Chapter 2
In the Deepest Midnight
After midnight, the Forbidden Forest was definitely not a favourable or proper destination for the faint hearted, the stupidly brave, the embarrassingly ignorant, the darkly suicidal or even the casually psychotic. No, the forest could only appeal to those souls conscripted to a cause then blindly assigned a task that few would undertake let alone volunteer for. Fortunately, the saying "there's a sucker born every minute" applies to volunteers readily enough.
"I'm telling you, Sibyl, that draw was rigged." Madam Hooch looked to her right and could just barely make out the outline of her assigned partner, Professor Trelawney, crouched on her knees in front of several scraggly bushes.
As a precaution, Hooch had two brooms hovering beside her ready to take her and Trelawney out of the forest at the first sign of trouble. Several glowing orbs floated around the two of them. They gave off an eerie orange glow; it was enough light to see by but not too much as to be conspicuous to the forest's nocturnal inhabitants.
Snape had said that gathering leaves and berries off a dopple plant was tedious but relatively easy. He had not lied. However, Snape had neglected to mention that the bushes grew at the bottom of a steep ravine deep in the forest on a small fairy mound around which only minimal magic was possible and that the plants themselves were only visible for one hour after midnight. These obscure but vital details had come courtesy of Professor Sprout.
"Just be glad you're not on Vector's team," Trelawney replied expertly clipping leaves and berries off a small bush that seemed to sway as if alive. Her dragon hide-clad hands were bulky making the work go very slowly. "Sinistra always comes back completely exhausted."
The forest was growing silent and Hooch's nerves were beginning to get nicely stretched. "Come on, hurry up."
"I'm picking as fast as I can." Trelawney finished the first bush and moved to begin plucking black and gray berries off the second bush. She shoved a bulging canvas bag at Hooch.
Hooch secured the second bag on one of the waiting brooms. "We have two full bags. That should be enough."
"No. Severus said he needs at least three bags." Trelawney dropped berries into the third bag laying wide open beside her. "Ow! Stop poking at me!"
"Ah, Sibyl, I'm not touching you." Hooch looked about the bushes.
The seer recoiled in mid scream as a gnarled, grayish appendage protruding from under the second bush grazed her knee. Trelawney batted the creature away while clutching her gathering bag to her chest. Moving with Quidditch honed reflexes, Hooch grabbed Trelawney's arm pulling her away from the bush. A stream of red energy erupted from Hooch's wand hitting the creature directly. The creature retreated back under its bush.
"Definitely time to go. Come on, Sybil !"
"No! Our hour is not done yet. I will leave only after I have enough." Sybil pulled her arm away from Hooch's death grip. She ignored the flyer's disbelieving eyes.
"You're going to wait for a second appearance of that thing?!" Hooch exclaimed. "We don't even know what it is."
"If it comes back, just shoot it again," Trelawney opened up her bag and checked her gloves. She took a deep, cleansing breath, crouched down and began picking berries and leaves as before.
Hooch had learned to trust her instincts and her instincts were all in absolute agreement on an orderly but rapid retreat to the castle right now. "What the hell has gotten into you?!"
Resigning herself to an edgy vigil, Hooch conjured a few more light orbs to illuminate the faerie mound. Whatever Snape planned to use these berries for had better be good Hooch thought.
Tuesday dawned slightly cloudy. The sun made numerous valiant attempts to break through. One such attempt sent a stream of sunshine into the main entrance hall illuminating the four huge hourglasses that recorded the various house points. Unseen high up on the main staircase, Dumbledore and McGonagall observed as students ambled by the hourglasses on their way to breakfast. More than one student did a double take as the numbers registered in their sleepy minds.
A self-satisfied almost predatory smile appeared on the headmaster's face and he said in slow measured tones, "Better than I expected. We must congratulate Severus on a job well done."
McGonagall nodded. "Since the points are going to a good cause, I hope he will be more inclined to give points."
"I fear your hope is in vain, Minerva."
Below then, several students stood looking intently at the hourglasses. The students were alternately appalled and amused that all the houses had lost so many points overnight. Gryffindor was less one hundred points; Slytherin sixty. Ravenclaw was reduced by forty-five points losing its hold on the house points lead.. Hufflepuff gained ground against all the other houses by losing only ten points.
"This is not funny," said Seamus Finnigan gazing at the Gryffindor hourglass with a mixture of affection and fury. "Who lost us so many points? Anyone have detention with Snape or Filch last night?"
"Not that I know of," answered Dean Thomas. "Come to think of it, we haven't had too many detentions lately. Either we're not doing enough things wrong or the teachers are getting lazy."
"But a hundred points, really." Finnigan persisted. He looked at the hourglass as if trying to will back 100 points.
Neville Longbottom had also been looking at the hourglasses while listening to Dean and Finnigan. He innocently remarked, "Every one of us was in our dorm room last night. Um, perhaps someone was caught snogging?"
"A hundred points is a bit more than just snogging!" Thomas exclaimed. He'd noticed that their subjects were getting harder and harder. Even Hermione had been uncharacteristically befuddled on a question or two. McGonagall and Flitwick had become almost as demanding as Snape on a good day.
Finnigan looked worried. "Well, it wasn't me and my ... my date! We didn't run into McGonagall, Snape or even Mrs Norris, I swear it."
"Was it worth a hundred points?"
"Only if we'd been caught!" said Finnigan with a naughty smile. Both Dean and Neville burst out laughing. All three left the main hall and headed to breakfast. "I still want to know where those points went. If this keeps up I'm going to speak up at the next house meeting with McGonagall."
It wasn't only the Gryffindors who were concerned about disappearing house points. Everyone in Slytherin had been roused by their head of house early that morning for an immediate all house meeting in the common room. Displaying no sympathy for his charges' early morning fogginess, Snape had matter of factly informed them of the points lost by the house.
He repeatedly impressed upon them all the need to do their best and avoid losing any more points. Then, in his most vitriolic manner, he faced the prefects and coldly questioned his house's resolve to win the House Cup. Snape addressed each and every Slytherin who had lost points during the week. His comments to these lucky individuals stopped short of name-calling and slander but only just. Slytherin house was justly alarmed and shamed. Incensed, the prefects had required each of them to take a look at the hourglasses this morning.
Off to the side peering at the Slytherin hourglass, Draco Malfoy had deliberately overheard every word of the Gryffindors' conversation. He knew that 20 points had been deducted because of him giving the Snape photograph to the Prophet but he was bewildered as to the remaining 40 points. He had been out and about the castle last night enjoying some much needed private time away from Crabbe and Goyle. He was sure that no one had followed him. Someone must know what I'm doing. That's the only explanation.
Slytherin had started losing points overnight two weeks ago but never more that what was lost last night. Draco vowed to be more careful. He decided to test out his theory by not straying from the comforts of the Slytherin common room tonight. Draco's reverie was broken by the boisterous entrance of the Gryffindor Quidditch team returning from a very early practice session.
Breakfast was unremarkable save for the subdued air around the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. The absence of Professors Sprout, Snape and Vector were not duly noted. The late bedraggled arrival of Professor Sinistra garnered many sympathetic looks from her colleagues. Before the end of breakfast, Dumbledore stood up and all conversations stopped.
"I'd like to announce a few things this morning," the headmaster's voice was strong, less whispery than normal. "Prefects, plan on meeting with your respective head of house at four this afternoon. The Head Boy and Girl will meet with me at the same time. There will be a staff meeting after dinner at eight o'clock and all staff members are expected to attend. I should also add that this Thursday all students will be exempt from their normal classes."
Cheers and scattered clapping greeted this announcement but Dumbledore's next words left many speechless. "On Thursday, Hogwarts will be hosting a group of Aurors and Unspeakables. They will be lecturing and holding practical seminars on various topics. Students from first, second and third year will be required to attend at least three lectures. Each student fourth year and above are required to attend at least three lectures and one seminar of their choice. Sign up sheets will be posted at lunchtime. Thank you."
Dumbledore heard his deputy's whisper, "Albus, tell them about the practical."
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention that those taking a practical seminar will be tested and graded on your level of proficiency before the end of the year. I suggest you give your choice of seminar some thought. That is all." Dumbledore resumed his seat.
A few seconds of silence followed. Pieces of parchment appeared over the house tables and floated down to eager hands. The parchment detailed out the upcoming lectures and seminars. Then abruptly the sound level spiked to near ear damaging decibel levels as students alternated pondering, pontificating and protesting loudly and at length at this new development. Comments echoed through the hall.
"Oh, gods, another exam, it not as though we don't have enough to do!"
"Wandless Magic - Fact or Fiction sounds interesting."
"Look at that - Ancient Curses the Road Less Travelled - seems downright dangerous to me!"
"Surrounded with No Wand, No Problem, what's this about physical training?!"
Suffice it to say the students were severely distracted during their classes.
An hour later the Gryffindor fifth years tramped into the potions classroom en masse for double potions with the Slytherins who were already present. Their books lay open and all were madly scribbling on their parchments. Hermione, instantly on alert, took one glance at the blackboard and practically levitated to her desk pulling out her potions book before reaching her desk. Harry, Ron and the rest of the now panicky Gryffindors stood as one paralyzed with dread.
Rooted to the spot where they stood they looked up and read the blackboard's missive "Place on my desk in 30 minutes - a 200 word essay on the properties of the mixture known as Consula Econtra. After your essay is complete, brew the Consula Econtra. Ingredients are available on the side work tables. At the end of class, it will be administered and tested." The Gryffindors fell over each other trying to get to their desks. It was a supremely industrious class for thirty minutes.
Were the class not so busy, the more inquisitive among them would have wondered where their potions master had gotten to. At that very moment, in the Divination classroom, Snape chuckled in appreciative amusement as he saw, through the scrying glass, the mad scramble in his classroom below. "I can see why you have no need to venture down very often, Sibyl."
"I find it is far more satisfying to laugh in private," Trelawney commented dryly. She rose from her chair. "Severus, I wanted to talk to you because I must confess to some fear regarding the effects of this creation of yours. As a seer, I am used to using the inner eye to see what others do not see. However, I have never trained that eye onto myself. Will I be strong enough to resist my more baser instincts?"
"It won't magnify the bad, I assure you. It is as benevolent as a patronus with some added tangible benefits. You must always remember that you are controlling it not the other way around. In time, you will get used to it."
"I will have to at least until you can invent a separation mechanism." Trelawney replied. She leaned precariously on the edge of her desk arms enfolded looking at Snape. Her eyes were glassy with fear making a lie of her pretence at bravery. Without the ever-present shroud about her face or the heavy clouds of incense swirling around the room, the divination teacher looked rather vulnerable and slight. "Well, I could do no worse than your poetry reading, can I?"
Snape winced. "I will never live that down. Let it be a lesson to you on the consequences of relaxing your guard. However, if you like, you may delay taking the potion or participating in the ritual until after you've had time to observe the others."
"When Dumbledore asked for volunteers I was flattered to be considered. I am well aware that I lie at the bottom of everyone's expectations. I have done few things for the benefit of others but I have accepted this charge and will see it through. I will take your poison and subject myself to the ritual along with the others but I thank you for the offer."
A few minutes later, Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, stood just outside of the open doorway to his domain surreptitiously surveying the all too quiet class. Dutifully sitting on his desk were the two parchments he had expected to be turned in early. He looked at the owners of the parchments in turn. Ms. Granger was already well into the second phase of the brewing as she carefully added shredded green saguaro cactus bark to her cauldron. Malfoy was not too far behind as he added ground dragon's nails to his cauldron and then stirred in the appropriate counter clockwise motion. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied Neville Longbottom turning in his essay. "Well, this has been a day full of surprises," Snape thought to himself. "And its not even noon yet."
He waited a few more minutes until Longbottom had returned to his desk with arms laden with ingredients. Snape strode towards his desk not looking left nor right but fully aware of the heightened tension and audible gasps he left in his wake. He consciously sought to unnerve the students more by remaining absolutely silent as the hourglass showed the time remaining until the essays were all due.
Snape picked up the first scroll and saw the cream and silver envelope lying flat on his desk. It was the lone survivor of the bonfire he had lit this morning. A bonfire fed and incited by the love sick letters he'd so far received. He had had every intention of reading the letter before class but it slipped from his mind after receiving Trelawney's request to talk to him. Well, he had no time now. He took the envelope and placed it inside one of his desk drawers for safekeeping.
The last bits of sand fell to the bottom half of the hourglass. The hourglass glowed bright red several times. Knowing it was useless to ask for more time, students began to line up in front of Snape's desk depositing their essays with the air of long dead martyrs.
Snape sat behind his desk, elbows on the table and looked at the glass through steepled hands. "Ms. Parkinson, tell us briefly, what is the Consula Econtra?"
Pansy Parkinson stood up and began to recite what she could remember from her essay. "The Consula Econtra is a potion that causes the affected person to do the exact opposite of whatever they intended to do, feel or say. The potion does not force the person to do anything against their will instead it takes the intended action, emotion or thought and reverses it in some way acceptable to the affected person. It is not widely used as its effects are unpredictable and serves no real practical purpose. Its name means "to reflect the opposite."
"Take ten points, Ms Parkinson," Snape continued. "I will add that the efficacy of this potion is entirely dependent on the power of the creator. The effect could last a few minutes, an hour or much longer. To this day there is no known antidote. Take the next hour to finish your potions. Five points each to Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom for finishing their essays early. At the end of class, you three will be testing the potions created by, let me see, Mr. Potter, Mr. Finnigan and Mr. Goyle. The rest of you will each fill a vial full of your potion and place your labelled vial on the test rack."
Snape was gratified to know that he had not lost his touch. Longbottom was equally thrilled and dismayed at his points. Success was never rewarded in potions class. Malfoy stared at the madly grinning Finnigan who was now enthusiastically pounding and grounding up hippogriff scales. Dean and Ron whispered encouragement along the lines of ".. take it to Malfoy but good, do Gryffindor proud." Harry triple checked his recipe list against the small pile of ingredients on his worktable. He had made sure to chop and slice carefully knowing that he had to make this potion perfectly for both his sake and Hermione's. He glared at Snape patrolling the classroom. Harry decided that the git would never give him a break.
Hermione peered into her cauldron long and hard. The potion did not look bad, smell bad, bubble menacingly or even smoke. It had cooled to a pudding like viscosity. Her potion was a deep brown with flecks of white and smelling like, god help her, dark Swiss chocolate. She was convinced that she had made it wrong. Potions were not supposed to turn out like this. The book didn't say it was supposed to be this dark or smell so heavenly. It triggered every craving she'd ever had. She was so preoccupied rereading the textbook that she failed to see Snape looking down at her expectantly.
"You have created it correctly, Ms. Granger." Snape said from behind her. "By how dark it is, I judge that you have made yourself a very potent batch. For once your abilities have served you well."
"Good, I'd hate to lose more points for Gryffindor." It was the first thing that came to her mind. Hermione colored furiously. Snape did not notice her discomfiture having already moved on to his next victim. Hermione spent the remainder of the hour mentally berating herself for being three kinds of fool wrapped into one. What did she expect? Surely not a reward for her impertinence. What had she been thinking? Ninety-five more points to go.
At the end of the hour, Hermione, Draco and Neville stood in front of the class each holding a small, transparent bowl. Snape nodded and the three began to stir their mixtures with their spoons as instructed. Hermione looked at the deep brown colour in her bowl. She nodded at Harry and quickly swallowed a spoonful. A pleasing heat began to spread throughout her body and she was very relaxed.
Beside her Draco looked at his bowl dubiously trying to ignore the sniggering from the Gryffindors. It did not have the deep dark brown hue like Hermione's had..
"Malfoy!" Snape barked. "We do not have all day."
Draco took a deep breath and lifted a spoonful of the light brown liquid to his lips and swallowed. His body began to tingle. His hands and feet grew warm.
Neville was having the same doubts as Draco as he gazed at the tapioca colored substance in his bowl. But Neville had proven himself worthy of the mantel of Gryffindor many times before. He stirred his bowl, scooped up a spoonful and swallowed. Neville sighed with relief. He felt nothing more than a slight tingling of his fingertips and reddening of his nose.
Snape looked at each one of the test subjects. He began the test. "Ms. Granger, walk to the door, swear aloud and slam the door shut."
Hermione's face displayed a look of helpless fury as her body disobeyed her mind and immediately sat down on the floor. As the potion affected emotion as well as action, her anger and embarrassment had the opposite effect. Sitting on the floor, she gasped breathlessly as her body generated a pleasurable rush of hormones and electrical impulses. A quiet moan drifted from her lips. Surmising her unexpected reaction, Snape moved quickly to stand in front of Hermione. His long black robes gave her some much needed privacy.
"Malfoy, insult Weasley!"
Draco's body jerked forward until he stood face to face with Ron. Draco shot Snape an imploring look right before his right hand pulled at Ron's neck. Their lips met. It was more a peck than a kiss. Ron's sense of survival came to the fore and he pushed Draco away. All the Slytherins and Gryffindors dissolved into giggling hysteria. Draco collapsed into an empty chair trying to regain feeling in knees that had inexplicably gone wobbly. Ron glowered at Finnigan.
Snape turned his attention to Neville next. "Longbottom, jump up and down."
Neville jumped only once. The potion had worn off immediately. His nose felt normal again.
Professor Snape sighed, "Five points to all the testers and brewers." He turned around to check on Hermione. "Potter, Longbottom, take Granger and Malfoy to the infirmary. I will inform Madam Pomfrey not to release them until tomorrow. Now, get out all of you!"
One look at Ron's furious face was all the reason Finnigan needed to be the first out of the classroom. Ron bolted out after him. Dean picked up Seamus' books while shouting at Ron to have mercy. Harry helped Hermione up from the floor. She was looking dazed but her eyes were bright and she was smiling a big toothy grin. Neville approached Draco cautiously not bothering to help him up. The foursome trooped to the infirmary.
Snape locked the classroom door. He removed Ms. Granger and Potter's test vials from the rack and carried them into his private work area. Of the entire class, theirs were the darkest and he needed the most potent combination available. "Useless, indeed."
His cauldron simmered on the burner sending up tendrils of silvery smoke. On the table sat three bulging bags of dopple berries and leaves. He poured two bags of dopple berries into another cauldron then smashed the berries into pulp. He poured the silvery contents of his cauldron over the berry pulp. He raised up the fire and set the new mixture to a rapid boil. As the mixture turned dark red, he added the two vials of Consula Econtra and lowered the flame.
Snape only had a few hours to complete the potion in time for the staff meeting. He had much more to do before the staff meeting.