Chapter 9
Problems in potions
Potions lessons had improved infinitely since Snape had gone, and Harry now looked forward to the chance to brew potions and experiment with the different ingredients. However Harry was in for a shock. The class were doing personal projects in potions, and Harry had spent hours perfecting his shrinking potion formula. The last lesson before Christmas was the climax to their project when they would be demonstrating the effects of their potion. However it was not the cheery Professor Nosbod waiting for them in the dungeon. "Snape," said Harry involuntary. Malfoy and his pals were standing next to him, all three grinning at Harry's expression. "Potter, how good to see you," Snape greeted him in his oily voice. Harry said nothing and stood behind his desk. Ron and Hermione were looking equally disappointed. "Today I believe you will be finishing your potions that you've been experimenting with," Snape began. "This lesson will be assessed, so I will expect you to all be working in silence finishing your potions which will be tested at the end of the lesson." He grinned sadistically at Harry and Ron. They didn't dare speak as they cut up the necessary roots, and distilled the final stages of the potions. Snape wandered around the desks, sipping from a silver goblet that contained a yellow steaming liquid, congratulating the Slytherins and criticizing the Gryffindors, almost reducing Neville to tears when he threw out the dragon's liver that Neville had spent nearly an half an hour carefully frying. Then Snape swept out of the room, announcing that he would be returning in a few minutes when he expected them to have finished their potions. Almost as soon as Snape had left the classroom Neville's cauldron began to bubble and hiss violently, yellow and green vapours belched out of it, enveloping the classroom in a yellow cloud smelling strongly of putrid eggs. Harry and Hermione made their way over to the help Neville. They removed the cauldron from the heat, and slowly the rank fumes dispersed. Through the mist Harry could make out Snape looking furious. "Potter!" he yelled. " Get back to your desk, Neville, for you utter stupidity ten points from Gryffindor." "But sir I didn't do anything." whimpered Neville. "Silence Longbottom, another ten points from Gryffindor for cheek." Malfoy was smirking widely. Harry put two and two together quickly. "It was Malfoy," he whispered to Ron, "Potter, what were you whispering" yelled Snape. "Come here, lets demonstrate your potion first. Here." He brought out another silver cup. "Pour it out" he demanded. Harry reluctantly took a scoop from his cauldron. "Drink it" he said nastily. There was a small gasp from the class. "But sir, Professor Nosbod said we would only be trying it on rats, it's only an experiment" said Harry in desperation. "Drink it" repeated Snape with narrowed eyes. "Professor" tried Hermione. "Granger, ten points from Gryffindor and it will be a detention if I hear another word." Hermione went red, and glared at Malfoy, who was wearing a grin that looked big enough to split his face. Harry closed his eyes and emptied the goblet. Immediately things started to swirl, faster and faster until he felt sick, and then he felt himself plummeting towards the ground at a phenomenal speed. He looked down at the floor, only a few inches from his head. He was only a few centimetres high. Snape's boot towered, like a mountain to one side. Harry suddenly felt fear flood through him. He started to run, large noises seemed to be coming from above him. He whizzed through the giant forest of feet, narrowly missing several feet on the way, and eventually reached a table leg which seemed the size of a small house. He sheltered in the shadow of it, breathing heavily. A pair of large black boots the size of double decker buses appeared by his shelter. A large pink hand reached down and grabbed Harry around the waist. The fingers were holding him far too tight, and Harry had difficulty breathing. The pain in his ribs was immense. He was lifted up and placed on a table. Large faces were staring at him. He could hear several girlish voices squealing. Probably Lavendar and Parvati thought Harry. Suddenly he felt very warm, and he felt his body growing, and suddenly found himself standing on the desk, the class looking up at him in awe. He slid off the table, his chest seemed on fire. He also felt sick, and couldn't help himself retching in front of the class. Snape used his wand to clear up the mess on the floor, and then ordered them back to their desks so he could dictate their homework. "Silence!" he growled when Ron opened his mouth to speak. He started dictating, taking a sip from his silver goblet. Harry was glaring crossly at his parchment, trying to ignore the shooting pains across his chest, when he was interrupted by gasps from the class. Snape was shrinking, he was already knee size, and still getting smaller. Several of the Gryffindors couldn't suppress small laughs. The Slytherins were looking with amazement at their teacher, now less than an inch high. The miniature Snape was pulling his tiny wand from his pocket and muttering squeaky small words. For a split second Snape's head blossomed hugely in contrast to his tiny body. Then Snape emerged at his original size, red faced and furious. Harry had never seen him looking so angry. He looked at Harry with a glare of utmost hatred. "Potter, I will have you expelled for this. The rest of you get out of my sight now. Potter you will pay, I will speak to Professor Dumbledore immediately. Wait here." And he was gone before Harry could even protest his innocence. The class collected their things and walked out of the classroom silently. Hermione and Ron looked at Harry with nervously, but left without saying anything in case Snape returned. Harry could hear Malfoy laughing loudly down the corridor. Harry stood miserably and looked at the pile of yellowing parchment piled on Snape's grandly carved desk. One of the pieces of parchment looked like it had some kind of glowing picture on it. Looking round him just in case Snape had returned Harry pulled it out slightly. Another tug and the small corner was out. Harry suddenly felt chill. There on the parchment glowing green and black was the skull and snake, the feared signature of Voldemort. What was Snape doing with a letter from Voldemort? He stared in bewilderment. Dumbledore had said that Snape was once a Death Eater, had he returned to the Dark Lord's service now Voldemort had arisen and was gaining power? Without warning Harry was hit round the head so hard he fell sprawling on the floor. Snape was standing over him, white with anger, "How dare you, how dare you? Those are my papers! Dumbledore says without proof I can't expel you, well I tell you, you will not get away with this, I will take fifty points from Gryffindor, and you will have five detentions. Now get out of here now, and if you ever put a foot even a toe out of line, I will personally make sure that you are not only expelled, but Granger and Weasley are too, after I have used some restricted potions to my advantage. Go. Go." He shouted into Harry's face, his own face contorted in a white rage. Harry knowing any argument was useless left the classroom miserably. Why did Snape have to pick on him? Wasn't it bad enough to have You Know Who trying his hardest to kill him without Snape and Malfoy trying to get him expelled? And what was the dark mark doing on a letter to Snape? He made his way up to the Gryffindor Common Room. Ron and Hermione were bitterly discussing the unfairness of it. "He even made Malfoy pick you up." Harry showed them the bruises around his waist. They were large and purple. Hermione was outraged, "We should complain, it's so unfair, a week's worth of detentions. I know you didn't do anything, I was with you. We should tell Professor McGonegall." What's that going to do, it will only make things worse," "Yes, but fifty points from Gryffindor for something that you didn't do, and then another thirty points lost in the lesson. It's so unfair.." And Hermione faltered. Harry told them about the letter he had seen. "But Snape wouldn't join Voldemort, not after Snape betrayed him to Dumbledore, he wouldn't would he?" said Hermione looking shocked. "It wouldn't surprise me, I've never liked him" said Ron, as if he was the only one who had ever hated Snape.
Harry spent much of the next few days wondering what horrible jobs Snape would get him doing in his detentions. He didn't have very long. Just three days after the potions lesson Harry received a parchment that said simply, Detention, Astrology Tower 11:00pm. "What could you possibly be doing up there, and at that time?" said Hermione incredulously when Harry showed her the note. "I don't know," said Harry dully. He didn't think there was any possibility of it being remotely nice, and knowing Snape's present mood, it would be painful. The rest of the day was spent discussing what on earth Harry would be doing up the astrology tower. Ron was convinced it would involve a large troll, whereas Hermione was thinking that it would involve testing all the potions that the class had made up. None of this made Harry feel any better. Ron had just suggested that it could be subduing a fully grown dragon, or throwing himself off the tower, at the back of Transfiguration when Professor McGonagall appeared behind him, and made Ron fall off his seat as she demanded to know what was so important to talk about when they were supposed to be studying advanced switching spells. But when Ron mumbled that they were discussing Snape's detention, she looked at Harry with concern. "Yes I heard about that little incident. You didn't have anything to do with it did you?" "No, Professor" answered Harry looking straight into her slate grey eyes. "I didn't think so. But I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it, well I could try Professor Snape, but he seems determined to punish you. Well good luck," and she swept off to complain to Neville that the hairbrush he was supposedly trying to turn into a rabbit, still had bristles instead of whiskers, and a handle instead of a tail. That evening as Ron and Hermione said good-bye to Harry at the portrait hole, Harry felt like he was going to his execution. "Cheer up, Harry" tried Hermione, "I'm sure it won't be that bad." But she sounded hollow, and unconvincing. Her eyes were full of concern. Harry left the lighted warm common room, and entered the dark, damp corridor. Draughts were blowing through, making the candles flicker. Harry headed towards the main stairs, ignoring the Bloody Baron, who was sliding along the floor muttering gruesomely. Harry pulled his cloak tightly round him. On the third floor, he found the small wooden door hidden behind a large tapestry showing a dragon being slaughtered by a knight in purple armour. The door was already slightly open. Harry pushed it and it creaked loudly, and immediately a wave of water descended on Harry followed by a small bucket. "Ouch!" Harry yelled. Peeves had carefully balanced the bucket on the top of the door so the next person to open the door would be soaked. Peeves cackles echoed down the corridor. Harry could hear him calling out happily to himself, "Potter Potter, Now a bit wetter Ha Ha Ha" It doesn't even rhyme thought Harry miserably as he ascended the stone stairs, leaving a wet trail of puddles and drips behind him. Harry climbed and climbed looking out of the small slits to see the stars shining through purple sky. At the top of the stairs Harry hesitated before opening the door. He couldn't hear any roar of dragons, or growl of trolls. He slowly pushed open the door. It was very dark, only lit be a half moon, the stars were pinpricks of light. The sky was a purple wash, but it was still light enough to see that the tower was devoid of people. Harry suddenly felt nervous, was the message, a hoax. Last time he had been caught up here at night he'd lost Gryffindor 100 points, and got another detention. Was it Malfoy on his revenge? Harry peered into the gloom. It was still surprisingly warm. Harry could make out a large low trunk, on the far side of the tower top. He walked slowly over to it. There was a note scrawled on top on parchment, Clean these What a cheek thought Harry, Snape hadn't even bothered to come and oversee his detention. Wondering what was in the trunk Harry carefully opened the lid. The contents were hidden in the darkness. A low humming was coming from it. The humming grew louder and louder, and suddenly the air was alive with comma-shaped insects. Harry stepped back in horror. The insects were swarming above him, their tiny eyes glowing red. Was this Snape's punishment? All at once the insects descended, the first one hit his skin, and stung him. Within seconds the swarm was covering Harry, stinging him. In agony, and trying to protect his eyes, Harry stumbled towards the door. However the insects had doubled in number, and were covering his whole body. Harry screamed as waves of red pain enveloped his entire body. He stumbled and fell headlong onto the floor. He didn't have the strength to stand back up. The insects were hurting him so much, he just wanted to die. Harry thought he saw a flash of blue-white light, and then everything went black. (
Problems in potions
Potions lessons had improved infinitely since Snape had gone, and Harry now looked forward to the chance to brew potions and experiment with the different ingredients. However Harry was in for a shock. The class were doing personal projects in potions, and Harry had spent hours perfecting his shrinking potion formula. The last lesson before Christmas was the climax to their project when they would be demonstrating the effects of their potion. However it was not the cheery Professor Nosbod waiting for them in the dungeon. "Snape," said Harry involuntary. Malfoy and his pals were standing next to him, all three grinning at Harry's expression. "Potter, how good to see you," Snape greeted him in his oily voice. Harry said nothing and stood behind his desk. Ron and Hermione were looking equally disappointed. "Today I believe you will be finishing your potions that you've been experimenting with," Snape began. "This lesson will be assessed, so I will expect you to all be working in silence finishing your potions which will be tested at the end of the lesson." He grinned sadistically at Harry and Ron. They didn't dare speak as they cut up the necessary roots, and distilled the final stages of the potions. Snape wandered around the desks, sipping from a silver goblet that contained a yellow steaming liquid, congratulating the Slytherins and criticizing the Gryffindors, almost reducing Neville to tears when he threw out the dragon's liver that Neville had spent nearly an half an hour carefully frying. Then Snape swept out of the room, announcing that he would be returning in a few minutes when he expected them to have finished their potions. Almost as soon as Snape had left the classroom Neville's cauldron began to bubble and hiss violently, yellow and green vapours belched out of it, enveloping the classroom in a yellow cloud smelling strongly of putrid eggs. Harry and Hermione made their way over to the help Neville. They removed the cauldron from the heat, and slowly the rank fumes dispersed. Through the mist Harry could make out Snape looking furious. "Potter!" he yelled. " Get back to your desk, Neville, for you utter stupidity ten points from Gryffindor." "But sir I didn't do anything." whimpered Neville. "Silence Longbottom, another ten points from Gryffindor for cheek." Malfoy was smirking widely. Harry put two and two together quickly. "It was Malfoy," he whispered to Ron, "Potter, what were you whispering" yelled Snape. "Come here, lets demonstrate your potion first. Here." He brought out another silver cup. "Pour it out" he demanded. Harry reluctantly took a scoop from his cauldron. "Drink it" he said nastily. There was a small gasp from the class. "But sir, Professor Nosbod said we would only be trying it on rats, it's only an experiment" said Harry in desperation. "Drink it" repeated Snape with narrowed eyes. "Professor" tried Hermione. "Granger, ten points from Gryffindor and it will be a detention if I hear another word." Hermione went red, and glared at Malfoy, who was wearing a grin that looked big enough to split his face. Harry closed his eyes and emptied the goblet. Immediately things started to swirl, faster and faster until he felt sick, and then he felt himself plummeting towards the ground at a phenomenal speed. He looked down at the floor, only a few inches from his head. He was only a few centimetres high. Snape's boot towered, like a mountain to one side. Harry suddenly felt fear flood through him. He started to run, large noises seemed to be coming from above him. He whizzed through the giant forest of feet, narrowly missing several feet on the way, and eventually reached a table leg which seemed the size of a small house. He sheltered in the shadow of it, breathing heavily. A pair of large black boots the size of double decker buses appeared by his shelter. A large pink hand reached down and grabbed Harry around the waist. The fingers were holding him far too tight, and Harry had difficulty breathing. The pain in his ribs was immense. He was lifted up and placed on a table. Large faces were staring at him. He could hear several girlish voices squealing. Probably Lavendar and Parvati thought Harry. Suddenly he felt very warm, and he felt his body growing, and suddenly found himself standing on the desk, the class looking up at him in awe. He slid off the table, his chest seemed on fire. He also felt sick, and couldn't help himself retching in front of the class. Snape used his wand to clear up the mess on the floor, and then ordered them back to their desks so he could dictate their homework. "Silence!" he growled when Ron opened his mouth to speak. He started dictating, taking a sip from his silver goblet. Harry was glaring crossly at his parchment, trying to ignore the shooting pains across his chest, when he was interrupted by gasps from the class. Snape was shrinking, he was already knee size, and still getting smaller. Several of the Gryffindors couldn't suppress small laughs. The Slytherins were looking with amazement at their teacher, now less than an inch high. The miniature Snape was pulling his tiny wand from his pocket and muttering squeaky small words. For a split second Snape's head blossomed hugely in contrast to his tiny body. Then Snape emerged at his original size, red faced and furious. Harry had never seen him looking so angry. He looked at Harry with a glare of utmost hatred. "Potter, I will have you expelled for this. The rest of you get out of my sight now. Potter you will pay, I will speak to Professor Dumbledore immediately. Wait here." And he was gone before Harry could even protest his innocence. The class collected their things and walked out of the classroom silently. Hermione and Ron looked at Harry with nervously, but left without saying anything in case Snape returned. Harry could hear Malfoy laughing loudly down the corridor. Harry stood miserably and looked at the pile of yellowing parchment piled on Snape's grandly carved desk. One of the pieces of parchment looked like it had some kind of glowing picture on it. Looking round him just in case Snape had returned Harry pulled it out slightly. Another tug and the small corner was out. Harry suddenly felt chill. There on the parchment glowing green and black was the skull and snake, the feared signature of Voldemort. What was Snape doing with a letter from Voldemort? He stared in bewilderment. Dumbledore had said that Snape was once a Death Eater, had he returned to the Dark Lord's service now Voldemort had arisen and was gaining power? Without warning Harry was hit round the head so hard he fell sprawling on the floor. Snape was standing over him, white with anger, "How dare you, how dare you? Those are my papers! Dumbledore says without proof I can't expel you, well I tell you, you will not get away with this, I will take fifty points from Gryffindor, and you will have five detentions. Now get out of here now, and if you ever put a foot even a toe out of line, I will personally make sure that you are not only expelled, but Granger and Weasley are too, after I have used some restricted potions to my advantage. Go. Go." He shouted into Harry's face, his own face contorted in a white rage. Harry knowing any argument was useless left the classroom miserably. Why did Snape have to pick on him? Wasn't it bad enough to have You Know Who trying his hardest to kill him without Snape and Malfoy trying to get him expelled? And what was the dark mark doing on a letter to Snape? He made his way up to the Gryffindor Common Room. Ron and Hermione were bitterly discussing the unfairness of it. "He even made Malfoy pick you up." Harry showed them the bruises around his waist. They were large and purple. Hermione was outraged, "We should complain, it's so unfair, a week's worth of detentions. I know you didn't do anything, I was with you. We should tell Professor McGonegall." What's that going to do, it will only make things worse," "Yes, but fifty points from Gryffindor for something that you didn't do, and then another thirty points lost in the lesson. It's so unfair.." And Hermione faltered. Harry told them about the letter he had seen. "But Snape wouldn't join Voldemort, not after Snape betrayed him to Dumbledore, he wouldn't would he?" said Hermione looking shocked. "It wouldn't surprise me, I've never liked him" said Ron, as if he was the only one who had ever hated Snape.
Harry spent much of the next few days wondering what horrible jobs Snape would get him doing in his detentions. He didn't have very long. Just three days after the potions lesson Harry received a parchment that said simply, Detention, Astrology Tower 11:00pm. "What could you possibly be doing up there, and at that time?" said Hermione incredulously when Harry showed her the note. "I don't know," said Harry dully. He didn't think there was any possibility of it being remotely nice, and knowing Snape's present mood, it would be painful. The rest of the day was spent discussing what on earth Harry would be doing up the astrology tower. Ron was convinced it would involve a large troll, whereas Hermione was thinking that it would involve testing all the potions that the class had made up. None of this made Harry feel any better. Ron had just suggested that it could be subduing a fully grown dragon, or throwing himself off the tower, at the back of Transfiguration when Professor McGonagall appeared behind him, and made Ron fall off his seat as she demanded to know what was so important to talk about when they were supposed to be studying advanced switching spells. But when Ron mumbled that they were discussing Snape's detention, she looked at Harry with concern. "Yes I heard about that little incident. You didn't have anything to do with it did you?" "No, Professor" answered Harry looking straight into her slate grey eyes. "I didn't think so. But I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it, well I could try Professor Snape, but he seems determined to punish you. Well good luck," and she swept off to complain to Neville that the hairbrush he was supposedly trying to turn into a rabbit, still had bristles instead of whiskers, and a handle instead of a tail. That evening as Ron and Hermione said good-bye to Harry at the portrait hole, Harry felt like he was going to his execution. "Cheer up, Harry" tried Hermione, "I'm sure it won't be that bad." But she sounded hollow, and unconvincing. Her eyes were full of concern. Harry left the lighted warm common room, and entered the dark, damp corridor. Draughts were blowing through, making the candles flicker. Harry headed towards the main stairs, ignoring the Bloody Baron, who was sliding along the floor muttering gruesomely. Harry pulled his cloak tightly round him. On the third floor, he found the small wooden door hidden behind a large tapestry showing a dragon being slaughtered by a knight in purple armour. The door was already slightly open. Harry pushed it and it creaked loudly, and immediately a wave of water descended on Harry followed by a small bucket. "Ouch!" Harry yelled. Peeves had carefully balanced the bucket on the top of the door so the next person to open the door would be soaked. Peeves cackles echoed down the corridor. Harry could hear him calling out happily to himself, "Potter Potter, Now a bit wetter Ha Ha Ha" It doesn't even rhyme thought Harry miserably as he ascended the stone stairs, leaving a wet trail of puddles and drips behind him. Harry climbed and climbed looking out of the small slits to see the stars shining through purple sky. At the top of the stairs Harry hesitated before opening the door. He couldn't hear any roar of dragons, or growl of trolls. He slowly pushed open the door. It was very dark, only lit be a half moon, the stars were pinpricks of light. The sky was a purple wash, but it was still light enough to see that the tower was devoid of people. Harry suddenly felt nervous, was the message, a hoax. Last time he had been caught up here at night he'd lost Gryffindor 100 points, and got another detention. Was it Malfoy on his revenge? Harry peered into the gloom. It was still surprisingly warm. Harry could make out a large low trunk, on the far side of the tower top. He walked slowly over to it. There was a note scrawled on top on parchment, Clean these What a cheek thought Harry, Snape hadn't even bothered to come and oversee his detention. Wondering what was in the trunk Harry carefully opened the lid. The contents were hidden in the darkness. A low humming was coming from it. The humming grew louder and louder, and suddenly the air was alive with comma-shaped insects. Harry stepped back in horror. The insects were swarming above him, their tiny eyes glowing red. Was this Snape's punishment? All at once the insects descended, the first one hit his skin, and stung him. Within seconds the swarm was covering Harry, stinging him. In agony, and trying to protect his eyes, Harry stumbled towards the door. However the insects had doubled in number, and were covering his whole body. Harry screamed as waves of red pain enveloped his entire body. He stumbled and fell headlong onto the floor. He didn't have the strength to stand back up. The insects were hurting him so much, he just wanted to die. Harry thought he saw a flash of blue-white light, and then everything went black. (