Chapter Two: The second task!

Severus left the Grand Hall quite satisfied with himself. His first task was done, perfectly done. Now his next task, he already knew exactly what to do and was already smirking at the thought of it.

He headed to his office, he still got half and hour before class so he could use it to do something useful. He has been thinking hard about the whole just-a-month-left thing, there were so many things he wanted to do before….well you know… before… let's say maybe a month wasn't going to be enough after all. So he needed to prioritize his wills.

"No, this is quite more important than to visit mom I may just owl her… um… maybe I should do this before cursed Black…" murmured him while checking his list, not quite satisfied with his results. Time was running, so he went to his potion's shelf, he needed to take some interesting potions for today unforgettable class….

"Ok, I got all what I need" said him before heading to his classroom, malice written all over his face.

At the potion classroom all the students were already there, none wanted to miss that class. The classroom was quiet, excitement on the air. The girls couldn't wait to see Severus again and the boys were nervous. Griffidors and Slytherins were intrigued, nobody daring to speak, eyes fixing the door, at any moment now Snape will walk in, slam the door, yell to the Griffidors, give some points to the Slytherins and life will go on as normal as ever… This morning dream will remain just that a dream, an illusion, something that never happens, something they will soon forget..

"What time is it?" asked Neville shaking his watch, there must be something wrong with it, it says Snape was late, five minutes late! Snape and being late were two concepts that could not possibly be connected, but then Snape and Jeans either!

"8:35" answered Draco, he was so nervous that didn't realized it has been an Griffindor who has asked. He was asking himself the same as everybody else, Snape late?

"He probably got lost in another dimension or we slept two days in a row so today is not today" said Ron biting his nails.

"Shut up" Harry cut him off. It was 8:45 and none could handle the stress anymore. Should they go and ask someone? Or just leave? Not better not, Snape was probably waiting outside just to curse or kill them!

A couple of minutes later a whistle made them look at the door again. Someone was approaching the classroom … whistling? Maybe the Headmaster to tell them that their dear potion master has been confined in a mental hospital or even worse he was just sick today!

The whistle got lauder and suddenly stopped, whoever has been whistling was now standing in front of the classroom. Everybody hold their breath. A minute that felt like an hour or two passed and Severus walked in smoothly.

"Good morning Class" said him smiling a little bit too Lockheartish even for his new taste. "Get all your stuff and follow me, we are going to have class outside today"

Nobody moved, this has to be a joke! Snape was probably teasing them, he'll curse the first one who dare to get out. Ron turned questionably to Harry, Harry shocked his head, confusion written all over his face. But he wasn't the only one; even the Slytherins were looking at Severus as if he has just lost his mind.

"So we'll you move or I'll have to curse you all" yelled Severus angrily, those gits were incredible, who can understand them! You are nice with them and don't even listen to you!

Draco was the first to stand up, he was the only one who could do anything without fearing Snape's fury so he took his bag and went out (slowly and carefully) once he was out the rest of the Slytherins followed him, the Griffidors needed another "Move" to react.

Severus went out of the castle whistling happily, the Slytherins followed him closely, the Griffindors instead kept a considerable distance, enough to run away if necessary. Harry was holding his want tight, this has to be a trick.. he was sure about it…

The students were sure that Snape was heading them to the forbidden forest, he'll probably leave them alone to be beast's food. But Severus leaded them to the lake; fresh snow under their feet, a warm sun over them, not cold wind at all, yes it was a really nice day to be outside except maybe for the fact the Snape was going to kill them all…Severus stopped near the lake and waited for everybody. Once everybody has arrived he sat on the grass. "Come come it's no gonna hurt" said him waving them to sit. The students sat slowly. Neville was shaking he was sure Snape was going to drown them or worse to drown just him!

Severus was smiling; the terrified faces somehow made him fell happy.

"Well can anyone tell me why we are here?" asked him resting against a tree. It was a peaceful felling, being there in such a nice day.

'Cause you are totally nuts' wanted to say Harry but changed his mind , Snape was smiling but he was still Snape…

Puzzles faces were fixing Severus. He got a little depress, why were they so afraid of him?.

"Miss Granger? You are always the know-it-all.." said him casually, the same phrase that two days ago would have been an insult, today sounds friendly?

"Cause you want us to get some ingredients?" answered her shyly, she wasn't the shy type in class but this wasn't a normal class after all.

"Nop" said him shocking his head innocently, a couple of girls sighed, his new look was too much to resist. Severus smiled at this reaction, he wasn't used to this kind of effect on girls but he could get used to…

"Well ok, I'll tell you" said him when none one speak. "I was thinking about all of you last night, and I realized I haven't cared enough about you and your problems."

"ok, RUN" whispered Harry "he got nuts and is about to kill us!" But nobody moved not even a Troll would have made them move, they were petrified.

"So I decided I would like to get to know you better"

"What?" snapped Draco unaware, he shut his mouth as soon as he realized he has just snapped to Snape!.

"Draky Draky, hasn't anyone told you that you shouldn't snap to a professor?" said Snape softly, not signs of anger in his voice.

"Draky? Has Snape just called me Draky?" though Draco worriedly. "Ok Potter is right, he is totally nuts"

"Anyway that's why I brought you here, fresh air and nature are perfect to get to know you better"

Astonished students lost with such revelation missed to notice the potion Snape has just sprinkled over them. Two minutes later soft snores fulfil the peaceful scene. Near to the lake, smiling madly Snape was playing with the snow, "Mission Accomplished", second task done, perfectly done. Now I am ready for my next task…

A/N: so what do you think? Will Snape kill them all? Or just get to know them better… ? ;)