Chapter 23

Severus and Hermione made their way back into the labs and closed and warded the doors. Hermione sat upon a stool and summoned her quill and notebooks. Severus sat opposite of her and swallowed heavily before speaking.

"Ms. Granger, I believe that I have identified the potion you need in order to create the one in your dream. The idea behind this potion is to deflect the Crustacious Curse . For that, it will need to be very powerful protective magic. Here," he handed her a piece of parchment. Her eyes scanned the words as he continued to speak. "is what I believe to be the answer. I have not brewed everything yet. Just the…catalyst."

"A love potion?" Her eyes were round and she bit her lip.

"I believe it is he meaning behind your…dream. The clear vial. That's what lead me to believe that a love potion is what we need. That and, other things…"

"Oh Professor! You are brilliant!" her cheeks went red as she said it and remembered Ginny's overuse of the word earlier. "When can we test this?"

"Do you have an idea as to what the base potion should be?"

"Yes, I have actually created a new potion, a protective potion that lends strength and a healing power to it. But when I applied the C. Curse, it has sometimes resulted in the death of my test subjects. So I only test when my calculations show a high percentage of success. So far I have been wrong."

"What do you test your potions on?" he followed her to the other side of the lab where aquariums and plants covered the wall.

"The plants first. I just can't make myself test anything else yet."

"Plants?" His voice was small and she really didn't even hear it. She was looking at the two empty spaces in the shelves where two plants that were there stood no longer. Severus' eyes grazed her face and he saw her sadness there. He also saw her determination to solve this, no matter the cost to her own feelings. Or course she felt that way. The stubborn Gryffindor invited him, her bane of existence for seven years, to come and help her in her time of need. He wondered sometimes at the sanity of the witch.

They took supper in the labs that evening, together. They sheared sandwiches and fruit from a large platter Sylvester brought them. Sylvester was giddy and jumped up and down when Severus shared the freezing charm that seemed to work on Elmer. Hermione gave him a hard look as he promised to practice it everyday.

Sylvester, being a free elf, took time off in order to do his shopping. He bought himself a raincoat that he was very proud of and wore over his work uniform. Sylvester had also bought his beloved mistress a scarf he knew she would love. Hermione sat listening to him tell her about the festival he witnessed in a village nearby as Severus watched her.

He was frightened by what he felt. More than that, it was the first time in a very long time he felt anything for anyone except disgust or indifference. She was young, and intelligent. She made him chuckle to himself as she exercised her fire and wit. She confused him because she was also soft and emotional on occasion as well. He had never seen such a mixture in a person before. She was pure to him and, unwillingly, he was placing her in higher regard then he even realized. He watched her laugh at Sylvester's stories. He marveled at her acceptance, and in truth, her desire for assertive house elves. She had collected the snarkiest, rudest and most stubborn house elves and other creatures, all to be with her. They seemed to love her too Well, not that mirror.

Severus and Hermione worked for a few more hours in silence. The hours were passing quickly and they worked side by side. Once pupil and Professor, once employee and employer, now partners in a task that has already born fruits that neither could yet identify.

In truth, they had sealed a bond between them when Hermione's dream was shared in its entirety. They each saw each other differently. They each respected the other more than they had in the beginning. They each were frightened by the oddity of it all.

It was almost midnight. The witching hour. Sevrus held a purple potion up to his eyes and closely studied the consistency. If his and Ms. Granger's calculations were correct, the mist should begin to rise sometime after the addition of the love potion.

Hermione watched him. She felt comfortable in his presence as he brewed the potion and she calculated the measurements. He was by far, the most able person to be here with her. She felt confident, no more did she despair her goals. She knew, without knowing why, that together they would each the goals the both wanted.

She had been petrified by the thought that Elmer had spoken to the Professor. She wondered what he really did say to him. She noticed that the Professor skirted the issue by asking a question. But she was relieved that he did not throw Elmer's words at her. Hopefully, she thought, he knew the mirror spoke nothing but nasty remarks. She hoped it wasn't anything too bad. She was pulled from her private thoughts by the Professor pressing a book in her hands. Her eyes grew wide as she read the name.

Merlin's Methods

"Professor! This book is so rare. Oh, it must be priceless." She ran her hands lovingly across the spine and the cover. It was a black, leather bound book with the words written in gold ink.

Severus watched her cherish his beloved book. He watched her open the pages and read the contents with reverence. He was satisfied by her reaction to the book. It was indeed priceless and very rare. Not many people would appreciate the fact that he had one at his disposal.

"Yes, it's rare. It s also helpful in the creation of new potions. Merlin was, and still is, the forerunner of innovation for the magical world." Hermione nodded her agreement and turned the pages slowly.

"Page six hundred and fifty-five. There is a formula for mixing love potion with other ingredients. Please read over that while we wait." Well, there he was. Back in Professor mode. However, Hermione never turned down a good read.

Severus watched her devour the written word while he simmered the potion.

"Oh my, it says here it could take a full twelve hours for the potion to complete itself after we add the love potion." Severus nodded his head knowingly and caught her eye.

"Shall we?" Hermione felt the excitement and nodded her head in agreement. He handed her the vial of love potion while he stirred the base potion with a long wooden spoon.

"You must pour it slowly as I stir. Are you ready? Alright, begin." Hermione slowly poured the clear love potion, that consequently smelled of old books and of spices, into the purple, bubbling liquid. They were silent, each hoping to see some reaction quickly, but none came.

The love potion now mixed, they stood back and admired their work. Hermoine began to scourgify the table tops and Severus began shrinking his books to put away. Neither one spoke. Neither one knew what to say. There were undercurrents between them. But regardless of that, two very excited, intelligent people were about to find out if their hard work had paid off.

"Well, Professor, It's late and we have hours to go before we know the result.' Severus nodded and placed his shrunken books in his pocket.

"I will return in the morning." Severus hated leaving a potion unattended. But there was nothing for it. He could not stay here, not after this day. He had some soul searching of his own to do in private before he could ever consider staying.

"Well, goodnight Professor." Hermione looked up at him and their eyes met for a brief moment. Then Severus nodded and walked out the door. Leaving Hermione alone in the labs. But this was the first time she ever felt lonely in them before.