A/N - This is a bit of a longer chapter, I hope you like. I used Snape's exact speech because I just think it's amazing. It's like his signature. Anyway, anything you recognize? Yeah, that's not mine. I'm not sure if they had potions first in the book, I don't have my copy with me so I just searched Harry's schedule and checked it with the year and date he attended his frist year, oh well. I updated this chapter quite quickly after a lovely review from TheDarkLady55 - which just goes to show that reviews make me go faster. They also let me know how I'm doing so please R&R x
Lying in bed for hours, avoiding the veil of sleep, gave Lily plenty of time to think of how to apologize to Hermione. In the end, however, she decided against it. You see, nobody is perfect, and one of Lily's flaws was her stubbornness. She was too stubborn for her own good, and too stubborn to apologize - although she was aware that she owed one to Hermione. Even if she was going to atone her nasty outburst, she was never any good at apologies, and lack of practice certainly didn't help. She would simply be especially nice to Hermione and act as if none of it happened. Not the snapping at Hermione, not the dream, not the pathetic behavior.
At the sound of rustling from Hermionies bed, Lily drew the bed hangings open.
"'Morning, Hermione," Lily said, faking a smile despite how exhausted she was - a great start to her first day of school.
"Hey, how you feeling?" Her voice sounded casual, but there was an undertone to it as if she was nervous to ask.
"Fine, can't wait for lessons, " She avoided giving a proper reply. "It all seems so strange, you know, magic..." Lily wasn't sure if she would know. What if she was from a wizard family and this was all she'd ever known?
"Oh, I know! I'm muggle-born, so this is all so new and exiting. It's such a great opportunity, I couldn't believe it when I got my acceptance letter, I mean, it's not as if you apply or anything. At first, I actually thought it was all some joke."
Lily sighed slightly with relief at her new friends understanding and how she didn't seem to resent her for snapping at her earlier, "I know what you mean..."
The two girls talked quietly in their pajamas for another half hour until Hermione realized the time and insisted they get ready for breakfast. Once they were in the common room and about to leave, lily stopped suddenly.
"What's up?"
"Let's wait for Harry and Ron, they shouldn't be long. I think we're still a bit early anyway," Lily reasoned.
Hermione didn't look to sure, or maybe she didn't want to wait for them at all, but she agreed all the same, "Okay, as long as they're not too long. Or what if they're already down there?"
"Come, on, 'Mione. You've met Ron. Do you really think he'd get out his bed earlier than necessary?" At that, both girls started guffawing good-naturedly.
They didn't have to wait long. After five or so minutes of conversation, students of all sex and year started to stream out of the Gryffindor quarters - Harry and Ron included. Harry was the first to spot them.
"Hi! Lily, Hermione," He said cheerfully, obviously just as exited for classes. After choruses of morning greetings, the four set of to breakfast. Conversation flowed easily for the most part, although became slightly strained whenever Ron or Hermione had a significant differ in opinion.
"Wew a 'ink wa tota 'oons orzan" Ron sprayed, giving the Gryffindor table a delightful view of some semi-chewed chocolate chip pancakes.
"Ron! Must you consume so much food all at once? And display it for everyone to see while you say un-translatable nonsense?" Hermione scolded.
"Yeah, Ron. I asked for the news, not the weather," Lily replied with a laugh and a playful wink, "Although, Hermione, after spending the train ride with him practically inhaling five cauldron cakes a pop, I've learned to understand the sacred language of Ron-speaking-while-stuffing-his-face-with-lots-of- food. He was saying that potions sound boring," lily translated with a smile. Ron returned the smile thankfully, but Hermione had more to say.
"You've not even had one lesson yet, Ron, and you're already making assumptions. I think it sounds very interesting." Lily and Harry looked over at each other exasperatedly, but made each other laugh despite the third world war occurring around them. Ron and Hermione's debate was interrupted by Professor McGonagall handing out their class schedule.
"I guess we'll find out about potions soon enough. We've got that first with the Slytherins," Harry announced.
"Think I could fit Malfoy in my Cauldron?" The rest just laughed at Lily's question which had such an falsely innocent tone to it.
"How could we have gotten lost?!" Hermione seemed to slipping into a state of extreme panic.
"Breathe!" Lily instructed.
"Bloody hell..." Ron muttered.
"I'm pretty sure I've seen this portrait at least three times since we left the hall," Harry imputed uselessly.
"Maybe it wouldn't be that bad if we missed potions. I was speaking to Fred and George and they said Professor Snape is a 'right greasy-git'," Lily announced. Hermione seemed to panic more at the suggestion of skipping class.
"Lily!"
"I was just quoting, keep your hair on," Lily said, still trying to calm her down. Due to her less than capable way with words, her efforts ween't helping a great deal.
Somehow the four managed to find the potions classroom in the next five minutes, and were not late. As it was, Neville got lost and so did several Slytherins although Lily had heard their common room was in the dungeons too. However, the only available seats were at the very front of the classroom.
Just as everyone was seated, Professor Snape emerged. He had light, oily skin - well, what was visible of it as long, black robes concealed everything but his head and hands. A large, hooked nose took center stage on his face. His eyes were small, black and cold - as if they were totally absent of happiness and friendliness. His dark hair just touched his shoulders and each strand was coated in grease.
"Black!" the professor spat in an aggressive tone. It sounded more horrible in comparison to the monotonous tone he'd used for each pupil before and after her.
"Here," Lily called without a quaver in her voice.
"Here, sir," Snape corrected angrily before moving swiftly on to the next on the register.
"Who spat in his bean curd?" Lily muttered to Harry sitting next to her, inaudible to the professor.
Snape suddenly stopped calling names and began to address the class, "Ahh, it seems we have a new celebrity in our presence, class. Mr. Potter." His voice dripped of sarcasm just as his hair dripped of grease.
He finished the register and started another rant, "there will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few... who possess the predisposition... I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death. " He spoke firmly yet silkily, but wasn't finished, "Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to NOT PAY ATTENTION!" The last part was directed at Harry, who was neatly taking notes on Snapes rant. An elbow in his ribs from Lily captured his attention long enough for him to realize this, but Snape wasn't going to let it go.
"Mr. Potter - tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Hermione's hand shot into the air immediately, and Lily felt defensive of Harry. Fred and George were right, he was a greasy git. Harry just sat there, obviously having no clue what-so-ever.
"You don't know? Well, let's try again, then. Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"
" .uk," muttered Lily under her breath. Harry had heard, and the corners of his mouth twitched. Unfortunately, it seemed that Snape had heard her voice too.
"What was that, Black?" The way he said her name was as if he had a disgusting taste in his mouth and was spitting it out in extreme distaste. Lily figured that either way, the man had it in for her. So she decided to embarrass him just as he'd done Harry. It would put a smile on Fred and George's faces when she told them at dinner, at least.
"Oh, sorry to interrupt you. I was just asking Harry if he knew what kind of things we'd be making this year in Potions. It's just that I overheard a girl talking about a magical anti-split-end serum, and was wondering if we'd be making anything like that or maybe - oh, I don't know - shampoo? Have you ever heard of it, sir?" She added on 'sir' sarcastically as he'd reminded her to do so.
Rage flashed in his black eyes before he composed himself, "ahh, think you're so smart, Black? What is the difference between monkswood and wolfsbane?"
"I don't know, but it looks like Hermione does." Lily quipped, indicating Hermione who was waving her hand in the air frantically, looking as if holding in all that information was putting her in pain.
He didn't go on to ask her, however, "For your information, Potter and Black, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Drought of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkswood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Clearly, neither fame nor sarcasm is everything. Two points from Gryffindor."
Lily could almost sense Malfoy's smirk behind her. She knew that her and Snape would not get along, and although she was aware that she shouldn't be so brazen on her first day, she had never been one for holding her short temper.
That particular period continued to worsen. Lily had tried to help Neville behind Snape's back, and once she'd returned to her own potion, she'd forgotten what stage she'd gotten to. To cut a long and messy story short, Lily had melted through the bottom of her Cauldron and stained the pebbles on the dungeon floor a very vibrant orange. She remembered Ollivander warning her that she wouldn't really excel at potion making. Snape certainly had it in for her and Harry, but showed obvious favoritism to Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins - which Lily was beginning to dislike more and more.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lily decided that instead of getting lost again, they would follow the rest of the class to Transfiguration. They managed to arrive on time, thankfully, and took seats in the middle of the classroom. Lily easily recognized Professor McGonagall, but knew that there would be no favoritism from her. As soon as she first spoke, the whole class knew that she was not to be messed with or interrupted. She just had something to her that commanded respect. Unlike Snape, Lily wouldn't dare speak against her - but she seemed a fair teacher that would give no reason to do such a thing.
For the first half of the period, the students had to write out the theory required before their first practical transfiguration. Taking out a sheet of parchment and a pen, Lily was completely oblivious to every other student that was working away with a feathered quill. Well, until Malfoy and his group of drones started sneering and poking fun at her. She turned beet red when realization struck her, That's what the feathered things are for!. She could of kicked herself for making such a fool of herself. I'm so stupid! McGonagall didn't even tell me because she though it was so obvious, Lily mentally scolded herself.
McGonagall strode through the desks and stood angrily in front of Malfoy and his dim-witted cronies. She scolded them for their interruptions and deducted five points from Slytherin before returning to her desk. When Lily turned her attention back to her work, she found a quill and ink pot sitting on her desk. Looking around for it's origin, she found Harry smiling at her. With a subtle wink, he returned to his work.
For the final half of the period, the class attempted to turn a match stick into a needle. Hermione was the first to achieve this, obviously. Harry had a silver match, Ron had managed to make his own pointy without realizing and stabbed himself. Lily, after a lot of frustration, was able to successfully transfigure the match just as the bell rang signalling the end of class.
That night at dinner, everyone was discussing they're first day of classes. It seemed that Hermione was the only Gryffindor who still had any enthusiasm for potions.
"Thanks, Lil, for sticking up for me when Snape had a go," Harry said to Lily over a portion of roasted potatoes.
"No, problem. I got the impression that he wasn't to keen on me, anyway," Lily replied with a joking under-exaggeration. When she had relayed the events to Fred and George, they had guffawed heartily and named her their 'apprentice'. Hermione didn't react so well, however. In fact, she lectured her for fifteen minutes straight. Ron simply said that it was 'bloody brilliant'.
The rest of their classes were much more enjoyable that potions. Charms was enjoyable to Lily as she was competent and liked how enthusiastic their dwarf teacher, Mr. Flitwick, was. History of Magic was extremely boring, but Lily simply doodled on a spare sheet of parchment to pass the time, much to Hermione's disapproval. Lily was rather average at Herbology, but discovered that Neville was extremely adept at it. She enjoyed the subject of Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Professor Quirrel creeped out the whole class and his stuttering was rather annoying. Astronomy was very interesting to Lily, and enjoyed it although the midnight classes made her very tired the following Thursday morning.
Speaking of tiredness, Lily had paid a visit to the Library the first chance she got with Hermione and researched silencing spells. Her friend was too engrossed in her own book to notice and inquire to why she was looking up such a thing. She discovered a spell that would allow any sound that was made inside her bed enclosed with curtains to be contained to that area only. Therefore, she could scream as loud as she wanted to wake herself up from the nightmares, but her room mates would be completely oblivious. It was a fourth year spell and took Lily a fair amount of practice to master, but she succeeded eventually none the less.
The nightmares still plagued her during the night, even if her room-mates had no idea about this. Some nights she would see that horrible face, with it's blood-red eyes glaring horribly. Others, she found herself sneaking through the corridors of Hogwarts, as if on a quest to look for something. She had dreamed that she was in the forbidden forest, lost and calling out for her friends. There were so many different dreams that all felt so different from any dream she'd ever had before coming to Hogwarts. Some were utterly terrifying, others were tension-filled or even good, like the one about flying high up in the sky. They all had one thing in common, however - every dream held a deep sense of mystery that left her wondering and pondering their meaning.
