A/N: So this chapter is a bit shorter than the others, but I thought I reached a pretty good stopping point. (And it allowed me to get out a really quick update, too.) Enjoy!
It was with no small amount of apprehension that Harry descended the steps into the dungeons the following day for Potions class.
"I'm still not entirely pleased with the conclusion of my essay," Hermione was saying. "I had to rewrite it at least a dozen times."
"Once was enough for me," Ron grumbled. "I just hope the great bat is in a decent mood today."
"Not likely," Harry murmured, picturing the scowl that seemed to be permanently fixed to the potion master's face.
"I know," Ron sighed.
The trio rounded the next corner ahead of their other Gryffindor classmates, and Harry had to suppress a groan at what he saw.
The Slytherins were already waiting at the classroom door. And Malfoy was among them.
Excited whispers immediately broke out among the second years in the corridor, and all eyes were on Harry and Malfoy.
"So, Potter," Malfoy drawled out sarcastically as the Gryffindors drew closer. "Did you enjoy your first day back at Hogwarts this year? Did you like strutting around the castle like a big hero?"
"No more than usual," Harry deadpanned, forcing his expression to remain neutral.
Malfoy took a step towards him, away from his cluster of friends. "This isn't over, Potter," he said threateningly. "I'd watch my back if I were you."
"Shove off, Malfoy!" Ron said, also taking a step forward. "Before you do something stupid and earn yourself another detention."
A few of the Gryffindors in the corridor chuckled at that, but both Harry and Hermione glared at Ron.
"Watch it, weasel," Malfoy responded, his voice turning deadly. He looked like he wanted to say more then, but he never got the chance.
Out of nowhere, it seemed, Professor Snape was suddenly bearing down on all of them, and silence instantly descended on the corridor.
Robes billowing, Snape stalked over to the classroom door and opened it.
"In!" he uttered, the authority clear in his voice.
And every student in the hallway hastened to obey.
Inside, Harry found a table near the back of the room and sat down. Hermione took the seat next to him, and placed her second year potions textbook in the middle of the table.
Harry looked around the dungeon classroom as everyone else was getting settled, and spared a quick, sympathetic look for Ron, who would have to partner up with Neville.
And then Snape was standing in front of his desk up front, and the room fell silent.
"Before we begin our studies this year," the potions master began in his silkiest voice, "I would just like to reiterate a few of my expectations that may have slipped right out of your minds during the long summer months."
A few students shifted nervously in their seats. Harry soon found his hand grasping at the edge of the picture in his pocket.
"Carelessness will not be tolerated," Snape continued. "We will be working with many volatile and dangerous potions this year, and you will soon find that I have very little patience for those of you who prove to be negligent and inattentive."
The man paused here to level Neville Longbottom with a particularly nasty glare. Neville's eyes grew huge in fear, and the boy let out an audible squeak.
Snape's mouth twitched in amusement before moving on. "You will be expected to complete all assignments and chapter readings on time. Failure to come to each class completely prepared will result in a failing score for the day, as well as possible disciplinary action to be handled at my discretion."
All around the room, students were exchanging fearful looks. Even the Slytherins seemed concerned, despite the fact that Snape was always so lenient with them.
Of course, the man hadn't been so lenient with Malfoy. And that likely had the rest of the little snakes feeling a bit anxious.
Harry couldn't help but to feel a little satisfied at that thought.
"In implementing these measures," Snape was saying in that same silky voice, "I hope to minimize the number of accidents that occur in this room this year. I expect each and every one of you to be alert and aware at all times. There will be no excuses for your ignorance."
There was a brief pause as the professor allowed those words to sink in. Then he spoke again.
"Is there anyone who does not understand?"
No one in the classroom dared to move a muscle.
"Excellent," Snape said, before flicking his wand in the direction of the board. Almost instantly, small, curly writing began to appear on the black surface, and every student in the room took up their quills to begin copying down the notes.
"Although we will be brewing a wide range of potions this year," Snape began to lecture as line after line of writing continued to appear on the board, "you will soon discover a common theme among many of the ones covered in the second year curriculum."
Snape gestured towards the heading at the top of the board before continuing. "Healing Potions," he said.
Harry's interest was suddenly piqued despite himself. This could definitely be something useful for once. Lord knows how much easier his life would have been if he had had a stockpile of healing potions back at the Dursleys'.
Harry's stomach dropped a little then as he thought about his relatives, and he was reminded that he no longer had a home there, or anywhere else except for Hogwarts. He quickly shook that thought away and forced himself to focus back on Snape.
"Keep in mind that the healing potions that you will be brewing this year will be basic and rudimentary in nature; nothing close to as powerful or effective as the ones you might receive from Madame Pomfrey or another healer. Such advanced potions will not be covered until the sixth year, should you decide to continue with N.E.W.T. level Potions."
Next to Harry, Hermione was scribbling frantically as she hung onto every word the professor said.
"Now, many of the advantages associated with the more basic healing potions are made evident in the preparation of them. These potions require fewer ingredients, take significantly less time to brew, and are less likely to explode should you make an idiotic mistake in the brewing process," Snape paused here to give several students a meaningful glare.
"They are essentially "first-aid" potions, to be made up quickly and administered in an emergency, when no other healing potions are available."
Harry finished copying out the last few lines of notes, squinting his eyes so that he could read the tiny writing on the board.
"If there are no questions so far, then finish copying down the notes and open your textbooks to page 27. Make sure to read through all of the instructions and background information before setting up your stations. You have until the end of class to complete the potion and provide a sample on my desk for marking."
It took a moment or two, but soon after the professor finished speaking, there was movement in the classroom as books were opened and pages were turned. Hermione flipped through her book and stopped on page 27. Then she pushed the book over so that Harry could see it, too, and they began to read silently.
This particular potion was meant for healing minor scrapes and cuts. Harry scanned the list of ingredients, and then read through the setup process. So immersed was he in his reading, that he didn't even notice when Professor Snape came up behind him several minutes later.
"Potter!" the man said menacingly, startling Harry and making him jump.
Both Harry and Hermione looked up at the professor, then, and the man gave a nod towards the book lying between them.
"What are you doing?" the question was clearly directed at Harry.
"Reading, sir," Harry answered quietly, his heart suddenly beating harder against his chest.
"And are you reading from your own textbook, or from Miss Granger's?"
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but Snape quickly silenced her with a glare.
"Well, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked when Harry failed to answer. "Is that your textbook?"
"No," Harry finally spoke.
"I see," the man continued softly. "And where exactly is your textbook, Mr. Potter?"
Harry ducked his head as he mumbled an answer.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you, Mr. Potter, and answer me clearly."
Harry looked up and forced himself to meet Snape's dark gaze, just as he had in the man's office two nights ago. And in that moment, Harry couldn't help but to think about how cold Snape's eyes looked just then, when they were regarding Harry with pure loathing and malice. They looked nothing at all like the eyes of the young boy in the picture with Lily Evans, and Harry found himself wondering at the pain and suffering the man must have been through, for his eyes to have changed so much.
"Mr. Potter?" Snape snarled impatiently, snapping the boy out of his trance.
"I don't have one yet," Harry spoke up at last. "I had to send for it by owl."
Snape's eyes flashed, and his mouth twisted into a grimace. "Do you know why Hogwarts sends out textbook lists in the summertime, Mr. Potter?"
Harry felt his face growing hot. It wasn't his fault that Dobby had blocked his mail. Not that his relatives would have taken him to get his school supplies anyway.
But of course, he couldn't tell the professor that. And so he just stayed silent, waiting for Snape to speak again.
"It is so that all students have ample time to prepare for school, Mr. Potter," Snape said in a voice that was almost a whisper. "But it would seem that you didn't feel it was necessary to do so. You couldn't be bothered to interrupt your undoubtedly perfect summer holiday for even one afternoon to go purchase your textbooks."
"But I didn't—" Harry tried to interject, but Snape was quick to cut him off.
"Silence. I think it is quite clear that you did not deem it important enough to show up to my class prepared today. That will be twenty points from Gryffindor and a zero for today's assignment. You will also serve a detention with me directly after dinner tonight."
There was nothing more that Harry could do then. He simply sat there numbly as Snape returned to the front of the room. Several of the Slytherins could be heard stifling their laughter, Malfoy being among the loudest. But Snape did not reprimand them.
"I do not believe it is necessary for you to remain here any longer, Mr. Potter. You needn't return to class until you have all the required materials."
Harry stood up, refusing to look at anybody, and threw his bag over his shoulder.
"Harry," Hermione said quietly, so that only he could hear.
But Harry just shook his head and turned away, heading for the door without looking back.
Harry hurried along the dungeon corridor and up into the entrance hall. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice was reminding him that he now had two detentions to serve that night, but he really didn't want to think about that just now.
He felt sick, and there was an odd sensation of emotion coursing through him as he made his way back towards the Gryffindor common room. If he had to describe what it was, he supposed he would call it disappointment.
Overwhelming disappointment.
And that was strange, really. Because normally, Harry would be angry with Snape. He would feel an overpowering sense of fury at the injustice of all that had just happened in the potions classroom a few moments ago.
But he didn't feel that way at all. All he felt was disappointed.
And he had no idea why that was.
A/N: Poor Harry. Hopefully things will start looking up for him soon :) Thanks for reading!
-Ailee17