Just Another Day in Potions Class

Carys carefully removed herself from the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron with a slight sneeze. Looking around hopeful that no one really noticed her arrival she searched for Tom, eager to get a room and be alone to think about what her next step should be. Finally she spotted the bartender and obtained a room, dumping her meager travel bag out on the bed she pulled out a heavier black robe and transfigured it to fit better. The cold weather had never really bothered Severus, but now it was causing her great discomfort mostly in her delicate ears. Think of that Carys turned to look in a mirror tacked to the other side of the door, there was a resemblance to her mother in her face now, something that made her a little happy. She had never liked looking like the man w ho sired her. Oddly enough that thought made her think of Potter, just for a moment how did the younger boy feel about being a carbon copy of his father? She shook her head the last thing she wanted was to become sympathetic to Potter!

“Ergh.” she muttered angrily, “This whole fiasco is going to be impossible! I'll never pull off acting like a different person.” She walked away from the door only for someone to knock, curiously she went over and opened it. Lupin stood there with an embarrassed smile.

“I presume you heard me then?” she asked coolly. He blushed,

“Dumbledore sent me to give you this,” he handed her a bag of money and a Gringotts key, “The vault number is 321. Under Carys Snape.” he continued. She nodded and accepted the bag.

“Was there something else?” She asked stiffly when he lingered. She couldn't help but be interested when the werewolf blushed yet again.

“Er...I...Just maybe you don't have to be a different person, just be yourself.” he said and then bolted out the door. She watched him leave, confused.

“What would be the point of being myself? Severus Snape was a withdrawn jerk and a spy...Who should Carys be?” he muttered aloud unaware of Lupin still standing outside the door. She thought of something after than little revelation, pulling up the sleeve of the heavy robe she looked on her left forearm. The dark mark was gone, completely gone not even a blemish where it had been. She exited the room, trying to catch Lupin before he left.

“Lupin!” She called spotting him by the floo but he didn't seem to here her, “Remus!” she called closer this time, ignoring the odd stares from the patrons of the bar. This time the werewolf turned, for a second there was an odd predatory gleam in his eyes but it faded quickly.

“Yes?” his voice sounded strained but she barely noticed, pulling him to the Diagon Alley entrance and making sure that no one was around she lifted up her sleeve.

“It's gone!” she said her voice a mix of pleased ecstasy and disbelief. He stared too, albeit for a different reason, the pale perfect flesh of her arm was just begging to be licked, or bitten. He shook of those thoughts and turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

“That's incredible, and a good thing...Imagine if he called you while you were still in this form.” he replied with a helpful smile.

“Yes...That would've been inconvenient.” She replied some of her excitement wearing off, but only a little. She was free of the Dark Lord...something she had never expected to happen while the evil man was still alive. But it raised so many questions, why had the mark been eradicated? How? Could she replicate the method without the gender change? It was too much to think about all at once.

“I apologize for inconveniencing your return to Hogwarts. Could you possibly keep this information form the headmaster for a little while longer?” she said finally, focusing back onto Lupin. He nodded unable to voice the response, she looked so vulnerable and insecure that he probably would've done anything to get that expression of her face.

“Thank you.” she said stiffly and proceeded to open the doorway into Diagon Alley. Lupin watched her disappear into the crowd trying to ignore his new found fondness for the snarky potions -master. Shaking his head he re-entered the bar and returned to the floo. Carys walked through the familiar setting of Diagon Alley noticing the pleasant difference that the residents didn't throw her dirty looks or glare at her. Some even smiled and waved, it was...nice. She even smiled back at a few people amazed that no one grimaced at the result. Her first stop was to get some new robes, while waiting to be fitted Carys couldn't help but admire her new form in the mirror. The elderly woman returned with a selection of thin fabric, draping it over her and pinning it in the appropriate places. Once it fit to her expectations, although perhaps a bit form fitting for Carys' tastes she was supposed to be finding a new identity of sorts... The Older woman waved her wand and the robe stitched itself together giving an idea what her orders would be like.

“Alright dear did you have anything particular in mind?” she asked with a smile.

“Well I need an entirely new wardrobe...” She said looking a little uncertain. The woman smiled, with the gleam of profit in her eyes.

“Excellent dear, lets start with the basics then, what do you do in the way of work?” she said with her everlasting smile that was beginning to get creepy.

“Potions.” she replied shortly, hoping that the woman didn't pry to much further. She seemed to get the drift and proceeded to wave her wand changing the fabric of the sample robe.

“This one is a durable cotton blend that won't melt or fray if you spill hot substances on it and it breaths well so you don't get too hot while at the cauldron.” she explained going on to give more examples each more expensive than the last but that wasn't really to much of a problem. As Severus Snape she had horded money without spending it giving herself a small fortune now. As it turned out even she wasn't immune to the inane female urge to have copious amounts of clothing and bought several kinds and colors of robes and several muggle outfits as well.

'Fine...I guess I'll fit in as a woman at least now...” She thought quite impatiently looking around, shrinking all her packages to fit in her pockets. She paused to get an ice cream, sitting on a bench in the sunlight she couldn't help but think that this might no be so bad.

AN: Fail. >.> I apologize both for the failing for this chapter and for my MASSIVE absence. T.T You know I figured that summer = more time to do personal stuff and it DOESN'T. T.T between work, developing a social life (believe me I wish I could give that one back...), and more work I haven't had time to sneeze let alone write. >.<

PS: I am aware that more than 75% of the time I put manor rather than manner the frustrating part is I know I'm doing it and still do it anyway and don't notice til later. >.>

Replies!:
mrscakeakajane: Carys means Love. =P

aalens: I hope you continue to find this story entertaining although this chaps a bit short. And once I find time I will go back and edit the chapters but its not a high priority for me...at the moment. I just like writing. =D

watin77: I'm glad you like it! I apologize for the delayed update but never fear I have no plans to abandon this fic. =D

battycatty: I haven't abandon it see! XD Hope you enjoy.

TempermentalBaker: =D

MrsCakeAkaJane: are you stalking me? XD Just kidding. Other sites I'm on? I believe there's a whole slew of links in both my profiles. =)

http:// dreaming-of-fall. Deviantart. com/ (remove spaces)

http:// www. writerscafe. Org/ writers/ Lalaek/ (remove spaces)

http:// www. Fictionpress. Com/ ~fiamett (you know the drill by now I hope)

I think that's most aye. =D