From Professor Snape's perspective, ever since Miss Rhea entered her bedroom, he had been waiting on tenterhooks. Time dragged on with agonizing slowness. He longed to know what she looked like as she unwrapped his gifts, wondering if she would like what he had prepared. The perfume, in particular, he had brewed according to—according to Miss Rhea's favorite scent. He remembered once, through Legilimency, Miss Rhea mentioning how wonderful it would be to have a perfume that carried the scent of the herbs on him, and another time, how she had lingered, breathing in the scent of his quilt!
He had spent a long time secretly refining it while Miss Rhea was out tutoring those giant babies, taking special care to blend that subtle, fresh fragrance. As for the outfit, he had designed it himself and commissioned someone to make it. He could only hope Miss Rhea would like it.
Finally, Professor Snape saw Miss Rhea emerge from her bedroom wearing the outfit he had sent! He figured Miss Rhea must like it. He had to admit, seeing Miss Rhea in that outfit made his heart skip a beat once more. She was simply too stunning, and he had to resort to Occlumency to suppress the surging wave of emotion.
Chapter 120