Year 1 Part 2 (chapter 2)
Word count: 1.4k
The morning after the Sorting Ceremony, Severus groans when he wakes up in his private chambers. He does NOT want to teach any of the dunderhead students.
And the fact that he has to teach those incompetent Weasley twins today doesn't help. He sighs deeply. He doesn't get paid enough for this.
After a few minutes, he finally decides to get out of bed. He immediately puts on his clothes and cloak, not bothering to take a shower. He doesn't care.
He tries his best to survive the day. Thank Merlin he doesn't have the first-years yet - he has a few days to prepare himself mentally.
At breakfast, he scowls when he sees Potter laughing with the youngest Weasley boy. The Granger girl rolls her eyes at them as she reads the Daily Prophet. Interesting.
He stops looking at them as Quirrell decides to sit next to him. "Good m-m-morning, S-Severus" Quirrell says as he greets him.
Severus sighs. "Good morning" he mutters with irritation. He doesn't like Quirrell and his stupid turban.
As he's eating his meal while ignoring the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Severus can't help but look at the Slytherin table. Of course, all the students from his House are behaving well, unlike those insufferable Gryffindors.
He sees his Godson, Draco Malfoy, sitting next to two big boys and across a girl and another boy.
In the corner of the Slytherin table closest to the staff table is Y/L/N sitting, all alone while reading a book. Well, not just any book - the first-years' Potions book.
That amuses Severus a bit. It reminds him of when he went to Hogwarts himself. He also preferred reading a book and sitting alone rather than eating his meal.
--
As a few days pass by, Severus notices that Y/L/N always sits alone while reading a book. Particularly her school books. She seems to be quite interested in Potions and Herbology.
Ever since Minerva called out her name, Severus has constantly been thinking about where he has heard her last name before. It's honestly starting to annoy him since he still has no idea.
Right now, Severus is strolling towards the library as he needs to find a new book to keep him entertained on his sleepless nights. He has read most of the books from here, but they will do.
As he enters the library, he doesn't expect there to be any students at this time of the day - but he's wrong.
In the library are Y/L/N and Granger sitting at each their table, reading and taking quite a few notes. They both seem to be preparing for their first Potions class tomorrow.
Granger occasionally says something to Y/L/N, talking her ears off. The Slytherin girl just nods, seeming too shy to say anything back.
Without saying anything to the girls, Severus quickly grabs a book and strolls out of the library, heading towards his private chambers in the dungeons.
He can't sleep that night, just like any other night. There's too much for the Potions Master to worry about.
Fear of the Dark Lord returning, memories of Lily Evans, imbecile students not doing their homework, protecting the Stone, the Potter boy, where he has heard the last name Y/L/N before...
After reading for a while, Severus finally falls asleep.
--
The next morning, the day has come. Severus has to teach the new first-years.
He sighs before getting out of bed, putting on his clothes as well as his cloak and walking out of his chambers. He didn't even bother going to the Great Hall to eat breakfast. At least he got some extra sleep.
Not long after, he reaches his destination - the Potions classroom. Severus dramatically enters the room full of first-year Gryffindors and Slytherins. He doesn't even bother to close the door behind him.
"There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few... who possess in the predisposition..." he says as he looks at Draco who smiles proudly.
He also looks at Y/L/N who looks a bit surprised but shyly smiles at him nonetheless. He expects great effort from his Slytherins, especially these two.
"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..." he slowly says, everyone looking at him as they are carefully listening.
Draco looks quite impressed when he mentions 'put a stopper in death'.
Y/L/N gives him her full attention, quite interested in his speech.
Severus then looks at Potter who seems to be more interested in writing notes than listening. He's most likely writing notes down for the speech, but Severus doesn't care.
"And 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" the Potions Master shouts the last part, startling everyone.
If any of the students were falling asleep before, they are definitely awake now.
Granger nudges Potter with her elbow, making him stop writing and look up at the professor.
"Mr. Potter... Our new celebrity" Severus suddenly says.
Weasley, who's sitting next to Granger, seems quite scared as he looks between Potter and the professor.
"Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" the Potions Master asks, knowing that the boy obviously has no clue.
The Granger girl immediately puts her hand up, quite desperately. Severus resists the urge to roll his eyes at her.
Potter sighs as he shakes his head.
"You don't know? Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?" Severus asks.
He's enjoying seeing the boy out of his comfort zone, having absolutely no idea how to answer these questions.
Well, next time, he should read his books. Surely, that's why he bought them - to read them, not so they can look pretty on the table.
"I don't know, sir" the boy responds, sounding defeated as he can't answer the professor's questions. The Granger girl still has her hand up.
"And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Severus asks him as he keeps ignoring the annoying Gryffindor girl.
"I don't know, sir" the boy repeats.
"Pity. Clearly, fame isn't everything. Is it, Mr. Potter?" Severus mocks him.
He then glares at Granger. "Put your hand down, you silly girl" he snaps which makes her do as he says in an instant while looking embarrassed.
The other students laugh, particularly the Slytherins except for Y/L/N.
He looks at Potter once more.
"For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a Sleeping Potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant which also goes by the name aconite..." he says as the two of them are having a staring contest.
Severus refuses to think of Lily Evans as he looks into the boy's eyes.
"Well... Why aren't you all copying this down?" he suddenly asks the whole class. Instantly, everybody writes the information down on a piece of parchment.
During the rest of the lesson, Severus and Potter give each other death glares once in a while.
As the lesson finally comes to an end, Severus quickly turns around to look at all of the students.
"For your next lesson, you will learn how to brew Cure for Boils. I expect you to read the instructions as well as the list of the needed ingredients before the lesson. If you fail to do so, you might as well not show up at all - I do NOT have time for lazy students... Class dismissed" he states.
Everybody quickly gathers their belongings and walks out the classroom. Some even run out of the room, looking quite frightened.
Severus smirks at that. Good. He expected more tears, though. Perhaps next time.
While he's in deep thought, he doesn't notice Y/L/N being the last student left.
Before she leaves, she turns towards him. "Thank you for the informative lesson, professor" she says, shyly yet politely.
Severus barely registers her words before she's out the door. He's quite astonished - nobody has ever thanked him for his lessons before.
Y/N Y/L/N intrigues him more and more.
