The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

"We Are Very Good Together"

Snape had just finished pouring a dose of Wolfsbane potion into a goblet for Remus Lupin. He emptied the remainder from the cauldron into a large beaker to store for later use.

Lupin.

Snape's lip curled into a nasty sneer at the mere thought of the man. He'd hated him for years, but the headmaster had asked Snape to  brew the potion for him to help him keep his own mind when he transformed with every full moon. It irritated Snape to assist the werewolf in any way, but he did allow himself to feel a significant amount of satisfaction in the knowledge that he was one of an elite few in the wizarding world who was capable of brewing the complex potion. He had, in fact, perfected it.

He waved his wand over the cauldron to clean it, stowed the beaker in the cupboard, and then carefully picked up the goblet and swept out into the corridor.

As he approached Lupin's office, he heard her laugh.

Madeline's laugh.

Snape slowed his steps. Why the hell was she in Lupin's office? Were they alone? What in Merlin's name were they doing? He stopped just outside the door.

He heard Lupin speak, though he couldn't quite make out the words. Then he heard another voice. A girl. Not Madeline. He realized he'd been holding his breath and he exhaled in relief. She wasn't alone with him. Thank the gods.

The envy that had gripped him surprised him. He'd always had a bit of a jealous nature to say the least, but this was extreme - even for him.

He took a deep breath and entered. Lupin was sitting behind his desk and Madeline and Emily Greengrass were seated across from him. 

Lupin looked up and smiled when he saw Snape looming in the doorway.

"Ah! Good afternoon, Professor!"

"Lupin," Snape replied, disdain dripping from his voice. His eyes cut to the two girls. "Miss Clovewater. Miss Greengrass."

"Good afternoon, Professor," they chorused.

Snape noticed the pretty flush that colored Madeline's cheeks when she saw him. Gods, she was beautiful.

Snape set the goblet containing the smoking potion in front of Lupin. "You'll want to drink it directly."

"Yes. Yes, I will."

"I've more if you need it."

"Yes. I should probably take some again tomorrow. Thanks very much, Severus." Replied Lupin evenly.

Snape didn't bother to respond.  He knew  Lupin was quite popular among the students, but he himself found the man's mild manner insipid. Perhaps it was a holdover from their schooldays, but he would never learn to tolerate him. Snape's good opinion, once lost, was lost forever.

"Girls, you'd better run along to transfiguration. You mustn't get yourselves in trouble with Professor McGonagall," said Lupin with a wry smile.

"Yes, Professor," Emily replied, and the two rose to leave.

Emily looped her arm through Madeline's and they moved toward the door.

"Thank you, Professor Lupin. Goodbye, Professor Snape," said Madeline, her eyes meeting Snape's. He nodded to her.

"See you tomorrow, girls," said Lupin.

After they had gone, Snape returned his attention to Lupin.

"Don't delay, Lupin," he said icily, gesturing toward the goblet on his desk. "We wouldn't want any... mishaps."

Lupin chuckled softly. "No. We certainly wouldn't want that."

Snape turned on his heel and left without another word.