Always

Chapter 3: Little Helper

As Snape taught his class and scared every student in there, as usual, she was starting to understand him better. He came off very cold, but she knew he had a soft side in there somewhere. She sat in the back as he taught the class and she listened to his voice. She had not done anything with potions but maybe, just maybe, he could teach her? She noticed that he had left the basket on his desk and that when he let the students write down more notes, he would reach into the basket and he would eat a cookie. It made her smile knowing that Snape was eating one of her cookies. Some student in the front raised his hand. "Professor Snape, may I have a cookie as well?" He asked. Snape glared at him. "No. They were......a gift, and it is only for me." He said slowly as he walked over to him and stared him down. "Touch those cookies.....and you will have more than just house points taken away." He growled as the boy shivered and Beth laughed in the back. So protective over the cookies, it was just too cute. "What are you laughing about Miss Washington?" He asked very sternly as she covered her mouth. "Oh nothing...." She said getting up and gently leaving the classroom. "Nothing at all." She finished as she opened the door and waved at him before leaving for her quarters. Snape had the shake off that feeling and he growled as he went back to the board. It was only the first day, but even he was curious about her. Where she came from. What she liked to do for fun. As he continued the lesson, he was very cold but he could not get rid of the image of Beth.

Beth went back to her quarters and she laid on her bed. She thought about asking Snape for learning how to make potions. Maybe in return, she could teach him to cook with magic. She was deep in thought. Would he say yes though? That was the real question and that was the hard question to ask. She then looked at her schedule and she knew that after dinner would be a good time to ask him. In private though. Wouldn't want his students to know anything of course. She would wait patiently until nightfall.

Dinner did arrive and everyone had a good first day of classes. Beth walked up to her seat and greeted Flitwick. "Well well, how is the new professor doing?" He asked gently. "It went well, I enjoyed every second of it. The students are also so wonderful! Something else happened too.....Snape ate one of my cookies and loved it. So much I got him a basket and he ate the cookies, in class!" She said shocked as Flitwick was just as shocked. "Do you think...." He began. "Maybe, just maybe, I could be friends with him?" Beth said as Snape came into the room. "Another time Beth.....but do keep me posted. I want results." He winked at her as Beth winked back and she gently nodded to Snape who sat down in his seat. "I do not feel so hungry.....now that I have eaten perhaps 8 cookies." He mumbled as Beth giggled. "So you're telling me that I'm not doing so bad as a Magical Cooking professor?" She asked as Snape growled. "One compliment does not change what I said earlier Miss Washington." He said firmly as Beth groaned. Back to square one. Once again.

Minerva was talking to the students once more as Beth started eating, along with Snape. She then leaned in and she made conversation. "I need to ask you something. In private. After dinner." She spoke as Snape gave her yet another glare. "Why should I?" He asked carefully. "It's about potions." She added as some students watched them interact. "Potions? You have my attention.....what about potions?" He asked looking at her. "Well...I have always admired your work, and I really want to learn about potions. I would like to be taught how to make different potions. Not for cooking purposes I promise. Only if you want to." She finished. So much for waiting until after dinner. He was very silent as he ate his food. As he swallowed some of it down with wine, he said "Perhaps I shall...I will meet you in the Potions room in a half-hour. Bring notes. It will be complicated and I do not like to repeat myself." He said lowly as Beth nodded. "Thank you so much." She smiled as he glared but he seemed shocked that she seemed this interested in potions. He looked at her once more studying her features on her face, before finishing his meal. She was so excited as she gently sipped her wine and looked at him. "You're staring." He said deeply. "So are you." She replied back with a soft smile. He then stared at her and she stared at him for a moment or two before he gently excused himself and went to the restroom.