The One With The Yule Ball

9

The next morning Edan sought out Cedric in the Great Hall. He smiled and waved at her as she approached him. "There you are stranger! You missed the last few study sessions."

Edan looked at him sheepishly. "I know. I'm sorry Ced. Sometimes I have a hard time shaking my sadness and need time alone. It was that I didn't want to spend time with you. I just couldn't." She wasn't sure if that made any sense but she wasn't sure how else to explain herself. 

Cedric gave her a hug. "Nothing to apologize for. I can understand that. Maybe next time give me a bit of a heads up?" Edan agreed to do so then took a seat at her own house table. 

Not too long after Dimitri entered the Great Hall. He sat across from Edan who smiled at him. "Good morning little Gryffindor." 

This made Edan laugh. "Little Gryffindor? I'm older than you!" 

Dimitri returned her laughter. "Any plans for your Saturday?"

Before Edan had the opportunity to answer him Professor Snape appeared behind her. "Mrs. Wilkies, I haven't seen you aside from lessons in quite some time. Are you no longer interested in your mentorship? I expect notification if that is the case." Snape muttered behind her. 

Dimitri rose an eyebrow at Snape. He wasn't familiar with his sarcastic nature. "No Professor. I apologize I haven't been down lately. I can soon!" 

"I am brewing a potion you have not yet experienced. Since you thought it appropriate to simply disappear we can pick up again now." He had a deadly look on his face which made Edan reluctant to disagree. 

"We can get together another time Dimitri." Edan said standing up. He waved goodbye to her while she followed Professor Snape out of the Great Hall. They were silent the entire walk there. Edan could tell he was angry with her for not being down to assist him. It wasn't likely he would understand her reasons like Cedric did. 

On the usual center table was Professor Snape's finest cauldron. No ingredients laid on the table which meant Edan would have to search through his stores and find each one of them. "We're going to be brewing Veritaserum, the list of necessary ingredients, go collect them. The list was short which Edan was grateful for. 

Wiggenbush 

Wood Louse

Tentacula Leaf

Infusion of Woodwork

Peppermind

Shrivelfig

It took longer than expected to find the items. By the time she returned to the table Snape was glaring at her so intensely it made her shiver. She placed the jars on the table then glanced down at the notes to figure out how to prepare everything. She measured out the necessary amount of Wiggenbush bark and put the pieces into the bowl. She began grinding it into a powder. She collected the contents into a new glass jar. When she reached for another ingredient Professor Snape grabbed her elbow. 

"Have you forgotten how to read a potion? Are you as incompetent and dimwitted as your fellow students? You missed so many sessions your talent has diminished." Professor Snape snapped nastily. 

The aggression in his voice scared her. He hadn't spoken to her like that since last year. "Why are you being like this? It it really because I missed some sessions. I'm not a perfect person Snape, I have genuine problems and sometimes screw up. I don't appreciate your tone. I won't stand for it."Edan said staring up at him. It surprised her that she felt comfortable snapping at him.