The Potions Master's Apprentice {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter Twenty: "Dragons!"

"Dragons!" Aria panted frantically, having just run through two thirds of the castle to get to Severus' office. "The first task is dragons!"

Slamming the door shut firmly behind her, Aria stormed her way into the middle of the room, shaking off her heavy outdoor robes from her body.
Automatically Severus rose from his chair to greet her, absent-mindedly taking the woman's robes from her hand to hang it on one of the many hooks behind his door. This was something that had become somewhat of a routine for the two, as Severus quickly tired of the woman draping the cloak over the back of her chair, dirtying the hem of it from trailing on the ground. To him, this was an easier solution than to listen to her constant nagging about giving the place a thorough dusting.

"And how have you come to posses this knowledge?" Snape queried, returning to his seat, eyes once again fixated on today's issue of The Daily Prophet. Although others would have easily mistook his monotone and for boredom or disinterest, Aria couldn't help but note the hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Fred and George told me." She replied, dropping herself haphazardly onto the hard wooden chair on the opposite side of the desk.

"And how did the Weasley twins figure this out?" He continued to question, turning the page of his newspaper despite not taking in a word.

"Their brother Charlie is the one supplying the dragons for the task. He's bringing them in from Romania apparently." Aria informed, fidgeting restlessly in an attempt to get comfortable.'

Eventually giving up, she pulled her chair as close as she could to the desk, slamming her elbows down on the hard wood table top, providing a stable base for her to rest her head in her hands.

"You know, my grandfather really infuriates me sometimes. He is supposed to be the one protecting these students from harm; yet he allows a bunch of 17 year olds to fight dragons, not to mention poor Harry who is only 14! Just how irresponsible can he be? I really don't think any of this is a wise idea, Severus."

"The Tri-Wizard Tournament is a centuries old tradition, Albus has no more say than you and I regarding the tasks involved. I'm sure he is just as worried as we all are, especially for Potter. He would have done something to protect him if he could."

"You know as well as I do, Severus, my grandfather is one of the most powerful Wizards of our time, he has as much influence as any to put an end to all this. Do not try and convince me he cannot do anything to right one tiny mistake, I simply do not buy it. He wants this to go ahead. For the 'greater good' whatever that means." She huffed, nostrils flaring in frustration.

"No one will ever truly understand why Dumbledore does the things he does. We can only hope it benefits us all... in the end." Snape sighed solemnly.

It was clear to Aria his mind had now drifted elsewhere. A dark place she assumed occupied his thoughts often.

Reaching across the desk, Aria rested her warm clammy hand on top of the man's icy calloused fist.

The pair's eyes met for a moment. A small reassuring smile crept onto Aria's face, squeezing Severus' hand slightly. A few deep breaths later, Snape broke eye contact, his eyes gaze fluttering back down to stare at the paper. Growing increasingly more uncomfortable with the intimate silence.

"Tea?" The witch offered, changing to a lighter topic.

"Coffee." Snape replied bluntly.

With a wave of her wand a large mug of coffee appeared in front of her mentor, and a small teapot and cup in front of herself.

The two sat in comfortable silence, enjoying their respective beverages for a while longer.

*

The following afternoon was spent perfecting the finishing touches of the batch of Amortentia, ready to be collected by Skye that evening.