2 The Nightmare

Hermione's reaction to the letter I had sent her was exactly as I expected it to be. She wrote that I was lucky that I was Dumbledore's favorite student or else I would have had no chance in becoming an auror as I so badly have wanted to be since my second year at Hogwarts.

Ron's reaction was the total opposite of Hermione's "I know it all" letter his was as followed.

Harry,

You have got to be kidding me! I cannot believe Dumbledore would put you through so much torture! He knows that you and Snape hate each other so why would he put you in that class? I'm sorry to admit it but you are so totally going to fail his N.E.W.T potions class. When Percy was in it I looked over his textbook one time, it is really confusing. Besides that he won't let you copy from Hermione so how do you expect to pass? I mean it's not like you have ever passed his class, well if you don't count the fact that every year me and you have always copied notes of Hermione's. You have no chance in passing so you might as well give it up right now! Quit while you still have the chance to get out of it with no months worth of detention.

Well I'm going because this is no good. You can't pass that class!

Ron

So he thought that I couldn't pass a simple potions class even though it is with my least favorite person in the world. I'll show him, I'll prove to everybody that I can really pass a class even if I cannot get any help from the smartest girl I know, the cleverest person in our year, Hermione Granger. Ron's letter has sent me over the edge; I will not bend down so low that I can't pass a simple class I'll let him know of this.

With my stating to myself I whipped out a piece of parchment and set to work on my letter to Ron.

Ron,

I thought you were my best friend. I mean how could you say I couldn't pass a class. I'm not stupid you know, I may have got help from Hermione all six other years but I will not bend over any more and take this, I will pass that class with flying colors. Hermione is right about you, she says you discourage people who can achieve what you cannot. I believe this, I mean you always nag on Hermione because she does more subjects than both of us now you're nagging on me because I've gotten into a class I've thought I've always been bad at. If Dumbledore believes that I can be in N.E.W.T. potions than I can and I will remain in this potions class. Just because we have one class that is different doesn't mean you can go off on me because I got it and you didn't.

Harry

I sealed Ron's letter and turned to get another piece of parchment from under the loose floorboard under my bed. I began:

Hermione,

Thank you so much for not saying I can't do this potions class. Ron went on and on about how I can't do it and should give it up now if I wanted to survive. I've told Ron so now I tell you this: I will not give up N.E.W.T. potions. I will take it and put in it the best of my abilities that I have not shown at all in potions before. Hermione I plan to study hard like you and do this all on my own like you have been doing every year. I'm also thankful that you did not say a word about the month's worth of detentions that Snape would give me. I am not at all scared of these threats, I rather think that I will prove to everyone that I, Harry Potter, can and will pass N.E.W.T potions in my seventh year here at Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry in the year 1998.

Harry

When I finished Hermione's letter I sealed it addressed it and took hers and Ron's letter to the cage in the far corner of my room that held a magnificent snow-white owl. I opened the cage door tied both letters to Hedwig's leg picked her up on my arm and took her to the window.

"Now Hedwig these are to go to Hermione and Ron. Take Hermione's first because when you get to Ron's I suspect I will be coming shortly after. If Hermione has a reply, take it to Ron's and stay there. I've told Ron before summer break so he will know why you stay. I love you, and have a safe journey."

Hedwig gave me an affectionate nip on the ear than flew out of the open window off my outstretched arm.

That night I lay awake on my bed. My glasses were off and my eyes were closed but I still could not sleep. I couldn't sleep mainly because I knew, if I slept, I would have nightmares of Snape's detentions that Ron thought I would have to serve. It was about 12:28a.m.when I finally drifted into a cloudy sleep.

I was off in sleep when a face of a girl popped into my head. I don't know who this girl is so I looked around to see if someone else was there with us. She was a beautiful girl about 15 or so. She had shoulder length black hair and a long, not too large, nose. She reminded me greatly of someone, I just can't say who she resembles.

She stood about 5'3" and had a muscular look to her even though she was extremely skinny. She was dead white except for her blushingly pink cheeks, the only sign of life in this beautiful angel from heaven. If only I could pick out who she reminded me of, then I could make a clearer vision of her.

Then she began to walk toward me with the stare of a lover on her face, she knew who I am and wanted me. Then she was so close to me that I could smell her sweet perfume. It playfully tickled my nose when I breathed so deeply because she was near enough that if she tried she could kiss me. Then out of no where came the voice of a man. It came from the depths of the dark place we were in and sounded loathsome as well as discussed.

"Ahhhhhhhh, Potter it is so nice that you'd be the first to meet my daughter, Serina. Serina get away from that boy, I don't want you near him ever again do you here me? This boy thinks he is above the laws and rules of our community. He will only lead you into trouble and danger that might get you killed or expelled. He is so much like his father: air headed and inconsiderate to others feelings"

"Who do you think you are talking about my father like that? He may have been a bit air headed but he was as great a wizard as the man who now teaches Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore" I yelled at the person who so freely talked about my father in a most unthinkable way, as if he were nothing more than an insect that had escaped one to many squashes.

"You're just as dimwitted as your father. Ready to fight a battle you have no chance in defeating. It seems, though, that Dumbledore likes you and treats you above any other student at Hogwarts, but let it be known, he won't always be there to protect you Potter"

"Dumbledore will never let a single thing harm me! He..."the mysterious man cut me right off.

"Well he may not "let" you but you sure do seem to get into harms way thinking that you can be the hero and save everyone. Potter, you are a worthless boy who knows not a thing! You are empty headed and self-absorbed! Leave it all when you still have a chance to leave" before I could say a thing the man stepped into plain sight. It was none other than...

"Snape!"

"Yes you dumb boy! You will be in grave danger so leave it while you can and don't go around trying to act the hero"

"W-W-Wait than that means that this girl is Serina Snape"

"Yes. I have a daughter but that is not of your concerns. Do as I say or you will parish."

"No, No! It can't be! How am I in danger? How will I parish?"

"Potter you forget one thing, I live."

With that crazy antic Snape went bounding at his daughter and me. He threw her to the floor and came after me!