“Well…”
“Well?” she replied softly, turning to him with sparkling eyes.
“The grades are, in general, very mixed. They range from a mediocre 5 out of 20 to excellent 18.”
“But those that concern us? Excuse my disinterest in the others, but first of all Potter, Weasley, and Longbottom…”
He raised an eyebrow, observing Alice’s enthusiasm as she leaned in a little closer.
“What impatience…” he sighed. “I recognize you well there…”
“Wait. What potion did you end up having them brew ?”
“Loneat.”
Alice made a sound that resembled a laugh mixed with a slight choke.
“The Loneat with larval mucus, the only potion I managed to prepare better than you… Was that intentional?”
“Absolutely not, but there you go with your memory, into trivialities…”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, memories surfacing in the current of his mind.
“You celebrated it so much that we could almost forget it only happened once during our school years,” he added.
“We were in good competition in almost all other subjects, so please let me keep this incredible memory of the time I beat ‘Severus Snape’ in potions…”
“If you wish… but I insist, it’s not for that. I received a request from the head nurse; with the dictamum shortage, we needed something to replace the stocks with an equivalent, although it’s less effective…”
“Making the young work, honestly… Well, that suits you well.”
“As much as they serve a purpose…”
She looked at him, inquisitive, hands on her hips. He shrugged, feigning indifference, but Alice’s reaction amused him deep down.
“So?”
“Congratulations, you succeeded,” he announced in a rather monotonous tone.
Alice opened her mouth to speak but fell silent for a moment. In the silence, Severus clapped his hands; there was no real energy in his applause, but the sound resonated in the room.
“You’re not leaving me more suspense than that?” she finally asked.
“Are you disappointed? I see no point in keeping you waiting any longer when you’re fuming to know more…”
“I… I guess you’re right…”
“Weasley’s potion is by far the worst of the three, but it still earned a score of 11. Longbottom outdid himself with a 12.5; I took half a point off because he broke a pot of ingredients with his clumsiness.”
He paused to observe Alice’s reaction, which he soon regretted as he was mentally dazzled by the broad smile she displayed.
“That’s wonderful! They weren’t really motivated at first, but they got into it, and look at the result! Of course, they still have a long way to go… but it’s already very good! They will certainly regain confidence in their abilities, and it can only get better, I’m sure of it!”
She observed Severus; he had lowered his head.
“Sorry, I cut you off… And Harry?”
Severus handed her a small vial, the liquid inside shining a golden hue.
“It’s incredible,” she whispered.
She turned the vial to read the label, where the young man’s score was inscribed.
“I have to be honest with you; I don’t know what spell you cast on him, but this is a first for a Potter.”
“A 19/20?”
“There are no apparent flaws; the potion was completed on time…”
“If it’s perfect, why not a 20?”
“You’re asking too much; I never give a 20.”
“So you are that kind of teacher…” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Did you imagine me otherwise?”
She didn’t reply and turned her attention back to the vial, the golden light reflecting in her gray eyes. Severus almost stared at her openly.
“Keep it.”
“Really?” She straightened up suddenly, surprised.
“I don’t intend to return their vials anyway. They’re going to the infirmary tomorrow, except for the worst ones… Obviously.”
“Thank you, Sev.”
He blew loudly, dismissing her gratitude with a wave of his hand.
“It’s Potter who made it, not me. By the way, it seems things are better between you two.”
“Yes… He calls me Alice now… Well, in private! And to think that when I left him, he could barely say…”
“Ayi’,” he completed unconsciously.
“Do you remember?”
“How could I forget the look on your face when that kid started articulating vague syllables…”
A moment of silence settled in, each lost in their thoughts. Alice gazed at the vial with the pride of a godmother, happy to have made an impact. Her worries about their bond had vanished.
“It’s time for dinner,” Severus murmured, his eyes on the Alice.
“Oh, indeed! Do you want to go together?”
“I wanted to stop by my apartments before heading there.”
“I can wait for you.”
He stood up, and didn't answer right away.
“If you insist…”
After a stop near Severus’s apartments, they headed together to the Great Hall, chatting about everyday topics, a rare lightness in the atmosphere. At the table, McGonagall observed them, surprised to see them arrive side by side. But she refrains from commenting on this change of attitude. Leaning toward Dumbledore, she whispered,
“It’s incredible, Albus. Have you seen this?”
“I’m observing, Minerva, I’m observing… But let’s avoid staring at them too much.”
“I’m still glad to see that Alice is doing better. She seems more radiant than...before…”
The headmaster smiled kindly, but before he could respond, a group of students approached the professors' table. Two of them stepped forward, probably the spokespersons for the group.
“I’m listening, Miss Beaudelaire and Miss Singer, is that correct?” Dumbledore inquired.
“Yes, that’s us,” the first one replied timidly, a nervous little laugh escaping her, before the second one, taking a deep breath, launched into their request:
“So, with some students, we were thinking that… it would be a good idea to, um…”
“The Christmas ball from last year was so great! Could we have another one?” the other interjected, less formal.
“What Tammy means is that we found last year's party absolutely magnificent and, it's a bit sad that it only happens once every... a long time... In fact it's It is very likely that this is the only one attended we could have ever attended, and the new students this year will probably not experience one…ever."
“So you’re asking me if it’s possible to organize a new Christmas ball, is that right?” Asked the headmaster.
“In the name of almost all the students at Hogwarts… Yes,” said Tammy.
“We could take care of the organization and the preparations! It doesn’t need to be as grand as last year, but a little something would warm our hearts…” added Eva.
“Absolutely not! Not at all!” suddenly protested the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Dolores Umbridge.
Minerva sat up straighter; she had listened attentively to the two girls' speeches, and the Ministry representative’s intervention had deeply offended her.
“With all due respect, Dolores, you do not run this school. This decision still belongs to Albus Dumbledore.”
“Of course, Minerva, but I have rights as well, and the school being under the Ministry’s command, their approval will be necessary to organize such an event… And as the spokesperson for the Minister himself, it falls to me to—”
“The Minister?” Alice interjected, leaning over the table to get closer to the commotion. “What if we invited him? I was supposed to contact him again because he wanted to know more about Millicent’s mandate; this works out well, I’ll pass on the message!”
“Millic…” Umbridge stuttered, taken aback.
“Very good initiative, McGarden; Cornelius is always fond of festivities. My dear ladies, I can’t confirm at this moment the good conduct of the event, but the answer should arrive shortly.”
“Oh, great then!” Tammy Singer exclaimed.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Headmaster!” added Eva Beaudelaire.
The group of students walked away, visibly relieved. Severus leaned discreetly toward Alice.
“I didn’t know you were so cunning… using your contacts for a ball, really…”
“Working at the Ministry changes a man, well, my contacts are a bit outdated; let’s say I do what I can with what I have…”
Dumbledore winked at Alice. On her side, Umbridge quickly abandoned the idea of fighting here; her battle would take place through an exchange with Cornelius Fudge himself.
The rest of the meal proceeded calmly. Severus remained silent while Alice chatted with Minerva and Dumbledore, excited about the idea of an annual ball. After the meal, Alice left the Great Hall and began her nightly rounds in the corridors, taking advantage of the calm to reflect on this evening full of surprises.