Yello again! I've come back with what was originally supposed to be the second part of last chapter, but I already mentioned how I cut them apart because the endings just seemed to be in the right place. In fact, I was going to add even more onto this chapter because of that, but once again, I didn't feel like breaking the flow.
Anyways, so this chapter is written in Snape's point of view, and Oh My God, I had an ungodly amount of fun writing this chapter. I had actually expected it to be really difficult, considering it was freaking Snape, but it was almost easier to get into his head then it was to get into the other characters' heads. I hope I actually got it right, and didn't accidentally make him OOC.
So, because I know there will be that guy(or girl) out there who complains that Harry was way too clever and cunning for a Gryffindor, especially a first year Gryffindor, I have a few things to say about that. Firstly, if you remember correctly, in both my version and actual canon, the Sorting Hat actually specifically stated that he would be a ridiculously awesome Slytherin. Secondly, i actually made Harry very purposefully act above his age level for reasons that will be explained later. Suffice it to say that this was part of the OOC I was talking about in my previous ANs. Thirdly, in my mind this was actually very Gryffindorish. Generally, the vibe I've gotten off of most Gryffindors is that they are actually quite clever and witty, just in a different way. See, when most Gryffindor's participate in a verbal spar, it truly is like a swordfight, quick, brutal, and vicious in its efficiency and directness. I see Slytherins in a more chessmaster role, with their enemy not even realizing they were having a duel until the lethal blow had already been struck. For example, if for whatever reason Draco was the one in Harry's place, Snape would never have gotten so defensive and Draco would not have let him realize he was making a mockery of Snape until the final question, instead maneuvering him into a position where he could deal the most damage with a single blow. So yeah, Harry was actually being very much a Gryffindor, even if he did show a bit of Slytherin.
Okay, so I have to mention this since I forgot to last time, but I went back and actually corrected a few things that while only being minor and almost purely aesthetic in nature, do tie in with stuff that comes up later, as well as the major theme of this entire story and its inevitable sequels. Basically, the black haired woman from the prologue is now blue haired instead, and Luna's eyes are bronze instead of blue. There's no actual need to go back and read it, since I literally changed less than ten words altogether, but I figured I should let those of you who read the original thing know, so you don't get confused when I mention things like that later.
Also, what is with all these people wanting to pair Harry/Susan and Draco/Luna? Seriously, you literally just traded my original pairings around. Actually branch out a little, like Harry/Hermione/ or Luna/Neville, or hell, even something like Susan/Ginny. Don't just suggest main/main, that's boring. Not that its impossible and won't happen, but still. I know you guys can do better than that.
Anyways, I think that's plenty to keep you all busy for at least a few days, so I guess I'll let you get to it. Read, Relax, and Review. Enjoy!
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Severus Snape watched as the first year Slytherin and Gryffindor students filed into his classroom as he watched hidden from the shadows near his office. He had to hold back a snort of disgust as he looked at them, not wanting to give away his position. This group looked pathetic, even worse than last year's batch of dunderheads. Well, most of them did. At least his godson was among them. Perhaps that would be able to keep the levels of utter boredom and incompetence Severus had to deal with from being utterly abysmal. Regardless, it was about time to show himself.
Severus strode forwards silently, the only sound the billowing of his cape as he stalked through the horde of students that were now silently shocked by his sudden appearance. Severus ignored them as he moved to his desk, which was located at the front of the room, before turning to sweep his eyes over the crowd, only pausing as they passed a head of pure black hair, before moving on almost instantaneously.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making." Severus kept his voice low, silky, a skill he had learned long ago and used often. He would brook o one ignoring him in his own class, and so he used all of his skill to attract the attention of the students, reeling them in like fish on a line. "As there is little foolish wand waving here, many of you will hardly believe it is magic. However, I can teach you to Bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses, bottle fame, brew glory, or even stopper death. That is, if you aren't all as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach." Once again Severus swept his eyes around the room, ensuring that he had everyone's attention. However, before he could continue with his speech, it was necessary to take roll. While Severus doubted anyone would dare to be late to his class, the break would allow their interest to boil, slowly building to the point where they would hang on the end of every that came out of his mouth. Keeping a crowd's attention was a subtle science, after all.
Severus slowly meandered his way through the list of students, quickly memorizing each of their faces so that he would be able to visit swift punishment on them should they fail. It was not long, however, before he came to a name that both irritated him and made him curious, and he could not help but break from his carefully laid plans. "Ah, Potter. Our new celebrity." Severus finally allowed his eyes to fall on the one spot he had refused to allow them previously, where the infuriatingly familiar head of black hair was sitting next to the latest of the red headed weasley clan. Golden eyes stared back up at him, taking Severus aback. He had heard that the boy had green eyes, Lily's eyes! Dumbledore himself, and even that bumbling oaf Hagrid had claimed the same exact thing. He looked just like his father, only with his mother's eyes. Now, however, Sirius was starting to doubt the validity of that entire statement. Yes, He could see that prat James in the boy, the hair especially. Perhaps, even, his eyes were the same shape as Lily's, but that was where the similarities ended. The golden eyes, so like the mascot of the boy's house it was ironic, completely changed the shape of the face, and to Severus' well trained eye there were features on his face that did not belong to either, accented by those strange eyes. The boy looked almost as if he was unrelated to either of his parents. The question was, would he still act like them?
"Tell me, Potter, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" The boy's eyes narrowed, so slightly that if Severus weren't used to looking for every little detail in conversations, and even then if he weren't studying the the child so intently, he might have missed it. Still, he saw it, and only that same skill and experience allowed him to copy the boy as he answered with a sort of swagger that reminded Severus painfully of his old school rival, and yet seemed so much more pronounced and confident it made even James Potter in his prime pale in significance, an immense feat for a boy of eleven years of age.
"I would assume it would be some sort of potion." The boy paused for a second, apparently long enough to see the rather sudden thinning of Severus' lips, before continuing. "As to what kind, I couldn't say. It wasn't in any of the books I read. Then again, isn't that why you're here?" He said the last part with a nonchalant shrug, as if he could really care less about the conversation as a whole. The boy couldn't seem to keep a small smile off his face however, or the small glint in his eyes that seemed to radiate mischief. Severus was struck once again by the similarities and non-similarities that seemed to share an existence in this boy with his father. The sheer arrogance and daring were certainly legacies of his father, almost painfully so, but the true confidence and poise he used to wield them, not to mention the sheer cunning behind every word. The mention of the books made it apparent that the question was far beyond the skill level of a first year, not to mention the ending question that innocently suggested that Severus might be unneeded. If he weren't watching the challenge in Potter's eyes, the curl of the lips that dared him to respond in kind, Severus would never have believed the intrigue was enacted on purpose. As his mind mind hastily attempted to come up with just such a response, a thought flashed through before he crushed it, refusing to give such an idea any true chance. The boy almost sounded Slytherin.
"Tut, tut. Apparently fame isn't everything." Severus almost wanted to slap himself for making such a pathetic comeback. Perhaps, if he could've backed it with some sort of quip about the boy not bothering to try to learn anything, it may have sufficed. Potter had burned that bridge, however, with his seemingly innocent comment about books. Instead of lingering on his current scramble for control of the conversation, and his resulting pathetic display of disdain, Severus instead decided to pose another question to the child, in the hopes that two failures would give him enough clout to strike. The man never even stopped to think about how with only a few base comments, Potter had instantly devolved Severus into assuming the thought process normally reserved for battles of will, as if he felt threatened by an eleven year old child.
Perhaps, then, you could tell me the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?" Severus watched as the golden eyed boy seemed to contemplate the question for a short moment, before shrugging in response.
"Not completely sure, but if I had to say, it's probably a trick question, so the answer would be nothing." Severus allowed a frown to cross his face, but inside he was practically gloating already. While the boy was technically correct, his reasoning left quite a bit to be desired, if it could be considered to exist at all. Now all he had to do was bring that to the attention to the class, and he would the boy would have humiliated himself with Severus barely having to lift a finger.
"Probably a trick question? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you're the head of Slytherin house, right? And from what I've heard, their main motto is cunning. That means deception is practically required, especially if you wish to make an impression on a bunch of first years like us." Damn it. Once again the boy had turned his own attack against him. Still, there was a small hole in the boy's logic. "Then why would I not simply trap the first question?" Severus instantly regretted asking, a sinking feeling appearing in his chest as he watched Potter's smile turn into a fully fledged grin, which seemed just as condescending as the one often worn by another Potter.
"That'd be too easy. As I said, you've already got a reputation. We would expect you to do that. Instead, you take the second question, when our guard is down, thinking the danger is past. Obvious, really." That was the moment that Severus realized he had lost. This boy, this child, had defeated him in a verbal duel. That had not happened since Severus had left Hogwarts, and even then it was a feat only achieved by those few who had known him during his school years, and knew the way he thought. It was ridiculous to think an eleven year old boy could manage it, and a Gryffindor at that. Not to mention the fact that he was James Potter's son, perhaps the most foolish and guileless person Severus had ever had the displeasure of meeting. He had expected the boy to try, at least, some form of cheek, but this? As his eyes flickered around the room both in attempt to avoid the golden eyes that still seemed to mock him as well as judge the reaction of the classroom, Severus found himself both regretful and glad that Harry Potter had not been sorted into Slytherin House. Certainly the boy would have fit in, as was evidenced by the slightly awed looks worn even among the serpents in the room, but the thought of having to deal with his uncanny wit was almost terrifying. No, it was better he stay with the lions, lest such skill be a danger to Severus' pride. Even more so, Severus could perfectly envision another boy, one who had spoken with similar guile, and had nearly brought the Wizarding World to it's knees. The only difference was a green tie worn about his neck, rather than a red.
Even as all these thoughts fluttered through his mind, all in the space of a few seconds, Severus realized he could not leave it at that. It would be nigh impossible for him to save face, or to wipe the amused smirk that now adorned even his godson's face, but it would look almost cowardly to retreat now. So, instead, he grasped the last sliver of hope he had left, one last innocent question that even he could not see a way to twist beyond a childish quip.
"Where would you look then, Mister Potter, if I asked you to find me a Bezoar? That can hardly be taken for a trick question." Even as Severus spoke the words, he was expecting a quick response, quickly tearing down what was left of his pride as a master of words. What he did not expect, however, was for Potter to merely raise a questioning eyebrow at him before sweeping his own gaze over the room in a manner reminiscent of Severus when he had originally entered, before turning back to him. It almost reminded Severus of a King surveying a crowd, right before swinging the execution axe.
"Well, I would imagine the ingredients cabinet would have one, Professor. Otherwise, perhaps you could ask Hermione? She seems to know the answer." And that was the moment Severus realized something that almost made him laugh out loud, if he weren't keeping a tight control on his actions so as not to embarrass himself further. Harry Potter had managed not one, but two things Severus had thought truly impossible. The raven haired boy with those golden eyes had both earned more hatred from the Potions Professor than his father, but had also earned his respect as well.
The mention of the Granger girl was a masterstroke move. Even Severus had barely even noticed the bushy haired Gryffindor practically bouncing in her seat with her hand raised throughout the entire conversation, which in hindsight hadn't even been that long. He really had been far too invested in the short verbal war if he had missed such an obvious thing. Even worse, however, was the way in which Potter used her obvious excitement to impress Severus. He was practically throwing the fact that they were still in the middle of a class in Severus' face. Even worse than that though, was that it was an obvious retreat from the figurative battlefield. In fact, it was a straight up surrender, but even then Potter was only using it to rub his victory in Severus' face. The boy had very purposefully stepped over the line he had very carefully toed throughout the entire line, practically insulting Severus for the entire class to hear, to the point that he would be forced to punish the Gryffindor, even if he didn't want to, if only to retain the respect of the students. Because to them, Potter had merely stood up to Severus, answering him cleverly, but still basically admitting not knowing the answers and eventually screwing up with his blatant disrespect. Only Draco looked like he might have an idea what had truly passed between student and professor, if the spark in his eye was anything to go by. Either way, the other student's ignorance did not change the message hidden in Potter's 'slip'. He was telling Severus in very plain terms that he knew he had won, and Severus had only escaped a worse humiliation by his mercy. He had also used it to end the confrontation, diverting the entire class's attention from Potter onto Granger in such a way that it would be almost impossible to miss his withdrawal from the questioning. If Severus continued, it would seem not only like bullying, but also a sheer waste of time, and Severus was nothing if not a man who valued efficiency above all else. Therefore, he was forced to simply grit his teeth and deal with the consequences of his choice to challenge Potter. The only solace he could take was his determination that next time, because he had little doubt that with this particular person there would always be a next time, he would not lose.
"Five points from Gryffindor, for sheer cheek." Severus did his best to play the part of an annoyed Professor, pushed beyond his boundaries, but it felt hollow. It was made even worse, however, as he proceeded to provide answers to his questions and then continue with the class in his usual style, When he felt two sets of eyes upon him, one blazing in triumph, the other contemplatively amused.