The sixth years were all gathered in one of the larger classrooms when Professor McGonagal came in.
"You have this morning to decide and signup for the courses you wish to take for your NEWTS" she told them "The lists will be in the great hall after breakfast has been cleared away for you to sign up and most of the teachers will be on hand throughout the morning to discuss any queries you have. Lessons will start tomorrow" she told them.
Harry, Ron and Hermione returned to the hall. The house tables had been moved to one side and there were smaller tables at various places where they could sign up to the classes. The respective teacher stood at each table.
"I know what subjects I'm taking" said Harry "So I'm going to go and say hi to Talitha" He walked off towards her, she saw him and smiled. She was talking to Neville when he got over to her so he waited until they had finished and Neville had moved on.
"Did you manage to do anything about potions?" He asked quietly
"Not yet, I will in a minute" she told him "Glad to be back?"
"Yeah, although I'm missing Remus a bit"
"You'll see him again soon" Talitha said warmly. "He said he'd come and visit when he can"
"Ah Professor McKenzie" Snape interrupted. Talitha did not look at him as he spoke. "Not trying to convince Potter to take you're class are you. You see, Potter doesn't need lessons in Defence Against the Dark Arts because he's already such a hero. Maybe he could teach you a thing or two" Harry heard Talitha take a deep breath as if to try and keep her cool
"Professor Snape, could I have a word with you in private" She said smiling sweetly at him. This threw him.
"What? Erm yes I suppose. Shall we go to my office?" Snape seemed genuinely confused at Talitha's pleasant manner. He turned and swept out of the hall, before following him Talitha leaned over to Harry and whispered.
"Best turn on the old Potter charm" She laughed.
Talitha followed Snape to his office in the dungeons of Hogwarts without speaking to him. She glanced around the room. It was dark and gloomy.
"Nice place" she said with a hint of sarcasm
"What is it McKenzie? Get to the point, we know neither of us wants to be here"
"I need to ask you a favour"
"You've got to be joking, me do something for you" Snape sneered. Talitha ignored him and carried on.
"I want you to allow Harry to take your Potions class"
"You know I will only take those with Outstanding OWLS in my class"
"Yes, but I am asking you to make Harry an exception to that"
"It seems Potter is an exception to every rule. What makes you think I'd do something like that for you?"
"I'm not asking you to do it for me. I have very good reasons for wanting Harry to take Potions. I think it is vital for his future that he does so. Now, I can go and see Dumbledore who will fully agree with me and will insist that you teach Harry or you can agree now and Dumbledore will never have to know that you were so uncooperative"
"I have only the best Potions students in my class. He will not be able to keep up" Snape insisted.
"I have every confidence that Harry is quite able to pass the NEWT exams in Potions, however, I will personally give Harry any extra tutoring he may need to ensure he meets you're high standards" Talitha stated
"Well it seems I have no choice then" Snape replied. Talitha nodded, turned and left the room. She headed back to the main hall where she caught Harry's eye and gave him the thumbs up.
Back up in the common room Harry, Ron and Hermione discussed what subjects they had chosen. Ron and Hermione were doing the same subjects as Harry except Hermione had opted for Arithmancy instead of Care of Magical creatures and Ron had picked Astronomy instead of Potions
"I don't know how you can choose to spend another two years with Snape?" Ron said
"You have this morning to decide and signup for the courses you wish to take for your NEWTS" she told them "The lists will be in the great hall after breakfast has been cleared away for you to sign up and most of the teachers will be on hand throughout the morning to discuss any queries you have. Lessons will start tomorrow" she told them.
Harry, Ron and Hermione returned to the hall. The house tables had been moved to one side and there were smaller tables at various places where they could sign up to the classes. The respective teacher stood at each table.
"I know what subjects I'm taking" said Harry "So I'm going to go and say hi to Talitha" He walked off towards her, she saw him and smiled. She was talking to Neville when he got over to her so he waited until they had finished and Neville had moved on.
"Did you manage to do anything about potions?" He asked quietly
"Not yet, I will in a minute" she told him "Glad to be back?"
"Yeah, although I'm missing Remus a bit"
"You'll see him again soon" Talitha said warmly. "He said he'd come and visit when he can"
"Ah Professor McKenzie" Snape interrupted. Talitha did not look at him as he spoke. "Not trying to convince Potter to take you're class are you. You see, Potter doesn't need lessons in Defence Against the Dark Arts because he's already such a hero. Maybe he could teach you a thing or two" Harry heard Talitha take a deep breath as if to try and keep her cool
"Professor Snape, could I have a word with you in private" She said smiling sweetly at him. This threw him.
"What? Erm yes I suppose. Shall we go to my office?" Snape seemed genuinely confused at Talitha's pleasant manner. He turned and swept out of the hall, before following him Talitha leaned over to Harry and whispered.
"Best turn on the old Potter charm" She laughed.
Talitha followed Snape to his office in the dungeons of Hogwarts without speaking to him. She glanced around the room. It was dark and gloomy.
"Nice place" she said with a hint of sarcasm
"What is it McKenzie? Get to the point, we know neither of us wants to be here"
"I need to ask you a favour"
"You've got to be joking, me do something for you" Snape sneered. Talitha ignored him and carried on.
"I want you to allow Harry to take your Potions class"
"You know I will only take those with Outstanding OWLS in my class"
"Yes, but I am asking you to make Harry an exception to that"
"It seems Potter is an exception to every rule. What makes you think I'd do something like that for you?"
"I'm not asking you to do it for me. I have very good reasons for wanting Harry to take Potions. I think it is vital for his future that he does so. Now, I can go and see Dumbledore who will fully agree with me and will insist that you teach Harry or you can agree now and Dumbledore will never have to know that you were so uncooperative"
"I have only the best Potions students in my class. He will not be able to keep up" Snape insisted.
"I have every confidence that Harry is quite able to pass the NEWT exams in Potions, however, I will personally give Harry any extra tutoring he may need to ensure he meets you're high standards" Talitha stated
"Well it seems I have no choice then" Snape replied. Talitha nodded, turned and left the room. She headed back to the main hall where she caught Harry's eye and gave him the thumbs up.
Back up in the common room Harry, Ron and Hermione discussed what subjects they had chosen. Ron and Hermione were doing the same subjects as Harry except Hermione had opted for Arithmancy instead of Care of Magical creatures and Ron had picked Astronomy instead of Potions
"I don't know how you can choose to spend another two years with Snape?" Ron said