Chapter 5: Day 4, February 2
Since Ron was fully prepared for brewing the Cruxtitions potion and knew exactly what to do to get it exactly right he hurried to get his plan into motion. As soon as he finished his potion he started right away on Neville's. It had taken Ron no longer than 20 minutes to get both his and Neville's finished. Which left everyone including Harry and Hermione completely surprised.
"Hey Harry and Seamus, don't add so much octopus tentacle, exactly two and a half pieces should do the trick mates."
"Uh, thanks a bunch Ron" said Harry who was about to add five pieces of octopus tentacle before Ron had stopped him.
Hermione looked impressed.
There was no reason to help Parvati and Dean with their potions because Snape would not be able to get to them anyway. But Ron felt that it would be a nice gesture anyway. As soon as Ron finished helping Lavender, Parvati and Dean with their potions he finally had time to put his plan into motion.
He remembered something interesting that Hermione once told him one time in another Potions class. He remembered that boomslang and snake venom made a very dangerous mix in any potion and would cause the potion to seriously overflow like lava out of a volcano. It had to be mixed extremely carefully. But Ron had absolutely no plan to 'carefully' mix the two.
Ron knew he had to plan this carefully according to the time that was given to him. The deadly mix had to take time to brew with the Cruxtitions potion for it to effetely 'work.' He had calculated that by the time Snape had returned, the explosion would take place almost as soon he finished grading Neville's and his own Cruxtitions potion.
While the Gryffindor's were tending to their own potions Ron carefully gathered up the boomslang and snake venom and made sure he had mixed enough for use.
"What's that your working on there Ron?" asked Neville quietly
"You'll see mate. Can you hand me that beaker please?" whispered Ron not wanting Harry and Hermione to see what he was up to.
Minutes later, Ron had his dangerous mix made and all he needed now was a little diversion.
"Neville I need you to do me a big favour? Snape is going to be coming in from that door in about 15 minutes" said Ron looking at his watch.
"I need you to walk over to the Slytherin side of the class with this beaker of a very weak Cruxtitions potion and drop that beaker on the floor. If I know my fellow Gryffindor's they'll help clean the mess up since Snape would be furious if any serious mess were to be made."
"Um I'm not sure Ron, what's the reason for this" Neville asked while his voice was trembling.
"Listen Neville, we are gonna get that git Malfoy and all the other Slytherins back for all the torture they caused us over the years, not to mention give Snape an enormous headache. Don't worry Neville, I'll take the fall for the whole thing Snape won't even know you had a part in this I swear" said Ron.
"Uh, ok I'll do it" said Neville sounding a little excited.
Ron knew that Neville would do anything to be included in a scheme to get Slytherin's into trouble and especially annoy Snape.
"OK now take this and go" said Ron handing Neville the beaker.
Moments later Neville did exactly what he was suppose to do, and to no surprise to Ron, as soon as the Gryffindor's stopped laughing they helped in the cleanup.
"Longbottom how did you ever get excepted into this school you stupid twit" shouted Malfoy. The extra Cruxtitions potion Neville had spilled went everywhere and the whole class had to scatter to clean it up before Snape came back. Ron was very sneaky in his attempts at cleaning up and it was difficult to get Harry and Hermione not to notice what he was doing since they joined Ron in cleaning up his particular area.
"We better get all of this cleaned up before professor Snape comes back" said Hermione trying to help Ron with a spot in the corner.
With all the help and attention Hermione was giving Ron, he almost completely forgot that he had a job to do.
"Hey Harry I think Neville looks like he needs a bit of a hand mate, I think you and Hermione should help the poor fellow" said Ron sounding like he was urging them to go.
"Yeah your right Ron, we should help Neville clean up his area, he does look like he's having a hard time" said Harry.
"Yeah, I guess" said Hermione who looked at Ron awkwardly.
Ron was now free to carry out his plot. He went from Slytherin cauldron to Slytherin cauldron sneaking his deadly mix of boomslang and snake venom to each one and passed by making sure no one seen him. He was almost all done when he came across Malfoy's cauldron.
"This is for every time you made Harry, Hermione and myself miserable" said Ron as he added every bit of mix he had left.
"What did you put in Malfoy's cauldron Ron" said Harry eying Ron suspiciously
Ron grinned mischievously "You'll see mate, It'll be good. Come on, Snape will be back in a few minutes."
Harry gave a laugh and joked "ok Ron I hope you didn't do anything that would get you expelled"
"I doesn't matter either way Harry, but we'll see" mumbled Ron
"What did you say?" asked Harry
"Uh nothing come on, Snape's gonna be here any minute" said Ron quickly
"What were you two talking about earlier?" asked Hermione.
"Ron was......" said Harry but Ron nudged him hard in the ribs.
"I was wondering where to put these dirty rags away and Harry was telling me to put it in the corner" said Ron
Hermione looked like she didn't believe him but before she could respond Snape entered the classroom and looked around at the Slytherins with a half smile on his face.
"Keep smiling professor" said Ron very quietly to himself.
"Now is the time where we will see how many of you have the skill to be a potion's brewer." Snape said turning toward Neville Longbottom with an evil looking grin on his face.
"Never changes a damn thing" Ron thought as he carefully observed Snape's actions
"Well lets see, first we will test Granger's and Brown's."
Their potions were tested and Hermione received a full ten marks again, while Lavender instead of receiving seven like the previous times, received ten marks for her Cruxtitions potion.
Snape gave Lavender a puzzled look "very surprising Ms Brown, very surprising indeed"
Next Snape moved onto Harry and Seamus' table and gave Harry his superior look.
"Well lets see how Potter and Finnigan's potion fare" said Snape with a smile across his face. "Drink Finnigan's potion Potter. And you, drink Potter's potion Mr Finnigan " said Snape
The potion both Harry and Seamus made were exactly perfect and Snape was forced to give it a ten out of ten just like Lavender's and Hermione's.
Malfoy did not look pleased, and neither did Snape.
Ron gave a thumbs up to Harry and Seamus.
"I don't know how you did it Potter, but you are very fortunate to get this mark" said Snape as he walked away and headed toward Ron and Neville's table.
"Now I believe that this streak of Gryffindor's is going to be ending right now" said Snape almost laughing as he looked at Neville.
"Drink Weasley's potion Longbottom and lets see how he did" said Snape with a smirk.
Ron had joined the rest of his Gryffindor's in the perfect ten club. Ron's potion had been made and brewed perfectly just like the other potions Ron had helped excluding Hermione's.
Hermione, Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor's gave Ron an applause. While the rest of the Slytherin's just stood by their cauldrons and frowned
"I don't believe it" shouted Snape "Weasley you must have done something wrong, this is mad"
"What's the matter Professor, didn't you think we were capable of brewing a Cruxtitions potion?" said Ron smiling.
Snape didn't respond to Ron's comments, he took Neville's Cruxtitions potion-filled goblet and shoved it in Ron's hands.
"Drink, Longbottoms potion Weasley, NOW" hissed Snape.
Ron finished Neville's goblet and as soon as he did he said "ahhhhhhhhh, refreshing"
Snape took a while to see if Neville's potion had affected Ron in any way and to check if the potion in the cauldron had been brewed properly but it was no use, Neville's potion was exactly perfect and exactly the way it should have reacted with the drinker.
Malfoy looked completely shocked.
Snape's eyes were expanded. For the first time Snape was completely speechless. Neville had received a perfect mark in potions.
The entire Gryffindor class erupted in cheer for Neville and completely engulfed him, giving Neville pats on the back and handshakes.
"Way to go Neville" shouted Harry in all the excitement.
"I'm so proud of you Neville" squealed Hermione.
"Great job mate" said Dean patting Neville on the back.
Neville looked like he was going to pass out from all the excitement and all the complements he had been receiving. Both Parvati and Lavender had kissed Neville at the same time on each cheek.
"SILENCE!" shouted Snape "Just because Longbottom finally did something right does not give you the right to carry on in my class. 50 points from Gryffindor" said Snape angrily.
It was the Slytherin's turn to laugh but it didn't last long because after they started something occurred.
BOOM!!!
All the Slytherin cauldrons had exploded with great force that shook the entire classroom. Potions were flowing out from every Slytherin cauldron, spilling everywhere and covering the entire classroom with Cruxtitions potion.
Ron, Harry, Hermione and the entire class had taken refuge under the desks and when it was safe to come up Ron looked up from his desk he had seen the biggest mess ever created in a classroom.
"Whoa" said Dean and Seamus at the same time.
The entire classroom had looked like a complete mess. The Cruxtitions potion covered every inch of the place, all the Slytherin caldrons had melted, and Snape had been knocked ten feet into the air landing on his desk breaking it.
"Are you ok Hermione?" asked Ron and she nodded yes. "Harry?" asked Ron "I'm fine mate" replied Harry.
Ron was trying to look concerned for what just happened but was too overwhelmed with joy at the gigantic mess that he had created. Ron had not expected the mix to work so well.
"Who . . . who . . . who was responsible for this" said Snape recovering and looking like he was going to rip apart the person who was responsible.
The bell rang for the end of class but they were all held back by Snape.
No one answered, Ron got the feeling that everyone was still too shocked to even listen to what Snape was saying.
"I SAID WHO WAS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!" shouted Snape. He looked around the class and everyone looked like they were all innocent, even Ron. Than Snape turned to Harry.
"POTTER! I know it was you, and I'm going to have you expelled for this potter mark my words."
Hermione gave Ron a concerned look and Ron knew what he had to do.
Ron Spoke up "It's not Harry's fault Snape, Harry had nothing to do with it"
"And I suppose you can tell me who was responsible Weasley?" replied Snape with a glint of rage in his eye.
"Yes sir I can, It was all my doing" said Ron.
Hermione had not expected Ron to say that and tried to convince Ron to take back what he had just said.
"No Hermione, It was all my doing" said Ron giving her an 'its-going-to-be- fine' look
Snape turned back and forth from Harry to Ron. "That was the stupidest thing I've ever seen a student do Weasley, the rest of you get out of my sight" said Snape
The whole class left the classroom as fast as they could while Harry and Hermione stayed behind.
"I thought I told you to get out of my sight and go to your next class, 25 points from Gryffindor" hissed Snape and with that Harry and Hermione had no choice but to leave. Ron gave them a smile and waved bye.
Harry and Hermione had worried looks on their faces as they left the class. Ron was certain they were thinking he would be expelled for this.
He turned back to face Snape who looked as though he was going to kill Ron with his bare hands. Ron couldn't help but smile even more.
*********************************************************************** A/N: That was fun to write. Thanks For all the Reviews, Keep them coming
Since Ron was fully prepared for brewing the Cruxtitions potion and knew exactly what to do to get it exactly right he hurried to get his plan into motion. As soon as he finished his potion he started right away on Neville's. It had taken Ron no longer than 20 minutes to get both his and Neville's finished. Which left everyone including Harry and Hermione completely surprised.
"Hey Harry and Seamus, don't add so much octopus tentacle, exactly two and a half pieces should do the trick mates."
"Uh, thanks a bunch Ron" said Harry who was about to add five pieces of octopus tentacle before Ron had stopped him.
Hermione looked impressed.
There was no reason to help Parvati and Dean with their potions because Snape would not be able to get to them anyway. But Ron felt that it would be a nice gesture anyway. As soon as Ron finished helping Lavender, Parvati and Dean with their potions he finally had time to put his plan into motion.
He remembered something interesting that Hermione once told him one time in another Potions class. He remembered that boomslang and snake venom made a very dangerous mix in any potion and would cause the potion to seriously overflow like lava out of a volcano. It had to be mixed extremely carefully. But Ron had absolutely no plan to 'carefully' mix the two.
Ron knew he had to plan this carefully according to the time that was given to him. The deadly mix had to take time to brew with the Cruxtitions potion for it to effetely 'work.' He had calculated that by the time Snape had returned, the explosion would take place almost as soon he finished grading Neville's and his own Cruxtitions potion.
While the Gryffindor's were tending to their own potions Ron carefully gathered up the boomslang and snake venom and made sure he had mixed enough for use.
"What's that your working on there Ron?" asked Neville quietly
"You'll see mate. Can you hand me that beaker please?" whispered Ron not wanting Harry and Hermione to see what he was up to.
Minutes later, Ron had his dangerous mix made and all he needed now was a little diversion.
"Neville I need you to do me a big favour? Snape is going to be coming in from that door in about 15 minutes" said Ron looking at his watch.
"I need you to walk over to the Slytherin side of the class with this beaker of a very weak Cruxtitions potion and drop that beaker on the floor. If I know my fellow Gryffindor's they'll help clean the mess up since Snape would be furious if any serious mess were to be made."
"Um I'm not sure Ron, what's the reason for this" Neville asked while his voice was trembling.
"Listen Neville, we are gonna get that git Malfoy and all the other Slytherins back for all the torture they caused us over the years, not to mention give Snape an enormous headache. Don't worry Neville, I'll take the fall for the whole thing Snape won't even know you had a part in this I swear" said Ron.
"Uh, ok I'll do it" said Neville sounding a little excited.
Ron knew that Neville would do anything to be included in a scheme to get Slytherin's into trouble and especially annoy Snape.
"OK now take this and go" said Ron handing Neville the beaker.
Moments later Neville did exactly what he was suppose to do, and to no surprise to Ron, as soon as the Gryffindor's stopped laughing they helped in the cleanup.
"Longbottom how did you ever get excepted into this school you stupid twit" shouted Malfoy. The extra Cruxtitions potion Neville had spilled went everywhere and the whole class had to scatter to clean it up before Snape came back. Ron was very sneaky in his attempts at cleaning up and it was difficult to get Harry and Hermione not to notice what he was doing since they joined Ron in cleaning up his particular area.
"We better get all of this cleaned up before professor Snape comes back" said Hermione trying to help Ron with a spot in the corner.
With all the help and attention Hermione was giving Ron, he almost completely forgot that he had a job to do.
"Hey Harry I think Neville looks like he needs a bit of a hand mate, I think you and Hermione should help the poor fellow" said Ron sounding like he was urging them to go.
"Yeah your right Ron, we should help Neville clean up his area, he does look like he's having a hard time" said Harry.
"Yeah, I guess" said Hermione who looked at Ron awkwardly.
Ron was now free to carry out his plot. He went from Slytherin cauldron to Slytherin cauldron sneaking his deadly mix of boomslang and snake venom to each one and passed by making sure no one seen him. He was almost all done when he came across Malfoy's cauldron.
"This is for every time you made Harry, Hermione and myself miserable" said Ron as he added every bit of mix he had left.
"What did you put in Malfoy's cauldron Ron" said Harry eying Ron suspiciously
Ron grinned mischievously "You'll see mate, It'll be good. Come on, Snape will be back in a few minutes."
Harry gave a laugh and joked "ok Ron I hope you didn't do anything that would get you expelled"
"I doesn't matter either way Harry, but we'll see" mumbled Ron
"What did you say?" asked Harry
"Uh nothing come on, Snape's gonna be here any minute" said Ron quickly
"What were you two talking about earlier?" asked Hermione.
"Ron was......" said Harry but Ron nudged him hard in the ribs.
"I was wondering where to put these dirty rags away and Harry was telling me to put it in the corner" said Ron
Hermione looked like she didn't believe him but before she could respond Snape entered the classroom and looked around at the Slytherins with a half smile on his face.
"Keep smiling professor" said Ron very quietly to himself.
"Now is the time where we will see how many of you have the skill to be a potion's brewer." Snape said turning toward Neville Longbottom with an evil looking grin on his face.
"Never changes a damn thing" Ron thought as he carefully observed Snape's actions
"Well lets see, first we will test Granger's and Brown's."
Their potions were tested and Hermione received a full ten marks again, while Lavender instead of receiving seven like the previous times, received ten marks for her Cruxtitions potion.
Snape gave Lavender a puzzled look "very surprising Ms Brown, very surprising indeed"
Next Snape moved onto Harry and Seamus' table and gave Harry his superior look.
"Well lets see how Potter and Finnigan's potion fare" said Snape with a smile across his face. "Drink Finnigan's potion Potter. And you, drink Potter's potion Mr Finnigan " said Snape
The potion both Harry and Seamus made were exactly perfect and Snape was forced to give it a ten out of ten just like Lavender's and Hermione's.
Malfoy did not look pleased, and neither did Snape.
Ron gave a thumbs up to Harry and Seamus.
"I don't know how you did it Potter, but you are very fortunate to get this mark" said Snape as he walked away and headed toward Ron and Neville's table.
"Now I believe that this streak of Gryffindor's is going to be ending right now" said Snape almost laughing as he looked at Neville.
"Drink Weasley's potion Longbottom and lets see how he did" said Snape with a smirk.
Ron had joined the rest of his Gryffindor's in the perfect ten club. Ron's potion had been made and brewed perfectly just like the other potions Ron had helped excluding Hermione's.
Hermione, Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor's gave Ron an applause. While the rest of the Slytherin's just stood by their cauldrons and frowned
"I don't believe it" shouted Snape "Weasley you must have done something wrong, this is mad"
"What's the matter Professor, didn't you think we were capable of brewing a Cruxtitions potion?" said Ron smiling.
Snape didn't respond to Ron's comments, he took Neville's Cruxtitions potion-filled goblet and shoved it in Ron's hands.
"Drink, Longbottoms potion Weasley, NOW" hissed Snape.
Ron finished Neville's goblet and as soon as he did he said "ahhhhhhhhh, refreshing"
Snape took a while to see if Neville's potion had affected Ron in any way and to check if the potion in the cauldron had been brewed properly but it was no use, Neville's potion was exactly perfect and exactly the way it should have reacted with the drinker.
Malfoy looked completely shocked.
Snape's eyes were expanded. For the first time Snape was completely speechless. Neville had received a perfect mark in potions.
The entire Gryffindor class erupted in cheer for Neville and completely engulfed him, giving Neville pats on the back and handshakes.
"Way to go Neville" shouted Harry in all the excitement.
"I'm so proud of you Neville" squealed Hermione.
"Great job mate" said Dean patting Neville on the back.
Neville looked like he was going to pass out from all the excitement and all the complements he had been receiving. Both Parvati and Lavender had kissed Neville at the same time on each cheek.
"SILENCE!" shouted Snape "Just because Longbottom finally did something right does not give you the right to carry on in my class. 50 points from Gryffindor" said Snape angrily.
It was the Slytherin's turn to laugh but it didn't last long because after they started something occurred.
BOOM!!!
All the Slytherin cauldrons had exploded with great force that shook the entire classroom. Potions were flowing out from every Slytherin cauldron, spilling everywhere and covering the entire classroom with Cruxtitions potion.
Ron, Harry, Hermione and the entire class had taken refuge under the desks and when it was safe to come up Ron looked up from his desk he had seen the biggest mess ever created in a classroom.
"Whoa" said Dean and Seamus at the same time.
The entire classroom had looked like a complete mess. The Cruxtitions potion covered every inch of the place, all the Slytherin caldrons had melted, and Snape had been knocked ten feet into the air landing on his desk breaking it.
"Are you ok Hermione?" asked Ron and she nodded yes. "Harry?" asked Ron "I'm fine mate" replied Harry.
Ron was trying to look concerned for what just happened but was too overwhelmed with joy at the gigantic mess that he had created. Ron had not expected the mix to work so well.
"Who . . . who . . . who was responsible for this" said Snape recovering and looking like he was going to rip apart the person who was responsible.
The bell rang for the end of class but they were all held back by Snape.
No one answered, Ron got the feeling that everyone was still too shocked to even listen to what Snape was saying.
"I SAID WHO WAS THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!" shouted Snape. He looked around the class and everyone looked like they were all innocent, even Ron. Than Snape turned to Harry.
"POTTER! I know it was you, and I'm going to have you expelled for this potter mark my words."
Hermione gave Ron a concerned look and Ron knew what he had to do.
Ron Spoke up "It's not Harry's fault Snape, Harry had nothing to do with it"
"And I suppose you can tell me who was responsible Weasley?" replied Snape with a glint of rage in his eye.
"Yes sir I can, It was all my doing" said Ron.
Hermione had not expected Ron to say that and tried to convince Ron to take back what he had just said.
"No Hermione, It was all my doing" said Ron giving her an 'its-going-to-be- fine' look
Snape turned back and forth from Harry to Ron. "That was the stupidest thing I've ever seen a student do Weasley, the rest of you get out of my sight" said Snape
The whole class left the classroom as fast as they could while Harry and Hermione stayed behind.
"I thought I told you to get out of my sight and go to your next class, 25 points from Gryffindor" hissed Snape and with that Harry and Hermione had no choice but to leave. Ron gave them a smile and waved bye.
Harry and Hermione had worried looks on their faces as they left the class. Ron was certain they were thinking he would be expelled for this.
He turned back to face Snape who looked as though he was going to kill Ron with his bare hands. Ron couldn't help but smile even more.
*********************************************************************** A/N: That was fun to write. Thanks For all the Reviews, Keep them coming