Severus and the Frozen North

The Mistress' Orders

January 2000

"For today we need 50 restorative potions, 40 pepper up, 40 grand pepper ups, 100 strengthening solutions, 80 healing, 100 common antidotes, 30 uncommon, 100 cough, 100 dreamless sleep, 100 draught of peace, and 60 blood replenishing. I am at the market and will be back in an hour. Get started on the restorative potions" was written in a half cursive, half print scrawl on a notepad on the main counter top in the lab that first morning.

He drew in a deep breath, the air scented with cinnamon and citrus. All at once cozy and energizing. The chopping and mincing calmed his mind, determined to do well. Instantly at home as he set up his knives and tools; his concentration broken only when Kora entered the room, stomping the snow off her heavy boots, switching them out for the dragon hide that he saw her wearing during the interview. Her hood rustled, the snow drifting down her back; she tossed it onto a hook and wrapped the too long apron around her neck.

Barely glancing at him, she surveyed the progress so far, sending the finished vials over to a small corner of the lab. A small house elf immediately appeared with a smile and a bow.

"Thank you Minty" she called out, offering a genuine smile to the elfish creature before he popped down the chute

"I will work on the pepper ups and blood replenishing" she informed him, setting up her station at a burner opposite of him.

Curious, he surreptitiously watched as she precisely sliced leaves into 1/8 inch slivers, effortlessly powdered bicorn horn, pressing the wide blade of the knife against a ripe berry, the blood red juice flowing. Her movements were muscle memory just like his, almost unaware of their actions.

The only sounds over the next several hours the simmering of the cauldrons and the hiss and bubble of liquid. A symphony. Music to his ears.

"When you finish that batch, put it in the corner. Minty will take it. But I must inspect your final product before you send it out" she told him smoothly, her tone riddled with suspicion

He was competent. He didn't need to be watched over like a child. Twenty years of potions experience wouldn't have him having his work checked like a lowly intern. Her request was a test, meant to push his button that demanded superiority.

"Is that really necessary?" he asked, matching her condescending tone, not caring if he seemed intimidating as he stood up to his full height

"You'll keep in mind that you are working alongside of me in my lab. My reputation rides on your work too. My lab, my rules. You don't like it you don't have to stay" she chirped, crossing her arms over her chest, looking for all the world like a sullen teenager

He could play that game. He understood the power grab. Trying to assert herself.

"Could I get a written copy of these rules? When shall we talk about mine?" he asked sarcastically, mimicking her stature

Eyes narrowed, she whipped back without a second thought

"I'll owl them to you later. And I don't particularly care about your rules because you work with me. Now where are those eighty restorative potions?"

He motioned to the smaller batch of fifty potions in the corner. Her writing was nearly illegible, he could barely discern what it said

"I made fifty potions, which is what I could discern from your horrific penmanship" he stated defiantly, ready for their first showdown

The flush creeped up into her face, the color of coral, jaw tensed and teeth possibly about to explode from the force of biting back her words

"I see that celebrity status isn't everything. I told you I was demanding. Get it right or don't bother showing up tomorrow"