Chapter 9
Potions takes place in the dungeons. I guess it makes sense, incase something goes wrong. We head into the classroom and sit around the desks. There is no Professor here yet, so I pull my books out and start to read from where I finished earlier. There's a sudden rush of cold air beside me, and I realise the Professor has arrived, they've just swept into the room, black robe swishing behind him, it's the teacher with the long greasy hair and hooked nose, Professor Snape. He's very intimidating. He turns on the spot when he's at the front, "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" he does a quick scan of the room, he has the rooms full attention "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. 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! Mr Potter. Our new celebrity" he looks at Harry down his nose, there is a sneer playing on his lips "Potter, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" I'd just read the answer to that question, so I raise my hand in the air. " I don't know, sir" Harry mumbled. Snapes lip curled, he was enjoying making Harry squirm, "Let's try again Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Again Harry replied, "I don't know, sir" by this point I'm practically bouncing in my seat, the answer to both questions are on the tip of my tongue, it's taking everything I have not to say them out loud. Snape continues, he only has eyes for Harry, "thought you wouldn't open a book before coming eh Potter, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
"I dont know" Harry said quietly "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?" I'm standing out of my seat, my hand is still in the air. Snape looks over at me and snaps, "sit down" he looks back at Harry "for your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of the Living Dead. 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 of aconite." He looks once more around the room and then says firmly, "Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?" Over the noise of everyone scrambling to find a piece of parchment Snape says "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter"
The class doesn't improve, Snape skulks around watching every step we all make. Neville gets a severe reprimand for adding the porcupine quills before removing the cauldron from the fire resulting in his cauldron melting. He tried to blame this on Harry, but the truth is, I've been trying to help Neville all lesson, I could see he was nervous and I told him to copy everything that I did. I'd clearly gotten too far ahead, I should have kept a closer eye on things. I'll apologise to him later, over dinner.
We all leave the dungeons in a rather dour mood. Snape is strict, and he was practically bullying Harry in class. There has to be a reason, you can't take a dislike to someone just by looking at them. During the free hour before dinner I make a start on the homework Professor Quirrel set. It's pretty easy and I get it done inside the hour. I head down to the great hall with Neville, time to apologise. We sit down on either side of the table I grab a portion of shepherds pie and start to eat.
"Neville, about potions, I'm so sorry that I didn't see you were adding the porcupine quills whilst the cauldron was still on the fire, I was so busy concentrating on the next step that I didn't think to check to see if you were with me" I'm almost in tears I feel so guilty. "It's not your fault Hermione, Snape makes me nervous, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have got as far along in the process as I did, I appreciate all the help you did give me, and maybe we could have some study sessions or something so I can at least scrape by" he asks this as if he expects me to turn him down, I think he may have hit on something "Neville, that's a great idea, we can cover any subject you like, and you can help me with Herbology as I don't think I'm going to be as good at that class as you" he gives me a wide grin and nods his head in agreement. The rest of dinner is small talk, I think Neville and I are going to be good friends.
There's an hours wait until Astronomy starts so we head back to the common room to relax a bit and grab our telescopes ready for the lesson. The class takes place in the tallest tower at Hogwarts, aptly named the Astronomy tower, the Professor is called Sinistra she's a stoic woman, but knows everything there is to know about the stars and the planets and the effect their movement can have over certain events here on earth. The lesson goes quickly, by the end of it we're all yawning and longing for our beds.