AN: I apologize for not uploading last week. There was some drama which took up my day. Fortunately, things are much better now, so the updating schedule should be more regular!
Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
If there was one thing Severus Snape found intolerable, it was tardiness. For years, he'd prided himself on arriving early to almost every event. Breakfast was no exception. Despite his disdain for socializing, he was one of the first to arrive for meals. The earlier he was to breakfast, the warmer his tea would be. Nothing was more disgusting than cold tea, a fact he'd learned the hard way on several unfortunate occasions.
Of course that bossy, know-it-all chit had burst into his quarters and obliterated his morning routine. It had taken several minutes to inspect his robes to ensure that not one strand of her unruly hair could be found. Then he cast his wards again, hoping that whatever weakness had been in them was resolved. That took more time than he would have liked. Now, not only did he now have less time to eat, but he would not get the third cup of tea he'd need to get him through the day.
He rushed to the head table and took his seat between Neville and Minerva. The universe granted him a small favor in having Minerva too engrossed in a conversation with Filius to notice his arrival. At least she wouldn't ask any questions about his recent whereabouts, or tease him about Slytherin's latest loss to Ravenclaw on the Quidditch pitch.
"You look like you've had quite the morning," Neville began as he cut his pancakes.
"Let's just say there was an unforeseen complication." The plate of pancakes appeared before Severus, along with syrup and a side of sausage. Within a few moments, a cup of tea appeared. From the scent it was black tea, perfect for a morning such as this.
"What kind of complication?" Neville asked.
"One which will never occur again."
"That could mean anything."
"It means I cherish my privacy and don't want nosy Gryffindors involved in my affairs."
"Fine," Neville took a bite of his pancakes.
"That being said," Severus began cutting his sausage. "It's a three tea type of morning."
"Three teas," Neville set his fork down as his eyes grew. "Merlin Severus, it's only seven forty."
"I know," he scowled. "This complication took more energy than I'd wanted to expend."
Neville kept his eyes on Severus. "If you want, I can give you some masala tea after classes end."
"That would be much appreciated."
"I'll bring it to your quarters after class."
Severus nodded before continuing to eat his meal.
Neville swallowed. "If you need anything else, someone to help you with your complication…"
"I do not."
"Okay," Neville resumed eating.
"I have taken care of this complication. It will not occur again."
"You had a complication?" a woman echoed behind them.
Severus suppressed a groan. One woman in his bedroom was enough estrogen for one day. The last thing he needed was another woman intruding upon his morning.
"Can I help with this complication?" she leaned over him. Merlin did nobody teach her how to dress appropriately for teaching? Her black fitted dress left little to the imagination.
"No Elena, you cannot help," Severus swallowed.
"Oh c'mon," She forced her way between Neville and Severus. "I'm excellent at taking care of complications."
"It is doubtful you could handle one of mine," Severus muttered, knowing Elena's solution to his Hermione problem would be to claw her eyes out. Although the image of the two women dueling was amusing in its own right, the last thing he needed was the media attention from a Ministry of Magic candidate waking up in his bedroom. He also did not need the repair bill for the broken furniture a catfight would inevitably cause.
"When you get your complication resolved, I'm meeting some friends at Hogsmeade tonight. You should come along." She lowered her voice. "I think you'll enjoy meeting them."
Severus glanced at Neville.
"I'm sorry, but we have plans," Neville answered.
"Oh?" She frowned.
"Yes, we're working on a project involving magical uses for poison ivy."
"That sounds, uh," she scratched her side. "Itchy."
"Yes, but the magical properties of poison ivy are undeniable. I mean, have you seen the kind of cures they've given for burn victims? They are nothing short of miraculous!"
"I'll take your word for it."
"Anyway, we're going to be busy tonight, and I don't think you'll be interested in our discussion."
Severus nodded as he took a sip of tea, enjoying the warmth of it soothing his throat, coursing through his body until his muscles relaxed.
"What if I told you that I wanted to learn more about poison ivy?" Elena asked. "There are muggle remedies for the itch it causes. I could benefit from knowing more about the plant so I can teach my students about muggle anti-itch creams."
"I'd say that our conversation needs to be focused on potions so Severus can begin his brewing in a timely manner."
"I thought he didn't brew on Mondays."
"He does now."
"What do you think?" Elena turned to Severus. "Would you like to talk about poison ivy and brew, or would you rather have some fun with a good friend?"
"You are delusional as to the nature of our relationship if you think we're good friends," Severus answered before taking another sip of tea.
"We could be good friends if you'd leave your dungeons every once in awhile. If you and I were to socialize, I think you'd find we are compatible in a variety of ways."
"Pity I care nothing for socialization." He finished his tea and snapped his fingers. Another cup appeared before him.
"One day you will," she grinned. "I have a way of growing on people."
He grunted before taking another bite.
"Have fun with your plants," Elena winked at Severus before leaving.
"She's more obnoxious than Trelawney," Severus grunted before taking his last bite of sausage.
"She's persistent too," Neville warned.
"Much to my chagrin."
"You should give her a definitive rejection sometime, sit her down and explain that you aren't interested in her romantically. Perhaps then she'd understand, or at least want to build up your friendship before going any further."
"Are you implying we could ever be together?" Severus asked.
"No," Neville replied. "She is too outgoing for you to tolerate her presence for long. After a few months, she'd exhaust you."
"She'd also realize I'm a snarly bastard. That would turn her off to me."
"You aren't always a bastard."
Severus rolled his eyes before taking a sip of his tea.
"I mean it. You could be a good partner to someone, provided she was intellectual and didn't mind curling up with you and a good book," Neville continued.
"Women like that do not exist, which suits me just fine," Severus answered. "I appreciate my privacy and the ability to hide away from the world."
"More like the ability to tell the world to sod off."
"That I do." Severus smirked.
"I know you enjoy your solitude, and Elena isn't an ideal candidate for your next lover. Still you should consider letting someone in, sharing your life with someone. You will not regret it."
"What are you going to do, set me up on blind dates until I find an adequate princess for the Half Blood Prince?" Severus took a sip of tea.
"No, I'm not that cruel," Neville replied. "I would only subject a woman I hated to the kind of foul mood you'd have at being forced on a blind date."
"And here I thought you believed I could behave."
"You can behave, getting you to want to do so is another matter altogether."
Severus chuckled then replied, "Thank you in advance for the tea."
"No problem. I'll drop it off at five," Neville answered.
"That would be acceptable," he took another sip of tea. "I will have several essays to grade by then, so if I do not come out immediately, that is my reason."
"Are you assigning only essays today?"
Severus nodded.
"And are you changing your plans to do it?"
Severus sighed.
"That must have been one serious complication," Neville shook his head.
"You don't know the half of it," Severus took another sip of tea, wondering why he couldn't expel the feeling of Hermione's body against his from his mind.