Having no more convenient excuses from Headmaster Dumbledore, Potter finally attended his long overdue detention late this afternoon. It was quite satistfying to watch each flobberworm wriggle and screech as the boy sorted 562 of the greedy little slugs by weight and length. It had taken over 3 hours to complete the task which set the end of the evening somewhere near 9:30PM – too late to cavort in Hogsmead with Granger and the Weasley boy, and too early to retire on a Saturday night. I couldn’t have timed it better.
I had just stored the last of 12 marked wooden boxes of flobberworms in the coldest, dampest corner of the potion’s vault and secured the door when I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a wayward owl at the end of the dimly candlelit hall. I walked towards the curiosity which grew taller and more luminescent with each of my approaching steps.
“Ah, there you are Professor Snape.” The figure spoke. “I had hoped to find you this evening.” L’apercil’s smile broadened as the billowing folds of her silken attire became still just a few feet away.
“Difficulties with your strengthening solution Ms. Veritas?” I asked silently admiring the flickering torchlight warm the soft curves of her face.
“Oh, no. It is perfect. And I have come to extend my appreciation for your help.” She wrinkling her nose in a most unflattering manner for her otherwise flawless appearance. “What is that horrible smell?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.” I replied.
She twitched her nostrils inches from my shoulder while I caught the scent of vanilla and lilac she carried.
“It’s you!” She covered her mouth as if to prevent a dementor’s kiss.
“My, aren't we quite rude this evening.” I stepped away crossing my arms about my chest.
“I apologize for my candor Professor Snape. I came to invite you to join me for a visit to the Three Broomsticks. But I must be frank, with that foul odor about your person, I could not bear it. Where on earth have you been?”
The flobberworms, I remembered seconds before long buried memories echoed through my mind. Moments of endless taunting from 17 year old James Potter and Sirius Black as I was trapped upside down 10 feet in the air with my trousers drawn about my ankles.
“James,” Sirious goaded, “do you think anything this side
of the Atlantic could get Snivellus’ drawers clean?”
James Potter clamped his nose tight with his pale little fingers
and squinted his eyes in the direction of where I hung.
“No. And I’ll wager nothing on earth could remove that awful stench either.”
of the Atlantic could get Snivellus’ drawers clean?”
James Potter clamped his nose tight with his pale little fingers
and squinted his eyes in the direction of where I hung.
“No. And I’ll wager nothing on earth could remove that awful stench either.”
“Ms. Veritas, I have many duties at this castle. Most of which would seem unpleasant, particularly for one with such a delicate disposition as yours.” I struck the words forcibly in her direction as if to thwart any further memories from escaping my mind and potentially being read by hers.
“My dear Professor Snape, I have tamed beasts which would undoubtedly turn that black hair of yours as white as our Headmaster’s. But this,” she covered her nose and mouth with her free hand, “is far too unbearable for me to contend with.” She slid past hugging her body as close to the stone wall as possible as if the scent could literally jump from my body to hers.
Before I could respond L’apercil disappeared around the corner leaving only the sound of her skirt shuffling down the hall and the pounding of my heart against my ribcage. Later that evening, my pulse still raced through my body as if I had consumed a vile of Felix Felicis – a sensation I had not felt in nearly twenty years – a time when Lily, and my all consuming desire for her, were both very much alive.
As it were, luck was on my side. Had I not the good fortune to avoid L’apercil’s invitation, I would have certainly jeopardized more than one life that evening. Although it appeared she had only the slightest skill of Legilimens, I was curiously weakened by her presence. My defenses clouded and withered each moment I looked into her eyes. I made a vow that night, that no matter how tempting it became and at all costs, I must never allow myself to loose control and feast upon her sparkling hypnotic orbs again.
