1. 4. The Potions Master

The next day was a whirlwind for Albus and Scorpius. They managed to find the great hall for breakfast, but finding their classes was another story. They had Charms first with the Ravenclaws. Professor Flitwhick had been around since their fathers' era. He had them all attempt to hover feathers in class. Albus didn't make a single ounce of progress. Several of the Ravenclaws got a few inches up with their feathers. Then Scorpius surprised everyone by sending his feather a foot in the air, earning Slytherin 5 points.

"You're amazing Scorp," Albus congratulated him admiringly.

"I think I was just lucky," Scorpius said, shrugging. "What have we got next?"

"Transfiguration," Al said, examining his schedule. "With the Huffelpuffs."

They headed off, managing to find the classroom just before Professor Midgely shut the door. He lectured them for the first twenty minutes and then set them all to changing match sticks into needles. Neither Albus nor Scorpius was able to change theirs in the slightest, although one of the girls from Huffelpuff, Cecelia Fletchly had gotten hers to become pointed.

Lunch was a bustling affair in the great hall. Albus was dreading meal times at the moment. He hated the way that James kept glancing over at him like a hawk. Even worse was the way Rose seemed to be ignoring him completely. He stayed firmly at the Slytherin table, however. He wasn't going to give either of them the satisfaction of knowing how horrified he was feeling. Scorpius was trying to keep him entertained, he could tell, but the rest of Slytherin house seemed to be offended by his mere presence. In particular, Kurt Knot and Marco Zabini, both second years, looked like they were just waiting for an opportunity to hex him. The other first years didn't seem to be entirely cold to him, but none of them would talk to him either. Scorpius explained that both Knot and Zabini were friends of the family and that he had been forced to endure them and their parents as a child.

"They are the worst, really. They are so obsessed with blood. I hate when our families get together."

After lunch, it was potions class with the Gryffindors. Albus was nervous. This was the first class he would have with Rose. When they finally found the dungeon, their professor was seen to be standing at the head of the class. The two boys took the available seats at the back. Albus tried to catch Rose's eyes but she was determinedly looking the other way. The potions master moved so that they could all see her better. She was a woman in her late thirties or early forties by the look of her and had an extremely pale complexion, as well as a strict and cold atmosphere about her. Scorpius grabbed Albus's arm as they sat down and was just about to say something when the Professor called them to order. She started with the role call, pausing for the briefest moment at Scorpius's name and glancing over at him. She paused too at Albus's name, though she did not look up.

"I'm Professor Mendar, I will be your potions master. I should warn you, the art of potion making is amongst the most difficult and intensive skills a witch or wizard may possess. Not all of you will be able to cope with the coursework, but I encourage you to make every necessary effort. I do not accept excuses or lack of integrity in this class. Anyone who deals in such will enjoy punishment as a reward. We will begin today's lesson with a simple softening solution. Please open your books to page seventeen."

As the class all reached for their books and began flipping pages, Scorpius leaned close to Albus and muttered, "I've heard of this professor. She's really tough. But that's not all. She doesn't look right Al. I think she's a…"

But Albus wasn't able to hear the last part.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Malfoy?" Professor Mendar asked abruptly, startling them all.

"No," Scorpius said quickly, looking terrified.

"Oh, good. I thought you might have something extremely urgent to discuss with Mr. Potter there. I assumed you were looking over the ingredients in our potion today. Tell me, Mr. Malfoy, what is the primary medicinal property of sealnot blood?"

Scorpius glanced down at his book and then back up at Professor Mendar. "Sealnot blood? It's an antiseptic isn't it?"

Professor Mendar raised her eyebrows. "Very good. And you Mr. Potter, what is the best form of wax horn to use in a distillation?"

Albus gaped down at his book and then back up at Professor Mendar. "I'm not sure ma'am," he muttered.

"That is disappointing. Well, let's try something easier. What is the best time to harvest aspergillus?"

Albus was starting to sweat. "Um, I don't know ma'am."

"Very poor Mr. Potter. I would expect better from such a talkative individual. One last try before I deduct your point for not making a concerted effort. "Which plant would serve best in an anticoagulant concoction, salix or amarus?"

"Salix?" he guessed, figuring it was 50/50.

"Incorrect. Actually neither of these would serve as an anticoagulant, which you would have known if you read the chapter introduction of blood thickening solutions. One point from Slytherin, Mr. Potter."

Great, Albus though dully, staring at Professor Mendar in frustration. Now his house would like him even less. He started to stand, feeling as though it was rather unfair of Professor Mendar to expect him to have memorized his textbooks by the first week of class but Scorpius gripped his arm very hard and shook his head frantically. Albus was surprised to see the fear in his face.

The rest of class was spent attempting the softening solution. Most people were preforming terribly, him and Scorpius included. Rose seemed to be doing well enough. Her solution was at least blue, though darker than sky blue, which was the recommended shade they were going for. Professor Mendar awarded her a point by the end of class. Albus, who's potion was sickly green, received nothing but a cloudy look from Mendar as he handed in his sample.

They left the dungeon as quickly as they could. Scorpius seemed slightly frantic. Albus, who had been hoping to speak to Rose on the way out, was forced to accompany his blonde friend at a whirlwind pace instead.

Scorpius only stopped when they were well away from the dungeon and their classmates. He pulled Albus into a secluded corner.

"Scorp, what's going on? Why are you so freaked out?"

Scorpius looked up at Albus. "Al, she's a vampire."

Albus stared at him. "What?"

"Mendar. She's a vampire. I've seen one before. My father took me to work one day and while we were there, this vampire was being tried in a hearing. I saw him up close."

"But, come on, they couldn't let a vampire teach at a school. They're supposed to be dark creatures."

"I'm telling you, there isn't a human alive who looks like that. I've read all about vampires, they have pale skin, they age slowly, they have aversion to garlic."

"I think you're crazy," Albus said, shaking his head.

"Well, let's test it," Scorpius said, stamping his foot. "I'll bring some garlic to class next week and we will find out if she really is a vampire."

"Shhh!" Albus said suddenly, flapping his hands. Rose and a few other Gryffindor first years were walking by. Rose had just looked around at the two of them. Albus didn't know if she had overheard him or not. He hauled Scorpius off.