Rum ball challenge

Ok, this is my reply to a Rumball challenge from last year. The challenge was to make a sotry where Severus Snape gets totally drunk while making Rum ball cookies for christmas. Anyone else interested in trying there hand, go right ahead!

RUM BALLS


Dumbledore looks out over the gathered teachers, a smile playing across his lips. This happens every year at Christmas and it never fails to amuse him how much some of the less than enthusiastic ones tend to try to get out of the Christmas spirit. Snape sighs again, lookout out the nearest window in Dumbledore\'s office and wishing he were anywhere else but here. Dumbledore smirks at the younger man, knowing he\'s in for a shock this year.
\"As you all know, Minerva and I have already drawn names and wrote a list of your duties this year. \" He passes out a parchment to each teacher. \"We will be commencing tomorrow with the candy making process since last year it took us longer than originally anticipated. We will also be having a bit of help this year. My niece is coming in from America to spend a few days with me and she has graciously agreed to help out.\"
Flitwick grins. \"I get to decorate the halls!\" He turns and grins at Snape. \"I think I\'ll start with the dungeons first!\'
Snape narrows his eyes. \"If you must then at least stay away from my quarters. I\'d rather not have to deal with mistletoe placed over my door again this year.\"
Hagrid laughs. \"Well it wasn\'t my fault that Ron thought it would be fun to put it there!\"
Dumbledore puts up a hand to stop it before an argument can be started. \"This year no students will be allowed to help that way nothing inconvenient can occur. Now you all have your assignments. I suggest if there is nothing else, we all go see what we can do about preparations.\"
With that note, all but one leave the office, talking animatedly about their tasks. Snape stays in his seat, glaring at Dumbledore. \"Is there a problem Severus?\"
He flips open his parchment and narrows his eyes as he reads. \"Rum Balls? What in bloody hell is Rum Balls?\"
Dumbledore smiles. \"Ah! Yes! I forgot you got that particular one. We thought it best to give it to you so this year will not end up like a drunken festival like last year did. Rum balls are a certain type of candy made with Rum. It is quite good but very potent. I need you to make a trip into Hogsmeade for the ingredients.\"
Snape takes the list from Dumbledore and frowns even more. \"You know I hate this, don\'t you? Every year you do this to us..\"
\"And every year you find some way out of what is asked of you.\" Dumbledore frowns back. \"Not this year I\'m afraid. I really need your help on this one, Severus. Only 2 others will be making the candy this year and it will be very hard to get it all done without your help.\"
Snape growls and closes his eyes. \"Who else am I to endure then?\"
\"Minerva, my niece, and I will be there.\" Dumbledore smiles again. \"I am asking no one else.\"
He stands up to leave. “Very well then.”
The next day Snape strides into one of the rooms set off from the rest of the main kitchen, growling angrily about the damned Christmas tradition. Dumbledore looks up from the bag of Vanilla wafers he’s crumbling and grins. “Good morning Severus.”
He comes to a halt near a chair set next to Dumbledore and glares. “I still do not see why we cannot ask the house elves to do this!”
”Because that would take half the fun out of it!” A soft, laughing voice replies behind him.
He spins on his heel and comace ace to face with a young blonde woman grinning back at him. “I have better things to do with my time than sit here making candies all day!” He growls at her.
Her eyes narrow slightly, her grin turning mischievous. “Who pissed in your oatmeal this morning, Professor Scrooge?”
He gapes at her in shock, his face turning slightly red with outrage as she winks and walks over to Dumbledore. “Who are you?!”
“Calm yourself, Severus.” Dumbledore sighs. “You’ll have to excuse my niece. has has the tendency to get people worked up over nothing.”
“Tendency? I think of it more as fun.” She grins.
Dumbledore gives her a quelling look. “Not everyone appreciates your sense of humor, Andrea.”
She sighs. “I promise to try to behave, Uncle Albus.”
“Thank you.” He turns back to Snape. “Severus, I’d like you to meet my great, great niece, Andrea Moore.”
She reaches out her hand to him. “Ah yes! The Potions Master. I’ve heard a great deal about you.” She lowers her hand when he just stares at her. “I can see you’ve earned your reputation.”
McGonagall walks in and sees the glares being given. “I take it I missed the fireworks?”
Andrea’s lips twitch up. “You could say that but the day is still young…”
Dumbledore sighs as she walks off towards a small table and large cauldron. “Do not encourage her, Minerva. You now how she can be.”
McGonagall smiles. “Why would I do such a thing?”
Snape rolls his eyes. “What is she doing here other than annoying people?”
Dumbledore goes back to his smashing wafers. “Andrea is a very accomplished chef. She specializes in candies and desserts so I asked for her help.”
Snape frowns and watches the young woman as she banks a fire under the cauldron and pours several large bowls of chocolate blocks. Sheallyally turns around after giving the melting chocolate a few stirs. “Ok. Let’s try this. Professor Snape, I need you to stir the chocolate since you’re used to mindless h of of stirring. I’m sure this will be no different.” She points at McGonagall. “Minerva, can you bring the vanilla crumbs here and I’ll get you started mixing the dry ingredients.”
Snape glares at her back as he walks to the cauldron and starts stirring. She hands McGonagall several small bags, leaving her with instructions on how to mix them before walking back to the cauldron. She stares down into the melting mass and smirks. She lifts up two bottles of unmarked amber liquid and pours them in.
“Now keep stirring. I don’t want the chocolate to turn hard.” She gives him a mischievous look. “Not that you would know what that would look like.”
He glares at her retreating back. Curiosity gets the better of him and he picks up one of the empty bottles, sniffing it. His head pulls back as he gets slapped in the face with the smell of very strong rum.
McGonagall laughs at the look on his face. “It’s one of Albus’ family’s home brew. Extremely potent.”
He frowns as he returns to his stirring. “Indeed.”
Andrea returns moments later, pouring two bottles of corn syrup into the cauldron. “Very good, work Professor. We might make something out of you yet!” She winks at him before walking off.
He rolls his eyes, mumbling. “Damn Americans.”
She turns and smiles. “Hey! I resemble that remark!”
Dumbledore and McGonagall laugh as she goes back to helping crush the rest of the wafers. Once done, she brings over another cauldron and starts pouring in the dry ingredients McGonagall had been mixing together.
When it’s half full, she turns to Snape and lifts an eyebrow at him. “Chocolate ready?”
He glares at her. “I do not know.”
She snorts, trying to hold back her laughter. “So taste it.”
“Taste it?” He looks at the cauldron as if it were full of poison.
“Yes taste it!” She reaches in and dips a finger. She holds it up to his mouth, offering it to him. “Come on! Open up! I promise there’s not enough there to turn you sweet.”
He frowns. “Why don’t you do it?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m allergic to alcohol. I can touch it cause I cast a spell to repel it off my hands, but I can’t eat it.”
He looks from her face to her hand and back again. With a sigh, he slightly leans forward and places the finger in his mouth, gently sucking the chocolate off. An eyebrow lifts in surprise as he finally lets go of her finger and steps away.
“Does it taste sweet and smooth with a hint of rum?” She picks up a towel and gently wipes the rest of the chocolate off her hand.
“Yes. It is almost too faint. Shouldn’t you add more?” He frowns down at the cauldron.
She laughs. “Hell no! The more they sit after being made, the stronger the taste. Too much will knock you on your ass!”
She picks up the ladle and starts pouring some of the chocolate mixture in with the dry mixture. “Uncle Albus, can you come over and stir this?” She calls over her shoulder.
Dumbledore walks over and starts stirring the mixture together. “Ah! I can smell it already!”
She laughs and pats his arm. “Alright, Uncle Albus! No sampling!”
McGonagall finishes another batch of dried mix. “So now what?”
Andrea sighs. “Well we have 5 cauldrons to make. Once both mixtures are mixed together it has to sit for 30 min for it to harden enough to make balls out of.”
Dumbledore smiles. “Why don’t you go get the rest and we’ll try to get as much mixed as we can.”
“Good Idea.” She turns to Snape. “Periodically check the chocolate. If it starts to change in flavor or texture, call me. I don’t want it to burn.”
He nods his ascent and she waves McGonagall to follow her. Once in another room, she sags against a box and laughs.
McGonagall smiles mischievously. “I cannot believe you got Severus to lick your finger!”
Andrea grins. “I can’t believe I didn’t wet myself when he did it! My hormones are in overdrive now!”
She shakes her head at the younger woman. “To be young and hormonally active again..”
“Hey! I was fine til he pinned me with those eyes of his and slid his tongue along my finger! He did that on purpose!” She groans. “Minerva, I have to calm down!”
McGonagall laughs and waves her wand at cauldron, lifting it off the ground. “Actually, I think it would do Severus some good if you pursued him a bit. I think he’s forgotten what it’s like to have the attention of a woman.”
“You think?” Andrea perks up. “Then let the games begin!”
A couple hours and mixed batches later, Dumbledore and McGonagall sit at a table, rolling dough into small balls. Andrea walks back to the cauldron, frowning.
“It’s a wee bit nippley over there.“ She complains as a shiver runs through her.
Snape looks over and frowns as he takes another taste of the chocolate mixture. At this point he’s had enough tastes to make him start to feel good. “Nippley?”
She chuckles. “It means it’s cold enough to make your nipples shrink.” She laughs even harder as his eyes stray to her chest. “Would you like me to lift my shirt to give you a better view?”
He blushes and turns away mumbling. “Bloody American slang.”
She walks away laughing and doesn’t see him dip his finger back into the chocolate. She comes back with a third cauldron and he helps her dump the rest of the chocolate into it. She leaves him to mixing the two mixtures together while checking on the other cauldron awaiting being formed. She finally walks back up and tries to hide the smirk as he tries to hide the bite he had just snuck.
She inclines her head. “Ready to help with the balls?”
He nods and follows her to the table Dumbledore and McGonagall are working at. He watches them for a moment before grabbing a dish of dough and rolling several small pieces.
“I am still unsure as to why we are doing this by hand.” He grumbles.
“You’re the Potions Master.” She smirks. “You should know better than anyone that sometimes it’s best to do some things with your own two hands.”
“Quite correct, Andrea. “ Dumbledore smiles at her.
Suddenly she leans past Snape, nearly brushing him with her breast as she reaches for a rum ball awaiting it’s wrapping. She lifts the morsel and offers it to him. “Taste?”
His eyes narrow and he gently takes the offered piece in his teeth, grazing her fingers. “Thank you.“ He mumbles.
She lifts an eyebrow. “Better?”
He frowns. “A bit but still not very strong.”
She laughs. “Just wait! It will be!”
She walks to the end of the table and starts wrapping.
Dumbledore sighs and stretches his arms. “And to think we still have two more batches to do tomorrow.”
Andrea smirks. “Bet you didn’t think you’d be spending your day rolling balls in your hands.”
Dumbledore smirks back, catching her meaning. “Or powdering them!”
Suddenly McGonagall gets the double meaning and bursts out giggling. Snape slowly closes his eyes and shakes his head.
“Sorry. My bad.” Andrea chuckles. “Couldn’t help myself.”
McGongall grins. “It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m rolling my own balls. If it were someone else’s….”
Andrea bursts out laughing. Snape sets down the dough he had been working on and scowls. “That’s it. I’m through.”
He surges to his feet and suddenly sways. Andrea jumps up and wraps an arm around him to steady him. “How many times did you check that cauldron?”
He stares blankly at her as he feels the floor move under him again. “I lost count.”
She rolls her eyes. “Ok. I think I need to get you to your room. You’re too drunk to make it on your own.”
He sees Dumbledore and McGonagall’s amused faces and frowns. “I can do it on my own thank you!”
She lets go of him and he sways again, almost falling over. “I can see you point, Miss Moore.”
She slips her arm back around him, guiding him to the door. “I promise to not let you embarrass yourself too much in front of any students.”
When they finally reach his rooms, he mumbles the password and she helps him to the bedroom. She gently sits him on the bed and turns to go.
“Please do not leave yet.” He whispers, closing his eyes against the listing of the room.
She turns back and helps him out of his cloak and shoes. “Alright.”
The next morning he slowly opens his eyes and groans at the pounding in his head. He sits up in bed and nearly chokes when he realizes he’s naked. He racks his brain to try to remember last nights’ events but all he can remember is up to the point of him entering his rooms. He slowly dresses and grabs a hangover potion from his private stores. He gulps it down and waits for it to work before exiting his rooms in search of food.
He steps into the great hall and sees the only open seat is next to Andrea. With a quick breath to steady his stomach and nerves, he strides across the room and sits down next to her.
“Nice of you to finally join us Severus.” Dumbledore smiles. “Are you feeling better?”
“Much better, Thank you. “ He mutters as he stabs at his eggs.
Andrea leans over, whispering in his ear as everyone else starts talking again. “Do you remember much about last night?”
His body stills. “No.”
She chuckles huskily. “Then you don’t remember me leaving at 2am.”
He slowly lifts his head, mouth slightly open in shock. “2am?”
“Yep.” She smirks and turns back to McGonagall to tell her a joke.
He sits staring at her, his face paler than normal. His mind works over the fact of her being with him til 2am and his waking up naked this morning. Only one scenario comes to mind and his face reddens in embarrassment as he turns back to his food.
He sits quietly til they are ready to go back to the kitchens. On their way down, Dumbledore slows and glances at Snape. “Is there a problem Severus?”
“I do not have any memory of last nights’ events.“ He frowns at Andrea’s back. “Your niece has told me she was with me til 2am though.”
Dumbledore smiles. “Ah! Yes! I remember seeing her going to her rooms sometime after that. She looked exhausted. “ He looks at the younger man with a twinkle in his eyes. “I never thought to ask her where she had been or what she had been doing.”
Snape mumbles something and takes his place by the cauldron as they enter the room. Remembering they still have two batches to make, he quickly readies the cauldron and dumps the last of the chocolate in to melt.
“Think you can do it on your own today?” She whispers in his ear, her breath sending shivers down his neck.
He nods and stirs the chocolate as it melts. She smiles at his discomfort and walks back to help with the vanilla wafers. He adds the two bottles of Rum and the the light syrup. When he finally looks up, he sees her on the other side of the cauldron, smiling.
“Tasted it yet?” She teases him.
His face pales slightly. “No I have not.”
She chuckles and walks over to the dry mixture, looking inside the cauldron. “Think it’s ready then?”
“Of course.” He mutters.
She quickly ladles some of it into the other cauldron, stirring in silence. Once done, she pours some dry into his and lets him mix it. Every now and then he glances up to see her smirking at him through the cover of her hair. She finally takes the ladle from his hand and pronounces it done. He walks back over to the table with her and commences on making more balls. She silently takes her place and starts wrapping.
McGonagall looks up and glares in their direction. “It’s very quiet in here today.”
Andrea smirks. “His visualization of duct tape on my mouth must be working.”
He frowns and looks up at her. “Duct tape?”
She gives him an incredulous look. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember that either? I explained it last night!”
He starts to retort back but she stands up, pulls a roll of duct tape out of her pocket, rips a piece off and slaps it over his open mouth. His eyes widen in surprise and she chuckles as she walks away. He gently pulls the tape from his mouth. “Ow!”
Dumbledore laughs. “I do not think I want to hear the explanation for that!”
Suddenly Andrea walks back, frowning. “Whoever did the shopping didn’t get enough paper to wrap all the balls. I need to go get more.”
Dumbledore levels his gaze at Snape. “Severus, I thought you said you got enough supplies?”
He frowns. “I thought I had. I will make the trip to Hogsmeade right away.”
He stands up and Andrea glares at him. “I’m coming with you. I know how much we need and it’s getting late. The shops will be closing soon.”
His eyes narrow. “As you wish.”
They quietly walk through the school and out onto the grounds. Andrea calls a thicker cloak to her and wraps it around her shoulders.
He glances at her through the cover of his hair. “Explain to me exactly what happened last night.”
At first she frowns at him. “What?” Then she grins. “Oh! Well you asked me not to leave so I stayed for a bit. Probably a good thing too cause you kept having nightmares. You woke up once while I was playing with the duct tape, asked me about it, and then went back to sleep.”
He sighs. “So we never..”
She laughs. “Now I never said we had sex last night! I don’t know what gave you that idea!”
“But my clothes..” He frowns at her.
“You did that on your own. You claimed you were hot.” She grins.
“Oh.” His frowns deepens as they walk into Hogsmeade.
She steps up onto the step leading into the candy shop and turns to face him. “I’ll only say this once so listen well. I don’t take advantage of men who are drugged or incapacitated in anyway, even if they are extremely sexy with deep brown eyes that could melt the coldest heart.”
He stares at her a moment, not realizing the complement til after she has spun on her heel and walked into the shop. A smile spreads across his lips and he quickly follows her inside. They never speak again as they walk back and return to their rum balls. At the end of it, she leans back in her chair and sighs.
“Thank god!” She grins. “Done!”
“And in time for dinner.” Dumbledore smiles. “Come. Let us dine.”
They walk into the great hall, Snape sitting next to Flitwick. They quickly talk in quiet whispers, punctuated by occasional bursts of laughter from Flitwick. Andrea is distracted by the sound of crackers, laughing as one is handed to her to pull. She doesn’t realize anything is wrong til Hagrid leans over and plants a kiss on her cheek.
She frowns at him. “What was that for?” He points at the air above her and she looks up to see mistletoe floating above her. “Oh NO!”
She sits in her seat, fuming as every single male takes his turn to kiss her. Even the students join in, making her blush. Everyone except one and he grins at her evilly. She glares back at him and gets up to leave. She groans as the mistletoe follows her.
Just outside the great hall, she feel a hand grasp her elbow. She turns and sees him smiling down at her. His lips meet hers and she instantly opens her mouth to accept him. She feels the potion pass her lips as his tongue explores her mouth. She pulls away and stares at him in shock.
She feels the room start to move and he wraps an arm around her. “You do not look very well. I think I will escort you safely to your room.”
He pulls her with him down the hall and all she can do is whisper. “Damn you!”
She wakes to the sun streaming down into her face. She groans and rolls out of bed, holding her pounding head. She looks down at her naked body as the sheets falls away and groans louder.
“That bastard!” She moans as she stumbles to the bathroom.
When she finally makes it to breakfast, she stops just short of the table. The only open seat is next to Snape and he’s pointedly ignoring her. She slowly sits down and picks up her juice.
He leans over as she takes a sip of her juice and whispers. “Nice birthmark on your left buttock.”
She nearly drop her cup, choking on her drink. After several minutes of choking and several worried glances her way, she turns enough to glare in his direction. All she gets in response is one lifted eyebrow before he turns back to his food.
She sits there seething as he cleans his plate and just as silently leaves. Giving him enough time to leave the halls, she finally stands and makes the excuse for not touching her food before leaving. She stalks down to his office, finding him working on some papers that still need grading. She slams the door behind her, putting up a silencing spell with a single word. He slowly looks up and lifts an eyebrow at her.
“I think it’s you that needs to explain yourself this time.” She stalks up to the desk and leans towards him, glaring.
He leans towards her, staring into her eyes. “It’s not very funny when it happens to you. I believe the saying is ‘Paybacks are hell’.”
She calms a bit. “So we never..”
He stands up and leans closer to her. “I never take advantage of drugged or incapacitated women, even if they are sexy and funny.” He lightly brushes his lips against hers in invitation. “But you are neither one of those right now, are you?”
“No. I’m quite fine right now.” She whispers huskily back.
“Good.” He steps away from the desk, capturing her hand and pulling her to him, kissing her deeply.
When they finally break away, she chuckles. “Are you sure you want me? I tend to be rough at times.”
He scoops her up into his arms, carrying her towards his rooms. “I believe I can handle anything you are capable of.”
“Good.” She purrs as she buries her hands in his hair, kissing him again.

Dumbledore stands on the platform by the train, waiting impatiently for his niece. He hadn’t seen her since breakfast and the note he received said she would meet him at the station before leaving. He finally sees her rounding the corner, Snape matching her stride for stride. His lips twitch in a suppressed smile as the two stop just short of him. “I hope you enjoyed your time with us, Andrea.” He smiles at his niece as he wraps his arms around her.
“Absolutely loved it here, Uncle Albus.” She returns the hug, beaming happily at him.
“Then I hope to see you come back soon. It was a joy to have you.” He gives her hand a squeeze. “Best get on the train. It will be leaving soon.”
“Bye!” She smiles and walks to the nearest car.
Snape follows her til she steps up on the first step, turning to face him. “Next time you visit, promise me you will leave the alcohol at home.”
She grins. “Promise.”
He gently pulls her into a kiss, leaving her nearly breathless when he steps away. She gives him one last smile and wink before climbing into the car to find her compartment.
He turns and sees Dumbledore’s eyes twinkling in merriment. “I see the two of you have made up.”
“We still have our differences but I believe we have come to a compromise.” He comments before leaving Dumbledore in his wake.

He wakes Christmas morning just as grumpy as he does every Christmas. He slides out of bed and stalks into his living room still half asleep. He stops in his tracks when he sees a small package gift wrapped and sitting on his couch. No one ever gives him gifts so heres res at it suspiciously. He slowly opens it, and smiles. He lifts a small golden ladle with ruby red lip prints on its handle. Dohe hhe handle he sees something etched.
To the worlds greatest Rum Ball taster! Keep up the good work!
He shakes his head, laughing as he places the ladle on his mantle and lifts a wrapped piece of candy from the box.