Cauldrons Aflame

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Cauldrons Aflame By: J.S. Sumner

Thunder roared furiously outside, as spontaneous streaks of lightning illuminated the cryptic night sky. In the distance, a solitaire shadow emerged from the Dark Forest, slightly staggering, as it ventured across a vast land of smog and dampened soil. Climbing the massive stone steps leading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Snape irritably flung open the double doors, swooping inside just in time to miss the rain.

The castle appeared to be deserted, much to his relief. He had already missed the feast as well as the sorting ceremony. A grateful smile slowly crawled across his lips. With students in their dormitories and teachers in their chambers, he was free to maneuver about the castle without having to explain the large, bloody gash spanning across his chest and abdomen. And with the wound\'s mending charm rapidly wearing off, he had very little time to spare. Applying pressure to his injury to slow the bleeding, Severus quickly ascended the stairs leading to the infirmary.

Reaching the hospital wing, he paused briefly, remembering the new aid Madam Pomfrey was to receive. Since Voldemort\'s second rise to power, Dumbledore thought it wise to hire on some extra help as well as double the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. Severus could only hope, for the school\'s sake, that the girl was skilled enough to fill the position; Merlin knows they hadn\'t much luck with new staff additions.

Wrapping his fingers around the door handle, he drew in a deep, pain-filled breath, and gave it a light tug. The room was calm, quiet, save a crackling flame and the light sound of glass vials softly clanking together. Peering in further, his attention was quickly drawn to a young woman, knelt with her back towards him. He watched silently as she fumbled with several medicine bottles, feebly attempting to organize an old, battered cabinet that sat just feet away. Leaning against the archway, Severus folded his arms across his chest, and cleared his throat to allure her attention.

\"I need to see Madam Pomfrey at once,\" he commanded.

The young woman jumped slightly, clumsily dropping the vials she held; he had obviously caught her off guard. Scrambling to her feet, she quickly spun around, greeting him with a comely smile and pair of bright blue eyes. His gaze swiftly fell from her wavy, shoulder-length brown hair, to admire her slender, shapely body. The girl was wearing muggle attire, much to his surprise; a pair of denim-threaded jeans and snug black sweater contoured a very attractive physique indeed.

\"I\'m afraid Madam Pomfrey is out. She received an urgent owl and left just a few hours ago.\" Her voice was soft and delicate. As she spoke, Severus couldn\'t help but stare, delighted in the way her lips carefully formed each word.

\"I see. You must be Ms. Bell, then? I hadn\'t quite expected you to be so young and inexperienced. No matter, I suppose I can talk you through the procedure.\" With that, he swept past her.

Claira raised a steep, insulted brow at the man\'s prudence. Who was he to waltz in and pass judgment? For his information, she spent three years of study at the American Institute for Medical Wizardry!

\" Professor Snape, is it?\" The majority of the staff had already warned her about a shrewd, discourteous wizard in black robes; she could only assume it was he. \"I don\'t pretend to know everything, but I have learned enough to recognize that your injuries were caused by a male Graphorn.\" She paused to observe the abrasions on his hands. \"And possibly a female as well.\"

It was now his turn to raise a brow. She was correct. He had sustained his injuries whilst cotingting Graphorn eggs, an extremely scarce, yet very powerful ingredient.

\" Now, if you\'ll please Professor, sit down. Those wounds require immediate attention.\" Claira quickly retrieved a cart and headed for the medicine room.

Severus mentally noted the smile she seemed to wear. Even as the girl was being a bossy, little know-it-all, her face was warm and friendly.