Chapter Seven
That Old Bat
Professor Lockheart's words filled Harry's head as he shuffled down to the dungeon for potions with that old bat Snape and the baby bats the Slytherins. As they walked in Snape glared at them as usual but Hermione looked him dead in the face and felt flush when an evil grin touched his lips. The feelings she experience in Diagon Alley rushed back to her. She had to quickly sit down and open her book, putting her nose into it to hide the color she was sure was on her face. Meanwhile the rest of the class had filtered in and took their seats and of course right in the front row was Malfoy with that teacher's pet look on his face. A few of the students still had their wands out from the last class.
"Put the wands away, their will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class! This is potions and I would have thought by now you would all appreciate the subtle science and exacting art that it is. Then again not all of you seem to have much more ability then a silly first year. Pity, apparently age has not blessed you all with wisdom. Open your books and pair up; I want all of you to make a Deflating Draught. You have thirty minutes, begin."
Harry and Ron paired up and Hermione went with Neville. According to the book the potion should be a light green color with a slightly thick consistency. Snape swept through the isles stopping to look and comment on the work being done. He stopped in front of Harry and Ron taking the wooden long handle spoon from Ron's hand. Dipping into the potion he frowns and looks at Harry.
"I would have thought by your 6th year you be able to make a decent potion, its way to watery. I should make you drink this and see what happens. If I don't miss my guess the lack of thickness would run right to you feet and you be hard pressed to walk on stubs no bigger then a matchstick. 5 points from Gryffindor for you seemly lack of ability to follow instructions "
He drops the spoon in the cauldron and moves away heading right for Neville and Hermione. Looking deep into the cauldron and breathing in the vapors that small smile graces his lips once more. He snaps his fingers and an oversized Galleon appears in his hand. Handing it to Hermione he says.
"Turn it back to the right size and its yours, fail and 10 points will be mine."
Hermione places the Galleon on the table and used the spoon to drip a small amount onto its surface. The Galleon glowed white-hot for a moment and shrinks back down the correct size. Hermione could not help but smile, he had tested her and she passed in front of the whole class.
"Seems I may have been correct in allowing you into my advance potions class" he rubs his chin thoughtfully "but we will have to wait and see Miss Granger."
The bell then rang and everyone rushed to clean up and get out of there.
"Everyone bottle up a sample of your potion, label it and put it on my desk."
He turned on his heels, walked to the front of the class and stormed out of the dungeon, the door slamming behind him. Hermione turned to Neville and handed him the Galleon.
"Thanks for your help Neville." She smiled and rejoined her friends. It was time to go to Transfiguration with Professor Mc Gonagall