The smell of tea woke Freddie the next morning, just minutes before her alarm went off. For a moment she was confused by the green glow that lit the room, thinking that she was back in the Slytherin dormitory. She'd always chosen the bed nearest to the window that looked out under the Black Lake and for seven years she'd woken to the same green glow of the sunlight filtering down through the water. But she wasn't a student anymore and she hadn't been in quite some time. As the sleepy fog cleared from her mind she realized where she was – She was alone and naked in Snape's quarters.
The black quilt fell away from her body as she sat up in bed. She stretched, her body deliciously sore from the night's activities, and smiled when she saw that Snape was standing near the bed with a cup of tea in each hand, watching her.
"Good morning," he said with a small smile. "I thought you might like some tea."
"Brew 47?" she guessed as he sat down next to her on the bed and handed her the cup. Snape always started his mornings with Brew #47. It was a breakfast tea that was blend of lemon and hibiscus.
"Yours is #23 actually," he answered, leaning back against the headboard and putting one arm around her. "I thought you would prefer something to ease your soreness and it will help perk you up before work."
As if on cue, the alarm on Freddie's watch beeped. She turned it off before settling into Snape's side and taking a long drink of her tea.
"Ahh," she said on exhale, feeling the blend of herbs going to work on her muscles almost immediately. "Excellent. Thank you."
"Of course," he said, looking pleased. They sipped their tea in silence for a minute before he spoke again. "Are you coming back here after work?"
"Of course," she answered. "You said I could help you patrol the grounds while Dumbledore's gone. If you still want me to, that is."
"I do," he confirmed. "Before we patrol I thought you might like to assist me in brewing a large cauldron of Calming Draught for the Hospital Wing? Madam Pomfrey has had to prescribe it to a number of students, after what happened to Diggory. Her stores are depleted. I know a Calming Draught is old hat for the both of us, but-"
"-but we haven't gotten to brew anything together in ages," she finished. "Of course, I'd love to. I miss working together."
"As do I," he said, kissing the top of her head. "Having an assistant is convenient, but no one has even come close to replacing you."
"I should hope not," she said, grinning.
#
Later that morning Freddie was working in her office at St Mungo's. She had already bottled the Dreamless Sleep Potion she'd left the simmer overnight and completed her rounds with Master Hawkins. She was finishing her Antidote to Common Poisons and had just started stewing murtlap tentacles she would need for another potion when there was a knock at her door.
"Come in," she called, adjusting the flames beneath the cauldron.
The door opened and Bennett stuck her dark head in the room, her eyes wide.
"You have visitors, Freddie," she said, sounding a little breathless.
"Who is it?" she asked with a slight frown, wondering who could cause the intern to act so odd.
"One of them is the headmaster – Professor Dumbledore!" she said in a loud whisper. "I don't know who the other man is."
"Well send them in, Miranda."
Bennett disappeared and a moment later Dumbledore was standing in her office, smiling cheerfully, alongside a shabby-dressed man Freddie didn't know. He had short brown and gray hair and a mustache. He was tall, but thin. His lined face looked exhausted and though he looked ill he smiled politely at her as he entered.
"Good morning Professor Dumbledore," Freddie said, surprised and curious as to why he'd come visit her at work.
"Hello Miss Gray," he said pleasantly. "I'm sorry to disturb you at work. You certainly seem busy."
"Nothing too exciting," she said, checking her other cauldron quickly to ensure the potion was simmering properly. "What can I do for you, sir?"
"Perhaps something a little more exciting," he said with a twinkle in his blue eyes. "Miss Gray I'd like to introduce you to an old student and friend of mine – Remus Lupin."
"Lu- oh! You're the- oh," she said, shocked as she realized who she was being introduced to. This was Remus Lupin, the werewolf who had almost killed Snape as a teenager. He had taught Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts last year and, after missing his potion one night, almost killed Snape yet again, as well as Harry Potter and his friends.
"I guess you've heard of me," Lupin said, tentatively extending his hand for Freddie to shake.
"I, uh, helped brew your potion last year," she said as she quickly shook his hand.
"Freddie is friends with Severus," Dumbledore explained, still smiling. "She was his apprentice before she graduated four years ago. They've remained close."
Don't tell him that! Freddie thought with a silent groan. She was certain Snape wouldn't want one of his sworn enemies to know about their relationship!
"I see," Lupin said with a nod. "That's good. Severus never had many friends. We were in school together, we graduated the same year."
"I know," Freddie said tightly. Lupin had been friends with a group of Gryffindor boys, including James Potter, that had made Snape's life a living hell growing up.
"Remus is one of the original members of the Order," Dumbledore said calmly. "And he's agreed to help us out this time as well. Miss Gray is our newest member so far."
"Oh?" Lupin said, seeming interested. "That is awfully brave of you. We need as many new members as we can get. There's not enough of us old folks around anymore."
"I want to help fight back any way that I can against the Dark Lord," she said firmly. "He...he killed my best friend."
The smile faded from Lupin's lips and the lines on his face deepened, making him seem even older than she knew he was.
"Mine too," he said soberly. "Voldemort has killed a lot of good people."
Freddie cringed at hearing the Dark Lord's name said aloud. She hated herself for flinching, but it was the first time she'd heard anyone other than Dumbledore say the name out loud. Dumbledore she could understand...but what made Lupin dare to be so brave?
"He has indeed," Dumbledore agreed sadly. "Miss Gray, since you are so eager to help, I do have a job for you – and one I think you'll rather enjoy."
"Of course, sir. Anything you need," she vowed.
"Since Remus is going to be around for a while, I thought it prudent to find someone capable of brewing the Wolfsbane Potion for him every month. I know it is well within your abilities to do so, if you are willing...?"
"Seriously? Yes sir!" she said without a second thought. "I'd love to!"
"I know it is a very complicated brew and it takes a lot of time and attention-"
"Yes, but that's what makes it fun!" she interrupted eagerly, then quickly added, "Sir."
"I can see why you and Severus are friends," Lupin said, amused, as Dumbledore chuckled slightly.
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore? Why are you asking me and not Severus?" she asked curiously. "Isn't he usually your go-to for potions?"
"For most things, yes, however I think you are better suited for this particular job. With everything that's going on Severus may not have the time-"
"-or the desire," Lupin muttered under his breath.
"-to tend to a potion so delicate," Dumbledore finished, acting as if he hadn't heard him.
"Ah, I understand," Freddie said with a nod, thinking Lupin was probably right. Snape wouldn't want to help Lupin again, not with their history...but would he be mad at her for doing it?