The Herbology Assistant

Chapter Nine

"Are you patrolling tonight?" Clarice asked Severus at dinner.

"Not tonight, McGonagall and Lockhart are." He said.

"So... Just Minerva then." She laughed at her own joke.

"Correct." Severus said while poking at his peas.

"Are you alright?" She whispered to him. He had been acting strange since they arrived for dinner.

"Fine." Was all he said. She decided to just leave him alone. Sometimes he got into a mood and just didn't want to be bothered. He stood up abruptly and walked out swiftly without saying anything to Clarice. The staff looked at her, but she only stared at Severus who was clearly bothered by something. She finished her meal and drank down her wine glass.

"Goodnight everyone," She wished the staff and they smiled at her while she headed back to her room. She scanned the room this time when she entered, not wanting to be startled and was a little surprised to see him sitting on her couch again. She went over and sat down next to him.

"I'm sorry for storming away like that. I've just been thinking a lot and..." He trailed off. Clarice couldn't help but feel bad for him. Clearly something had been stressing him out, she just didn't know how to help him.

"You can talk to me, Severus." She put her arm around his shoulders and used her other to hold his hand. Instead of letting her, he stood up and left her on the couch. She gave him a confused look.

"I've been thinking about what you said before. How I shouldn't have to be mean to be friends with people... and then you asked about Lucius. I want to tell you, but I just... can't. Lucius isn't my friend... He's..." He trailed off again and played with his robes. Clarice smiled at him, she truly was too good for him. What if she runs away when I tell her the truth?

"You don't have to tell me. If that is what has been stressing you out these past hours, forget I asked. Okay?" She stood up and walked over to him. "You can tell me when you're ready or not at all."

"It's bad, Clarice." He whispered.

"And that's why it's part of your past and no longer your present. You've changed. It's no longer a part of you." She said and held his hands in her own.

"Except... it still is a part of me. I can never get rid of it." He hung his head low. Clarice was obviously curious about what he meant, but knew she couldn't pressure it out of him or peek intohis mind. She gently touched his cheek and made him look her in the eyes.

"You are not a bad person, Severus." She said and she could see the pain in his onyx eyes. He placed his hand upon her waist pulling her closer to him while using the other to cup her cheek. He began to lean forward and Clarice closed her eyes waiting for their lips to touch.

That was until someone began pounding at her door making the pair jump and drop their hands from one another. Annoyed at who could be bothering her at this time of night, she marched open and threw the door open.

"Quit hammering on my door already. Who are you—Woody Woodpecker?" She said and groaned loudly when she saw who it was.

"Woody who?" Lockhart questioned.

"What could you possibly want at this hour?" She asked him and closed the door slightly as she noticed he was trying to look into her room.

"Is that Severus?" He asked and she stomped on his foot.

"Answer my question. What are you doing here?"

"Oh right, a student has been petrified. Like Mrs. Norris." He said way too calmly.

"I'm sorry what? Who? Do we need to go?" She asked him and Severus was now right behind her.

"Uh er a Gryffindor boy. Colin Creevey. They're having a meeting right now." He said.

"Do we need to attend?" She asked frustrated. It was like talking to a toddler.

"No, don't think so. They told me it wasn't that important." He said and Clarice rolled her eyes.

"Soo? You're here to just inform us?" She asked.

"Yes, I said I would come and tell you." He said with a smile.

"Pity you didn't bump into whatever did it." She said and closed the door on his foot. "Move."

"Give him a minute and we'll go to Dumbledore. They probably told him it wasn't important so he'd leave." She said to Severus and threw on her shoes. He handed her wand over and they set back out into the corridors together.

"Nice of you to join us, Severus ... Clarice. Come sit." Dumbledore greeted them with a smirk and twinkle in his eyes.

"Guess Lockhart took his time to tell you guys what happened?" Professor Sprout asked them. Clarice nodded while taking a seat next to her and Severus sat across from her.

"We were just finishing up, but we're going to need to double up on night patrols and escort our students to and from classes." Dumbledore said. "I was hoping... Clarice and Severus could take over for McGonagall tonight. Pomono and Filius will assist as well."

"Of course, Headmaster." Severus said and Clarice nodded.

"Have a good night everyone." Dumbledore said and everyone stood up except for Severus and Clarice.

"Albus, do you know what the creature is?" Severus questioned the old man.

"I'm afraid not." He said while popping a sweet into his mouth. Severus stared at him intently.

"Enter my mind all you want." Dumbledore teased and Severus just stood up and left the room. Clarice also stood up, but at least she wished Dumbledore a good night.

"Severus wait up," Clarice ran up to catch him. "Why are you walking so fast? You know I'm short."

He stopped and waited for her.

"Sorry," He muttered.

"What's going on with you?" She asked him.

"He knows what's going on here. I don't know what he's playing at." Severus said.

"He would tell us wouldn't he?" Clarice asked and Severus shook his head.

"He likes to keep secrets. Let's keep moving." He said and started walking again. After walking the castle, they went outside to walk the grounds.

"Merlin, it's freezing out." Clarice said and held her bare arms in a hug. She felt something warm wrap around her shoulders and noticed Severus had placed his cloak around her.

"Better?" He asked her.

"Thank you," She said. "Hey so about before."

"It was a mistake Clarice, I'm sorry you caught me in an emotional state." He quickly said without eye contact.

"Oh," was all she said. She was quiet for the rest of the night and she knew Severus didn't actually want to kiss her now. She wrapped herself up in his cloak and took in the scent. It smelled like potion fumes, leather, and just a hint of firewhiskey. They were back in the dungeons and stood in front of Clarice's room.

"Goodnight," She said quickly after shoving his cloak back in his arms and shut herself in her room. She slumped onto her bed and cuddled with Lucy. She couldn't help but cry to herself; did he really mean that?