As Severus stepped into the classroom, he reveled in the scents that the simple potions gave off. The few potions he let the first years see were Veritaserum, Boil Curing Potion, a Forgetfulness potion, Wit-sharpening Potion, and Felix Felicis - a small vial that was in his pocket now and would not be touched by ANY student.
The bell rang, and the first years scrambled inside. None wanted to be the last one through the door, because they had all heard scary stories of his cruelty. Severus sometimes regretted it, but he also recognized that strictness wasn't cruelty - and also that he was preparing them for the real world.
Bill Weasley came in, surrounded by a gaggle of boorish first years, all chuckling. Severus saw the 5 sets of eyes flicker toward him and then to the sling lying inconspicuously under the desk and their laughs grew louder.
He stepped forward, and the boys instinctively stepped back. "What is so amusing that it is necessary to disturb the beginning of my class with such nonsense?"
They stood, shaking slightly, as Severus loomed over them, until Bill Weasley stepped forward. "Sorry, Sir, but we just happened to notice you carrying around a little girl this morning and wondering where she was… Branstone here was wondering if young girls were good potions ingredients, weren't you?" Branstone, a pudgy boy with a rumpled Hufflepuff robe, couldn't stifle a chuckle, remembering the joke.
Severus stepped closer to them. "Detention, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Branstone, and 10 points each from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. If you aren't in your seats in the next 30 seconds it will be twenty." The boys ran for their seats.
"Now, class has begun. Before you are the fruits of a Potioneer's hands, the reward for a Potioneer's labor. 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 the pre-disposition, 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. Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of such an assured future that they feel that school is but a waste of time. Is that so, Mr. Weasley?"
The intimidated redhead sat up straighter, "No sir! I am very ready to learn this, sir."
The lesson passed rather easily, but those detentions tonight would ruin his whole night.