "I could just imagine your face when you realized that you were talking backwards." Remus laughed heartily. Alex sent him a mock glare but couldn't prevent the small chuckle that escaped her lips. If you did think about it, it was pretty funny.

            "Miss Harper, are you all right?" Hermione asked coming up to the head table.

            "Yes. Madam Pomfrey had the antidote, thankfully." Alex smiled. "But thank you, Hermione, for trying to prevent it. You didn't get in much trouble, did you?"

            "Not really. Just some house points deducted." Hermione said. Alex nodded. Hermione smiled and returned to her seat at the Gryffindor table.

            "So do you have an idea on how you're gonna get back at him this time?" Fiona asked eagerly. Alex grinned, leaning back in her seat. She caught sight of Snape entering the room, snapping at some students that had gotten in his way.

            "Oh I have a plan. Trust me." Alex smirked.

Next Chapter: Snape finds his classroom looking a little brighter! ;)

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