Sorry this chapter is on the short side for me, and honestly, it's rather uneventful. Hopefully I'll be posting another chapter right after this one, as I'm not going to get to post it now, due to fathers who control internet connections, and have decided that I really should be in bed, despite the fact that it's only 9:30 and I'm 18! Granted, we are getting up at 6:30 tomorrow to go on a cruise, but still! So you aren't going to get to read this until I get back and am able to post, but I know you've been used to waiting for months for me to post. I'll try not to let that happen anymore, because this next semester shouldn't be nearly as busy as the last one. I can't wait to graduate…Well, thank you to emmasnape99 and No Name LOL for reviewing, and for their nice and wonderful comments. Reviews are definitely appreciated. After a chapter is posted, I check my email like every fifteen minutes for review alerts. Oh, if anyone is interested, you can IM me on AIM at Ash17920 or on MSN at Ash15920, and I'm usually on a lot, well, after 5:30 on weekdays, but I like having lots of people to talk to. Hmm…haha, lied. I think I can post tonight…hopefully

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Koraleigh arrived early to the dungeons, just in time to see a furious looking Harry stomp out, followed by a hassled Hermione, who spared a moment to give Koraleigh a sympathetic glance. Koraleigh gulped to herself as she entered the classroom timidly.

Professor Snape spun around at the sound of footprints on the dungeon floor. "Koraleigh. Why are you not in Herbology?"

"I'm not taking Herbology." replied Koraleigh in a timid voice. "I'm not allowed. I'm allergic to some of the plants."

"You are?" asked Snape in some astonishment.

"Professor Dumbledore told me today. I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures instead. But I didn't have a first class today, so after I talked to Professor Dumbledore, I came down here, since it's my next class."

Snape frowned a bit. "I'll have to have a talk with Dumbledore about this."

A few students began trickling in just then and Snape turned around abruptly and went into his office.

Koraleigh frowned, a bit hurt, but she assumed her father simply had forgotten something he needed to do before the class began. It wasn't the first time that his work had caused problems with his family, though they were usually mended quickly. Koraleigh walked over and took a seat in the front row, waiting for Henny and Gretchen to join her.

Almost as if being summoned, Henny and Gretchen walked in and took seats on either side of Koraleigh.

"So, why did you have to meet with Professor Dumbledore?" asked Henny curiously.

"I can't take Herbology." Koraleigh replied. "I'm supposedly allergic to some of the plants."

Gretchen frowned. "How'd they know that?"

"Some test through the Sorting Hat. I'm not really sure."

"So what are you going to do while we're in Herbology?" Henny asked.

"I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures with the third years instead." replied Koraleigh. "I suppose it'll be interesting, but I hope they'll be nice to me, since they're older and all."

"You'll be fine, Koraleigh." replied Henny reassuringly.

"And if not, I'll beat them up!" added Gretchen with a mischievous grin.

Soon enough, all students were present and looking anxiously around for the mysterious Potions Master they had all heard so much about. Some of the things they had heard were good, and some were bad, depending on their House and their familiarity with Koraleigh, but no one in there, including Koraleigh, doubted that Professor Snape was planning something, and it would be best not to be caught unprepared.

The door slammed behind them, and all the students jumped and turned in their seats to catch a glimpse of the Potions Master striding up the middle aisle to the front of the room.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little wand-waving here, some of you will hardly believe this is magic. I can only hope you will truly understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses….I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death." There was a long pause not even broken by the almost inaudible sound of someone taking a breath. "Now, let us begin."

Koraleigh grinned up at her father as the rest of her class seemed to snap out of the reverie that Snape's voice had put them in. That was a really cool speech, and Koraleigh couldn't wait to begin.

Snape breathed a small sigh of relief as the class all looked to him for further instruction. He had managed to deliver his usual opening class speech, of course, this time without the dunderhead comment, and Koraleigh was grinning. Perhaps this wouldn't be as bad as he had first thought.

The class passed almost too quickly for Koraleigh's tastes. She had been working on her potion with Henny, and the two quickly spooned up a sample of their potion, poured in into a flask, and turned it in up at the front. Koraleigh discreetly gave her father a grin and a thumbs-up.

The three girls were heading down to lunch when something Henny said in passing made Koraleigh suddenly remember the events of the night before. She had been so preoccupied with getting through her first classes, and then having to meet with Professor Dumbledore instead of going to Herbology that she had completely forgotten about the Sword of Wrevil. Koraleigh took a sidelong glance at her two new friends, debating whether or not to share with them the news about the Sword. It would be easier to find answers with help, but Koraleigh wasn't sure if she wanted to risk getting Obliviated. In the end, Koraleigh decided, that for now, this was just something she was going to have to figure out on her own.