Title: Respect

Author's Name: Addison

Rating: G

Genre: Angst, Drama

Warnings: none

Character: Severus Snape, Harry Potter

Summary: The first potions class of the new school year. word count: 576

The silent air was penetrated by a loud slam, announcing the arrival of the Potions Master. His students immediately put an end to their conversations and turned to the front of the classroom. Professor Severus Snape wasted no time.

"As you have already been told, I only accept those with the highest scores on their OWLS into my NEWT level classes." Snape froze, staring at one particular desk, where a scrawny boy with a messy black mane sat, next to a tall and lanky figure with a shock of vivid red hair. "Some of your...seem to have …slipped in."

A pair of emerald eyes bore downwards, burning a hole in the rough wood of the desk he was seated at. The red-haired boy glared up at his professor, silently damning the day he was brought into the world. The professor moved on, continuing his speech, but not pausing again.

"This class will prepare you for the magical field of which you have chosen to pursue. However, we will cover a wide range of Potions, some of which may not cater to your particular….profession. Nonetheless, you are expected to perform flawlessly, and brew them without fault."

There was a soft sigh slightly to the professors left, his gaze shot downwards, to view a blue-eyed girl with long, honey locks staring absently into space, her chin propped in her palm, elbows on her desk.

"Miss Brown, is there something you'd care to share? Or are you merely contemplating how on earth you made it into this class?" The Professor bit out scathingly, causing the blue-eyed girl to jump in shock, and blush profusely. "Ten points, Miss Brown."

A boy in the desk ahead sniggered at this, only adding to the professor's annoyance. He stalked up the aisle, robes billowing behind him as his soles tapped a smart, quick rhythm on the stone floor. Rat tat, rat tat. "Finnegan, that's ten points from you as well."

The professor continued his walk, stopping when he reached his desk. "You will brew the Draught of Innocence, instructions" -he tapped the blackboard behind him- "are on the blackboard, ingredients" -he pointed his wand across the room and a door creaked open- "can be found in the store cupboard. This potion should take the entire period to brew, when you are finished, bottle a sample, clearly label it, and leave it on my desk."

Twenty-six pairs of eyes stared up at him.

"Well? Get to work!" he hissed.

Twenty seven bodied quickly began to shuffle across the room, muttering to each other, and trying to be as silent as ultimately possible. Soon, the din was quiet, and the sound of softly simmering cauldrons filled the dungeon classroom. Severus Snape sat at his desk, grading summer essays. Fifteen…Fourteen…Thirteen…Will this never end? These insolent slobs get more annoying each year. Nine…Eight…Seven…If I have to put up with this much longer, I'll be sent to an early grave. Three…Two…RIIIINNNGGGGG!

There was a few moments of loud, horrendous racket, and when the Professor looked up, he was greeted by a blissfully empty classroom. All, that is, except for one student.

"Mr. Potter."

"He…he respected you, you know. He may not have liked you very much, but he respected you a great deal…"

"The feeling was mutual, Mr. Potter. On both counts."

Harry Potter nodded, and rose to his feet. He left the classroom without a backward glance. Leaving one worry behind, and one man with his thoughts.