Chapter Eleven: Potions
Fortunately, Snape hadn't arrived yet when Harry and Hermione reached his class. Draco Malfoy and all his gang had, but they were too busy discussing something that they didn't bother when the other two appeared.
"What do you think they're planning?" Hermione asked.
But Harry couldn't reply because Snape opened the door and all of them had to entered, silently. As soon as they sat down, they understood that that class wasn't going to be exactly a good one. Snape was still the man he used to be.
"You are going to prepare a potion to tell the truth. I understand that people as important as you and as well known at your jobs won't have many problems. The instructions are in the board."
For the first 10 minutes the class was very silent. In spite they were older now and there wasn't absolutely nothing Snape could do to harm them, most of the students were still afraid of him and didn't dare to disturb him.
But the class suffered a commotion when, 15 minutes after it had started, the door was opened again and Ron entered, followed by Lavender. Some of the students smiled, others automatically looked at Snape, to see what he would do. Hermione didn't do any of those and continued with her potion.
"So… Sorry, Professor. We didn't hear the bell." Lavender said.
Snape smiled. But it wasn't a nice smile. It was very cruel. Everybody was expectant to see what he would do with the two Gryffindor's. So everybody was very shocked when listening to his words.
"It's ok. Now take a sit. We are preparing a Truth Potion. Instructions at the board."
Draco Malfoy seemed a little disappointed. He, like most of the students, was expecting 'blood'.
Ron smiled and sat next to Harry.
"That was close" He whispered.
"Too close. Isn't it strange? I mean… It's Snape, for God sake. Why didn't he tell you something? If I were you, I would be concerned."
"I think you're over reacting. Perhaps he's change. It could be, don't you think?"
"Maybe. But I would be careful if I were you."
Once again the class was very silently. Snape didn't make any comments about Ron y Lavender until there were 10 minutes left of class.
"I believe that you should have your potions ready by now. Let me see… Miss Granger, give me yours, which seems pretty good."
Snape was saying Hermione's potion was good? Perhaps he had changed. He took some of it and put it in a cup. Then went to were Harry and Ron were sitting.
"Now we'll find out what was Mr Weasley really doing before coming to class." He said, hanging him the cup.
Ron was puzzled and as red as his hair. That was why Snape was being so nice. He had planned it, he was making a fool of Ron.
"Everybody come closer so you don't miss his explanation. Mr Weasley, I warn you, drink it!"
Ron looked at Lavender, who was hiding her head between her arms. The whole class was staring at him, waiting for him to drink the potion. Even Hermione was looking at him.
"What the hell." He whispered, and drank.
"Now we'll have to wait a couple of minutes so that the potion makes effect." Snape said. He seemed to be enjoying a lot. "A think it's enough. So… Let's ask the first question. Mr Weasley, today you arrived 15 minutes late. You told us that you didn't hear the bell. Was that true?"
"Yes." He answered without hesitation.
"I see. And why didn't you hear the bell?"
"Lavender and I were making out at Gryffindor's common room." He said, turning even redder.
All of the Slytherin's began to laugh.
"Making out? Didn't you know you had classes? Why where you making out if you had to be here?"
"She made me. I didn't want to."
"She made you? Can't you complain? Does she decide everything for you?"
"Yes."
"Really? What would you have done if she hadn't told you to go to the common room?"
"I would have stay with Harry and Hermione and talk."
"Who do you like most, Miss Brown o Miss Granger?"
The class had been laughing of Ron, but they shut up when they heard the teacher's last question. What would Ron answer? Only Hermione wasn't looking at him. Lavender had raised her head and was staring at her boyfriend. Her eyes seemed to be saying 'Chose me or you'll see.'
Ron opened his mouth to reply, but in that moment the bell rang.
"I'm afraid, professor, that we have to be going now. We'll be late for our next class." It was Harry who talked.
Snape looked at him. He knew the student was right and there was nothing he could do about it.
"Mr Weasley and Miss Brown, you've just lost 10 points for your house. Mr Potter, you loose 5 points too for interrupting my class. Everybody, leave your potions on my desk so I can evaluate you. And I want a composition about the effects of this potion for next class. Now, leave!"
Everybody did as he told, but before anyone could leave, Snape talked again.
"Oh, and Mr Weasley, that potion has a long effect, so I recommend you that you stay as far as possible from anyone you don't want to tell your secrets."
"I will." He whispered while leaving the room. He was way too embarrassed to talk to anyone, so he wasn't seen until the next day during breakfast.