Another Chance
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JKR, various publishers of the HP series. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 12 – A long hard night (uploaded 1/16/04)
Blinded by tears, Minerva ran into a wall of black robes in her attempt to escape the office. Comforted by his lemon candy, Dumbledore regained the twinkle in his eyes. He caught the cat animagus from behind as she bounced off the potion master's chest and wrapped his long arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. "Dear, it was just an accident. Don't be jealous."
Minerva leaned back into the tall young man behind her as he rocked her from side to side and shushed into her ear. She blushed and sniffed, "Now that I think about it, I am surprised at my own reaction. I thought as we grew older we learn to control our emotions, or at least our outward display of them. I'm finding these feelings much more intense, despite my experience."
Young Albus winked at his potions professor, "That's a good lesson to remember when dealing with our young adults." Snape snorted and his upper lip twitched.
Tonks had taken a seat in an armchair. Snape hovered over her for a moment before leaning on the arm rest of Tonks's chair. Changing the direction of conversation, "I smell a set up." Snape's eyes darted between McGonagall and the top of Tonks's head.
"What ever are you talking about, Professor Snape?" Tonks blinked up at him innocently.
"Really, Tonks. You seemed rather friendly on the floor when you thought you were under me." Snape picked strand of Tonks's curly blonde hair with a thumb and forefinger. He stretched it to its length and released, smirking as it sprang back to its tight curl. "Do you prefer younger men? Or perhaps it was the blonde hair." He repeated the hair springing experiment with an odd fascination. Dumbledore whispered into Minerva's ear. Her lips tightened into a straight line as she suppressed her grin.
"Actually, I've always preferred older men." Tonks turned in her chair to maintain eye contact with the professor. "But age is an attitude, not just the length of time you've been in our world."
"So true, Tonks," Minerva squeezed Albus's hand, "and some men, despite their age will always be teenagers."
Snape's eyes glittered as he turned his attention toward McGonagall. "Minerva, I could have sworn I heard a bit of mirth as you attempted to berate the young man caught in the compromising position. It sounded a bit—rehearsed."
"I deny any knowledge of plans to set you up with anybody, Severus," Minerva blinked.
Snape's eyes narrowed at her, "What do you mean 'with anybody'? You are a bloody Griffindor. I take that statement with a grain of salt, I will have you know."
"Well," Dumbledore interrupted, "we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow with team tryouts and all. It is late, so I suggest we turn in for the evening."
Nobody could argue. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Severus, please allow Miss Tonks to walk you to your chambers. Report any side effects to me immediately." Tonks took Snape's hand and lead him out the door, leaving young Albus tracing patterns on Minerva's back with a long finger. He had a mischievous grin on his face as they left the office.
"I assure you, Tonks, I can manage the walk to my chambers alone."
"Why do I have the feeling you're not going to bed straightaway?"
"I was thinking of stopping by the kitchen for a cup of hot chocolate and perhaps a chocolate tart. What business is that of yours?"
"You've never cared much for sweets," Tonks raised her brows. "May I join you?"
"If you wish." Snape pulled the chocolate bar and chocolate frog from his pocket. He decided on the bar and started to unwrap it.
"Chocolate?" She looked from the candy, to his eyes, and back to the candy before speaking. "Perhaps you should skip the chocolate indulgence and have a glass of warm milk instead. Have you been craving chocolate all evening?"
"Only since the transformation," he drawled.
**HIC** was the last thing Snape heard before waking up on the stone floor of the Hogwarts hallway. He never heard the rush of footsteps preceding the attack, he never heard the gasp as Lupin spotted the chocolate bar in his hands. As Professor Snape regained consciousness, he found Lupin slumped against the wall, mouth and fingers smeared with melted chocolate. Tonks was bent over him, wand drawn, cautiously checking his vital signs.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Snape awaken with a jump. "Alright there, Severus?" she inquired.
"It's Snape," he was quickly on his feet, "I'm fine." Drawing his wand, ropes rushed out and wrapped around Lupin's arms and legs.
"Snape, there's no need for that. You can see he's—"Tonks's objection was interrupted. She was going to say 'unconscious.'
"He is dangerous," Snape growled. "Madam Pomfrey can do nothing for his condition. I believe keeping him from attacking anyone else is the best course of action." Snape checked his pockets, "Damn it, and he took my last chocolate frog."
Tonks's face communicated the rest of her silent objection. She levitated the lycanthrope back to his own quarters. Snape made sure Lupin was securely tied to his bed, before he would leave. Tonks wrote out a note and sent it to the headmaster via the school floo from Lupin's fireplace.
They walked silently down the hallway toward Snape's chambers. Tonks leaned against the entrance when she got there and pulled his hands into hers. She was about to speak when he furrowed his brows and swept past her, toward the light which radiated from under the door to his private potions laboratory. She rolled her eyes with a sigh and followed.
"Miss Granger, what are you doing in my laboratory after curfew? It is nearly midnight."
"Professor Lupin is bothering me, sir," Hermione answered. "When Harry and I got back to Gryffindor tower from our patrol, the Professor had already eaten all of Ron's chocolates. Then he begged Harry for all of his. It's weird that all he wants is chocolate and that his craving is so intense. He didn't have the slightest interest in the Peppermint Humbugs, Fizzing Whizbees, Every Flavor Beans, Sugar Quills, or any other sweets."
"He bothers me too," Snape said, almost inaudibly. "But that is nothing new." Tonks bumped his arm with her shoulder and got a smirk in return.
Hermione continued, "The thing is, I can see nothing that would cause chocolate to react with any ingredient or any combination of ingredients of the antidote or the original potion."
"Five points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger. But I have had a long day and Lupin will rest safely tonight. There is no urgency in solving this tonight. Go to your dorm or I will take ten points," Snape threatened.
"Yes, sir," Hermione sighed. She picked up her stack of books and teetered as she tried to find her balance. In the process, the top notebook slipped off the top as she passed the professors. Snape picked it up, looking curiously at the doodles in the margins around her research notes on chocolate.
He snickered as he read out loud, "So smart, his voice sends a shiver down my spine. Alan, Alan, Alan."
"Professor, please," Hermione pleaded, her eyes on the verge of tearing. Tonks wrestled the notebook from his hands.
"I am sorry to inform you, Miss Granger. Mr. Marston had to cut his internship short and returned home this evening." Snape watched as Hermione's expression turned to that of disappointment.
"Hey, compounds in chocolate help modulate mood regulation." It was Tonks's turn to read. "Serotonin. THBC's. Mind soothing. Here's something. Chocolate may be an aphrodisiac. Phenyl-something-or-other makes you feel like you're falling in love. I think you're on to something, Hermione."
"Interesting. What is the source of this research?" asked the potions expert.
Tonks turned the notebook, then tilted her head to make out the handwriting. "Ladies Home Journal." Tonks grinned at the blank look on the tall wizard. "It's a muggle magazine, but you wouldn't know about that, would you?"
The star student gave a shy smile as Tonks closed the notebook and tucked it between the top of Hermione's books and her chin. "Get some sleep, Hermione. Professor Snape is right, we won't solve this tonight."
Snape and Tonks were once again in front of the Slytherin shield in the hallway, which covered the entrance to the potion master's chambers. This time it was Severus who held the auror's hand to keep her from walking away. "Interesting information," Snape said silkily. "I'm all out of chocolate, but would you care to assist me with some research along that line?"
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JKR, various publishers of the HP series. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 12 – A long hard night (uploaded 1/16/04)
Blinded by tears, Minerva ran into a wall of black robes in her attempt to escape the office. Comforted by his lemon candy, Dumbledore regained the twinkle in his eyes. He caught the cat animagus from behind as she bounced off the potion master's chest and wrapped his long arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. "Dear, it was just an accident. Don't be jealous."
Minerva leaned back into the tall young man behind her as he rocked her from side to side and shushed into her ear. She blushed and sniffed, "Now that I think about it, I am surprised at my own reaction. I thought as we grew older we learn to control our emotions, or at least our outward display of them. I'm finding these feelings much more intense, despite my experience."
Young Albus winked at his potions professor, "That's a good lesson to remember when dealing with our young adults." Snape snorted and his upper lip twitched.
Tonks had taken a seat in an armchair. Snape hovered over her for a moment before leaning on the arm rest of Tonks's chair. Changing the direction of conversation, "I smell a set up." Snape's eyes darted between McGonagall and the top of Tonks's head.
"What ever are you talking about, Professor Snape?" Tonks blinked up at him innocently.
"Really, Tonks. You seemed rather friendly on the floor when you thought you were under me." Snape picked strand of Tonks's curly blonde hair with a thumb and forefinger. He stretched it to its length and released, smirking as it sprang back to its tight curl. "Do you prefer younger men? Or perhaps it was the blonde hair." He repeated the hair springing experiment with an odd fascination. Dumbledore whispered into Minerva's ear. Her lips tightened into a straight line as she suppressed her grin.
"Actually, I've always preferred older men." Tonks turned in her chair to maintain eye contact with the professor. "But age is an attitude, not just the length of time you've been in our world."
"So true, Tonks," Minerva squeezed Albus's hand, "and some men, despite their age will always be teenagers."
Snape's eyes glittered as he turned his attention toward McGonagall. "Minerva, I could have sworn I heard a bit of mirth as you attempted to berate the young man caught in the compromising position. It sounded a bit—rehearsed."
"I deny any knowledge of plans to set you up with anybody, Severus," Minerva blinked.
Snape's eyes narrowed at her, "What do you mean 'with anybody'? You are a bloody Griffindor. I take that statement with a grain of salt, I will have you know."
"Well," Dumbledore interrupted, "we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow with team tryouts and all. It is late, so I suggest we turn in for the evening."
Nobody could argue. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Severus, please allow Miss Tonks to walk you to your chambers. Report any side effects to me immediately." Tonks took Snape's hand and lead him out the door, leaving young Albus tracing patterns on Minerva's back with a long finger. He had a mischievous grin on his face as they left the office.
"I assure you, Tonks, I can manage the walk to my chambers alone."
"Why do I have the feeling you're not going to bed straightaway?"
"I was thinking of stopping by the kitchen for a cup of hot chocolate and perhaps a chocolate tart. What business is that of yours?"
"You've never cared much for sweets," Tonks raised her brows. "May I join you?"
"If you wish." Snape pulled the chocolate bar and chocolate frog from his pocket. He decided on the bar and started to unwrap it.
"Chocolate?" She looked from the candy, to his eyes, and back to the candy before speaking. "Perhaps you should skip the chocolate indulgence and have a glass of warm milk instead. Have you been craving chocolate all evening?"
"Only since the transformation," he drawled.
**HIC** was the last thing Snape heard before waking up on the stone floor of the Hogwarts hallway. He never heard the rush of footsteps preceding the attack, he never heard the gasp as Lupin spotted the chocolate bar in his hands. As Professor Snape regained consciousness, he found Lupin slumped against the wall, mouth and fingers smeared with melted chocolate. Tonks was bent over him, wand drawn, cautiously checking his vital signs.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed Snape awaken with a jump. "Alright there, Severus?" she inquired.
"It's Snape," he was quickly on his feet, "I'm fine." Drawing his wand, ropes rushed out and wrapped around Lupin's arms and legs.
"Snape, there's no need for that. You can see he's—"Tonks's objection was interrupted. She was going to say 'unconscious.'
"He is dangerous," Snape growled. "Madam Pomfrey can do nothing for his condition. I believe keeping him from attacking anyone else is the best course of action." Snape checked his pockets, "Damn it, and he took my last chocolate frog."
Tonks's face communicated the rest of her silent objection. She levitated the lycanthrope back to his own quarters. Snape made sure Lupin was securely tied to his bed, before he would leave. Tonks wrote out a note and sent it to the headmaster via the school floo from Lupin's fireplace.
They walked silently down the hallway toward Snape's chambers. Tonks leaned against the entrance when she got there and pulled his hands into hers. She was about to speak when he furrowed his brows and swept past her, toward the light which radiated from under the door to his private potions laboratory. She rolled her eyes with a sigh and followed.
"Miss Granger, what are you doing in my laboratory after curfew? It is nearly midnight."
"Professor Lupin is bothering me, sir," Hermione answered. "When Harry and I got back to Gryffindor tower from our patrol, the Professor had already eaten all of Ron's chocolates. Then he begged Harry for all of his. It's weird that all he wants is chocolate and that his craving is so intense. He didn't have the slightest interest in the Peppermint Humbugs, Fizzing Whizbees, Every Flavor Beans, Sugar Quills, or any other sweets."
"He bothers me too," Snape said, almost inaudibly. "But that is nothing new." Tonks bumped his arm with her shoulder and got a smirk in return.
Hermione continued, "The thing is, I can see nothing that would cause chocolate to react with any ingredient or any combination of ingredients of the antidote or the original potion."
"Five points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger. But I have had a long day and Lupin will rest safely tonight. There is no urgency in solving this tonight. Go to your dorm or I will take ten points," Snape threatened.
"Yes, sir," Hermione sighed. She picked up her stack of books and teetered as she tried to find her balance. In the process, the top notebook slipped off the top as she passed the professors. Snape picked it up, looking curiously at the doodles in the margins around her research notes on chocolate.
He snickered as he read out loud, "So smart, his voice sends a shiver down my spine. Alan, Alan, Alan."
"Professor, please," Hermione pleaded, her eyes on the verge of tearing. Tonks wrestled the notebook from his hands.
"I am sorry to inform you, Miss Granger. Mr. Marston had to cut his internship short and returned home this evening." Snape watched as Hermione's expression turned to that of disappointment.
"Hey, compounds in chocolate help modulate mood regulation." It was Tonks's turn to read. "Serotonin. THBC's. Mind soothing. Here's something. Chocolate may be an aphrodisiac. Phenyl-something-or-other makes you feel like you're falling in love. I think you're on to something, Hermione."
"Interesting. What is the source of this research?" asked the potions expert.
Tonks turned the notebook, then tilted her head to make out the handwriting. "Ladies Home Journal." Tonks grinned at the blank look on the tall wizard. "It's a muggle magazine, but you wouldn't know about that, would you?"
The star student gave a shy smile as Tonks closed the notebook and tucked it between the top of Hermione's books and her chin. "Get some sleep, Hermione. Professor Snape is right, we won't solve this tonight."
Snape and Tonks were once again in front of the Slytherin shield in the hallway, which covered the entrance to the potion master's chambers. This time it was Severus who held the auror's hand to keep her from walking away. "Interesting information," Snape said silkily. "I'm all out of chocolate, but would you care to assist me with some research along that line?"