title: Potion Brewing
Chapter 1
author: Raven Dancer
rating: PG

disclaimer: All characters belong to Rowling except for Chiron. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.

summary: Professor Snape brews a special potion for Hagrid and Albus Dumbledore

It was no longer important how they knew the Potions Master was sliding up behind them. They just knew. It was as if the very air parted, crowding left and right, to let the wizard pass through. It was certain he was silent in passing. Even Dumbledore made some noise.

On this particular occasion Snape simply swept by them, Gryffindor and Slytherin alike, standing near Hagridís hut. For all the silence it was amazing how his robes billowed out, more substantial than the man who wore them. At least it evened things out: without the robes Snape would be as good as invisible, a flash of nothing at the edge of vision.

Hagrid was straightening traces, separating the long leather lines, turning with a delighted grin when he caught sight of the Potions Master. He hand shot out and he shook Snapeís. The grim line of disdain didnít waver for an instant but the slighter man accepted the demonstration of welcome. It could have been worse, much worse, since the Groundskeeper was so pleased to see him.

ìPerfesser Snape! Thaní ya for coming. Let me get tha
kids started first,î the half-giant nearly bellowed out. The wizard grimaced, hair sweeping back from the force of the words. If the students expected some caustic comment they were sorely disappointed. Snape simply blended back into the cool shadows of the hut wall and watched. If his eyes didnít glitter heíd be indistinguishable from the brick and ivy.

Soon the students found themselves clutching the leather leads. Holding on tight and hoping not to be dragged off their feet by the feisty kelpies they were to exercise in the big paddocks near the hut. Even with four to five students ëguidingí each beast it was decidedly unfair. If one of the kelpies decided to stop, nothing could induce it to move. Conversely, once in motion they would not submit easily to the path the students wanted them to move preferring to cross traces with other groups.

With the students occupied Hagrid moved back to his visitor. Hermione noticed Snape slip out of the shadows and listen quietly to the expressive man. It was easy to see the groundskeeper was excited. Probably had a new animal coming.

ìWhy do you suppose Hagrid would want to see Snape?î Ron hissed through his clenched teeth, heels dug into the loose dirt.

ìDonít know,î Harry managed to throw his weight against the straining leather and shift their kelpie away from Malfoyís bouncing charge.

ìWell, what Hagrid wants is not the question Iíd want
answered. I want to know why Snape seems so interested.
Heís actually paying attention,î Hermione muttered before being flung backwards into Neville. The kelpie, sensing it had the upper hand, snorted and jerked the line pulling all four students face first into the dirt.

ìIf I didnít know better Iíd say the blasted thing is laughing
at us,î Ron said sourly. Indeed, the creature was now seated, front legs splayed slightly, mouth open making a chuffing sound.

ìWell, just as competent in Magical Creatures as Potions,
eh, Potter?î Snape drawled as he followed Hagrid across the compound.

ìHarryís doing fine. Kelpieís a bit stubborn,î Hagrid took the line and tried a hand at the beast. With a strange snarling sound the kelpie decided it should protect itself and launched itself straight at his master. Teeth bared, claws extended, it attacked.

Hagrid was a large man, but it meant little to the creature lashing out at him. It got one clear shot and then it was suddenly flung back and held in place. The students were amazed to see Snape standing over the fallen man, wand out. The kelpie squealed in panic finding itself levitated to its holding pen. Before the other kelpies could react they were moved to other small enclosures.

Eyes blazing Snape took a deep breath before dropping his wand hand. He glanced at Hagrid. Long cut, but conscious. His eyes flicked over Harry, Hermione and Ron.

ìStay with him while I settle things,î Snapeís voice low and concerned. He jerked around, projecting anger and derision.

ìMr. Malfoy, see that everyone hangs up their traces.
Longbottom, hand yours over to Finnegan and run up for
Madame Pomfrey,î he barked out orders.

ìI dun need the nurse,î Hagrid protested.

ìI suppose that cut will heal up by itself?î Snape shot back with a snarl. Hagrid seemed to be cowed by the Potions Master and watched as the wizard cleared all the students from the area sending them back into the castle except for the three clustered about the groundskeeper.

Snape stood rigidly, staring at the castle and the departing students. Once satisfied the area was clear he turned back to the fallen man and quickly knelt by his side.

ìHagrid, let me see,î Snape said in a remarkably gentle voice pushing the injured manís hands aside. The long gash cut through his shirt to his chest.

ìMs. Granger, Mr. Weasley, go into Hagridís hut and find me
scissors, some clean sheeting, a cup, drinking water and the
emergency box on the sideboard shelf,î Snape directed then caught Hagridís eyes.
ìYou kept that potion I made for you?î The groundskeeper nodded dully.

While the two Gryffindors ran into the hut Hagrid was levitated and moved inside himself. Harry was sent for a basin of clean water. Putting the injured man on his lounge Snape removed his outer cloak and rolled up his sleeves.

ìKelpies are usually docile creatures, which is a good thing
given they are somewhat poisonous,î the Potions Master explained as he cut away the remnants of the ripped shirt. Damp clothes were blotted over the cut carefully.

ìIíll leave that for Madame Pomfreyís delicate touch, sheíll
leave less of a scar,î the wizard rattled around in Hagridís emergency box picking up various bottles.

ìReally! I do recall organizing this at start of term! What
were you doing, Hagrid? Playing nine pins?î Snape chastised but they were quick to note there was no anger in his voice.

ìSorry Perfesser,î Hagrid slurred, his eyes starting to flutter, then slipped closed.

ìHere!î the Potions Master plucked out a slim brown vial and opened it. He eyed in a portion.
ìAn ounce, then 4 to 6 ounces water or juice.î He held the cup up and waited for Hermione to pour water in. Forgoing a spoon, Snape expertly twirled the liquid in the cup to blend.

With a gentleness no one would believe he possessed, Snape lifted Hagrid into a more upright position and pulled him against his chest.

ìOk, Hagrid, time to drink for me,î the wizard brought the cup to the manís lips and carefully teased it in. Hagrid slurped a bit noisily until all the potion was gone. Snape continued to hold him, talking utter nonsense (especially for Snape!) until Hagrid blinked several times and opened his eyes fully.

ìHowíd I get in cher?î Hagrid asked very confused. Snape smiled briefly very relieved to see the man better.

ìMr. Potter threw you over his shoulder and dragged your
sorry carcass in,î the Potions Master said as sarcastically as possible. A chuckle at the door caused all five sets of eyes to jerk up.

ìProfessor Snape teasing? I might require a restorative
myself!î the rich warmth of Dumbledoreís voice filled the room. He moved in followed closely by Madame Pomfrey.

Without any hurry Snape lowered Hagrid back onto the lounge.

ìDeep cut, Poppy. We just blotted the blood and left that
for you. Heís had a dose of anti-toxin,î the Potions Master reported succinctly as he moved back giving the nurse access to the patient.

Clucking to herself the witch checked out the length and damage before pulling out her wand and murmuring a long incantation. All three students watched as the flesh joined back together and nearly healed completely before them. Soon only a long thin line marred the big manís chest.

ìThanks, Poppy,î Hagrid muttered. He looked across the room searching. Seeing his confusion Dumbledore moved closer.

ìProfessor Snape had to leave, Hagrid,î the Headmaster said quietly. A look passed between them and the larger man nodded in understanding.

ìYouíll see ëim tonight?î Hagrid asked.

ìYes. Iíll take care of it,î Dumbledore replied. Pomfrey busied herself, wiping up spills and repacking the emergency box. While the witch organized the messy box the Headmaster prepared tea, bringing a large mug to the resting man.

ìDid you get a chance to discuss your project with
Severus?î Dumbledore asked curiously.

ìYeah. He said heíd brew tha potion for me,î the groundskeeper smiled happily.

ìFriday night?î Dumbledore pursued.

ìNew moon. Perfesser Snape said heíd set up after 11,î Hagrid filled in. Hermione looked from one man to the other.

ìWhatís Professor Snape going to brew Headmaster?î she asked curiously. Pomfrey chuckled.

ìHeís trying to catch a myth for Hagrid,î she smirked as she packed her things and headed for the door.
ìSee me after dinner Hagrid. You should be just fine but
I might want to give you another dose of anti-toxin.
Headmaster... children...î she nodded her farewell and left the hut.

ìWhat the heck is a myth?î Ron asked with some confusion. The adults chuckled as Hermione gave him a disapproving glance.

ìA myth is an imaginary person or thing,î she said. ìIt
doesnít really exist.î Dumbledore gave her one of his most knowing looks, eyes twinkling.

ìSometimes myths are more than that. They try to explain
natural events or ancient history. Muggle myths are based
on many real things,î he explained patiently.

ìLook aí unicorns,î Hagrid said, in professor mode. ìMuggles
think theyíre legend, a myth. Some circus dragged around
a goat that had a deformed horn claiminí it was a unicorn.
It was good for the young ëuns, but the rest figured it was
bunk.î

ìNot to mention dragons,î Dumbledore added with a suppressed snicker. Hagrid bristled slightly.
ìSo many theories proposed to explain the existence
of the creatures yet most muggles believe it to be another
legend or fairy tale.î

ìThen what is Professor Snape going to try to catch for
you?î Harry asked. Hagrid just grinned.

ìHmmm, itís a bit much to expect even you, Ron, to believe it
exist, even with your wizard background,î Dumbledore mused.
ìI think, Hagrid, that these three might benefit from a bit of
extra tutoring...î

ìAh, yes, never hurts to learn sumthin new,î Hagrid said with a considering look.

ìBut,î Dumbledore quickly raised his hand, ìyou may not
discuss this with any other student. Professor Snape will
not appreciate you being there, and certainly would be even
more upset if the school to find out about his little
myth-brewing.î

The three friends looked at one another. Keeping the special ìlessonî secret would not be a problem and they easily agreed to the limitation.

ìWhat is he going to do?î Hermione persisted. ìIs there
something we could research in the library?î Ron glared at her.

ìNo, no. It really isnít something to read up on. It will be
more impressive if you come with a clear mind. Just soak up
the moment so-to-speak,î the Headmaster explained.

ìCome out to my hut Friday night by ten. You can helí me
get stuff set up for Perfessor Snape,î Hagrid said.

The rest of the week passed slowly. Hermione was thrumming with frustration wondering what Snape could be trying to catch. Even Harry became reluctant to sit near Hermione as she scanned tome after tome researching all sorts of strange creatures. When she started making long lists they all but abandoned her in the library.

ìThe problem is,î Hermione huffed as they trudged to their magical history class,
ìis that so many muggle mythological creatures do exist.
They are just sheltered by the magical world itself. I canít
find many truly mythological creatures except in fantasy
works. Like balrogs and orcs or that nanny Mary Poppins.î

ìSheís not a myth! Sheís a character in a book!î Ron asserted.

ìWell, so are orcs and balrogs for that matter,î Harry added.

ìI know! I think I alluded to that when I said they were
fantasy characters,î Hermione huffed. Both boys looked sheepish.

ìSorry,î they chimed together. She gave them one more glare before shaking her head.

ìAnd tomorrow night weíll know what heís trying to
conjure up,î Ron said with a grin. He settled into his chair and pulled a parchment from his satchel. His friends followed suit ready to turn in their history assignment.

Friday felt like it would never end. There was a study session in DADA that should have been interesting but even Hermione couldnít get into the spirit of the discussion. They separated for Divination and Arithmacy meeting up for a final class in Herbology. Finally they spent what seemed like an eon researching and writing a parchment on healing potions for Snape.

They wanted that done in case he threw them into detention for the rest of the weekend when he saw them that night.

At dinner Hagrid waved them over and reminded them to be out at the hut just before ten. Dumbledoreís mischievous eyes followed them back to their table as they settled down to wait for dinner. The only one missing was the Potions Master.

ìHeís probably getting ready,î Ron offered.

ìI wish I could help. I would love to know what heís
preparing!î Hermione gushed. Both boys just looked at her oddly.

ìMione...î Harry began cautiously. She looked at him patiently waiting for his comment. Seeing the intense gleam in her eyes he waved off his comment and reached for a plate of mashed potatoes. Upsetting his friend was not a good thing!

Heíd just begun scooping some onto his plate when he noticed Snape coming into the hall. His friends followed his gaze and soon all three watched the tall figure sweep up to the head table. Apparently he made an apology to the Headmaster for being tardy but it was waved aside and he was directed to his chair.

ìLooks like he got spattered with mud,î Ron commented as he looked up at Snape turning to sit in the proffered chair.

The ever-present frown deepened at some remark from Professor Flitwick. The three watched as another professor leaned over to speak to Snape. In no time it seemed that half the head table had given the Potions Master the once over and found him lacking. Before Dumbledore could interject a word into the apparent concern Snape rose and left the table slipping out a side door. This seemed to amuse the bulk of the staff who smirked or grinned knowingly.