Chapter 10: Potion's Class
As Harry walked down toward his father's classroom he knew that this class
was different than any other he had before with his father as teacher. This
class was his first time as Alexander Snape. Harry wondering how his father
was going to treat him. He was still a Gryffindor, but now he was the son
of the Potion's Professor. Like all the other potion's classes, they were
with the Slytherins. On Harry's journey down the steps to the classroom, he
saw Hermione trying to pick up her things. The bottom of the bag had fallen
apart. He walked over and helped her. Harry picked up her book of "A
History of Hogwarts" and handed it to her. Hermione said, "Well, do you
always help Muggle-borns?"
"I help people when they need it. You needed my help if you don't want to
be late for potions. You know how Professor Snape gets when people are
late. Even on the first day," said Harry.
"Correct, Snape," said Hermione.
"Call me Alex. Only Professors should call me by my last name. Or my
father, if he's really mad at me. You and the others should call me Alex.
How would your friend Harry feel if everyone called him Potter, like Malfoy
does," said Harry.
"How do you know Malfoy calls us by our last names? You have only been here
a short time, but I have the feeling that you have been here longer than
that, like you were with us when we were all first years," said Hermione as
she repaired her bag.
"It was a lucky guess, and my father told me about what he heard his house
students call those of other houses," said Harry as he hoped that Hermione
would not find out that he was Harry, at least not yet. Ginny that knew
that he was Harry Potter. Harry wanted to take one person at time that knew
that he was Harry Potter.
"Right," said Hermione. She knew that Alex was hiding something. She would
find out what it was.
That's when Neville Longbottom came run down the stairs. Harry said, "Where
is the fire, Neville?"
"I am late for your greasy git of a father's class," said Neville.
Hermione look at the grandfather clock that was near them. She said,
"Neville is right, we are late."
"Then lets get going," said Harry.
They all ran to the Potion's classroom. Professor Snape was waiting at the
door for them. Professor Snape said, "Finally you grace this class with
your poor potion skills. I thought after four years you would able to find
my classroom. Mr. Snape, even though you are new, that goes for you too. I
will take twenty points each from Gryffindor for being late to my class.
Now take your seats."
Neville and Hermione took their normal seat. Harry's normal seat was next
to Ron, but that was Harry Potter's seat. Harry looked over the class
quickly to find a seat. The only other seat that was open was next to
Malfoy. Before he could choose where to sit down, he heard his father say,
"Mr. Snape, sit next to Malfoy."
Harry did as his father said. He sat next to his rival. Professor Snape
went to the front of the class and he said, "Well, lets see if anyone has
even looked at their book before entering this classroom this year. Let's
start with Mr. Longbottom. Mr. Longbottom, what is rosemary?"
Neville had no clue what rosemary was. Sweat ran down is his face. He said,
"Sorry, Professor, I don't what rosemary is."
"Ten points from Gryffindor. Ms. Granger, how about you?" said Professor
Snape.
This was first time in Hermione's life she did not know something. She
said, "I am sorry Professor I don't know what rosemary is either."
An evil smile crossed Snape's face. It was the first time in four years
that the know-it-all did not know what something was. Snape said, "Finally,
I found something that Ms. Granger did not know. Another ten points from
Gryffindor. Well, let's see if my Slytherins know what rosemary is. Mr.
Malfoy?"
Draco did not know what it was either. He said, "Professor, rosemary
is....... just something made up."
"That is wrong. Well, I see that no one has looked at their book this
year," said Snape as Harry raised his hand. Professor Snape saw that his
son raised his hand. "Mr Snape?"
"I know what rosemary is, sir," said Harry.
"Well, Mr. Snape, do enlighten us," said Snape. Severus wanted to know if
his son really did know.
"An aromatic evergreen Mediterranean shrub having light blue or pink
flowers and grayish-green leaves that are used in cooking and perfumery in
the muggle world. In the Magical World rosemary is use in the Healing
Potion," said Harry.
"Correct," said Snape. "Ten to Gryffindor. At least one person in this
class has opened his book."
This surprised the whole class. This was first time that Professor Snape
gave points to Gryffindor. They made the healing potion. When class was
almost over, Snape called Harry to his office and told the rest to bottle
up their potion and go. Harry sat in his father's office waiting for him to
come in. Snape entered the office and went to sit down in his chair.
Severus said, "Well done, my son."
"I think you scared the class to day. You gave points to Gryffindor," said
Harry.
"Don't worry about the points I give you, Neville will undoubtedly lose
them soon enough," said Severus.
Harry knew that his father was right. Harry said, "Have you heard who the
new DADA professor is?"
"Yes, I have. I know that he was extremely surprised that I have a son,"
said Severus.
"Yeah, he was," said Harry. "Will you be making the potion he needs?"
"Yes, I will not have him endangering my son," said Severus.
"Well, I better get going," said Harry as he got up from his chair.
"Yes," said Severus. "Alex, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" said Harry.
"Well, this weekend we are going to have dinner with the Malfoys. Draco
sent his father a letter. Then his father called through the fire to ask if
he could have dinner with my son and me. I had to say yes. We could not
have any of my fellow Death Eaters thinking there is something different
about my son," said Severus. "So wear your best robes on Saturday."
"Fine," said Harry. "I have to go try make friends in my house again."
Harry left. Harry knew that this week was going to be long. Then on
Saturday he and his father were having dinner with Draco's father. But he
would just take it one day at a time.
