Uncanny Snake

XXXVII - Momento

Something bubbled in the distance, followed by faint tapping. They were comfortable background noises, which brought a homey feel into the mix, but unfortunately, they were overshadowed by the raging headache I had woken up with. I groaned around feeling for the covers but realized I was not in bed.

Slight panic overtook me, and I thrashed around, smashing my elbow into a hard surface. A pained cry escaped my lips, and Severus whirled around, his concern evaporating into a judgy frown. "Vial is on my desk," he instructed, turning back to his cauldron.

I took a moment to gather my wits and removed Sev's cloak from around my shoulders. I reached for the vial on his desk and downed it in one go, ignoring the foul taste. My headache dissipated almost instantly, and I was thankful for the Potions Master hard at work. I gazed at Severus' profile, and the determination in his eyes was new. It was usually anger or frustration.

"What are you making?" I asked, leaning against his desk for a better look, but the classroom was dim, and the insides of the cauldron were abyss black.

"It would ruin the surprise." Severus' poker face forced a huff out of me, so I settled back into his chair, nestling into his robes and basking in the homey atmosphere.

"You probably get off feeling so high and mighty, don't you?" I joked, twirling in his chair, his eyes met mine, and I couldn't help the teasing smile that followed.

"Do you?" he countered, stirring the cauldron counterclockwise with lazy strokes.

"Indeed, peasant, now off you go to fetch me a cup of coffee!" Severus glanced back, his eyebrow rising slightly as he took a moment to look me over.

"No."

"Oh yeah, well, ten points from Slytherin!"

"Fortunately, you hold no power over the point counter," he chuckled. I smiled and rested my elbows on his desk as I watched him work. He was always so diligent yet managed to look elegant while doing so. Someone knocked at the door, and Severus seemed expectant that I answer, consider I was sitting in the chair.

"Enter," I called out, instinctively reaching for my wand. One can never be too careful. A seventh-year Hufflepuff walked through, his eyes landing on me before trailing to Severus.

"Professor McGonagall is requesting your presence in the Great Hall, sir." Severus' demeanor changed, and irritation oozed out of his pores as he set aside his ladle. I spun around in his chair before leaving the almighty throne of the dungeons.

"I trust you can finish? Counterclockwise five times every two minutes for an hour, then let it rest."

"You got it, chief."

"And don't puke in the cauldron," he warned, cupping my cheek.

"I'm not that irresponsible." With a chaste kiss to my head, Severus was off, and I was left to supervise the mysterious cauldron. I didn't dally and took to the mixture in the cauldron, stirring it counterclockwise as instructed. It had a swampy color, and I couldn't help but grimace. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to drink it. I probably just jinxed it, didn't I? Fuck.

Once I was finished, I rested the lid atop the cauldron and let it simmer. I was planning on sleeping with Severus tonight but considering an hour had elapsed, I didn't think he would be coming back any time soon. I felt rather antsy, so I made sure to secure the cauldron and lock the classroom, hoping to wander around the castle and clear my head.

The Horcruxes were still in the back of mind, but stressing about it tonight would get me nowhere. I was not in the headspace to think clearly. When I poked my head into the library, it was deserted, so I made my way into the Restricted Section. It was eerie at night, but that was part of the charm, I suppose. My wand illuminated the shelves as I strolled through the aisles, skimming the endless selection of books.