Ch. 5 First Date

They made their way silently to their departure point. Snape wasn't sure whether he wanted to take pity on Ginny or hit her for being able to pretend that she was enjoying the kiss from Lord Voldemort. From his point of view, it appeared that not only was she enjoying the kiss, but she was definitely returning it. However, when their eyes locked shortly after and they began to leave the clearing, it was clear to Severus that her light brown eyes held nothing but repulsion, disgust, and shock. Ginny had to stop once to be sick.

When they were finally clear of the trees, Severus took their portkey out of a pocket inside his cloak. Ginny touched the pouch and in seconds they were back in the Hogwarts dungeons.

"Are you alright, Ms. Weasley?" he asked softly.

"No, I don't think I can ever be alright now that I have this on my arm," she replied holding her left arm up.

"The pain you felt when he put it on… it will be back," he replied with a warning. "I… I…um… I took the liberty of brewing a willow bark infusion to help the pain… I thought you might need it," he handed her a vial of a thin white liquid that was semi-transparent.

"Thank you," she said softly. She took the vial, turned swiftly on her heal, and walked into her room. A few minutes later, in his own room, Severus was certain he herd muffled cries floating from her room.

Ginny awoke late. The clock in her room told her that it was 11 am. At King's Cross, Hogwarts students new and returning were likely making their way nervously onto the Hogwarts Express. Every muscle in her body seemed to be on fire and a dull, throbbing pain emanated from the mark on her left arm. Severus had warned her, but she didn't want his charity. It was her decision, and she needed to face the full brunt of it. At least, that's what she had thought last night.

She heard a light knock on her door. "Ms. Weasley, are you alright? It's awfully late."

"I'm terrific," came her sarcastic reply. "I'll meet you in the potions room shortly, Professor. I'm sorry I'm late." There was no response as she climbed out of bed and began to dress. She pulled on her favorite bell-bottom jeans (she liked the way they looked on her ass) and a blue silk spaghetti strap shirt. Even though summer was in full swing (it was only September 1, after all) the house elves insisted on stoking fires large enough to keep the castle warm during winter, or maybe she had just become used to the dungeons and the damp chill that always hung in the air.

She looked at her full length mirror which shrieked, "Cover the mark dear!" Her eyes traveled down to the Dark Mark present on her left arm. She sighed, but really, what was the point in covering it just now? The only person who was going to see her was Snape. She grabbed her quill and parchments and her wand and took the short walk to the potions classroom.

She was moving rather slowly and stiffly. She didn't think she would be so sore this morning or she would have taken the willow bark infusion. She sat resolutely in a seat in the front.

Snape had watched her during the entire walk. She could almost feel the trail his black eyes had traced over her body. "You didn't take it, did you? Damn it, you are the most stubborn person I've ever known!" She smiled weakly at him. Her skin was more pale than usual and there were black circles under her eyes. Her breathing was labored. "Have it your way then."

He opened a large tome on her desk, on which Ginny noticed the fading script titling it Most Potente Potions. "Today, we are moving from healing potions, to their second cousins, poisons and their antidotes. Of course, you are familiar with aconite and belladonna, as well as arsenic, and the most common antidote a bezoar."

Ginny nodded in response. She listened intently until Snape began to talk about the new poisonous plants and ingredients. She stared in awe at the lists of ingredients in some of the potions in Most Potente Potions. Incredibly, some contained five or six poisonous ingredients, to insure that the intended victim suffered as much as thoroughly possible. They discussed possible antidotes to these potions.

Ginny was enraptured with their discussion. She had found that being Snape's apprentice was nothing like being in his class. For one, he couldn't take away house points or give you a detention. Although, you were already responsible for the work that students did in detentions, such as scrubbing the cauldrons and organizing the store room. She found that he was much more pleasant. He didn't sneer or scowl or insult her quite as much... but then again it could be because she was who she was and not because she was his apprentice. A smile spread over her face at this thought.

He slammed shut Most Potente Potions making her jump. "What's so funny, Ms. Weasley?" he sneered in his usual how dare you interrupt my thoughts voice.

"Nothing, Professor," she tried to look as innocent as possible. He glared at her, but continued the lesson, by placing another book on top of Most Potente Potions. She didn't see the title, but this looked like some herbology field guide. He flipped through pages and chatted idly until he found the correct one.

"Our last topic for the day, Ms. Weasley. I tried to make this as short and sweet as possible considering the circumstances," he said nodding at her left arm. "This," he said suddenly stopping on the correct page, "is Black Lotus." She stared at the picture.

In front of her was possibly the most beautiful plant she had ever seen in her life. On top of a thick stalk, sat what looked like a normal lotus flower, except that it was black and it seemed to be glowing. It swayed gently in the wind and the pollen that was knocked loose swirled like glitter. The center of the flower was dark crimson, the color of dried blood.

"Black Lotus," Snape continued, "is the most poisonous plant known to man. If the pollen touches your skin without a barrier, it will pass into your blood stream and kill you. If it is ingested, your death is immediate. However, Black Lotus is extremely interesting, because if it is taken in a diluted form, it most likely will not harm the person taking it."

"But… what are the benefits of taking a diluted form?"

"I was getting to that. Legend has it that the Ancient Egyptian wizard Imhotep, an architect who built Egypt's first pyramid, doctor, priest, scribe, sage, poet, astrologer, etc., etc., came across Black Lotus one day in his travels. It is said he sent members of his retinue into the field of lotus to gather it so that he could study its medicinal properties later. His guards began to drop dead. It is then that Imhotep put on his gloves and collected it, careful not to touch it with his bare skin. Later, while studying the plant from afar, the Egyptian god of medicine came to speak to Imhotep. He told Imhotep that if he diluted the plant he could ingest it; by doing so he would gain immunity from poison, including the poison of the Black Lotus itself. Also, the plant would aid him in his priestly duties by enhancing his visions. Imhotep did as he was told. However, in a short period of time, he became addicted to the plant. His body craved it to continue living, and he had to steadily increase the dosages to gain the same effect. There was another effect the god did not mention – Imhotep's magical power began increasing. One day, during a ritual Imhotep collapsed and died. When they attempted to mummify him, they found that his organs had disintegrated – he would be doomed to roam the world forever searching for his organs. Some people said that the Gods' were punishing Imhotep for daring to become as powerful as they are. However, centuries later, Imhotep became worshipped as a God himself."

"Fascinating," Ginny replied. "Just how much of it is true."

"That depends on how much you believe in, of course. Certainly the properties of Black Lotus are true, but not for everyone. It is hallucinogenic, and it does provide immunity against poisons if diluted and ingested. It can be addicting, although not to everyone. Only certain individuals become addicted, but they almost always drop dead eventually, either from not continuing to take the Black Lotus and their body craving it or from their organs disintegrating from being constantly exposed to the poison. As for the power increase, there is no evidence that this is true for all who take it. All in all, it is a highly unpredictable ingredient and has thus been outlawed by the Ministry of Magic."

"It's mesmerizing," she said running her hand lightly over the picture of the magical plant.

"That's all for today, Ms. Weasley… unless you would like to accompany me to Hogsmeade. I have a few last things to pick up before the students arrive and term begins."

While he was talking Ginny had stood and was painfully making her way to the door. "Sure, I'd love to come," she said aloud. Is this a date? She thought to herself. It was well known that nearly all first dates at Hogwarts were to Hogsmeade, at least among the students.

She made her way into the hall and Severus followed her. "I've changed my mind," he said suddenly. "I will not allow you to come to Hogsmeade with me unless you take the willow bark infusion."

"Fine," she replied testily, "I'll be ready in just a minute." Ginny entered her room, and Severus began to pace the hallway. She emerged after a few moments, moving and breathing much easier, Severus noted. Clearly, she had taken the willow bark infusion; she had also changed her top. Severus frowned slightly, for the spaghetti strap shirt had looked quite ravishing on her. Ginny opted instead for an amber colored long-sleeve shirt that reflected the color of her eyes and hid the mark on her left arm.

They began their walk to Hogsmeade silently. "Why did you refuse to take the infusion?" Severus asked simply. Don't you trust me? seemed to be his true question. He continued, "For a woman who is studying to be a Potions Mistress, it is quite odd that you are so reluctant to use them yourself."

She sighed. "I view it as a weakness, having to turn to potions for everything."

"Truly? Or is it getting help that you view as a weakness?"

"I suppose to some extent, it is getting help that I view as a weakness. This may not make any sense to you, but growing up with Fred and George teaches you to not show weakness; they exploited weakness for their pranks, you know."

"I think it has less to do with growing up with Fred and George and more to do with being possessed by Lord Voldemort."

Ginny frowned and didn't reply. She wanted to shout, Who the hell asked you anyway?, but resisted; she didn't think the Potion's Master next to her would take kindly to being shouted at.

"Would you like to go to The Three Broomsticks? I could use a nice cool drink," Snape said softly. Ginny nodded in agreement; it was a warm summer day and the faint breeze didn't help to cool it down much.

"Ah, Severus… and Ginny Weasley!" came Madam Rosemerta's shocked voice from behind the bar. "It's so good to see you both again! What will it be, Severus? Your usual?"

"Ah… no," he said. "I think a cold glass of lemonade is in order. What about you Ginny?"

"Lemonade sounds great, Professor," she replied moving to a table in the corner. Snape joined her a few minutes later, drinks in hand. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, fishing in her pocket for her money.

"Nothing." Snape replied looking slightly embarrassed. "I was thinking… as long as there aren't any students around... and as long as I'm not instructing you… it might be alright if you called me Severus and I called you Ginny. I mean, after all, we are both adults… and well, we are colleagues. It's no different than Albus and Minerva and I calling each other by first names."

"That sounds good to me, Severus," Ginny said softly as if trying out his name. "What was it that you needed to get again?"

Severus was so busy basking in the sound of her voice wrapping around his first name, it took him a few seconds to realize she had asked him a question. Need to get? What is she talking… Oh, Merlin! He had forgotten the excuse he had for coming here. "Nothing much, really… some parchment, quills, a few things for my private…"

"You didn't really need to come in to Hogsmeade, did you?" she asked brown eyes sparkling.

"Um…" Snape looked down. "Well, I didn't need to, but…"

"Severus, is this a date?" she asked suspiciously.

"Of course not," he said nervously, taking a large swig of lemonade. "That would be entirely… improper. You are my apprentice, after all… and I am old enough to be your father," he added as an after thought.

Ginny paled. "You-Know-Who is old enough to be my grandfather, but that doesn't seem to stop him any," she hissed in a whisper.

Severus' lips thinned as he drew them into a scowl. "Could we not discuss that, please?" he asked with a growl.

A thick silence fell between them as they finished their lemonades. You're blowing it Ginny, she thought to herself. Must change subject... "You still owe me a rematch."

"What? Oh right… fencing. I never knew that you were quite that good Ms. Weasley. I seem to remember you loosing quite a bit in the club meetings."

Great… back to Ms. Weasley. "I had to let Colin win sometimes, or he'd never fence again. He's just that kind of person."

"Ahh…"

Silence followed. Damn it, man, say something interesting, Severus thought to himself. "Back to the castle then?" he asked. No I don't want this to end, yet! He wanted to kick himself.

"Sure," she said softly. They left The Three Broomsticks and soon found themselves back in the Hogwarts Dungeons. "I really enjoyed our walk, Severus."

"I… I… I did…. Ginny…Start of term feast tonight… Would you like to go with me?"

"I would love to. Under one condition… you wear dress robes, and let me do your hair."

Severus swallowed hard. "Anything you say, Ginny." To his surprise, she stretched up and kissed him on his cheek before disappearing into her room. Severus' heart was pounding. If he didn't know any better, he might actually think that Ginny Weasley liked him.

A/N: Well, I could have made the first date longer, but thought that was a good place to stop. Chapter 6 should be up shortly, as I've already started writing it. Thank you to all of my reviewers! When I saw the reviews I immediately began working. I never thought that I would be so review dependent!

June – It wasn't meant as blackmail! I do find it harder to write without feedback, which I can't understand, because I do actually know where the story is going now!

JackintheBagle – It's going to get darker and darker and darker… mwahahahaha. I can't seem to give the characters what they want without making them earn it first. I'm glad you find the darkness intriguing.

Snape's Opera Rose – Haha. Not quite yet. Although I wish that one of them had courage enough to just go for it at this point. Don't worry though, some juicy stuff between Ginny and Snape is coming up soon!

Dear Me – Don't worry… this is NOT, I repeat, is NOT a Tom/Gin fic. There will be very little action between them if I can help it. I'm only including what is absolutely necessary to drive the plot. Besides, the way I've written Ginny… she despises Tom and nothing can happen to change that. Severus is her main man. )