Hello guys, Badger here. Took a couple of rewrites, but I was able to write something I like. Thankfully, I think I have been able to find a system to get at least one chapter up a week, even if I do have to balance College and personal life all at once. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter and please leave a review if you wish.
Chapter 4
Potions lesson, and the Ice Queen
It seemed that the dungeon corridors weren't the only dark and dreary place in Hogwarts. The potions classroom was just as bad. The dark atmosphere, cauldrons on all of the desks, with all the shelves and cabinets full of different potion ingredients, that looked like they were living and still moving in their jars, didn't sit well with Harry. It sent a chill up his spine, and it wasn't the cold temperature in the room. Harry ignored the glares Ron was giving him, as he went with James and sat at the front of the class,. James took notice of Neville Longbottom, looking around unsure on where to sit, so he patted the seat next to them, offering him to sit, much to the boys surprise.
"There will be no foolish wand waving in this class" Snape spoke, when everyone sat down, his silky voice firm with warning "Many of you will hardly believe this is magic, but I will tell you, that you are wrong…I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory and even…put a stopper in death".
He looked around the classroom for a short moment, to see every student looking at him with varying degrees of interest. Draco Malfoy, for one, had a smirk on his face, most likely thinking about what he could do with such things, whereas the bushy haired girl from Gryffindor, was leaning forward in her seat, with a demanding expression on her face, and ready to learn. Then his eyes came across Harry. A small feeling of guilt rushed through him, as he gazed at the emerald green orbs he remembered fondly from his childhood.
"Potter" He said smoothly "Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry was caught off guard for a moment, but then thought about what he read in his potions book the other day, when he decided to study ahead a little bit, just so he was prepared. He thought about his answer, not noticing Hermione raise her hand up, an excited look on her face. Snape noticed, but chose to ignore her for now.
"The…Draught of Living Death, sir?" Harry replied, taking a moment to remember
"Well done" Snape said "Where would you look, if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"
Again, Hermione raised her hand, this time even higher. Snape had to restrain himself, as he looked to Harry, who took a moment to think.
"The stomach of a goat, sir?" He replied
"Correct again, Potter" Snape said, impressed "Tell me, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfbane?"
This time, Hermione actually stood up, with her hand in the air. This time, he wasn't having any of it.
"SIT DOWN!" he snapped, before turning to Harry once more "Well, Mr Potter?"
Harry thought for a moment, trying to remember, but eventually caved in.
"I don't know sir…" He said, truthfully "I didn't get to that part of the book".
"Hmm" Snape said, after a moment "Not to worry Mr Potter, take 10 points for Slytherin, 5 for each correct answer"
Harry nodded, as Snape turned to the board and began writing down instructions. He glanced over at James, to see him looking at him with an impressed smile, which caused him to smile back. Of course, he didn't notice the offended look on Hermione's face.
"Today, you will be making a Cure for Boils" Snape continued, as he turned back to face them "A simple potion, but will cause painful side effects, should you go wrong…everything you need is on the board, as well as the instructions, get to work"
The classroom started bustling, as they all went to get the ingredients they needed. Harry was thankful that James helped Harry with his potion, as well as Neville who looked quite nervous throughout the whole thing. Which was a good thing, as Neville was about to put in the wrong ingredient, until James grabbed his hand and helped him out. How he could make a potion, whilst helping two other students, Harry would never know. Then, from out of nowhere, there was a loud explosion. Harry found himself being dropped to the floor, with James wrapping a protective arm around him and Neville, as he dropped to the floor himself. When Harry slowly got back up, he saw Ron standing, covered in boils, with his cauldron practically vaporised.
"Weasley! You placed the Porcupine quills into the cauldron without taking it off the fire first, didn't you! 10 points from Gryffindor, for not following clear instructions!" Snape snapped, before turning to Seamus Finnegan "You, take him to the Medical Wing"
Seamus nodded, saying nothing, as he led Ron out, who just glared at Snape. Harry couldn't help but smirk a little bit, as he was led out, but that disappeared when Snape turned to them.
"Badger" He said "Though there wasn't any danger, take 10 points to Slytherin, for protecting fellow students from any possible harm"
James nodded in appreciation, before the lesson continued as if nothing had happened. Snape continued to go through each table, checking on each cauldron and commenting on each one. Harry grew slightly nervous, as Snape stopped at his cauldron and took a moment to look at it.
"Good work Mr Potter" He said "Though your potion is a bit too thick, the colour is perfect, take another 10 points to Slytherin"
"Thank you sir" Harry said, in relief
Snape nodded, before he moved on top James who, despite the slight nerve in his eyes, was stood perfectly straight, as he looked at Professor Snape, for his verdict.
"Good work to you as well, Mr Badger" He said, "Though your potion is a bit to light and runny, it is still of good quality and will get the job done…10 points to Slytherin for you also"
James nodded with a smile, before Snape moved on to Neville.
"You did well" He whispered to Harry
"Only because of your help" Harry replied
"I only told you what to do" James pointed out "You did the actual work…take the compliment"
Harry smiled slightly, before he turned his attention back to Snape, who walked to the front of the class. He waved his wand, where a glass vial appeared on each desk.
"I want you to take a sample of your potion, and put the vial on my desk" He said "I will test the potion and let you know of your result in your next lesson…and put your name on the vial…oh, and Mr Potter, I want to talk with you before you leave"
Harry nervously nodded, as everyone started filling their vials with their samples, a few double checking to see if they put their name on, and left them on Snapes desk. They waited by their desks, until Snape dismissed them.
"I'll wait for you outside" James said, to Harry as he made his way out
Harry watched everyone leave, until he was the only student in the room. He turned to face Snape, feeling slightly unnerved with the way he was looking at him.
"Harry…may I call you Harry?" Snape asked, receiving a nod in return "Don't worry, you aren't in any trouble…I just wanted to say, that I used to be friends with your mother"
"R-really?" Harry asked, perking up
"Yes, I told her everything about magic" Snape said, a small smile on his face, before it disappeared again "We were best friends, but I done something stupid which drove her away…I was never able to properly apologise to her for my actions…I just want you to know that, if you ever need anything, or want to know more about your parents, I'll be here to talk"
"Thank you sir" Harry said, smiling gently
"You're welcome" Snape replied "Now off you go"
Harry nodded, as he made his way out, a smile on his face. He had always wanted to find out more about his parents and now he had the opportunity to. The smile was still on his face, as he left the classroom.
"Judging by the smile on your face, I take it you aren't in trouble?"
The voice caused Harry to jump. He looked to see James leaning against the wall, staring at him with a questioning look on his face.
"He knew my mother" Harry replied "They were friends when they were students here…he just wanted me to know that if I need anything, I just need to ask him"
"Really?" James asked, pushing himself off the wall "That's good, could be handy"
"Handy for what?"
"You never know when you might need someone to help when you get into some trouble"
"Do I want to know?" Harry asked, sensing a past experience
"Not really" James smirked "Come on…lunch will be starting in a few"
Harry nodded, as he followed after James. They only made it up the stairs leading to the dungeons, where they came across a scene. Malfoy had someone, seemingly a girl, backed up against a wall. Judging from the green on their robes, they were a Slytherin, with shoulder length blond hair.
"Listen here Greengrass" Malfoy growled "I will not be spoken to like that…especially by you…my father is already trying to negotiate a Betrothal Contract as we speak, I won't have the future Mrs Malfoy treating me in such a manner"
"Please Malfoy don't make me laugh" the girl replied, coldly "My father wouldn't agree to a contract…we know why someone like you would negotiate a contract, the Greengrass fortune"
"That is a lie!" Malfoy snapped, pushing her harshly against the wall "You're going to have to learn some respect Greengrass…"
Malfoy stopped, when he felt the tip of someone's wand press into the back of his neck.
"No Malfoy" A voice, one he knew perfectly, said "I think you are the one who has to learn some respect…especially to a lady"
Fear spread across his face, before it was instantly replaced with pompous arrogance.
"This doesn't concern you, Badger!" He said "This is between me and Greengrass…you are unimportant to me…go and bother someone else"
James didn't say anything, he just pressed his wand harder against his neck. Malfoy could feel the tip of the wand heating up, a spell seemingly ready and waiting.
"I wouldn't say that Malfoy, especially with the situation you're in" James replied "You are currently alone, without your pet apes…where are they by the way, did they see an all you can eat buffet?"
Malfoy looked nervous, as he took everything into account. James was a Badger…a family that had some of the most incredible spells with combat magic and their Family Magic was just as incredible. He could only guess what spells James had up his sleeve, especially if he has read through any spell books his family owned. With that thought, he decided it wasn't worth finding out and slowly moved his hands away from Daphne, to which he felt James' wand move away from his neck. Malfoy slowly turned around, to see James staring at him, wand still in hand and ready for a possible attack. Harry was off to the side, watching what was going on with a nervous look on his face, as if expecting something to happen. Malfoy stared at James for a moment, before storming off. James watched him leave, until he was no longer in view.
"Are you okay Daphne?" He asked, pocketing his wand
"Of course" she replied, smoothly "I could have handled him you know, you didn't need to help"
"Believe me, I do know" James smirked "But we both know I don't make threats"
Daphne smirked, before she noticed Harry and looked at James expectingly. James looked at Harry, then back to Daphne. He repeated the process a couple more times, before realisation came to him.
"Oh, right" He said "Harry, this is Daphne Greengrass…Daphne, as I'm sure you know, this is Harry Potter"
"Hi" Harry said softly "How do you two know each other?"
Daphne was fairly pretty, if he was being honest. She had beautiful sapphire blue eyes and long, ice blonde hair. However, there was a coldness to her, that made him feel a little uneasy.
"Me and James have met on occasion" Daphne replied "Particularly at parties and gatherings from many upstanding Pureblood families…we've always got on, but aren't really friends"
"Indeed, and don't worry" James spoke up "The ice cold persona she puts on is a defence mechanism"
"Never works on you though" Daphne replied
"That's because I thaw the ice in you" James smirked
"In your dreams Badger" Daphne said, rolling her eyes, smirking herself
Harry watched the exchange between the two. Despite only being acquaintances at most, they act like they've been friends for years.
"Now, if you don't mind" She continued "I have a letter I need to send"
"See you around Greengrass" James said, as she walked away
"Not if I see you first Badger" She called back, disappearing round the corner
"She was…interesting" Harry commented
"You can say that again" James said "She is actually a pretty nice person, if you get the chance to talk to her, do so…just don't get on her bad side"
"Why?" Harry asked
James just looked at him with a look he couldn't place, before silently walking away. Now, Harry was definitely scared of the girl.
…
There we go guys, that was Chapter 4. Was is shorter then the other chapters? I can't tell.
Anyway, we have had an introduction to Daphne Greengrass, as she seems to be a favourite for many people, so I decided to introduce her in this chapter and see what people think. I hope you like what I am choosing to do with Snape. Also, Ron messed up his potion...anyone really surprised? Thought it would be a nice change to having Neville being the one to typically blowing something up.
James and Malfoy had a slight confrontation...that may become a reoccurrence.
I hope you don't mind with what I am doing with Harry. I know with other Fanfictions people have done, he is this confident, all knowing person, but with mine, he is...less so. This is because he has been abused by the Dursleys for years and has been thrust in a world he doesn't know anything about. Give him time, eventually he will become a confident, strong character, with James' influence. Also, in the last chapter, I asked for what you think was on James' photo. Someone took a guess, and it was a pretty interesting idea with what they came up with, but I want to here more ideas, so if you have an idea, please leave a review and take a guess. I would love to hear about what ideas you come up with.
Also, you probably are starting to get sick of me saying this, but please leave a review, saying what characters you want to be part of the friend group and ideas for pairings. Though I may have some idea as to what to do, I still like to know what you guys would like to see, as it would also give me ideas for stories I may do in the future.
One, last thing before I go, someone commented a while ago about not much story going on. That will change. Either in the next chapter, or the chapter after that, I will have a time skip to Halloween with the troll as that seems where the story of philosophers/sorcerers stone really starts to happen.
Once again, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you in the next one.
Badger out.
