Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any part of it. Only the new characters are mine.
Chapter 1
It was the third week of Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he could already feel the tremendous pressure of the N.E.W.T level courses he was now taking, including potions. Harry new that Professor Snape loathed the fact that he had passed his exam and he, Snape, was purposely being exceedingly evil to him this year.
"POTTER!" Harry had not realized that he had been daydreaming until the Potions Master's annoyed shout woke him up. Harry looked down and saw his potion had obviously been boiling way too long and was now proceeding to spill over the rim, onto the table, and then to the floor.
"Evanesco!" Harry shouted, and the potion instantly vanished.
"Potter, that is the third time in three weeks your focus has been on the back of your head instead of your work. Ten points from Gryffindor and a detention," Snape said coldly as he turned to examine the rest of the class.
Harry managed to keep his concentration for the rest of the period, but it was extremely difficult. Ever since Sirius' death, he found himself completely distracted and unable to focus. Then there was the rumor that had been going around since the start of term that Ginny, Ron's little sister, had a crush on him. Any other time it would be no big deal. He knew she had had a crush on him when they were younger, but she had gotten over that and moved on – right?
As the bell rang and signaled the end of class, Harry was forced to remain behind and arrange his detention with Professor Snape.
"In my office, Potter," the professor demanded. Harry followed silently as Snape led him inside. "Close the door behind you." Harry did so. Snape sat behind his desk and motioned for Harry to sit as well. Harry did so wordlessly.
"I knew if I allowed you into this class you would be a complete failure, but this is insufferable! The first few weeks are already exceeding your level of capability!"
"No, sir," Harry spoke up. "I've just had a lot on my mind lately is all. It won't happen again."
"Simpler spoken than achieved," Snape told him. "I told you last year before you even took the exams that I expect only the best!"
Harry opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by a thunderous BANG, and Snape's desk shook violently. Harry stood in surprise and backed up, as did Snape. Harry didn't have time to wonder about what was causing the noise before one of the desk drawers flew open and everything went silent.
Snape was staring, not blinking, at the floor to his left, Harry's right. Confused as to what Snape could be seeing, Harry crept closer to the wall. Peering over the desk, Harry saw a grotesque sight. There seemed to be a puddle of crimson blood spreading across the floor with something or someone in the middle of it. Harry couldn't make out the figure. It was small and completely black, covered in liquid crimson. Snape then seemed to snap out of his trace, raised his wand, and cried;
"RIDDIKULUS!" The figure lying in the middle of the blood turned into a sailboat floating on the water that was formerly blood, and it was blown away through the open window.
"POTTER!" Snape turned to him with an almost panicked expression, but his voice was as venomous as ever. "You will tell no one what you saw!"
"But, sir, how can I?" Harry asked. "I don't even know what it was I saw."
Just then a screech owl soared gracefully through the same window that the boggart had been forced out of and dropped a letter into the professor's slightly shaking hands. Making sure to keep the words hidden from Harry's sight, Snape opened it and began to read. Harry studied his teacher's face intently. He could he the suppressed flash of panic on his face as his black eyes scanned the letter. He finished quickly and looked up at Harry.
"Leave, Potter. Now! We will discuss this matter another time."
Harry almost asked what was wrong but then thought better of it. It wasn't any of his business, and he knew he had once again witnessed something Snape had worked hard to conceal. He left without a word.
Sorry it was so short! I still love reviews! I am planning many twists and turns so keep reading and see! I am very excited about this story! Any guesses about the boggart? Love, Aradia
