Disclaimer: The recipe is mine but most of the ingredients are out of Jo Rowling's cupboard.

This is the prologue to my idea of what a bunch of bored, teenagéd Slytherins might get up to in the holidays if left unattended.

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'Mr. Avery!'

Sebastian Avery looked up.

'Yes, Professor?'

'Would you be so kind as to cease attempting to build a- that- whatever- with Mr. Mulciber?'

With difficulty, Avery tried to pretend the two foot high tower of assorted stationery and books had nothing whatsoever to do with him. Mulciber did the same.

Next to them, Snape gave his practised dramatic sigh and raised his eyes to the dusty ceiling.

'Now that I have all my student's full attention,' Professor McGonagall continued, giving the three of them a sharp look, 'I would like to remind all of you that, though I know you are looking forward too the last summer holidays you will ever have at this school you by no means have a reason to completely slacken off. I will be giving you plenty of homework and I fully expect my colleagues will do the same.'

Ignoring the mutters and groans, she adjusted her glasses.

'The NEWTs you are facing will, of course, be very trying for all of you. I expect you to try your best- better, if possible. It still seems many of this class do not realise the importance of your final examinations. As you have only one more week until the holidays, then six weeks till your seventh year, you need to be understand that.

'Now, I have here the courses you have chosen to enrol in or continue with next year. I will now read them out in case of mistakes. After today, your choices are compulsory.'

She proceeded to unroll a large roll of parchment and read out the lists.

'Avery- Transfiguration Higher, Charms Basic, Potions Basic, Defence against the Dark Arts Basic, Astronomy Basic, Herbology Basic. Black-' and so on. Until-

'Snape-Transfiguration Higher, Charms Higher, Potions Higher, Defence Higher, Herbology Higher, History of Magic Higher, Ancient Runes Higher, special courses Alchemy, Complex Magizoology, Classic Languages, Magical Literature. Also taking a Friday evening course at the Institute of European Potioneers and joining a weekend philosophy group in Hogsmeade.'

'You intending to sleep, mate?' asked Rosier incredulously.

'Only when absolutely necessary-'

'Mr. Snape, I wonder whether it is entirely advisable to take so very many courses?'

'I can manage.' said Snape defensively.

'Well, if you insist-' said McGonagall, and moved onto the next student.

After the bell rang, Professor McGonagall took Avery, Mulciber, Rosier and Selwyn quietly aside.

'I suggest-' she said, ' -you try to make sure he does something other than school work throughout the holidays. We don't want him dying of brain fever.'

'Oh, we'll keep him occupied.' said Avery, grinning.

o*o*o*o

And that is how Severus Snape found himself driving a car of raucous teenage boys through England.