UPDATED! - Yeah I've just updated with a new more interesting chapter which is Potions Lesson No. 3. If you wanna skip chapter one and go right ahead, it's fine by me. Though you'd have to read chapter 2 to get some of the story in chapter 3.

A/N: This is taken from a potions class website I used to do for a Harry Potter guild. Its not exactly a fanfiction but I'm dedicating this to Karen. (Happy National Day!) Million, I mean billion thanks to fanfactor for reviewing our story and hybridphoenix for listing us on his favourite authors list. We were getting a bit discouraged and Karen nearly gave up. Sorry to keep you waiting, I promise we'll finish Chapter 2 of SARS Nightmare but Karen is a typist of a sloth. Owing to another factor that the story nearly didn't make it, if you know what I mean. Don't worry, though I've nagged Karen about the umpteenth time this week, I'm just about to pop round her house – "Karen, its 2 months and you're STILL WORKING ON IT?!" Geez, she still has this silly notion that no one's reading it. I'll break the good news then, just cross your fingers and hope this better be good.

Potions Lesson No.1

'You! Yes you boy!! What's your name?!'(Writes down name)

'Ah, yes…Harry Potter. Our new – celebrity.' The whole class tittered.

'Well hurry up & settle down!' he barked. You were late for potions. (Shame on you!) Blushing, you drew up a seat at a table.

'I'm Professor Severus Snape & I'll be your potions master for the next 6 years of your miserable life…'

'You are here to learn the subtle science & exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really 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 – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.'

'Well, what are you waiting for? Get out your cauldrons.' A great scraping sound roused as everyone scrambled to unpack their potion supplies & equipment.

'Today, we will be learning how to mix up a simple potion to cure boils…' he said, sweeping around in his long black cloak, 'Here is what you need as follows:

Dried Nettles, a pound

Two Snake Fangs, crushed

Two pounds of horned slugs

A handful of porcupine quills

And three scoops of minuscule glittery-black beetles.'

'First, add in the dried nettles and crushed snake fangs. Stir till they're a smooth liquid, then remove it & put it aside in a bowl. Next, stew your horn slugs, stirring it in a clock-wise manner till they're cooked. Then add in the liquid & stir for 10 minutes. After that, take your cauldron off the fire & then add the porcupine quills. Let it simmer over the fire for another 10 minutes then dump in the beetles for a finishing touch', he said & added, '& I suppose you don't need me to teach you how to weigh & crush – a simple thing that even idiots can do.'

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'& now, for your homework,' Snape's eyes glittered dangerously, 'As all of you are just starting out on potions, your homework will be rather "simple".'

He fished out a small crystal bottle of a completely clear potion from inside his black robes. 'This is Veritaserum,' he announced to the class.

'Write an essay of at least 50 words on what Veritaserum is, the effects of it once taken & why we can't use it as much as we like.'

'30 points will be awarded if you do your homework, however…' an evil grin flashed across his face, '…house points will be deducted if the answers you give are incorrect…'

'& as for those of you who do not do your homework, you may very well find that my hand slips –' he shook the crystal bottle slightly, '- right over your evening pumpkin juice. And then… then we'll find out why you didn't do your homework.'

'Send your owl to me with your assignment no later than 31st Jan. Our next class will be on the 14th Feb. And be punctual –,' his fathomless eyes flashed in your direction.

'Class dismissed.'

Ans: Veritaserum or Truth Potion, is a powerful potion that taking just three drops of it would have you spilling your innermost secrets, the truth to anyone who asks. The use of this potion is controlled by very strict Ministry guidelines however, so we have to obtain proper permission in order to use it.