𝙻𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚍 II SS/HG ✔️

Jealousy

Severus absolutely did not believe one of his third-years had first found a reference on unicorns Severus hadn't read and that said reference claimed that unicorn penises would cure both depression and 'the weird wheezing laugh your old auntie gets over the hols.' So Severus marched to the library to find this supposed 'reference.'

The audacity of children surprised him every year. He really should expect it by now. The way they twisted words and bent the original meaning to fit their haphazard theses.

But Severus would give them the slightest benefit of the doubt if it was an earnest attempt—if Severus had only spot-checked each essay, he would never have noticed the outrageous claim.

If he couldn't find the book at all, he'd give not only a failing grade but a detention involving either manure with Pomona or maintenance duty with Filch.

Severus first checked the rolls—Clarence Little was, in fact, listed as an author. The book? Tall Tales and Long Tails: The Facts and Myths about Your Favorite Creatures.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. He could guess which category the radical new unicorn penis cure would fall under between those two.

He fetched the book and found a table quickly. He didn't want anyone to see him with this nonsense. So of course another teacher would find him as soon as he turned to the unicorn section.

Alecto rapped her knuckles on the table. She stood across from him.

He looked up at her and she smiled. "Run out of your own books? I daresay I thought it impossible."

"Fact-checking a Hufflepuff's unicorn essay," he explained.

Alecto flattened her palms against the table to lean closer. She read, "Everson Ralph," aloud. "He's been giving Amycus trouble as well."

The cleavage trick did not work on him. But it confirmed his suspicions that she was interested in him.

He kept his eyes on her face.

She bit her bottom lip as if deliberating. Then she said, "Could I ask a favour of you?"

"Possibly."

Her heels clicked across the floor as she came closer. She scooted a chair up next to him to sit.

"I need a book."

"And the library is not fulfilling your needs?"

Her eyebrow quirked at that. "There are only thirteen of these books in the world, and Narcissa said she purchased one for you."

"I know the one," he replied. "Who do you plan on poisoning?"

"A witch has her secrets, Severus." Her hand slithered onto his thigh. "Could I come pick it up from you tonight?"

"I'll bring it by later." He returned to the book.

Alecto removed her hand.

"Thank you, Severus."

She departed.

Severus found the part Ralph had mistaken for fact.