Chapter 24

The students were well behaved for the most part and Alex finally managed to slip away from Severus for a little bit to do some Christmas shopping, while he was getting some potion supplies.

"Hello Professor Grant." Came a voice from behind her. She quickly turned to see Harry standing behind her.

"Hello Harry. Having a nice day?" Alex asked kindly, expecting to see Ron and Hermione around him.

"It's been alright." He said some what upset. Suddenly he began to blush when he noticed the lace dark green nighty in her hand. Her attention was brought to what had caught his gaze.

"Uhm, Christmas shopping." She also blushed. "Why don't you give me a moment to make my purchase and then we can talk." She said quickly.

"Sure." He said, wanting to escape the embarrassment. She went to the clerk and paid for her gift she picked out for her for Severus (Just nod and pretend that you understand what I meant there).

"Is something the matter? Where are Ron and Hermione?" This question seemed to take his mood down a bit lower.

"They had a fight and went off their own ways."

"Well that's not good. What was their fight about?"

"Oh Hermione got upset because she thought that he was flirting with one of the girls from our class."

"So they left you on your own?"

"I thought it better, other wise I'd be used against them. Expected to be on both sides."

"I wouldn't have thought Hermione the type to get jealous." I said walking out the door with him.

"Well she has her moments. She almost killed him when he said that you were attractive." He said, causing a flush to creep to Alex's face.

"Oh... Harry, I've got to get going." I said, noticing Severus come out of the potion's store. "Are you going to be all right?" I asked, ignoring Severus' unhappy gaze.

"I'll be fine, besides, I think Professor Snape is waiting for you." Harry said, noticing how his teacher was glaring at them.

"Yes he is." I said, glancing over at him." Well find me if you want to talk."

"Uhm... thanks... but I don't think that Professor..."

"Oh never mind him, if you need someone to talk to, come and find me." She said kindly.

"Thanks Professor Grant." Harry smiled, heading for Honeydukes. Alex walked towards Severus who was waiting for her.

"What did Potter want?" He asked, putting an arm around her back.

"He just wanted to talk to me."

"Regarding what?"

"It was private. I've sent eh way you go after your students." She commented as they walked towards the Three Broomsticks. "You'd think I'd feed that fire?"

"Love you have another fire that needs to be fed." He whispered. Letting his hand wander down to her hip.

"Yes but not right now love." Alex replied. "There are students around."

"Kill joy." He said as they sat down in the back corner.

"Hmm... I think I like wench better." Just as Severus was about to reply his face grimaced as his body stiffened with pain. He grasped his arm. The Dark Lord was calling.