Chapter 20: Potions and Vials

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Uric the Oddball attempted to prove that the Fwooper song was actually beneficial to the health... Unfortunately the Wizards' Council to which he reported his findings was unconvinced, as he had arrived at the meeting wearing nothing but a toupee that on closer inspection proved to be a dead badger. [Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]

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 It was 7:30 in the morning as the great hall heard groans from both the fifth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Time tables had been passed out and it would be obvious to anyone who was familiar with Hogwarts as to just why they were groaning. It was a simple answer really.

Double Potions. First Thing.

At least, Harry thought on the brightside, it's not with the Slytherins this year. That was one thing to be grateful for. The poor Hufflepuffs on the other hand... Well, it would be one helluva potions class for them this year.

 Harry chewed up a bite of toast and took a sip of his orange juice. Ron whispered something to Hermione and he watched them both smile and blush as he took her hand under the table. He shook his head with a grin and returned to his meal, slightly unsure. He concentrated on eating and it wasn't Hermione or Hermione making him nervous. He felt like half the great hall was watching him, and in truth they probably were. He'd been hearing whispers since last night. Most people were saying the same things. 'Did you hear... yes, a trial!...can you believe it.. so it's really true then...' 

 He thought he must be jinxed, to end up somehow being the talk of the school every year. He wished there was a way to make it all stop, to make them all forget. He put his unfinished piece of toast back on his plate and pushed it away.

"Harry, aren't you going to eat more than that?" asked Hermione, concerned.

"I'm not hungry! Okay?" he snapped at her before moving to get up. He turned back around though. "I'm sorry Hermione," he said softly, "I just.."

 She just nodded at him. "We'll see you in class," she told him. "Just go get some air. You need to relax for a couple minutes."

He nodded back at her gratefully. It was amazing how she could read him sometimes. He told Ron bye and gave Ginny a half smile where she was sitting with her friends at the end of the table before heading out to the main corridor.

 Ten minutes later Harry found himself waiting to meet up with his friends, now in a much better mood. He resigned himself to just ignoring the whispers. He'd have to answer some questions later, but he was going to stall for about as long as he could. He jumped as Professor Snape rounded the corner and paused for a minute to glare at him.

"Potter," he snarled before returning to his stride and whisking down to his classroom. Harry shook his head and just headed into the classroom. He hoped they'd show soon because sitting alone in the room with Snape was not his ideal outlook.

"Amazing," Snape smirked coming out of his back office, "To think you Potter of all people would honor me with your presence early."

Harry remained silent, only taking out a few pieces of parchment and a quill. A few more students began to file in but Snape continued talking anyway, seemingly not noticing.

"Not going to dignify me with an answer then, eh Potter," said Snape. "So much like your father," he smirked. "What a pity."

 Harry kept his fist clenched, fingers digging little half-moons into his palms. Snape opened his mouth and seemed to be about to continue when Harry couldn't stay silent any longer.

"He's dead already!" Harry burst out finally. "Don't you get it! He's dead and I'm not him, no matter how much you hated him. Maybe I am like him, but I'll never really know will I? Can't you give it a rest already."

"Ten points from Gryffindor Mr. Potter," said Snape curtly. "And I will see you after class."

Harry sat down still fuming and was surprised to see blood seeping out of the self-made cuts on his hands. Most of the other students were standing uneasily in the entrance, where they'd appeared to have witnessed most of the event. Those who hadn't were being filled in with quick whispers.

"Well get in here!" Snape barked at the group, causing them to scatter. "We don't have all day."

 Students began to file into their seats at last and Snape began to lecture before sending them to work. Harry found it hard to concentrate on anything his partner, Dean Thomas, was saying to him.

"Harry, you alright mate?" asked Dean.

He just nodded. "Yeah, what goes in next."

"Umm... check the paper will you?"

"Sure," said Harry, "Let's see... It says to add the Fwooper feathers next."

Dean leaned over and dropped the two feathers into the cauldron. "You reckon Snape collected these on his own?" grinned Dean, "Of course it would have been awhile ago..."

Harry choked back a laugh and ended up half snorting before he returned to stirring their potion. Finally Snape ordered them to bottle their potions before sending them on to lunch. Harry told his friends to go on and wait for him in the great hall and he watched mournfully as the rest of the class exited. When Snape approached him he refused to meet his eyes and simply glared at the wall behind him.

"Here," said Snape handing out a vial to him. Harry was quickly surprised and his eyes snapped up to focus on Snape.

"W-What?"

"It's a potion to diminish scarring," Snape said, with only a trace of his usual smirk. "I've been informed me of your problem. You are to drink two drops a day, no more or the outcome will be worse. Understood?"

Harry nodded. "But why would you..."

"You'd think you'd be sick of scars by now Potter," said Snape sharply. "Go on to lunch now, heaven knows you need it."

And at that Snape whisked off, leaving behind a very startled Harry Potter.

 Harry entered the Great Hall a few minutes later, still stunned.

"What did Snape say?" asked Ron.

Harry shook his head. "I'll explain it later." He turned his attention back to eating, sparing a glance up at Snape who was already at the staff table. He didn't appear any different, and Harry wondered if he might have imagined the whole thing. Nope, he could still feel the vial in his pocket. He sighed before tuning back into the conversation the twins were having with a group of second years. It seemed that Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was a booming business. Apparently they already had an arrangement to lease a shop and Diagon Alley after this year.

 An hour later Harry, Ron, and Hermione all entered the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom where Molly Weasley sat behind the desk. She smiled at them as she began writing some notes on a chalkboard. They took their seats on one side of the room where most of the Gryffindors were beginning to sit. Unfortunately the other half of the room was being occupied by Slytherins... Harry silently wished Mrs. Weasley good luck. Any class where Slytherins and Gryffindors were together was bound to be difficult to teach. Finally everyone was seated.

"I am your temporary Professor for this class," said Mrs. Weasley, "You are all fifteen now and I expect you to act your age. That means you will respect me as well as each other." She glanced over at a snickering Draco Malfoy and Harry watched in astonishment as he took the hint and shut up.

"Now," said Mrs. Weasley, "We are going to start off this year with shielding charms. Can anyone explain to me the basic purpose of shielding?"

Hermione's hand was the first one up.

**Those of you who own Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them can learn more about Fwoopers there. :-p