Learn to Fly

Add three drops of asphodel, ten lacewings, then stir in a clockwise motion six times and allow to simmer for three hours.

Severus ran the steps through his head as he completed the potion he was working on. He then stood up, stretched and checked the clock.

Nine pm. So, what can I do for the next three hours?

A sudden sly grin passed over his pale features.

All the students should be in bed. I wonder how many detentions I can issue to children out after curfew?

Severus was heading out the door when his stomach growled. He groaned when he realized he had skipped dinner to complete the potion. He strode to his bed and stroked the black furball lying there.

"Belle? Are you hungry?"

The cat opened her eyes, stretched and followed Severus out the door.

*

The kitchen was quiet when they entered. Belle mewed softly and Severus shushed her.

"We don't want to wake the house elves."

Severus crept further into the silent kitchen. A sudden voice made him jump.

"Wotcher, Professor! Didn't expect to see you down here."

Severus swung around to confront the smiling Nymphadora Tonks.

"Bloody hell, woman! Don't sneak up on people like that!"

Tonks gave a small smirk.

"Well, sor-ry. I was just sitting here, having a cup of tea, when in you came, muttering away to yourself like a crazy man."

Severus flushed.

"I wasn't muttering away to myself. I was-" A loud meow cut him off.

Belle was sitting at his feet, staring up at him expectedly.

"Aww, what a pretty cat! Is she yours?"

"Yes," he said reluctantly.

Tonks bent down and scooped her up.

"What's her name?"

"Belle."

Severus scowled as the cat purred contentedly in Tonks's arms.

So much for loyalty.

Tonks grinned mischievously as she scratched Belle's ears.

"Have I got a detention for being out of bed?"

This quip caught Severus by surprise and he chuckled before he could stop himself. Tonks's look of surprise made him feel uneasy.

"What?" he said defensively.

Tonks sat Belle on the floor.

"Nothing. I've just never heard you laugh before."

Severus regained his composure.

"These days, there's not much to laugh about."

Belle, growing increasingly impatient, started to paw Severus's leg. Severus glanced down at the hungry feline.

"I will feed you if you give me a chance."

He quickly summoned some chicken and placed it on plate in front of her.

"Care to join me for a cup of tea, Professor?"

Tonks was sitting at a table and motioned to one of the empty chairs. Severus was taken aback.

What's she playing at? No one ever offers their company to me. Well, except Dumbledore.

Tonks grinned.

"Well, don't just stand there like a stunned mullet. Sit down."

Severus sat as commanded, too surprised to do much else.

"How do you take it?"

"Black and one."

A steaming cup was handed to him. Tonks sipped her's delicately.

"So, what brings you down here this time of night?"

"I skipped dinner."

"Why?"

Looking down his nose at her, he replied, "Not that it concerns you but I was working on a potion."

Tonks raised an eyebrow.

"Potion? Don't you ever stop working?"

Severus shrugged.

"It needed to be done."

They quietly drank their tea until Severus decided to break the silence.

"How are your lessons faring?"

Tonks beamed.

"Oh, brilliant! The kids are great and I'm having the time of my life! Teaching is so much fun. I'm so grateful to Dumbledore for hiring me."

She lowered her gaze and dropped her voice.

"I've never been trusted this much before. I'm so clumsy that hardly anybody trusts me with anything."

Tonks blushed, sipped her tea and quickly changed the subject.

"So, the Quidditch match this weekend should be good. Ravenclaw verses Slytherin."

She shot him a teasing glance.

"I wonder who you are going for?"

Severus's mouth involuntarily twitched into a half smile.

"Are you still hungry?"

Before he could answer, his stomach growled. Severus flushed while Tonks chuckled.

"I'm hungry too."

With a wave of her wand, she conjured up a plate full of sandwiches.

"We are drinking tea together. Might as well eat together too," she chirped cheerfully.

Severus's initial instinct had been to throw a nasty comment at her and leave, but the plate of sandwiches made him think twice. They looked particularly appetising and Severus had never quite gotten the hang of conjuring food. He preferred to cook it by hand or eat whatever Lenna made for him. This battle between his head and stomach raged for a few seconds before his stomach won. Grudgingly, he sat and reached for a sandwich.

He found Tonks to be not so annoying as he had first thought as the time went on. He answered her questions shortly, not liking to talk too much, but found when he asked her questions, she prattled on for quite a while. Oddly, he found her cheerful chatter to be quite soothing.

"I personally think France will make it to the final."

Severus cocked his head to the side.

"Really? Why would you think that?"

"They have brilliant seeker and hard core beaters. What about you?"

Severus chewed thoughtfully.

"Australia. The Woollongong Warriors. Their chasers are beyond brilliant and they have amazing team spirit." He almost groaned when he realised he sounded just like Alora.

"Australia, huh?"

Tonks took a bite of her sandwich.

"Well, I 'spose it's only a matter of time."

At the mention of time, Severus checked his watch.

"Eleven. I must be going."

He stood up and brushed the crumbs off the front of his robes.

"Thankyou for your company, Professor Snape. It's rare that I get to talk to someone so interesting."

This comment caused him to pause with surprise.

She thinks I'm interesting?

"Your welcome."

As he made for the door, he heard her call out behind him.

"We should do it again sometime."

He stared at the purple-haired young woman, whose face was alight with faint hope.

"My office after the Quidditch match?" he suddenly replied flippantly.

What?! Why the bloody hell did I say that?!

Tonks smiled brightly.

"Okay. I'll be there."

Severus inclined his head towards her politely.

"Until then."

He then strided to the door and left the room, trying to figure out if she had drugged his tea or he was under some sort of spell. Where else could that daring have come from?