Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the invention of Ms. J.K. Rowling. I do not own the characters in any way, shape, or form. I do, however, claim Armina Wilkins, her family, random students, and the plot.
A/N: Yay! Chapter 4 has been fixed. SO, Armina is digging up information on Snape, is she? Well, maybe someone should teach her a lesson, eh? Enjoy!
Dismal Photographs of Yesterday
Chapter 4: Curiosity Killed the Cat
"Did you hear about that weird Wilkins girl?" one Hufflepuff girl asked her friend during Potions. Snape was walking around examining everyone's classwork, catching bits of the conversation.
"No, I haven't," said the other.
"Well," she began, leaning across the aisle, "it seems that she's been going around asking everyone what they know about Snape."
Snape's ears perked up at the mention of his name and began listening a little better. What could that blasted girl be up to now?
"Really?"
"Yeah, she confronted Cho Chang and Harry Potter just the other day. They say she's been asking every single seventh year for any information on him."
"Why would she want to know about Snape?"
"Well, I hear she fancies him!"
"No way!" said the Gryffindor girl sitting behind them. The pair of Hufflepuffs leaned in closer. "I was right there when she was talking to Harry. She sounded like he was a specimen from Care of Magical Creatures. She wanted to know everything."
"She is so strange," said one of the Hufflepuffs.
Snape had heard enough. His temper began to flare as he made his rounds, annoyance coursing through his veins. Is that twit trying to piss me off? If she is, she has succeeded. Snape returned to the front of the room, his anger reaching its breaking point.
"When you have completed your work, place it on my desk," he instructed, attempting to keep his voice level. "I'll be in my office. Class ends in five minutes. If there are not seventeen sets of book work on my desk in four minutes, the missing ones will fail. There will be a test in the morning."
With that, Snape disappeared into the adjoining room and slammed the door. He paced a bit, contemplating how to handle the situation at hand. He could ignore the problem, but she didn't seem to realize who she was dealing with. She needs to be taught a lesson, he decided.
Armina entered Snape's classroom with the rest of the 7th years later that day. Snape lounged in his armchair, elbows resting on the arms and fingers entwined in front of his mouth. The students took their seats cautiously, eyeing Snape suspiciously.
"I hope you all are prepared for a little exam," he hissed, rising from his place and beginning to slowly pace before the class. A collective sigh escaped from the lips of everyone in the room. "I will ask one person one question. If that person answers incorrectly, points will be deducted from their house and they will receive a detention. As for the rest of you, everyone will be enjoying a wonderful essay on said question. Shall we begin?"
He inspected the expression on everyone's faces, attempting to catch them off guard. He stopped in front of a Slytherin girl whose dark hair was pulled back in a bun. He stared her down for a few moments and she looked as if she was about to have a heart attack. Thoroughly amused by her reaction, Snape continued to pace.
"Miss Wilkins!"
Armina froze. Potions was her worst class and she could never remember anything on the spot. Her hands began to shake in her lap. Everyone would dislike even more after she had personally assigned them an essay. This can't be happening!
"Yes, Professor Snape?" she replied, voice shaking slightly.
"What potion is commonly used into the exorcism of banshees?"
Her mouth dropped slightly in amazement. She knew the answer! She had read it in her Care of Magical Creatures textbook over the summer. She smiled triumphantly as she cleared her throat.
"Well, sir," she began as everyone watched her with baited breath, hoping that she wouldn't screw it up, "It's the Likrata Potion."
"Correct," Snape hissed with slight annoyance. "What are the four main ingredients and what are its other uses?"
"What is it made out of?" she asked herself aloud, chewing nervously on her index fingernail in an attempt to concentrate. She probed her memories, going over the information she had read in the book. "Likrata Potions are made out python scales, powdered spider fangs, dragonfly wings, and a bit of mandrake root. It can also be used as a strong household pest killer and can act as a protection spell."
Snape was stunned. His plan had backfired, only making him more irritated. Why did she make him so crazy? Snape scowled in defeat and returned to the board. Everyone was now eyeing him with great anticipation. Some even looked as if they were awaiting a final plea before their execution.
"It appears that Miss Wilkins has saved you all from some rather lengthy homework," Snape snarled, followed by a mass sigh of relief. "Turn to page three hundred twenty three. Read the section on defense against strong, unwelcome spells and make a list of the names, effects of the spell, and the defensive spell."
Rather pleased with herself, Armina opened her textbook, humming victoriously as she worked. The class period seemed to fly by without an incident. When she finished the list, she approached Snape's desk and placed it on top of the large pile formed by her classmates.
The tone sounded and the sound of everyone gathering their things echoed deafeningly off the dungeon walls. Armina gathered her stack of books and began to leave with the crowd of seventh years filing out of the room.
"Wilkins," Snape exclaimed, irritation now evident in his voice.
Armina turned and approached his desk. "Yes, Professor?"
"May I have a word with you?"
"Of course, sir, but I really need to get to Arithmancy. Can you make it quick?"
"Professor Vector will understand."
Snape seated himself and took up the position he was in upon her arrival. He was silent for a few moments, fabricating his exact words. He leaned forward and rested his hands on his desk.
"I have heard that you have been doing a little research."
"Have you?" she asked stupidly, looking down at her feet.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you that curiosity killed the cat?"
"I don't believe so, sir."
"For your efforts, you have earned yourself another detention."
"Yes, sir."
"Fifty points will also be taken from Ravenclaw."
"But Professor!" she shouted boldly. "That's completely unfair!"
Snape glared at her, positively irate by her sudden outburst. "Life is unfair, Miss Wilkins!" he exclaimed, voice rising with every word. "One must learn to deal with it!"
"I am not one of the kids that used to pick on you, Professor Snape! You shouldn't treat other people like this!"
Snape was taken aback. He stared at her in slight confusion, unsure of how to react. Where had that come from? His eyebrows furrowed and a sneer crossed his lips.
"This is my classroom, Miss Wilkins, and I will not tolerate such insubordination!"
Armina fell silent, realizing the extent of her rare assertiveness. She looked at her feet once again, examining the dirt on her black Mary-Janes. She had gone to far, and now it was time to pay the piper.
Snape's eyes flashed angrily, almost daring her to speak further. "Detention! Care for a third?"
"No, sir," she replied submissively. "I'm sorry, Professor."
"As you should be! Be here after dinner for you first detention!"
"Yes, sir."
Armina withdrew from the classroom, thoroughly defeated and disheartened. As she made her way to Professor Vector's room, she couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't upset about detention. She had never received a detention in her life before this point, yet she had earned three (four if you count the first's continuance) in the first few days of the term. What more could go wrong?
A/N: Thank you for reading my story and for your reviews. I would like to see my review counter climb with my hits, so feel free to give some constructive criticism. It is always welcome. On to chapter five...