"I heard the one to watch out for is the Potions Master."

"I heard he turns kids into toads if they don't hand in their homework."

"I heard he turns into a bat and prowls the corridors at night. And if he catches someone out of bed, he drains their blood for use in his potions."

"What!? Sev, or, ah, Professor Snape? No way! He's the best! He's my friend!"

The other three first years in Nymphadora's boat looked at her like she had been turned into a toad.

"He is! Just you wait. I'll invite him for tea next weekend. He's great!"

The other first years were not convinced.

The next day at breakfast, Nymphadora approached the head table and asked Professor Snape to tea.

"Miss Tonks, return to your table and finish your breakfast," he growled back.

"Okay, Professor. But, maybe next weekend?"

Severus glared. Nymphadora grinned and skipped back to her seat.

They had tea a month later, but she was sworn to secrecy. She scowled, but bit her tongue. After all, she was a Hufflepuff and Hufflepuffs didn't betray their friends. That was for Gryffindors.

Four years later, Severus sat in a sage parlor and took a bite of lavender biscuit while Andromeda poured his tea. "She has her heart set on being an auror," Andromeda began.

Severus looked at Andromeda and shook his head. "I only take O students, Andromeda. She knows the material, but always has problems with the practical. She inadvertently brushes some of her ingredients into the brew or adds the wrong one or any number of other idiotic mistakes."

"I know," Andromeda smiled. "But you're a brilliant Potions Master and I have complete faith that you will develop a method for her to pass."

"Wotcher, Professor!" Tonks called as she knocked at Severus's door the following weekend. It was their monthly tea and she almost upset a tray of petit fours she'd sweet-talked the elves into making for her as she opened the door. "Woah! Look at all the colored glass!" Before her sat three sets of colored glassware, one of each color of the rainbow in each of three sizes. "Pretty. What'cha making?"

"I saw your mum last weekend. She said you wanted to be an auror."

"Mm-hm." Tonks nodded enthusiastically. "Can you think of anything more exciting? Defense is my favorite! I mean," she backpedaled, "you're my favorite professor and all, but Defense is exciting." She poured her tea and helped herself to the cakes.

"Quite. But, what would you need on your Potions OWL?"

Tonks grimaced. "I try hard, Professor. It's just stupid mistakes. I'll be extra careful on my OWL, and, well, …. I'll be extra careful on my OWL." She nodded toward Severus to show that she was going to be extra careful on her OWL, but he could see her concern of doom.

"Well, it's a good thing that you have a friend who's a Potions Master, then, huh?" He winked at her and took a cake.

"Yeah!" She winked back and raised her tea cup in a toast. "So, you'll take me if I only get an E?"

"Of course not. Do you take me for some run of the mill Defense professor? You, my dear friend, will get an O." He swallowed the cake and took a drink. "But I'm gonna make you work for it."

"I can work! So, what's up?"

Severus explained how he would give her the improved recipes a week in advance (the ones in the book weren't very consistent and his modifications gave students predictable and successful results) and she would color code each of the ingredients and its preparation in order. Then, when she got to class, she would take out the appropriate color and size of dish needed for that ingredient. Once an ingredient was prepared and placed in the appropriate dish, she would place a cover charm on it, so it couldn't accidentally spill. Then she'd be able to go in order through the colors of the rainbow when brewing time came. She was also to pin the sleeves of her robe ("So that's why yours always have links at the wrists!") and would meet him weekly to go through the potions that had been previously covered and had the potential to be on the exam.

She hugged him tightly on her way out.

One hot day in July, he received two owls. The note from the first read:

Dear my bestest friend, Severus,

Guess who will be in your potions class next year? I can't wait!

Love, your bestest friend, Tonks

P.S. Seriously! Quit calling me Nymphadora!

The second read:

Dear Severus,

I have just received the OWL results from June's examinations. One student received a perfect score on the Potions OWL. I'm sure that you know a perfect score hasn't been achieved since your OWL, despite the record numbers of students receiving Outstandings. Do you care to explain how Nymphadora Tonks, a talented but perhaps the clumsiest witch in a generation of students, might have brewed all five potions perfectly in the time allotted?

Sincerely yours,

Minerva