When Alexander and Hermione stepped out into the hallway from the classroom, they smiled politely at all of the second years standing there waiting, "Everyone inside to start class."
There were a few murmurs, but the group did as requested, Luna racing to the front seat, already with an idea of what was going on. Back up the front, Hermione started, "Good morning class, as you can see, we are not Professor Snapeā¦" there were a few murmurs of happiness at that, "But he is here to oversee this first class with you all and will now explain why we are here."
"Thank you Assistant Professor Granger," Severus said, getting up from the chair had been in, "This term, I will not be forced to deal with the lot of you attempting to poison one another; that will be the job of Miss Granger and Mr Potter, who you will show respect to and obey as though they were any other professor. They can and will remove or add points, assign homework, and place you in a years' worth of detentions should you almost kill your partner. I hear one syllable of complaints from any of you and there will be hell to pay, is that clear?"
"Yes Professor Snape," the eagles and the badgers all said, somewhat afraid.
"Very well," with a hidden smirk, the man returned to his seat.
"Excellent, now, first things first, a test to see which amongst you actually reads their texts before school starts," Lex pointed to the board, "A show of hands, who knows what this potion is called?"
The couple was surprised and disappointed to see only 3 hands go up into the air, and only Luna's had gone up with certainty, "Miss Lovegood?"
"It's a Swelling Solution Assistant Professor Granger."
"5 points to Ravenclaw for knowing the answer and another 5 for the two others who raised their hands. You will all be making this potion today, and they will be marked for colour, consistency, and of course whether they are correct or not. Unlike your former professor," Hermione shared an internal grin with her boyfriend, "We will not be testing potions on the students because we are well aware of how the fear of your partner's poorly done potion can affect your own. But, you are to assist your partner, not matter what house they are from, as in this classroom and any other that we are in, there are no house rivalries, no blood statuses, you are simply students trying to learn. Understood?"
"Yes Assistant Professor Granger," the students were much livelier when they said that than before.
Lex clapped his hands, "Excellent, so get started then. If you need a hand, just raise your own."
Soon there was a stampede as the students raced to get their supplies together, and Severus stood up behind the teens, "You do know that you've completely ruined all of my hard work from last term in less than 10 minutes right?"
"Yes"
"Just so you're aware," the man returned to his seat, knowing that the third years wouldn't be this easy to deal with.
As it was only a single lesson, the Swelling Solutions were a perfect potion choice, only taking 40 minutes to complete, and giving Lex and Mia a chance to look over the potions whilst the students were still present. They handed out 5 points for perfection, which only a handful of Ravenclaws delivered, 3 points if the potion looked almost perfect, the majority of those who remained, whilst the two Hufflepuffs whose potions would be deadly if administered were placed in that Saturday's tutoring session.
"Homework, 2 feet on the origin of the ingredients used in today's potion, due next lesson," Lex called out over the top of the students packing away their things, "If it isn't legible, you will have plenty of time to get it that way over detention."
Despite the warning, the students all were saying good things about the lesson, actually leaving potions without a grimace or sneer on their faces. Luna came up to her friends and smiled, "That was so great, no offence Professor Snape."
The man waved it off, "I'll be out of a job soon, I know it. Might as well ask Filch if he needs a hand cleaning around the castle."
The younger trio chuckled, Lex and Mia embracing their friend, "You best not be late for class Luna, we'll see you at lunch okay?"
"Okay, good luck!" The Ravenclaw skipped off happily.
"So, third years now?" Lex said somewhat apprehensively.
"Third years"
