The look of surprise and quickly hidden consternation that greeted him when she opened her door made the discomfort of the transformation worth it. Already.
“
Is there an emergency?” she asked.

“No, no, my dear,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips for a gallant kiss. “I just thought I’d wander over for a bit of a chat.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Did you? Do come in, then.”

“Thank you.” Seeing the whisky and two glasses on the table by the fire, he asked, “Expecting someone?”

“A friend.”

“Severus?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact.”

“He’s a lucky fellow, to be served your best whisky.”

“Hardly my best. As you know,” she said, “I reserve the best for you.”

Snape almost frowned but caught himself in time and recovered well. “Do you, my dear? How delightful.”

“But this is good enough for Severus. He doesn’t know the difference between decent whisky and excellent whisky.”

This was entirely too much.

He asked, “But surely, as a Potions master, Severus has a very discerning palate?”

“Discerning enough. For Potions.”

Her insult to his gustatory abilities goaded him to act perhaps sooner than he should have.

“Whatever the man’s talents, I don’t think you’ll be enjoying them this evening,” he said.

“Oh?”

“He had other, more pressing business, I’m afraid.”

“Pity,” she said in a voice that suggested she found it anything but.

He took a few steps toward her and put his hands on her shoulders. It felt odd to look down at her face. She was gazing up at him without a flicker of dismay.

This would not do.

So he said, “Indeed. He thought I might be of service,” and kissed her, making sure to use more tongue than she usually liked.

She pulled away, and he thought for a titillating moment that she would slap him, but she said, “You might at that,” taking his wrists and guiding his hands down over her breasts.

He was so surprised that he didn’t move, and she stepped away, smiling.

“On second thought, I’ve never been attracted to Albus. And I think it’s safe to say he’s never been attracted to me.”

Damn.

“What gave me away?” he asked.

“Your voice. You have his timbre, but your accent and cadence aren’t his. Oh, you were good, you were very good. The ‘my dears’ were an inspired touch. The hand-kiss was overdoing it. But do tell me, what purpose did you have for coming here Polyjuiced up?”

“How did you—”

“Know about the Polyjuice? Do try to remember, Severus, that you are not the only one Albus trusts with secrets.”