On Monday morning, Alexia awoke cheerfully. Her original Valentine's date the day before had been terrible, but her afternoon spent with a certain Hufflepuff had been much more preferred.
"Where did you go off to last night?" Daphne asked as the two headed down to the Common Room together.
"Huh?" Alexia asked.
"Last night, I heard you get out of bed during the night, where'd you go?"
Alexia suddenly remembered; she had left the Slytherin Dungeons to meet Sullivan during the night. "I didn't go anywhere, Daph. I fell asleep straight away last night." she lied.
"I swear I saw you leave the room..." Daphne muttered.
"Maybe it was one of the other girls, or maybe you were just dreaming," Alexia said.
A small group of people were hovering around noticeboard in the Common Room. Pinned onto it was a piece of parchment reading:
FIFTH-YEAR CAREER ADVICES THIS WEEK Report to Head of House teacher at your set interview time listed below...
Alexia scanned the list and found her name and interview time which was scheduled for later that morning, then her and Daphne headed for Breakfast.
•••
Unfortunately, Alexia still had to endure majority of Transfiguration and cranky Professor McGonagall before her interview. Five minutes before the end of the lesson, Alexia excused herself and made her way back down to the Dungeons to meet with Professor Snape in his office.
Alexia knocked at the closed door, which flew open almost instants after. She entered into the gloomy and dimly-lit room, closing the door gently behind her.
"Miss Burke, right on time like always," Professor Snape said in his slow, dull voice from behind his dark oak desk.
Alexia smiled, "Good morning sir, how are you today?"
"I am quite alright. Take a seat," he indicated to the seat on the opposite side to where he sat by the desk.
Alexia obeyed and sat down, crossing her legs and sitting tall. A fire was lit on the other side of the office behind Alexia, which along with a few candles, was the only source of light in the room. On the left of Snape's desk was a shadowy shelf lined with many jars and dusty books, and to the right of his desk, was his private Potion's ingredients cupboard.
"I must remember to thank your mother for the wine." Snape said.
"There's no need for that Professor," Alexia said, "It's a gift of our gratitude. You are a wonderful potions master and you deserve much more appreciation for everything you teach me and all the students here."
"Miss Burke, your flattery and manners towards those who matter are exceptional. I expect you to go very far when you finish your education." Snape told her.
Alexia smiled at him, "Thank you, sir," she said.
Snape ruffled with some papers on his desk, then lifted his head suddenly. "I don't say things like this often, or at all, but I could definitely see you rising towards a high role in the Wizarding world like Minister for Magic in the future."
He was right; he never said things like that. Although she really did like Professor Snape and even in some ways looked up to him, she did put on her act of charm with him, like she did with other teachers, and as soon as he had said that, she knew he had fallen for it just like the rest of the teachers who saw her as an exceedingly polite, academic, model student.
"Professor Snape, that means so much! But I'm not sure politics would suit me," she said. It was true; Alexia knew she would be thriving on personal relationships and maybe even blackmail if she ever wanted to become Minister for Magic. Her personal charm would be the only chance of winning the position over a male wizard.
Snape pondered Alexia's disagreement, then looked back down at his papers. "Tell me, what is your favourite subject? "
"My favourite subject is Potions of course, sir." Alexia informed him.
He nodded then looked down at a piece of parchment, "Looking here," he said, "You are doing extremely well across all your subjects, especially Potions and Arithmacy. A little lower in Astronomy and Divination but still very consistent." Snape said. "What are you interested in doing when you leave Hogwarts?"
"I want to become a Potioneer, sir." Alexia said. "I want to make the world a beautiful place! I'd love to rule the wizard and witch beauty industry with my own products and label!" she finished precisely.
Snape nodded once again, "Indeed, you would be an exceptional Potioneer," he said.
"Thank you," Alexia replied.
"Well, you will need to recieve an Outstanding in your Potions O.W.L. this year in order to take my advanced N.E.W.T. Potions class in your sixth-year. It is difficult, but you are extremely capable of it." He told Alexia. "Alchemy is an optional subject you may also want to take. It covers the ancient science of Potions, as well as the transmutation of substances. It's available for sixth and seventh-years and would definitely help you in your career."
Alexia nodded. She had heard of Alchemy before and knew that alchemists were very skilled people.
"I would also advise you to continue on with Herbology, as many potions, especially cosmetic and medical potions, require the knowledge and use of many herbs and plants." Snape continued. "Professor Sprout allows students who receive an Exceeds Expectations O.W.L. continue in her N.E.W.T class."
"Of course," Alexia said, "Er- Professor Snape?"
"Yes, Miss Burke?"
"I haven't yet told my mother about my desire to become a Potioneer, and I know it's a huge ask, but I'm wondering, if you happen to write a thank you letter to her for the wine, could you possibly put in a good word on how I'm going in Potions? Perhaps also that you think I would make a great Potioneer?" Alexia asked politely and almost with the tone of embarrassment. It wasn't every day she asked for help or for favors, and it was even strange for her to be cowering from her mother.
Snape looked down at her almost with confusion, his beady eyes peering over his hooked nose. "I'll see what I can do," he eventually and briefly said.
"Thank you very much sir," Alexia thanked him.
"If you have any more questions about N.E.W.T level subjects, your upcoming exams or Potioneering, come and see myself. I am expecting high achievements from you Alexia, and I will assist you in any way I can to make sure you fulfill your goal." Snape said, moving on.
Alexia smiled and stood up from her seat, "Yes, of course Professor. I appreciate all your help."
Snape attempted a weak smile, "You may be excused," he said.
"Thank you, Professor," Alexia replied, then left his dark dungeon office, shutting the door behind her.
•••
Alexia met with Snape once again that day in the afternoon for Potions with the Gryffindors and other Slytherin students. They were concoting their own Invigoration draught; a potion which boosted the drinker's energy, which like usual, Alexia found reasonably easy.
"How was your careers advice interview?" Alexia asked Daphne, as the two stirred their bubbling potions with their wands.
"Good," Daphne said, "Although apparently law and journalism in the magical community is competitive; a lot of wizards and witches want to do it."
"You'll be fine, Daph! You're great at writing and speaking, it's your natural talent!" Alexia assured her positively.
Daphne shrugged. "How was yours? What does Professor Snape say about becoming a Potioneer?" She asked.
"He thinks I would be an exceptional Potioneer, and he said he's willing to do as much as he can to make sure I achieve my goal." Alexia grinned.
Daphne looked impressed, "Looks like someone is Snape's favourite student!"
"Well of course I am!" Alexia said, pouring her finished potion into a phial.
Daphne laughed, then poured her finished Invigoration Draught into a phial also, but after looking over at Alexia's perfect shimmery-emerald potion, she decided to hold her phial of moss-green hidden behind her cauldron.
Draco, who was on the other side of the bench, was also finishing up, giving his potion one last stir before pouring it into his phial. His potion was very similar to Alexia's, perhaps slightly less shimmery. He had been wondering all lesson where he stood with Alexia. She had forgiven him, but not really. She had said it more to get rid of him, she didn't really mean it. And what was going on with her and Sullivan Fawley? She should've known better than to go walking in public with one of the people her mother disapproved of. Fawley was an absolute git anyway, why the hell was she with him in the first place? She knew better than to fall for his charming and seductive games! But then, why did this bother Draco? Why was he thinking into things so much? He had spent most of the previous night lying in bed, repeatedly telling himself over and over that he did not have any feelings for Alexia. Feelings were for weak people, not people like himself who were powerful, strong and cunning.
Draco was so caught up with his thoughts, he almost didn't hear his name called by Professor Snape, who was calling up each student to deliver their Invigoration Draught at his desk.
"Very good, Draco," Snape said, taking the phial of Invigoration Draught and having a brief closer look before placing it behind him in the rack which held each of the phials that were to be tested and assessed by him later on.
Draco walked back to his bench, cleared out his cauldron, put away his left-over ingredients, and packed his books into his bag. He waited patiently as one by one the remaining Slytherins took their own phials of Invigoration Draught to Snape. Goyle, who could barely pour his thick, gooey potion into a phial, received no comment at all from Snape, whereas Alexia got told her potion was perfect.
Next were the Gryffindors, who all seemed to receive some sort of criticism from Snape. Even Snape managed to find something negative to say about Granger's potion. She had looked very pleased with it on the way to his desk, but on the way back, her small smile had melted away into an angry pout.
"Potter, bring me your finished Invigoration Draught," Snape said finally.
All the Slytherins seemed to look up eagerly; they loved watching Snape taunt Harry Potter.
Potter, who surprisingly held a good-looking phial of potion, made his way to Snape's desk. He handed Snape his potion and had just turned away when a smashing noise filled the dungeon. Snape had dropped Potter's phial on the ground and it had broken in pieces on the floor. Draco gave a gleeful yell of laughter, along with many of the other Slytherins.
"Whoops," Snape said softly, "Another zero, then, Potter."
Potter was too enraged to answer. He walked back to his cauldron to fill another phial, but to his horror, Granger had vanished his remaining Invigoration Draught. She stood in terror with her hands over her mouth, and Potter looked so angry, he couldn't even speak.
As soon as the bell rang, he rushed off, leaving the laughing Slytherins and shocked Gryffindors without a backward glance.
Once Snape had dismissed the class, Alexia left the Potions Dungeon and headed out into the busy Dungeon hallways. People were coming from all directions - Slytherins moving to the Slytherin Dungeons, other students fleeing from the Dungeon classrooms up to the Entrance hall.
Just like Alexia had hoped, she had lost Daphne in the chaotic crowd. Alexia zipped through the crowd, finally ending up in front of the portrait of Elizabeth Burke.
"Slytherins are supreme," she murmured, then ducked into the dark passageway when the painting flipped open.
As soon as it shut, it left her in pitch-black darkness. Suddenly, the force of two hands pushed her against the cold stone walls and she felt a hot breath on her neck. Alexia smirked in delight. Thankfully, no one could see. "Sullivan," she breathed as he kissed her neck, "I've missed you."
The two continued making out in the darkness; Alexia agressively pulling Sullivan closer as he loosened her green and silver tie and unbottoned the first few buttons of her white school shirt. Sullivan then put his hand on Alexia's thigh, slowly pulling her short skirt higher and higher up her leg. A breathless gasp of contentment escaped Alexia's lips causing Sullivan to grin to himself. He knew too well how to please her.
He began kissing her beautiful and delicate collarbones as she curled her fingers through his hair, sighing in pleasure.
Alexia opened her eyes just slightly and noticed a soft light coming from the other end of the passageway. Footsteps and voices of around seven people filled the passage.
"Sullivan, someone's coming!" Alexia gasped but either he didn't hear her or didn't want to hear her. She tried to push him away but he was too strong and the pleasure he was bringing her was making her weak. She tried to make up an excuse in her head to whoever it was. What if it was already suspicious Daphne? Or worse, Eva? But the voices which came closer as they neared the corner, eliminated both those two possibilities as they sounded masculine. They were voices of seven boys. The voices of the Slytherin Quidditch team.
Sullivan finally stopped and looked up at the boys who had turned the corner. The light from their wands shone directly at Alexia and Sullivan. Draco, who was at the back of the group, laughing with Crabbe and Goyle abruptly stopped as he turned the corner also.
"Well, what's the wait?" he demanded unable to see Alexia or Sullivan.
The boys at the front shrugged, wondering why they had actually stopped in the first place. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary to see people making out in the secret passageways at Hogwarts. They continued walking, one or two of them patting Sullivan on the back as if he had done well to score a girl like Alexia (which Alexia thought was true).
As Draco began walking, Alexia felt herself tense. She didn't want him to see her looking bothered so quickly she put her hand to Sullivan's face and kissed him. Sullivan responded immediately and eagerly to the kiss, giving her all he had.
Draco seemed slightly stunned at first, but then he sniggered, "Watch out Alexia, don't want this to become your snogging grounds!" he said, repeating what she had once said to him when she first showed him the passageway.
Alexia pulled away and scowled at him as he swaggered off with Crabbe and Goyle who pointlessly began laughing.
Once they had gone, Alexia turned to Sullivan who had lit his wand and was chuckling to himself. "What are you laughing about?" Alexia asked.
"You," Sullivan said.
Alexia rolled her eyes.
"You're cute," he said.
"Do not call me cute, Fawley!" Alexia warned.
"Sorry Burke," Sullivan replied with a cheeky grin. He moved closer to Alexia and slowly brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. In all honesty, Sullivan thought for someone who was always very careful and precise with their appearance, Alexia looked like she had been trampled on by a giant. Though, it was his own fault she looked that way; he liked to play rough. Her hair was a mess, her shirt was crumpled, and a small and faint bruise was forming on the left side of her neck. He touched the bruise with his hand, then planted a soft kiss on it. Once he had, he looked up into her beautiful brown eyes.
"What game are you playing?" Alexia asked, staring back at him, trying to read into him.
"Why? Do you want to play with me?" He said.
"I don't know. How can I play if I don't know the rules?" she asked.
"There are no rules Alexia, don't you remember? No rules." he told her.
Alexia smiled, then got up onto her tippy-toes and whispered in Sullivan's ear, "I'll play, but watch out, I like to play rough."
Sullivan flashed his sexy grin, "Somehow I think I play rougher." he said.
Alexia kissed him passionately on the lips, "Good," she breathed, as she eventually broke away.
"When will I see you next?" Sullivan asked.
"Very soon," Alexia replied. She brushed her hand against his, then made to leave.