the brewer's handbook: amortentia | harry potter

- VII -

ㅤ _ ❀ V. 

Colette uses her wand to pass around the parchment, letting it float through the air onto the students' desks. The students had been tutoring each other for the past week and a half, and overall the success in class has been more substantial, but it's time for the midterm examinations. She's not even sure every class does this, but Professor Snape does, which she thinks is admirable. Something she's noticed about Professor Snape is that, despite being harsh and rude, he really does want his students to succeed. He may be absolute hell to be around, but he does care, in his own... weird way.

There's a symphony of the chairs squeaking from bouncing knees and multiple quills barely tapping against their inkwell while being anxiously spun around. Professor Snape explains what the test is over, what the rules are, and pretty much everything else. He has his hands stuffed deep into his pockets, stalking around and speaking quietly, his demeanor incredibly intimidating for the situation. 

Colette walks around and wishes everyone luck, letting them know to just try their best and not overthink it too much, trying to rival against the anxiety Professor Snape is basically just shoving onto these poor kids. They smile happily at her, thanking her in a whisper so as to not be scolded by Professor Scary-Pants, and soon the test begins.

It's very quiet, very, very quiet. There's the sound of quills scratching against parchment, Professor Snape's steady footsteps, and Colette can hear the wind howling aboveground. She tries to quietly open a small packet of Cockroach Clusters, a guilty pleasure snack she'd most likely begun to love due to her spider traits, but when the plastic crinkles loud enough that it echoes, she decides to put them away. She finds her small seat in the corner, resting her head on the little bookcase next to it, and before long she's dozing off. 

Maybe it's because the dungeons are freezing cold, perhaps because she didn't sleep well last night, maybe because it's so quiet, either way; she's out. Just absolutely wand-deep in what most people would call hibernation, considering the cold drawing the energy right out of her body. While she rests, though, she does have a decent dream. At least until a few gentle taps on her shoulder wakes her up, eye-level with Professor Snape's torso.

"Sleeping on the job, are we?"

"I'm sorry, sir." She yawns, sitting up and looking around the now-empty classroom. "I didn't sleep much last night, I'm very sorry."

"What could have possibly kept you awake when you knew there was an important examination today? What if I had to leave the classroom and the students cheated while you slept?" Professor Snape scowls, explaining a very fair point. Colette hangs her head in shame, mulling over the thought of disappointing him.

"I really am sorry, sir. I was just... Um, nervous." She fidgets with her sleeve, shivering at the feeling of her own ice-cold fingertips against her skin.

Snape scoffs as if it was absurd. "Nervous?"

"About the winter holiday," she admits, chewing on the inside of her cheek. She builds up enough courage to look up at him, studying his confused expression. He's probably trying to piece together how in the world his assistant nervous about getting a break from 'dunderheads.' "I'm not sure how I'll fare being alone."

Professor Snape seems shocked to have someone opening up to him, even just a little, and simply nods. Colette assumes that means he'll be letting her off the hook - this time at least - before she stands up and stretches her arms up, listening to her joints audibly pop. He uses his finger to gesture for her to straighten up the classroom while he walks out, turning the corner and disappearing. She wonders where he's going, but the last time she got nosey didn't end very well.