Severus Snape considered himself a well-behaved person. Well, not actually. But that didn't matter, he had already agreed to help McKinnon, hadn't he?

And while Severus may not be the kindest person around, he doesn't go back on his word, not unless it's ultimately necessary at least. Apparently tutoring Marlene McKinnon of all people was not a situation he could simply walk away from.

'Am I doing this right?' Marlene asked as she mixed whatever liquid was inside her cauldron. Severus bit back a groan.

'Yeah, yeah, keep going.'

Would he regret that later? Surely, but one of the fantastic things about the Room of Requirement was that it always provided him with new cauldrons. Only Merlin knew what happened to those that his students had melted. But magic works in the weirdest ways, so he didn't particularly care.

What he cared about at that moment was about warding Marlene's potentially dangerous 'potion' before it exploded. He sighed and went to Sybill Trelawney, who probably was doing everything but her homework.

'Miss Trelawney,' he stalked behind her to catch her by surprise. 'I didn't know birth charts were part of the Transfiguration First-Year Syllabus.'

Trelawney jumped and quickly tried to cover her paper with some poorly written DADA essay from last week. Severus snorted. 'Severus! I apologise I –'

'I will always ask myself where the hell you get that confidence from, Trelawney. It's Snape for you.'

'Sorry, Severus.'

He covered his face with his hands. 'It goes through your left auditory canal, probably meets a few little grey cells along the journey and exits through the right one.' Sybill blinked with those gigantic eyes of hers. It probably was the glasses that made her look like a fish, but Severus could not for the life of him know for sure.

'You asked me to keep you company while you were studying.'

'Yes, sir.'

'And I understand why you'd ask that, really, I do but look around you,' he signalled the other students who were either burying their face between books or standing too close to their cauldrons. 'Do you think this is the place where you ought to come to for — drawing?'

Sybill sighed sadly and nodded. She brought her first year Transfiguration textbook to the table and stared at it for a long time. Severus patted her head and went to Hector Heyward, another Ravenclaw first-year, who was currently reading The Worst Hexes and How to Evade Them.

'Heyward,' he called as he leaned on the table. 'Was any homework assigned for tomorrow?'

Heyward looked up with enormous eyes, and Severus sighed. First-years looked so tiny sometimes, it was ridiculous to think that way as a fourth-year.

'No, I don't think so. We do have a DADA essay due Friday, which is the one I'm studying for.'

'Give me whatever you've written before time's up and I'll revise it with you.'

The boy smiled. 'Thanks, Severus.'

'Snape,' Severus corrected.

'SNAPE!' someone screeched from the other side of the room. 'SNAPE IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE!'

Severus groaned and motioned the rest of students to remain quiet. He ran to McKinnon. Her potion looked absolutely hideous; it was a concerning sight. Severus smiled nervously and softly pushed her to the side. He grabbed the instructions and read carefully as he asked himself 'How could McKinnon fuck this up? Oh wait, I know how!'.

'Impedimenta,' he cast in a hushed tone as he scanned the ingredients on the table. He was strongly against using inadequate spells on boiling potions, but for all he knew McKinnon could've brewed straight up poison and he had quite a few things he'd like to do before he died.

He neutralised the liquid. It had been easy to spot the mistake; he had left her alone to pick up the ingredients because one would think at the age of fourteen you can distinguish bicorn horn from unicorn horn. It's not like the names weren't written on the bloody containers.

'McKinnon, I told you to brew Pepper Up.'

'And I did!'

'If you call that brewing, it explains why you are even taking remedial Potions in the first place,' said Severus.

McKinnon had the decency to look ashamed. 'Sorry.'

'You're not sorry, you didn't even know you were mixing the incorrect ingredients,' Severus quickly vanished the cauldron and motioned the others in the classroom to approach them.

'Everyone saw how McKinnon's potion was about to explode, right?'

The students nodded obediently; McKinnon looked more embarrassed.

'Besides her obvious lack of natural talent, her mistake was quite foolish for someone studying Potions in their fourth year — but that doesn't mean she was the first or the last to make it.'

Aurora Sinistra raised her hand. Severus bit back a sneer. 'Yes, Sinistra?'

'But it's not that she just slipped up with some ingredient, right? I mean — you're obviously pointing her out for something else, aren't you, darling?'

Severus clenched his jaw. 'Indeed. One could never become a good potioneer while being unsure about the ingredients. But McKinnon wasn't unsure, we have our ingredients labelled in the stores, she picked the Bicorn Horn Powder because she believed it to be the unicorn one, am I wrong, McKinnon?'

'She called you a wha… — I mean, yes, I did think it was the unicorn horn one.'

Sinistra nodded with a smirk on her face.

'Why someone's bad at a subject can always be explained, even if teachers don't want you to know. Most of the times the student's aptitude in a subject mirrors the professor's ability to teach,' he explained and let a few students snicker. 'McKinnon, nobody properly taught you how to differentiate or identify your potions. And you rely on your seatmate to do the job as you are "pants at Potions". But if we don't experiment, we'll never learn.'

Severus considered himself an excellent judge in seeing people's potentials. There were people who just weren't magically aligned to be good at potions, there were others who lacked patience, didn't know what they were pouring in before mixing, had poor memory about retaining the proper steps. If anyone was a dunderhead, he'd let them know.

'I'll teach McKinnon how to brew a Pepper Up. Whoever thinks they need to watch the procedure may stay, the others ought to go back to their own work, I'll make a round later.'

Severus sighed in contentment as five students stayed. He went behind the table and pulled McKinnon next to him.

'I won't touch anything; I will simply tell you the steps and stop you if you make a mistake. Understood?'

McKinnon grinned.

'Yes, sir.'

Severus waved his wand and all the ingredients went back to the stores. He summoned a cauldron for McKinnon and placed it in front of her.

'Ready?' he offered her a brief smile.

'Please, Snape,' she readjusted her bun. 'I was born ready.'

Severus tapped on the table slightly and whispered. 'Metro-Cronos.'

'Gather the ingredients, McKinnon,' he drawled as his eyes followed how the blonde turned around and scrutinised the jars. One bicorn horn, mandrake root, salamander blood. Good, she had read the ingredients carefully, she'd need to recognise them next time though.

'Slice the mandrake root,' he said.

McKinnon looked up with bewildered eyes. 'Slice?'

'Do I need to repeat myself, McKinnon?' Severus barked. 'Slice the mandrake root.'

McKinnon obeyed warily. The other students looked at Severus and smiled. He inclined his head in acknowledgement.

The potion wasn't particularly a difficult one. It was first-year level. With explicit instructions, it took the girl less than twenty minutes before she had to brew it again.

'Stir three times anti-clockwise and add three drops of salamander blood by every stir.'

'I'm pretty sure the book said four times.'

Severus sneered. 'Then trust your brilliant memory with potions procedures. If you don't need any help, what are you doing here?'

'You don't have to be so cryptic all the time, if you know something I don't just say that!'

'Oh, McKinnon, there's so much you don't know, I don't have enough time in this lifetime to spell it out to you.'

McKinnon cursed under her breath. 'Bloody bitch, Lily must like them prissy as fuck.'

'I heard that,' Severus scowled.

'Then cover your ears if you'd like.'

Snape was unamused. His eyes drifted to Sybill who stood by his side, he snorted. 'Enough drawing for today, Trelawney?'

'Yes, Severus. Aurora said she'd help me with birth charts when she's done with her Potions writing.'

Jesus — is everyone in this bloody school just going to assign essays this year? What the hell? He asked himself inwardly.

'How are you doing regarding Potions, Trelawney?'

The girl shrugged. 'Fine, I suppose. Slughorn isn't nearly as good as you are when teaching, though. He called me up in class because I was related to some woman.'

Severus scowled and summoned two chairs for the both of them. Sybill sat and looked at McKinnon intently. Severus took a seat beside the first-year.

'And who's that woman?'

Sybill looked up at him with confusion etched on her face. 'You don't know?'

Severus shook his head. 'Can't say I do.'

'Cassandra Trelawney, she was a seer,' Sybill bit her lip. 'She was famous or something.'

Severus looked at McKinnon to see how she was doing, adequate so far for someone that took her sweet time stirring. 'Mind the time, McKinnon!'

He turned his gaze back to Trelawney. 'There's nothing bad with being a seer.'

'Everyone, everyone just thinks I'm a loony, I'm not — I…'

'You're not,' Severus said firmly. 'Your head's everywhere, Sybill, but you possess an outstanding talent. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about it.'

'Not even you?' she asked.

'Not even me,' Severus said. 'I might not be the biggest fan of Divination, and I might think most of the self-proclaimed seers are nothing but scammers. But it's not something to be ashamed of if what you have is real.'

Trelawney smiled and looked at McKinnon. 'She's going to be good for you.'

Severus raised his brow. 'Who?'

Sybill's eyes were glossy.

'Your people — us, we await glory.'

Severus placed a hand on Trelawney's shoulder. 'Sybill, what are you saying?'

Trelawney blinked slowly and looked back at Severus; her eyes were back to normal. 'Er — did I say something?'

Severus smiled. 'Not at all.'

He stood up and walked towards McKinnon. There was no use in asking Trelawney something she didn't recall. Severus hoped she was talking about exam season.

McKinnon's blonde hair was tied up in the messiest bun he had ever seen. He walked behind her and untied it.

'Don't lose focus, I'm just going to brush your hair.'

McKinnon nodded but said nothing. Snape had the habit of doing Lily's hair. He didn't bother with his; it didn't matter if his hair was pretty or not. But brushing hair had always calmed him down, he used to brush his mother's when she couldn't do it by herself, in fact, the only reason he kept his long-ish hair was because of his late mother.

The Gryffindor's hair was honey blonde and curly. He summoned a brush and started doing her hair, making sure he didn't pull too hard. They stood there for a while until Severus finished the bun and McKinnon was about to finish the potion up.

'Now,' said Severus. 'You place a time ward on it and we'll wait until tomorrow afternoon.'

McKinnon nodded absentmindedly. Her mind was still on the cauldron, that was obvious.

'McKinnon it won't run away.'

'I know, it's just. Could you believe this is the first potion I've ever brewed with nothing exploding?'

Severus furrowed his brows. 'I could look into that if you'd like.'

McKinnon waved her hands dismissively. 'Don't worry, I'm probably just clumsy but damn — it felt nice to finally conquer Pepper Up.'

He smiled at her and turned on his heel. He had lost too much time on a first-year potion. 'Raise your hand if you want me to revise your writing!'

Six hands shot up in the air. Aurora Sinistra, Hector Hayward, Xenophilius Lovegood, Barty Crouch, Regulus Black and Priscilla Wilkes. Xenophilius was studying for his O. so he had a priority. Severus walked to the fifth-year Ravenclaw.

'Yes, Lovegood?'

The blond smiled and took something out of his bag.

'I want you to read my Potions essay — but! I also brought you something.'

Severus shook his head. 'Lovegood, I'm already taking money from you, it's okay, you don't need to give me anything.'

'Severus I'm paying for assistance, but look at this,' the blond opened the box to reveal a very colourful… something?

'Oh, look at that, it's what I've always desired,' the Slytherin sneered, trying to read the blasted paper over Lovegood's hand.

'It's a friendship bracelet, Severus!'

Severus narrowed his eyes. 'You ought to give it to Borealis and see if you make some process, then.'

Xenophilius turned crimson. 'Severus, we spend six hours together — you're practically my best friend.'

'Sure, practically, I could be,' Severus said. 'Now let me look at the damn essay.'

'Put it on first!'

Severus was about to curse the blonde but realised it was pointless, arguing with Xenophilius was like arguing with the wall. A one-sided fight.

He grabbed the pink bracelet, and Xenophilius help put it on him. The blond pulled down his sleeve to reveal a green copy of what he wore on his wrist.

'There was a green one!?'

'Pink suits you better, Severus.'

You cannot hex students, Severus told himself.

'Fine,' he extended his hand. 'The essay, Lovegood.'

The Ravenclaw obliged and showed him what he had written. His handwriting was legible, very unlike the writer. Severus wandlessly summoned his red gel pen and started correcting a few things. Defensive spells were to be taught properly. Writing a ten inches paper on when you can use Expelliarmus is useful but not if they haven't taught you how to cast it.

'Adequate, Lovegood. I'll check the other papers and we'll have a mock duel.'

Xenophilius nodded and pulled out his notebook, probably to write poems about his dear Pandora. Severus rolled his eyes.

The Slytherin walked towards Sinistra, he inwardly sighed.

'Hey cutie,' Sinistra said with a wink. 'I'm doing research on Amortentia. Is it true it can make someone fall for you?'

Severus tensed up as if he was prey walking up in a predator's den. 'No, the potion cannot mimic the emotion of love but it does create false obsession and devotion to the person who gives the potion.'

'How long does the effect work for?

'There's a counter-potion.'

'How long does it last, Severus?'

He gritted his teeth. 'Five days, you're careful and dedicated, perhaps a lifetime.'

'Thank you, love!'

Severus almost dragged himself towards Heyward, he let the breath he didn't know he was holding. Sinistra didn't actually need his help. But yet, here she was. And it's not like she wasn't pretty. If Severus was to make a list of the most good-looking people he had ever seen, Aurora would be on that list for sure. She had warm brown eyes and dark curly hair; she was dark-skinned and tall. Sinistra was popular, and pretty, and smart. But she still talked to Severus.

He wasn't shy, per se, but Sinistra made him uncomfortable, like she could jump at any moment and claim him as hers. Like she could eat him up and nobody would suspect her. She was dangerous, but Severus took 6 galleons a week from her, 6 galleons he would later convert to 30 pounds, so yes, he was pushing through it.

'Heyward, what's your DADA essay about?'

'Lovegood focus on your rival!'

'I'm trying!'

'Not enough!' Severus' voice boomed through the training side of the room. 'Depulso!'

Lovegood fell and covered his face with his hand. 'This is not worth all the trouble — Graham said nothing about duelling!'

Severus snorted. 'There is a duelling club in Hogwarts, Lovegood. You want Graham to walk you there too?'

Other students cheered freely as they saw their teacher defeat an older student. Severus had been holding back, he'd need Xenophilius to be able to protect himself if so needed. War was approaching after all.

'Again?' Lovegood asked as he dusted his trousers off.

Severus smiled.

'When you're ready.'

Both teenagers took their stances and counted to three before they pointed their wands at each other. Lovegood's eyes glinted and Severus smirked.

'Expelliarmus!' the blond one cast and powerful light shot from his wand. Severus blocked the spell. He, too, beamed.

'You did it, Xeno!' Sybill clapped her hands eagerly as the other Ravenclaws smiled in amusement. Lovegood's magic was good for duelling, but he was always a nonviolent man, he'd rather talk it out instead of hexing it out. Heyward slapped his back as he laughed in amusement.

'Severus, I did it!'

'I wouldn't have pushed you as hard if I knew you weren't capable of it.'

Xenophilius' eyes watered and he hugged Severus, almost crouching down because of their height difference. The blond sobbed into his shirt and the Slytherin didn't know if he was crying because he had thought he wouldn't be able to cast the spell or because Severus' rigorous training had worked. It probably was because of both.

'Lovegood — I'm not a tissue,' Severus drawled.

The Ravenclaw still cried. 'You're my best friend!'

McKinnon approached the two boys. Severus raised a brow at her. 'I didn't know you were so popular, Snape! Lily's gonna be jealous!'

Severus rolled his eyes. 'Yes, because me having an acceptable relationship with my students is something so abnormal.'

McKinnon laughed heartily. 'Had I not known you, I would've assumed you ate kids for breakfast.'

He deadpanned. 'And who told you I didn't?'

Severus turned on his heel and shooed the remaining students away. There were just twelve in total. He preferred reduced groups. Now with McKinnon the number could either go up to thirteen or stay as a multiple of two.

'So — would you like to continue our lessons?' he asked as he packed his bag. He had some homework from the younger years he wanted to correct.

'Are you kidding me? Snape of course I want to!' McKinnon replied with enthusiasm as he helped Severus clean up a bit. 'You're a genius, you know?'

The Slytherin felt his face heat up a little, but he soon strengthened his occlumency shields. 'Thank you.'

'You're such a nice guy,' the blonde said in an almost melancholic tone. 'And an excellent teacher! Snape, leave some talent for the rest of us!'

Severus snorted. 'I'm not nice, McKinnon.'

'Whatever you say, Disney princess,' McKinnon pulled Severus closer to her, she draped her arm around his shoulders. 'Now, let's go see your prince.'

'I don't want us to be seen together, McKinnon,' he said as he furrowed his brows.

The blonde girl stopped in her tracks. 'Why not? I mean –'

Severus signalled her to shut up, she did. 'It's inconvenient, if you weren't aware by now I'm a recurrent target.'

McKinnon crossed her arms and took a defensive stance. 'You let Lily stick to you, though.'

Severus rolled his eyes. 'Because she's stubborn as a mule, I want nothing to happen but she's positive Potter's current fixation on her means he won't dare to hex her.'

The Gryffindor leaned on the door as Severus cast some spells around the room. Soon the door disappeared, and a wall was back in its place. Severus warded his classroom with a password in an already hidden room, he couldn't risk it. 'But you're not convinced, are you?'

Severus shook his head. 'It's obvious who he really desires it's not Lily, he just thinks he does. Potter's obsessed, I wouldn't put it past him to hex Lily if she keeps being nice to me.'

McKinnon slumped down the wall. 'That's awful — so awful. Snape, I'm sorry.'

Severus extended a hand to her; she took it and he helped her to stand again. 'Don't be.'

He turned around and left her on her own devices. Severus walked down the stairs as the constant reminder of Sybill's grades in anything that wasn't Astronomy mortified his thoughts. He sighed.