DISCLAIMER: The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and the various publishers. I make no claim of ownership. I just appreciate being allowed to dabble in this wonderful, magical world.
Trouble with a Cauldraunus
Chapter 1
Harry rushed to join the crowd in the hallway outside the potions classroom, glad not to be late. The door opened silently and the pale face of Snape seemed to materialize out of the darkness.
"Inside," Professor Snape commanded in an icy voice, and the students shuffled in without a word.
As was usual, there was very little extra movement or noise when his students settled in to Potions class. Professor Snape wasted little time.
"As you are surely aware, we are past the midpoint in this course, and several of you are even more hopeless than the rest of you dolts," Snape explained as his cold, dark eyes scanned the faces in the room.
"Longbottom, your work has been abysmal, and at this point, I doubt you will pass my course." He stared at Neville as if to judge his reaction before continuing to pace. Neville stared blankly down at his desk and Harry noticed it looked like his eyes were watering.
Snape continued. "Weasley, your work is not much better. However, your last essay was almost word for word the same as Miss Granger's." He paused to let that settle in, seeming to enjoy this part. "Cheating is not to be tolerated. Both of you will serve a detention this Saturday, and your head of house has been notified."
Snape's pacing of the room brought him to the front of Malfoy's table. "Alas, Mr. Malfoy has been doing exceptional work. I'm sure he will continue his hard work and continue to have the same, exceptional results."
Malfoy had been having outstanding potions all year, and often took to visiting Harry's table to mock their best efforts. Harry now noticed that Malfoy was not smiling, and in fact, he had a sour look on his face. Harry found that odd as Malfoy was usually glad for the extra attention.
"By now, everyone should have read through chapter 7 in your texts", Snape said as if he was ready to be disappointed by those who had not finished the reading assignment. Resignedly, Snape asked "Who can tell me about charred lacewing?"
As usual, Hermione was the only student with a hand in the air. Snape looked right through her.
"Weasley, why don't you surprise us with your previously unrevealed knowledge?" asked Snape, barely hiding a sneer.
Ron looked around as if searching for an answer beyond the obvious. "It's lacewing that's been burned," Ron finally managed to stammer.
Snape didn't move or blink. "If this was a language class for small children, I suppose I could give you some credit. However, seeing as how this is a potions class, any half-wit would realize I'm asking in terms of how an ingredient is made or what would make an ingredient special."
Frustrated, Snape turned to Hermione at last. "Miss Grainger?" he asked.
Hermione was blushing, apparently in embarrassment for Ron, but managed to answer. "It is lacewing that has special properties imbued in it by being burned by dragon flame."
Snape stood motionless as if not wanting to say the answer was at least partially correct. "But the most important part is that this ingredient is that its possession carefully restricted. Can anyone tell me why?"
Everyone in the room stared back with blank faces.
"Mr. Potter, do you know why this ingredient is restricted?" asked Snape.
Harry immediately knew how Ron felt a moment earlier, but tried to not let it bother him. "Because it is used in dangerous potions?" Too late he realized he phrased his answer as a question.
Snape did not look pleased. "Your command of the obvious is nearly on par with Weasley." He turned to address the rest of the class. "It is because this ingredient is a key element in the production of the Potion of Etherealness. What can any of you tell me about this potion?"
The class was silent and motionless except for Hermione who had raised her hand.
Snape eyed her with contempt before calling on her. "Miss Grainger?"
"The Potion of Etherealness is also known as the ghost potion because it allows the imbiber to pass through solid objects for a brief period of time."
Snape shrugged as if the answer was perhaps only partially correct before speaking. "It is also worth mentioning that possessing this potion inside Hogwarts is strictly prohibited. Can anyone tell me why?"
Hermione was again the only student with a hand in the air.
"How about you Weasley?" Snape's cold eyes had settled on Ron.
Ron looked around nervously. "Because it would allow a student to get through a door or wall into a room they are not supposed to be in?"
Snape gave a wry smile with a hint of malice. "That's why I say it should be forbidden. But the headmaster has forbidden it for a slightly different reason. Did any of you ever notice the cracks in the wall next to the portrait of the laughing wizards?"
A few students nodded. The cracks were pretty severe and hard not to notice, and it looked like something at one time had oozed out of the cracks and down the wall.
"Well, that's where a 5th year student tried to pass through a wall. Let's just say he got about 'halfway' before the potion wore off." Snape seemed to enjoy that last part as his black eyes sparkled.
Harry looked around the room, and all the students had the same, wide-eyed look of horror on their faces.
"Now then, today's project is on the board." Snape waved his wand in a lazy manner and words appeared on the blackboard. "It is a simple enough potion for those who have been paying attention. As this potion uses charred lacewing, each of you will come to the front for a small portion of this ingredient. You will use all of it in your potion. Anyone trying to remove scorched lacewing from this classroom will be punished severely. You have the rest of the class to produce a feeble attempt at this potion. If you have any talent at all, this should be more than enough time."
The class sprang into action as students headed for the student cupboard. Hermione and Neville were already in line for the cupboard and Harry had to roust Ron into action. He was still looking a bit pale.
At the end of the lesson, Professor Snape walked around the classroom reluctantly peering into cauldrons. For once he looked disappointed at Malfoy's work, and Malfoy looked even less happy and glared at Snape in return. But Snape said nothing and moved on and finally arrived at Harry's table.
"Longbottom, you have just wasted some precious ingredients," Snape declared, trying to control his anger. He paused and looked long and hard at Neville, sitting there with his head down, defeated. Harry thought he saw a trace of pity on Snape's face, but he assured himself it was merely contempt. Snape spoke again, his voice now lower and under control. "You will come with me to my office after class." Neville sat there pale and motionless.
He next peered into Hermione's cauldron. "Miss Granger, you still haven't managed to master the simple task of properly stirring a potion to the established instructions," Snape said with contempt. "Half marks for this potion. You clearly didn't read the instructions," he added sharply.
Snape moved closer to Ron and Harry's cauldrons. "And now for the dream team", Snape drawled sarcastically as Malfoy snickered. He looked in Ron's cauldron and wrinkled his nose. "Weasley, over what level of heat should the final brewing be done?"
Ron looked at the board and squinted. And then his face fell.
Snape allowed himself a nasty grin. "Precisely. You forgot to change it to low heat." He looked at Weasley with contempt. "I wondered what was burning. Thought for sure it would be Longbottom's cauldron."
He then turned to Harry's cauldron. "Another failed potion, Mr. Potter? Trying to keep up with Weasley?" He walked away shaking his head in mock disappointment. Malfoy only managed a brief snicker, but Harry noticed it was far from his usual maniacal energy.
After what seemed like an eternity, the class ended and everyone headed quickly for the door. As they left the classroom Harry noticed that Neville was nearly in tears as he followed Snape silently towards his office.
Harry and Ron exchanged knowing looks as they watched Neville being led away by Snape. As soon as they were out of earshot, they verbally abused Snape.
"As if he doesn't bully Neville enough in class in front of everyone!" Ron muttered.
Harry had a grim look and nodded his agreement. "Yeah. I wonder what he's going to say to him that's so bad he couldn't say it in front of us. Do you think he might be kicking him out of the class?"
Ron thought for a moment. "No, that would almost be kind. Plus, he's threatened a whole lot worse in front of everyone."
If Ron were trying to calm Harry's fears, he was doing a horrible job.
Hermione had given Ron the silent treatment through the entire class, and now she rushed ahead, obviously furious at having been drawn into this and now having a detention to look forward to.
Harry waited until she had passed. "Hermione isn't too happy with you either." Harry thought Ron looked paler yet, if that was possible.