Chapter 3

"Your ingredients and instruction are written on the black board. If you follow them correctly, you should produce a shrinking potion. Feed it to your animal, and observe, then record your results. They should be at least two scrolls long, and be handed in at the end of this class. Am I clear?" Professor Lestrange announced the day's assignment to the Slytherin/Gryffindor class before him. A murmured "Yes" sounded throughout the small classroom. Severus was pleased. Potions was James' weakest subject. It was, however, the strongest class for the Slytherins, as their teacher was also Head of Slytherin. This gave them a slight advantage, at which the Gryffindor House seethed. Severus sat with Lucious Malfoy, Kingsley Flint and a host of other Slytherins. He observed James and his crew from afar.

"You're doing that wrong, you know." Remus pointed a bony finger at Sirius' cauldron, which was bubbling and frothing as it lay unattended by it's steward, who was turned from it, flirting with the pretty girls behind him. "Oh Remus, relax. If you're that worried, you might consider doing it yourself." Sirius' mischievous eyes played as the girls giggled at his wit. Remus rolled his eyes and continued in the work with the cauldron in front of him.

"So, are you going to the Quidditch match, the next day after tomorrow?" James smiled playfully at his ingenious choice of words.
Lily smiled. "Well, I am, if you must know. I'll be cheering for Gryffindor, as always." She smiled back and twisted a strand of flaming red hair around her finger.
"So, you'll be in the front row then?" James inquired.
"Yes, front row." Lily confirmed.
"Alright then. I'll see you there." James winked and moved back to his steaming cauldron.

Odd, James thought. Mine's blue and steamy, Remus' is green and bubbly…Professor Lestrange interrupted his thoughts.

"How many pinches of moon-dust did you put in here Potter?"
James shook. "Um, 5?"
"The instructions clearly state 4."
"I'm sorry Professor."
"How many dried bat tongues?"
"Um, the instructions say 6."
"I wrote them Potter I know what they say, how many did you put in?"
"Well, I believe it was 6…"
"Wrong. You put in 4, resulting in the blue color. The steam is attributed to your over use of moon-dust. You receive and "F" on this assignment,"
"Professor—"
"Complete for me a 6 scroll essay on shrinking potions, to be handed in on the next class."
"Professor! I—"
"Next class Potter, or detention."

James grumbled and cleaned out his cauldron, then began his essay. It would be a long night.

Severus smiled. How perfect. James would be allowed less time on the Quidditch Pitch to practice for the next match. Slytherin may have a chance yet.