Chapter 5 – Potions Make Perfect (continued)

After ten minutes of reading, everyone paired off. Harry with Ron, Hermione with Elisabeth, Emma with Neville – Andrew with Malfoy and everyone else with whomever they could find. The lesson was difficult, with Neville so nervous around Emma that he kept losing his Silver Tongued Larkweed and blushing all the more when Emma began to giggle good-naturedly. Ron and Harry were unable to work out just how to slice the crushed Essence of Boomslang since it was already crushed and therefore unable to be sliced – while Hermione and Elisabeth powered on, making a perfect Lemblis Potion within fifteen minutes.

Harry smiled over at Emma, then swallowed nervously when she smiled back, "How's it going?"

"Good!" giggled Emma as Neville frantically scrabbled for a spoon which was rolling over the edge of the workbench, "I think we're actually going to be lucky if we get anything in the water. Technically, that's all we have so far!"

Laughing and hoping Neville didn't hurt himself (a little too late as Neville's yelp of pain made him realise Neville really shouldn't be allowed to use knives) Harry turned back to Ron, who was looking thoroughly confused.

"So, sliced the crushed Boomslang. It'll have to do!" sighed Ron as he shifted the curious grey powder into the bubbling brew, "And the Larkweed isn't chirping anymore. So that can go in. Now, what's left?"

"It says we need to add a pinch of Hellica's Ashes!" declared Harry boldly, "Um, what ARE Hellica's Ashes?"

Ron shrugged and picked up a small vial of a curious green powder, "Well, this is all we have left that Snape's given us – I'd assume it was this?"

All too late, Harry caught the venemous eyes of Andrew and Malfoy on Ron as he took a pinch and dashed it in to the mix. Wanting to cry out, Harry reached forwards but the damage was done. A dull explosion sounded and vile olive-green smoke brimmed over the edge of the cauldron, sweeping down around Harry and Ron, solidifying around their feet in a curious dark mess. Unfortunately, the smoke continued to brim and harden, the mess seeping up their bodies and they would come dangerously close to smothering them until...

With a flick of his wand, Snape dispelled the contents of the cauldron.

"Dear oh dear..." he sighed, "Weasley and Potter – why do you insist on adding ingredients NOT in the book? Why add Minerva's Waltz to a Lemblis Potion?"

Ron mumbled a reply and Harry bit his tongue. He would need to control himself now. Snape was proving a double edged sword – useful in the Order of the Phoenix but dangerous as a teacher. Either way, he would have to keep quiet.

"Unfortunately, your performance in your NEWTS reflects on me as a Potions Professor. So, you'll just have to try this again. In your own time! After your last lesson, return here and stay here until you brew me a flawless Lemblis Potion!"

"He's mean!" gasped Elisabeth, "I think I'd cry if he was that horrible to me!"

"But he loves you," sighed Hermione a little bitterly.

The six of them, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Elisabeth, Emma and Neville were heading across the lawns towards the Greenhouses. Although only Elisabeth and Neville were taking Herbology that year, Hermione, Harry, Ron and Emma had a free period before Defence Against The Dark Arts and they wanted to see Hagrid anyway.

After waving Elisabeth and Neville off towards a cheerful looking Professor Sprout, the foursome trudged towards Hagrid's shack. Before they even drew close, the door was flung open and the cheerful, if slightly gigantic, groundskeeper charged towards them.

"HARRY! HERMIONE! RON!" a slight pause, "Oh... Erm..."

"Emma." replied Emma, a huge grin beginning already. Harry was beginning to wonder if Emma actually did anything but smile and laugh – but quickly pushed that thought aside as Hagrid grabbed the four of them and hugged them.

"Grawpy's actually talkin' proper now! 'e ain't even 'it me for ages now! Ain't that great, eh?" sobbed Hagrid, "And seein' yeh all! Well, c'epting you Emma. Don' really know yeh that well. But regardless! I'm so 'appy!"

"It's good to see you too, Hagrid!" replied Hermione a little stiffly, "But, um, could we move please?"

"Hagrid! You're so WARM!" squealed Emma, "Oooooh!"

Hagrid blushed and dropped the four quickly, with a little trouble from Emma who was determined to hang on. After a while, the girl detached herself, grinning cheerfully.

"Who's Grawpy?" she asked.

"Oh! Hagrid's dog!" shouted Hermione quickly, shooting a glance at everyone.

"No he – ooooh!" realised Hagrid, who was actually quite quick on the uptake that time, "Yeah, not Fang. Not at all!"

Fang, who appeared in the door at the mention of his name, barked hopefully.

"Oh! Grawpy!" cooed Emma, "Here Grawpy!"

Looking at her a little sadly, Fang slunk back into the shack realising he wasn't going to receive any treats at all.

"Anyway! What yeh all up to?" asked Hagrid, "Anythin' fun?"

"Free period." said Ron, "So we thought we'd come and say hello quickly!"

"I'm awful glad, but I can't stop long," replied Hagrid, "We've got the new Quidditch and Flying Professor arriving any time soon. He's decided to quit professional Quidditch and take up the professional position Dumbledore offered him!"

"What about Madam Hooch?" interrupted Harry.

Hagrid paled, "Yeh didn't 'ear?"

The three (apart from Emma who was still cooing for 'Grawpy' to come and have 'snuggles') shook their heads.

"Madam Hooch died this summer. Nasty accident it was. Flew into an ice storm on her broom, no protection or anythin'!" sighed Hagrid.

Hermione frowned, "There's no way. A trained flier like Madame Hooch? There's no way!"

Hagrid shrugged, "Well, s' what they tol' me! Anyway, gotta go make sure the new teacher's got his keys and lodgings sorted!"

"Who is it?" asked Ron a little stiffly, a Professor dying (bar Snape) was a very sad thing since everyone else on the teaching staff was quite friendly.

"Oh – Oliver Wood of course!" said Hagrid cheerfully.

The trip back to the castle was slow, and also a little sad. Why hadn't Madam Hooch's death been announced at the feast last night? And why was it being kept quiet? It was curious, but nothing strange enough to worry them. With the prospect of Defence Against The Dark Arts and a new teacher for the afternoon ahead – they would just soldier on. Besides, with Emma bopping along and singing cheerfully to the newest Smashing Warlocks single, being sad just wasn't an option!