A/N: I do not own any of J.K. Rowlings stuff, of course... So don't bother suing me, I can't even try to pretend that my writing is anywhere near Ms. Rowling's caliber...

Chapter 1

Hermione Granger knew something was wrong the moment she stepped into Professor Snape's dungeon. First off, an acrid smell was flooding the room, and the Snape was yelling something about dung bombs.

"That'll be a week of detention!" he bellowed, storming out of a cloudy plume that had gathered in the far corner of the dungeon, pointing a finger at the Weasley twins who were attempting to sneak out of the room. George and Fred shrugged and ran off, laughing madly as they did. Snape rearranged his robes and glared at them furiously. "What are you staring at?" he snapped finally. "Go to your desks." Hermione hurried to the table she shared with Harry and Ron, hoping that they would arrive on time. Snape sighed tiredly and went to his desk, rubbing his temples. "Today we will be creating the obscenus os medicamentum, which was accidentally created by the infamous Henry Cornelius Agrippa. Agrippa intended to make dirt turn into gold, but instead made this potion which when taken, makes it impossible for the drinker to curse or use obscene language. This is apparent when you examine the name-"

Hermione waved her hand frantically, and when he did not call upon her, blurted out, "It means 'foul mouth potion'."

There was a long unpleasant silence.

"I do not appreciate the comments Miss Granger," Snape said coolly, and continued with his lecture. "As I was saying when Miss Granger interrupted is that-" Suddenly, the dungeon door slammed open and Ron and Harry rushed in, out of breath and panting frantically.

"Sorry professor," Ron choked out. "Professor McGonagall made us stay late, because-"

"Because you are absolutely pathetic and needed more assistance," Snape interjected smoothly. "I understand. However, you were late to my class, and Mr. Potter is known to be a pathological liar, so the two of you have detention with me tonight." Harry sagged, but said nothing. Ron was about to protest loudly, but Hermione motioned for him to stop, and he bitterly swallowed his words. "You may take your seats," Snape continued, motioning to where Hermione sat. "Now…. as I was saying…."

"That ugly old hag," Ron grumbled in Hermione's ear.

"I thought hag was reserved for women," Harry whispered, setting his bag on the ground.

"My point exactly," Ron replied easily with a quick smirk in Snape's direction. Harry smiled briefly but it faded when he realized what Snape wanted them to do.

"Oh no," he muttered. "Not this one. This is so hard…."

"No it isn't," Hermione said in a rather condescending manner. "If you stopped being so negative, none of this would be hard in the slightest."

"Shut it," Ron said with a hostile glare. Hermione shrugged and returned to her notes.

Snape cleared his throat.

"Oh good, sounds like he's coming down with a cold," Ron said gleefully under his breath.

"Since many students in this class are completely inadequate with their current partners, you will each be partnering up with someone new." The Gryffindors cast uneasy glances in the Slytherins direction, and shifted nervously in their seats. "Go."

Harry and Ron instantly paired up, and quickly the entire class had a partner, save for Hermione, and one other person.

"Professor," came an arrogant voice from across the room. "I need a partner." Hermione's breath caught in her throat, and her blood chilled. Snape smiled coldly at his favorite pupil.

"Draco, you may partner with Miss Granger." Hermione shakily stood and walked over to Malfoy's table, where he and his cronies sat. They glared at her through slit malicious eyes.

"Hello Granger," Draco said with a cruel smile. He turned to his friends and muttered, "stupid mud-blood." He was just loud enough for Hermione to hear, but Snape did not. Not that he would have done anything if he had heard.

"Begin your potions," Snape told the class. Hermione quickly pulled out her ingredients, and examined the recipe carefully.

"Add two cups of water," she told Draco as she rummaged in her bag, looking for the vervain, "and bring it to a boil."

"Why should I listen to you?" he asked insolently, watching her with haughty disdain. "I don't have to listen to stupid muggles like you."

"Then fail the class," she replied quickly. "I advise you stop being so stubborn and just do as I tell. Now add the crushed rosemary."

"No, you add the vervain first," he replied heatedly.

"Read the instructions, Malfoy."

Draco shrugged. "I don't believe that's how it's supposed to go, Mud-Blood." Hermione ground her teeth and shoved the vervain in his general direction.

"Fine, if you are going to be so bull-headed, be my guest," she growled, pulling out her potions book. "If it erupts in your face, don't blame me."

Draco added the vervain, and then the rosemary, and finally dumped the rest of the ingredients in. He stirred vigorously, looking up every second of two to see if she was watching. She ignored him, and continued reading.

Draco examined the potion. It was the right color, the right smell, but something was terribly wrong. If his partner was anyone else, he would have asked for help, but his pride just wouldn't let him. The potion was simmering quietly, while everyone else's was at a rolling boil. He gingerly put in more vervain, but instantly regretted it. Within seconds, the potion had turned a violent shade of purple and was rumbling. Draco tried to back away from the cauldron but it was too late.

A shriek came from near the cauldron and Hermione dropped her book and hurried to Draco's side. He was covered in purple potion, and was now screaming in agony.

"Don't move," she ordered as someone ran to get Madame Pomfrey. "Hold still." She carefully, using her cloak, wiped off most of the potion. He was covered in third degree burns and was now moaning horrendously. She gently eased him onto the ground, and took out her wand. She whispered a pain-numbing spell under her breath and he stopped howling.

"My face, my arms," he whispered, watching her with wild eyes.

"Hold on," she told him fiercely. "Everything is going to be fine."

"Miss Granger," Snape said, leaning over Draco. "What happened?" Just then, Madame Pomfrey rushed in, and took one look at Malfoy and screamed shrilly.

When Draco had been carted away to the Infirmary, Snape collapsed in his chair, and glared at them.

"Well, now you see what happens when you do not do a potion correctly," he said icily. "Continued with your work. Miss Granger, I would like to speak with you."