BIG SEV, LITTLE SEV: THE POTIONS LESSON
"It was going to happen during teaching hours sooner or later, Severus..." Dumbledore's tone was grave, but his eyes twinkled as he spoke. "I only hope you'll be able to find an antidote for your potion soon."
Severus hoped so too -- however the antidote wouldn't come soon enough for the second-year Potions class he was supposed to be teaching in five minutes. He could already feel his body becoming smaller and lighter. By the time the class was due to start, he'd look exactly the same age as the students he was supposed to be teaching!
"Don't worry," said Dumbledore. "We'll find someone else to take potions today..."
Silently, Severus cursed his own stupidity -- how could he, the Potions master, have made the kind of basic mistake that he berated the likes of Longbottom for in class? Actually, he knew perfectly well how it had happened -- he'd been distracted by that irritating new teacher trying to force a signed copy of his autobiography on him and Severus had mixed up his ingredients. While he was trying to ignore the idiot blathering on his favourite hair-care potions, Severus had accidentally added a thimbleful of water from the Fountain of Youth instead of the Font of all Wisdom. In that instant, his study-aid draft had become some kind of turn-into-a-kid-when-you-least-expect-it potion. And the worst of it was he hadn't managed to find an antidote for it yet.
"Did you say you needed someone to teach Potions?"
Severus and Dumbledore looked round to see who had spoken. Severus gritted his teeth. Standing in the doorway was the teacher he held entirely to blame for his current problem -- Gilderoy Lockhart. Lockhart flashed a toothy grin at them both as he swept into the staffroom in his cerise robes. "I'd be happy to share my potion-brewing expertise with your students," said Lockhart. "In fact, why don't you sit in on the lesson, Severus? You never know what you might learn!"
"That's very kind of you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore. "The class is waiting for you now. I daresay Professor Snape will try to look in during the lesson."
"Too right, I will," muttered Severus, as Lockhart fluttered out of the staffroom.
"You will?" said Dumbledore. He sounded a little surprised.
But Severus was already rummaging through the robes hanging up in the staff cloakroom. "There's got to be something that will fit -- aha! Got it!"
Seconds later, a younger version of Severus Snape left the staffroom and ran down the corridor towards the dungeon where the Potions class was about to begin.
+++
Harry, Ron and Hermione were setting up their cauldrons when the kid rushed into the classroom and took his place with the Slytherins.
"Hey, who's that kid?" whispered Ron. "I've never seen him before. Doesn't he look like Snape!"
The other two looked and their mouths fell open. "He really does!" said Harry. "Look, he's even forgotten to wash his hair."
"Maybe they're related or something," said Hermione. "Anyway, shh! Professor Lockhart's about to speak!"
+++
Grimly, Severus began setting up his cauldron and the rest of his Potions equipment. Even if he was unable to teach today, he wanted to be around to make sure Lockhart didn't make a hash of his Potions class the way he did with Defence Against the Dark Arts. Severus prided himself that, in Potions, the students actually learned something that might be useful to them, rather than having their heads filled with Lockhart's half-baked ramblings about hags and vampires.
From the adjacent table, Draco Malfoy and his slow-witted cronies were staring at him with unmasked curiousity. Little snot, thought Severus, pretending not to notice. In spite of what his students might imagine, Malfoy was far from being one of his favourites. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that he needed to keep Lucius Malfoy sweet... Severus tightened his fist around the glass beaker he was holding.
+++
At the front of the class, Lockhart rapped a lead spoon against his cauldron. "Can I have eveyone's attention, please!" he began. "Professor Snape was most anxious for me to take you for this Potions lesson. He realises that my expertise in this area is second to none and, in fact, I was able to instruct him in a few brewing techniques that had previously escaped his notice --" Lockhart stopped as shards of glass showered the Slytherin tables. "Goodness, young fellow!" exclaimed Lockhart, hurrying over to Severus who was looking in surprise at his bloody hand. "Are you hurt? Let me take a look!"
"It's nothing," Severus said irritably. "Get on with the class." Then he rememered that he was incognito as a twelve-year-old and added, "...sir."
An impressed silence fell on both the Gryffindor and the Slytherin sides of the room. Severus realised that his first act as the new kid had been to cheek Lockhart. Malfoy and his cronies looked as though they were trying not to laugh. Granger was actually smiling, but, knowing her, it was probably because she also wanted to get on with the lesson. Even Potter and Weasley were staring with frank admiration. _Oh, no,_ thought Severus, as the awful truth hit home. _They all think I'm cool._
Lockhart examined the cut doubtfully. "Perhaps, if I..."
Severus snatched his hand away as soon as Lockhart reached for his wand. Knowing that buffoon, he'd probably "cure" him by charming every drop of blood out of his body. "Maybe I should go and see the nurse," Severus admitted.
"Yes, perhaps you should," agreed Lockhart, with an embarrassed glance in the direction of Potter's table. "Perhaps Miss Granger will take you. I'm sure she's as outstanding in this class as she is in mine, so it won't matter if she misses a few minutes."
Severus was disgusted to see that the pushy Granger was actually blushing at Lockhart's praise as she stepped forward to lead him to the nurse's office. He'd realised from teaching her that she was always desperate for recognition, letting the lazier kids sit back and take it easy. Not in my class, Severus thought. In Potions, he wanted to see everyone paying attention, everyone learning -- otherwise, they'd be sorry! But he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed in Granger, to see her value Lockhart's flattery so highly. He'd credited her with more sense than that.
"There's no need," he mumbled. "I'll find the nurse's office by myself."
"It's OK," said Granger, taking his arm bossily as she led him out of the class. "This place can be confusing especially if you're new. Anyway, I'm Hermione Granger. What's your name?"
Severus glared at her. "I am Prof- er, I mean. My name's Severus... Snape."
"Hah! I knew it!" Granger clapped her hands in delight. "You are related to Professor Snape! What are you, his son?"
"Er, yes," agreed Severus miserably, wishing he'd had the presence of mind to lie about his name. Being twelve was making him feel flustered and easily embarrassed, just like it had done first time round.
"So how come you weren't here in the first year?" asked Granger.
Of all the people he could have been stuck with-- Granger! Mentally Severus checked off another grudge against Lockhart. Of course, his more rational self pointed out, Lockhart doesn't even know why he had to take over teaching Potions today. Never mind about that, his emotional self snapped back. The man's an idiot.
"Well?" insisted Granger. Severus sighed. Granger wasn't the type to give up, was she? He felt a grudging admiration for her tenacity. She'd go far in life, that one!
"...er, I was ill?" The way he said it, it sounded more like a question than a statement, but Granger seemed satisfied with the answer.
"It's a good school," she said. "The teachers are really good and, er, most of them are pretty nice too." Severus noticed she glanced at him guiltily when she said that. "Anyway," she continued, "if you like sport, you should come and watch Quidditch practice tonight. After school. I'm going, so, um, maybe I'll see you there..." She's become more and more breathless during her speech. Her face was a little pink and she kept flicking shy little looks in his directions as she spoke.
I don't believe it thought Severus. Granger's actually asking me out. No, not me, he corrected himself. She's asking the twelve-year-old me. What was he supposed to say? When he'd been twelve the first time round, no girl would have given him a second look. He'd been the shy, greasy-looking kid they'd steered well clear of. Luckily, they'd just reached the nurse's office. Not a minute too soon, Severus realised. He sensed he was about to change back from twelve-year-old Severus into the adult Professor Snape. Not a secret he wanted to share with Miss Granger or any of her friends.
"Well, thanks," he said quickly as he ducked into Madame Pomfrey's office. "I'll, er, see you around, I guess." He closed the door in Granger's surprised face. That was close.
The office was empty. On the back of a chair, someone had left a set of robes for him. Severus smiled. Dumbledore still managed to amaze him at times. He wondered how long Dumbledore would tolerate him having to skip lessons. He had to find an antidote for the potion -- if only to ensure that idiot Lockhart wasn't given the run of his class.
But even when he found the antidote, he'd still have to live with a disturbing new insight. He'd have to teach Potions every day knowing that the twelve-year-old version of himself thought Hermione Granger was pretty amazing.
________________________
Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling.
"It was going to happen during teaching hours sooner or later, Severus..." Dumbledore's tone was grave, but his eyes twinkled as he spoke. "I only hope you'll be able to find an antidote for your potion soon."
Severus hoped so too -- however the antidote wouldn't come soon enough for the second-year Potions class he was supposed to be teaching in five minutes. He could already feel his body becoming smaller and lighter. By the time the class was due to start, he'd look exactly the same age as the students he was supposed to be teaching!
"Don't worry," said Dumbledore. "We'll find someone else to take potions today..."
Silently, Severus cursed his own stupidity -- how could he, the Potions master, have made the kind of basic mistake that he berated the likes of Longbottom for in class? Actually, he knew perfectly well how it had happened -- he'd been distracted by that irritating new teacher trying to force a signed copy of his autobiography on him and Severus had mixed up his ingredients. While he was trying to ignore the idiot blathering on his favourite hair-care potions, Severus had accidentally added a thimbleful of water from the Fountain of Youth instead of the Font of all Wisdom. In that instant, his study-aid draft had become some kind of turn-into-a-kid-when-you-least-expect-it potion. And the worst of it was he hadn't managed to find an antidote for it yet.
"Did you say you needed someone to teach Potions?"
Severus and Dumbledore looked round to see who had spoken. Severus gritted his teeth. Standing in the doorway was the teacher he held entirely to blame for his current problem -- Gilderoy Lockhart. Lockhart flashed a toothy grin at them both as he swept into the staffroom in his cerise robes. "I'd be happy to share my potion-brewing expertise with your students," said Lockhart. "In fact, why don't you sit in on the lesson, Severus? You never know what you might learn!"
"That's very kind of you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore. "The class is waiting for you now. I daresay Professor Snape will try to look in during the lesson."
"Too right, I will," muttered Severus, as Lockhart fluttered out of the staffroom.
"You will?" said Dumbledore. He sounded a little surprised.
But Severus was already rummaging through the robes hanging up in the staff cloakroom. "There's got to be something that will fit -- aha! Got it!"
Seconds later, a younger version of Severus Snape left the staffroom and ran down the corridor towards the dungeon where the Potions class was about to begin.
+++
Harry, Ron and Hermione were setting up their cauldrons when the kid rushed into the classroom and took his place with the Slytherins.
"Hey, who's that kid?" whispered Ron. "I've never seen him before. Doesn't he look like Snape!"
The other two looked and their mouths fell open. "He really does!" said Harry. "Look, he's even forgotten to wash his hair."
"Maybe they're related or something," said Hermione. "Anyway, shh! Professor Lockhart's about to speak!"
+++
Grimly, Severus began setting up his cauldron and the rest of his Potions equipment. Even if he was unable to teach today, he wanted to be around to make sure Lockhart didn't make a hash of his Potions class the way he did with Defence Against the Dark Arts. Severus prided himself that, in Potions, the students actually learned something that might be useful to them, rather than having their heads filled with Lockhart's half-baked ramblings about hags and vampires.
From the adjacent table, Draco Malfoy and his slow-witted cronies were staring at him with unmasked curiousity. Little snot, thought Severus, pretending not to notice. In spite of what his students might imagine, Malfoy was far from being one of his favourites. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that he needed to keep Lucius Malfoy sweet... Severus tightened his fist around the glass beaker he was holding.
+++
At the front of the class, Lockhart rapped a lead spoon against his cauldron. "Can I have eveyone's attention, please!" he began. "Professor Snape was most anxious for me to take you for this Potions lesson. He realises that my expertise in this area is second to none and, in fact, I was able to instruct him in a few brewing techniques that had previously escaped his notice --" Lockhart stopped as shards of glass showered the Slytherin tables. "Goodness, young fellow!" exclaimed Lockhart, hurrying over to Severus who was looking in surprise at his bloody hand. "Are you hurt? Let me take a look!"
"It's nothing," Severus said irritably. "Get on with the class." Then he rememered that he was incognito as a twelve-year-old and added, "...sir."
An impressed silence fell on both the Gryffindor and the Slytherin sides of the room. Severus realised that his first act as the new kid had been to cheek Lockhart. Malfoy and his cronies looked as though they were trying not to laugh. Granger was actually smiling, but, knowing her, it was probably because she also wanted to get on with the lesson. Even Potter and Weasley were staring with frank admiration. _Oh, no,_ thought Severus, as the awful truth hit home. _They all think I'm cool._
Lockhart examined the cut doubtfully. "Perhaps, if I..."
Severus snatched his hand away as soon as Lockhart reached for his wand. Knowing that buffoon, he'd probably "cure" him by charming every drop of blood out of his body. "Maybe I should go and see the nurse," Severus admitted.
"Yes, perhaps you should," agreed Lockhart, with an embarrassed glance in the direction of Potter's table. "Perhaps Miss Granger will take you. I'm sure she's as outstanding in this class as she is in mine, so it won't matter if she misses a few minutes."
Severus was disgusted to see that the pushy Granger was actually blushing at Lockhart's praise as she stepped forward to lead him to the nurse's office. He'd realised from teaching her that she was always desperate for recognition, letting the lazier kids sit back and take it easy. Not in my class, Severus thought. In Potions, he wanted to see everyone paying attention, everyone learning -- otherwise, they'd be sorry! But he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed in Granger, to see her value Lockhart's flattery so highly. He'd credited her with more sense than that.
"There's no need," he mumbled. "I'll find the nurse's office by myself."
"It's OK," said Granger, taking his arm bossily as she led him out of the class. "This place can be confusing especially if you're new. Anyway, I'm Hermione Granger. What's your name?"
Severus glared at her. "I am Prof- er, I mean. My name's Severus... Snape."
"Hah! I knew it!" Granger clapped her hands in delight. "You are related to Professor Snape! What are you, his son?"
"Er, yes," agreed Severus miserably, wishing he'd had the presence of mind to lie about his name. Being twelve was making him feel flustered and easily embarrassed, just like it had done first time round.
"So how come you weren't here in the first year?" asked Granger.
Of all the people he could have been stuck with-- Granger! Mentally Severus checked off another grudge against Lockhart. Of course, his more rational self pointed out, Lockhart doesn't even know why he had to take over teaching Potions today. Never mind about that, his emotional self snapped back. The man's an idiot.
"Well?" insisted Granger. Severus sighed. Granger wasn't the type to give up, was she? He felt a grudging admiration for her tenacity. She'd go far in life, that one!
"...er, I was ill?" The way he said it, it sounded more like a question than a statement, but Granger seemed satisfied with the answer.
"It's a good school," she said. "The teachers are really good and, er, most of them are pretty nice too." Severus noticed she glanced at him guiltily when she said that. "Anyway," she continued, "if you like sport, you should come and watch Quidditch practice tonight. After school. I'm going, so, um, maybe I'll see you there..." She's become more and more breathless during her speech. Her face was a little pink and she kept flicking shy little looks in his directions as she spoke.
I don't believe it thought Severus. Granger's actually asking me out. No, not me, he corrected himself. She's asking the twelve-year-old me. What was he supposed to say? When he'd been twelve the first time round, no girl would have given him a second look. He'd been the shy, greasy-looking kid they'd steered well clear of. Luckily, they'd just reached the nurse's office. Not a minute too soon, Severus realised. He sensed he was about to change back from twelve-year-old Severus into the adult Professor Snape. Not a secret he wanted to share with Miss Granger or any of her friends.
"Well, thanks," he said quickly as he ducked into Madame Pomfrey's office. "I'll, er, see you around, I guess." He closed the door in Granger's surprised face. That was close.
The office was empty. On the back of a chair, someone had left a set of robes for him. Severus smiled. Dumbledore still managed to amaze him at times. He wondered how long Dumbledore would tolerate him having to skip lessons. He had to find an antidote for the potion -- if only to ensure that idiot Lockhart wasn't given the run of his class.
But even when he found the antidote, he'd still have to live with a disturbing new insight. He'd have to teach Potions every day knowing that the twelve-year-old version of himself thought Hermione Granger was pretty amazing.
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Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling.