Snape's Midnight Surprise

It was a dark October night, and you couldn't sleep much. So you decided to sneak into the garden to stargaze.

"Don't you know it's past curfew?" A stern voice said from behind as a firm hand lands on your shoulder and grips tightly.

[He narrows his eyes, clearly not buying it. His grip on your shoulder tightens further as he pulls you closer.] Nocturnal research? And pray tell, what sort of... research requires one to be out of bed at this ungodly hour? [His breath is hot against your ear as he speaks in a low, menacing tone.] I'm particularly interested in hearing how this 'research' of yours justifies being out of the dormitory past curfew. Choose your words very carefully, pupil. [His eyes bore into yours, searching for any hint of deception.]

[His eyebrows raise slightly, the only indication of his surprise. His grip on your shoulder loosens just a fraction.] Werewolf transformations? [He repeats your words slowly, as if tasting them.] And pray tell, what exactly do you hope to learn from this? [His tone is still stern, but there's a hint of curiosity now.] I find it rather difficult to believe that Hogwarts offers a course in such... specialized subject matter. [He crosses his arms over his chest, his piercing gaze never leaving your face.] Choose your next words very carefully indeed. [There's a subtle undertone of warning in his voice.]

[He raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. His arms uncross as he takes a step back, but his eyes never leave yours.] A paper? [He lets out a short, harsh laugh.] And what, pray tell, has led you to believe that such a... frivolous pursuit is worthy of academic attention? [His tone is dripping with disdain.] If I recall correctly, you were last seen floundering in Potions. [He begins to slowly circle around you, his eyes raking over your form with a critical gaze.] I would hardly call such a failing a strong foundation for delving into the mysteries of lycanthropy. [He stops behind you, his breath hot on the back of your neck.] I suggest you redirect your energies towards more... academically appropriate pursuits. [His voice is low and dangerous, his words dripping with condescension.]

[His eyes widen slightly, a flicker of something - amusement? intrigue? - passing across his face before his expression hardens once more.] A meme? [He lets out a short, sharp laugh.] You are certainly... resourceful. [The word 'resourceful' seems to be chosen carefully, his tone still laced with disdain.] I must admit, I am... curious to see the fruits of your... labors. [He turns away from you, his hands clasped behind his back as he begins to stroll down the path.] Very well, I shall permit you to continue this... 'research' of yours. [He glances back over his shoulder, his eyes glinting with a challenge.] But know this - if I find your final product to be... lacking, there will be consequences. [With that, he turns and strides off into the darkness, leaving you alone in the garden.]

[He pauses mid-stride, glancing back over his shoulder. His eyes narrow slightly as he regards you, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.] See that you do not. [His voice is low and dangerous, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air.] I expect nothing less than... excellence from my pupils. [With that, he turns and continues on his way, leaving you alone once more in the moonlit garden.]

[He stops in his tracks, his shoulders tensing slightly at your words. Slowly, he turns to face you, his expression a mask of cool indifference.] A werewolf sipping tea? [He repeats your words slowly, as if tasting them.] I suppose that is... one way to approach the subject. [His eyes narrow slightly, a hint of a challenge glinting in their depths.] Very well. I shall await your... masterpiece with bated breath. [He takes a step towards you, closing the distance between you.] But I warn you - if this is some sort of... frivolous exercise, there will be consequences. [His voice is low and dangerous, his words carrying a weight of unspoken threat.] I expect nothing less than... perfection from you, pupil. [With that, he turns and strides off once more, leaving you alone with your thoughts in the moonlit garden.]

[He pauses, his hand resting on the trunk of an ancient tree. Slowly, he turns to face you, his expression unreadable.] A caption, you say? [He takes a step towards you, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and challenge.] And what, pray tell, would you have me say in response to such a... clever quip? [He's close now, close enough that you can feel the heat radiating from his body, see the flecks of color in his dark eyes.] I find myself... curious to hear your thoughts on the matter. [His voice is low and silky, a hint of danger underlying his words.] After all, if your meme is to be... excellent, as you so confidently claim, it must be accompanied by a fitting... response. [He reaches out, his fingers brushing against your cheek in a gesture that's both threatening and oddly tender.] So tell me, pupil - what shall I say to your... witty observation? [His eyes bore into yours, challenging you to meet his gaze without flinching.]

[His eyes widen slightly, a flicker of something - surprise? pleasure? - passing across his face before his expression hardens once more.] A potions master who can't brew a decent cup of tea? [He lets out a short, harsh laugh.] You are certainly... bold. [The word 'bold' seems to be chosen carefully, his tone a mix of amusement and warning.] I must admit, I find myself... impressed by your audacity. [He takes a step closer, his body nearly brushing against yours.] But words are cheap, pupil. [His voice is low and dangerous, his words carrying a weight of unspoken challenge.] If you truly wish to prove the depth of your... commitment to this project, you will need to do more than simply... talk. [His hand comes up to grip your chin, his fingers cool against your skin.] You will need to... demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter. [His eyes bore into yours, searching for any hint of hesitation or weakness.] So tell me, pupil - are you prepared to put your money where your mouth is? [His grip on your chin tightens slightly, a silent demand for an answer.]

[His eyes flash with something - triumph? excitement? - before his expression settles back into its usual mask of cool indifference.] Bold words, pupil. [He releases your chin, his hand sliding down to rest on your shoulder.] But words are but words. [His thumb traces a small circle on your shoulder, the gesture both comforting and threatening.] If you truly wish to prove your... commitment to this project, you will need to do more than simply... claim. [He takes a step back, his eyes never leaving yours.] You will need to... demonstrate your skills. [His voice is low and silky, a hint of challenge underlying his words.] The kitchens are open at this hour. [He gestures towards the castle with a slight nod of his head.] I suggest you make your way there and show me what you are capable of. [His eyes glint with a mix of anticipation and challenge.] Impress me, pupil. [With that, he turns and strides off into the darkness, leaving you alone with the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.]

[He pauses mid-stride, glancing back over his shoulder. A small smirk plays at the corners of his mouth, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and challenge.] Magic, is it? [He repeats your words slowly, as if savoring the taste of them.] Very well, pupil. [He turns and continues on his way, his cloak billowing behind him like a dark cloud.] I shall be waiting in the kitchens. [His voice carries easily over the distance, a hint of anticipation underlying his words.] Do not... disappoint me. [With that, he disappears into the darkness, leaving you alone with your thoughts and the weight of his challenge hanging heavy in the air.]

[You make your way to the kitchens, the silence of the castle broken only by the soft sound of your footsteps on the stone floors. As you enter the large, cavernous room, you spot Snape leaning against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.] Ah, there you are. [He says, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.] I trust you are prepared to... demonstrate your skills? [His eyes narrow slightly, a hint of challenge glinting in their depths.] I have a rather... specific request for this evening's brew. [He pushes off from the counter, taking a step towards you.] I want a cup of tea that will... warm me to the core. [His voice is low and silky, a hint of something dark and dangerous underlying his words.] Can you deliver that for me, pupil? [He's close now, close enough that you can feel the heat radiating from his body, see the flecks of color in his dark eyes.] Or will you falter under the weight of your own... hubris? [His hand comes up to grip your chin, his fingers cool against your skin.] The choice is yours. [With that, he releases you and takes a step back, his eyes never leaving yours, waiting to see what you will do.]

[His eyes widen slightly, a flicker of something - surprise? excitement? - passing across his face before his expression settles back into its usual mask of cool indifference.] Set my soul on fire, you say? [He repeats your words slowly, as if savoring the taste of them.] Very well, pupil. [He turns and moves to the counter, his movements fluid and graceful.] I shall be watching your every move. [His voice is low and dangerous, his words carrying a weight of unspoken challenge.] Impress me. [With that, he turns his back on you, his eyes fixed on the door as if daring anyone to interrupt your task.] [You set to work, gathering the ingredients for your brew. The kitchen is a hive of activity, with pots and pans clanging and the scent of spices filling the air. As you work, you can feel Snape's eyes on you, a constant reminder of the challenge that lies ahead.] [Finally, you place the steaming cup in front of Snape, the aroma of exotic spices filling the air. You watch as he lifts the cup, his eyes closing briefly as he inhales the scent.] Well? [He says, his voice low and expectant.] Show me what you are capable of. [His eyes open, locking onto yours with an intensity that takes your breath away.] Impress me, pupil. [With that, he takes a sip, his eyes never leaving yours as he waits for your reaction

[His eyes widen slightly, a flicker of surprise passing across his face before his expression settles back into its usual mask of cool indifference.] Dragon's breath? [He repeats your words slowly, as if savoring the taste of them.] How... interesting. [His voice is low and silky, a hint of something dark and dangerous underlying his words.] I must admit, I am... impressed by your choice of ingredients. [He takes another sip of the tea, his eyes never leaving yours.] But words are but words. [His voice drops to a whisper, the threat underlying his words clear as day.] If you truly wish to... ignite my senses, you will need to do more than simply... list the ingredients. [He sets the cup down, his eyes boring into yours with an intensity that takes your breath away.] You will need to... prove your skill. [His hand comes up to grip your chin, his fingers cool against your skin.] The challenge is yours, pupil. [With that, he releases you and takes a step back, his eyes never leaving yours, waiting to see how you will rise to meet it.]