Learning to Live Chapter 12
Buffy whirled around and there was Severus, lying on the floor. Clearly he'd been under the Cruciatus a bit too long because he was flinching as if shocked every few seconds. Blood matted his dark hair and he had two black eyes. "Sev!" Buffy shrieked. True, she may not have been on good terms lately, but he was her best friend. He was lying in the doorway to his flat.
The petite Slayer ran over to him, dropping her cane with a clatter and picking him up. The dungeon floor was cold and one of Madam Pomfrey's books said that Cruciatus victims are extremely susceptible to hypothermia. She dashed into his bedroom and gently deposited him on the bed. "No! No Pomfrey! Please! She doesn't know about the Order and she would think I'm a Death Eater!" Severus screamed as he struggled.
Buffy grabbed his arms and looked at him, "Listen, I'm not gonna call Pomfrey. I don't think you're hurt too bad; I can treat this. Just be quiet." Severus's eyes widened and he passed out. "Well, not exactly the quietness I was planning on . . ." she mumbled to herself.
She headed to the small cabinet in Sev's bathroom where she knew he kept every medical potion he ever used. One happened to be a small vial of Caput Salvo. Buffy grabbed that and another, larger vial filled with a viscous black substance. It was a very effective, though gross, sort of wizarding Neosporin. It looked disgusting, but when it was washed off eight hours later, any cut would be healed, provided it wasn't a mortal wound.
Returning to the bed, Buffy set everything out on the nightstand. Slowly, she coaxed the Caput Salvo down his throat. Using a towel she had grabbed from the bathroom, Buffy tried to wipe the blood off of his face. It was coming from one single cut near his scalp. As soon as the blood seemed to clot a little, she spread the tar-like stuff on the wound. It dried quickly and formed a seal. No more blood. The aftereffects seemed to have worn off.
Buffy fell asleep on a couch near his bed. She woke up screaming. Her arms were waving, but a pair of hands was trying to get her to calm down. "Buffy, shh, you're okay, he can't get you anymore," a tired British voice told her. She calmed down, realizing it was Severus.
"Merlin, you look like Hell," Severus gasped as he finally saw her still.
Buffy paled and muttered, "Gee, that's a nice thing to say to a girl."
"Seriously, how much sleep have you gotten in the past three weeks?" he asked, his own face paler than normal.
"Um . . . two hours a night?" she tried.
The Potions Master shook his head and told her, "I know it wasn't even that much. But you've neglected yourself. You have cuts all over your face." A 'clink' was heard as a glass vial fell to the floor. It was Buffy's painkilling potion. The color made it identifiable to Severus, as it was the only potion that could be stored in glass and was a sparkling blue.
"Painkilling potion? How long?" he asked. Buffy could only look down. "That long? Why?"
"Because it hurt and it helped me sleep," she responded, ashamed.
Sev was worried now and told her, "Now, it's not the addictiveness that I'm worried about, it's that after you go off it, everything will hurt more. But you can't stay on it. It will break down your heart and lungs after a while."
"I can't do it, Sev, if keeps everything gone. It lets me do my work," she pleaded.
"No."
Buffy got up to leave and yelled, "What right do you have to be ordering me around?"
"None, but you're moving in with me again."
"But. . ."
Severus threatened, "If you don't, I'll remove the Glamour and tell Dumbledore."
Buffy sighed in acceptance and nodded. "We're acting like children."
"Yes, we are," was all he said. But it didn't change the fact that she would be obeying him.
"Okay. But, Severus, my problems can stay hidden from the general public. Yours must be attended to. Dobby!" she called.
The house elf popped right into Severus's room and didn't look twice at Buffy's glamour-less face. "Dobby is at Miss Buffy's service," he chirped.
"Could you please get me some chocolate, two glasses of water, and some ice?" the blond Slayer asked, wincing slightly at Dobby's cheery voice.
"Dobby gets it." And with a crack, he was gone and with another crack he was back. He deposited the items on the coffee table and was gone. Along with the requested foodstuffs, he had also brought to mugs of hot cocoa.
Buffy pushed a mug of cocoa and a piece of chocolate towards Severus. "Chocolate helps counteract the effects of the Cruciatus. C'mon, you know you don't want stampeding elephants in your head during Neville's Potions class," she goaded him. He grinned faintly and began to attack the chocolate and the cocoa. The Longbottom boy had actually managed to increase the number of cauldrons he exploded in recent days.
Meanwhile Buffy wrapped several pieces of ice in a towel and put them on the freshly healed bruised spot. It may be healed, but it would throb if she didn't put ice on it. Severus began to complain but was quiet when it actually felt good. For several minutes, the two just ate and relaxed. "How is the vampire population in the forest?" the Potions Master asked.
The Slayer smirked and replied, "Not as good as it was a few weeks ago. They are just so darn fun to kill. They've run rampant for so long that they're not scared at all. 'Course, the demons are a hell of a lot scarier than your average, run-of-the-mill Sunnydale demon. Couple surprises, here and there. One Exploding Goo demon. Giles says it was Shor-something, but it doesn't matter. Dead as my last hamster."
Her friend just shook his head at that. Killing soulless monsters was therapeutic for her; much like potions was for him. "So, Sevvie, there are several stacks of potions essays for you to make your way through before Christmas. They really pile up if you don't stay on top of them, especially that 5-footer on Egyptian potions utilizing glyphs in the brewing that you assigned the 7th years," Buffy said with a glint of evil in her eye. All in good fun, of course.
Severus harrumphed and took a big gulp of his cocoa, only to burn his tongue and get froth on his nose. His companion burst out laughing. At least she was laughing, he thought. Once they had finished their hot cocoas, he took a look at the clock and saw that it was only an hour until class. "Buffy, we need to get ready for class. Both of us need a shower," he said, "Why don't you go get started."
"But what about my. . ." she began.
The Potions Master smiled and stopped her, "Clothes? Yes, while you're in the shower, I am going to transport your room back to where it should be, just as it was."
"Thank you, Sev," Buffy whispered as she headed into the showers. She was pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of her favorite shampoo still in the shower. Apparently he didn't hate her.
Forty-five minutes later, both of them were ready to go. Buffy had once again acquired her pretty cane and was wearing colors. Severus was not looking nearly as snarky as usual. Students backed away as they realized that the two teachers had resolved their differences. No one could figure out how someone as shiny and happy as Buffy found anything to like in the dark, rude Severus. Even Draco Malfoy was at a loss.
Buffy and Severus parted awkwardly as Buffy entered the DADA classroom and Severus continued his way down to the dungeons. Remus himself sighed in relief when he saw that they had made up.
DADA class was entirely different. The Slayer was animated and gave lots of helpful pointers to everyone and even introduced some new ideas. She seemed less inclined to do demonstration sparring, but she enthusiastically gave advice.
That evening, Albus announced the Halloween masquerade. The students seemed absolutely thrilled. "There will be one condition, however," he said after the they finished their initial cheers, "No student may masquerade as a Death Eater or a Dementor. Any student who breaks this rule will be suspended from classes for at least a week and barred from all Quidditch games for the rest of the year."
After dinner, there was a staff meeting where Albus put forth his next announcement, "All you will be required to attend the Halloween masquerade next week. Please dress accordingly, yes, even you, Severus. You will be chaperones but also guards. It would be altogether too easy for someone to sneak in and cause trouble."
The staff seemed to accept this, though Severus looked bothered that he actually had to dress up for Halloween. As they left, Buffy seemed to be absolutely thrilled. She babbled on about possibilities for costumes. "I've always wanted to dress up like Sleeping Beauty, you know from the Disney movie?" she was saying.
The Potions Master said, "Who is Sleeping Beauty? Some silly muggle fairy tale?"
"No, actually it was based on a witch from the time of Charlemagne. Athena Adenbrau was cursed to sleep until her true love kissed her. Unluckily for the witch who cursed her, he did find and kiss her. The fairy part was a bit of embellishment to cover up the truth of it, but, well, what is ever real?" Dumbledore mused before continuing on his way.
Buffy spun and told Severus triumphantly, "See, even Albus thinks that it's a wonderful idea!"
At that, Severus's dark eyes rolled and he grumbled, "And what would I be?"
"Are you asking me to the dance?" she asked, batting her eyes coquettishly.
Then he began to lose his calm and mumbled, "Well, um, yes, as a matter of fact, I would be honored if you would accompany me."
"Soo, does that mean yes?"
"It does," he said, more clearly but still incredibly self-conscious.
Buffy burst out laughing and gasped, "Of course I would love to go with you!"
Tension fled from Severus and he seemed to go back to the calm Severus that likes to drink hot cocoa with whipped cream. "Only if you'll go as Prince Phillip," she pushed.
"Very well," he conceded, "And you as Aurora?"
His date's jaw dropped open. "You were lying you sneak, you've seen it! You've seen Sleeping Beauty!" she yelled.
"Oh bloody hell woman, be quiet or you'll wake the whole castle. I do have a reputation to uphold, after all," Severus laughed as he bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. She was stunned and smiled gently.
As they walked back to their rooms together, she whispered in his ear, "Sev, we can't do that in public or we'll be the talk of the whole castle, probably the whole wizarding world."
"Very well; now, what do you think Xander will wear to the Halloween ball?"
Buffy thought for a moment and then said, "Soldier. American soldier."
"Why do you think that?"
They drifted off towards their rooms as the short blonde regaled him with her tales of Halloweens past. Sadness only flitted across her face briefly which Severus took to be a good sign.
The next day, the painkilling potion's aftereffects were hurting her. Buffy could barely walk even with her cane. Severus came in and looked over her carefully. "Buffy, we need to talk to Remus. You can't be teaching class as normal today," he told her. She gave only the slightest of nods, trying to keep from crying. In her mind, the Slayer knew that it was her fault, that she shouldn't have taken the potion so much.
"Wait, Sev, put the different glamour on. I don't want to explain any more to Remy than I need to," she practically begged. Severus's face softened and he cast the glamour quickly before going to call Remus.
Seconds later, the werewolf stepped through the fire. "What's going on? I don't think that you've ever invited anyone but Albus into your quarters before, Severus."
"Buffy is having some problems. I think you should talk to her yourself," he told Remus, the glint in his eyes telling the slighter man that he would kill him if he even made her feel guilty for anything. With that, he pointed to Buffy's room and left, heading to his office. His door was left open.
Remus took one look at his friend and knew that something was wrong. "Remember, Remy, how in the last few weeks I've been particularly agile and nimble?" He nodded, not liking where this was going. "And have you ever heard of the Aphraxus Painkilling Potion?"
The werewolf's eyes grew wide as he stuttered, "It's the most dangerous painkilling potion out there. It is only given to patients that are in agony and nothing else will mask the pain. It is highly addictive and once the user stops using it, the . . . pain comes back threefold. Please don't tell me that you've been taking it?" Tears filled her eyes, as it was her turn to nod. She tried to turn away from him, but he caught her and held her close. "It's okay, you just needed to escape for a little bit. You'll be fine. How about you teach from the desk today and I let them deal with a few boggarts? It will be good exercise for them anyway."
"Okay," the Slayer agreed.
Remus smiled at her and told her, "Good, then I'll expect you in about an hour?"
"Yes," she responded and her co-worker left quietly.
Severus entered several minutes later and handed her a cup of potion. "Don't worry, my dear, it's just a vitamin potion. Your diet really has suffered as of late," he assured her.
Buffy smiled at him as she downed the substance. He really did care for her. "It won't anymore, I'm under your thumb now," she told him, "Now help me get dressed."
Both of them knew that she could do it herself, but they also enjoyed it. Severus helped her into the bathroom, where she showered and got out. While she was showering, he called Dobby for their breakfasts. He laid out Buffy's clothes for the day, a pair of loose black pants and a black shirt to wear underneath her scarlet robes. After Buffy got dressed, they ate in near silence.
"So, is there some secret passage to the DADA room that I can take? I really don't wanna hobble through the halls like this," the Slayer asked.
Severus replied, "No, there is not, but I think that Floo may be acceptable today. Albus would certainly permit it."
"I hate the Floo. I get all dirty," she complained half-heartedly.
"Well, let's go." Buffy collected her cane and Severus collected a packet of Potions essays and they were off. He went first and Buffy followed soon after.
They found that Remus had arranged the desk so that Buffy had an excellent view of the room. Two boxes filled the front of the classroom and they all knew that they contained boggarts. "Remus, would you like to have lunch with Buffy and I today?" Severus asked.
Remus looked startled that a man who had never even liked him just asked him to lunch. He stuttered briefly before accepting whole-heartedly. "Of course I'd love to, our last class is done around noon, I'll just come back with her," the werewolf told him.
Buffy put in, "Sev, could you extend the invitation to Xander, too? He'd like to eat with us today, I think."
"I was thinking of stopping by his room on the way to the dungeons. Well, I must be off. Be careful, both of you," the Potions Master said, in a voice that contained more cheer than normal. It was accompanied by another "If she gets hurt, I'll take your head" glare towards Remus.
The morning was dreadfully boring to everyone. Buffy was stuck grading papers for the morning because she did not want to deal with a boggart. Remus just quietly advised his students. Severus was even kind to Neville that morning.
Lunch came soon and the pain in Buffy's legs had faded a bit. She could walk with only a limp, not the hobble that was present in the morning. Nevertheless, Remus went through first to make sure that she did not stumble out of the fireplace when she landed.
Severus was already there and had set up a simple meal, though it was by no means small. He was determined to put meat on Buffy's bones. "Xander will not be joining us today, he had prior engagements," he said with a smirk on his face.
"Oh? What kind of prior engagement?" Buffy asked, ever the gossip.
"A girl."
"Do you know anything, Remy? I've been out of the loop," she whined.
Remus grinned and looked at Severus. "Should I tell her?"
"I think you should if you wish to keep yourself safe from her," the Potions Master drawled, nodding his head at the increasingly frustrated Buffy.
"Apparently he met a lovely witch from Hogsmeade that sells Muggle artifacts in a small shop. By the name of Ariana Finch," the werewolf said quickly.
The little blond girl was nearly shaking with excitement as she asked, "Tell me more about Ariana Finch."
"Over lunch, while you eat."
They sat down to the soup and salad that Severus had gotten from the kitchen. "Ariana Finch is a young witch who graduated from here about, oh, eight years ago. She stands about five and a half feet tall with lovely brown hair. Her specialty when she was a student was said to be hexes. Quite the practical joker. Nice blue eyes, pale skin, very fond of the Yankee Muggle who wandered into her shop a week ago. They've spent a lot of time in Zonko's and the Leaky Cauldron. I'd watch any candy you get from your friend for a while. Zonko's is beginning to carry Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes products, like ton-tongue toffee and canary creams."
"Eek, thank you. Xander would love those jokes," Buffy agreed, "I'm glad Xander's found someone. I was afraid that he'd never find someone who didn't leave him. Ariana seems to be his perfect match."
"It seems you two have found your perfect matches as well," Remus dared to say.
Severus froze and paled while Buffy continued, "I think I may have. Depends on him."
"You have," Sev managed to whisper. A look passed between the two that Remus could not have mistook for anything but love.
"So, how long will the aftereffects of the potion last, Sev?" Buffy asked to get him out of his sudden trance.
The Potions Master was back as he replied, "About a week, though they should dissipate gradually."
"Good." And that was all that was said for the rest of lunch. Buffy and Remus had to take off for another DADA class and Severus retreated to the dungeons to grade potions essays.
After classes that evening, Buffy was grading a few DADA papers when a knock came at her door. "Come in," she said. Harry poked his head in.
He asked nervously, "What happened to Quidditch practice?"
"Oh, um," Buffy stuttered, "Well, to tell you the truth, I need your vow of secrecy. No one, not even Hermione or Ron can be told." Harry nodded. "Okay, I did a bit of dabbling with Aphraxus Painkilling Potion and now I'm dealing with the consequences. I can't handle flying, just for a few days. I'm off of the stuff, I promise. Sev makes sure of it."
Harry was surprised by her casual mention of the hated Potions Master, but nodded. "It's good that you off of it, Hermione went on about how easily it could kill after we learned about it last year."
"So, are you going to the Halloween masquerade?"
Harry blushed and replied, "Yeah, I'm going with Luna Lovegood. She's getting some wicked good costumes. Um, what about you?"
"I'm going with Severus," Buffy said nonchalantly. The Boy-Who-Lived paled at the idea of Professor Snape having a date to a ball with a gorgeous professor. "You can't tell anyone about that either. Sev would have conniptions."
"Okay, I promise I won't tell anyone," Harry said, laughing. He began to head out of her office.
Her cheery voice drifted, "Good night, Harry. I'll be back to practice by next week. Be careful!"
"Good night, Professor Summers."