Chapter 3
The day after the ball, Liza woke later than everyone else, as she had no classes, she had no reason to get up earlier than needed. The woman fixed herself something to eat, pulled her robes on over top of her clothes, and, during the break between classes, headed to Minerva's room.
Liza entered the room halfway through the class, Minerva was sitting at the back of the room, while Hermione taught. The younger woman slipped into the back of the class, sliding over to where her aunt sat, she took a seat beside her.
"Hey." She whispered.
"Hello." Minerva smirked at the younger woman.
"What was that for?"
"Last night."
"What do you mean last night?"
"You and Severus? Patrolling the halls wasn't even close to what you were doing. I can see rather well in the dark you know."
"Oh hush up." Liza softly snapped, "It was nothing, we were walking the halls, and I was leaving. Severus was merely saying good night when you came out of nowhere."
"Merely saying good night?" Minerva raised an eyebrow, "Liza, you were so happy when you were together, I knew this was going to happen, and so did you. You're falling for Severus again." Liza fumbled with the arm of her robes for a moment, then looked up.
"I think I am." The older woman smiled over at her.
"Isn't it a good thing? From what I've heard, you haven't dated since then."
"No . . . I haven't." She sighed, "One experience since then, thats it."
"Why don't you go back to him?"
"Min, you know what he did! How can you say that?" Her voice was shrill enough, even as a whisper to make a few of the students in the classroom turned around. "Sorry." She muttered.
"Liza you said it yourself earlier, you miss him. He misses you, and obviously you forgave him for what he did. Last night it seemed like you two were getting along perfectly, you were inches away from kissing . . . then I came in . . . which I am sorry about. If I had known it was you two, I wouldn't have come . . . but students were all over the school."
"True."
"Then go tell him."
"Tell him? Are you crazy? I just got back! But . . . maybe I will go see him, build up again." Almost at that exact moment, the bell rang, signifying the switch between classes once again. Liza jumped up, "I'll see you later!" She called over the students, and hurried off to the dungeons.
The woman arrived long before the class arrived. Severus looked up from his lesson as he heard the door close.
"Liza." He greeted, a small smile on his face, "Will you be working with the next class?"
"Uh . . . sure." She shrugged, walking up to his desk. "I didn't really have anything else to do, I haven't gotten anything scheduled yet."
"Where were you last class?"
"Talking with Minerva."
"Ah." Severus stepped closer to her, "Well you know you're welcome here anytime right?"
"Of course." She smiled at him, she felt her cheeks flushing. Minerva was right, she was falling in love with Severus all over again. Liza felt herself drifting toward him, but suddenly the door opened, students pouring in. Liza backed away, as Severus directed the class.
"Take your seats." He said strongly, "Professor McGill will be helping out today." The woman smiled at the class, taking a seat behind Severus' desk as he began to teach.
