I'm so late...
I apologize for being so late with my little ficlet. I've been rushing around and the time simply slipped away from me.
This is a little HG/SS idea that I had prior to the release of HBP. I'd written the first paragraph, and then I abandoned it. It's pure G-rated fluff and most assuredly not HBP compliant, but I hope Miss M finds it amusing. ;)
Severus gave the potion a final stir and nodded to himself, satisfied with its colour and consistency. Most of the medicinal potions that Poppy required were prepared by his NEWT level classes, but some of the more precise concoctions required a delicate touch and he prepared those himself.
He adjusted the flame beneath the cauldron to keep the potion simmering at a precise temperature and began to clear off his workspace. With a subtle wand movement, the heavy mortar and pestle floated across the room and into a basin to be cleaned by hand. He carried the other utensils across the room to put them away and stopped, frowning at an empty space in the orderly arrangement. One of his miniature alembics was missing. He looked around, trying to remember when he'd used it last. Yesterday? Yes, yesterday. Could it have been brushed onto the floor, unnoticed?
Bending down to peer underneath the table, his eyes narrowed at the sight of a few orange hairs on the floor. Huffing out an irritated breath, he straightened and whirled around, stalking from the room.
Since Hermione Granger had returned to Hogwarts to apprentice with Madam Pince, his time was increasingly being spent travelling from the dungeons to her quarters. Even using the teachers' shortcuts, he was getting more than his share of exercise. The situation was becoming ridiculous.
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Hermione looked up at the pounding on her door and set aside the book she'd been reading. She opened the door to find Severus Snape glowering at her.
"That fleabag of yours has been in my dungeons again," Severus snapped out. "I demand that you do something to stop this repeated thievery."
"Oh dear." Hermione frowned. "Are you certain it was Crookshanks?"
"There is orange cat hair littering the floor, and I'm missing a miniature alembic. As the animal has taken something from my laboratory at least once a week for the past month, I'm certain that creature has taken the alembic. Although I'm at a loss to explain why he continually plagues me. The rest of the staff have reported no such problems with your cat."
"There must be the mice in the dungeons," Hermione said. "I'm sure Crookshanks goes hunting and... Well, I suppose the shiny things in your laboratory distract him. While I look for your alembic, would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?" Hermione smiled her most engaging smile. "I have ginger biscuits, and the house elves have told me they're your favourite."
"No, Miss Granger, I will wait right here." Severus folded his arms over his chest and scowled at her.
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After Severus left, Hermione returned to the sofa and patted the cushion next to her. Crookshanks took the invitation and jumped up beside her.
"I know it's silly," she said to the cat. "He's old enough to be my father; he's rude and he holds a grudge longer than even I do, but there's just something about him..." Her voice trailed away and she sighed.
Crookshanks butted his head against her hand, blatantly begging for more attention, and she scratched under his chin. His eyes narrowed in pleasure and he began to purr. Finally, she smoothed her hand over his back.
"Now, Crooks, pay attention," she said softly.
Hermione picked up a quill from the side table and waited until the cat was watching her intently before tapping the quill with her wand. With a smooth movement, it transfigured into a small cup-like utensil.
She held the cup out to the cat.
"This is what an analysis container looks like," she said. "He keeps them on the table along the south wall."
The cat's eyes glittered and Hermione smiled. Sooner or later, Severus would come inside for tea.
This is a little HG/SS idea that I had prior to the release of HBP. I'd written the first paragraph, and then I abandoned it. It's pure G-rated fluff and most assuredly not HBP compliant, but I hope Miss M finds it amusing. ;)
Severus gave the potion a final stir and nodded to himself, satisfied with its colour and consistency. Most of the medicinal potions that Poppy required were prepared by his NEWT level classes, but some of the more precise concoctions required a delicate touch and he prepared those himself.
He adjusted the flame beneath the cauldron to keep the potion simmering at a precise temperature and began to clear off his workspace. With a subtle wand movement, the heavy mortar and pestle floated across the room and into a basin to be cleaned by hand. He carried the other utensils across the room to put them away and stopped, frowning at an empty space in the orderly arrangement. One of his miniature alembics was missing. He looked around, trying to remember when he'd used it last. Yesterday? Yes, yesterday. Could it have been brushed onto the floor, unnoticed?
Bending down to peer underneath the table, his eyes narrowed at the sight of a few orange hairs on the floor. Huffing out an irritated breath, he straightened and whirled around, stalking from the room.
Since Hermione Granger had returned to Hogwarts to apprentice with Madam Pince, his time was increasingly being spent travelling from the dungeons to her quarters. Even using the teachers' shortcuts, he was getting more than his share of exercise. The situation was becoming ridiculous.
-------------------------
Hermione looked up at the pounding on her door and set aside the book she'd been reading. She opened the door to find Severus Snape glowering at her.
"That fleabag of yours has been in my dungeons again," Severus snapped out. "I demand that you do something to stop this repeated thievery."
"Oh dear." Hermione frowned. "Are you certain it was Crookshanks?"
"There is orange cat hair littering the floor, and I'm missing a miniature alembic. As the animal has taken something from my laboratory at least once a week for the past month, I'm certain that creature has taken the alembic. Although I'm at a loss to explain why he continually plagues me. The rest of the staff have reported no such problems with your cat."
"There must be the mice in the dungeons," Hermione said. "I'm sure Crookshanks goes hunting and... Well, I suppose the shiny things in your laboratory distract him. While I look for your alembic, would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?" Hermione smiled her most engaging smile. "I have ginger biscuits, and the house elves have told me they're your favourite."
"No, Miss Granger, I will wait right here." Severus folded his arms over his chest and scowled at her.
-------------------------
After Severus left, Hermione returned to the sofa and patted the cushion next to her. Crookshanks took the invitation and jumped up beside her.
"I know it's silly," she said to the cat. "He's old enough to be my father; he's rude and he holds a grudge longer than even I do, but there's just something about him..." Her voice trailed away and she sighed.
Crookshanks butted his head against her hand, blatantly begging for more attention, and she scratched under his chin. His eyes narrowed in pleasure and he began to purr. Finally, she smoothed her hand over his back.
"Now, Crooks, pay attention," she said softly.
Hermione picked up a quill from the side table and waited until the cat was watching her intently before tapping the quill with her wand. With a smooth movement, it transfigured into a small cup-like utensil.
She held the cup out to the cat.
"This is what an analysis container looks like," she said. "He keeps them on the table along the south wall."
The cat's eyes glittered and Hermione smiled. Sooner or later, Severus would come inside for tea.