"April? April, wake up."
"You have got to be kidding me…"
"April, come on."
"She was just begging to get killed".
"It's 6 o'clock. Wake up."
"…Ok. She seriously must be suicidal."
I slowly sat up and gave a nasty glare to Hermione.
"We didn't start off very well, and you're really, like seriously, not making things any better between us." I said in a deathly tone.
"It's our first day, April. I just wanted to make sure you would be ready for breakfast and class. And here you go."
She then handed me an envelope. I could see she had an open one on her bed while the other girls had them on their trunks. Their envelopes were closed, meaning they were still sleeping…unlike me.
I snatched the envelope away from her, still annoyed that she woke me up out of the hundreds of girls.
I opened it up to find my schedule:

6:45-8:00 Breakfast

8:15-9:00 Herbology

9:15-10:00 Charms

10:15-11:00 Transfiguration

11:15-12:00 Defense Against the Dark Arts

12:15-1:15 Lunch

1:30-2:15 History of Magic

2:30-3:15 Potions / Flying (Only on Fridays)

5:45-7:00 Dinner

7:15-8:00 Astronomy (On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)

She woke me up at 6:00 AM…for me to read my schedule.
I could do that at 7:30 AM with no problem.
"We have the same classes! I guess all Gryffindor first years have the same schedule." She said with a smile.
I blankly stared at her.
I'll be with her every month.
Every week.
Ever day.
Every minute.
Every second.
Why did she tell me this?

Hermione left soon after to the Great Hall. She probably was the only one there since it was now only 6:30 AM. According to my schedule, it was still too early for Breakfast.
After getting dressed and packing all of my books and potion vials into my bag, I headed down the stairs and into the common room. To my surprise, I heard voices down there.
"Maybe Hermione isn't the only one who's crazy enough to wake up so early."
I then looked around the corner to see the ones who were talking.
"Good morning, Fred and George." I said as I walked to the couch they were sitting on. I placed my bag down and sat on an arm of the couch.
I then noticed a notebook and a bag beside the twins.
"April! Perfect timing! We needed someone to tell us just how amazing we are. Come, sit here." Fred said as the twins began to scoot, making room in between.
I slowly sat up and walked over, a little nervous on what they were going to say.
Once I sat down between the two, George reached into the bag, pulled out a dungbomb, and placed it on my lap.
It smelled absolutely revolting and it hadn't even exploded yet.
"Say hello to the dungbomb." George said with a grin. I stared at him like he was crazy, but his expression didn't change.
"Erm…hello, Dungbomb." I said slowly. This was humiliating.
"No need to be so stiff." George said as he rolled his eyes and placed the dungbomb back into the bag.
"I bet you're wondering just why exactly we have a dungbomb." Fred said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"I do have to admit that I'm quite curious..." I said.
"You see, April. Fred and I are in the first class the Slytherin-loving snake has-"
"Erm…"
"He means Snape." Fred explained.
"Before Snape sits down at his desk, one of us is going to sneak the dungbomb into his chair. And when he goes to his chair to take a seat-"
"You idiots, he has eyes and a nose." I interrupted. During Dinner last night, I heard these two were masters at pranking.
"Yes, and his nose is quite a big one." Fred said as George nodded in agreement.
"My point is that he'll see and smell it. He's not going to actually sit on it! The dungbomb isn't microscopic, you know."
"Oh, April! That's insulting!" Fred said as he took his arm off of me and sat back. He shook his head in disappointment.
"Honestly, April, you didn't think that was our actual plan, right? Please say you didn't, because that's quite offensive." George said as he looked taken back.
"…Then what is your plan?" I said as I narrowed my eyes in curiosity.
"All you had to do was wait for us to tell you, April. Patience is a virtue." Fred said as he put his arm around me once again.
"You see, he will see it. There's no doubt about it. However, this dungbomb can go off at our command." George said with a smile as he pulled the dungbomb out again.
"…I don't get it. Dungbombs only go off when it hits something or when something puts pressure on it."
"Not this one. We are inventors, my dear, little, naïve April." Fred said as he played with my hair and messed it up a bit.
"Here, examine it." George said as he shoved the nauseating bomb in my face. I smacked his hand away from my face. He just laughed as he pulled the dungbomb away.
"You see this little smooth spot on the beauty? We put it there."
"…Congratulations?"
"Don't get smart with us until you know what it does." Fred said as he flicked at my ear.
"This bomb gets activated when touched by anything; human flesh, a desk it's placed on, this bag-"
"Then why isn't it going off?"
"You are quite the rude one, my dear; interrupting every time we say something." Fred said shaking his head. George nodded in agreement.
"Because this isn't making any sense! You say it gets activated when touching it, but it's not going off!" I said defensively.
"Because I haven't waved my wand." George said with a smile. I stared at Fred as he, too, gave me a smile.
"...You two created your own spell?" I said with wide eyes. They were thirteen and creating spells!
"What? Oh, no! We're pranksters, not geniuses." George said as he again placed the bomb in the bag.
"Then how is that possible?"
"We're inventors. We've created a lot of new things; Items that punch you when you squeeze it, items that cause fog when Filch is going to expel you so that you can escape…"
"You didn't answer my question; How does the bomb blow up?"
"Do you know the spell Expelliarmus? As you said, dungbombs only go off when it hits something or when there's pressure on it. The Expelliarmus spell does just that. We've made this dungbomb impossible to go off unless the Expelliarmus spell is casted on it. When Snape is holding up the dungbomb to the class, sharing how he's much more clever than the rest of us..." George said proudly as he then gave me a wink.
I stared at his face while I tried to piece everything together. However, he's just so distracting...
"You know, he has really pretty eyes and his freckles are just so cute-"
I then shook my head (mentally) as I collected my thoughts.
"When it comes to inventing, you two are geniuses. Why would you two use your talents to make prank items? I mean, are you guys actually serious?"
"…Yes. Yes, we are." George answered with a nod.
"Why?" I spat out.
"Because pranking is fun?" Fred said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"That's absolutely ridiculous." I said as a short silence passed.
"What is? Our plan or our life choice?" Fred asked as I stood up.
"Both. You two aren't going to pull it off. As amazing as this invention is, Snape is going to see the spell shoot out of George's wand and both of you will be expelled on the first day."
Fred and George stared at me and then at each other.
Laughter filled the room.
"Oh, what? What's so funny? Dealing with your mum when you come home tonight? Is it really that funny?" I said in a serious tone. These two were just insane.
"April, it's not like we stand in the middle of the room for all to see and wave our wands! We're much slyer than that." George said he sat back in a more relaxed position.
"Well, unless we want to be acknowledged for our incredibleness." Fred corrected as George nodded his head in agreement.
"Wait…your 'victims' know you two actually do the pranks, but you haven't been suspended or anything?" I asked as I then sat on the coffee table, facing the boys.
"Well, the students see, not the ones we actually prank. I believe we're too entertaining for people to rat us out." Fred said proudly.
"Someone is going to rat you two out eventually." I said shaking my head.
"Even so, they have no proof that we actually did anything. So, we stay in school. The most that happens are some detentions, but that's nothing." George said comfortably.
"I still think Snape is going to see you wave your wand at him and the dungbomb." I said to George.
"We have our skillful ways, April. Trust me, you will find that out soon." George said with a wink.
These two were just as cocky as ever. I suppose they had the right to be cocky though. I have heard a lot about their pranks and how they miraculously got out of it without any punishment.
Still…this was just crazy.
"Ok, whatever you two say. Good luck today." I said as I picked up my bag.
"Well?" Fred said as he sat forward, waiting for me to say something.
I stared at him with a confused look.
"Aren't you going to tell us how amazing we are?" Fred asked me.
"How about I tell you after you do the prank." I said as I rolled my eyes.
I waved to them and headed for the portrait of the Fat Lady.
I then heard foot steps behind me. I turned my head to see Fred and George run in front of me to block my way to get out.
"You're doubting us." George said astonished.
"No kidding, Einstein." I said as I attempted to get around them, but the attempt was useless.
Fred then gave me a smile.
"How about we make a bet? You know, to see if George and I can really pull this off."
I then, too, grinned.
"I love to win bets," I said with a smug smile, "What do you have in mind?"
"I say we let you decide. I mean, you are going to be the one losing." George said with the cockiest tone ever.
I thought for a minute.
"I have something in mind," I said as I thought about their plan, "Winner gets to throw a dungbomb at the loser."
The two looked at each other, nodding with approval on my decision. But then, George suddenly stopped nodding.
"Fred, she is just a naïve First Year. She is also a girl. Can we really throw a dungbomb at someone so innocent without feeling guilt?"
Fred 'thought' about it and answered; "Yes. Yes we can."
"Let's shake on it then." I said confidently. I knew I was going to win. Unless Snape was just a complete idiot, there was no way these two would get through this prank without getting caught.
"Are you sure you want to do this, April? We are the Lords of Pranks." George said as he hesitated to shake my hand.
"And I'm the Goddess of Always Being Right," I said as I rolled my eyes, "Just shake my hand."
They both looked at each other and shrugged before each shook my hand.

Harry grabbed my arm tightly and twirled me around.
"See, April?! I told you!" He said as he placed me in front of a suit of armor.
I rolled my eyes and continued walking.
"For the last time, Harry, the suits of armor don't move. It's just the pictures that do that." Ron said as he pushed Harry forward to keep him walking to class.
"I swear I saw it move! You have to believe me!"
"Harry, please just stop. People are staring, so don't embarrass yourself or it'll get into the newspaper." I said as groups of students were pointing and whispering about us.
Harry, Ron, and I stayed together throughout the morning and were always being watched by students. They whispered behind our backs and pointed as if their mothers never taught them that pointing was rude. At first I thought I had toilet paper stuck to my shoe or Ron had a booger hanging out, but it turned out to be the fact that everyone was amazed that the Boy Who Lived was going to school with them.
Unfortunately, we also grabbed Peeves' attention as well;
After coming from Charms class, the three of us were heading to Transfiguration class (wherever that was).
"Ok, so I was told Professor McGonagall is really strict. We need to stay on her good side." Ron was saying as we pushed our way out of the corridor and to the staircases.
Once a staircase finally moved to us, we stepped on it.
"Ron, we need to stay on every teacher's good side. It's not like it's ever good to get a deten-AH!"
Everything was in slow motion.
As I was falling backwards, I could see Harry slowly reaching his arm out to grab me and Ron's eyes slowly widening as he stared down at me.
Time went back to normal when my body slammed on the stairs.
"April!" Harry said as he reached for me (a little too late, but it's the thought that counts).
"Are you ok?" Ron said as he kneeled down and helped Harry get me back up.
"Oh, I broke my butt!" I said as I held it. When I touched it, it felt wet.
"What happened?" Harry asked.
I stared down on the stairs and saw a puddle of water.
"I-I guess I slipped."
As I said this, something hit the back of my head.
Now my head was wet as well.
I then heard a laugh above me.
I stared up to see a ghost. I glared and started yelling all sorts of profanity.
"Peeves! Go away!" was the only thing I said that I'm actually allowed to tell you all.
I continued to yell as Harry and Ron pushed me forward so I would continue walking.
Peeves then flew in front of us and, once again, a water balloon was thrown at me.
Before he could fly away, I threw my books at him. Of course, that did nothing.
"You know, at first I was trying to get Potty, but you're much more amusing to tease!" He yelled out with an annoying laugh.
He finally flew away from us.
"That little [insert rude name here]!" I said as I grabbed my books that were scattered all over since I was (insanely) throwing them earlier.
Once I grabbed them all, I took a deep breath and looked down on myself; I was soaking wet and dripping puddles wherever I went.
I sighed and turned around to look at the boys.
They both held their mouths shut, but I could see the ends of their mouths rising a bit.
I glared at them to warn that if they let out even one chuckle I would murder them.

We three got lost plenty of times when trying to find our classes.
After our incident with Peeves, we weren't paying much attention as we ended up on the third floor (which was mentioned to be out of bounds, but it's not like we knew where we actually were) and tried to open the door that was specifically mentioned to be forbidden (once again, it's not like we actually knew where we were).
"Why won't it open?" Ron said as he was violently turning the handle. It was clearly locked.
"I mean, this is our class, right?" Harry said as he, too, tried to open the door.
They then stopped and stared at me like I was supposed to try to open the door as well.
"Look, if The Boy Who Lived can't open it, neither can I." I said as I stared at my nails, realizing I broke one from all that book throwing.
Harry glared at me. I knew he was annoyed with getting all of the attention, but I loved to bug him about it.
Ron then started banging on the door, as if it was going to help.
"LET US IN! WE'RE GOING TO BE LATE FOR CLASS!"
Even with all the noise Ron was making, I heard a little meow.
I stared down at a small cat while it continued to look at the three of us. I was actually quite surprised that Ron's yelling didn't scare it away.
I then bent down and stretched out my hand to try and pet it.
"Well, aren't you a little cutie! Yes you are! Yes you are!"
When I was just an inch away from touching it, it hissed, smacked my hand, and ran away.
Even though I had extremely painful scratches on my hand, Harry was laughing his heart out.
"Honestly, April, petting cats is the last thing you need to be doing right now." Ron said a little annoyed as he continued to bang on the door (which was obviously making no progress).
"It's probably a Slytherin cat or something." I said as I wrapped my hand in my shirt.
I then heard yelling, and it wasn't Ron this time.
I turned around to see the caretaker running (well, limping) towards us. He was yelling so loudly and sadistically that I couldn't even understand what he was saying.
While Ron and I were having heart attacks, Harry was trying to calmly tell Filch that it was a mistake and we had no idea we were on the forbidden floor.
Under all of Filch's yelling, Harry's voice was inaudible.
Then the unlikely hero came, stuttering the words "F-F-Filch, l-let them g-go."
Professor Quirrel, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, then grabbed Ron's and my shoulders as he pushed us forward. Harry immediately followed along, desperate to get away from Filch.
"C-C-Come n-now ch-ch-children. L-Let's n-not be l-late to cl-class."
His stuttering was a bit annoying, but at that moment I didn't mind. I'd choose his stuttering over Filch's yelling any day.

We finally reached the Transfiguration class.
We were to turn a match into a needle.
Ridiculously difficult, yet it's apparently level one: lesson one.
I, unfortunately, was moved to sit by Hermione because Ron and I were 'distracting the class with our immaturity.'
How could I help it? His stupidity was annoying me. I mean, Bulgaria's Quidditch team over Ireland's? Sickening.
Once we were given the instructions by Professor McGonagall, we were to successfully transfigure the match by ourselves.
I pointed my wand to the match and waved.
Nothing.
I pointed and waved once more.
Nothing.
I continued to do this over and over again, and I failed miserably each time.
"You're doing it wrong." Hermione told me for the hundredth time that day.
I ignored her for the hundredth time.
I waved my wand.
Nothing.
"You're doing it -"
I slammed my wand down.
"Shut up! I realize I'm doing it wrong!" I yelled out in frustration, "Instead of telling me that I'm doing it wrong, why don't you help me do it right?"
She gave me a conceited look.
"You wouldn't be so frustrated if you asked for help in the beginning."
"No one would be frustrated if you kept your mouth permanently shut." I thought to myself.
She handed me my wand as she held hers.
"Do exactly what I do." She said as she waved her wand in the air.
I copied her movements, but apparently they weren't good enough.
"You're waving it too harshly. Be more graceful." She said as she continued to wave her wand. I continued to wave my wand, trying to be as soft as possible.
"There you go! Now, just point your wand at your match and say the spell."
She then waved her wand at her match and, what do you know, it turned into a needle.
I pointed my wand at the match. I was careful to wave my wand as graceful and calmly as possible as I said the spell.
I successfully turned the match into a needle.
A huge grin came to my face as I looked at Hermione. She gave me a sweet smile, but I could tell that she was thinking 'I told you so.'
"I am quite impressed, ladies. Five points each." Professor McGonagall said as she walked by the table.
I patted Hermione's back.
"You know, Hermione, you're not as bad as I thought you were."
She rolled her eyes.
"You're not very good at giving compliments, are you?" She said with a playful laugh.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was extremely painful to go through.
No one shot a spell at me or anything like that. It was just mentally excruciating.
We learned and did absolutely nothing that deals with DADA. We learned, however, of Professor Quirrel's 'accomplishments' and that Professor Quirrel is extremely boring.
The most interesting thing about him is his turban.

Ron, Harry, and I headed to the Great Hall for lunch. I was curious to know if the twins pulled off their prank.
If they were in the Great Hall, then they most likely did pull it off. If they weren't, Snape was probably keeping them hostage in the Dungeons.
We stepped into the Great Hall to see everyone except the twins.
I couldn't help but smile.
"Next is History of Magic and then Potions," Ron moaned as he interrupted my thoughts. Harry gave a little grumble as we all sat down.
"I heard Snape is extremely harsh to the Gryffindors, especially if they're in class with the Slytherins. Guess who we have Potions with?" Harry said as he rolled his eyes.
"Oh, calm down you two. Potions is actually really fun. Maybe even fun enough for us to completely forget about Snape's favoring." I said as I began to fill my plate with everything I saw.
Harry looked at Ron with a 'maybe she's right' look, but Ron just stared at me dumbfounded.
"Potions…fun? I could vomit."
"Oh shut up, Ron. Good or bad, you have to take it. There's no way to get out of that class, so just suck it up. You should at least try to enjoy it."
"Enjoy it…" Ron said mockingly as he began to fill his plate.

History of Magic could put someone to their death. I thought Quirrel was boring, but my goodness! History of Magic was so dull that even the professor kept falling asleep.
At least we got a 'nap class.' I mean, none of us could understand the professor even if we tried. Well, except Hermione, but she's Hermione.
"I say we steal her notes late at night." Ron suggested as we saw her writing pages and pages of notes.

I heard Ron take a gulp as we stood in front of the entrance to the Dungeons.
"Well…this is it. Nice knowing you two." Ron said as he gave both Harry and I a pat on the back.
"Oh stop being so dramatic, Ron. It's just Potions." I said.
"And Snape." Ron said.
"Oh, don't forget the Slytherins." Harry added.
I pushed both of the boys through the entrance. There was nothing to be scared of.
Potions, and Snape, and Slytherins! Oh my!
Give me a break.
I followed the boys into the Dungeons after I pushed them. It immediately got a bit colder.
"Whoa." I said as I got the chills.
"I told you." Ron said with a horrified whisper. I looked around and it was also darker…
"Let's just walk through quickly." Harry said as we all began to speed walk through.
Snape's classroom definitely wasn't any warmer or brighter. It was just as depressing and creepy.
The three of us sat in the back, although I really wanted to sit in the front. The boys didn't buy into it though.
"The front? Are you kidding me? I'm not sitting near Snape, thank you." Ron said.
"Ron, stop being stupid!" I snapped.
"No, I agree with Ron. I'd rather not sit close to him either." Harry said.
We then watched Draco and his posse sit at the front row on the 'Slytherin side' of the room.
"The more reason not to sit in the front." Harry said as he made his way to the back. Ron followed willingly.
"It's just Malfoy. Come on! He's really not that terrifying." I said as I rolled my eyes, but I knew I lost.
It was only a minute after we sat that Snape made his dramatic entrance;
Slamming both doors open, he walked down the aisle that split the rows of the two Houses. His black robe glided behind him. Once he reached the front, he turned around and actually glared at the class. With a snap of his fingers, the doors shut.
It was official; we were in Potions.
I saw Ron give a shudder.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making. As there is little foolish wand waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the sense," Snape began as he walked up and down the aisle, occasionally stopping to glare down a student.
"I can teach you how to bottle fame and brew glory…if you aren't a big bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
After saying that, the student he chose to glare at was Ron. I almost laughed. Apparently you could just look at Ron and know he was a 'dunderhead.'
While I was able to hold in my laugh, Harry wasn't as lucky.
"Potter!"
Harry immediately stopped laughing when he saw Snape make his way towards him.
Harry sat further back in his chair as Snape leaned over the table.
The Slytherins snickered as they watched.
"What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry gave a confused look as he stared at me for help.
I wanted to help, but what could I do?
I said nothing.
"Well, Potter? Are you as clever as you are famous?" Snape said insolently. The Slytherins couldn't hold it as they all burst into the laughter. The Gryffindors watched in pain.
"Let me ask again; what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Snape said slowly. He was treating Harry as if he were mentally challenged.
"You'd make a very powerful sleeping potion; a potion so powerful that people call it the Draught of Living Death."
Everyone then stared at me.
Why were they staring at me?
"Oh Lord, I said that out loud."
Snape threw me a glare.
"Miss Black, I called for Potter."
"I'm sorry! I just- I don't know what came over me. I felt like I needed to answer -" I said horrified as Snape made his way down the table towards me.
"Then maybe you'll have a feeling to answer this, Miss Black: Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Snape said as he leaned towards me and stared closely into my eyes.
"I– I," I stuttered. This man was intimidating.
"Yes?" Snape said as a smirk formed on his face.
"I – I'd find it in the stomach of a goat," I was finally able to spit out, "It's a stone that saves you from-from most poisons."
The smirk immediately vanished.
"What's the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" He asked quickly.
"Wolfsbane? That's- isn't that monkshood?" I thought as I stared fearfully into Snape's eyes.
"Quickly. Answer." Snape snapped.
"They - they're the same thing."
"Same thing?" Snape mimicked.
"They're the same plant. They go by the name of aconite." I corrected myself.
Snape straightened himself up, but I stayed back. I was too scared to even breathe.
"Miss Black, I will like to see you after class," Snape said emotionless. He then stared harshly at Harry.
"If Miss Black was unable to answer the questions correctly, points would have been taken off. Now, we will finally begin this lesson."
He then walked down to his desk and began lecturing. Harry looked at me and mouthed the words 'thank you.' I nodded ever so slightly. I was still too scared to move.

By the middle of class time, we were making a potion that cured boils. This was a very simple task for me since I make potions as a hobby when I'm at home.
Yes, it's definitely not normal for a child to find potion making fun, but there was never much to do at home. Since Remus really had no clue what to do with a child, he just taught how to become a great witch. He let me borrow his spell books [although I'm not actually allowed to cast spells (when I did, I just used his wand)] and, of course, his potion books.
I found the potion books so intriguing.
I mean, who didn't want to make a potion that made others fall in love with you? That cured common wounds (which I got a lot of since I was just a kid)?
Potions seemed to solve everything, and I wanted to know how to make them.
Remus encouraged my curiosity and interest in Potions and bought me cauldrons, ingredients, and vials. With all that I have learned and made, this potion that we had to make today was effortless.
Just ten minutes passed and I was finished with the potion. Everyone around me was still in the beginning stages.
Snape walked to my cauldron. He smelled the potion, placed his finger in, examined the texture of it, tasted it…
I stared at him as he stared strangely at the potion.
Was something wrong with it?
"…Five points for Gryffindor." Snape said quietly, but everyone heard.
For the first time, I felt confident in front of Snape.
I coached Harry and Ron the rest of class. They were…decent potion makers. Well, at least they were better than Neville Longbottom who ended up making a potion that actually gave you boils.
"Ahhhh!" Neville screamed in pain as boils were covering his skin rapidly. Snape rushed to Neville, grabbing Seamus Finnigan along with him.
"Idiot! Finnigan, take him to the Hospital Wing." Snape said as he threw Seamus at Neville. Seamus stared at Neville with a horrified expression. He grabbed Neville's robes (trying not to touch the boils on the skin) and lead Neville out of the room.
Snape was breathing hard from frustration. He then stared at Dean Thomas, who was working beside Neville.
"Why didn't you tell him he was doing it wrong? Five points from Gryffindor for their stupidity." Snape said. Dean stared at Snape, completely speechless.
"There goes the five points I made…" I mumbled.
I then watched Snape as he went to check on the Slytherins. He headed for Malfoy's cauldron. Even from the back I could tell that the color and texture was off. Snape tasted it.
"At least it didn't give me boils. Ten points for Slytherin."
My jaw fell open.
"Ten points for a potion that wasn't even made correctly!" I said for only Ron and Harry to hear.
"Potions will be fun enough for us to completely forget about Snape's favoring," Ron said in a high pitched voice that was supposed to sound like mine, "Sound familiar?"
Harry gave out a laugh, but he soon stopped when I gave him a death glare.

It was 3:15, meaning class was at its end.
It may have been the end of class for everyone, but it was the end of life for me.
I stayed in my seat while everyone else left. Harry gave me a little rub on my back.
"Good luck." He said as he tried to give me an encouraging smile. It didn't come out right.
Ron gave me a weak smile as well, and then they left.
I was now alone with Snape.
Just Snape and I.
Snape was at his desk, writing on a piece of parchment. I stayed in the back, trying to be as silent as possible.
"Black, come." Snape said as if I were a dog. But at that moment, I didn't really care if he treated me like a dog or not. I obeyed like one.
I grabbed my bag and quickly walked to his desk.
He continued to write on his parchment as if he didn't realize that I was standing there.
After about a minute or so, he looked up at me.
"What makes you think that you have permission to speak out of turn in my class?" He said. He didn't seem angry though. He seemed much calmer than he was before.
"I'm so sorry. I have no excuse or reason why I interrupted." I apologized quickly.
"Just admit to your mistake and he'll let you go…"
"How long have you been studying Potions? This isn't your first year, is it?"
"I've just read books and attempted to make potions from the directions off the books. I have never been properly taught by someone." I said.
"How long have you been reading about Potions?"
"Probably since I was seven or so. My godfather kept his books laying around so I just entertained myself by reading them. They're very fascinating."
"Your godfather? That would be Remus Lupin?"
"Yes." I answered. I didn't know how he would feel about that since they don't have the best history.
He gave a slight nod. I wasn't sure if it was a nod of approval. Maybe he still resented Remus.
He then stared at me. It felt awkward. It was as if he were reading my soul.
"How would you feel about after school classes?" He finally said after a long period of silence.
I stared at him shocked.
"Pardon?"
"You are one of those very rare students who seem to be serious about Potions. Remus is a…bright wizard," Snape said. The last part was basically spat out though, "If you were taught by him, you should do well. Many students have never even attempted to make a potion. Since I doubt I'll be capable of changing your schedule, I'll make an effort to have the Headmaster agree to after school classes. For the next couple of days you'll be staying in this class. If I continue to see your good work and high level performance, then I'll give you after school classes. If this does happen, I'll be able to teach you the level of Potions that you truly are at."
I wasn't sure to be flattered or horrified.
I mean, Snape never does anything like this.
But then, I'll be alone with Snape. That's just terrifying.
"Thank you." I said. It seemed to be the safest thing to say.
"You may leave now." Snape said as he waved me off and went back to his writing.
As I turned, my bag hit some papers and books off his desk.
I stopped and stared at him in fear. He gave me a glare.
"I'm so sorry! I'll pick those up." I said as I dropped my bag and went on my hands and knees.
"Yes, you will pick those up." I heard Snape mumble.
As I was picking up the papers and books, I noticed something brown on the lower part of his desk. It had a rotten odor to it.
"Professor, there's something on your desk." I said as I continued to stare at it.
I heard him sigh.
"Thank you. You may leave now." He said emotionless.
I placed his papers and books on the desk and rushed out before I did another stupid, clumsy thing.

I walked out of the Dungeons and into the Entrance Hall. I was stunned at what just happened.
"Me having after school classes with Snape. Who knew Snape did things like that?"
Maybe Remus was exaggerating about the stories of Snape. I mean, he was willing to take away some of his own time to teach me Potions.
Once I snapped out of my thoughts, I realized that I was the only Gryffindor in the Entrance Hall. There were students in green robes everywhere.
"I probably should go before they gang up on me…"
I rushed towards the stairs when I then felt something hit my head.
I stood still as I was completely stunned.
Whatever it was was sliding down my face. It was slightly warm, gooey, and it had the strongest odor. I then remembered what was on Snape's desk…
Laughter filled the room. Even with my eyes closed, I knew the Slytherins were pointing at me.
I wiped my eyes with my robe sleeve and looked up the staircase to see two red heads waving at me.
"You could have at least told me that you pulled it off before you did anything to me!" I yelled harshly at them.
"That wouldn't have been fun since you would then be expecting the attack." Fred replied with a grin.
"I. Hate. You." I snarled.
"Nah, that's not possible. Everyone loves us." George said with a laugh.
The rage inside gave me a wild amount of energy as I sprinted up the stairs, seriously considering to be violent with the twins.

After taking a well needed shower, I made my way to the common room.
Still extremely angry with the twins, I was getting ready to rant my heart out to Harry and Ron, but something about the common room seemed tense when I stepped in.
When I saw Harry and Ron talking, I realized that Harry had an odd look on his face.
Something was up.
Harry stared up at me and motioned me over.
I placed my bag down and took a seat beside Harry. I gave him a curious look. He silently answered by handing me a newspaper;

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark Wizards or Witches unknown. Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day. "But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you," said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon.

I gave Ron a puzzled look.
"Erm…explain, please." I said as I handed Harry back the newspaper. I didn't see the importance of this.
"July 31st was the day I went to Gringotts with Hagrid. You see, before we went to get the money from my parents' vault, Hagrid had to go to one certain vault. It was different from all the other vaults, though; it had a bizarre amount of locks. Not only did it have a high security, but it held something that Dumbledore wanted. Obviously, Dumbledore wasn't the only one who wanted whatever was inside." Harry said as he stared at the moving picture on the newspaper. The picture was the spokesgoblin shaking his finger at the press.
I nodded my head as if I understood, but I really didn't. I was still severely confused.
Ron seemed to read my mind.
"Yeah, I don't see what's so special either." Ron said to me.
"Harry, people hold precious things in their vaults. Just like in the Muggle world, we have burglars. We have people who want things that don't belong to them. This is just a regular robbery attempt. Don't waste your time, Harry. There's nothing special about whatever was inside." I said to him.
"Something tells me that there was something special inside! Hagrid wouldn't even tell me what it was!"
"Harry, don't get yourself into this." I said.
Harry sighed, but eventually gave in.
"So, what did Snape want from you? Did he give you detention or anything?" Harry said as he put the newspaper aside.
"No, he actually wants me to have after school classes with him. He wants to teach me a higher level of Potions." I said with a smile.
The boys stared at me wide eyed.
"What luck." Ron muttered. I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.
"What?!" I heard someone yell in shock.
I then turned around to see Hermione rushing our way. She apparently heard.
"Why? What makes you so special?" She snapped at me. I was now the one staring wide eyed.
"And I actually thought she was decent earlier…"
Although I really wanted to snap right back at her, I really didn't have anything smart to say. I didn't even really have a response to that question.
"I honestly don't know. He just told me. He didn't even ask if I wanted to, actually." I said after a few seconds of silence.
Hermione's nasty, shocking look didn't change. She was definitely upset about all of this.
After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and stomped to the girls' dorm.
After her stomping was inaudible, Harry, Ron, and I just stared at each other for a second.
Then, we burst into laughter.
Causing Hermione pain…
What fun.

Author's Note: Boring and ridiculously long chapter, I agree.
Anyways…
As always, I would like to say that lines were taken from the book. If you recognize some quotes, then they most likely aren't mine (simple as that). I mainly just took quotes from the Potions class (with Snape's speech and questions, for example). The story plot is all J.K. Rowling's, not mine. And I want to apologize if there are any grammar errors to my story as well. I do proof-read my work, but I always do miss some errors.