November rolled in, the weather turning colder and colder by the day. There were signs of snow coming soon, just in time for Christmas in a few short weeks. After their trip to Malfoy Manor, Severus went onto to teach Emily Potions and now Defense Against the Dark Arts. It seem without the presence of the young Malfoy, the servants breathed easier and didn't have to be frighten by Dawn's glares and curses because of him. Fridays became a joy now for Dawn, just having to work on Math with Emily, which was getting a lot easier. Emily was an excellent student, always finishing on time and paying attention. It seem the school year would end earlier then before.
It was a lazy Monday afternoon, Dawn was busy teaching Emily English when she heard Emily coughing loudly. She turn from the blackboard and hurry over to Emily and bend down to eye level where the young witch was having a coughing fit. She pulled out her wand and summon a glass of water and handed it to the young witch.
"Drink this,"she order, which Emily followed.
Dawn placed her hand on her cheeks and felt it was streaming hot, the same with her forehead. She got worried and took the glass and took hold of Emily's hand and brought her up and walked her out of the small classroom.
"C'mon, we need to get you to bed."she said, softly
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Dawn closed the door to Emily's room and sighed deeply, Emily seemed to get worst by every passing second. She just put her ward in bed and had to find some cold medicine and fast. She nearly ran towards where she thought where Severus slept. She finally reached the last door of the hall and saw the door ajar and pushed it slightly open and walked in. There was a several book cases off to the side, almost reaching the ceiling, a big dresser, and a king size bed with dark green and black sheets. Yep, this was definably Severus' room. It seemed no one was here. She scan the room and her eyes landed on a door and quietly strolled over to it and heard the sounds of a shower. It must be his bathroom. She was about to knock when the door was suddenly open and stood Severus himself...naked. Dawn quickly covered her head and turn herself around with a blush on her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Snape! I didn't know it was you!"she said, nothing bothering to turn around.
"Why are you in my room, Miss Phoenix?"he asked, putting on a green robe.
"I need some Pepper-Up Potion,"Dawn said
"Why?"
"It's Emily, I think she is sick. She began to cough violently in class and I already put her to bed, sir."she answered
"Alright, let me get dress and I will be right there."Severus said, his voice draped in concern.
Dawn nodded and walked towards the exit. She forgot she had her hand over her eyes and stumbled and hit the dresser but kept walking. Severus sighed and rolled his eyes at her walking form and re-enter the bathroom.
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Dawn watched from the edge of the bed as Severus checked over Emily, her face flushed and coughing here and there. She was so concern about her student's health she didn't know the door to the room open and walked in Mrs. Rosefiled until she heard Severus voice. She looked up from Emily and up at Severus.
"Mrs. Rosefield, what can we do for you?"he asked
"It's the cooks, sir, they are coughing and sneezing madly and can't even fix lunch."she said
Severus and Dawn exchange glances before he turn back to the other witch.
"Martha, please watch over Emily until we return."he order
She nodded and took his place at the bed. Severus grabbed on Dawn's arm and dragged her outside the room.
"Where are we going?"she asked
"My lab, we need to start making potions."he said.
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Dawn stood in front of a large and wide table, patiently waiting for Severus to return from his store room with ingredients. They had to make potions for all of the cooks, which were a lot, about ten or so. She jumped when Severus return with an arm full of vials and six cauldrons floating behind him. He set the vials down in front of her and waved his wand and the cauldrons set in front of them. Dawn picked up one of the vials and saw what looked to be animal eye balls.
"Sir, these ingredients don't look like they belong in a Pepper-Up potion,"she said
"It's not for just Pepper-Up potion, Miss Dawn Phoenix. We need to make a Dreamless Potion, everyone would need to get their rest before the Pepper-Up Potion could take in effect. Now get busy,"he order and began to chop up some herbs.
Dawn sighed and began to do the same.
An hour later and three fourths of potions ready, Dawn was watching the timer, waiting for time to add another ingredient in the Pepper-Up potion. Her hair sticking to her forehead because of the fumes from the potions. She looked down the table at Severus who was busy stirring the Dreamless potion, carefully not ruin it. Which was unlikely being the famous Potion Master he was known for. He had already removed his top coat because of the heavy fumes and was now dressed in a white button down shirt, his sleeves rolled up, and a plain pair of black slacks. He just need to wash his hair fully and cut it a bit at the ends, he would look very handsome. Dawn was startled from her thoughts when the timer went off. She quickly begin to cup the green herbs and gently pour them in and stirred the potion counter-clockwise four times when the potion turn into a crimson red.
"I'm done, Mr. Snape."she announced, smiling in triumph
"It seem like your not a complete useless after all. Just pour it into the vials and we can get going."he said, still stirring the last ingredient for his potion.
She sighed and did as she told. By the time she was done filling the three cauldrons full, it had enough to help all of the cooks and then some. Severus filled his last vial and drop them into a bag to carry, two bags of each potion. They were about to leave the dank and humid potion lab when Mrs. Rosefield walked in, her nose red as Rudolph. She had a white handkerchief in her hand.
"Master Snape, Miss Phoenix,"she sneezed "I think we may need more,"she sneezed again,"potions."
"Mrs. Rosefield, we just have enough for half of the staff members!"said Severus
"I have already sent the ones who have family near by for rest. The rest are in their beds, down with the flu. They really need your help."
"I think-"Severus was cut off by Dawn.
"Mrs. Rosefield, please take the potions down to them. If me and Severus go down there together, we may whine up sick ourselves,"Dawn handed the two bags of potions to the witch,"And please get some rest."
Mrs. Rosefields smiled,"Thank you Miss Phoenix and Master Snape."she bowed slightly and left the lab, sneezing following her.
Dawn sighed and leaned against the table, exhausted and hungry. But, she was glad that was able to make potions for the staff members.
"Now that is settle, what shall we do now?"Severus asked
"How about we get something to eat."Dawn suggested.
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They enter the huge kitchen, no signs of life anywhere, all of the cooks sick and in bed. Dawn looked around, trying to find where the food could be. Severus seeing this, pointed her to a door leading off to the side.
"There is where you would find the food, Miss Phoenix. The refrigerator is by the corner."he said
"Thanks,"she mutter
"What shall we make?"she asked
Severus thought for a minute before answering,"How about some...salad, pasta, chicken, and some pumpkin juice."
"Sure! I can make that. You take the salad and the pasta, I will work with the chicken and pumpkin juice."Dawn said happily, already putting on a apron.
An hour later, the meals prepare, at least on Severus' part. Dawn was still busy working on the chicken, flipping the chicken on the stove to get all the parts was cooked when he hand accidentally hit the extremely hot stove. She screamed in pain and accidentally flipped the pan of the chicken too hard, she watched as the piece of chicken flipped in the air and falling down on her head. Severus who was at the other end of the kitchen, making salad, grinning at Dawn. She turned and glared at Severus and threw the chicken square in the head, it was her turn to laugh, getting a glare from the dark wizard to match her own.
After the little chicken incident, Severus and Dawn sat across each other at the table in the kitchen. A bowl of salad, pasta with tomato sauce with, and a plate of cheese and finally a glass of cold pumpkin juice for each other, the chicken longed forgotten.
"Have you ever cooked in your entire life, Miss Phoenix?"he asked
"Yeah...once...it ended badly. I can manage barely, like making pasta and...toast. It's my friend Alisa's job to cook. Not mine."Dawn said in her defense
"How can I let you teach my child if you can't even cook simple meal?"asked Severus
"It does not matter if I can cook to teach your child."she said back
"I'm surprise you made the Pumpkin Juice right."he bit back
"Oh, why you little-"Dawn began to say before she was silenced by a sneezed
She groaned and held her hand to her forehead as she felt her nose becoming stuffed up. She suddenly felt sick to the stomach.
"I don't feel so good..."she said softly
She fell from her chair and onto the floor.
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She tried to keep her balance as Severus helped her walk towards the living room. He set her on the couch and summon a blanket and put it around her form.
"Thanks,"she sniffled
"Miss Phoenix, do you think you can make it to your room?"she shook her head 'no'.
"Do you have any more potions?"she asked as she wiped her nose
"Sadly no, and I don't have enough ingredients for any more. It seems you have to sleep it out for today until I can get more."Severus said
"God, I hate my life."she groaned and fell back into the sofa.
"I will be here, to make sure you don't die,"he said, he began to read a book near by.
"Thanks,"she said sarcastically and snuggled into the couch.
After tossing around a bit, not finding a good place to sleep, Dawn sighed and just laid on her back and let her body relax. She was about to fall asleep when she heard Severus coughing from the other side of the room. She looked up and saw Severus form hunched over as he coughed loudly, his book forgotten.
"Great, you given the damn cold!"he cursed between coughs
"It wasn't my fault to play baby sitter, smart guy. You have no one but yourself to blame."stated Dawn.
Dawn reached into her pocket and brought up a vial and threw it at Severus, who caught it.
"It's Dreamless Potion, it was the only left overs from earlier. It's only for one and you need it more then I do."she said
"Thanks,"Severus said and chunged down the potion.
"Now shut up and go to sleep."she said softly before falling asleep instantly. Severus followed suit.
The next day, every staff member was well and full of engery. They wanted to show their thanks to their saviors but found out Severus and Dawn were sick themselves and slept the whole day, waking up to take more medicine and blowing their noses. They both learned that sharing sucks...at least for colds anyway.
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Author's Note: I think this is the shortest chapter yet. It was quick to do, about 2 days at the latest. It's sorta like a filler, just something to read how Severus and Dawn are getting along. If you can call it that. I'm sorry for Severus for acting OOCish! I didn't mean it, it jsut happen! Must come back to snarky Severus! Well, as always, please review! Authors live off of it.