Chapter 4

For the next month, Liza found herself spending nearly every day in Severus' room, helping out with potions. With the younger classes, she would wander around, stopping them from making their potions the wrong way, so they wouldn't get in deep trouble. This, and the fact that with Liza in his class, Snape would go a little soft, helped students increase their marks. In the older classes however, Liza spent little time helping the students. Rather, she spent her time behind the desk with Severus.

It was like they were back in school themselves, flirting insanely as the classes worked on their potions, now, allowed to talk as their professor was too occupied to notice it.

"I want those essays on moonstone in next class!" Snape shouted over the noise of the last class on Friday, late in October. After the class left, Liza picked up a few loose pieces of parchment, and walked up to Severus' desk, tossing the paper in the garbage.

"That went rather well." She sighed happily, coming through her hair with her hand.

"Things have been going a lot better since you started helping out." The man commented, then quickly added, "Not that I really needed it, they're just more occupied."

"Of course." Liza laughed softly, smiling as Severus stacked a pile of fifth-year's essays onto his desk. He looked up at her.

"What?" He asked, seeing the look on her face.

"Nothing" She replied, in a whisper.

"Of course." He muttered.

"Well . . . " The woman began again, stepping toward him, "I was just thinking about supervising for the next ball."

"Have you been asked? It's not until Christmas."

"No . . . but last time was kind of fun." She shook the hair out of her face, looking over at Severus.

"Are you suggesting that I volunteer to work it?"

"Well . . . yes." The man sighed, shaking his head.

"Only if you're staying with me the entire time, and there's some sort of entertainment called chess involved."

"Fine with me." Liza smiled, she turned to leave, but felt Snape's hand on her arm, pulling her back.

"Sev . . . what are you . . . " The sudden warm sensation of Severus' lips against hers filler her with joy. It had been a long time, too long . . . much too long. She kissed him back with just as much passion, if not more. Finally, the couple pulled away from each other.

"I've been dying to do that since you got back here." Severus whispered, holding Liza close to him, her head on his chest.

"I'm so glad you did. I didn't want to wait any longer." Liza replied, wrapping her arms around the man tightly, as if to never let him go.