"Why Not" Chapter 3
*A/N: I haven't had any author notes, so I'll give you one now. Each of the chapters will be kind of long, just to let you know. Also, I'm taking some of the lines out of the book(s), since this is when Harry is in his 1st year & such; I'm just adding in Lynn & Ant. Please read & review, & enjoy*
Disclaimer: Owe it all to J.K. Rowling. None of it is mine except for Lynn & Ant. Enjoy =)
**************************************************************************** **
Surprisingly, Ant got to all of his classes fine, due to the point that Hermione had found a map in 'Hogwarts, A History', & that his parents had told him all about Hogwarts, including his older siblings. He & Hermione were doing great for their first week, but he hardly got to see Lynn, Draco, Pansy, & the others. He did get the chance to introduce Hermione to them the first day of classes during lunch break; he was happy that they liked her. From what Pansy told him, Draco's father had told him that Muggleborns, or Mudbloods (horrid word to him), were a bad sort to mix with, but shockingly, he liked Hermione when he first met her. The others liked her, so that was a good thing. Hermione also liked them, saying how stupid the rivalry was & how they were really nice people to be around, just misunderstood. They were also getting more heat from Potter & Weasly, seeing now that two Gryffindors associated with Slytherins, but Neville was one of the only Gryffindors who didn't mind it. Ant's favorite class so far was Transfiguration, along with Charms. He seemed to get the concept of changing objects quickly, along with Hermione. He also loved Charms; it must run in the family, he liked to think. He didn't like Defense Against the Dark Arts; there was something about Professor Quirrell he didn't like. At least on Friday, he would finally go to Potions, which he had with his friends in Slytherin. Like before, he hardly got to see them, but now he would. Hermione was also looking forward to it. A lot of the 1st year Gryffindors weren't looking forward to it, though, as Ant found out at breakfast on Friday morning. He had gotten up & met up with Hermione, & they made their way to the Great Hall early, & started eating when more Gryffindors came down. "What have we got today?" he heard Potter ask Weasly, pouring sugar onto his porridge. "Double Potions with the Slytherins," said Ron. "Snape's Head of Slytherin House. They say he always favors them- we'll be able to see if it's true." He heard Potter mutter something about McGonagall not favoring their house, which she was the Head of Gryffindor, but Ant just snorted into his porridge. McGonagall was really nice when you got past her strict exterior; he really was a good judge of character. At that time, the mail arrived. He was surprised to see an owl flutter over his porridge & land onto his shoulder; it was Lynn's owl, Estella. He smiled at the owl & petted it, then took the letter off of her leg, which was outstretched for him, & gave her some toast. She nibbled onto his ear, & fluttered back to the Owlery. Hermione asked, "Who sent you that?" "Lynn," he replied, starting to open it. He let Hermione read along as he read it:
-Ant,
Hey. We've hardly seen each other this first week of classes, & it's been going by quickly, & slowly too. Me, Draco, Pansy, & everyone else can't wait to have Potions; it's going to be awesome having a class together. How about you & Hermione walk with us there? We have some catching up to do, & we want to know Hermione better. We already see she isn't like Weasly & Potter. Well, I have to run. Me & Draco will come to Gryffindor table after we're done eating. Later days!
Love, Lynn
He smiled as Hermione said, "Well, we better finish our breakfast if they're going to meet up with us." He nodded his reply as he quickly finished his porridge & toast. Just as he finished his pumpkin juice, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Lynn & Draco. "Hi," he & Hermione said at the same time. They chuckled at their timing, along with Draco & Lynn. "Long time, no talk," Draco smirked, "Now let's get going; I don't feel like dealing with these other Gryffindors." Ant & Hermione got up to go when someone sneered, "Well, look who it is."
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Lynn was looking forward to seeing Ant & Hermione on Friday; she hardly saw them all week. She, along with her other friends in Slytherin, had a hard time the first day, but after that, they found their classes with ease. She found that she loved Transfiguration & Astronomy, also being good in those two classes. Even though most of the Slytherins liked Defense Against the Dark Arts, she really didn't like it; there was something about Professor Quirrell she didn't like. Finally, Friday morning arrived. She had given Estella a note that morning to give to Ant during breakfast, so she was already up & moved on down to breakfast with Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Millicent, Crabbe, Goyle, & Cameron. She saw the owls fly down & Estella land on Ant's shoulder. She also saw him & Hermione smile as they read the note. "I can't wait 'till Potions," Draco stated, munching on a piece of toast. Crabbe & Goyle grunted their replies as Pansy added, "I also can't wait 'till Professor Snape gets the Gryffindors. I hope he doesn't go hard on Hermione & Ant, though." "Yeah, but the best part are the number of pranks you can pull of in that class," Blaise added with a mischievous glint in her eye; that got Cameron's attention as he agreed, "Yeah, embarrassing the Gryffindors in that class. It'll be great." Millicent just nodded, busy reading a book Lynn couldn't see the title to. Soon enough, they finished their breakfast & got up. She & Draco made their way to where Ant & Hermione were sitting, & she tapped him on the shoulder. "Hi," they said at the same time, causing them to chuckle at their timing, & Lynn joined in, laughing at their antics, along with Draco. He smirked, "Long time, no talk. Now let's get going; I don't feel like dealing with these other Gryffindors." They were just going to leave when someone sneered, "Well, look who it is."
"Get out of our way, Weasly," Lynn spatted, trying to get around him, but he wouldn't let her. He glared at her & said, "What is a filthy Slytherin like you doing here? Come to pick up some more filth?" "Leave us be Weasly; we just want to get to class." "Not until you leave...without these two; they shouldn't be walking around with Slytherins like you." Hermione stood up & replied, "Ron, get out of our way. We're going to walk to class with our friends, whether you like it or not." Draco sneered, "Aw look Weasly, at least another Gryffindor knows her way around house rivalry." Hermione smiled at Draco, & he smiled back. Weasly was too shocked to speak, so Potter took his place. "Don't Hermione; if you walk around with these...Slytherins, they'll give you a bad name in this school-." "What if we don't care?" Ant cut in; that grabbed the attention of the Great Hall. He continued, "Look Potter, these people have been my first good friends in this school, & I'm not going to let you & your stupid point of view ruin my friendships, get it? Everyone might think you're a big macho hero, but I don't; in my view, you just got lucky. Come on guys, let's go." Lynn was shocked that Ant had done that. 'He didn't have to do that for us,' she thought as she followed him out to the Entrance Hall, with Draco & Hermione, where their other friends were waiting for them. As they were walking out, Dumbledore muttered, "There might be hope after all."
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Ant & the others were trying to catch up as they walked towards Potions class, Hermione also answering questions for their Slytherin friends along the way. They all laughed at each others jokes as they walked down deeper & deeper into the dungeons. Finally, they made it to the classroom. Ant & Hermione took seats next to Lynn & Draco, earning glares from the Gryffindors when they walked in. Ant saw that there were pickled animals floating in glass jars around the walls. "Wicked," he muttered, a smirk coming onto his face. Suddenly, Professor Snape came strolling into the classroom, his robe billowing behind him. He started the class by taking the roll call, & like Professor Flitwick did, he paused at Potter's name. "Ah yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new- celebrity." They all sniggered behind their hands. Snape soon finished calling the names & looked up at the class. His eyes were black, like Hagrid's were, but they seemed dark & cold, a hidden past in them. He than started to speak.
"You are here to learn the subtle science & exact art of potion-making." He paused, having everyone wanting to listen more; he had that gift of keeping a class silent without effort, like Professor McGonagall. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses....I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death-- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
More silence followed this little speech. Ant looked over & saw that Hermione wanted to prove she wasn't a dunderhead, & he wanted to prove it too. Just than did Snape start rounding on Potter. "Potter!" he said suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" 'That's easy; they make the Draught of Living Death,' Ant thought to himself, watching as Potter replied, "I don't know sir." Snape's lips curled into a sneer, obviously entertained that he didn't know the answer. "Tut, tut- fame clearly isn't everything." Ant looked over & saw that Hermione's hand was raised, but Snape wasn't calling on her. As he asked another question, Ant decided to raise his hand & see what he would do. "Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" 'Blimey, another easy one. You would find one in a stomach of a goat; it's a stone that saves you from most poisons.' Draco & the others were starting to shake with laughter; Ant was just getting a bit annoyed. "I don't know sir." "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Snape, of course, was still ignoring Hermione's quivering hand, & Ant's as well. Snape than asked one last question. "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood & wolfsbane?" 'My Lord, they're the same stupid plant!' Ant stood up with Hermione, both of their hands high in the air. "I don't know," said Potter quietly, "I think those two know, though, why don't you try them?"
"Sit down," Snape snapped at Ant & Hermione. "For your information, Potter, asphodel & wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat & it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood & wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?" Soon enough, there was a sudden rummaging for quills & parchment. Over the noise, Snape said, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter." Even though Ant really didn't like Potter, Snape was being unfair, & it got worse as the class went on.
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Lynn noticed that Snape was putting all negative energy on the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued. He put them all into pairs & set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils; Lynn got partnered with Pansy. Snape swept around in his long black cloak, watching them all weigh dried nettles & crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except their little group of friends, not including Ant & Hermione; he seemed to like them. He kept saying how perfectly Draco stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke & a loud hissing filled the dungeon. Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob, & their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms & legs.
"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose. "Take him up to the hospital wing," Snape spat at Seamus. Then, he rounded on Potter & Weasly, who had been working next to them. "You- Potter- why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor." Lynn thought that was unfair, even if it was Potter. Just than did someone exclaimed, "That's not fair, Professor."
"So, Mr. Hardsgrove, you think my teaching is unfair? How so?" Snape sneered, giving Ant a cold glare. Lynn observed as Ant stood up & sneered, "If you weren't hovering around our bloody backs, Neville wouldn't have screwed up his potion. Ever think of that, Professor?" Ant raised an eyebrow as Snape looked pretty shocked, but gained back his cool, collective face. Before Snape could reply to that, Hermione got into the action. "Oh, another thing. Why do you always take points away from Gryffindor, especially Harry? Don't you think he had to look in his book at least once? Than, there's also the thing about not calling on me & Ant when you were terrorizing Harry; you're supposed to call on people who actually know the answer, Professor." Ant smirked as Snape was once again, shocked, that not one, but two, Gryffindor first years had enough guts to stand up to him like that. Unexpectedly, Snape said softly, "Mr. Hardsgrove & Miss Granger, I award 10 points, each, to Gryffindor, for standing up to me, the first ones to stand up to me in years." Everyone was shocked, especially Lynn. She didn't know that they would have the guts to do that, especially Hermione, & then being awarded points for that? Damn, that was insane! "Oh, & another thing," Snape said softly, "You both have a detention with me tonight. Be here at eight 'o clock sharp." With that, the class went quiet once again, everyone getting back to work..
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"Good going, guys! You two should have been in Slytherin!" Draco congratulated Ant & Hermione an hour later. He smirked & replied, "Snape deserved it, but he's getting better now." Hermione nodded her head in agreement, a smirk also forming on her face (*A/N: *gasps* Hermione with a smirk! LOL =)*). Just than did Potter & Weasly show up. "Yeah, you would be better off in Slytherin," Weasly exclaimed, a scrunched look on his face. "Shut it Weasly," Lynn said, rolling her eyes, "I don't need to hear bickering right now." Potter than had to open his mouth & said, "Look, thanks for standing up to that slimy git Hermione, Hardsgrove, but that's all I'm going to say, so stay out of our way & we'll stay out of yours." As they walked away, Ant called back, "We'd be honored to!" Soon enough, they set out away from the dungeons, glad that they had Friday afternoons off. "So, what do you guys want to do?" Pansy asked, once they were in the Entrance Hall. Ant thought for a second, than he suggested, "How about we go outside," the same time that Lynn said it. They both laughed as they headed outside.
It was such a beautiful day out, so they decided to walk around the grounds, just to get a good feel of the place. Millicent, Crabbe, & Goyle set out towards the lake to have a rock throwing contest, Blaise & Cameron went in search of the other first year Hufflepuffs to "test" a new prank of theirs, & Draco, Ant, Hermione, Pansy, & Lynn walked towards the Forbidden Forest, wanting to see why it was so forbidden. "So, what's your favorite class Draco?" Ant asked, deciding to practice some spells they were going to be taught, like the Flying Charm.
*A/N: I haven't had any author notes, so I'll give you one now. Each of the chapters will be kind of long, just to let you know. Also, I'm taking some of the lines out of the book(s), since this is when Harry is in his 1st year & such; I'm just adding in Lynn & Ant. Please read & review, & enjoy*
Disclaimer: Owe it all to J.K. Rowling. None of it is mine except for Lynn & Ant. Enjoy =)
**************************************************************************** **
Surprisingly, Ant got to all of his classes fine, due to the point that Hermione had found a map in 'Hogwarts, A History', & that his parents had told him all about Hogwarts, including his older siblings. He & Hermione were doing great for their first week, but he hardly got to see Lynn, Draco, Pansy, & the others. He did get the chance to introduce Hermione to them the first day of classes during lunch break; he was happy that they liked her. From what Pansy told him, Draco's father had told him that Muggleborns, or Mudbloods (horrid word to him), were a bad sort to mix with, but shockingly, he liked Hermione when he first met her. The others liked her, so that was a good thing. Hermione also liked them, saying how stupid the rivalry was & how they were really nice people to be around, just misunderstood. They were also getting more heat from Potter & Weasly, seeing now that two Gryffindors associated with Slytherins, but Neville was one of the only Gryffindors who didn't mind it. Ant's favorite class so far was Transfiguration, along with Charms. He seemed to get the concept of changing objects quickly, along with Hermione. He also loved Charms; it must run in the family, he liked to think. He didn't like Defense Against the Dark Arts; there was something about Professor Quirrell he didn't like. At least on Friday, he would finally go to Potions, which he had with his friends in Slytherin. Like before, he hardly got to see them, but now he would. Hermione was also looking forward to it. A lot of the 1st year Gryffindors weren't looking forward to it, though, as Ant found out at breakfast on Friday morning. He had gotten up & met up with Hermione, & they made their way to the Great Hall early, & started eating when more Gryffindors came down. "What have we got today?" he heard Potter ask Weasly, pouring sugar onto his porridge. "Double Potions with the Slytherins," said Ron. "Snape's Head of Slytherin House. They say he always favors them- we'll be able to see if it's true." He heard Potter mutter something about McGonagall not favoring their house, which she was the Head of Gryffindor, but Ant just snorted into his porridge. McGonagall was really nice when you got past her strict exterior; he really was a good judge of character. At that time, the mail arrived. He was surprised to see an owl flutter over his porridge & land onto his shoulder; it was Lynn's owl, Estella. He smiled at the owl & petted it, then took the letter off of her leg, which was outstretched for him, & gave her some toast. She nibbled onto his ear, & fluttered back to the Owlery. Hermione asked, "Who sent you that?" "Lynn," he replied, starting to open it. He let Hermione read along as he read it:
-Ant,
Hey. We've hardly seen each other this first week of classes, & it's been going by quickly, & slowly too. Me, Draco, Pansy, & everyone else can't wait to have Potions; it's going to be awesome having a class together. How about you & Hermione walk with us there? We have some catching up to do, & we want to know Hermione better. We already see she isn't like Weasly & Potter. Well, I have to run. Me & Draco will come to Gryffindor table after we're done eating. Later days!
Love, Lynn
He smiled as Hermione said, "Well, we better finish our breakfast if they're going to meet up with us." He nodded his reply as he quickly finished his porridge & toast. Just as he finished his pumpkin juice, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Lynn & Draco. "Hi," he & Hermione said at the same time. They chuckled at their timing, along with Draco & Lynn. "Long time, no talk," Draco smirked, "Now let's get going; I don't feel like dealing with these other Gryffindors." Ant & Hermione got up to go when someone sneered, "Well, look who it is."
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Lynn was looking forward to seeing Ant & Hermione on Friday; she hardly saw them all week. She, along with her other friends in Slytherin, had a hard time the first day, but after that, they found their classes with ease. She found that she loved Transfiguration & Astronomy, also being good in those two classes. Even though most of the Slytherins liked Defense Against the Dark Arts, she really didn't like it; there was something about Professor Quirrell she didn't like. Finally, Friday morning arrived. She had given Estella a note that morning to give to Ant during breakfast, so she was already up & moved on down to breakfast with Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Millicent, Crabbe, Goyle, & Cameron. She saw the owls fly down & Estella land on Ant's shoulder. She also saw him & Hermione smile as they read the note. "I can't wait 'till Potions," Draco stated, munching on a piece of toast. Crabbe & Goyle grunted their replies as Pansy added, "I also can't wait 'till Professor Snape gets the Gryffindors. I hope he doesn't go hard on Hermione & Ant, though." "Yeah, but the best part are the number of pranks you can pull of in that class," Blaise added with a mischievous glint in her eye; that got Cameron's attention as he agreed, "Yeah, embarrassing the Gryffindors in that class. It'll be great." Millicent just nodded, busy reading a book Lynn couldn't see the title to. Soon enough, they finished their breakfast & got up. She & Draco made their way to where Ant & Hermione were sitting, & she tapped him on the shoulder. "Hi," they said at the same time, causing them to chuckle at their timing, & Lynn joined in, laughing at their antics, along with Draco. He smirked, "Long time, no talk. Now let's get going; I don't feel like dealing with these other Gryffindors." They were just going to leave when someone sneered, "Well, look who it is."
"Get out of our way, Weasly," Lynn spatted, trying to get around him, but he wouldn't let her. He glared at her & said, "What is a filthy Slytherin like you doing here? Come to pick up some more filth?" "Leave us be Weasly; we just want to get to class." "Not until you leave...without these two; they shouldn't be walking around with Slytherins like you." Hermione stood up & replied, "Ron, get out of our way. We're going to walk to class with our friends, whether you like it or not." Draco sneered, "Aw look Weasly, at least another Gryffindor knows her way around house rivalry." Hermione smiled at Draco, & he smiled back. Weasly was too shocked to speak, so Potter took his place. "Don't Hermione; if you walk around with these...Slytherins, they'll give you a bad name in this school-." "What if we don't care?" Ant cut in; that grabbed the attention of the Great Hall. He continued, "Look Potter, these people have been my first good friends in this school, & I'm not going to let you & your stupid point of view ruin my friendships, get it? Everyone might think you're a big macho hero, but I don't; in my view, you just got lucky. Come on guys, let's go." Lynn was shocked that Ant had done that. 'He didn't have to do that for us,' she thought as she followed him out to the Entrance Hall, with Draco & Hermione, where their other friends were waiting for them. As they were walking out, Dumbledore muttered, "There might be hope after all."
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Ant & the others were trying to catch up as they walked towards Potions class, Hermione also answering questions for their Slytherin friends along the way. They all laughed at each others jokes as they walked down deeper & deeper into the dungeons. Finally, they made it to the classroom. Ant & Hermione took seats next to Lynn & Draco, earning glares from the Gryffindors when they walked in. Ant saw that there were pickled animals floating in glass jars around the walls. "Wicked," he muttered, a smirk coming onto his face. Suddenly, Professor Snape came strolling into the classroom, his robe billowing behind him. He started the class by taking the roll call, & like Professor Flitwick did, he paused at Potter's name. "Ah yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new- celebrity." They all sniggered behind their hands. Snape soon finished calling the names & looked up at the class. His eyes were black, like Hagrid's were, but they seemed dark & cold, a hidden past in them. He than started to speak.
"You are here to learn the subtle science & exact art of potion-making." He paused, having everyone wanting to listen more; he had that gift of keeping a class silent without effort, like Professor McGonagall. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses....I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death-- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
More silence followed this little speech. Ant looked over & saw that Hermione wanted to prove she wasn't a dunderhead, & he wanted to prove it too. Just than did Snape start rounding on Potter. "Potter!" he said suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" 'That's easy; they make the Draught of Living Death,' Ant thought to himself, watching as Potter replied, "I don't know sir." Snape's lips curled into a sneer, obviously entertained that he didn't know the answer. "Tut, tut- fame clearly isn't everything." Ant looked over & saw that Hermione's hand was raised, but Snape wasn't calling on her. As he asked another question, Ant decided to raise his hand & see what he would do. "Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" 'Blimey, another easy one. You would find one in a stomach of a goat; it's a stone that saves you from most poisons.' Draco & the others were starting to shake with laughter; Ant was just getting a bit annoyed. "I don't know sir." "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Snape, of course, was still ignoring Hermione's quivering hand, & Ant's as well. Snape than asked one last question. "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood & wolfsbane?" 'My Lord, they're the same stupid plant!' Ant stood up with Hermione, both of their hands high in the air. "I don't know," said Potter quietly, "I think those two know, though, why don't you try them?"
"Sit down," Snape snapped at Ant & Hermione. "For your information, Potter, asphodel & wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat & it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood & wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?" Soon enough, there was a sudden rummaging for quills & parchment. Over the noise, Snape said, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter." Even though Ant really didn't like Potter, Snape was being unfair, & it got worse as the class went on.
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Lynn noticed that Snape was putting all negative energy on the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued. He put them all into pairs & set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils; Lynn got partnered with Pansy. Snape swept around in his long black cloak, watching them all weigh dried nettles & crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except their little group of friends, not including Ant & Hermione; he seemed to like them. He kept saying how perfectly Draco stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke & a loud hissing filled the dungeon. Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob, & their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in people's shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms & legs.
"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up all over his nose. "Take him up to the hospital wing," Snape spat at Seamus. Then, he rounded on Potter & Weasly, who had been working next to them. "You- Potter- why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor." Lynn thought that was unfair, even if it was Potter. Just than did someone exclaimed, "That's not fair, Professor."
"So, Mr. Hardsgrove, you think my teaching is unfair? How so?" Snape sneered, giving Ant a cold glare. Lynn observed as Ant stood up & sneered, "If you weren't hovering around our bloody backs, Neville wouldn't have screwed up his potion. Ever think of that, Professor?" Ant raised an eyebrow as Snape looked pretty shocked, but gained back his cool, collective face. Before Snape could reply to that, Hermione got into the action. "Oh, another thing. Why do you always take points away from Gryffindor, especially Harry? Don't you think he had to look in his book at least once? Than, there's also the thing about not calling on me & Ant when you were terrorizing Harry; you're supposed to call on people who actually know the answer, Professor." Ant smirked as Snape was once again, shocked, that not one, but two, Gryffindor first years had enough guts to stand up to him like that. Unexpectedly, Snape said softly, "Mr. Hardsgrove & Miss Granger, I award 10 points, each, to Gryffindor, for standing up to me, the first ones to stand up to me in years." Everyone was shocked, especially Lynn. She didn't know that they would have the guts to do that, especially Hermione, & then being awarded points for that? Damn, that was insane! "Oh, & another thing," Snape said softly, "You both have a detention with me tonight. Be here at eight 'o clock sharp." With that, the class went quiet once again, everyone getting back to work..
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"Good going, guys! You two should have been in Slytherin!" Draco congratulated Ant & Hermione an hour later. He smirked & replied, "Snape deserved it, but he's getting better now." Hermione nodded her head in agreement, a smirk also forming on her face (*A/N: *gasps* Hermione with a smirk! LOL =)*). Just than did Potter & Weasly show up. "Yeah, you would be better off in Slytherin," Weasly exclaimed, a scrunched look on his face. "Shut it Weasly," Lynn said, rolling her eyes, "I don't need to hear bickering right now." Potter than had to open his mouth & said, "Look, thanks for standing up to that slimy git Hermione, Hardsgrove, but that's all I'm going to say, so stay out of our way & we'll stay out of yours." As they walked away, Ant called back, "We'd be honored to!" Soon enough, they set out away from the dungeons, glad that they had Friday afternoons off. "So, what do you guys want to do?" Pansy asked, once they were in the Entrance Hall. Ant thought for a second, than he suggested, "How about we go outside," the same time that Lynn said it. They both laughed as they headed outside.
It was such a beautiful day out, so they decided to walk around the grounds, just to get a good feel of the place. Millicent, Crabbe, & Goyle set out towards the lake to have a rock throwing contest, Blaise & Cameron went in search of the other first year Hufflepuffs to "test" a new prank of theirs, & Draco, Ant, Hermione, Pansy, & Lynn walked towards the Forbidden Forest, wanting to see why it was so forbidden. "So, what's your favorite class Draco?" Ant asked, deciding to practice some spells they were going to be taught, like the Flying Charm.