#21 Back for Torture?

'Enter,' Professor Snape said.

With a swish of his wand, the door suddenly swung open - yet was magically prevented from banging against the wall. The doorway clear, Snape awaited his company to make an entrance and explain why his peace was being intruded upon yet again. He glanced up just enough to see who it was, then resumed his task at hand.

Most notable was a decent stack of leather-bound books on one side of his desk. There were titles such as Unbinding Binding Curses, An Intricate Comparison of Werewolves and Wuffsnouts, The Most Advanced Study of Counter-Poisons, Lost and Forgotten Counter-Curses, and An Ancient Guide to Forbidden Magical Practices.

Professor Snape glanced at them. Unfortunately, Amelia had completed her task as intended and delivered everything he'd asked her for. A pity, as now he had to endure her company for a moment longer as they proceeded.

He retrieved the ingredients, then gestured for Amelia to follow him out of the office. Snape led her back to an empty classroom, this time one she hadn't seen in a few years. Five cauldrons were set up nearby, each containing a differently-coloured potion left to cool. A ladle sat on the counter, along with several empty vials waiting to be used.

'Fill a vial each of every potion,' Professor Snape instructed, busy putting the ingredients she'd collected to use in another batch of cauldrons. 'Then deliver them to the Hospital Wing. If you are so inclined to continue furthering your studies, you may return to assist with a final potion.'

He sincerely hoped she didn't, but the offer was there.