"That is why you must stir counter-clockwise seven times." Severus Snape spoke faster. He was deep in the debate now.
"Seven is the most powerful magical number. Stirring counter-clockwise fights the natural heat in the cauldron. It creates a tiny zone of absolute zero. This is a delicate balancing act. It requires perfect control over your magic."
"Can you not even grasp that? Was your brain stepped on by a [Troll]?"
"My brain is perfectly fine!" Ileana Thorne laughed. His insult was personal, but she did not mind. She pushed back. "Then how do you explain the switch? Why go clockwise after adding the Lovage juice? And why keep a strict five-second interval?"
A fierce debate between two geniuses unfolded in the quiet corner of the [Library].
They talked about everything. They covered [Felix Felicis] and Polyjuice Potion. They argued about Boomslang skin and Bicorn horns.
They countered each other with facts and logic. Sometimes, they agreed perfectly.
Ileana Thorne had never felt so alive. He handled all her wild ideas and tricky questions. He gave brilliant answers from angles she never considered.
He was like a maze full of treasure. Every time she solved a puzzle, she found something even more beautiful deeper inside.
Finally, they reached a difficult topic. They debated using [Dragon liver] instead of Bubotuber pus to increase acidity. Severus Snape used a complex theory of reverse magic conduction to win.
Ileana Thorne froze for a moment. Then, she let out a long breath. She looked into his eyes.
"Snape, you are amazing," she said.
She did not use formal titles. She did not use fancy words. It was a simple, honest truth.
Severus Snape was about to mock her again, but the words died in his throat.
He saw her amber eyes. There was no lie in them. They were shining with pure admiration.
A wave of heat crashed into him. It rushed from his neck to the top of his head.
He could feel his ears turning bright red behind his black hair. He looked down quickly. He tried to hide his face with a tiny cough.
"...You aren't too stupid yourself," he muttered.
He was actually shocked. During their brainstorm, she showed incredible knowledge. Her ideas were creative and wild.
She was not just memorizing books. She truly understood the craft.
Ileana Thorne laughed at his awkward praise.
It was not a polite smile. It was a real, deep laugh.
Her cold amber eyes turned into beautiful crescents. They seemed to glow.
Her vibe changed instantly. She was no longer a distant ice mountain. She was a lake in spring, melting under the warm sun.
She was beautiful. It was breathtaking.
Severus Snape felt his heart stop. He had known her for four years. This was the first time he had ever seen her smile.
He was sure almost no one at [Hogwarts] had ever seen her like this.
"Thank you, Snape."
Her voice was soft and sweet because of her smile.
Then, she reached out.
Her hand was pale and slender. She moved it across the center of the table toward him.
She was not wearing her [Dragon-hide gloves].
"Will you... come to the [Library] again tomorrow?" she asked. Her eyes were bright.
Severus Snape's mind went blank.
His whole world narrowed down to her face and her hand. It was a deadly temptation.
He felt like he was under the Imperius Curse. He reached out and took her hand.
The moment their palms touched, Ileana Thorne felt something. It was like touching warm jade with a tiny electric current.
A feeling of comfort and safety washed over her. It spread from her palm to her entire body.
There was no pain. There was no nausea.
'So this is what it feels like to touch someone,' she thought.
It was so warm... so comfortable...
She could not help it. She gently rubbed the back of his cool hand with her thumb.
Severus Snape's grip tightened instantly. He almost squeezed her hand too hard.
His breathing became heavy. His body went stiff like a pulled bowstring.
He looked up at her. His eyes were dark and full of intense emotion.
She did not understand what he was feeling. It looked like shock, but also like a fire had been lit. It made her heart flutter.
Under her bright gaze, he nodded slowly.
Then, he pulled his hand away as if he had been shocked. He grabbed his books and ran away.
[Preliminary Observation and Research Records on Exception Sample S]
[Date: October 12, 1974. Weather: Explosively Sunny! Mood: Flying!!!]
Record Content:
I held his hand!!!!!! (A row of exclamation marks. Next to them are drawings of fat bats setting off fireworks and dancing.)
I spoke to him first!
We talked for a long, long time!
He is so smart and powerful!
He knows so much!
It felt like we were dancing using [Potions] recipes!
At the end, I praised him. And then... he actually blushed!
I saw it!
His ears were as red as ripe tomatoes!
So cute!
Then I laughed. I don't know why, I was just so happy. Then I reached out...
I held his hand!
➤ His hand feels... wonderful.
It is warm and dry. His skin is very smooth.
When we held hands, I felt like I was floating on a cloud. My whole body was warm. It felt so good...
Is this what human touch is?
I think... I might like this feeling.
➤ I rubbed the back of his hand with my thumb. I saw his body shake.
Does he... like it too? (A small question mark next to a blushing fat bat.)
➤ He said he is coming back tomorrow!
We can meet again!
I am not tired at all. I could brew ten cauldrons of [Felix Felicis] right now!
I feel like the luckiest person in the world!