The Forbidden Fruit

𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞-𝕱𝖎𝖛𝖊

..As nearly a week passes by, Severus has resisted the urge to call endlessly for an answer like some needy teenager and instead, has found some temporary solace in an old familiar..

Tucked away in a secluded tower of the Castle, Severus works diligently as he toys with different concoctions and mixes. "With the addition of the worm root, the vile should shift into a dark teal color.." he murmurs to himself, stepping back after adding the last ingredient, watching as the potion does what he intended it to. "Perfect as I intended it to be" he says with a small smirk at the corner of his lips, taking the vile out of its holder before he turns around to snatch a cork off of the other workbench. "Now to document its abilities and conclude its disadvantages.." he mutters as he takes a seat at the nearby desk where a pesky pixie in a jar is being held. Reaching for his half-moon shaped spectacles, pushing them up his broad nose he turns his attention to the pixie in the jar. 

"Such annoying little creatures.." he grumbles before pulling out some parchment and dipping his quill. "Now, this potion should turn this pixie into an albino variant if I am not mistaken although, when have I ever been wrong" he says to himself with a light chuckle. Carefully setting he potion aside, he turns his attention back to the pixie as his continues to try and break free from the jar he's put it in "Now, now you little pest, I will release you when I am finished" Severus grumbles as he reaches for a calming agent he created for his experiments years ago. Uncorking the jar by a sliver, Severus puffs some of the agent into the jar and in a near instant, the  fussy pixie calms down, resting its little body on the bottom of the jar. "Perfection.." he mutters with satisfaction knowing it would work as he opens the jar fully. Opening the small vial, he observes the way the liquid moves within the glass, watching as the liquid practically moves on its own without his interference. 

Taking an eyedropper, he measures out a distinct amount before dropping it carefully onto the pixie resting peacefully in the jar. Setting everything aside, he observes carefully as the blue skin slowly turns into a pale yellow tinted white tone as the droplets he placed run down the head of the pixie, leaving a white streak in its wake. "Interesting.. it's an instant reaction.." he murmurs as he writes any observations he finds. After finishing his experiments for the day, he cleans up his work space, moving the pixie to a large enclosure to keep it safe for when it wakes up so he can release it. Stepping back after he shuts the old birdcage the pixie is now sleeping in, Severus tilts his head to the side a bit, letting out a sigh. Leaving the secluded tower, he shuts the door behind him and locks it with a special key, ensuring no one has access other than himself.

Returning to his office, he shuts the door behind him before resting his head against the wood with anguish. Feeling drained from the lack of affection, he lets out a deep sigh as he saunters to the large window behind his desk, gazing out in deep thought. "Perhaps I have become too attached.. but, I cannot ignore the feelings I carry both conflicting and contradictive.. my heart hangs heavy in a balance of my desires and acceptance, when will the scale tip.." he mutters poetically to himself, hoping these feelings dilute over time if he ignores them long enough. 

Meanwhile, roaming the halls after splitting off from his friends during lunch, Draco decides to snoop around some more, knowing he was the reason behind the sudden stall between his Father and Severus. Making his way to the Potions classroom, he steps inside the unlocked door, hearing movement coming from the office. Walking down the row of workbenches with a confident and rather snarky attitude, he knocks on the office door. "Professor Snape?" he rings hearing a subtle voice telling him to come in. Stepping inside, he shuts the door behind him "You are aware that roaming the halls without permission during lunch hour is punishable.." shrugging, Draco tucks his hands into his cloak pockets. "I understand, Professor.. but. I think you know why I am here" he says with a cheeky grin, making Severus sneer out of irritability.

Stepping away from his place at the large window, Severus takes long, purposeful strides as he approaches. "What did you do.." he grumbles, looking down at him with a fire behind his usual cold gaze, his cloak falling elegantly behind his quick steps. Crossing his arms with a smirk, Draco looks up to meet his gaze as he towers over him "You found yourself somewhere you shouldn't have, Professor and I fixed it" he says with a snap to his tone. Finding a distaste in his confidence, Severus stands straighter, looking down his nose as he tucks his hands behind his back. "I see.. while you may feel as though you're a mature, young man, you're quite the opposite, Draco. You are a meddling, little, snake and I have advised you ten-fold to stay out of adult business and yet you refuse to listen simply because you thought it was right for your Father-" cutting him off, Draco takes a brazen step forward as if to challenge him. "I did what was right for my sake. You had no right to do what you did. You are a lonely, old man who took the chance to use my Father as an emotional tool for your own greedy necessities. I will not let you be the reason my parents fall completely apart.. I can't let that happen.." he says as his voice cracks a bit "I just can't.." he says to further his point with a softer, more hurt tone as his eyes well up with tears.

Feeling conflicted about how to react based on his words and the hurt within them, Severus lets out a deep sigh from his nose "You're excused.." Severus mutters as he returns to his desk. Frowning with a scoff Draco he wipes his eyes "Fine. But stay away from my Father.." he says with a stern tone before leaving the office. Hearing him leave, Severus lets out a deep, frustrated groan as he pinches the bridge of his nose, realizing how messy and complicated this endeavor is becoming in such a short time.

To Be Continued...