Down in the dungeons, the Advanced Potions class was silent as the 7 other
students stared at Harry. He was relieved to see only one Slytherin, which
made him wonder where Michelle was. The Slytherin was, of course, the Head
Boy; Ravenclaw had the greatest representation with 4, and Hufflepuff had
2. They're never alone, Harry mused.
The Slytherin snorted, "Figures Potter would worm his way in here. Probably had Dumbledore put him in all Advanced classes."
"Lay off, Mikeli." This from the Ravenclaw sitting next to him. "I'm Damon Sonati, seventh-year Ravenclaw. This is my Hufflepuff counterpart, Jennifer Baker." Harry nodded at the older girl; she looked oddly familiar. Then it clicked.
"You're Michael's sister!" Michael Baker was a first-year in his house.
"Yeah, Dad was in Hufflepuff, Mom was in Gryffindor."
Mikeli saw his chance. He sauntered over, "Potter here is Gryffindor's heir, aren't ya Harry!" He clapped him hard on the back.
"I said sod off Mikeli!" Damon stood and glared at the lone Slytherin. He seemed to realize he was outnumbered and sat back down. Unfortunately, Snape chose that moment to emerge from his storeroom.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw for your outburst, Mr. Sonati. Kindly take your seat. Today we are -" He stopped mid-sentence and glared at the fifth-year Gryffindor sitting in front of him, all thoughts of Sirius forgotten. Harry was treated to the sight of his potions professor gaping and speechless.
"Mr. Potter, I do not know why you chose to grace us with your presence," he seemed to recompose himself quickly, "But I will assure it will never happen again."
Preparing to meet his Maker, Harry pulled out his schedule and handed it to Snape with a shaking hand. He snatched it with as much force as he could without ripping it and scrutinized it.
"This schedule has been forged. This is the last straw, Potter."
"Sir, I thought it was a fake as well, so I took it to the Headmaster last night. He told me that he had recommended me for this class, sir." Harry was shocked; he had just confronted Snape openly. The potions master was equally shocked, but didn't show it.
"Five points for your cheek," he spat. Oh no, Harry thought, it's first year all over again. "None of you move while I take this matter up with the Headmaster. Potter, come with me." He resisted the urge to yank the boy up by his robes and stormed out of the dungeons. Harry practically had to run to keep up.
As they approached the gargoyle, it jumped aside automatically.
"Come in Professor, Mr. Potter," came Dumbledore's voice before Snape had time to knock.
"What is the meaning of this Headmaster? Surely there has been a mistake."
"No mistake, I assure you. Mr. Potter is quite adept at potions. You would have seen it as well if you had not always paired him with Longbottom."
"Sir, are you accusing me of favoritism and holding back a student?"
"You're Head of Slytherin House, of course you're going to have a little favoritism. Even Minerva shows a little. But she sees and helps develop the potential of all students, not just Gryffindors."
For the second time in ten minutes, Snape was speechless. He regained himself and stood taller.
"Then I recommend Mr. Malfoy join the class as well. He is equally, if not greater, skilled in potions."
"Mr. Malfoy has his plate full with Advanced Divination. Trelawney specifically requested him." Harry was now convinced that Snape was actually going to literally explode. Dumbledore continued, unfazed by Snape's attitude, "I'm sure you have potion to which to tend Professor, and young Harry here is eager to learn." Even Snape knew not to argue too long with the Headmaster, especially when he used that tone. He turned and strode out, without a glance at Potter.
Harry ran after him, remembering to keep a pace behind and to the left. Neither spoke the rest of the period, save Snape giving homework. When the bell rang, Harry was relieved when Snape didn't ask him to stay behind.
As he exited, he heard Malfoy's voice in the hall.
"She kept us there until Pansy told her we'd slept in. She took 50 points from the house for being late. Speaking of which, where's your precious boyfriend, Mudblood? Surely Potter can handle fifth year potions?" Malfoy had his back to the door and didn't see Harry come up behind him; but Hermione and Ron did.
"Why don't you ask him?" She smiled broadly at Harry as Malfoy turned around and noticed the book in his hand.
Harry couldn't resist, "Don't work too hard, Draco. Wouldn't want you too tired for Advanced Divination this afternoon." Malfoy's face went redder than anyone thought humanly possible. Snape walked out to greet the fifth years, which happened to be the only thing that stopped Malfoy from decking Potter.
Harry winked at Ron and left smiling; score one Gryffindor.
The Slytherin snorted, "Figures Potter would worm his way in here. Probably had Dumbledore put him in all Advanced classes."
"Lay off, Mikeli." This from the Ravenclaw sitting next to him. "I'm Damon Sonati, seventh-year Ravenclaw. This is my Hufflepuff counterpart, Jennifer Baker." Harry nodded at the older girl; she looked oddly familiar. Then it clicked.
"You're Michael's sister!" Michael Baker was a first-year in his house.
"Yeah, Dad was in Hufflepuff, Mom was in Gryffindor."
Mikeli saw his chance. He sauntered over, "Potter here is Gryffindor's heir, aren't ya Harry!" He clapped him hard on the back.
"I said sod off Mikeli!" Damon stood and glared at the lone Slytherin. He seemed to realize he was outnumbered and sat back down. Unfortunately, Snape chose that moment to emerge from his storeroom.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw for your outburst, Mr. Sonati. Kindly take your seat. Today we are -" He stopped mid-sentence and glared at the fifth-year Gryffindor sitting in front of him, all thoughts of Sirius forgotten. Harry was treated to the sight of his potions professor gaping and speechless.
"Mr. Potter, I do not know why you chose to grace us with your presence," he seemed to recompose himself quickly, "But I will assure it will never happen again."
Preparing to meet his Maker, Harry pulled out his schedule and handed it to Snape with a shaking hand. He snatched it with as much force as he could without ripping it and scrutinized it.
"This schedule has been forged. This is the last straw, Potter."
"Sir, I thought it was a fake as well, so I took it to the Headmaster last night. He told me that he had recommended me for this class, sir." Harry was shocked; he had just confronted Snape openly. The potions master was equally shocked, but didn't show it.
"Five points for your cheek," he spat. Oh no, Harry thought, it's first year all over again. "None of you move while I take this matter up with the Headmaster. Potter, come with me." He resisted the urge to yank the boy up by his robes and stormed out of the dungeons. Harry practically had to run to keep up.
As they approached the gargoyle, it jumped aside automatically.
"Come in Professor, Mr. Potter," came Dumbledore's voice before Snape had time to knock.
"What is the meaning of this Headmaster? Surely there has been a mistake."
"No mistake, I assure you. Mr. Potter is quite adept at potions. You would have seen it as well if you had not always paired him with Longbottom."
"Sir, are you accusing me of favoritism and holding back a student?"
"You're Head of Slytherin House, of course you're going to have a little favoritism. Even Minerva shows a little. But she sees and helps develop the potential of all students, not just Gryffindors."
For the second time in ten minutes, Snape was speechless. He regained himself and stood taller.
"Then I recommend Mr. Malfoy join the class as well. He is equally, if not greater, skilled in potions."
"Mr. Malfoy has his plate full with Advanced Divination. Trelawney specifically requested him." Harry was now convinced that Snape was actually going to literally explode. Dumbledore continued, unfazed by Snape's attitude, "I'm sure you have potion to which to tend Professor, and young Harry here is eager to learn." Even Snape knew not to argue too long with the Headmaster, especially when he used that tone. He turned and strode out, without a glance at Potter.
Harry ran after him, remembering to keep a pace behind and to the left. Neither spoke the rest of the period, save Snape giving homework. When the bell rang, Harry was relieved when Snape didn't ask him to stay behind.
As he exited, he heard Malfoy's voice in the hall.
"She kept us there until Pansy told her we'd slept in. She took 50 points from the house for being late. Speaking of which, where's your precious boyfriend, Mudblood? Surely Potter can handle fifth year potions?" Malfoy had his back to the door and didn't see Harry come up behind him; but Hermione and Ron did.
"Why don't you ask him?" She smiled broadly at Harry as Malfoy turned around and noticed the book in his hand.
Harry couldn't resist, "Don't work too hard, Draco. Wouldn't want you too tired for Advanced Divination this afternoon." Malfoy's face went redder than anyone thought humanly possible. Snape walked out to greet the fifth years, which happened to be the only thing that stopped Malfoy from decking Potter.
Harry winked at Ron and left smiling; score one Gryffindor.