Erwin's gaze lingered on the red-marked notice pinned to the side of the common room board.
To ensure young witches and wizards respected curfew, room checks were now in place. After lights-out at ten, prefects from each house would patrol the others: Slytherins checking Gryffindor dorms, Gryffindors inspecting Slytherin, and Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs rotating through. Spot a light still burning? Deduct house points at will.
Erwin stared, stunned. This wasn't his idea—he'd never mentioned it to Professor McGonagall. It was a brilliant, ruthless twist on the House Cup rivalry. The Eagles and Badgers could sit it out, but he could already picture the fireworks between lions and snakes. Gryffindor's night owls were in for it now.
McGonagall was a mastermind, devising this without a hint from him. And utterly hilarious.
Still, Erwin wondered how she'd roped Snape into it. The Potions Master loathed such nonsense. Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought and instructed Charlotte to lead the Slytherins back to the common room. He had private lessons to attend.
Straight to Snape's office. He murmured the password and slipped inside, only to find Draco Malfoy lounging there.
"Erwin, you're here," Draco said with a smirk.
Erwin nodded, scanning the dim room. "What are you doing here, Draco? Where's Professor Snape?"
"Sent me on an errand for materials," Draco replied. "He's out fetching them—should be back any minute."
Erwin didn't press. Moments later, the door creaked open. A shadowy figure glided in, setting a glass vial on the workbench with a soft clink.
Erwin inhaled sharply. The sharp tang of fresh blood hung in the air. So that's what "fetching" meant.
Both boys rose. "Professor."
Snape inclined his head, his black eyes fixing on Erwin. "I've a potion brewing that demands my full attention for hours. I won't be supervising the study room. Draco, Erwin—you two will handle it. Any issues, report to me."
They exchanged a quick glance. Understood.
No surprise Snape had agreed to McGonagall's scheme. He'd never planned to oversee it himself—just dump it on them from the start. Classic Slytherin move from the old bat.
Snape flicked his wand at Draco. "You're dismissed. Back to your duties."
Draco nodded, shooting Erwin a sympathetic "good luck" grimace before vanishing through the door.
Erwin scratched his head. Even a student like Draco pitied anyone stuck with Snape's whims.
"What are you gawking at?" Snape snapped. "Do I need to hold your hand through the prep work?"
Erwin bolted to the bench, grabbing the vial. He gave it a swirl. "Acromantula venom, right?"
Snape's lip curled. "You hoard the stuff. Why ask?"
"Just saying, Professor—if you needed some, you could've asked me. No need to hunt it down yourself."
Snape's expression softened imperceptibly. Erwin's offer touched him, though he'd never admit it.
Erwin muttered under his breath, "If you'd mentioned it sooner, I could've sold you a batch and skipped the sales pitch hassle."
"What was that?" Snape demanded.
"Nothing! So, what potion are we brewing? Something big if it's tying you up like this. Felix Felicis?"
Erwin's eyes gleamed. If Snape was after liquid luck, his automated setup could churn out a bottle every three hours. He'd guzzle the stuff like pumpkin juice—no one could touch him then.
Snape shook his head. "Acromantula antidote."
Erwin blinked. "The one from the textbook? I can brew that in an hour flat. Should be quicker for you. Need a big batch?"
"One vial suffices." Snape's tone was dry. "But I refuse to babysit that study room."
Erwin's jaw dropped. He said it outright?
"Uh, Professor... how long will this take, exactly?"
Snape stirred the cauldron methodically. "Possibly seven years."
Erwin nearly fumbled the vial, venom sloshing dangerously. Seven years? The bastard was conning him into a lifetime sentence!
Snape's mouth quirked upward, the ghost of a smile cracking his sallow face. It looked alien, like he'd forgotten how.
Erwin gaped. "Professor... were you smiling?"
Snape's face hardened instantly. "Process the venom and get out. You're on study room duty tomorrow—don't test me on punctuality."
Erwin stiffened, burying himself in the task. He finished swiftly, the air thick with the venom's acrid bite.
"All done, Professor."
Snape nodded curtly. "Go."
Erwin headed for the door but paused, glancing back. "One more thing—you look good when you smile, you know. You belong in the sunlight, not skulking in shadows. You've paid your dues; no one can demand more."
With that, he bolted, half-expecting a hex to singe his robes.