Chapter 28

During the holiday break, I had a lot of free time. There wasn't much to do in the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey told me to come back after the term started so I could fully enjoy the break. I spent my time in our base, watching Severus brew potions and learning to identify them.

Our potion shop didn't receive many orders during this period, maybe three or four a week, so Severus wasn't too busy. While he worked on potions, I watched closely. He explained each step to me, why it was necessary, and what effect it would have. He was very meticulous and patient. I was a good student, always asking questions, even if they seemed foolish to me. Severus patiently explained everything. Perhaps Severus would make a good Potions professor? I imagined an adult Severus calmly teaching a group of students, but then reality hit me. Severus was often cold and sarcastic to others. Teaching a class of students with varying skill levels might turn Potions class into a nightmare for Hogwarts students.

I shared my thoughts with Severus. As expected, he didn't miss a beat and snorted, "Me, a Potions professor for a bunch of brainless Gryffindor trolls? I'd deduct all their house points."

Not surprised, I chose to ignore his habitual Gryffindor insults. "Just don't deduct only Gryffindor points, if that day ever comes."

"Now look at this," Severus said, holding up a vial of the finished Elixir to Induce Euphoria. "A successful batch should be this clear orange color with spiraling shimmers. Some potion shops sell elixirs that look like expired orange juice. I don't know how they dare to sell them." He looked disdainful as he recalled the other potion shops in Diagon Alley.

I leaned in, fascinated by the vibrant potion and its mesmerizing shimmer. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes..." Severus's voice was right next to my ear, still pleasant and not yet broken like some boys' voices. It was soothing. I turned to find myself face to face with his dark eyes, glinting with an emotion I couldn't decipher. We were barely five inches apart, close enough to feel each other's breath. I lost my words, captivated by the pure blackness and seeing my reflection in his eyes.

Time seemed to stand still, though it was only a few seconds. Severus turned away, breaking the moment, and handed me the potion vial. "Who ordered this Elixir to Induce Euphoria?"

"Oh, let me check—" I walked over to the desk and picked up the order log. Something had just slipped past my mind too quickly to grasp. "It's for Mrs. Mag. She requested it by January 10th. I'll mail it later. James brought back some letters yesterday and has free time." I labeled the vial and packed it with the order information and customer details. Turning around, I saw Severus had already bottled the remaining potion, cleaned the cauldron, and started preparing ingredients for the next potion.

"Take a break. It's almost dinner time. I'll have Tito bring dinner over." I nudged Severus aside and took over organizing the workbench. "By the way, your birthday is the day after tomorrow. How do you want to celebrate?"

Uncharacteristically, Severus didn't protest my bossiness. He replied absentmindedly, "There's nothing to celebrate. Let's just keep it as it always is." Curious, I glanced at him, but he was staring at a bookshelf. I shrugged internally and focused on tidying up. Then I heard voices outside the door. "That should be Lily. Severus, you go to the living room. I'll finish here." He paused for a few seconds, then turned and left. I heard Lily's voice as he opened the door.

Before leaving the potion room, I called Tito to arrange dinner. A few days ago, Tito had suddenly appeared while I was reading, holding what looked like a thick woolen sock. He said he received it from Headmaster Dumbledore, which freed him.

I facepalmed. His "way" turned out to be this loophole. Wouldn't Dumbledore find this suspicious? He knew about my mother and the child who had died back then when he met Tito. Tito suddenly choosing to end his employment with Hogwarts in this manner would clearly signal he found someone new to serve. House-elves are incredibly loyal beings, often serving a family or person for life. Tito's original master was from the Rosier family, who supported the Dark Lord. This alone would catch Dumbledore's attention.

I sighed. I couldn't blame Tito. There was no reasonable excuse for Dumbledore to fire him without raising suspicion. No matter what, it would draw attention. Whatever happens, happens. But before dinner, Tito came to ask what I wanted to eat. I wondered, wasn't he freed from Hogwarts duties? Tito explained that house-elf magic allowed him to come and go freely from Hogwarts. Some picky noble children even brought their family elves to school, but it was rare since parents preferred their children to learn independence.

Now, Tito was bound to me by a contract. Typically, house-elves contract with families, but since my parents were Muggles and couldn't bind an elf as masters, and Tito only wanted to serve me, he was bound to me and my future family. Well, since it was already done, I decided not to be shy about it and enjoy the food.

I told Tito to keep dinner simple but to include Tito's signature pudding for dessert. Entering the living room, I saw Lily and Severus chatting happily. I heard Lily say, "Haha, that was so silly!"

"What was silly?" I asked, sitting next to Lily to join the conversation.

"Oh, I was talking about James—not yours, James Potter. I was coming from the library, and it seemed like he was trying to follow me, probably curious about where I keep disappearing to. I deliberately led him around the castle until we reached caretaker Pringle, who has been itching to catch him. With all his antics during the holiday, Pringle gave him detention for the first week of term! James deserves more detentions to keep him busy." Lily's tone had a hint of schadenfreude.

I laughed, amused by Lily's playful behavior. Severus's expression softened as he listened intently to Lily. My gaze lingered on his eyes, recalling the intense look I'd seen in the potion room. Sensing my stare, Severus turned his eyes to meet mine. That familiar emotion flashed again. Before I could figure it out, he looked away, uncomfortable. I snapped out of my thoughts as Lily asked, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing—" I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. Just then, Tito brought in our dinner, shifting our attention.

On January 9th, Severus's birthday, we went about our usual routines. By dinner, Tito had prepared a special birthday meal, and we played music on the phonograph. Lily and I gave Severus his presents, making for a joyful birthday dinner. Several times during the evening, I found myself glancing at Severus. Whenever our eyes met, he would stiffly look away. Was my gaze that unsettling? I was just trying to understand the feeling.

Lying in my four-poster bed that night, I thought about the unfamiliar emotion. It was something I had never felt before.