Chapter 3

The next day dawned bright and sunny. Harry and Ron entered the Great Hall to find that Professor Mcgonagall was distributing their schedules already. They got one each and proceeded to scan them.

"Oh, that's just great. Our first day back, and we're landed with Double Potions with Stinking Slytherin. It figures," Ron said, scowling down at his schedule.

"Well, if it cheers you up, Lupin's back," said Hermione.

Harry looked up at the staff table to see Professor Lupin talking to Professor Sinistra. He caught his eye and grinned widely. He had just arrived this morning, because Harry didn't see him at the Feast last night. His robes were as shabby as ever, but he looked quite healthy.

Just then, Mcgonagall walked over towards Harry. She beckoned for him, Alicia, Katie and Ron to follow her to her office. ' "So, I've decided that Potter will be your new captain. That is if all of you agree to this," she said.

"Of course, Professor," Alicia said, smiling.

"Congratulations, Harry!" said Katie.

"Good on you mate," Ron said, thumping him on the back.

"Well then, now that that's settled, I wish you good luck, Mr. Potter. Please schedule tryouts sometime this week. You may go now."

"So, um, are you all free this Friday afternoon for tryouts?" Harry asked them. They all nodded in reply. "Okay then. See you!"

They met Hermione and went down with the rest of the Gryffindors to the dungeons, where Potions class was always held. Harry trudged along. He was not enthusiastic at the prospect of meeting again so soon with the teacher he loathed the most. He entered the classroom last. Snape was already there, glaring down at them all.

"You're late, Mr. Potter. Five points from Gryffindor," he said silkily. Five years of knowing Snape taught Harry not to answer back, for it always made it worse. He satisfied himself with glaring back at Snape. Snape smiled maliciously.

"Today we will be making an Energizing Tonic. This tonic is usually helpful to those students studying late into the night, and need their strength. I do hope this tonic will help you lot pass this class. Especially since some of you will need to do so for your N.E.W.T. class. Bear in mind that your class schedules are not yet final. A month from now, you will not be taking classes with your housemates. Rather, you will be joining your N.E.W.T. classmates. I will be giving a test at the end of this month to see who of you I will allow to join my N.E.W.T. class." He smiled coldly at them all. "The instructions for the tonic are on the board. The ingredients are in the store cupboard. Begin."

Harry thought with dread about Snape's words while he crushed his eucalyptus leaves into a pulp. He knew that to be an Auror, he needed to take the N.E.W.T. Potion class. But Snape would no sooner let Harry take his class than help Neville make his tonic.

"Hermione, I need your help," he said.

"Of course, Harry. Why? What's wrong?" She peered at his face closely, her expression concerned.

"I need to be able to get into Snape's N.E.W.T. class. Can you tutor me?"

"Okay, Harry," she said, smiling.

"Thanks Hermione. I owe you big time," Harry said, grinning.

His potion was now a light blue. Hermione's was a perfect sky blue, as the finished product was supposed to be. Still, as he poured some into a flask, he couldn't help feeling that he did pretty well that day. He noticed that Malfoy's was sky blue like Hermione's, except that his was also wispy and swirling fast in his flask, like it was made of air. Malfoy was obviously the best student in this class, though Harry would never say this aloud to Hermione.

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Draco looked down at his cauldron with a small feeling of pride. He had managed to get everything right, and his potion was nothing short of perfect. He ladled a sample of it into a clear flask, and secured it with a cork. He filled three vials as well. He had a feeling this particular potion would come in useful one of these days.

Potions was one of the few classes that he enjoyed. It wasn't a surprise, seeing as Professor Snape was one of the few teachers, if not the only, who didn't contort his face into an expression of disgust whenever he was near Draco. It was much easier to concentrate when your teacher actually liked you. He carried the flask carefully and made his way to line up in front of Snape's desk. Harry went to stand behind him. He caught sight of Harry's potion sample, hesitated for a second, and then laughed aloud.

"You call that an Energizing Tonic, Potter?" he said scornfully.

Harry glared at him, but didn't say anything. Draco pressed on.

"Better not try to use that, Potter. It might backfire and make you even dimmer than you already are, if that's even possible." A few Slytherins laughed boisterously at this.

"Eat dung, Malfoy." Harry's hands were balled into fists.

"Language, Potter," Snape said. "Ten points from Gryffindor."

They had reached the front of the line. Draco sneered at him as he gave his flask to Snape, and then walked quickly out of the dungeons, beckoning to Crabbe and Goyle to follow him.