Shadow and Light {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter 9 Part 2

Summary:

My name is Alice, did I win this little challenge ?

Chapter Text

"Well..."

"Well?" she replied softly, turning to him with sparkling eyes.

"The grades are, in general, very mixed. They range from a mediocre 5 out of 20 to excellent 18."

"But those that concern us? Excuse my disinterest in the others, but first of all Potter, Weasley, and Longbottom..."

He raised an eyebrow, observing Alice's enthusiasm as she leaned in a little closer.

"What impatience..." he sighed. "I recognize you well there..."

"Wait. What potion did you end up having them brew ?"

"Loneat."

Alice made a sound that resembled a laugh mixed with a slight choke.

"The Loneat with larval mucus, the only potion I managed to prepare better than you... Was that intentional?"

"Absolutely not, but there you go with your memory, into trivialities..."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, memories surfacing in the current of his mind.

"You celebrated it so much that we could almost forget it only happened once during our school years," he added.

"We were in good competition in almost all other subjects, so please let me keep this incredible memory of the time I beat 'Severus Snape' in potions..."

"If you wish... but I insist, it's not for that. I received a request from the head nurse; with the dictamum shortage, we needed something to replace the stocks with an equivalent, although it's less effective..."

"Making the young work, honestly... Well, that suits you well."

"As much as they serve a purpose..."

She looked at him, inquisitive, hands on her hips. He shrugged, feigning indifference, but Alice's reaction amused him deep down.

"So?"

"Congratulations, you succeeded," he announced in a rather monotonous tone.

Alice opened her mouth to speak but fell silent for a moment. In the silence, Severus clapped his hands; there was no real energy in his applause, but the sound resonated in the room.

"You're not leaving me more suspense than that?" she finally asked.

"Are you disappointed? I see no point in keeping you waiting any longer when you're fuming to know more..."

"I... I guess you're right..."

"Weasley's potion is by far the worst of the three, but it still earned a score of 11. Longbottom outdid himself with a 12.5; I took half a point off because he broke a pot of ingredients with his clumsiness."

He paused to observe Alice's reaction, which he soon regretted as he was mentally dazzled by the broad smile she displayed.

"That's wonderful! They weren't really motivated at first, but they got into it, and look at the result! Of course, they still have a long way to go... but it's already very good! They will certainly regain confidence in their abilities, and it can only get better, I'm sure of it!"

She observed Severus; he had lowered his head.

"Sorry, I cut you off... And Harry?"

Severus handed her a small vial, the liquid inside shining a golden hue.