Potions Exam, Again
Tuesday, nine thirty. McGonagall said curtly as Severus stepped into her office. He came to a halt and gave her a questioning look. And don't look at me as if you hadn't known you would have to be there as well. She added, knowing his expression without actually looking up from her work.
Of course I know, I've done it before... Still, I had hope. But well, it might actually be quite an amusing performance to watch. He took another step towards her desk and placed a folder in front of her. Potions supply lists, not a Sickle above the budget. He said.
Good, although I would have expected you to hand them in yesterday like everyone else did. She replied.
That sounds a lot as if you were just about to take ten points from Slytherin.
I sent an owl to Mr. Potter, telling him that I'm going to pick him up Monday evening and we'll take him to the Ministry from here.
So you're going to be there as well?
Of course I will, I filed the request after all.
Yes, of course. Severus said slowly. I just thought maybe you would rather have spared yourself the embarrassment.
McGonagall put her papers aside, leaned back in her chair and smiled at him. I suppose you would be the one to be held responsible for Mr. Potter's abilities. Which might even turn out to be something positive; I for one am convinced that he will succeed.
Severus smirked back at her. He'd be lucky to reach an A again.
I'd wager five Galleons on an 'Exceeds Expectations'. McGonagall suggested.
He hesitated for a moment. Let's make it a little more interesting by adding one week of midnight rounds through the castle.
She nodded. Very well. You'd better prepare for some sleepless nights.
I hope two weeks in a row won't ask too much of you, you're not as used to it as I am.
McGonagall smiled, took her quill and went back to her work. Don't you worry about that, young man... She muttered without looking up at him once more.
Severus spent the better part of his Monday evening prowling the corridors in front of the staff room just to make sure he would accidentally come across McGonagall on her way back to her office. He had given up walking around and been lurking out there, leaning against an old statue and watching the door for at least half an hour before it finally swung open.
So you're taking Potter by Floo? He asked softly as soon as McGonagall had stepped outside.
She had gotten too used to hearing his voice from out of the shadows where ever one would least expect him to be and thus usually couldn't be startled by his presence anymore. Are you bored? She asked and started walking along the corridor. Nothing better to do than waiting around out here?
Severus reluctantly set off to follow her. Did you connect that Muggle house to the network?
Just for fifteen minutes, we don't want to take any risks.
Yes, yes, of course. He muttered more to himself. Are you going to apparate there?
No, I'll go by Floopowder as well. How come you're so interested in all that all of a sudden?
I'm a curious person. Nine thirty it was tomorrow?
McGonagall replied, opened the door to her office, stopped and turned around to face him. And please, be on time.
I'm always on time. You don't believe I'd show up late just to make a bad impression on Potter's behalf, do you? Severus smirked. Keep a good eye on Potter, you know he has a great talent for going astray.
You're not worried about losing your bet, are you?
Not in the least. He nodded at her, turned away and left.
McGonagall looked after him for a moment before she put on her travelling cloak and stepped into the fireplace.
Only a minute later an electric fireplace shot across the living room of No. 4 Privet Drive and Minerva McGonagall found herself standing in a cloud of dust with three dumbstruck Muggles staring at her.
What the hell! Vernon Dursley barked, jumped up from his chair, took his eyes off the witch standing in his living room and glared down at Harry who was sitting next to him at the dinner table.
Harry said, smiling sheepishly. Did I forget to tell you?
McGonagall gave him a stern look. Mr. Dursley, Mrs. Dursley, I'm very sorry if my visit came unexpected for you. She said, glancing around the room. I will of course fix this before I leave.
Harry stared back indifferently at his uncle who was still glaring at him but sitting down again now, his face constantly growing redder. Harry's aunt was looking from her husband to McGonagall and back again while Dudley just stared at McGonagall, holding a fork full of French beans motionless a few inches above his plate with his mouth opened wide.
When nobody seemed to want to say anything, Harry got up from his chair, muttered I'll get my stuff then. and set off to fetch his backpack from his room. When he returned a few minutes later he found the living room looking exactly like it had before, as if nobody had moved or even spoken while he was gone.
Well, I'll probably be back tomorrow then; not as if you'd care. He muttered while walking around the table.
McGonagall smiled at him and handed him a small bag filled with Floopowder. It's Hogwarts, visitor's grate two. She said in a low voice. Harry stepped into hole in the wall that would have to serve as a fireplace, tossed a hand full of Floopowder down and truly regretted that he couldn't see the expression on the faces of his so called family as they watched him disappear in the green flames.
Severus was standing hidden in shadow in a corner on the first floor from where he had a good view on the fireplace in the Entrance Hall and was waiting for Harry's arrival. Would anyone have cared for his opinion he would have suggested a portkey; regarding the traveller's safety he had always preferred them over the Floo network with its innumerable wrong exits where one could end up. The other advantage of course was that you didn't look like a chimney sweep once you reached your destination.
A moment later Harry was spit out of the fireplace and thrown onto the ground in a cloud of dust and ash. Severus remained where he was rather than bidding him welcome - the headmaster was probably on his way down already to meet with his favourite student. He watched Harry getting back to his feet and dusting off his clothes and as soon as he could hear Dumbledore's footsteps on the stairs he turned away and left for his office. Severus knew he would have to inform the Dark Lord about Potter's arrival, tomorrow at the latest. Today would probably be the better choice but it didn't seem like a good idea to him to let them know what Potter was up to tomorrow; here in the castle, he was safe, but in the Ministry, especially without Dumbledore by his side, no one could tell.
The next day was way too hot. Not for the time of year probably but definitely for someone dressed in black, carrying along a cloak and making his way along a crowded street; he usually refrained from wearing his cloak when he was surrounded by Muggles, he got enough funny looks from them like this already. To make sure he wouldn't be seen, Severus had apparated in one of the halls of an old cardboard factory that hadn't seen a Muggle visitor in ages and was located only a few streets away from the Ministry. From there it took him only a few minutes to reach the visitor's entrance. After putting his cloak back on he glanced around once more before he stepped into the telephone box. He took his badge which read Severus Snape, Reexamination, thought it sounded and awful lot as if he was the one about to take the test, put it into his pocket, leaned back and closed his eyes, not paying attention to anything after Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to....
A minute later he stepped out of the telephone box and walked across the hall towards the security checkpoint where McGonagall and Potter were standing and obviously waiting for him.
It's twenty-five minutes past nine. McGonagall said and threw him a stern look.
I'm aware of that. He replied while the security wizard was searching him.
The guard muttered lazily and Severus handed him his wand.
Five minutes earlier wouldn't have done harm. McGonagall said.
Twelve-and-a-half inches, dragon heartstring, twenty-nine years, correct? The security wizard muttered.
Severus hissed and took his wand from the other man's hand. Why do you even ask? Has it ever not been correct?
Sir, you're not wearing your visitor's badge, you're required to-
He was by now sounding just as annoyed as he felt, took the badge from his pocket and pinned it to the front of his cloak. Who are the examiners? He asked, turning to McGonagall and still not even looking at Harry as they set off towards the lifts.
Vanek, Hippelius and Kelstone. She replied, reading the names from a piece of parchment she had been carrying with her.
Severus repeated, gave Harry a scrutinizing look and smirked at him. So, Potter, where's your tie? For a moment he gloated over the blank look Harry was giving him in reply before turning back to McGonagall.
You're not serious, are you? She asked as they entered the lift.
Absolutely serious.
Er... excuse me? Harry asked carefully, turning to McGonagall. What are you talking about?
Rumour has it that Erasmus Vanek refuses to test anyone not showing up properly dressed. She replied.
I wouldn't call it a rumour. Snape said softly, taking off his visitor's badge again and putting it back into his pocket. I had to witness my first NEWT reexamination candidate being thrown out of Vanek's office because he wasn't wearing tie and jacket. He glanced down at Harry again and could barely hide a smile as he saw the boy growing paler and more nervous with every second.
Potter, you need a tie. McGonagall stated, the lift came to a halt and she strode outside.
But I didn't bring my school tie. Harry replied and followed her out onto the corridor her.
We're late. Severus said, taking a look at his pocket watch.
McGonagall glared at him in a way that would have sent any student fleeing into the forest and it seemed to be just enough to make her colleague shut up.
Mr. Potter, hand me your watch, please. She said and Harry did as he was told. McGonagall took out her wand, pointed it at the watch and a moment later she had transfigured it into a blue tie which Harry hastily put on while following his teachers along the corridor.
When they entered the office they were greeted with a grumpy About time. and Snape and McGonagall immediately took their seats next to the long desk where the three examiners were waiting already while Harry remained standing next to a cauldron in the middle of the room, glancing around and waiting to be told what to do.
You can stay right were you are, Mr. Potter. The grumpy voice said and the old balding man sitting in the middle between the other two examiners looked up from his papers to take a look at Harry. Let us begin then, shall we.
Severus wasn't too surprised that Vanek hadn't even said a word to him, they didn't like each other; he had expected him to show a little more respect towards the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts though.
Mr. Potter. Erasmus Vanek said and leaned back in his chair, looking at Harry as if still searching for a reason to throw him out of his office. In my latest article published in Potion Maker's Digest I discussed the possibility of revising and changing some of the ingredients of certain very traditional potions; what do you think about it?
Harry stared at him for a moment before stammering Er... well, I... and glancing over at his teachers in search for help just to find Snape sneering at him.
Excuse me, but isn't this meant to be a practical test? McGonagall said.
I always expect some basic knowledge from the students. Vanek replied curtly and without taking his eyes of Harry.
I definitely wouldn't regard this as basic knowledge. McGonagall said defiantly.
This time he turned to face her and smiled at her. My dear Professor McGonagall, although your outstanding skills regarding Transfigurations can't be denied, I don't believe this is quite your area of expertise. Vanek said and turned back to Harry again. So, Mr. Potter, what do you think about the idea of replacing the bat wings and the nightshade in the Draught of the Living Dead in relation to the influence it would have on the potion's effects?
McGonagall shot the examiner a deadly glare but didn't say anything else. Severus however was very pleased; not only was Potter going to fail but it looked as if he was also going to make quite a fool of himself along the way. He dwelled on the thought only for a few seconds before McGonagall kicked him below the table. He didn't have to look at her to know that she wanted him to say something. And she was right, knowledge like that couldn't be expected from a fifth year. But on the other hand, this was Potter, so no matter how unfair the question might be, it was just fine with him.
Severus cleared his throat. May I interrupt you for a second. He said softly, not waiting for a reply. Although personally I found your article very inspiring and would recommend studying it to each of my students, I have to say that the subjects you discussed there are probably a little too complex to be fully understood by a fifth year student.
The old wizard looked at him for a moment, obviously feeling flattered by what he had heard. Very well, you might be right about this, it might actually be too difficult for this young man to understand. He said. Let us move on to the practical test then.
During the next forty-five minutes Severus started to regret that he had said anything at all. Harry was doing extremely well, way better than he would have expected, and once he was done with his potion Severus was pretty sure that he would have to pay McGonagall five Galleons for the honour of seeing Potter in his classroom for two more years.
You haven't read that article, have you? McGonagall asked in a low voice as soon as they had left Vanek's office again.
Of course I haven't. Severus replied. I'd rather spend two hours staring at a blank wall than reading one word that self-righteous arrogant fool has written.
He winced, recognising the voice as belonging to the one man he really hadn't wanted to meet here even before turning around.
Who's that? McGonagall whispered, scrutinizing the young man striding along the corridor towards them.
Get Potter back to the school, I'll meet you there. Severus replied in a low voice and started walking towards the other man, leaving Harry and McGonagall standing alone at the lift.
AN: This took me quite a little more time to update than I had planned; well, at least it's long. The next one will probably take even longer because I will have to decide on one the plots I've thought about. Thank you for reading! I hope you liked it.
sparkle-2oo3: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the last chapter, hope you also liked this one. There'll probably be more of Lupin in this story, he's one of my favourites ;)
Ronnie: Thank you :) I'm really glad you liked my ideas.
shadowycat: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it and that you think I'm still good with Lupin, it's been a while since I've written him.
Anna Mette: Thank you, so glad you liked it :)
Lexi Lupin: Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, I hope you'll continue to.
Ice Lupus: Thank you :) I'm really glad to hear you liked it, I hope you also liked this one.
