Freedom Shall Come to Those Who Seek
Chapter 4: Do You Dare?-
The boys made it to the Great Hall in time for breakfast, and joined their classmates for the day's routine. Nothing of note occurred throughout the day, until their final period. Of course it had to be potions.
Harry and Neville partnered up, as usual. They seemed to make fewer mistakes when working together, doubtless the only reason Snape allowed them to. It was, however, by no means a guarantee. Every so often, there would be a minor explosion coming from their bench. Today was one of those days.
Harry, still distracted by his vision like dreams slipped a bit as he was pouring in a solution of ground acorns, powdered unicorn's hoof and melted marshmallows. Neville hadn't noticed…then.
Unfortunately, they had been making a variation of the Dreamless Sleep potion, which if made incorrectly, became flammable. Incredibly flammable. What's more, the flames spread with an amazing speed.
The mayhem was unprecedented, even by the Marauders and Weasley twins.
Later, in the smoke and water filled classroom, the boys received a week's worth of detention. Snape also took a hundred points from Gryffindor. Just to prove that he could. (He was having a bad day.)
They were to report to him that night after diner. He planned on making their lives a living hell.
After diner, the boys trudged down to the dungeons. Facing their professor as he handed out their tasks for the night, Neville noticed his dark, cold eyes, staring down at them with their trademark sneer.
He remembered that morning, how he had seen them hovering in his mind's eye when he tried to think of someone who could help them.
Whatever it takes, he had vowed. Whatever it takes for Harry to be safe.
Resolute, he faced his feared professor's gaze, head on and opened his mouth to speak.
-
To be continued.
He was having a bad day...hey, to be fair, they just burnt his classroom down.
A/N: Thanks to my reviewers lou and chiara. You are wonderful!