"Would you rather I not?" Severus scowled.
I shrugged. "I don't care what you call me. Don't scare my friends. Maybe giving you the present was a mistake."
He sighed deeply. "Miss Adams, I have already read your mind. Perhaps all I need do now is hear it from your own lips."
I shook my head. "I won't take it."
Severus sighed in defeat, pulling out a vial. "It is only veritaserum. Do you honestly believe I would harm you?"
"I don't know. I'm surprised you haven't obliviated me yet."
He advanced on me quickly. "Do not make me force you."
"Only if you stay away from my friends. They've done nothing to you."
Severus heaved a loud sigh. "I have no interest in frightening young Quidditch obsessed children. Now drink the vial or shall I force you?"
"Fine." I said reluctantly.
He gave me an intense look as I grabbed the vial and drank. "Very well, Miss Adams. Tell me your name."
"Elodie Adams."
"And how old are you?" He circled me.
"I'm fifteen."
Severus continued circling me. "Do you love me?"
"Yes."
He smirked. "And what do you love about me?"
"I love everything about you. I love the way you move, the way you command attention, the way you scare bullies. I love your hair, your eyes, even your hooked nose. And your voice. Oh. My. God. That voice." I paused, breathing heavily. "It's like the velvety satin sheets I want you to bed me in."
Severus sighed. "That will be all, Miss Adams."
"That's not all, sir."
He raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"
"Thats not all. I want to stay and do your work for you. You shouldn't be working."
He took a deep breath and sighed slowly from his lungs. "Elodie, you may stay if you wish...but you need your own rest for tomorrow." Severus eyed me gratefully. "In any case, I feel very...honored of your affections."
I smiled and went to clean the cauldrons. Severus exhaled, watching me as he sat at his desk.
I finished the cauldrons and decided to head back to the dorm.
"Thank you, Elodie." Severus said softly.
"Happy Birthday, Severus." I said as I left.
The Potions Master watched the door shut behind me. His eyes lingered there a moment. Severus took a deep breath in and sighed it from his lungs.