Potions class itself could be nothing short of dreary on a Wednesday and today Snape's voice echoed about the stones like a mockery of a soft soothing lullaby during detention hour. "Into each phial, equal amounts of properties must be stowed. To measure poorly is to create badly. A faulty potion can be nothing short of fatal." The words were biting but couldn't find an inch of flesh to grip. Hermione felt sleep forming upon her brow. She had overloaded her schedule again and now, in her fifth year the consequences were far more dire. OWLs claimed the first half of her night, and homework the next. Sleep? What was this anomaly?
"If you begin to detect a hint of green it is time to remove the contents from the fire." Hermione slipped her ink stained fingers into a dragon hide glove, eyes alert for a green hue amongst the clear contents of her simmering cauldron. "Once removed it would be wise to remember that the fire has not left the potion." Hermione drained a sampling between her gloves into her phial. The bottle remained worm, even through the fabric. "Cork and place on your desk." Hermione did so. "Label now." Hermione sat up to full attention, eyes searching her desk for a quill. Obtained, she maintained a neat line upon her label though her gloves slipped childishly. "Trade." Hermione, brows knit, bit her lip. "Carefully." Clutching her bottle hesitantly, Hermione crossed the path between her desk and the one next to it.
"Watch it Granger." Malfoy sneered, lip twisted as he reached for the bottle. Fleetingly he glanced at the label. Hermione Granger. Veritaserum.
Snape's voice cleared the sound of frenzied movement. "Tonight students, you will teach me why detention is something so slightly undesirable you see fit to risk it by traversing about the castle at night," he glanced at Hermione, "or neglecting homework." his eyes passed onto Malfoy. "Measure three teaspoons each."
"But sir!" Malfoy spluttered, the phial sealed on his desk.
"Three teaspoons."
Hermione uncorked her phial, feeling faint. The sweet smell of the potion gliding about her like wings. "Pro professor."
"Measure swiftly and accurately."
Hermione stifled a sob.
"Drink."
Unflinchingly, Hermione swilled back the potion like a glass of scotch. Likewise she heard Malfoy swallow.
"I will leave you now to write lines. I will return within the hour." As Snape reached the door, a fleeting smile passed his lips. Never again would a detention remain so silent. The door closed on a stony sense of hatred.
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Plot? What is that? Would you look at that, Malfoy and Hermione happen to be trapped in the same room under the influence of veritaserum!