Chapter Six Disclaimer on opening note

A few days later, Ruby received a note from Professor Snape.

Ruby Kennedy,

We will not meet at our normal time today. You will assist me with
the
third year Gryffindor/Slytherin class today. I've already told
Professor Lupin and he has agreed to meet with you after dinner to
make up your Defense against the Dark Arts work.

Professor S. Snape

"Great," Ruby said. "Just Great."

She arrived at the dungeon before the third year class. She entered the unlocked classroom and took a seat. Seconds later, Snape flew in to the classroom.

"Not there," he said to her as he sat at his desk. "Up here." Ruby walked up to the front. "Here." He moved the chair next to him. Ruby sat down as Snape opened the book before them. "Today we will be working on the intengio potion."

"You trust them that much?"

"Heh, no, that is why you are here. This potion is easy to create, but can be extremely poisonous."

"But only to the hair, right?"

He smiled, "Correct, Miss Kennedy. So I need to make sure the Slytherins and Gryffindors don't burst into an all out war."

"You know I had a fight with Harry, don't you?"

He looked at her a little surprised. He sighed, "Over what?"

"He was embarrassed about the whole dementor thing. Well I told him to get over it. We all have problems why should his be any bigger then the rest of ours." Snape just looked at her. "I mean really, why does he get more benefits?"

"You never cease to amaze me."

"What," she asked, stunned.

"Never mind. Just do as I've asked."

She felt very uncertain of what had just happened. She had verbally vomited on his table and he listened. She was so amazed that she missed the comments of the students before her, taking their seats.

"Today," Snape bellowed which startled Ruby into existence again, "We will be working on the intengio potion. Can anyone tell me the importance of the potion?" Hermione raised her hand. "Anyone? No?" Ruby could tell Hermione was ready to scream. Ruby cleared her throat and Snape sneered. "Miss Granger," he said reluctantly.

"The integio potion can help cure extreme scarring, like burns."

"That is correct."

"But," Hermione continued, "it can be very poisonous."

"How is that, Miss Granger?"

She paused and looked at Ruby for help, but none came.

"I don't know, Professor."

"I guess you can not rely on your friends for all the answers, Miss Granger. Miss Kennedy, enlighten us." Ruby explained the poisonous nature of the potion, then Snape continued. "I have asked Miss Kennedy to assist me today, incase any problems should arise." Snape looked directly at Harry. "Five points from Gryffindor."

"I didn't do anything!"

"Did I say it was you?"

Ruby helped pass out ingredients and she received glares from every side. She returned to Snape's desk and said to him, "You've placed me in a snake pit."

"Be ready to speak parseltongue," he answered.

The students were working while Snape paced the desks. Ruby sat up at the front and waited.

"Ruby," Hermione asked. Ruby got up and went to her desk. "How do you cut this root?"

"You have to cut it into small pieces."

"Oh."

"Don't forget to add water before you grind it."

"Thanks," she smiled. That was the longest conversation they had had in ages. The door opened and Dumbledore and McGonigal appeared.

"Professor Snape, we need to speak with you."

Snape looked around then turned his attention to Ruby. "Miss Kennedy, I will be right outside. If you have problems, come get me."

"Yes, sir." He left the room in her charge.

"So, the little mudblood is in Snape's good graces," sneered Malfoy.

"Shut up, Malfoy," Hermione retaliated.

"Oh good comeback, Granger. I guess muggles have to stay together in a wizarding world."

"Are you quite finished," Ruby asked Malfoy.

"No, I can talk like this all day."

"I meant your potion. I know how long your mouth can run."

"Yes," he sneered. "But it was harded with out Potter to help me."

"Let me see it." She tired to be as unfeeling as Snape, but inside she was fuming. Malfoy brought up his vile. His potion was surprisingly good. "Thank you, Malfoy. Professor Snape will examine it when he comes back." Malfoy glared at her and didn't move. "You may take your seat."

"Why don't we examine it now?" He flicked at his vile and the potion splattered out at Ruby.

"Mr. Malfoy," Snape bellowed from the doorway. Malfoy look surprised that Snape had yelled a him. "Sit down, move and it's dentention." Snape went over to Ruby who was combing thourgh her hair. "Miss Kennedy, go to the infirmary and have Madam Pompfrey check out your hair."

Ruby ran from the class room and to the infirmary. Madam Pompfrey was sitting at her desk reading the Daily Prophet,

"Madam Pompfrey?" "Yes, dear?"

"I need you to check out my hair, " she tried to remain calm.

"What happened?"

"I was helping Professor Snape with the third years. The intengio potion."

Madam Pompfrey cut her off. "Oh dear and you think it might have gotten into your hair," she asked as she got a comb.

"What are you going to do?"

"Well, "she explained, "This comb will turn the infected area green." Ruby waited to hear the verdict. She had read once that this potion can become deadly if left unattended to long.

"Well, it did get in your hair, but it doesn't look like it has gotten to the scalp yet."

"So what now?" Ruby was slightly relieved.

"I'll have to cut your hair."

*** "Ruby, are you coming to dinner," Ginny asked.

"I don't think so."

"Come on, your hair isn't that bad. It'll grow back." Silence followed. "You'll have to face them sometime!" Ruby knew she was right, and having Ginny behind her would help. She sighed and followed Ginny to dinner. She couldn't escape the stares and snickers. Her once long black hair was redused to stubble. She had cried as Madam Pompfrey cut her hair, then shaved it. She had asked why there wasn't a magical way to get around this.

"Well," Madam Pompfrey had answered, "with this particular potion, cures are only used once it has become poisonous in the body. Anything used on the hair can accelerate the poison."

"Cold and flu like symptoms are what I should be watching for, right," she asked through the tears.

"Very good. You'll feel the effects anywhere from now to twenty days."

"That long?"

"Well things take time."

Ruby sat next to Ginny, Fred, George, and Oliver at dinner.

"You ok,"asked Oliver.

"Great,"she answered dejectedly.

"Those Slytherins need what for. I mean really," exclaimed Ginny.

"Yeah, to bad none of our stuff is ready huh," said George. Fred nodded.

"Crap." Ruby had barely eaten when she abruptly stood up.

"What,"asked Oliver.

"I forgot I have to meet with Professor Lupin."

"You can't just not eat," said Ginny. "Take some bread and eat it on the way."

"Thanks."

Ruby was thankful to be out of there. She felt like a freak. She found herself in front of Lupin's office. A note on the door said to meet in Professor Snape's office. She turned and walked and wallowed in self pity. It felt like forever before she got to Snape's office.

"We could be here all night at this rate, Miss Kennedy," said Snape.

"Substitute?"

"Let's just say that Professor Lupin is indisposed for tonight and tomorrow. In here."

She didn't look at him. She couldn't.

" Now. We will be discussing what I am teaching everyone else tomorrow, werewolves."

"Oh please."

"Well, if you feel you are an expert on the subject, why don't you tell me about them?"

Ruby sighed and went into an explanation of werewolves. It was a complete, but was told half-heartedly. She never looked at him once.

"You seem very knowledgeable on Defense against the Dark arts."

"Bobby was an auror. He taught me most of it."

"Miss Kennedy," He got right into her face, "things only make people if we let them. Don't let your hair be your defining trait." She didn't say anything. There was nothing to say. He noticed her about to cry. "Get back to your common room, you don't need a lesson tonight."

*Well the hair is gone. Hopefully she won't be poisoned right. *evil grin*