Potion Preparations and Albus Annoyances

Author's note – I apologize that this took so long, but RL has been busy. I hope you enjoy this chapter and that it was worth waiting for. Thank you to my beta.

Hermione walked back to the house where she and Severus had been staying the last few weeks, her bag full of plants and other things that were indigenous to the area. It was only two days until the full moon, and Dumbledore had sent a Patronus early in the morning, telling them to expect a visit from him that evening.

The first few days had been strained, but once the two of them remembered that they were no longer professor and student but equal partners in a business relationship, things had gotten a little bit easier on the both of them.

Severus had made several potions out of the ingredients that she had brought for him, but what was frustrating was that they would know nothing about how effective they were until the full moon. They didn't know how they were going to test the potions out, but something that Dumbledore had said in a letter had alluded to the fact that he would take care of it.

After a hurried greeting from Crookshanks, she made her way to the study where Severus did most of his brewing. Two raps on the door announced her presence, and she opened it only when he called to her through the door.

”Have there been any more owls from Dumbledore?” she asked when he looked up from his cauldron. She was shocked at the weariness that was etched on Severus' face. They both knew how important this potion was to the wizarding world, but it was proving to be harder than they'd thought.

”No, there hasn't.”

His answer was sharp and curt, leaving her feeling as if he had struck her. Biting back an angry retort in reply, she looked at him. “I have brought the ingredients that you asked for, as well as some new ones. I am going to go bathe before Dumbledore gets here.”

* * *

Severus watched her as she made her way out of the study. Why did she have this effect on him? He just hoped that in two days it would be over, that one of the potions would work so that the two of them could get back to their own lives.

His thoughts turned to the coming visit of Albus Dumbledore. Merlin only knew what that man had planned for them. His owls that he sent were always cryptic. He had stopped by a few times while they were living there – sometimes he forewarned them, sometimes he did not.

Shaking his head at the lunacy, yet brilliancy, of Albus Dumbledore, he allowed his mind to wander to the beautiful woman who was upstairs taking a hot bath. He could only imagine what she looked like. Would her hair be piled on her head as she soaked in the tub, or would it be flowing down her back? Did she have bubbles in the tub, or was the water crystal clear so that her naked body was...

No! They had work to do and precious little time for thoughts of the flesh. The safety of the wizarding world depended on them creating a new Wolfsbane Potion. He looked down and realized, with embarrassment, what the thoughts of Hermione had done to him. A cold shower was definitely in order before the meeting with his former boss and mentor.

Several hours later, they found themselves sitting in the presence of Albus Dumbledore.

“I am certain that you are both wondering how you will be able to test your potions that you have created. I am here to let you know that I have procured several willing participants for your study. They will be staying at another house that can be reached only by way of Portkey or by Floo. . They are there now, and you will be able to get through to them by way of the Floo until the day of the full moon. Then you will need to use the Portkey. The Floo name is Chocolate Frogs.”

“How many are there?” Severus asked. “And what precautions have been taken?”

“There are five test subjects, and each of them will be chained in a separate room. I really appreciate what the two of you are doing. I have reason to believe that the Ministry has had something to do with the fact that the Wolfsbane Potion isn't working, but I don't have any proof yet. That is the reason for all of the secrecy.” Albus stood up. “I must be going. I will be back again after the full moon to see how you fared.” With that, Albus disappeared, leaving a still warm but empty chair where he once sat.

* * *

The Ministry may be the cause of the Wolfsbane Potion crisis? Hermione thought to herself. Well, why not? It had been corrupt before. It seemed like something it would do. Realizing that Severus was talking to her, she looked up at him.

“I'm sorry, could you repeat that?” she asked, feeling her cheeks burning.

“I was asking if you wanted to go and meet our test subjects. Since we will be working with them, we should get to know them.”

“You are right. Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready.” She went upstairs and changed into something more casual than she wore for the meeting with Dumbledore. Severus went through the Floo first, and then she followed.

When she stepped out of the Floo, there were four witches and wizards of varying ages in the sitting room.

“I thought that there were five of you,” Hermione said, looking around the room.

“There are,” a familiar voice said as its owner stepped into the room.

“Ron!” Hermione exclaimed, and the darkness closed around her.