Chapter 1: Potions Class
An eerie chill seems to seep into the dark classroom as Professor Severus Snape swoops from one cauldron to the next, making an occasional snide comment and shoving the noses of misbehaving students into their potion books. As he finishes his rounds, he flips his billowing black robes to the side as he sweeps back to his desk at the front of the room, where he wholeheartedly sinks into his chair and stares, unblinking, upon his students.
But his gaze is suddenly averted, as he hears a miniscule squeak by his desk. He looks up to find that Clementine Daybrook, a short, sandy-haired Hufflepuff fourth-year with darting eyes, is standing before him, not meeting his gaze. She seems quite anxious, and does not speak.
"What is it, Miss Daybrook? We do not have all day, you know."
"Y-yes, sir, I know, sir, um. I mean, yes, um, sir, I-I-"
"Yes, Miss Daybrook."
"S-sir, do you have any….um...Pepto Bismol?"
"Pardon?"
"Pepto Bismol, sir. My tummy hurts rather badly." Clementine hugs her arms around her abdomen, and gives Professor Snape a look full of pain, but also utter embarrassment.
The professor looks back at her with undisguised bewilderment. "Miss Daybrook, you may be excused if you are too ill to complete class today. If you require it, do not hesitate to pay a visit to the Infirmary."
But the young student does not seem to be listening. She groans and says, "P-please, sir, I...I don't think I can move." She slowly sinks to the floor, tightly hugging her abdomen.
Professor Snape raises an eyebrow, rises from his chair, and, with his hands planted firmly on his desk, leans over to look down at the quivering girl, who is now crying on the floor.
"Miss Daybrook."
"Y-y-yes, sir."
"Did you happen to consume anything, since you entered this classroom today?"
"Oh! N-n-no, sir! No, I - well, sir, it was...an accident! It's just...I didn't have lunch today, and I was so hungry, and the potion smelled so good, like my mom's stew, and I just tried a tiny spoonful! And it was so good, sir! I'm sorry, sir, so sorry, for breaking the rules!" But when Clementine finishes speaking, she looks up to find that the potions master has left his desk, and is nowhere in sight. She looks around the classroom at all the other students, who are trying to finish their potions before the end of class.
Another crushing cramp overcomes Clementine, and she lets out a small whimper. She hopes that the professor is looking for Pepto Bismol...although she's not at all certain, any more, whether it will be powerful enough to ease her stomach pain.
But suddenly, Clementine is struck with shame at her own foolishness. How could I be so dumb? Wizards and witches don't use Pepto Bismol! Why would we, when we have magic? In her moment of weakness, the young girl had reverted back to her childhood proprieties; her parents, who were both muggles, used to always give her Tums, or Pepto Bismol, when her stomach was bothering her.
Clementine's cheeks suddenly feel very hot, and she wants to bury her face in her hands. She is filled with an overwhelming compulsion to just get away from this situation, as soon as she can. Wincing through the pain, she runs to her desk, grabs her book, and throws her bag over her shoulder. Avoiding eye contact with any of the students she passes by, she quickly walks out of the classroom, quietly pushing the door closed behind her.