Chapter 25: The Cure.

                                    

                                          


                          
     "Abraxan hair, dragon blood, fairy wing, moondew, peacock feather, syrup of arnica, and wormwood? (Y/n)... I don't know how comfortable I feel brewing this." Severus explained as he read the ingredients aloud. 
                          
     "How come?" I asked, wanting an explanation. He looked at me in disbelief before remembering I didn't know potions as he did. He sighed. 
                          
     "Love, two of these ingredients are poisons. I don't even know the effects of abraxan hair or syrup of arnica then to top it all dragon's blood and fairy wings are hard to get." He continued to read the instructions over. " Two tablespoons of moondew... that's enough to get you in the hospital for at least a month. Who knows what the syrup will add to that?" I heard every word he said, and I could tell he was very concerned. Yet, I didn't care. I needed this cure, the curse was causing friction in my life, the unknown parts that brought me panic, and a test of faith would come along with the cure. 
                          
     " So it won't kill me?" Severus gave me a glare. 
                          
     " No, it won't kill you. That is not what I am concerned about." He stood from his desk and walked over to me. " You want me to brew it, I know you do." Another sigh left his lips. 
                          
     " Then why the hesitation? Do you really think those two ingredients you aren't familiar with are going to hurt me?" He shook his head. " Sev, just tell me what's on your mind." Chances were I was probably thinking it too. He looked me dead in the eye and brought his palm to my cheek. 
                          
     " I'll do it." He said as he brought me into a hug. I heard him faintly proclaim his love as well. I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my very tiptoes to do so. 
                          
     " I know." Except I didn't know what I was saying that to. That I knew he loved me, or I knew what he was thinking about. Or even both. 
                          
     A week went by, and thoughts of brewing this cure seemed to be forgotten. Final grades were due before the students went home for their summer break. So, as one could imagine, Severus was quite busy. I spent my days with William, being a mother, and doing what I needed to keep my mind occupied. It was hard. I felt like everyone was staring at me all the time, or I finally noticed them. It bothered me quite a bit; it got to a point at dinners I would practically hide behind Severus. I started to sit on his left side so I could curl my arm around his, seeking any comfort or shield I could get from him. 
                          
     " Can I help you?" He asked me very snarkily, a half smirk-half genuine confusion. I didn't move though. 
                          
     " I was hoping if I was closer to you people would stop looking at me. I think they'd be too scared to look in your direction too long." He laughed lightly at my words. 
                          
     " And why is that?" He questioned, brushing strands of hair out of my face. 
                          
     " You're known for your strong glares. They could kill a poor soul one day." He lifted his eyebrows and nodded. 
                          
     " I'm glad they all have noticed." He leaned down closer to my head and whispered, " I practice, you know?" I looked up at him... and lost it. His face looked so serious I couldn't help but giggle. " Listen if you catch someone staring at you, just tell me who and I'll send the look their way, okay?" I nodded in agreement. 
                          
     " Okay." A light smile on my face. 
                          
     " Good, now get off me." He shrugged lightly to detach me from his arm. Which seemed harsh, but Severus is not one for PDA. It was good to know that even with everything going wrong, the two of us could still laugh and enjoy each other's company. The stress hadn't broken us. At that thought, my mind began to think the cure would only ruin it. Severus would lose all his love for me and leave me behind. Then my brain raced more; I wanted people to still find me attractive, but what if I'm actually ugly to them all after the curse is lifted. It was a vain thought, but it was active. " What are you thinking about?" Severus piped in during my thought. 
                          
     " What?" I asked a little startled. 
                          
     " You're thinking pretty hard about something, your brow is all scrunched up." Going back into my brain I realized how depressing my thoughts were. 
                          
     " It-it's nothing." Staring blankly in front of me, I spoke. " It's not a conversation for now at least." He reached his hand under the table and squeezed my thigh in reassurance. I put my hand on top of his and gently laced my fingers with his. 
                          
     " Okay here goes nothing." Severus proclaimed out of nowhere. He looked around and saw that the students were being ushered to their dorms. Only a few professors remained. " And, perfect timing." He remarked at the almost empty room. He cleared his throat. " (Y/n), love of my life." His tone was very Shakespearean. " You are like a rose, that is forever in bloom. You are the beautiful, pale moonlight at the end of a long day. You are perfect in every way to me; your 'imperfections' are nothing more than doubt in your mind. Darling, you are an angel, a living breathing angel, whom I get to be graced by every day... How was that?" A proud look spread across his face. I was speechless. " You don't look impressed." 
                          
     " Sorry," I laughed a little. " You are such a geek." My laughter grew louder. He looked offended by my words. " That was very beautiful and meaningful to me, but just wow... I was not expecting that!" I grabbed his arm trying to stable myself from the fit. 
                          
     " So you did like it?" I nodded at him. 
                          
     " Of course I did! That was very sweet, strange but sweet. I needed to hear some of that." He laughed with me know, the two of us probably giggled the whole back to our shared bedroom.
                          
Severus had done what he set out to do today. He finished grading, packed up to go home soon, and distracted me from my racing mind. I didn't think of any of the bad things that happened, only the wonderful things that went on that day and night.