Valentine Devilry

A/N :: I am sorry sorry sorry for not updating for so long. But now till V-day, a chapter a day is a promise : )


For Disclaimer and ratings see Chapter One


Chapter Eleven


“Not bad, Miss Granger.”

Good. He likes my idea. Time to put plan in action.

“But surely you realize that there is no such known potion.”

I have to admit that in all my zest to earn his approval I had overlooked the first thing I would have done normally – consult a book. Surely it would have been tried before. Perhaps the Moste Potente Potions will have something similar.

I am about to voice my idea when he says, “And before you say it, Miss Granger, no such potion is even hinted in the Moste Potente Potions.”

He did it again. He read my mind. Wonder how He does it. I know He is a Legimens but I don’t feel anything that Harry said he felt in his mind. Is it because it’s some different technique or because He is very good? I know He’s good from what Harry told me but he can’t be that good. It must be something else. I make a mental note to find out somehow. Consult a book perhaps.

“You understand what that means don’t you?”
“Yes, Professor. We have to make a new potion.”
“Not up to your usual standard I see, Miss Granger. Only one out of two.”
“I don’t think I understand you Professor.”
“You have to make the potion. Only you.”

I suddenly can’t believe my ears. Severus entrusting me something like this. Did I just think of Him as Severus? What is happening to me? Why do I have this feeling of inexplicable happiness just because He wants me to do something so important by myself?

“I am asking you to do this alone because I have some other business to attend to. That’s why I approached you for assistance in the first place. Don’t worry, I’ll be supervising and directing you from time to time. But that’s a problem, Miss Granger. We don’t have time.”

“That’s true Sir, but we still have four days left.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to make a new potion in four days.”
“I might. But you’ll have to come up with a foolproof idea to ingest it.”
“Fair enough, I think.”

.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.

As soon as He leaves, I rush to check out a few books I thought might help. Upon reaching my room I reflect that I am in for a long night of research judging by the arm load of books I have carried back from the library. I am tempted to procrastinate the job but I know we have no time. I may as well start with the first one.

.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.


The morning finds me sleeping on my table buried in the books. I feel terribly sore all over. Every bone, every ligament, every atom of my body is aching. Still groggy, I grope for my wand. Upon finding it I quickly cast a relieving charm on myself. Thank Madam Pomfrey for that one. Not that she wanted to teach me this spell but I didn’t want to waste both our time with such a daily problem. So eventually she relented and now I am experiencing the effect of an hour’s massage in two minutes. I am refreshed.

As soon as I come to my senses, I look at my notes from the last night. I had short listed some ingredients that night help:


Abyssinian Shrivelfig, Daisy (chopped), Dittany :: used in shrinking solution
Fluxweed, Knotgrass :: used in Polyjuice potion.
lovage :: Used in Confusing and Befuddlement Draughts
ashwinder eggs :: used in love potions
dried billywig stingers

Hmm. Not bad for a night’s work. Now all I need is to test the combination and work out the exact composition. And not to forget, I still have to run it through Him. After all, He said he’d supervise my work. Good excuse to be near him, smell him perhaps touch him.**

.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.

My step has a bounce to it when I reach the Great Hall. I feel very happy. I look towards the Head Table and noticing my favorite potions master I nod my head, perhaps too excitedly. He scowls and nods back almost imperceptibly. His scowl doesn’t dampen my good mood, if anything I am even more happy.

Ron and Harry notice this and start giving each other what’s-up-with-her-today looks. They think I don’t notice and I am pretending not to. As long as they don’t come up to me and ask what is it that’s making me so happy, I don’t have to lie to my best friends and that’s perfectly fine with me. So right now I am very very very busy with my porridge.

.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.

I rush to His classroom as soon as I could excuse myself from breakfast since I have the first period free. I gave him a meaningful look while I left the Great Hall, so either he’s already here or is going to come soon. I knock and enter.

As I suspected, he’s already here. He waves his hand towards the chair opposite his. I sit down and look up only to find him looking at me with an unreadable expression. Our eyes remain locked for only about thirty seconds and I can already feel my heart doing somersaults in my stomach.**

“So tell me, Miss Granger, what has happened to have made you so happy?”


.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.::.

A/N :: I hope the ingredients for the potion are okay. I looked up the lexicon and these were the only one I could think of including.

** she is no longer reprimanding herself for thinking improper thoughts about him. hint of a budding romance perhaps.

me - It\'s merely a coincidence. As I indicated in the last chapter, the idea came from the way nesscafe\'s challenge was worded.
Go check it out and all will be clear : )

sharon - I\'ll try to see dogma asap. Thanks

DarkGoddess - I dont think this chapter tells you much about the story except perhaps for Hermione\'s changing feelings for
Severus ;)

sinj - The staff is also a target since Snape is pissed off by their constant efforts to pair him up. so that should be interesting.
Thanks for appreciating my little idea. :))

nesscafe -- This chapter doesn\'t really have any sarcasm or humor. But hang on, sista. The next chapter would be good and evil if
you know what i mean.

Kiristeen -- explosive. hmm. i dont think. coz our heroes are gonna try their best to dampen things around. so no chance for the
sparks ; )

KarenDetroit -- How do i get out of it? wait for Valentine\'s day and find out. *grins evilly*

J - I am glad you are pleased with the wicked Hermione. What do you think she should do next?

A BIG Thanks to every one who read and reviewed. I live for feedback. So please be kind and leave a review.

Cheers !!
Sohara