Disclaimer: The characters in this story and the universe in which they exist belong to J.K. Rowling. I get nada.
Chapter 8 - The Potions Room
Julius sat quietly by the fire in the Ravenclaw common room in a old leather chair that had seen better days. His potions book was open on his lap, and he murmured to himself as he went through the steps for the Agility Potion they learned last week in his mind, preparing for his first tutoring session later that evening. According to the schedule Professor Snape had given him, they had the room from seven until nine; Hermione figured they would meet in the main hall around six-forty-five to walk to the Potions classroom together.
"So what's all this I hear about you and Granger, DeVere?" Michael Corner inquired, a mirthful sparkle in his eye as he looked up from his game of wizards chess. "People are saying you looked pretty cozy the other night coming into the Hall."
"Yeah, your little groupies looked pretty crestfallen; I swear I saw tears," Anthony Goldstein winked.
"You guys are really too much, " Julius chuckled, tossing a balled up piece of old parchment at the two gamers who ducked expertly, having apparently had much experience with hurtling objects
"So, are you or aren't you?" Corner insisted, not even remotely ready to drop the subject, moving one of his pieces on the board, causing Goldstein to wince as his knight was skewered.
"Yeah, come on, fess up!" Anthony agreed, moving a pawn whose fate didn't look that much better.
Julius just smiled, and looked at the clock; it was nearly time. Clapping shut his potions book, he packed it into his bag, slinging the large sack over his shoulder as he stood. The two gamers looked up with curious expressions as they watched him make his way across the room to the door at the other end.
"Hey, where you going?" the one of the two asked.
"I need to get to the library. Big potions essay due tomorrow. Lots of research," he answered, figuring it was as good excuse as any.
"You know we're gonna find out sooner or later!" a voice called from behind him as he stepped through the door and out of the tower.
Hermione and Harry were waiting patiently by the stairs in the main hall, talking to each other quietly as Julius descended the last flight to ground level. "Haven't been waiting long, have you?" he queried, "How's your ankle holding up, 'Mione?"
"Oh, its much better, thanks. Amazing what a few days can do," she replied, flashing Julius a smile, grabbing both boys arms and guiding them towards the dungeon stairwell.
The torches flickered ominously as they completed their descent, striding down the last length of hall to the Potions classroom. It was eerily quiet, and as they neared the normally boisterous portrait of Sir Cadogan, they realized why, as the knight was nowhere to be found. The frame had in fact been repaired several days ago by the house elves, but Sir Cadogan obviously felt it best that he visit the headmaster's office for a few days as he nursed his cuts and bruised ego.
"Someone must have really got to him this time," Hermione noted, and Harry could only assume who it was.
Flickering light radiated from the open classroom door, which they thought was odd until they stepped through the doorway. The room was already occupied by none other than Professor Snape, who was standing behind his desk, carefully cutting up some ingredients. The three friends glanced at one another, curiously, and Julius quietly cleared his throat to get the Potions Master's attention.
"Excuse me, Professor," he began, reaching into his bag to check the schedule. "Perhaps I mistook the date, but I thought we were to have the classroom to use tonight."
Snape glanced up from his work, noting the three students standing at the threshold, his lightless eyes moving from one to the next and lingering with a scowl upon Harry. Setting down the large knife upon the cutting board, he replied unconcernedly, "No, Mr. DeVere, you did not mistake the date. Please set up your equipment where you like and begin your class. I trust the classroom is large enough to accommodate us both without getting in each other's way."
"Yes, sir," Julius nodded, and made his way towards one of the tables towards the back of the room, to ensure they had more than adequate space from each other.
Harry set up his cauldron while Julius retrieved his potions book, opening up to the proper page for the Mental Agility potion. Hermione fetched the necessary ingredients from the storeroom and set them on the table for Harry to prepare. The plan was to have Harry attempt the potion first by himself, and then if necessary, they would brew it again, emphasising what he did wrong the first time.
Snape watched the trio in a series of stolen glances when he could find the time between adding ingredients and stirring. Overall, he was quite impressed with the way they organized the lesson, and even though by smell he could tell that Harry had not brewed the potion correctly, it was far better than he would have expected for an "Acceptable" level student's first attempt.
"Evanesco," he heard Miss Granger whisper, tapping the edge of Harry's cauldron with her wand, emptying it. They were set to begin the second try, and Snape was surprised to watch how patiently Julius went through Potter's mistakes, showing him the proper methods of cutting his roots, and stirring the cauldron, making sure to touch each part of the bottom so that there were no pockets of unmixed ingredients.
Julius and Miss Granger worked well together, and why wouldn't they? They were both exceptionally bright, though he hated to admit it about the Gryffindor, and both had developed their talents enough to be able to give constructive advice in their own special areas of expertise.
As the second batch was completed, he could tell by the sounds of approval and the relieved smile upon Harry's face, that the second potion did, in fact, exhibit the correct results. Julius patted Harry on the back and Hermione gave him a quick but warm hug, congratulating him on a job well done.
It was nearly their curfew of nine o'clock, and Julius offered to stay behind and clean up. He wanted to make sure that nothing was left out of place so they would not have the room taken away from them. His inquisitiveness getting the better of him, he glanced over to where Snape was quietly stirring his cauldron, finding Snape already gazing at him.
With an unconcerned air, Snape stated, "Very impressive performance this evening, Mr. DeVere. I was particularly impressed with your attention to minute details. Few students seem to care about the delicate intricacies of potion making that make it such a difficult art to master."
"Have you given much thought to what you are going to do once outside of school, Mr. DeVere?," Snape queried, adding the next ingredient to the complex potion and stirring, counting the turns silently in his mind.
"I would very much like to continue in this field, Professor, "Julian answered, his eyes drifting over the remaining ingredients on Snape's table, admiring the exactness of the professors slices and cuts. "I thought perhaps of going into forensic potions, and perhaps work for the Ministry of Magic. Might I ask what potion that is you're brewing, sir?"
Professor Snape quirked an eyebrow at his choice of field. He indeed would do well, but added, "I would have thought you would become a teacher. You seem to have the predisposition for it. Gods know I have never had such results working with Potter." Glancing down at the swirling potion before him, he answered, "This will be veritaserum when complete, something you will need to familiarize yourself with if you do decide to go into forensics." Narrowing his eyes for a moment, he paused, thinking, and then added, "Would you like to assist me in completing this batch, Mr. DeVere?"
Julius's eyes widened, surprised at the offer. "But isn't veritaserum beyond N.E.W.T. level, professor?"
"Indeed, but you obviously have the talent and ability from what I have seen, Mr. DeVere. It is up to you, of course," dark eyes gazing towards the boy in front of him.
"Yes, sir," Julius answered, still in shock at being given this opportunity.
Snape gestured for his son to stand beside him and explained each ingredient and technique with more patience than he had ever shown to another student as they worked late into the night.
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! You guys are so great! It was time to have some bonding between Snape and Julius. Hope you enjoyed! Laurie