Chapter Three
Loyalty
It wasn't long before we were reassembled in Greenhouse Three. Professor Snape looked particularly sallow skinned in the light coming through the glass roof. Professor Sprout followed soon after, looking grave.
"What happened today at lunch was not a laughing matter," Sprout began, her round face red, and breathing heavily. "Ronald Weasley is now in a critical condition because of one or more of you." Behind her, Snape folded his arms, running his eyes along the lines of students. I couldn't help but notice that he dwelled on me longer than most other students. It was a great temptation to shout out something along the lines of "I'm innocent", but normally that would indicate that I was the guilty party. Instead I stayed quiet. I could tell this was going to take a long time.
I wasn't sure Snape was going to keep the promised lesson that evening, so I gathered my potions equipment and started to make my way along to the potion lab. I knocked on the door, and waited.
"Enter." A voice called from inside. I drew a breath and opened the door. Snape was seated at the desk at the front of the lab, quill in hand.
"Miss Amethyst, I suppose some credit can be given to you for showing your face again." I came into the lab and placed my equipment and bag on the front bench.
"I have an innocent face." I replied.
"True, but as we already know, the same can't be said for what is inside you." I gave a sigh.
"Professor, the thought of the Gaudium Berries did cross my mind when I found out the effects, but I dismissed the thoughts when Professor Sprout informed the class of the consequences of a raw berry being consumed." Snape nodded slightly.
"Then tell me who did." I let out a sigh.
"There are unwritten rules about that Sir." Snape raised one black eyebrow.
"And there are written rules about harming other students." I folded my arms.
"Why persecute me? Just because of the Labor herb?" Snape raised himself from his seat behind the desk and crossed over to me.
"Here. Hopefully this will solve the problem with Labor herb. Drink one mouthful before you sleep." Snape held out a glass bottle containing an emerald liquid.
"What is it Sir?" I asked, starting to move my hand from its position in my folded arms.
"Counter Labor potion." Snape replied, putting it into my hand. I looked suspiciously at the Professor.
"No, I haven't put veritaserum into it." Snape informed me, as if reading my thoughts. I nodded, and put the bottle into my bag.
"It was a Slytherin." I told him. Snape just gave a nod and opened the book he had brought to the lenimentus audio potion.
It was late before we finished, but there was a certain amount of satisfaction in being able to bottle the potion.
"I would like you to observe the effect of noise on the potion this week. That will mean you must carry it with you. I'm sure you will find the results most interesting." Snape handed me a tiny bottle and placed the remaining potion into a larger bottle, which he labeled.
"Thank you very much Professor, I see why it is such an advanced potion. I'm honoured that you trusted me to be a reliable assistant in the creation. I will watch this potion like a hawk this week and return a report to you this time next week." I knew I had a grin plastered on my face, but in the circumstances I didn't really care. The day had been rotten, and this was the only highlight.
"It is late, Miss Amethyst, you must return to the common room, as I believe it will be curfew shortly. Remember to take the counter potion." I nodded.
"I will Professor, thank you for taking the time to make it. Good night." I shouldered my bag and left the lab.
"And where have you been all evening Elixa Amethyst?" Kerry Alanis, the Slytherin who slept in the bed beside me questioned as I hurried in.
"Rumours are you were with Snape, probably telling him exactly who gave Potter's friend the Gaudium berry." I looked at her over my shoulder.
"I was with Snape actually, he did ask, but I declined to tell him, and for your information both he and Sprout think it was me who did it." Kerry raised an eyebrow. I'd never had many friends in Hogwarts, and Kerry was about the nearest I got to. She was all right as long as she was on her own, but put her with her crowd, and she wasn't worth knowing. Kerry didn't follow my reply up with anything, and I drew the curtains around my bed. I sat on the side of my bed and remembered the potion. I drew it out of my bag.
"One mouthful." I told myself. I swallowed. A heavy sensation as if I was being pushed down appeared immediately. It was quite uncomfortable. I put the potion back and lay down. I shut my eyes and fell quickly asleep.