A snippet of story
In case anyone who reads Another Plane of Existence is interested, the next chapter is almost complete. I know, it's been awhile, though things have been crazy on my end. (It is that time of year, after all.)
The potions classroom had changed only a little since last term. The jars and bottles of various ingredients had been refilled, the tables had been scrubbed and purged of any telltale burn marks or accident stains, and a cauldron of something that smelled intoxicating bubbled near the front of the room. Even though Severus wasn’t exactly fond of Professor Slughorn, the potions room did offer a certain amount of comfort. It was the one class in which he felt at ease; it allowed him to achieve the level of control he desired, along with recognition for his work. Defense Against the Dark Arts was his favourite class, but Potions remained his best; he was able to excel without much strenuous effort.
...Thus far, anyway.
He was the first to arrive for NEWT level potions, judging by the silence and the emptiness within the classroom walls, so he moved from the doorway and made his way to the front corner table, where he set down his satchel with a soft thud. The air, usually damp and fusty, was thick and heavy with the scent Severus had smelled from the corridor. It piqued his interest, and so he approached the large cauldron to inspect it thoroughly. He stood over the potion and leaned down, narrowing his eyes at the bubbles forming on its surface. The opalescent potion was shimmering, and wisps of steam rose in spirals towards the ceiling. He waved a hand through one of the spirals and the steam separated, only to make two more spirals that coiled and soared above his head. He found the movement particularly interesting, and gazed back down at the surface of the potion for further examination. A large bubble popped, emitting a fresh burst of aroma that reached Severus’s nose. Its scent filled him with both comfort and longing.
Unfortunately, the feeling only lasted a moment-just long enough for him to realize exactly what was holding his interest.
“You must be joking,” he muttered, quickly taking a step backwards.
At first glance he’d suspected that it was a feminine potion in nature, perhaps some sort of cosmetic brew, what with its shimmering and pleasant aroma. Upon further inspection, however, he realized it was what he should have suspected in the first place--a love potion. He’d never had a high opinion of love potions, considering them to silly and pathetic, yet standing in close proximity to this one left him with a queer feeling in the pit of his stomach.
…Of course, he might also be able to attribute his discomfort to the fact that he was inexplicably drawn to the aroma emanating from the brew. Unable to restrain himself, he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
The potions classroom had changed only a little since last term. The jars and bottles of various ingredients had been refilled, the tables had been scrubbed and purged of any telltale burn marks or accident stains, and a cauldron of something that smelled intoxicating bubbled near the front of the room. Even though Severus wasn’t exactly fond of Professor Slughorn, the potions room did offer a certain amount of comfort. It was the one class in which he felt at ease; it allowed him to achieve the level of control he desired, along with recognition for his work. Defense Against the Dark Arts was his favourite class, but Potions remained his best; he was able to excel without much strenuous effort.
...Thus far, anyway.
He was the first to arrive for NEWT level potions, judging by the silence and the emptiness within the classroom walls, so he moved from the doorway and made his way to the front corner table, where he set down his satchel with a soft thud. The air, usually damp and fusty, was thick and heavy with the scent Severus had smelled from the corridor. It piqued his interest, and so he approached the large cauldron to inspect it thoroughly. He stood over the potion and leaned down, narrowing his eyes at the bubbles forming on its surface. The opalescent potion was shimmering, and wisps of steam rose in spirals towards the ceiling. He waved a hand through one of the spirals and the steam separated, only to make two more spirals that coiled and soared above his head. He found the movement particularly interesting, and gazed back down at the surface of the potion for further examination. A large bubble popped, emitting a fresh burst of aroma that reached Severus’s nose. Its scent filled him with both comfort and longing.
Unfortunately, the feeling only lasted a moment-just long enough for him to realize exactly what was holding his interest.
“You must be joking,” he muttered, quickly taking a step backwards.
At first glance he’d suspected that it was a feminine potion in nature, perhaps some sort of cosmetic brew, what with its shimmering and pleasant aroma. Upon further inspection, however, he realized it was what he should have suspected in the first place--a love potion. He’d never had a high opinion of love potions, considering them to silly and pathetic, yet standing in close proximity to this one left him with a queer feeling in the pit of his stomach.
…Of course, he might also be able to attribute his discomfort to the fact that he was inexplicably drawn to the aroma emanating from the brew. Unable to restrain himself, he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.