"Mr. Snape, I'm a bit nervous. You are my idol, and I admire you deeply. Please forgive my rudeness just now." Rhea stood up and executed a formal aristocratic bow to Severus Snape, while inwardly cursing herself, *Rhea, what is wrong with you? Did the Order eat your manners? Oh my god, you didn't even seize the chance to shake his hand—that is Severus Snape! Hmph, accept my utter contempt! What should I do, I want to snuggle up to him so badly! Ahhhhh, I want him to be my guardian sooooo much!*
Because Rhea had lowered all her mental defenses against Snape, he accidentally caught a glimpse of the child's cursing and ranting thoughts through her eyes. A slight smirk touched the corner of his mouth, though he quickly remembered his usual persona and wiped away that fleeting smile. He found it hard to believe that this girl he had never met before could actually idolize him—could idolize *him* of all people. At the same time, he felt a flicker of confusion: why would she want him to be her guardian, and what about her family? (Our Professor conveniently filtered out the "snuggling" part, keeping his focus entirely on the mention of a guardian).
"Since you are busy, I shall come back later." Flustered, Snape tried to make his escape, sensing a premonition that if he didn't run away now, some entirely unpredictable things might happen. (Though fate is never so easily evaded.)
"Very well, Severus. I believe Miss Rhea and I still have a few things to discuss," Mr. Dumbledore said, casting a teasing look at Rhea.
After Snape left, Rhea's face turned as red as Santa Claus's suit. Dumbledore simply looked at her with that same teasing gaze until, perhaps struck by a sudden wave of conscience, he handed her a honey-pomelo candy to ease her embarrassment.
"Now, Miss Rhea, might you satisfy an old man's curiosity? Did you fall in love with Severus through foreseeing the future?"
"Yes, Mr. Dumbledore. He is lonely, and so am I. I believe lonely souls are naturally drawn to one another. There is something I wish to ask for your help with."
"Concerning Severus?"
"Yes, sir. My parents died when I was young, and I was raised by house-elves. I want Mr. Snape to be my guardian—is there any way you can help make that happen?"
"Oh, let me think about it. If Miss Rhea possesses a genuine talent for Potion-making, perhaps this won't be too difficult."
"I can assure you there is no one more talented than I," Rhea thought to herself. As the heir of Noah, she was practically using a cheat code!
After a while, Dumbledore called Snape back. Rhea watched him with nervous anticipation.
"Severus, this young lady's parents passed away when she was little, leaving her without care. Since she is also deeply interested in Potions, I was thinking you might become her teacher and let her live with you?"
"Hmph, please give me a reasonable justification. I should think I am quite busy enough as it is," Snape said, staring at Dumbledore. For some reason, he didn't actually hate the suggestion; he reasoned that those potion ingredients could probably be handed over to the little Troll, provided her head wasn't entirely stuffed with bubotuber pus.
At that moment, Rhea's heart hammered anxiously. She could hardly believe the bat of the dungeons would experience such a flurry of emotional fluctuation.
"Severus, precisely because you are so busy, I have found you an apprentice. I trust her talent will pleasantly surprise you."
"Hmph, let us hope so. Well, Miss Rhea, I sincerely hope your talent genuinely surprises me rather than terrifying me," Snape said, glaring at her.
"Professor Snape, I will prove to you through my actions that your choice was not mistaken." Inside, Rhea was screaming like a prairie dog: *Ahhhhhh, Professor Snape is so handsome! Why is he so utterly charming? Is this the allure of a mature man?*
"Hmph. Well then, Dumbledore, if there is nothing else, I shall take my student to put her talent into practice." Snape didn't quite dare meet Rhea's eyes anymore; goodness knew what kind of chaotic nonsense was swirling around inside this girl's head. Right now, he just wanted to haul her away from the Old Bee's office as fast as possible and make her witness the terrifying reality of Potions to scour the Mandrake out of her brain.
"Very well. I wish you both a pleasant life," Dumbledore said, giving Rhea a sly wink.