Chapter 11: New Schedule and the Potion Master

I woke up the next days with my eyes swollen. The good things is that I don't share my room with anyone and so no one saw my devastated look and I can hide the fact that happened last night from my friends. My friends didn't suspect anything but Karilyn is being suspicious because of my absence last night during dinner. I had told them I was too tired and didn't bother to go to the Great Hall to have something to eat. Also, during breakfast the sweets arrive and a letter from Uncle Albus. The letter says that I need to go to uncle Albus' office after breakfast. I bet it is about what happened last night. Speaking of last night I wish that I will never ever see Severus like that. He's so scary, angry and ready to kill. About the package I didn't expect Hedwig will bring a huge box of sweets with another owl that carries the same size of box so all in all I have 2 huge boxes of sweets. As I said yesterday I would share them to everyone who wants sweet so the box goes around the houses except of course Slytherin. They had rejected it. Well I don't care if they don't want it.

After breakfast I immediately went to Uncle Albus' office. I'm glad that he chose to see me in the morning in this way my time with Professor Quirrell will shorten and I said to myself that I will grab any opportunity that will cause my time with Professor Quirrell shorten. I don't want to sit in his class and be look upon with such hate and will to kill.

When I reach the gargoyle which is the entrance to uncle Albus' office, I saw Severus waiting there. "Good morning Severus" I said smiling at him. "I suppose this is about last night isn't it?" he just nodded then said the password to the gargoyle. The gargoyle had started spinning up which revealed a spiral staircase. We both ascended the stairs being him in the front and me following him and of course there's an awkward silence between the two of us.

"Ceyranese, about last night…" Severus started when we reached the door.

"Don't worry about it." I told him without letting him say what he wanted. I think he was going to say sorry but it's not his fault. He was just worried. "It's not your fault." he didn't speak and proceeded in knocking on the door. Right after he knocked the door swung opened revealing the office of the headmaster. Pictures of the previous headmasters hung on the wall. Fawkes is on his usual place and shelves of books covered the wall.

"Severus, Cey" the headmaster said acknowledging our presence. "I believe I don't have to tell you why you are here right?" he asked and I nodded. "Why didn't you tell us about it?"

"It totally slipped out of my mind." I said with a low voice. "I guess the books and reality confused me at that time."

"Professor Quirrell had told us he merely used the Blasting course on you." Of course he'll lie. Who wants to tell someone he used an unforgivable curse. That would a one way ticket to Azkaban. "Do you have any idea why he lied?" Uncle Albus inquired and I didn't answer. He told me not tell them about the future and I just can't tell them that he was trying to get the stone. But maybe I can. They wouldn't act without sufficient evident right? Or maybe I can tell and asked them to leave as it is and do nothing since it may be a big impact in Harry's growth.

"Ceyranese?" Severus called.

"Will it affect what is supposed to happen?" uncle Albus asked.

"I don't know." I said truthfully. "I have no idea what will happen if I tell you."

"Then will you tell us if your life is currently in danger?" he asked.

Suddenly I remember my first DADA class. "Uncle Albus, is it normal for a wizard or witch to know what kind of spell was casted and who casted it just by simply touching the affected person or thing?"

"It is out of the question Ceyranese" Severus scolded while uncle Albus just look at me. I couldn't read his face and so I don't know what is running on his mind.

"Will you care to explain Cey?" Uncle Albus said.

"At my first DADA class we're just been ordered to read a certain topic in the book after that he discussed the topic. We didn't learn any spell that day. At the middle of the discussion, the candle chandelier, which was directly above me, suddenly fell. The rope holding it seems snapped. The good thing was, I was able to dodge it before it hit me." the two of them are just staring at me waiting for me to finish. Both of them are just looking at me intently but I think they already both know what I am telling them. "Professor Quirrell inspected the rope and told us all that the rope snapped because of old age but when I touched the roped just to look at it, I felt a spell was casted on it. It was the flipendo spell and it felt like that Professor Quirrell was the one who casted it. I was already practicing the flipendo spell so I was sure it was that spell that was casted on the rope. I know that it was Professor Quierrell because I already had a firsthand experience on his spells." No one spoke for a while and they just both looked at me. I know with that they already understood what Professor Quirrell is trying to do and what was his real motive in being in the forbidden third floor corridor.

"That is rare gift Cey." Uncle Albus said breaking the silence. "Not many can do that. In fact aside from you I only know one person who can do such thing."

"Professor Dumbledore, that isn't the point in this." Severus snapped. "The more important thing is that he tried to harm her. Surely she cannot stay within his reach or maybe we should confront him."

"No!" I exclaimed.

"You fear him." Severus seethed at me. "You clearly cannot stay within his reach."

"We cannot confront him." I answered but still politely and calmly as if I am planning a plan. "Harry and I would just be in more danger if he would be out of sight or if we confront him."

"Harry?" Severus inquired "In what way does he became involve with this?" oppsy wrong thing to say. I slipped out. I didn't answer in hopes that he would understand. "Answer me Ceyranese. Why is he involved in this?"Worried much?...Oh yeah Harry is the son of Lily and Lily was the person he loves. So I guess I don't stand a chance to Severus.

"Severus" Uncle Albus called him while placing a hand on his shoulder. "Cey knows what she's doing. If she sees it fit not to tell them that would probably for the best."

"But we should do something. Their lives are at stake here." He reasoned.

"Yes we should do something." He said. But what can we that will keep us out of danger? "Does he already do something to Mr. Potter, Cey?"

"No not yet and I doubt he would move like what he did to me. He will do a different approach to Harry. He's being careful to Harry." I answered "But I think he fears whatever it is that he thinks I know. He fears that I would tell someone. But if I were to tell someone everything will change and I don't think it would be for the best."

"Then there is no threat to Mr. Potter yet." Uncle Albus stated.

"But what are we going to do to Ceyranese? Clearly it would be suicidal if we let her be in that class again." Severus stated.

"We'll have to remove her from the class." Uncle Albus said. Remove me from the class? But what's going to happen with my DADA class? Who will teach me? "You will be willing to teach her, right Severus?" Of course Severus can teach. Why didn't I think about that? Severus is talented in that subjects he can teach well. In fact he might teach better than Professor Quirrell can.

Severus just nodded at him. "This will be your new schedule Cey." he handed me a sheet of paper. He already planned this isn't he?

Schedule:

Monday:

Morning: Charms and History of Magic

Afternoon: Transfiguration and Herbology

All with Gryffindor (Herbology is also with Hufflepuff)

Tuesday:

Morning: Potions and Charms with Gryffindor and Ravenclaw

Wednesday:

Morning: Herbology and History of Magic with Slytherin and Ravenclaw

Afternoon: Transfiguration with Gryffindor

Thursday:

Morning: Charms with Slytherin

Afternoon: Herbology with Hufflefuff and Gryffindor

Midnight : Astronomy with RavenClaw and Slytherin

Friday:

Afternoon: Double Potion with Slytherin and Gryffindor

"We can just simply tell him that your schedules are so conflicting and we had adjusted it." Uncle Albus said. "You may go now."

"Can I be the one to tell him?" I asked and they looked at me as if I have a death wish.

"Ceyranese we're keeping you away from him and now you want to go to him?" Severus sneered at me. "Why change the schedules then?"

"Well I think in that way he wouldn't suspect a thing." I pointed out.

"She has a point Severus." Uncle Albus said. "But I want you, Severus, to wait for her just outside the door. Just to be sure no harm can be done." Severus didn't speak.

"Thank you Uncle Albus." I said.

"And also" Uncle Albus said making us stop from walking away. "Cey I would like you not to tell anyone about your mark and your ability to create mind links." It was a good idea not to tell anyone then.

"Sure Uncle Albus" then we left the office. Our walk to the DADA class is silent. Not one of us spoke a word but it isn't as awkward as it was before we enter the office of the headmaster. He seems busy thinking about something and I just couldn't bring myself to disturb him.

I opened the door of the DADA classroom without even knocking. "Ah Miss M-martel." Professor Quirrell said as soon as he saw that it was on the door. "Y-you're late. Sit d-down and let's c-continue the discussion."

"Sorry Professor but I won't be in your class anymore." Everyone in the room looked as if I had gone mental.

"W-what are you t-talking about?" He asked looking at me intently.

"I've been to Professor Dumbledore's office and he thinks that it would be best if I will have a different schedule since my first schedule is a very complicated." I explained.

"Then w-who will t-t-teach you?" I asked as if he's concern.

"Professor Snape." the students gasped. They all see Severus as a mean and grumpy teacher and I think they thought I will be better in having a complicated schedule than having him as my teacher. However, they do not know him. Even I do know him that much but at least I know things that they didn't and I don't judge him for who he is.

"V-very well then. B-best not t-to keeping him w-waiting eh" He said and as soon as he finish his sentence I went of the room. Thankfully nothing happened aside from his murderous stare even though he stutter. Like what Uncle Albus told Severus, he waited for me outside the room. Then we went to the dungeons where he thought me DADA. He doesn't have a class until afternoon and that's the class I'm in. It's Double Potions with Gryffindor and Slytherin. We spend all morning with the DADA subject only. When lunch came he told me to go and that is what I did. I think he's going to have lunch in his quarters.

During lunch nothing much happened. Karilyn just asked me why I was removed from Professor Quirrell's class and she was satisfied with my answers. I am excited for my next class. This will be the first time I will saw Severus teach in front of a class and I want to know how he will handle the whole class. I also wonder on how he's going to teach a number of students at a same time. He has been a good teacher will teaching me alone and I want to know how he teach a class. Like my other subjects, Harry and Ron had walked to me just before lunch is over. Like our other subjects the three of walked together to the dungeons where the Potions is going to be. "Cey you know Hagrid right?" Harry asked as we walk to the dungeons.

"Yes why?" I asked him curiously.

"Hagrid invited me for tea this afternoon after class. Do you want to come? Ron and I are going." he said.

"Oh...Sorry I can't. I have classes with Professor Snape but do tell Hagrid I said hi."

"Yeah sure." He answered.

Like other teachers Severus started the class with a roll call. "Ay yes" he said when he had arrived at Harry's name "Harry Potter. Our new...celebrity" Severus' eyes are exceptionally colder right now or maybe that is how he is in every class. Or maybe he remembered Lily in Harry and at the same he remembered James Potter, the man he hated so much and with passion. After the roll call, which didn't include me but I think it is because he already knows me and saw me that I was there, he began his little speech. "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making." he began with his neutral and low voice but everyone could hear his word very clearly. I think he has a gift of making everyone fell in silence and listen to him intently. He keeps everyone's attention to himself without any effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic, I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses...I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death" he said pausing to look at everyone of us before continuing. "If you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

There's only silence in the room. Some looked scared and some looked ready to prove themselves they are not dunderheads. Of course his words didn't affect me. I know he knows what I am capable of doing. He knows that I'm good at potion making. "Potter" he suddenly called Harry. Is he going to pick on him? On the first day of our potion class? "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Easy. I thought. It would be the Draught of Living Death. The question is easy for someone who loves to read and or had studied the books before getting in here but he didn't expect that Harry would be able to that, did he? If I remember correctly Harry's life is miserable with his relatives. Of course Harry would be excited to have his new life and read all his books but not actually remember all of them especially the contents of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. That's too many to take in all at once. In the corner of my eye I saw Hermoine's hand had raised her hand.

"I don't know, sir" Harry said politely and with respect.

"Tut, tut...fame clearly isn't everything." Severus said making the Slytherin have a joyous smile on their faces that I wanted so badly to wipe out of them. How come fame is included in the knowledge. He's being mean. The boy had lively thinking that all of this are nothing but imaginary and can only found in books. Harry grew up in a muggle life how could he expect him to know everything?

"Let's try again." He said ignoring Hermoine's hand. "Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Again Hermoine raised her hand and again Potter seems to have no idea what the potions master is talking about. Slytherins are shaking with laughter as they know that Potter couldn't answer. The answer is the bezoar could be found in the stomach of a goat.

"I don't know, sir" Harry said once again that cause the Slytherin to hold their laughter more.

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" You are going too far Severus. I told him in the mind not caring if he could hear me or not. However, briefly took his eyes of Harry and glared at my directions. "Stay out of this Ceyranese" he said without moving his lips then focused on Harry again and again he has ignored Hermoine. "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Hermoine stood up still raising her hands which almost reach the dungeon ceiling.

"I don't know," Harry said quietly but looking intently at the teacher in front of him. "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?" a few people laughed at that and most of them are from Gryffindors. You nailed it, Potter. I screamed in my head which cause Severus to glare at my direction again. It's your fault for picking on him on the first day of our potion class. I told him in through the mind link.

"Again Ceyranese stay out of this." he said replied through the mind link. "Sit down" he snapped at Hermoine. "For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of the Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name aconite." then he turned his backed at Harry. "Well? Why aren't you all copying that down." he sneered at everyone and there was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment. Over the noise, he said "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for you cheek, Potter."

"It was your fault why he answered you like that." I said aloud and suddenly the room fell in silence. I could everyone's on me.

He looked back at me and glared at my direction. "And how come it is my fault, Miss Martel?"

"You're picking on him." I told him staring straight into his black eyes. "Not everyone can remember the contents of a book at first read. I bet even Hermione had read the book a couple of times."

"Miss Martel I will do as I please when I want it." He sneered at me as if he's angry but he didn't scare me.

"Are you trying to scare me Professor?" I asked in a mock tone. "Because if want to scare me you shouldn't fake your anger. After last night, your anger today seems nothing but a disguise." Whispers began and even the Slytherins can't understand what is happening.

"One more word Miss Martel and you'll see yourself in a month of detentions." A month of detentions? You're really going too far. He didn't let me speak anymore and had quickly started the class. He has made us to make a simple cure for boils in pairs. I, being the odd one out, I didn't have a pair and I had worked alone. After the class, my lesson with Severus quickly started. I didn't talk to him. I'm furious at him.

"What subject today Ceyranese?" he asked. I didn't answer and I just look at him. "Arithmancy then." He said deciding the subject himself.

He quickly taught me things that are essentially needed in Arithmancy. "I hate you." I suddenly blurted out and he had stopped discussing.

"Really?" he said with a skeptical tone. "I was under the impression that you like me" he said then smirk had quickly formed on his thin lips.

"Yes and I still do" I stated looking straight into his black eyes and his smirk had left as quickly as it formed on his lips. He looked at me with a questioning look. "You cannot hate someone you don't like. You can only hate someone if you like them." It was now his turn not to speak to and just stare. "Why do have to pick on him?" I asked and he frowned.

"That is none of concern" he snapped closing the book he is holding violently. "You're dismissed." I quickly went out of the room without a word.

Weeks had passed and I gotten to know Severus more. My lessons with him became easier and what had happened during the day of my first potions class had been completely forgotten. I have become closer to him but then I haven't managed to make him smile yet. He continues to pick on Harry and now he's also picking on Neville. He's such a vile man yet he's also not. He keeps a close look on Harry and he is always alert in case something happens to him. He's a good teacher and I learn fast in his guidance. He had also allowed me to help him to fill up Aunt Poppy's store and my potion making had greatly improved. He also became kinder to me and he doesn't snap, sneered, hissed and etc. that much to me anymore.

At the last week of September the Quidditch try out for my house had began. Erick and Lyka are part of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. Erick is a beater while Lyka is a chaser. I had also gotten permission from Filius to join the try out. Many had try out and many of them are talented. Luckily I had managed to get into the team. I'll be a chaser too like Lyka. Practice of Quidditch will start next week every Friday. So I guess my time with Severus will be shortened.

Harry Potter had also become the Gryffindor seeker after he had managed to catch the Remember Ball of Neville which was in the stupid hands of Malfoy. I found out that the Weasley twins are also part of their house team as beaters.

Of course in the past weeks Slytherins stills calls me Mudblood and they stills irritate me to no end. Timothy and his new gang did the same.

On the last day of September I had told Severus that I made it to the Quidditch team of my house and he was furious beyond words because of that. He immediately dismissed me and I think he went to see Uncle Albus that day. I never got to know why he was furious. Is there something wrong in me joining the Quidditch team? The next day I had thought that Uncle Albus or Filius would ask me to draw out of the team but that never happened.