"It troubles me. He never expresses himself in such a way and he was so angry at me one minute and the next I felt as if he was refraining from embracing me. I have seen him act emotional before but never so…"

"Versatile?"

"Yes, precisely."

Poppy walked to the side of the room and continued to file medical records with a flick of her wand. They each floated and settled into a neat alphabetically organized drawer. When she had finished the tedious task, she looked up and gazed at the man before her with an expression of skepticism.

"Now I'm neither a professional psychiatrist nor an expert on social situations, but I would say that the two of you are very close. I would also say that I personally also share a relatively pleasant friendship with Severus as do Minerva and the other members of the staff. Now a couple of days ago, the five of us were lying prostrate on the bed like dried up mushrooms. We are well again and you are wondering why he is emotional. From the day he walked into these tall wooden doors, that child has always been emotional, just in his own way. We almost died, Albus. That hurts. Give him some time. It's only been a day. He will be back to his old snarky self in to time."

Albus looked like he wanted to say more but settled for nodding slowly. He examined the nurse who had now moved on the filling out a form on her desk. Nodding once more as if to convince himself, he thanked the woman—who advised him to go to sleep—and left for the comfort of him room. It was late after all, rest would calm his mind. Rest would calm.

The students started flowing gradually into the potions classroom. The red children took tentative steps into the room and to their sets. Their shoulders shagged and their eyes flicked to a clock hastily. The green children strode into the room without fear, their arms swinging their books at the side and talking animatedly of death and gossip.

In his office, Severus's green trimmed black cloak swished behind him when he retrieved his leather notebook from his desk. At nine, his door burst open with a green smoky burst that curled and twisted around the door and his black boots. He lifted his wand to charm words on the board but when the thought entered his mind, green writing glowed onto the board of his assignment. Startled, he concealed his surprise easily and quickly glanced at the students, surveying if any of them had cast the spell. He furrowed his brow, but turned back to the board with a slight spring in his step and a casual smug smile on his face as he turned to face the class.

"Is it just me or does he look happy."

Harry whispered to Ron who gave him an incredulous look.

"This is it! The slug's gone mental!"

Hermione gave them an urgent look reminding them to be quiet but a little too late.

"Detention, both of you, for speaking out of turn."

Whatever smile that had graced his lips before was not replaced with a predatory snarl. His eyes gleamed with vengeance as he all but stopped the urge to throw the children out of the classroom. One. Two. Three, four, five,

"What? But we hardly said anything!"

six seven eightnineten

"And twenty points each, not another word out of you Potter or I keep you in here every day of the year scrubbing the grime off the walls until they sparkle like polished stone."

The two stared angrily at their papers but uttered not another word. Hermione gave them a sympathetic look which they tried pointedly to ignore.

"Now, I do not expect many of you to appreciate this particular brew, but for those of you who have an appreciation for the arts this will be an…interesting project. Today we will be learning the Terantous brew. If made correctly, it plagues the recipient of potion to experience the brewer's most horrifying life experience or experiences. It can take as many as one night to take effect, to weeks. In one circumstance, a famous witch who fought in the first war, wanted her husband to understand her traumatizing experience in the war so much for it changed her completely that she slipped this potion into his morning tea. As a result, the experiences traumatized her husband and drove him crazy with grief. He ended up killing both of them by poisoning their morning tea."

The students looked at each other in horror: why were they learning this potion?

"However despite the…unfortunate…play of events, this potion was used in ancient times to help strengthen bonds between others and create a lasting friendship. Depending on how it is made, it can be to instruct, explain, or torment. We will be learning how to explain and instruct. The difference is in the method of heating and turning. While you add the ingredient, turn clockwise three times, and counter clockwise once. Wait three minutes and do it again according to the instructions. Any questions?"

The students looked, afraid he would shout at them for having any, but curious from his new attitude.

"No? I will be making the potion while you are so if you wish, you may follow along with me and use the instructions to help guild you. If at any time you feel your potion is going wrong, place a status charm over it immediately and wait until I am able to instruct you further. You may begin."

The students glanced at each other in hesitation. He was going to show them how to do the potion? Put a status charm on it and ask for help if they needed it? Was he actually going to teach them?

"Something defiantly went bonkers over the week!"

Harry shrugged and followed the other students who were picking up trays of ingredients Snape had laid out. The beginning of class was relatively uneventful. With Snape demonstrating the potion most people were able to produce a relatively adequate base.

However, somehow, in between all his brewing and preparing ingredients, and stirring perfectly, he managed to torment Harry more than ever before. He swore the man was doing wand-less magic or Malfoy was tossing hexes at him which he would no doubt turn a blind eye too. His potion ingredients would move when he tried to cut them, his stir rob would heat to where he could not hold it for long without burning his hand. It seemed no matter what he did, the potion would not turn out right. And every time something went wrong, he would look up and see Snape flashing him a satisfied smirk. Bastard. In the middle of Harry's musings, suddenly Snape charmed his potion and pounced up when Neville's cauldron started spitting vicious fumes at the boy causing him to scream. Across the room, Harry noticed Malfoy snickering among his friends and saw him pocket his wand.

"Silence!"

He quickly banished the potion and glared at Neville until he all but fell back into his chair, sick with fear. With long animal strides, he approached Malfoy at the other end of the room and hovered over the now timid child.

"Mr. Malfoy, just what do you think you were doing in my potions classroom?"

Harry tried not to laugh as Malfoy turned a sickly shade of white. There's no way he is going to get in trouble. He would never antagonize one of his snakes.

"Well professor, Neville was having trouble sir, so we only helped him out a bit."

Snape's lips curled up into a smirk which seemed to ease any tension in Draco and his friends. The lions bit their tongues in anger to keep them from lashing out like vipers at the man.

"Ah, I see you were only helping him out."

"Yes sir."

"Because I said you could work with your classmates?"

"Erm..well no si…"

"Ah I see, because Neville asked for your help?"

"no sir I was only…"

"So then, what were you doing in my class with that thing out of your pocket pointed at Neville's cauldron? Practicing for future services in kissing the dark lord's ass were we?"

The lions had to stop from laughing both from the idea of Snape cussing and his words but half of the snakes turned either white or red with rage or confusion.

"How dare yo…"

"Oh yes, how terrifying yes go tell your father all about your little…ah humiliating experience. I am sure he could love an excuse to torment the poor teachers of Hogwarts hm?"

At this point the every lion was roaring with laughter.

"Hm pity blood status is getting you nowhere isn't it Mr. Malfoy. I wonder, have you ever considered oh learning instead of coping your idiot friends who could hardly spell wand correctly? Hm well I would give you detention but I hardly want to be around such stupidity so I will say one hundred points from Slitherin, for bulling a fellow student."

A fracture after the words left his mouth, each potion in the room exploded in a cloud of green smoke. A horrible smell filled the air which swirled around the students as they frantically scrambled towards the door screaming. In an instant, the students stared in awe as Snape whipped out his wand as muttered a spell. The green smoke caught fire and blue flames danced throughout the room and even surrounded some of the students, yet no one was harmed. The flames died down a fraction of a second later and all the students remained motionless glancing fearfully at Snape.

"Get out! GET OUT! OUT!"

As the students scrambled to exit the room Neville squealed in terror as a menacing claw like hand griped him harshly on the shoulder.

"YOU! DON'T YOU DARE MOVE?"

He looked desperately to Harry and Hermione for help, but they only cast him sympathetic looks before rushing out of the classroom.

"I can't believe even I got so distracted that my cauldron blew up! It even said in the instructions to watch out for that!" Hermione wined in frustration.

"Bloody hell! He actually kicked everyone out of class! We still have more than half an hour!" Ron exclaimed as he looked at the time.

"What do you think he is doing to Neville?"

"Oh I hope nothing bad! He was only doing his work. Malfoy kept hexing him! He can't help it!"

"Yeah and what was up with that? Defending a lion? Malfoy looked like he was going to pee his pants. Ha!"

"He shouldn't have done that? I mean, accuse him of associating with He-who-must-not-be-named?"

"Oh come off it Hermione, he was just firing him up"

"No I think she's right Ron. I mean, he was one, he would know if Malfoy's dad was one too."

"Yeah but Voldemort is dead, so why would he say something like that?"

"Maybe because he is coming back. My scar has been hurting lately. I think he's up to something"

"Crimy! Do you think he has something to do with it?"

"He saved Dumbledore Ron, remember? That doesn't make any sense."

"Well what do you think Harry?"

"I don't know, but I know someone who might. Maybe snuffles will know if something is going on. I haven't been able to talk to Dumbledore all year."

"yeah! I bet he will know what the snake is up to!"

"Do you guys think we should wait for Neville? You know, make sure he is alright?"

"Nah, he's probably potions ingredients now."

"let's go back to the common room"

The trio bounded back up to their room and joined the other house members who were sprawled over the furniture discussing the class. It was strange for Snape to stand up for anyone other than his snakes, and the students were bursting with excitement at the new found favor he had given them. They also could not believe they had been kicked out of class. Hermione found herself joining the conversation to discuss the spell Snape had cast. It had seemed like something the headmaster would have done. It was beautiful, deadly looking, yet felt like nothing at all. They only hoped in his anger he had not neglected to tell them the potion explosion will cause them to have stomach problems or other side effects. Everyone had a free period after class, so they waited around to hear what Snape did to Neville.

"Do you think he really chopped him up? Use him in a potion? No one would ever know."

"Of course someone would know Neville! The teachers aren't stupid. Besides he may be a jerk but I don't think he's evil because—"

"Dumbledore trusts him and he saved his life okay we know blah blah blah."

Hermione glared at Ron and turned back to her essay with an annoyed huff. The rest of the students spent the rest of the free period inventing various horror stories of Snape torturing Neville with disgusting chores. When it was time to go to the next class, their good humor started to fade when Neville still had not returned to the commons to get his books. The three made their way down to the charms classroom.

"Do you think he is going to be there? He didn't get expelled did he?"

"Expelled? What for?"

"Who knows maybe Snape was out to get him? he hates him you know."

"He was sticking up for him Ron! Why would he expel him then?"

The three hushed as they filtered into the classroom and took a set in the middle of the rows. Through the chatter, they kept an eye open for Neville, but there was no sign of his plump figure anywhere. They could hear the snakes making fun of Neville in the background, but they ignored them. Everyone already had detention and they had no intention of getting another for fighting in class.

"Right then class! Today we will be learning warming charms!"

The lions turned from the door to face the teacher. What was Snape doing to him?

"Maybe we ought to go down there you know? Break him free. I reckon we could do it with your cloak mate."

Harry glanced in anticipation at the door before whispering to his friend.

"And just walk out of class? Flickwick would be—"

Suddenly the door banged open and the sound of books falling filled the air. There in the center of the doorway, clumsily picking up his fallen books was Neville.

"Sorry sir, I, sorry I'm late I…"

"Forgot the time Mr. Longbottom?"

Neville turned pink at the comment as he finished piling all his books into his arms.

"No I, sorry professor, I have a note."

He walked a few paces before dropping another of his books. The class was breaking into laughing fits as he leaned down to pick up the offending book again. He walked a few more steps, thought better of it, and then placed his things in the nearest empty desk. He then pulled out a note, strode up to flitwick and handed him the paper.

The students watched in amazement as Flitwick read the note nodded.

"Right then! Wonderful wonderful, do have a seat Neville, we are starting warming charms today!"

His voice danced with zeal as he spoke and Neville, although a very bright shade of red, happily took a seat.

"Turn to page 677 so we can begin!"

The room was filled with the sound of turning pages. All the students turned slowly as they analyzed Neville. He appeared to be healthy, no laceration stood out on his body, he had no unpleasant smell that would have suggested he did disgusting tasks, his hand were clean, he was slouched out of minor embarrassment rather than relief to be away or exhaustion from fear, and he kept peering curiously at an old book and reading the many notes in the margin. Overall, he looked to be enjoying the day.

"Bloody hell! Look at him! He's so scared he's gone mental!"

"um, he doesn't look scared Ron."

"That's what I mean mate! He just got killed by the king of snakes and he comes out smiling! Bloody hell!"

Ron was shaking his head in disbelief and sent pitying looks towards Neville thought out the lesson that now appeared as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. After the lesson the trio quickly followed Neville out of the classroom and gathered around him as they walked down the hall.

"Oh hey guys! How's is going? Did you know that Professor Snape is the youngest potion master ever? I had no idea! And he gave me his old book to help me with potions, he said if I can clear my mind before every potions lesson I will be able to start doing better. And you know what? He really isn't that bad when you talk to him! He even taught me a spell or two to help when other students start picking on me like they usually do. I was still scared because well it's Professor Snape you know but—He was acting kinda weird though, kept having these weird mood swings. "

"wait Neville, slow down! What happened mate?"

"I would but I've got to get to lunch and I wanted to get a head start on my herbology homework, I'll see you guy's later okay?"

The three stared after him in shock as he exited the castle doors.

"Bloody hell!"

At the staff table, the teachers around could feel the tension around Severus. They had heard of how he had kicked all his students out of the classroom earlier but none wanted to broach the topic for fear of upsetting him more. Albus glanced at Severus but decided to give the man some space. Things must be back to normal if he was upset about class again right?

He pushed his food around his plate for what felt like the hundredth time. It was all pointless. He was so hungry but nothing had any flavor. Even when he did eat to appease his appetite, it still had no effect. Eating was pointless. Even teaching was pointless, not one of those dungerheads even wanted to learn. And those who did were so insufferably annoying they ought to be thrown out of the classroom for their arrogance. Why was he even sitting here? There was no one he cared to converse with. No one.

Albus looked up in alarm and glanced over at Severus again. He could feel every emotion coming off the man in waves. It was so strong he knew he could easily penetrate his thoughts if he wanted too. Lack of interest, despair. It seemed to consume his thoughts. He watched how Snape's eyes swept over the students and his emotions moved from disgust to concern to rage to affection to annoyance. Albus took a sip of wine as he watched Severus further. Usually his mind was blocked with various shields and guarded. Why not now? Minerva was attempting to engage Severus in conversation which he was trying to avoid. Albus could feel fervent hate and annoyance from Severus. Why was he projecting his emotions? His eyebrows narrowed as suddenly Severus was extremely interested and joyful. He saw Minerva's eyes widened in surprise as she glanced at him for a split second and then diverted her attention back to Severus. He glanced over at Poppy who was watching Severus too. Looking around, it seemed every now and then most of the staff were sending worried glances at Severus especially when he burst out heartily laughing at something him and Minerva were discussing. Then suddenly, his good mood ended and he stared gloomily at his plate.

"Merlin Severus, what is the matter!"

"I'm hungry Minerva hungry nothing tastes right the room always so bloody cold tired could not sleep worried the potion is always worried and your reaction yesterday what if something happened and the—"

As he was talking he put an elbow on the table and rested his forehead slightly on it in distress. Minerva glanced up when Poppy came up from behind Severus who was now tightly holding his left arm hunched over muttering.

"Poppy I knew something was wrong! Here let's get him to the infirmary and…"

"My Gosh! Severus what's wrong."

Poppy cast an illusion charm to make it look like the three of them were simply talking and leaned over Severus. He was muttering, his eyes fixed intently in front of him as he leaded over clutching his arm. Tears were slowly trickling down his face.

"Come Severus, I am going to take you to the infirmary."

She cast a spell to levitate Severus to the hospital wing when he was nonreactive to her trying to coax him out of his seat and frowned. The spell had no effect.

"Albus, headmaster, come here."

She included Albus in the disillusion charm and he hurried over to Severus.

"Severus?...come child let's get you to the infirmary…come now stand up."

He tried his own charm to move Severus to the infirmary but was unsuccessful in effecting the young potion master either. His frown deepened.

"Severus we are taking you to the infirmary now…poppy."

She nodded and moved to Severus's other side so they could hoist him up under his arms. Just as they were starting to use strength to lift him up, they were abruptly shoved off.

"Just WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING"

The two stumbled back in shock from Snape's outburst and each took note of his wand, out and ready to use on both of them.

"Severus…I see you are aware of things now. Well no matter my child we we—"

"I AM NOT YOUR CHILD! Aware of things? Oh yes aware enough that if you try anything I will make sure you never have hands to touch me with again!"

Just as he said this the three teachers winced as an immense pressure was being applied to their wrists. Albus's eyes darkened and he whipped out his own wand. This proved to be a mistake.

"YOU DARE TURN YOUR WAND AT ME!"

In a matter of seconds, Albus was hit with a powerful blast of dark green magic which threw him backwards and shattered the disillusion charm. All the teachers and students stood up in alarm. The staff whipped out their wands and looked around for the supposed intruder. Albus took a stance ready for the next attack but none came. He examined Severus who was hunched over and took a slight step towards him.

"Severus…."

He was shaking slightly and Albus quickly moved over to where Severus was and put a hand on his back. "Seve—"he quickly retracted his hand in shock. It felt as if all the warmth and happiness had been sucked out of him. He gazed at the man in worried wonder. Suddenly Severus's face came into view as he reached out and grabbed Albus's arm and held it for balance. Albus almost recoiled in shock. He was laughing, a joyful laugh that lit up his face with an exciting twinkle.

"Wow! Albus that was spectacular! Did you see that? Well of course you did but I didn't think…I mean I wasn't trying to…Albus that was all wandless magic! I know I can do wandless magic. It is not that difficult for someone so skilled but it was almost like accidental magic but it wasn't. And the color! It looked like the spells of ancient wizard's Albus! Before there were wands when the…"

Dumbledore took the other arm of Severus and helped him to fully stand while Minerva tentatively picked up his discarded wand from the floor. He started to lead him to the back door out of the main hall and nodded at Poppy who moved to follow them along with Minerva. The other teachers restored order among the students and the four of them slipped out as Snape continued to talk excitedly about the spell he had just cast. But as they started off to the infirmary Severus stopped and started to move in the opposite direction.

"No I must go back to my room. I need to investigate more. I am overlooking something I know it!"

"Severus Snape there is no argument! You are coming with us to the infirmary and that is final!"

He blinked owlishly at the teachers before his face took on a look of slight panic. He griped Albus's arm and stared at him in a silent plead. His breathing became irregular as his pupils dilated from his sudden pump of adrenaline.

"Albus! Albus, my arm! I need…no no it doesn't matter nothing matters…but something! From the…no no it doesn't—I apologize headmaster. It seems I am not feeling quite like myself. If you'll excuse me."

All at once he broke away from the group and started taking long strides towards the dungeons. Minerva and Poppy each quickly grabbed his wrist to stop him from leaving. He turned around quickly and gave each of them his classic glare.

"I thought it was only in the nature of students to assault a teacher and yet I see you, Poppy, Minerva…Tell me what could be so importan—"

"Oh Severus Snape we don't have time for this! You are coming with me to the infirmary right now!"

His eyes narrowed at her as he straightened his posture and took a looming stance.

"And just what is so urgent that it cannot wait."

He quirked an eyebrow at her causing her to let out an exasperated expression when from behind Minerva cast a full stunning spell. Severus turned around in alarm. His wand shot out of Minerva's pocket and in to his hand. He raised it armed and ready to attack. The other teachers stared in shock at the results of the spell. It did nothing to him. Severus let out a low growl at Minerva and examined her posture. She did not look hostile, which was keeping him from retaliating. He was so caught up in Minerva that he did not notice Albus muttering a powerful sleeping spell from behind him which then hit him full force in the form of a blue mist. He looked towards Albus who was staring at the unaffected man with shock. Severus shook with anger from being attacked twice. But just when he looked ready to explode, wand raised and the spell on his lips, his eyes glazed over, his posture weakened and all emotion drained from his face. Poppy walked towards him quickly, afraid he would fall over.

"Severus? Will you come with us to the infirmary now?"

He looked at her expressionless but followed her as she guided him off in the right direction. Albus watched as Poppy lead Severus to the infirmary before following closely behind.

To be continued... there is a poll on my profile about this story so please take the time to go vote! And as always please review! Sorry in advance for any spelling/grammar mistakes!