Chapter 4: Strange Allies
"That is correct Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "As a friend is required to make it, you must make the potion, and administer it as well. If you are to save your friends, you must act quickly."
"But, Professor, I'm terrible at potions. I'll never be able to make it. Plus, I don't have any of the ingredients I need to make this. I also don't know where to get them on such short notice."
"I'll help you, Potter," came a cold voice from behind. Harry knew who it was. He could feel his powerful gaze piercing him. He was close, too. He could feel the remains of his breath on his neck.
Harry turned to find himself face to face with none other than the tall, black, greasy haired teacher he would have given anything to not have a class with, Professor Severus Snape!
"Professor, I really need help with this. I've GOT to save Ron and Hermione!" He stared avidly into the eyes of the teacher he loathed. Suddenly, catching Harry totally by surprise, he thought he saw a small flicker of compassion dance across his face very briefly, and linger in his eyes; a slight bit longer than it did his face.
"Right, Potter. Follow me and we will get started in the dungeons as soon as possible, before it is much too late to even both beginning," breathed Snape. Harry, for a brief and very brief moment felt a great deal of hatred mount in him. "too late to even bother." Harry wondered how Snape could even think that Harry wouldn't try it, not matter what time it was. Harry found that he had never been so fast at going downstairs to the dungeons for a potion. He was sure he would never see the day, but it had eventually come, and Harry took less than 30 seconds to fly down the grand staircase and into the corridor of the dungeons. He was surprised to see that Snape was keeping up the pace. He thought sure that Snape would dilly-dally and take his sweet time. They arrived in the dungeon and Snape began to direct Harry where to go to find the ingredients they would need for the potion. Harry was not surprised he had all the ingredients necessary.
They began the potion. As Snape was there and his friends were depending on him, it added extra pressure. Harry was sure he was to fail at this potion and fail his best friends. He was also quite scared about Hermione dying. Even though he had trouble admitting it, especially when Hermione was on about SPEW, but he had deep feelings for her.
They began. Time seemed to be flying right past them and not even thinking about slowing for them. On schedule they finished the mixing of the ingredients.
They were almost done, when Harry read the last line. "Lifeforce of a friend"
Harry stopped dead. He tried to move, but he couldn't. He didn't have time to be a tall beanpole or hat rack. He had to act right now to save his friends, but that line stopped him.
"Sir, what does that mean 'Lifeforce of a friend'?" He was half scared to know the answer.
"That is correct Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "As a friend is required to make it, you must make the potion, and administer it as well. If you are to save your friends, you must act quickly."
"But, Professor, I'm terrible at potions. I'll never be able to make it. Plus, I don't have any of the ingredients I need to make this. I also don't know where to get them on such short notice."
"I'll help you, Potter," came a cold voice from behind. Harry knew who it was. He could feel his powerful gaze piercing him. He was close, too. He could feel the remains of his breath on his neck.
Harry turned to find himself face to face with none other than the tall, black, greasy haired teacher he would have given anything to not have a class with, Professor Severus Snape!
"Professor, I really need help with this. I've GOT to save Ron and Hermione!" He stared avidly into the eyes of the teacher he loathed. Suddenly, catching Harry totally by surprise, he thought he saw a small flicker of compassion dance across his face very briefly, and linger in his eyes; a slight bit longer than it did his face.
"Right, Potter. Follow me and we will get started in the dungeons as soon as possible, before it is much too late to even both beginning," breathed Snape. Harry, for a brief and very brief moment felt a great deal of hatred mount in him. "too late to even bother." Harry wondered how Snape could even think that Harry wouldn't try it, not matter what time it was. Harry found that he had never been so fast at going downstairs to the dungeons for a potion. He was sure he would never see the day, but it had eventually come, and Harry took less than 30 seconds to fly down the grand staircase and into the corridor of the dungeons. He was surprised to see that Snape was keeping up the pace. He thought sure that Snape would dilly-dally and take his sweet time. They arrived in the dungeon and Snape began to direct Harry where to go to find the ingredients they would need for the potion. Harry was not surprised he had all the ingredients necessary.
They began the potion. As Snape was there and his friends were depending on him, it added extra pressure. Harry was sure he was to fail at this potion and fail his best friends. He was also quite scared about Hermione dying. Even though he had trouble admitting it, especially when Hermione was on about SPEW, but he had deep feelings for her.
They began. Time seemed to be flying right past them and not even thinking about slowing for them. On schedule they finished the mixing of the ingredients.
They were almost done, when Harry read the last line. "Lifeforce of a friend"
Harry stopped dead. He tried to move, but he couldn't. He didn't have time to be a tall beanpole or hat rack. He had to act right now to save his friends, but that line stopped him.
"Sir, what does that mean 'Lifeforce of a friend'?" He was half scared to know the answer.
