Disclaimer: I own nothing by J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and its characters belong to her.

Chapter Eleven: A New Assignment

"Professor, why don't you believe us?" Holly asked, surprising me with her boldness as we followed the mysterious professor up the stairs. This whole scenario was nearly too good to be true; I knew that the first day in class was not going to go smoothly, but this was nearly too much.

Naturally, he did not respond, but simply kept on walking swiftly down the corridor, passing by many classrooms, filled with students. This made me wonder just how we were to explain the situation to our next teacher, but I'm sure that Snape had little concern for that.

"I have only had one student ever to come close to making a perfect potion. Unless, you have had the aid of an upperclassman," Snape spat back at us, not even looking as we turned another corner.

"Has it occurred to you that, perhaps, we actually did manage a perfect potion? On our own?" I added several moments later as we stood in front of what appeared to be a strange statue.

Instantly, the professor shot his gaze directly to me. Staring at me for a long hard moment before saying one phrase," Ranae flavus."

I furrowed my brow in confusion before my eyes were averted to see the statue of a bird-like figure moving up, transforming into a spiral staircase. Though the sight was impressive, I was still confused as to why the grimy professor had not said anything back to me. Was it that terribly difficult for him to set aside his pride for a moment to even consider the thought?

"We shall have a discussion with the headmaster over this," He replied coolly before motioning for us to travel up the stairs.

Holly and I simply looked at one another before moving forward, obviously fearful of what was to happen. It was only the first day and already, here we were being marched up to the headmaster's office. With a sigh, we took the first step and ascended up the stone staircase.

We moved slowly up the stairs, listening as it continued to grow until there was finally a clunk, signaling that the stairs had finally reached the top, wherever it was. Eventually, we were able to see the top and an open doorframe that led to a wooden door. Upon reaching the top, Snape stepped ahead of us swiftly before rapping on the door.

"Who might that be?" A voice called from inside the room.

"Severus, headmaster along with two first years," The professor said, very dryly, before the door swung open.

"Welcome, Severus and two first year students," The same voice answered, before Snape ushered us into the exquisite office lay ahead. It appeared to be circular with many books and shelves all around the office, beautiful tiles were on the floor and the room was truly only fit for a headmaster. A lovely bird was perched on a stand in the room, a phoenix from what I could tell.

Nearly shaking, both Holly and I looked to the elderly man sitting at the wide, wooden desk in the middle of the office.

"Why do you come to me, Severus? And these two students, should they not be en route to their next class?" The gentleman with a long beard, blue eyes with spectacles perched on his nose.

"These two students, Stockholm and Peddleton, were caught cheating in my classroom, professor," Snape spoke very smoothly and accusingly. "I am requesting a rather hefty punishment for cheating is not tolerated at Hogwarts, as we all very well know."

I opened my mouth to speak, but found that it was pointless. It was our first day and we were already facing our first punishment. Professor Dumbledore looked at both of us with furrowed brows before folding his hands on his desk. He moved one of his hands to adjust his spectacles before stating," Lana, I believe that is your name, do you have an argument for yourself and Miss Peddleton?"

Instantly, I regretted ever making such a notion. Snape then started to speak, but Professor Dumbledore merely held up a finger to him before saying," Lana, please, elaborate."

I scratched my head and looked at Holly before saying to Professor Dumbledore," I honestly haven't much of a case, I suppose, other than we genuinely have no knowledge of anything regarding to Potions. Professor Snape gave us instructions and all we simply did was follow them. There was no cheating involved. Honestly, I know that I would probably manage to mess up someone else's advice. We simply followed our instinct."

"Headmaster, as you can-" Snape fought, but Dumbledore shook his head.

"Have you any evidence to prove otherwise?" He questioned Snape, his voice very tender gentle.

Snape adjusted his posture, shifting as if nervous before saying," They conjured a perfect potion, something that has only been done once before and this mixture is one that not a simple-minded student would be able to conjure up without assistance."

Dumbledore nodded, pondering the situation carefully before speaking again and saying," If I remember correctly, you also asked me to punish said students, but further investigation showed that they were innocent. They too were-"

Snape narrowed his eyes before saying, with almost a growl to his voice," Two Gryffindor students."

"Yes, two Gryffindor students," Dumbledore said with a smirk, affirming the statement." Now, on a different note, I remember the days when Lana's mother was at Hogwarts. She was not necessarily the best student we had, but her skills shone in none other than potions. Perhaps, Lana has simply gained a genetic trait. Perhaps, it truly is out of her control."

The potions professor crossed his arms while my heart nearly skipped a beat, was he really going to take our side?

"Madame Pomfrey has just exited my study, just before you entered, actually. She has, strangely enough, requested me to pass information along to you that is in need of two assistants to help her brew simple potions for medical use. Now, she requires to see the work of the students beforehand, but I am sure that if you deem the paste these two crafted as 'perfect', then she will two. Should the two students fail to meet her basic requirements, then their punishment will be as you or I see fit, but should they succeed then the charges shall be dropped altogether," He explained to the lot of us as my heart was nearly beating out of my chest.

"Professor, I see this to be highly unnecessary. Suppose these two are simply getting lucky again and again. Shouldn't a student with a true interest in the position be considered? This, if we are taking their argument, was merely a fluke," Snape argued, obviously not wanting the satisfaction of giving us freedom.

"Perhaps, but incredible talent is to be recognized here at Hogwarts. This will give us an idea as to their true ability. One could argue that if someone is lucky again and again, that this trait is perhaps a talent then. Theoretically, Severus, when one professes in something, isn't all they do simply a matter of luck repeating itself?" Dumbledore replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "Food for thought."

Again, I looked to Snape to see his lips pursed and arms crossed tightly over his chest. Holly looked at me, a small smirk growing on her lips before we both turned our attention back to the headmaster.

"Miss Peddleton and Miss Stockholm, you will be allowed to go unpunished this time, but every evening from here on out, you are to report to the medical wing of the school, where Madame Pomfrey will give you further instructions," Professor Dumbledore told the both of us with a smile on his face. "Professor Snape will be happy to show you where this is and I will inform your next teachers where you have been. I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you."

And so it was that we were allowed to go, seemingly untouched. However, I was not for certain if this verdict was a good one or rather a new problem to simply suffer through. Either way, Holly and I would have quite a bit to discuss in our next class.

A/N: Well, I hope you all enjoyed! Please let me know what you think of this chapter and the characters. I am trying to keep them in character as much as possible, but please let me know if something seems wrong.

I feel as though this chapter was a little short, but rest assured, I will post a longer one soon.