Shoving the Mandrake back in the pot, Pomona ripped her earmuffs off and threw them to the side. She was going to cut her ears off if she had to listen to one more screaming plant. It was already dark out; she wasn't sure what time it even was. She knew it was getting late, and she had spent nearly the whole day in the greenhouse, between teaching and tending to the plants with constant water and fertilizer. She'd had a house elf bring her food to her, skipping more meals in the Great Hall than she would have liked to admit.

With a deep breath, she opened the door to the castle, and let it shut behind her. Leaving the greenhouse, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She sunk down onto the cold flood, pulling her knees to her chest. It was becoming an obsession. With the two most recent petrifications, she'd committed herself to doing everything she could to get the Mandrakes mature. But, they were plants. Her fertilizing and watering were only going to do so much to speed up the natural processes. A few tears, less from sadness and more from exhaustion leaked from her eyes, and she wiped them with her sleeve, though they continued to fall.

Footsteps were coming down a side hallway, and the Head of Hufflepuff couldn't bring herself to move. She just hoped it wasn't a student about to come around the corner and see her sitting on the floor crying. She knew she looked awful. The first thing she saw was dark dress shoes, almost completely covered by equally dark robes. Following the figure up, she was relieved to see Severus coming around the corner. Part of her was embarrassed her colleague was seeing her this way, but she was too tired to care. "Severus," she nodded, knowing tears were dripping down her face.

If she wasn't so stressed, Pomona would have laughed at the exasperated look on his face. He wasn't exactly the person one would want to find them crying in a corner, and Pomona knew he knew he wasn't the pinnacle of comfort. "Pomona…"

He was wearing his heavy winter coat, and she wondered where he was going at…well, she didn't truly know what time it was. "Going somewhere?" she asked weakly, knowing that the last thing either of them wanted was for her to begin talking about why she was crying.

Severus shifted, clearly uncomfortable. "Yes; I asked Minerva to go for a walk, thought it could do her some good to clear her head…with everything going on."

Pomona nodded. "You're good to her," she smiled.

"Looks like you could use one yourself," he smirked.

Trying to smooth her, she was sure, wild hair, Pomona laughed slightly. "Too many screaming plants to tend to right now."

"I think they can be without you for an hour," he replied with a look of concern in his eyes.

"Not with the way students are going…young Mr. Creevey…"

Severus put a hand up. "I wouldn't be killing yourself in there for him. He'll be fine, and I'm admittedly glad to have my first-year classes without his incessant talking through the entire period."

Pomona hated to laugh, but she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hide her smile. "I hate to say it, but I must have given him four detentions so far this year."

"Surprised such coldness from a Hufflepuff."

She smirked, glad for some sort of humor, even if it was Severus's. "We're not just big old softies!"

"Who are you kidding, Pomona?" came the questioning voice of her friend. Looking up, she saw Minerva was coming around the corner, her arms crossed over her chest. Minerva looked as tired as she felt. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked like she was shivering from the cold of the castle. "Not a big softie?"

Pomona smiled. "Not all the time." Severus huffed, but his eyes were locked on Minerva who came closer and sat beside Pomona. She put a warm arm around her, and Pomona leaned into her touch.

"How you holding up?" she asked.

"She wasn't at dinner," Severus commented.

Pomona rolled her eyes. "You know as well as I do that these Mandrakes need constant care…with more and more students being petrified…I want this cure as quickly as possible."

"We all do," Minerva agreed. Her eyes met Pomona's, they were filled with concern. "But, you can't lock yourself in the greenhouse."

"It's not going to speed up the process," Severus cut in. Pomona knew he was right, but she was hoping she could speed it up even a small amount, even if it meant the Mandrakes would be ready a day earlier. It was a day earlier to have the students back and healthy.

"Did you eat?" Minerva asked.

"A house elf brought me my dinner," she admitted.

"Why don't you two go for a walk?" Severus asked suddenly.

Pomona raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you two supposed to be going on a walk?"

Minerva stood, and then offered Pomona a hand to help her up which she gladly took. "Yes, why don't you come? The air will do you some good."

"I really shouldn't leave them…" she said, motioning to the greenhouse.

"I'll tend to them," Severus offered. Pomona didn't know what to say. "I did pass second year Herbology," he smirked. "And I think, considering I'll be doing the brewing for the potions, I have enough knowledge to sit with them for an hour or two."

"You should go with Min," Pomona tried.

Severus took his coat off and walked behind Minerva, draping his coat over her. He rested his hands on her shoulders and began rubbing them. "Take this," he said, kissing her head. "And, Pomona, get your coat before I change my mind."

His voice was harsh, but she knew it was his way. Pomona opened the greenhouse door, grabbed her coat off the hook near the door, and slid it on. "Only an hour," she insisted.

"Just bring her back," he sneered.

Minerva laughed, turning and running a thumb along his cheek. It was so rare they were openly affectionate with each other. "I think you're the big softie," she said.

Severus pushed her hand away. "Don't get used to it. Go before I realize I have better things to do this evening than sit with a bunch of screaming plants."

Pomona took Minerva's hand, and thanked Severus for giving her the break. For a Slytherin, he certainly had his moments.