Romeo and Juliet (Book 1) - SS x OC

Chapter 5 - Coffee For The Sleepy

Recovering from shock, Renee managed to reply, "I just found this book really interesting. Good morning, professor." Renee said pleasantly, although her voice was hoarse from having just woken up. She looked up at his intimidating obsidian eyes.

"Bit too early for a 'good morning', don't you think? And what makes you think you have the right to skulk about in here at this hour?" Snape calmly yet terrifyingly asked.

"I thought our own common room isn't off limits, sir," Renee said weakly, trying to avoid thinking about all forms of punishment that he could give her.

"Technically, it isn't, but given our schedule, I recall telling you that we should meet up at five in the morning for the completion of our assignments for the first task. How will you be able to brew or even hold your wand if you're half-awake?" Snape whispered menacingly.

"I'm alright, sir. I promise I won't fall asleep," Renee vowed innocently, until she got this idea in her head. "But since we're both awake, why don't we start with the solutions now... sir?" she hopefully asked.

Raising an eyebrow, Snape eyed Renee dubiously, making her stiffen.

"A truly certifiable yet productive idea. Very well. Come along," he said in annoyance, turning his back on her and walking to exit the common room, his cloak billowing behind him. Immediately, she closed the book, carried it with her and followed him.

They entered his office and spent a good twenty minutes instilling the additional touches in the vials of solutions. Finishing up, Renee stood there and leaned on a wall, not knowing what to do next. She didn't want to leave just yet; she was too... comfortable there.

"We shall be adding the final ingredients in about four hours. That would be six thirty in the morning. What would you like to do? I cannot allow you to roam around the castle at this hour. If you prefer to go back to your dormitory, you may do so." Snape said dismissively.

Renee pretended to think about it. "May I stay here, sir? You might need my help with... other stuff," she asked innocently.

Snape snappily whipped his head like an animal wanting devour its prey, his eyes filled with unyielding indignation. "Do not think for one moment that just because the headmaster asked you to be my assistant, I am incapacitated. Now, off with you."

Renee felt so ridiculously horrified with what she said. Deep down, she knew that his reprimand wasn't warranted, but her reasoning was progressively becoming unreliable. "I don't mean it that way, sir. Please, I'm sorry."

Snape did not reply so Renee didn't know what to do. The girl didn't know why she did not want to leave after his outburst. If it was true that she's going mad because of the professor, it might be too late to restore her sanity.

Finally getting a hold of reality, Renee forced herself to take her dignified leave, when all of a sudden she heard a calm yet irked baritone reprimanding her, but somehow reigning her back in.

"I detest students who think that they are exceedingly better than everyone else. Your behaviour might be welcome in your previous institution, but I cannot say the same for this school. You of all people should know that I do not tolerate arrogance."

"Alright, sir. I'm sorry."

"Sit, Capulet." Snape ordered, pointing at a chair beside him. Much to Renee's extreme embarrassment, her stomach growled quite loudly, making her bite her lip. She looked onto the floor for sympathy, blushing in disgrace.

"Something to eat, perhaps?"

That was unexpected, I thought he was going to make some gnarly remark about the ruckus my stomach just made.