Hi sorry about the wait for this chapter (and its shortness) - my sister in law has given birth to triplets recently and brother couldn't get off work to help her out so I did.

Chapter 10

Harry and Theo strolled leisurely to breakfast the next morning, talking quietly. They both had awoken early eager for their first day of lessons and not wanting to miss the spectacle of the hundreds of post owls that would be bringing letters that morning.

Upon taking a seat at the table the owls swooped in – right on queue and letters were dropped to many people on the Slytherin table. Harry was surprised to receive a letter and excitedly opened it.

Harry,

I am pleased have you in the house of snakes, though it is a surprising sorting for others. Filius and I would like you to come and see our quarters later (we would like to talk to you properly and mail could be intercepted) I will collect you from the entrance hall at 5pm sharp, please do not be late.

For now take care and remember that Filius and I cannot (unfortunately!) show any favouritism for you or even show that we know you.

All will be explained at 5pm,

Severus Snape.

Harry read the letter 3 times over, taking in every word. He was alarmed by all the secrecy but he supposed it was there for good cause, looking over to his guardians he smiled at Severus but got no sign of recognition from him. Cheering Harry up though, Filius gave Harry a grin and rolled his eyes, nodding at Severus before quickly turning away when he got a death stare from Snape.

After a hearty English breakfast, Theo and Harry got up and left the great hall to go to double potions with the Gryffindor's.

Once arriving in the chilly dungeons they both stood and waited quietly for the lesson to start.

"Hi, Harry" said Ron, his ginger hair contrasting violently with the dark hues of the dungeon corridor.

"Hey Ron, this is Theo, I don't know if you've met?" Harry said as he nudged Theo, who looked decidedly awkward.

At Harry's nudge, Theo stuck out his hand and shook Ron's giving him a slight smile.

"It's nice to meet you" he said.

Harry smiled inwardly – 'this supposed house rivalry was utter crap' he thought to himself.

Entering the potions classroom the atmosphere was icy – both in physical temperature and in spirit. The whole class was completely silent – the kind of silence only a strict presence can instil, demanding respect and rules to be abided.

As soon as they all had taken a seat (the Gryffindors on one side, the Slytherins on the other) a smooth and sneering voice cut through the quiet dungeons "Welcome to potions, there will be no foolish wand waving here, only the most elite students shall excel in these classes (if there are any of you who aren't the complete dunderheads I usually teach!)" Said professor Snape in a fake welcoming manner. "Now as I am sure all of you know, there is a celebrity" he sneered "among us. Now shall we test to see if Mr Potter is going to live up to his portrayal that the papers give of him?" He sneered again, even more maliciously if possible. "Come up here Mr Potter, I have no time for time wasters".

"Erm Sir?" Harry asked questioningly as he walked up to the front of the class. Snape retrieved two vials of similar coloured potions from his pocket, they were both an unappetising murky greenish brown.

Addressing the class, he said "Mr Potter here will be choosing between these potions, one is a harmless potion and the other a minor poison that will bring him out in colour changing luminous boils" He paused waiting for the laughter to subside. "Here Mr Potter choose" Said Snape and with a flick of his wand and a muttered incantation the vials hovered in the air in front of Harry's face, twisting and turning, swapping places so that Harry, who had had no idea what either vial contained even when they were stationary, was confused beyond belief.

"Take one Mr Potter, I don't have all day" said Snape in a bored voice.

Harry reached out taking the one nearest him and hesitantly gulped it down, nothing happened.

"5 points to Slytherin Mr Potter if only for correct guesswork, see me after class." Snape said in a cold tone as Harry nodded mutely.