Breakfast the next morning was a lively affair. Everyone seemed to be on a high, excited to start their first lessons of the new year. Professor McGonagall handed their time tables out and the first year Gryffindors groaned; potions with Snape was not how they wanted to start the year. Bella took her seat in Snape's classroom with dread in her stomach, her and Ron had been told many a story about Snape from Fred and George and they knew just how formidable he was.
"Snape's a smarmy git." Ron grumbled.
The classroom door swung open and Snape charged into the room, his cloak billowing behind him. Bella rolled her eyes as Ron shook his head.
"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to enjoy the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few -" Snape stared at Draco as he spoke to smirked back, a smug smirk. "Who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death. Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not...pay...attention."
Snape glared venomously at Harry as he spoke but Harry was too busy writing on his parchment to notice. Bella elbowed him in the ribs and he jumped in fright. She inclined her head towards Snape's sharp stare and Harry dropped his quill on the table.
"Mr. Potter. Our...new...celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Hermione's hand shot into the air, nearly hitting Bella as it went but Harry just shrugged. "You don't know? Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?" Hermione's hand shot up again.
"I don't know, sir." said Harry.
"And what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfbane?" asked Snape mockingly.
"I don't know, sir." said Harry again.
"Pity." said Snape in mock sadness. "Clearly, fame isn't everything, is it, Mr. Potter?" Snape turned his back on the class and Bella was shaking in silent fury.
"You're new to this world Harry, don't worry about it. You'll find that some teachers are more bias than others." said Bella loudly.
Snape turned on his heel, a glare aimed straight for Bella and a furious look on his face.
"Would you like to repeat the statement you just made, Miss Weasley?" His voice was cold.
"I was merely telling my friend Harry here that he does not need to worry about being made a mockery of in other classes because as I said, most teachers are not bias." said Bella with a sickly sweet smile on her face.
"Detention. My office, 7pm." spat Snape.
"What did you go and do that for?" hissed Ron.
"Leave off it Ron, he's a bully, Harry didn't deserve that." Bella growled, not bothering to look at him.
"I appreciate it but you didn't have to do that." said Harry.
"It was my pleasure." Bella replied, hands clasped on the table and staring straight ahead.
"Eye of rabbit, harp string hum. Turn this water, into rum." Seamus looked into the cup on the table and shook his head. "Eye of rabbit, harp string hum..."
"What's Seamus trying to do to that glass of water?" Harry asked.
"Turn it into rum. Actually managed a weak tea yesterday, before..." Ron was interrupted as a loud bang sounded across the table and billows of black smoke rose from Seamus' cup.
"You'll get there one day Sea." Bella smiled, handing him a napkin from the pile at her side.
"T-Thanks." He stuttered, wiping his face quickly.
"Ah. Mail's here!" Hermione said as large owls flew into the Great Hall.
"Can I borrow this?" Harry asked, pointing at Ron's newspaper. "Thanks." Harry replied taking the newspaper from his hand.
"Hey, look! Neville's got a Remembrall!" Seamus said. In Neville's open palm lay a clear orb.
"I've read about those. When the smoke turns red, it means you've forgotten something." Hermione said excitedly, the smoke inside immediately turning red.
"The only problem is, I can't remember what I've forgotten." Neville said worriedly.
"It's your robes, Neville. You've forgotten your robes." Freya smiled. Neville glanced down and realised he had forgotten his robes.
"T-Thank you." He stammered.
"Hey, guys, somebody broke into Gringotts. Listen, Believed to be the work of dark witches or wizards unknown, Gringotts goblins, while acknowledging the breach, insist that nothing was taken. The vault in question, number 713, had in fact been emptied earlier that same day. That's odd. That's the vault Hagrid and I went to." Harry said, looking around us all with a confused look on his face.
