Disclaimer: Fanfiction, not mine.
It was your average day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, when a scraggly bunch of third year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws nervously made their way down the dreaded path to the castle dungeons. Second period potions was never enjoyable experience and today showed no signs of being different.
As usual, Professor Severus Snape would be lurking in the back of class, hiding amongst the shadows and smoking cauldrons, waiting to begin his weekly reign of terror. One could only imagine the difficult lesson he'd have prepared, or the impossible assignment he'd expect for next class. And worse yet, was the thought of the punishment he might dispense, should anyone fail to meet his standards, which were ridiculously unattainable even before the extra work load.
As the first, brave Ravenclaw peered his head into the dungeon, he was met with a welcoming surprise. The dreaded professor was no where to be found. Perhaps he had canceled the lecture? Couldn't be! Or maybe he'd fallen ill and the substitute had not yet arrived... unlikely. If one thing was certain, it was that Professor Snape, NEVER missed a class.
Confused, the poor Ravenclaw turned back to his classmates, anxiously waiting to see why it was he had not yet entered the room. Upon delivering his report the others joined in, scratching their heads in confusion.
Perhaps! Announced one particularly bright child, Professor Snape was hoping to catch them off guard, so that he might be able to take points off of everyone in the class for being late!
A series of nods confirmed this was an intelligent suggestion and the group quickly entered the room and found their seats.
However.... ten minutes became twenty... and then then half an hour... and still no Professor.
The children looked around nervously unsure as to what nasty surprise could be in store. When suddenly, from behind the closed door of the professor's private office... there came a scream!
Terror filled the children's hearts as they envisioned all the possible scenarios. Perhaps some poor soul from the previous class had finally pushed Snape passed his breaking point. There had never been any doubt in the children's minds that Professor Snape was an evil evil man... and now it seemed to be undeniable.
Meanwhile... behind the door. Hermione Granger sighed and lay back on Severus's private desk. As she rolled her head back, still letting in every last moment of ecstasy she noticed a clock in the corner of the room.
"Severus... darling... I do believe your class started half an hour ago!"
"Hmmm?" He looked up at the clock while he finished buttoning his shirt. "Oh bloody hell..."
He brushed past her into the classroom, a menacing snarl replacing the bland yet content look on face. The third years, still frozen in their seats, in majority managed to swallow their screams, emitting only muffled whimpers. One unfortunate child however, let out a shrill shriek.
Snape spun around glaring, "Is my lecture really that terrifying Mr. Grenicks? You're acting like I just killed somebody!"
The children exchanged terrified looks before stuffing their heads into their books pretending as though nothing was wrong.
"That will be 30 points from Hufflepuff for that disturbing noise... now shall we begin?"
