When we grew up and went to school

There were certain teachers who would

Hurt the children any way they could

By pouring their derision upon anything we did

Exposing every weakness

However carefully hidden by the kids

But in the town it was well known

When they got home at night

Their fat and psychopathic wives would

Thrash them within an inch of their lives…

Why is it that whenever I want to borrow a book, I can never bloody well find the one I want?! It was here just a few hours ago…Hang on, who's that behind the bookshelf over there?

'Snape's never been like this with any of our other Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers-' Ah, it's Potter and co…

'Hey, who's that?' Damn, they've seen me…

'It's that new girl, the one who had a go at Snape! Hey, what's your name again?'

'Meela Masribani. What were you two saying?'

'We were just talking about Snape and why he hates everyone. What do you think?'

'I don't know. It could be many things- fear, anger, jealousy – or it could be that he's just a misanthrope.'

'A what?'

'A misanthrope. Someone who distrusts everyone else. Maybe he's been hurt by someone, and he's decided that it's easier to simply stop anyone from coming close so that he can't be hurt again.'

'I'd never thought of it like that…'

'I can see that. Just…try to be patient with him, I don't think he really means all of the things he says.'

'What d'you mean, patient?! After what you said to him before?!'

'I had to do that, Ron, somebody had to say to him 'Look, you can't do things like that!' Teachers can get into very serious trouble for threatening students.'

'Trouble, eh…?'

'Don't you dare. I'm warning you, Weasley…'

'Okay, okay! Jeez…' Harry jumps in now, possibly noticing the blood-curdling glare I'm giving Weasley.

'That stuff you said to Binns was really great! You're really not scared of Voldemort at all, are you?'

'No. As I said, he only does it for attention. And don't you roll your eyes at me, either, Weasley.' Little git…

'Why not?! Everyone's afraid of You-Know-…' He trails off.

'Don't exaggerate, Weasley. I'm not afraid of Voldemort, Professor Dumbledore isn't afraid of Voldemort, Narcissa Malfoy isn't afraid of him…'

'Narcissa Malfoy?'

'Yes. She may detest him, but she certainly isn't afraid of him.'

'But I thought the Malfoys were right in his inner circle!'

'Lucius Malfoy probably was, but his wife wanted nothing to do with Voldemort. I'd imagine that she's absolutely livid that Voldemort's old followers are all going back to him. Must ask Draco next time I see him…'

'So…you're saying that Lucius Malfoy's wife will be really angry if he goes back to You-Know-Who?'

'Absolutely. I tell you, I wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of her. Veela can be incredibly nasty when provoked…'

'She's a Veela?!'

'Well, half-Veela. Didn't you wonder why Draco didn't fall for them at the World Cup?'

'Well, I'll be damned…' It's not so bad when you get used to it, Ron…

'But if she hates Voldemort so much, why is Draco always going on about the 'Dark Lord'?'

'He only does that when his mother's not around. When she's there, any pro-Voldemort comments are countered with her Veela Stare, and I'll tell you now, that'll make you want to throw yourself out of the nearest window just to get away from it. Then she'll just ignore you, I've seen her do it to Avery and various others.'

'Being ignored doesn't sound so bad…'

'It doesn't sound so bad, but it is. Have you ever heard of Plato's theory?'

'No.'

'Plato believed that you are the centre of the universe, and that the whole world, and everyone and everything in it, is all a figment of your imagination. When Narcissa Malfoy decides to ignore you, it's as if, for a time, you literally don't exist in her world. She won't acknowledge your presence at all, she just stares straight through you as if you're not even there. It's incredibly spooky to watch, I'd hate to be on the receiving end.'

The bell rings now, signalling the start of afternoon classes. At least they'll have something to think about in Potions next period…