The class was silent as they stepped into the potions classroom. They placed themselves in their seats and waited. After several minutes Professor Snape emerged from the shadows holding a potions case.
"I want all of you to put your books away and come to the front." Snape said smoothly looking around the class. Ron and Harry looked at each other questioningly. The students walked briskly to the front of the classroom.
"Come with me," Snape snapped as he turned around beckoning them to follow him towards a locked door. He pulled out a silver key and unlocked it. The door swung inwards with a creak. Inside was complete darkness.
Crack! Suddenly a light turned on. Before them was a large round table, with several chairs around it. Professor Trelawney was sitting at the far side of the table.
"Professor Trelawney will be assisting me today. Professor Dumbledore thought it would be appropriate since she has a "gift" for this sort of thing." Snape drawled not quite liking the idea.
Hermione rolled her eyes and made a face. She had never liked Professor Trelawney, ever since she stormed out of her class in the fourth year.
"All right, everyone. Sit around the table," Professor Trelawney croaked.
They all took a seat and looked cautiously at the two professors.
"Come on Severus," Professor Trelawney crowed, "Sit down!"
The scowling teacher glided into a chair as far away from the mad cow as possible. Snape reached into the potions case and pulled out the students potions. They all had little name tags on them. Snape called out each students name so they could come and collect their work.
"Mr. Longbottom and Mr. Finnigan will not be testing their potions," Snape snapped looking around at the class, "If they did, the both of them will be shipped off to the hospital wing in a matchbox."
Ron snickered while Hermione gave Neville and Seamus a sympathetic look.
"Well, let's begin…" Trelawney cawed.
"Potter, you can go first," Snape murmured.
Harry sighed and reached towards his potion. He sat there looking at it for a second, and then looked across at Professor Trelawney.
"Umm, professor?" Harry asked slightly embarrassed, "How exactly do we use it?"
"Oh! My dear, I'm so sorry!" Trelawney screeched, "I haven't told you yet!"
Snape rolled his eyes and Hermione giggled at her.
"Well, first you need to drink your potion," she explained, "Then-"
"We need to hold hands and close our eyes," Hermione interrupted, "We will all see a dream Harry had."
Professor Trelawney turned towards Hermione in shock.
"Yes that is right," Trelawney whispered quietly, "but next time, please don't interrupt me."
As the professor turned back towards the rest of the class Hermione stuck her tongue out at her cheekily. Snape had to put his hand over his mouth, to not let anyone know he was smiling. Harry gulped down his potion. Everyone did as they were instructed and held each others hands. Harry and Draco were sitting next to each other and weren't too happy about holding hands. They all closed their eyes. For a moment they were in complete darkness. Then, it happened…
