What do we have today? Harry asked Draco as he was eating.

Double potions with the gryffs Draco said.

That will be fun Harry said sarcastically.

Draco snorted.

Just then the mail arrived. A hundred owls circled the tables until they saw their owners and dropping letters and packages onto their laps.

Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle, and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls.

Snape like flitwick started the class by taking the roll call and like flitwick he paused at Harry's name.

Harry Potter he said softly, if you have any

questions about don't hesitate to ask me.

Harry nodded.

Professor Snape finished calling the names and looked up at the class. His eyes were black and they were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels which Harry found comforting.

You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper but they caught every word— like McGonagall, Professor Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. As there is little foolish wand waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you to really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with it's shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep theough the human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death— if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as i usually have to teach.

More silence followed this little speech. Harry simply smirked.

Harry! said Professor Snape suddenly what would i get if i added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?

Draught of living death sir Harry said.

50 points to slytherin Professor snape said Where would you look if i told you to find me a beozoar?

The stomach of a goat Harry said although i assume you have some on hand in case some idiot ingested a poorly made potion which can be poisonous.

50 points to slytherin and you are correct there is some in the student stores Professor Snape said what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane.

None sir Harry said it's the same plant which also goes by the name of aconite.

50 point to Slytherin Professor Snape said well? Why aren't you all copying that down?

There was a sudden rummaging for quils and parchment.

Things didn't improve for the Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued. Professor Snape put them all into pairs and set them to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. He swept around in his long black robes, watching them weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing everyone except Harry and Draco. He was telling everyone to look at the perfect way Harry had stewed the horned slugs when clouds acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeons.

Get Back! Harry said he wandlessly threw up a golden shield. The potion hissed but was stopped.

Professor Snape Vanished the Potion and Harry took down his shield.

What was that spell? Professor Snape said I've never seen anything like.

Harry Shrugged Truthfully. I don't know he said but every time i use it i get a glimpse of this redhaired woman.

Your mother Professor Snape said Lily.

M-my m-mum? Harry said I don't know much about her.

Class dismissed Professor Snape said and Harry i can send you the photos i have of her maybe get in touch with some old friends as well.

I think I'd like that Harry said truthfully.


Well well well. Another Chapter Done. I have big plans. What was the golden shield. Was it perhaps a manifestation of the blood protection?

You'll see.