Elves Without Clothes

by: Whomping Willow ~

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of it, but the real question is, 'who will own Ony?'

***

Chapter 6: Dream a Little Dream ~

Hermione woke up early the next morning, unsure of how early Professor Snape would be up and in need of her assistance. She bathed quickly, eager to use her new comb once again. She loved how smooth her hair felt when she was done, and enjoyed learning to make it fall in smooth waves that framed her face. It was so much better than Sleekeasy's Hair Potion and she vowed to never waste her Galleons on another bottle. She idly wondered what Draco would say when he saw her without her normal tangle of hair.

When the professor did call, she arrived promptly, hoping to maintain the amiable mood they enjoyed the day before. She had expected the week to be stressful with Snape barking orders and insults in turn, but so far found herself relaxing when they worked together in the private lab.

Professor Snape ordered his breakfast and ate leisurely while she busied herself with the cleaning. The cleaning shouldn't have been much different from what was done for her master, but she felt awkward cleaning her professor's bedroom in a way she never had with Draco's. She had the odd sense that she was seeing things few others had laid eyes on.

When she moved to the professor's bath, she could no longer fight her curiosity. She lingered longer than necessary examining his supply of soap and shampoo. The Charms books she'd read while Draco was away was filled with many useful spells, and she was tempted to use that knowledge to boost the potency of Snape's shampoo. Picturing him with his stringy locks replaced by soft and clean hair sent Ony into a fit of giggles that she feared would catch the attention of the presently greasy Potions Master.

Once she had regained control of herself, she exited the room leaving her temptation behind. By that time, Snape was finished with his breakfast and merely acknowledged her reappearance with an arched eyebrow as he glanced at her over the top of his Daily Prophet. Hermione worried that he somehow guessed the source of her mirth, but if he had he kept silent about it.

The paper was refolded before being incinerated as an afterthought.

-Bad news? - Ony thought, but kept her comment to herself.

Snape led Ony back to the private lab as he discussed her first task of the day. Apparently he had noticed the work she had done, organizing Draco's bookshelves and wanted a similar result for his potion ingredients in his private storeroom. Typically organizing storerooms was a task saved for students serving detention, but he never trusted the detention delinquents in his private stores where his most volatile ingredients were kept.

Upon entering the storeroom it became obvious that it had indeed been a very long time since any type of organizing had taken place in the cluttered space. To prevent a recurrence of the organizing fiasco that caused her to waste two whole days on Draco's books, Ony asked for a detailed account of his requirements.

- Any job worth doing is worth doing right, ONCE -

It was indeed a daunting task, involving dusting, labeling and alphabetizing all the ingredients within their classifications, and it all needed to be done without magic. Many of the volatile ingredients stored in the small room off the professor's private lab were magic-sensitive and a simple cleaning charm could render them useless or worse.

It took many hours of dirty work but when it was done Hermione was satisfied with the results. To her surprise Snape was pleased as well, and the professor was equally stunned when she handed him a list of the supplies he was running low on.

If apprentices were anything like house-elves he would have to get himself one, Snape mused as he commended her on her knowledge of the ingredients. He reminded her with a wink that many of the items were borderline illegal and should not be common knowledge.

- Did Snape just wink? -

It was perfect timing. Ony had finished organizing the storeroom with enough time remaining to pick them up a lunch of cold sandwiches before Snape needed her to begin prepping ingredients for a batch of Pepperup Potion for Madam Pomfrey. The remaining ingredients for the experimental potion would follow after that.

Ony ate quickly, eager to get back to work in the lab with Snape. It was such a rare opportunity for a Gryffindor to work with Professor Snape without losing house points or gaining detention. It seemed to be a dream to have the opportunity to study directly under a professor just months before N.E.W.T.S. and Hermione didn't want to waste a minute of it.

The ingredients were once again set out, but Ony didn't need to be told how to prepare them for Pepperup, having already studied it. Even Snape admitted Ony could have made a perfect batch of the potion for Poppy, but it was against policy to distribute student potions in the hospital.

They were well into the prep when they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Snape bellowed at the door displeased at being disrupted. A blond head peaked into the room first followed by the rest of the young Malfoy in his normal swagger.

Apparently Ony's master found himself suffering from boredom in her absence. He'd payed scant attention to his holiday gifts and gone flying twice, but couldn't seem to get his mind off the one who had been cleaning his chambers and filling his dreams.

When Draco laid eyes on Ony, he smiled wide, his eyes twinkling with delight. This was the first he'd seen of her smooth hair and he found himself happy at her eventual acceptance of the gift. She looked like a different girl than the one that had started at Hogwarts. No more buckteeth or bushy hair, he was left looking at a sweet smile and eyes that danced with laughter – laughter . . . Ony was laughing about something. Draco scanned the room and found his Head of House scowling at him.

Knowing he must have missed something Draco decided he'd been silent long enough. "Forgive me sir, I didn't catch that," he said smoothly.

"I said, do you intend to stand and stare at my house-elf all day or did you come here with a purpose?"

"Actually Professor, I was wondering if you might need some extra help in the lab this afternoon? I have no prior commitments and know you can always use a hand."

"Mr. Malfoy, as you can see I already have assistance in the lab today, and require no more. Ony is highly capable of preparing this potion without your assistance."

When Draco tried to push the issue further, the Potions Master waved him off without another word. Stealing one last glance in Ony's direction, he quietly walked out and shut the door.

Hermione felt bad for her Master, having never seen him treated so harshly by the professor before but knew his ego would surely survive the attack.

***

The Pepperup Potion was finished without further interruptions and was sent up to the hospital wing with Dobby after bottling. Dobby wasn't surprised to find Ony in Professor Snape's private lab due to the speed which gossip traveled amongst house-elves. He had heard another house-elf was assigned to clean Draco's rooms for the week, curious he had inquired about the change, but the Headmaster had personally assured him that she had only been temporarily reassigned to repay a debt.

With the Pepperup out of the way it was time for the final steps of the experimental potion. They added a pinch of ground Scarab Beetle and powdered Moonstone to the cauldron before lighting the fire beneath it and bringing it to a simmer. The strangest part was where Ony was asked to transfigure a mirror into a piece of chocolate to be added to the brew. She hadn't ever thought about using a transfigured potion ingredient before, but it did make sense that the essence of the original object would remain and affect the final product differently than simply adding either the original or final form.

More than once Ony was left wondering what the exact results of the potion would be.

It was carefully bottled and labeled with one dose being set aside for tonight's testing. Snape explained he would be testing it himself and would, with luck, have the results of the first test in the morning. Ony had to admit she was a bit relieved to not be selected as the first to test the new potion.

Once the lab was cleaned and all the supplies had been returned to storage Ony was dismissed and the professor returned to his quarters for the initial testing. He stripped off his robes and donned his pyjamas, after he was comfortable in bed he downed a dose of the potion and waited for sleep to overtake him.

. . . His hands full of discarded sheet and his eyes filled with the sight of bare flesh, bushy hair framed a blushing face and he took a deep breath. Chocolate brown eyes gazed shyly up through long eyelashes, a tentative brush of warm sweet lips, body arching up to meet his palm as his hands explored virgin territory. Warm breath caressing his cheek . . .

He awoke with a start, breathing hard and trying to figure out exactly what happened. "Too much Narwhal Horn," he said aloud to the empty room as he rose to take a cold shower.

***

Hermione noticed Professor Snape was a bit testy when she greeted him. Although he had called her, he barely acknowledged her presence, instead lurking behind his paper while she cleaned. His breakfast was hardly touched and she wondered if the potion had affected his appetite.

Ony knew if the testing had gone badly it would account for Snape's mood, although it was actually not worth mentioning she realized when it occurred to her that he was in reality acting like she normally saw in class. Assuming he would bring up the subject of test results later, Ony focused on the task at hand. She was surprised to find the bed already made.

-Perhaps the potion kept Snape up last night, which might explain his mood -

Professor Snape requested that Ony assist him in his lab, to her delight. Ony was anxious to work in the lab with her professor once again, but instead of the piles of potions ingredients she'd expected she was presented with a scrub brush and a bucket of cleaning potions. It seems that detention students were not allowed to clean his private lab either and the floor was in need of scrubbing.

Ony scrubbed the stained floor diligently. No thought going into what had stained the stones so many different colors, instead she thought about the experimental potion. Professor Snape hadn't mentioned it at all and she was dreadfully curious. Finally she decided there was only one way she was going to find out the results of the trial.

She opened her mouth to speak, eager to question Snape about the potion, but found herself speechless. Spots began to dance before her eyes, some doing a fine impression of a tango and her head spun as she tried to blink them away.

Snape was stirring another potion Poppy had requested to replenish her stores. It was really too simple to require assistance, but it was obvious the flu season was going to keep him busy with mundane cure-alls.

He tried to focus on the potion that was gently bubbling in front of him and not on the spot where Ony knelt scrubbing showing far too much leg, but the memory of his dream caused his eyes to gravitate back in her direction.

There must surely be something wrong with the formula to cause such an absurd dream, he thought. He would have to persuade Ony to test it tonight to be sure it wasn't just an isolated incident. As his thoughts shifted to Ony so did his eyes and his heart sank. It was then that he noticed the faint trace of sulfur in the air and the way Ony was swaying in place. He hadn't thought of her bare feet and legs coming in contact with cleaning fluids, and in combination with spilled experiments the results could be virulent.

He doused the flame under his cauldron and rushed to Ony's side. Calling her name elicited no response. He swept her up into his arms becoming even more distressed by her lack of protest. She began to tremble slightly as he hurried carrying her toward the bath. The moment the tub was filled he plunged her into the warm water. That roused her from her stupor and he added a special potion to cleanse her of the residual potions that had combined into an unknown toxin on her skin.

-What happened? - "Professor?" she asked faintly.

"Whichever cleaning potions you used must have combined with the residue on the floor. How do you feel?"

Ony noticed an odd colored rash beginning to appear on her legs. -Like I look - "I feel tired sir."

"Any nausea? Dizziness? How is your vision?" Snape asked in rapid succession.

-Hey the spots are gone - "I was seeing spots before, but they seem to have gone now sir, except for the ones on my legs," she said with a frown.

"I will give you something for the rash after the residue of what caused it has been entirely removed. Are you sure you're not feeling dizzy?"

"Positive, sir."

Snape nodded and handed Ony a soft flannel advising her to gently rub her legs to remove the last of the potions.

"Is the rash only on your legs or is it spreading?" asked the Potions Master.

-I don't know - "I don't know sir, I have to check," Ony said reaching to lift the edge of her pillowcase.

Snape turned his back to Ony quickly and attempted, unsuccessfully, to banish the memory of last nights dream.

-No more spots, thank God - "No sir, just my legs," Ony replied after a moment.

'Thank God,' Snape thought silently.

When they were sure the cleansing potion had done its job Snape drained the tub and refilled it with clean water to rinse thoroughly. Ony was still draped in her now soaking wet sheet and pillowcase and the professor suggested he get her a robe, but she refused reminding him that giving her clothes would free her. With that in mind Snape started to grab a sheet from the bedroom, but his mind was flooded with thoughts of his last dream once again, so he opted for a blanket instead.

He was greatly relieved once Ony was out of his tub and securely wrapped in a fresh blanket. He escorted her to her room and ordered her to rest, despite the early hour. He wanted to be sure the effects had cleared before she was in contact with anything else that could react badly with whatever compound had been absorbed into her system.

In the mean time Snape planned to research what it was that had combined so dangerously. If it was something common that had mixed to create a new toxin that was readily absorbed through bare skin it was best to find out. Such toxins could be put to many uses when at war.

***

Hermione felt silly being sent to bed for the remains of the day due to a silly rash but she knew arguing with Professor Snape was a bad idea and she was feeling rather tired.

When she awoke in the morning, she felt refreshed and relieved at the lack of ill effects from the mysterious potion exposure. Somehow she knew that would be of great relief to the professor as well. He'd been acting oddly yesterday morning, and when Hermione realized that she was in the tub in his quarters she didn't quite know what to make of it.

When the professor told her about what had happened she was embarrassed. She had expected the professor to be mad at her for not realizing what was happening before it got out of hand, but if she didn't know better she would say he seemed a bit embarrassed himself.

Knowing nearly a whole afternoon had been wasted, Hermione jumped out of bed anxious to start the day.

When she entered Snape's chambers, he interrogated her on her state of health. He wanted to be sure she was over the effects of the previous days potions before risking further contact. She assured him of her good health and was glad when he relented and allowed her to start work cleaning and remaking the potion that had been ruined when he'd stopped in the middle of a critical step.

Hermione was glad to be carefully preparing the ingredients once again, instead of cleaning the floors. The only thing she had learned cleaning the floor was that Snape has had a few 'Longbottom moments' of his own.

Draco didn't return to the lab, somehow knowing better than to ask the professor for permission to assist him in the lab again. Snape had made it clear that he was unwelcome as long as Ony was assisting him. Ony figured it was just that Snape couldn't get the most work out of her if Draco was there to distract her.

The Potions Master kept a close eye on his student to be sure there were no lingering effects from the unknown potions. He was pleased by the absence of dreams in his night's sleep which made facing Ony a bit easier. He hoped she would feel up to testing the potion for him tonight now that he was sure she was out of danger.

"Ony, I was hoping you would consider testing the experimental potion for me. I have already tested it once and I would like you to verify my conclusions," Snape said with a touch of expectation.

-How did I know I would end up testing that potion? - "You never did say how the initial testing went, sir," she reminded him. His face reddened and she wasn't sure if it was in anger or embarrassment.

"If I tell you, it may alter your perception of your own results."

-That sounds reasonable - "Of course, sir. I will be happy to help."

Snape smiled pleased that Ony had consented to taking the potion. He could order her to do many things, but drew the line at making her take the potion if she was unwilling. He handed Ony the vial before dismissing her with instructions to take it as she would a dose of Dreamless Sleep Potion.

Hermione went to her room and prepared for bed. She was tired and if she guessed right the potion was supposed to make her sleep, despite the fact that the professor had hardly looked rested after his test. Once she was comfortable, Hermione uncorked the bottle and drank down its contents. There was barely enough time to put the vial down on her bedside table before she dropped off to sleep.

. . . Something sweet pressed against her lips and she allowed them to part tasting sweet chocolate on her tongue. Her eyes fluttered open to see the source of the confection and found hungry eyes staring into her own. She looked up shyly as a hand snaked behind her head encouraging her lips closer. They touched tentatively then shared the lingering flavor of chocolate. Hands caressed her skin and she arched her back in appreciation . . .

Hermione woke still out of breath and blinking back the powerful images of her dream.

-I don't know what that potion is supposed to do but there is definitely too much Narwhal Horn -

***

When Hermione entered Professor Snape's chamber, she knew he would be questioning her about the potion. That knowledge alone was enough to stain her cheeks redder than Ron's hair. She pre-empted his question with one of her own.

"What is the purpose of that potion supposed to be?"

Snape admired the flush of her cheeks knowing they were probably as much an indication of the potion's results as anything she was likely to divulge. "It is intended to resolve inner turmoil, conflict between conscious and subconscious, it is meant to reflect the deepest desires and allow ones options to be explored within the safety of a dream," the Potions Master explained clinically.

-Well that explains the chocolate, but . . . - Hermione swallowed hard as she fought down the heat building in her cheeks, her words echoing her earlier thoughts. "Too much Narwhal Horn," was all she managed to say.

"I'm glad we concur," Snape said at last with a feral gleam in his eye.

***

tbc . . .

Thanks once again for the generous reviews.

~Whomping Willow ~