Harry felt a jolt of confusion as Snape continued to read out the register. Why had he decided to draw attention to Harry in such a way?
When Snaps had finished with the register. He took a long look at the class. Unlike most of the other teachers, his expression showed not an inch of warmth or encouragement. His gaze was steely and his black eyes looked like tunnels into some dark dimension. In particular he was looking at Harry like he was something disgusting that he was studying for school.
"Put your wands away now" said Snape "you are not here to wave them around. You are here to learn the ancient art and subtle science of potion making. If you learn correctly and do as I ask then you may be able to do many great things. I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death"
"That is assuming, however" he continued "that you are capable of doing this correctly. Unlike other professors you may have had, I do not believe in coddling my students. The vast majority of you will be incapable of passing this subject. This is because Potions is not an easy subject and I have no tolerance for substandard work. If you cannot do this subject then that is your problem, not mine"
The class was utterly silent. Snape had a knack for keeping his pupils quiet without much effort. He broke the silence when he turned to Harry.
"Potter!" He barked "what would I get if I added powdered root of Asphodel to an infusion of Wormwood?"
Harry thought he might know this." The um, Polyjuice Potion, sir?"
"Wrong!" Snape shouted gleefully "clearly fame isn't everything"
Harry thought that this was very unfair. Especially since half of the rest of the class had their hands up and Snape was completely ignoring them.
"Let's try again, shall we?" Said Snape "Potter, where would you look if I told you to find a Bezoar"
Perhaps Snape was trying to make some sort of point about being willing to ask for help. It seemed like a rather poor way of going about it but Harry took a chance and decided that honesty was the best policy.
"I don't know sir. Could you tell me?"
"Tell you?" Said Snape in a mock incredulous voice "I explained at the start of this lesson that I do not spoonfeed my students. I expect them to read the books that they have been provided"
"What is the difference between Monkswood and Wolfsbane, Potter?"
Harry looked at his surroundings. He saw Mandy mouth "there isn't one" at him.
"There isn't any difference" said Harry.
"Very good Potter" said Snape "or it would be if you had not copied Brocklehurst. Two points from Ravenclaw for your cheek. Three for attempting to cheat. And three from Brocklehurst for helping you"
"I think" he continued "that the standard for Ravenclaw house has slipped a little in recent years. It is clear to me that certain of you most certainly do not possess wit beyond measure"
Hermione looked furious and seemed as if she was going to leap to his defence but Ron stopped her.
"Don't push it" he said "I've heard Snape can turn really nasty"
"For your information, Potter" Snape said "Asphodel and Wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful that it is known as the Draught of the Living Death. A bezoar is a small stone found in the stomach of a goat which is able to cure most illnesses. And as Brocklehurst so helpfully explained, Monkswood and Wolfsbane are the same plant under different names, which is also known as Aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying this down?"
While they were in the middle of doing this, a slightly pudgy Hufflepuff opted to speak up in Harry defence.
"But, Professor Snape" he said "you didn't-"
"Be quiet, Macmillan!" Snape barked "two points from Hufflepuff"
The rest of the lesson continued in much the same way. Snape seemed to find fault in everyone and everything. He was perpetually hovering over their shoulders, looking for mistakes.
In particular, Snape seemed determined to find fault in Harry. There was never a pleasant expression on Snape's face but never did his face turn as venomous as when he was looking at or talking to Harry. Fortunately, Snape was unable to find any further excuses to take points off Ravenclaw, although this wasn't for lack of trying. He did declare that Harry's potion was "atrocious" however.
When Harry left the dungeons, it was under a cloud of anger and confusion. Anger because Snape had been so rude to him and placed him in an unwinnable situation. And confusion because he had no idea what he was supposed to have done to make Snape despise him so. They'd never even met before- what could he have done?
A lot of his classmates seemed to agree with him. Hermione in particular, was outraged.
"That was appalling!" she shouted as they made their way back to Ravenclaw Tower "he was just picking on Harry for no reason. Harry did nothing wrong, he was attacked for existing and not knowing!"
She continued "and his teaching skills are abominable. He just read out the instructions and expected us to be able to do something without any help whatsoever. Did any of us learn anything from that? I don't think so! I think you should complain, Harry maybe Professor Dumbledore can do something about it"
"I wouldn't get your hopes up" said Ron "my brothers say Snape's been awful to kids for ages. If he hasn't been sacked already, he probably won't be now"
" I reckon I know why Snape's not been sacked" said Anthony Goldstein, who was hovering close to them " Dumbledore controls the interview process but the real power in terms of hiring and firing is with the governors. And guess who's chairman?"
"Who?" asked Harry
"Lucius Malfoy" Anthony replied.
"Typical" said Mandy "I bet they were mates at school"
"Yeah, I'm sure Malfoy and Snape got along like a house on fire" said Ron. He turned to Harry "sorry, mate. What Snape did was really out of order"
"I think Hermione's right" said Mandy "If you tell Professor Flitwick, or Professor Dumbledore, or if you write to your aunt and uncle you might have a chance. Money isn't everything and you're the Boy-Who-Lived. You could probably get rid of Snape if you tried"
"I don't want to make a big fuss" said Harry "it'd just be a massive hassle. Let's just go back to the common room and forget about it"
"But we've got to go to the owlery first" said Hermione "we said we'd write to mum and dad at the end of our first week, remember?"
Harry was ashamed to say that he hadn't.
Ron and the others headed back to Ravenclaw tower but Harry and Hermione headed to the owlery. They decided to send Uncle Henry and Aunt Petunia a letter.
Harry wrote a brief message, explaining that he'd been very busy but he was enjoying himself for the most part. He mentioned Ron and Mandy and talked about being sorted into Ravenclaw and what it was like there. He considered telling them about Snape but decided against it. They'd just make a fuss and he was getting enough attention as it was.
Hermione's letter was a lot longer than Harry's. She'd gone through almost three rolls of parchment before she tied her letter to the owl's leg.
As they were walking past, they found themselves walking along the same corridor as Hagrid, the giant who had escorted them to Hogwarts. Harry had heard that he was the groundskeeper. Suddenly, Hagrid turned to them and spoke.
"Now, yeh there" he said "Yeh wouldn't happen to be Harry Potter, would yeh?"
Authors Note: Comments and reviews are always welcome.