"Poor! Poor! Dreadful! Not one of you manage to turn in a single assignment that is of the quality I would expect of NEWT level students!" Robes billowed as Professor Snape snatched a recently returned essay from the nearest desk and read, "'Wormwood extract is used in potions.' Why thank you for that brilliant observation, Abbot! I am astounded by your intellect! Rewrite this. I want an entirely new essay within a week. One that befits a NEWT level student. FROM ALL OF YOU! Advanced Potions is a class you elected to take. I did not request your presence here, nor do I give up daily hope that you will drop my class. Now! Page 375. Instructions are on the board for an imbecile incapable of reading from the textbook. Begin!"
Severus stalked back to his desk and sank into the chair with an inaudible sigh. How had he ended up with these dunderheads? He had tried so hard to weed out those with no talent last year. How had these idiots slipped through? He was rigid for a reason. There had to be real talent for someone to succeed in the field of potions. No one seemed to understand that.
He shook his head and stood. They should be about halfway through the travesties meant to pass as potions. Time to make his rounds.
Stir counterclockwise until the potion turns scarlet.
Strands of blonde hair blew back as Taylor Peterson heaved a sigh, stirring away. It wasn't working! The potion was still orange. She had to at least get an A on this assignment or she'd end up with an A in the class! And she couldn't do that! She couldn't get below an E in any class if she wanted that apprenticeship in Italy!
"Miss Peterson," the snide voice drawled behind her, "Are you deaf? Or do you simply find yourself incapable of doing as your told?" She jumped as a blush spread across her face. She dropped her ladle. What had she missed?
"I-I'm sorry, Professor. What did I do?"
He arched his brow as he gave her potion an indelicate sniff. "Was this your attempt at the assignment?" She nodded softly. She must have really butchered it.
He looked her over and turned away, "Pity."
Her heart dropped and she slumped a little. She was going to get an A or a P in this class. Then she definitely wouldn't get the apprenticeship. An apprenticeship with one of the last men Nicolas Flamel taught! She had to get it. Had to. But if she couldn't even get an E in a class so important to alchemy, then it was useless.
She magicked away her mess of a potion. There was no use. She was destined to fail this class. It was with a heavy heart that she left the Potions Master's calculating gaze when he dismissed their class. Could she appeal to Professor Dumbledore? Ask him to have Professor Snape help her a little? Because she couldn't possibly approach him herself.
She trudged back to Ravenclaw Tower. There was no way she could do it. There was no use in trying.
The portrait at the door smiled serenely at her. Time for the riddle to get into her House. The portrait began softly,
"This thing all things devours.
Birds, beasts, trees, and flowers.
Gnaws iron, bites steel.
Grinds hard stones into meal.
Slays kings, ruins towns.
And beats high mountains down."
At least this riddle was fairly simple. What weathers down rocks and disfigures metal? The elements. Which would also take down a mountain eventually. Though eventually... Elements wouldn't kill a King. Eventually... Time!
Her eyes lit up as she cracked it. "Time!" The portrait swung open and she clambered through with a sense of triumph. Another riddle solved. Now if that would just get her that apprenticeship. She sighed as her shoulders slumped slightly. She was going to worry herself to death over it.