potions_master @ 2002-09-02 16:43:00

Current mood:	exhausted
Current music:	mozart: adagio k.v. 580a for english horn and three instruments

the tempest
I am finally taking a few moments to myself to commit this to writing. Many surprising things have happened in the past few days, combined with some rather extraordinary events have prevented my presence on this online thing.

Black and I were once again subjected to Anger Management, or Quality Time, as the Headmaster would call it. I was not about to let two hours of my valuable time go to waste. I had Black assist in brewing some rather rudimentary healing potions. Black was surly and impatient as he's always proven to be. He was most distressed that I was content to have dinner delivered to the classroom. I did give him the option of leaving. Never let it be said that Severus Snape is unfair. However, this infuriated the man even further and in a fit of ire, slammed his glass down. It shattered and a rather cruel sliver of glass had embedded itself in Black's palm. Cursing my existence and the existence of all Gryffindors, I was forced to treat the wound and bandage the thing up. We ended the Quality Time session rather early, to my relief.

The Animagus class went well. Lupin left early for mysterious reasons. Black was again in ill-temper so much that McGonagall actually resorted to martial punishment. I shall savor the memory.

Sylvia and I had planned to go out to get our minds off the embarrassingly juvenile scandals that make up the Hogwarts community. We started our night at the Fig Leaf Tavern in Knockturn Alley. I just have to point out quickly that Knockturn Alley has gotten a rather bad rap. There are perfectly respectable business owners and residents who simply cannot afford the over inflated rental rates that is a given for Diagon Alley property. The Fig Leaf Tavern is a wonderful diversion and their martinis are the best to be found. Borgin & Burkes always proves to be entertaining. We made our purchase before making our way to the Leaky Cauldron. After several rounds of drinks, we stumbled out and into Diagon Alley. Although I must say for the record that Sylvia is a marvelous dancer.

I don't remember making it back to Hogwarts. Only that I awoke fully clothed in my rooms with Sylvia much in the same condition beside me. And then I felt something on my inner thigh. I mildly panicked until I saw that it was only a Hand of Glory. Could not be bothered to move and passed out again.

I awoke early Saturday evening. Sylvia struggled back to consciousness and we both looked at each other before I stumbled to my potions cabinet for a hangover cure. After a few rounds of tea and many cigarettes, I felt as close to human as I could under those circumstances. Sylvia floo'd over to her quarters and I started the shower in order to at least put in an appearance at dinner. About half an hour later, Sylvia floo'd back and we walked into the Great Hall together.

Sibyll gave us a look of pity while Minerva and Albus glared at us. I took offense; surely, adults Sylvia and I could spend our free time as we wished. I was in for quite a surprise. First that Black has been most grievously injured early that morning. So much that he had not regained consciousness. I believe I made the remark that he should know better than to fly about on that damned motorbike. Minerva clasped her hands into fists and Albus just looked disappointed. I thought nothing of it until Xiomara smirked at both Sylvia (who was just as baffled at the reception as I was) and I. Then she threw a copy of The Daily Prophet at my head.

Sylvia and I read the front-page article with mouths agape, I am certain. First, we were rather shocked to find out that Black was at the Leaky Cauldron at the same time. Neither one of us saw him there. Second, that Rita used that anachronistic phrase "witch of the world" with regards to Sylvia. Sylvia started chuckling about that one and I am rather certain that she will greatly enjoy the notoriety.

I excused myself from dinner and made my way directly back to my office. I must confess that I have very little faith in the potions supply that Poppy has. I have not brewed all of them, and am rather doubtful of their effectiveness. This is what led me to lock myself in my office in order to brew some more reliable healing potions. I was completely finished by Sunday afternoon.

I went to the hospital wing to administer the potions I had just completed. Black was in very poor shape. I think...that I can help him. I wouldn't be worth my own salt if my potions were substandard. So, I sat down and read one of my favorite novels. He slept the entire time, to my relief. That means that he is healing.

This morning came too quickly, and between classes and checking in on Black, I find myself utterly drained. Sylvia has received quite a few howlers due to the Daily Prophet article. I received a handful as well. Thinking of Miss Granger's incident in Fourth Year, I opened the envelope magically, and from across the room. It is a rather fortunate precaution as I was never a fan of wearing Satyr dung.

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