Freedom Chapter 4:

Severus was at this moment sat at his desk in the front of his potions classroom waiting with baited breath for the 5th year Slytherin's and Gryffindor's to arrive. He had unlocked the door and was sitting as straight as he could glaring at the entrance.

He really hated this class. It was common knowledge that these houses disliked each other, yes, but in all his years teaching never had it been this bad in the classroom setting. Severus would never admit this out loud but he knew a lot of the hostility that hung between the Slytherin and Gryffindor 5th years and lower had been caused by his godson Draco. He had tried to talk to the boy and even Lucius had taken him aside. But it seemed that the young Malfoy was determined to go out of his way to cause problems. Severus was getting sick of cleaning up after him in a manner of speaking.

He sighed to himself as he brushed aside thoughts of the horror this class would bring and instead thought back to last weekend.

It had been almost an entire week since Severus had been out of the castle and he was yearning to get out again. Though he loved the place as it had been his home for so long, he didn't feel comfortable being himself while inside the stone walls. He guessed it was his own fault, having hidden himself for so long now he was too paranoid someone would discover his secret. He wanted to blame the professor that had started paying him unwanted attention. But he knew deep down that while the Professor had been the trigger to him hiding his true self, It had been his own choice to continue the charade. When the marauders had picked up their bullying last thing he wanted was them to find out how he liked dressing. So, in the end, his true self was locked away, just like his clothes. Behind spell and silence.

His thoughts were disturbed as the door to the potions classroom finally opened and in spewed his students, they were all chatting with each other and laughing. Severus glared, a sneer caught on his lips. Why couldn't the brats be more quite! This is why he could never teach those few potions that were noise sensitive while brewing to a whole class at once. Kids in groups were just imposable. His fingers itched for his wand to curse then all. But he refrained...just.

Letting out a small controlled sigh he reached up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Today just wasn't a good day, he had had first years his morning melt five cauldrons, five! Then at lunch time he had run into peeves heading to the great hall and had been soaked with water balloons. And now he had to deal with 5th year Gryffindor's and Slytherin's. Severus was sure in a previous life he had been a mass murdering psycho, he could think of nothing else that would warrant such a punishment as teaching these brats on a daily basis.

He wanted to quit and just brew privately and experiment to his heart's content. But he had promised Albus he would stay on at least until he found an apprentice, part in payment for keeping him out of jail and in part because he had nothing better to do at the time. But the task of finding a young student to teach potion craft to was proving impossible. He couldn't stand any of the ones he had interviewed over the years.

"This is a classroom, not a common room, sit down and books out!" He snapped standing up swiftly his robes swishing about his legs as he turned around and flicked his wand towards the blackboard. Chalk rose smoothly and silently from its resting place and started writing out the instructions for the potion they would be brewing today.

The reaction was almost immediate the Gryffindor's all sat down muttering grumpily to themselves. The Slytherin's at least looked slightly guilty towards their head of house.

"Instructions are on the board for today's potion, it's a simple pain reliever as the hospital wing is running out. As its below your year level, I expect no problems." He glanced over the classroom, they all seemed to be nodding. As much as he would love to sit down and grade some other classes papers while they worked, he couldn't trust them like he could the 5th year Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's. So he instead stood in front of his desk leaning on it slightly and folded his arms watching the children.

A Gryffindor raised his hand, and before Severus could say anything blurted out "If it's so easy why we have to do it then?" The Gryffindor's side of the room all nodded and whispered to each other, and even a few Slytherin's looked like they agreed.

"10 points from Gryffindor for your outburst Mr Thomas. As to why, why doesn't matter you do the potion on the board or I take points for not doing classwork. Am I understood?"

The Gryffindor's still seemed unhappy but started unpacking at least. All around the classroom, books and cauldrons were being placed on desks and students were already making their way to the storage cupboard for ingredients.

Severus sighed and looked over the classroom with a careful eye. In truth, he knew this potion was far below their level of skill and would not challenge them in any way, but it was true that hospital wing was running low. He had made all his classes over all the years spend one lesson each in making some, he would have done it himself but with mid-year assessments coming up he didn't have the time And leaving it to lower years was out of the question only one out of five of their potions were even usable.

He noticed while his eyes sweep over his house's side of the room that Draco was whispering to his friends glancing over at Potter every now and then. Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes and sigh. Could he not have one lesson without conflict? His godson better not get it in his head to throw something into Potters potion. He had been told on many occasion privately just how dangerous it was, listening it seemed wasn't his godsons strong point. He caught the young Malfoy's eye and glared swiftly shaking his head. The boy got the message though as soon as he saw his godfathers look he hung his head and pouted.

Mentally noting to keep and eye on his houses side of the classroom just in case he looked over at the other side and was a little relieved to see Longbottom paired with Granger. Not that he would admit that to anyone. But at least the chance of Longbottom causing a disaster just dropped.

He then spent the rest of the lesson walking about the room staying alert, his eyes not missing a thing. The class was nearly over and Severus had stopped three attempts from students to sabotage others potions, as they had been Slytherin's he would lecture them in the common room later and assign cleaning jobs. He might favour his students to the public but he never let them get away with anything.!

But aside from that nothing too bad had happened and Severus's heart lightened at the thought of a disaster free lesson.

But just was he was making his last rounds he heard something that made his teeth clench. And his head turn.

"Ron what in merlin,,,! What did you add?"

He quickly looked over and saw Potter berating Weasley while looking horrified towards their potion, Severus only faintly realised Weasley looked guilty as his gaze was also horribly fixed on their potion, a potion which was bubbling violently.

Before he even had time to banish the mess they had made or up a shield, the potion exploded.

With a loud boom, it splatted everything in a bright florescent pink goo. Students were screaming and failingly their arms about trying to dislodge the slimy substance, a few smarter students had their wands out and had figured out they could banish the colourful mess.

Severus was happy to note the potion mistake was one he had seen before and the substance didn't burn or sink into the skin. Still better safe than sorry. With what could only come from years of practice Severus flicked his wand from his sleeve and vanished the goop. His relief only lasted briefly as it became apparent that the goo had stained his skin pink. Looking around the classroom he noticed the students who had gotten rid of the potion were also in the same predicament as him. Covered in pink spots.

"Weasley! Potter! Stay! The rest of you out now!" He bellowed. This was not helping his mood.

"But sir the potion...should we go to the hospital wing" stuttered one of his Slytherins.

"It's harmless, the colour should fade in a few hours. Only bother Madame Pompfrey if something becomes amiss. NOW LEAVE!"

His patience was heavily frayed at this point. It gave him some small amount of satisfaction watching the brats scuttle about collecting their things to leave in the hurry. He swore Longbottom even epped.

Once the last student had left and the classroom door was closed to turned to look at Weasley and Potter. He glared heavily in their direction causing them both to shrink in on themselves. Weasley he noted looked slightly angry but Potter looked resigned scuffing his feet on the stone floor.

"What pray tell happened?" He asked slowly and carefully trying not to yell. That wouldn't help anyone at the moment, other than making him feel better of course.

"Well, you see..."

"Harry dis.."

He held up a hand. "Silence! One at a time."

He was curious to note Weasley was glaring in Potters direction. Trouble in paradise?

"Potter speak"

"I'm not sure what happened sir, the potion was fine. It was clear and we only had stirring to do, I looked down at my book and when I looked up again I noticed Ron drop something into the potion but I didn't see what." Potter glared actually glared towards Weasley after he had finished his tale. Weasley was glaring right back to. However, Severus's headache was really starting to flare up and he really found he didn't care what was going on with them .

"Weasley"

"Well sir... ummm Harry told me to add a bat spleen!" Cried Weasley, it was clear from his facial expressions he went through while talking it had been a lot of bollocks.

Severus folded his arms and looked down at the two boys. He didn't like Potter and doubt he ever would but lately, he had been noting Weasley was starting to play up in classrooms. But still, even though he knew it was Weasley's fault he wasn't going to pass this chance up. He smirked at them causing Potter to pale and Weasley to glare at the roof.

"20 points from Gryffindor for causing the explosion. And 15points from Gryffindor for not stopping your friend Potter. Also, dentition tomorrow with me 2pm since its Saturday understood?"

"Yes sir" "Yea"

He sneered at them both and waved his hand, "Now leave."

He smirked watching them practically run out of his room. His amusement didn't last long though as he realised his classroom was a complete mess. He glared at a rather large patch of goo and pulled his wand out again. Only mid flick he paused and grinned evilly. This had been his last class of the day, which meant he could simply leave this mess here for Weasley and Potter to clean tomorrow in detention. He didn't have to worry about house elves cleaning it as they weren't allowed in the potions classroom. Their magic could interfere with potions and ingredients. Same reason he personally cleaned his own rooms since he brewed in them.

With that plan in mind, Severus gathered some papers from his desk and headed out of the room locking it behind him.

Several hours later found Severus hunched over his desk in his rooms, he was gripping his black feathered quill tightly and writing short sharp strokes for a T on a students report on the properties of stirring rods. With a groan, he lay his quill down on the desk and tidied up the stack of papers. Finished. He had finished the 6th year markings. Students thought homework was evil, even he as a student thought that. But now he realised doing the homework was nothing compared to marking it all. Being a teacher was truly self-torture.

Looking at the clock he noticed it was time for dinner, but instead of thoughts of the great halls food, Severus couldn't help his eyes drift towards his bedroom door. Behind which was his locked wardrobe.

It didn't take him long to make up his mind. It was a Friday night he was going to go out. Treat himself to dinner then go dancing. It might even put him in a better mood for Weasley and Potter tomorrow.

Severus wasted no time in getting washed and removing his glamour and applying the needed spells. This time, he decided to wear a nice deep green almost black dress. The place he was going to do for dinner needed something a little nicer than his club wear. It had a lace up front and flared sleeves. He paired this with nice dragon hide boots. He then grabbed a small red dress that would cling to his from and shoved it in his coin bag. Looking himself over once more in the mirror and determining himself good enough Severus went to his floo and left.

With a swirl of green flames he stepped out into the floo building on Dorian Lane. At this time of night, the clubs weren't open and many doubled as eatery's during the day for more income.

He let his mind wonder as he made his way down the lane towards the building labelled "Maclirons". His mouth watered slightly just thinking about the wonderful food they severed.

"Hello pet, nice to see you again."

Severus looked to his side where a man had come up and started to walk in stride with him. It was Lucius Malfoy.

"Errr... hi?" Severus cursed inwardly how that had come out, but he had been surprised and at a slight loss for words. His steps faulted and he came to a stop looking as calm as he could towards the Malfoy Lord, but inside his emotions and thoughts resembled more a raging storm.

Lucius Malfoy smirked at him and in a graceful move extended this forearm towards Severus.

"At this time of night, in this alley, I am guessing you are headed towards a place to dine? Please let me escort you, It seems a crime for one as lovely as yourself to be alone."

Severus couldn't help the heat that rose to his face, clearing his throat he ignored the way his heart was trying to break out of his chest and gingerly took the offered arm.

"Very well." Was all he muttered, if his eyes were downcast with nerves and his voice a little unsteady it wasn't mentioned.

Truthfully Severus was hoping Malfoy's presence would allow him better seats at Maclirons and if Lucius dined with him maybe he would be treated to an expensive meal and drink? He was diffidently not thinking about how nice it was for his friend to be acting like this towards him.

Together they walked the rest of the way to the restaurant Severus hand lightly gripping the blonde's inner elbow.

The evening from there on was a blur to Severus, he had one of the best nights of his life. They had ended up dining together and as Severus had hoped Lucius paid for it and ordered expensive wine. During their dining experience they had flirted on and off with each other. And afterwards when he had relieved his plan on visiting a club or two before heading home Lucius had come with him. So for once, he had a dance partner who had scared off the riff-raff and who hadn't overstepped his boundary's. Severus hated when his dance partners got too hands on.

It wasn't until they were heading their separate ways in the floo building that Lucius asked a question that had Severus floored.

"So after this lovely night surely I get to know your name now?" Lucius had asked with a hopeful look towards the stunned raven haired man. Severus couldn't help but go blank. He hadn't realised he had never given his name or even a name. Unsure how to answer and not yet willing to say who he was Severus blurted out the first name that came to his head.

"Neville Potte...Potts"

As soon as the words left his mouth Severus closed his eyes in horror. And in doing so missed seeing the blond fighting with himself not to laugh. By the time Severus opened his eyes again he was greeted with a smirk.

With an elegant tilt of his head Lucius Malfoy grasped his hand and brought it up towards his head, he leant down and very softly so that Severus only just felt it lay a gentle kiss on the back of his hand.

"It has been a wonderful night I thank you...Neville. Please expect my owl."

And with the last look, Lucius Malfoy flooed home leaving Severus Snape alone and uttered horrified with himself still. Out of all the names he could have come up with on the spot...why...merlin why...