Chapter 18: Even if it hurts

"And then she walks up with that stupid Viking and pulls me a side to tell me that she doesn't want to be my girlfriend anymore!" Blaise fumed. Draco just stared, a mixture of amusement and anger welling up inside him. No one had ever broken up with Blaise before; he was always the one to end things when he had what he wanted. On the other hand, who did his cousin think she was throwing away one of Pure blood societies most eligible bachelors?!? Suppressing his emotions Draco inquired, "Did she give you a reason for wanting to end things?"

Blaise whirled around and paused in his pacing to stare at his friend, "what possible reason could she have?" Draco let that one go, he knew far more about his friend and his friends activities than Blaise thought that he did, and if Cherie had happened to stumble on some of the information that Draco held she'd have plenty reason to break things off between them. "That doesn't answer my question? While she could have just told you it was over and walked away, that just doesn't seem like my cousins style." Mentioning her relation was a calculated error, as it reminded Blaise of his prior commitment to family. However it was also meant to convince Blaise that he should give Draco the whole story.

Drawing in a deep breath Blaise sat down beside Draco. Draco watched as his friend mentally set aside his emotions and tried to recall exactly what Cherie had said. Slowly he began, "She isn't ready for this, and she needs time and that she doesn't think that it's fair to make me wait for her," Blaise paused. Draco waited, that couldn't be all!

"So basically, without any consideration of your feelings she just called it quits? She didn't even talk to you about this first?" Blaise shook his head confirming Dracos' statement. Anger whipping away any amusement, he began to build himself up into a right fine fury.

***

Slipping out of the Head rooms Cherie made her way down to the dungeons, but not to her room. She knew that pansy and the girls would know of her break up by now, and if Blaise had any self respect he would be spinning it so it looked like he had dumped her. Cherie didn't mind, in fact she wanted him to do that, it would save her from having to explain her rational to anyone. The reasons she had given him were really weak ones but they would be easier for him to swallow than the truth, that she was still in love with her Ex.

Turning the door knob slowly to minimize the noise, whilst simultaneously dampening the existing sound with her sweater, Cherie slipped into the potions room. Closing the door tightly behind her, she sent a silent prayer that she could be left alone to recover for a while. She wasn't to anxious for company.

Spotting her work station Cherie hurried over to begin.

***

Much in the same way in which dogs or cats know when they are about to be fed, Snape knew someone was in his dungeon. But rather than his usual impatience to see them gone as with cats and dogs a curiosity and anticipation to find out who it was and what they were doing filled him. Blending with the shadows and silencing the noisy hinges he slipped unseen into the class room. A few scented candles were strewn about the desk tops and on lone girl worked tirelessly beating together a mixture inside of a Tupperware container.

Sliding out of the shadows Snape chose to announce his presence and put a stop to this girls shenanigans once and for all. Detention would be the least of all her problems once he was done with her. "Miss Black what do you think you are doing?" with out even looking up, as though she had know he was there all along, she replied, "making guilt cookies."

Intrigued by this Snape chose to move closer to observe. "Cookies that make people feel guilty? Why ever would you need something like that? Trying to get Blaise to feel guilty about breaking up with you are we?" Snape just loved to poke buttons and this particular one he was sure he'd get a satisfactory reaction out of her.

Her reaction was not what he had expected. No tears, no spiteful hissing, she didn't even deny them breaking up. Instead she let out a long sigh and paused in her mixing too look at him with hollow eyes. "I'm sorry to disappoint you Professor, but I'm baking because I feel guilty, these are perfectly ordinary, muggle cookies." And to prove her point she grabbed a spoon from be side her and shoved some in her mouth.

Licking his lips, Snape eyed the cookies dough. It looked awfully good. Seeing where his gaze now laid Cherie held out another spoon for his use. Soft, chewy cookie dough, something Snape dearly loved, also something he could never refuse. Grabbing the spoon he began to eat with gusto. Cherie let out a muffed giggle at his enthusiasm.

Quietly they both sat here and shared cookie dough for a few minutes before Snape turned to his student, "Miss Black, I hope you will not tell anyone about this." Bonding ever so little with a student would absolutely ruin what was left of his reputation. And quite possibly get him fired. Cherie looked up at him, swallowed her mouthfull of cookie dough and said, "about what? However if you wish me to continue to provide you with either cookies or cookie dough, I think I should ask your permission to use your class room after hours, and if you would be willing may I wok alone from now on in potions, I'm obviously way ahead of everyone else and I would rather not continue to be Blaise' partner. If you don't mind that is?"

Snape paused, a continued supply of this child's cookies? It sounded too good to be true, the price she was asking was to low. "What is the catch?" "Nothing, that's all I want, believe me, if you help me avoid Blaise and give me a place to cook, I'm happy." Satisfied with the bargain, as long as she wasn't asking for any really special favor, he extended his hand and they shook on the deal.