The Potion Master's Apprentice (A Severus Snape love story)

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

"Right class, turn to page seventy in your textbooks. I expect to see a three scroll long essay, in your own words, on the uses and properties of wolfsbane." Severus glowered at the shaggy red haired boy sitting on the back row talking to his friends.

"Yes Weasley, even you." Bill looked shocked that Severus could even hear his whispered conversation. The professor smirked triumphantly and set about glowering at as many incompetent students as possible. Sweeping through the rows, black cloak floating intimidatingly behind him, the class daren't talk.

"Yes?" Severus sneered when one pathetically cowardly student put up her hand. Striding over to the desk he did look somewhat frightening, with the grim expression on his face and the dark glint in his eyes. The student shifted uncomfortably in their chair, tapping their quill nervously on the tabletop as Severus stood beside them expectantly. "Well? What did you want?" He snapped impatiently, peering over the young girls shoulder and onto the empty sheet of parchment laying on the desk. The blond haired girl opened and closed her mouth repeatedly but made no sound but a terrified squeaking. "Did you need help or not?" He growled and she nodded rapidly but still couldn't trust herself to speak.

"It would seem that your rather unorthadox methods of teaching aren't working Professor." Florence muttered, pulling a chair beside the student who stared at her worriedly. Severus scowled fiercely at Florence who lifted her head and met his gaze, smiling harmlessly. "I find that scaring the student half to death isn't the most effective way of helping them."

"Excuse me, but who is the professor here? Who are you to question my methods, conventional or otherwise?" His lip curled unpleasantly as he saw Florence narrow her eyes and get to her feet.

"Sorry Professor, but don't you remember the promise I made earlier?" She rose her voice so that the whole class, who was listening intently by now, could hear her clearly. "Remember? about how I would make your life a misery."

"I have no idea what you are talking about." He said in a threateningly quiet voice.

"Of course you do! Come on Sev." She grinned lopsidedly and stepped towards him before placing a hand on his arm.

"Don't call me Sev, you infuriating woman." He growled and Florence laughed flirtatiously.

"You didn't mind me calling you Sev last night." She purred, stepping closer. Severus opened his mouth and stared at her incredulously. A couple of students sniggered but most of them were staring at him, dumbstruck. "In fact, as I recall, you loved it." She whispered teasingly.

"What is wrong with you?" Severus snarled, pushing her hand away. She pouted and faked looking hurt.

"Now, now Severus. There's no need to play hard to get." She went to walk past him, stopping briefly to whisper in his ear. "We all know you're not." This should have repulsed him but he felt himself shiver unwillingly as he felt her warm breath against his skin. Why was this happening? He hated her! Why was everything she did maddening yet extremely seductive at the same time? Why did she leave him weak at the knees when she touched him?

"You are one of the most irritating people I have ever met." He hissed, skin returning to its usual pale, chalky colour.

"Thank you!" She grinned, returning to her chair and continuing to help the student who occasionally glanced up and gave Severus a fearful look.

"Why do you always have to do that?" He yelled, causing the student to jump and spill ink everywhere.

"Do what?" Florence asked innocently, twirling a strand of hair around  her finger.