The Herbology Assistant

Chapter Ten

Clarice had been keeping to herself the following weeks and had been strictly focusing on her work. The mandrakes had been growing exceptionally well and would be ready to start to be added to the potion Severus had been brewing within a few weeks. She walked into his classroom, ready to help out with class.

"Professor Bates," Severus greeted her in his monotone voice and she gave him a small smile and went over to set up the cauldrons for todays lesson.

"What's the lesson?" She asked him.

"Amortentia." He said without looking up. The worlds strongest love potion. She went into his supply closet to retrieve the ingredients the students would need. When she came back out, they were beginning to file in and take their seats.

"Why not do this one on Valentine's Day?" She whispered. He only huffed, but she could of sworn his lips twitched up. Just because he denied wanting to kiss her, didn't mean she would stop flirting with the man.

"Good afternoon everyone," Clarice spoke out.

"Afternoon Professor Bates," They sang. She waited for Severus to get up and teach what they were going over, but he only remained at his desk. Clarice sighed and went to the front of the room.

"Today we're going to begin brewing Amortentia. Can anyone tell me what this is?" She asked and several students raised their hands.

"Miss Clearwater?" She asked.

"Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world. It is distinctive for its mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from the potion in spirals. Amortentia smells different to each person, according to what attracts them." She stated.

"Straight from the textbook. Five points to Ravenclaw. If you all could turn to page 212, you will find the ingredients and instructions needed to brew it. You know the drill, ask if you need help." She spoke sweetly to the students. She oversaw the class and stopped those that were about to mess up their potion. The students like when she taught, but she preferred when Severus was working with her. It made the students be more careful with what they were doing. By the end of the class, about half of them were able to make it properly.

"Nice work everyone, please, if you weren't able to make it properly today, come see me Friday evening for extra help and we'll try again." She said goodbye and bottled up some of the potions while dumping the ones that failed.

"Yuck, this one smells like your feet Severus." Clarice laughed and Severus finally looked up from his pile of work. He stood up and walked over to her.

"Funny, this one was made correct. Now dear Merlin tell me why your amortentia smells like my feet." He said and she looked at him with big eyes. He began to laugh. "Relax, I'm only joking. This is a disaster. I thought you were helping them?"

"Don't scare me like that... and I was helping them! Look at those ones! They're perfect! You could've helped out too ya know?" She said back at him. He went over to the vials she laid out and picked one up. He uncorked it and let it waft under his nose. He paused though and his eyes looked... surprised.

"May I pry? What's your scent?" She asked him, but he didn't answer. "Oh come on, I'll tell you if you tell me."

Clarice picked up another vial and did the same only she realized that it no longer was her usual scent. She used to smell pine, cotton candy, and her mothers perfume. Only now it had changed into something different. She smelled fire whiskey, leather, and... it was Severus. She dropped the vial and it smashed on the floor.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered and used her wand to clean the mess.

"I smell... honeysuckle, cinnamon, and... campfires." He admitted what he smelled, but didn't admit that it was Clarice. It didn't matter because it never clicked for her.