Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters. I don't own the Ramones either.
A/N: Twitch twitch.. I'm not too keen on writing a report for Psychology, but I must. So I'm writing this at the same time to keep me satisfied.
Chapter 6: Frantic
Patiently waiting for students to enter the Great Hall was becoming the most strenuous task ever. Once they ate the feast and went to bed, tomorrow would come and I would begin assisting Severus with his classes. I already felt the night's hours secretly plot against me, going as fast or slow as they wanted during different situations just to spite me.
Gradually, students of higher years inched into the Great Hall, sitting at their already known house tables. My stomach lurched with a tormenting nervousness. The more the hall filled, the more frantic I became. Snape didn't help the situation, for all he told me was to take a deep breath. He had noticed my sudden shaking, so that's why he thought something was not kosher. When I inhaled deeply, I almost choked on my own breath. Thanks, Snape, for nearly killing me with poor advice.
"Calm down, Maranda. It's alright." Mione tried to cheer me up as best friends did.
I yet again came close to choking on my own breath before I replied. "I have no remedy for my ongoing nerves. This always happens to me, but I think this time is worse than ever. I've never felt this horrible in my life. I'm... having a nervous breakdown!"
"Here.." Snape handed me a glass of water, "Drink this ans take several deep breaths..This time not choking on them."
Oh Snape thought he was clever, eh? I tried to ignore him while imbibing the water slowly, but in one gulp. I calmed down just a tad. Breathing deeply, I soon witnessed the knots in my stomach untie. Was it this easy to get rid of anxiety?
I looked at Snape, "Thanks. I think I'll be fine now."
"You should be great. That water had a tasteless drop of my serenity potion in it. I carry a small flask with me at all times. Professors are able to have anxiety too. We're not all invincible robots as you may have thought while being taught."
Snape's a smart ass.
Turning to face 'Mione, she had a big grin on her face. She asked, "Better?"
"Yes..Much better."
Albus Dumbledore strode into the hall, along with some more upper classmen. I spotted Ron's sister Ginny, who I hadn't formally met while I was a student. People sat down, eager to know who the 'new people' at the teachers' table were. They would soon know.
Finally, the first years burst through the doors a few moments after the Serenity potion finished its job. I felt better, despite all the stares from students. I would have to get used to being looked at the way teachers are looked at; With dislike, annoyance, or attentiveness.
Dumbledore stood in front of his podium, glancing over each student's head as they all hushed.
"Welcome one and all," he began cheerfully, "to another year at Hogwarts. For the newcomers and underclassmen, welcome to your first year. As expected, the Forbidden Forest is off limits unless accompanied by a professor or staff member. Before we feast and go on with the wonderful night, we must sort the first years."
McGonagal called the first years up one by one. Each child sat on a stool and had the tatter, aging Sorting Hat placed on their heads. The hat spoke up, shouting different houses best fit for each student. The sorting went by quickly. Before I knew it, Albus voiced another few statements. This time, he started to explain the E.Y.P's and how this was the first year it's taken place. Also, something we hadn't known, the E.Y.P's would only happen every six years for 'reasons unexplainable,' according to Dumbledore. Personally, I think it was just so the school wasn't taken over by adolescents who just graduated. Perfectly understandable. Just because we all graduated doesn't mean we're all mature.
Albus went on, introducing each of us professor-helpers and added who we're working with. Alas, the talking ended, initiating the feast.
"There they are," Snakey Snape turned to make eye contact, "the first years. You will be assisting me during their classes and only a few second year classes. I might ask you to help in another class depending on how you behave. . . If you behave."
Placing my goblet of juice to my mouth, I mumbled, "I'll behave," before taking a sip.
I leaned forwards to look at the farther right end of the table. Hagrid was speaking with Flitwick, but waved once he saw me. I waved back with a smile.
Food mounted on the tables in an abundance. Mouth-watering main courses made their way onto silver and gold plates. I don't recall ever seeing such a grand feast. Boy, don't I sound like a hungry pig.
..Oink..
Soon enough the feast was completed; Everything eaten and drinks imbibed.
"I'm going to have so much trouble sleeping tonight." I admitted to 'Mione as we watched the students leave the Great Hall.
Snape stood up, hearing my complaint. He muttered, "You may use some Somnis potion if need be. Sleeping potion. Except, you would have to help me make a new flask, for the rest of mine was used the other night."
"O..K.." I was astonished at Snape's help. Sometimes he could be so great, and others I wish he never knew me. He had a good and bad side, and I had seen enough of both to call him his own oxymoron. Snake the Oxymoron. Sounds like an insult to me. But, even with a slightly angelic side, the devilish snake was always more noticable. I definitely need to write this in my journal tonight.
Mione was clearly hiding a smirk. What was she so happy about? Not bothering to ask, I bade farewell to her as I walked away with Snape. We walked silently to the Potions class and immediately started making the sleep potion. Wouldn't it have been easier going to a non-magic store and buying sleeping pills?
Speechless, Snape brought ingredients to a table and hastily added them to the black cauldron. With a forceful action, he grabbed a wooden spoon and whipped it in front of my face. Truthfully, I wanted to push it away, but I took the stupid spoon anyways.
I stirred the potion in a clockwise motion, which wasn't too simple. The liquid was thick and sticky. I just hoped it didn't taste as bad as it looked. The Somnis Potion was done, and poured by Snape into a flask.
"You're Welcome." The Snake snapped before I could thank him.
I held the flask carefully and snapped back, "I was going to thank you."
Not wanting to hear another negative word from Snape's venomous mouth, I left the room shaking my head. No offense to the Snake, but unless he had super powers and was undeniably amusing, I didn't feel like hanging around him at the moment.
Although, would magic be considered a super power?
As I wasn't ready to sleep yet, I figured the current time could be used to write aimlessly in my journal.
Dear Journal, I wrote down everything that happened tonight, then started to ramble as predicted. So I'm in my room with the potion Snape gave me. He has been seemingly schizophrenic with his good and bad sides. Sure, everyone has a negative side and positive, but Snape has so much of it that he is his own oxymoron as aforesaid. I'm just wondering why he's sometimes perfectly friendly with me, and then randomly fighting with me as though he wants me dead. Ok..Maybe not dead, but hanging on the last string of life.. That sounds even worse... Whatever, I just wish he would pick one or the other: A) Be my almost-friend, or B) Hate me and end this insanity. Easy as pie to pick, so why can't he? Personally, I wish he would pick hate me.. He tends to scare me a bit when he's nice. It's completely out of character. Oh well, close to eight, I need my beauty sleep..Ok, not beauty sleep..Sanity sleep. Goodnight Journal. XoXo-Manic-Mara.
I stuffed the journal into my backpack, knowing it would come in handy if I had free time during Snape's class. I was going to bring my backpack which had a few empty notebooks in case I was asked to take notes on how to teach. Snape would definitely give me work no matter what I did in his class. If not, then at least I was prepared.
Sitting on my bed still, I took two sips of the thick sleeping potion and wanted to throw up! It tasted as though someone burnt toast, put it in the blender, and hit frappe! Disturbingly gross, but I had to take it. Before I got into bed, I took a shower. It wasn't too cold in my room as the dungeon halls, so I didn't mind wearing a spaghetti string nightgown. All of my other pajamas were in the laundry.. Damn house elves.
The house elves were told to take every E.Y.P-ers' laundry last night and this morning, placing them in two seperate loads. Unfortunately, my load was this morning. I guess this is going to happen once every week to keep our clothes safe from becoming mixed with the other professors' clothing. Fan-freaking-tastic!
Surely, the Somnis Potion calmed me down, preparing me for sleep. I have to remind myself in the morning to thank Ol' Snapey for the sedative.
And to thank the Ramones for making a song about being sedated.
