Harry and Ron walked silently towards the dungeons. Ron made sure as not to answer Harry's earlier questions about Hermione, so they both came to the same conclusion; they would drop it for the time being.  A small group of Slytherins had packed themselves into the crevice outside the classroom door. As Harry and Ron turned the corner they tightened their circle.

There wasn't much time for speculation as Professor Snape made his way from the opposite corridor and ordered them inside. Snape took his seat at the large oak desk, and sneered at the class as they took their seats.

"I had hoped your last year would bring about some degree of intelligence, or at best conditioning,"

Snape took a pause to glare at Neville Longbottom, who quickly hid his face behind a Potions text.

"Nevertheless, after a repeated overlook of past years itinerary, it seems to indicate you have all outdone yourselves,"

Harry rolled his eyes, and Ron snorted at the back of his throat. Snape noticed this and made his intimidating stride over to their cauldrons.

"Not only have all of you managed to fall back with at an astounding rate, the number of ill-used ingredients has reached its highest ever."

Snape's crooked nose was mere centimeters in front of Harry's face, and his warm, putrid breath, made Harry's eyes water. He continued on with his hushed speech.

"That is why this year I have allowed myself the subjection of an assistant."

The Slytherins who had been chortling at Snape's harassment towards their rivals, drew a hush. Harry noticed a particular Slytherin who hadn't joined it, and in fact wasn't present at all. Ron seemed to catch his eye and turned his head minutely back towards Harry.

"Where's Malfoy?…Oh no, Harry you don't think…"

Snape had strolled back towards his desk and grinned sadistically.

"Our very own Draco Malfoy will now be serving as your student-teacher."

Gryffindors around the room broke out in protest, and Snape angrily shushed them.

"Silence! Mr Malfoy would you care to join us?"

Snape turned his neck and gestured towards the far back stores, where the basins and flasks sat glistening in the artificial light.

A white-blond head poked up from the rows of specimen jars, and two ice-blue eyes locked into Harry.  Malfoy's cherubic lips, turned up in an haughty smile.

"Yes sir, most definitely."