Chapter 7
The Durmstrang exchange hummed a light tune as he departed from the visitors' quarters and made his way towards the depths of the castle, a wrapped blanket cradled in his arms.
After his conversation with Potter, the Ukrainian knew he had to act swiftly and discreetly. He headed to greenhouse number three, which was thankfully unlocked; the Professor wasn’t around, but a seventh-year teaching assistant was tending to baby mandrakes before the second years morning class. Putting on his most charming smile, he quickly flashed the courting letter at her, explaining how his professor back home required him to conduct a ceremonial project on Ukrainian magical botany, emphasizing the cultural unity in documenting and sharing his findings with the British wizarding school once the project was complete. She nodded vigorously, completely sold, twirling her hair and offering assistance if he needed.
Luckily, the Durmstrang exchange had just enough time before dawn to initiate the beginning of the process. Now, he walked towards the Slytherin dungeons to find Severus.
Entering the common room after uttering the temporary password used by exchange students, he ascended the staircase and softly knocked on Severus door to announce his presence, opening it gently.
Severus was reclined on his four-poster bed, bare feet crossed under him, and a textbook resting on one knee.
"Hey. You're up early," Severus remarked, tilting his head towards the boy.
The exchange student smiled as he approached, placing the item in front of Severus.
"For you."
Severus's eyes widened with awe as he uncovered the plant from the blanket, marveling at the flower before him.
"This is... quite majestic," Severus murmured, gazing at the large iridescent flower. He delicately toyed with the velvety petals, watching as they unfurled at his touch, revealing a pearly hue shimmering at the center of the bud, the petals giving off a slightly dew-kissed appearance.
"You grew this, for me?" Severus asked in disbelief.
"It's an ancient rose," the exchange student explained, "using a closely guarded alchemical technique woven into the fabric of my family lore. Each member is given only a single opportunity for the delicate balance of nature to entrust our magic to, the knowledge of cultivation a sacred duty refined and passed through generations."
"That's incredible," Severus murmured, his voice filled with awe. "To possess something so precious and rare, a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"Yeah, it's surely something special," the exchange student replied, looking deeply into Severus's eyes, noticing the faint pink tinge on his cheeks. Severus ducked his head, closing his eyes and taking a deep whiff of the flower.
"I don’t smell anything," Severus frowned, sniffing again to confirm.
The exchange student pushed the rose towards the other boy’s mouth. "Try a petal."
"It's very sweet. Oh! That feels..." Severus's words trailed off, eyes widening.
"You like?" the exchange student asked, moving to sit close to Severus. Stroking his knee gently.
"It's nice. Very nice. It’s like…" Severus shivered, his voice trailing off into a whisper.
"Like the sweetest high, no? I can feel it radiating off of you," the exchange student whispered.
Severus turned to the Durmstrang exchange, leaning in, his eyelids drifting closed, he could feel the smaller boy’s breath across his lips.
A loud bang at the door sounded.
Severus sprang back, eyes opening and shaking his head. The exchange student looked decidedly unimpressed.
"Some rotten commotion is going on outside. Has you written all over it, Snape. Go and take care of it," a voice from outside demanded.