AN: so for those of you actually reading this, sorry about the delay. Finals week just ended and I was studying nonstop. Things might happen a little more quickly during break but will probably slow down again when school starts so sorry about that. Criticism is always welcome.
The dungeons are always dark: I think that is why I like potions so much. It is also because it is the one class I can get through without making a complete ass out of myself. I look to the board and see that we are making a sleeping drought, the same as a few days ago. I don't bother to open the book and quickly get my supplies.
Whilst grabbing the eye of newt that was placed on the top shelf, I looked around at my classmates. There was Luna sitting at our table, staring off into space. She is probably looking for wrackspurts or snorkaks or something of that sort. The rest of the group were searching for the page in their books, flipping franticly trying to find the 96th page in our text. I smirk, looking over at Jade Monter, the 'smartest girl in our year'. I gloat internally at the fact that I always do better than her in this class, even if it is only in this class.
"What do we do first?" Luna asks, and I respond, "Can you crush the eye's while I light the cauldron?" She looks at me with uncertainty, and replies, "are you sure about that?". I ignore this and whisper the incantation. Nothing. I try again, and not even a spark is created. I try 5 more times, yet it is futile. Without saying anything, Luna switches places with me while I ground the eyes with as much force as I can, putting all of my anger into crushing them to a smooth pulp consistency.
Of course, we are the first ones finished, and ours is the best. Professor Snape comes to look at our potion and deems it excellent, which is surprising considering we are not in Slytherin, though less so since he prefers us over the Gryffindors. Though the rest of the students were nowhere near finishing, the class period ends and we get up to leave.
"Ms. Heersay, will you stay behind for a moment?" Professor Snape asks, and I slow down. Once the rest of the class files out, he continues. "You are very skilled in the art of potion making, and as you can see, many of your classmates lack your ability. I was hoping you could privately tutor a student of mine? Normally I would not ask this and simply let the student be, but he is a danger to the other students, and I can't let such a bumbling oaf harm others." I nod quickly and he continues. "His name is Nevil Longbottom, and he is a year older than you, but not too bright. I hope you can at least give him some advice on how to not destroy my classroom." I nod and reply, "It will be an honor, Professor" "Can you meet with him tonight, after dinner?" I nod, knowing that I would have no plans. He does not say anything, and I understand this to mean that I should leave, so I do.
"It is only 2 cups of toads, Neville" I nearly shout. I have been trying to help him create a simple shrinking potion for the past hour, and he simply cannot understand the concept of doing things properly. "Sorry, sorry, I will try harder this time". I scowl, he created a large mess now, one that he better be able to clean. "Can you clean up the mess, or are you also incapable of doing that?" I ask. The boys lip trembles, and he seems as though he is upset. I guess this is a normal reaction to what I said, but I am to frustrated to care. He gets out his wand and mutters, "scourgify" and the mess instantly disappears. "Good job, now start again" I say, not trying to hold the hatred out of my voice. Why is he, someone who is all but a monkey in terms of intelligence, able to perform spells perfectly when I, one of the smartest people in the school cannot?
He again attempts the potion, this time managing to nearly finish without difficulty. I should probably be proud that he is improving, but I am simply angry that now he can make a potion and perform magic, while I can only do one. "How many times do you stir it?" he asks, and I nearly give him the wrong amount, but I tell him "15 times counterclockwise". He looks at me in awe and says, "how do you remember all of this, you aren't even looking at the book?". I shrug and say, "I just remember things, I look at something once and it stays in my head." He seems amazed and a bit angry but turns back to the potion. After this step he is finished, and the potion, while not quite as thick as it should be, is at least passable. I look at my watch, seeing it is now 11, way past curfew. "We should clean up" Neville says, and gets out his wand. He looks at me, probably expecting me to do the same, but I just look at the floor. "I can't clean the whole room by myself, can you please help me?". I nod and get out my wand. We turn to different parts of the room, facing opposite walls. "Scourgify" I say, but, as expected, nothing happens. I try a few other incantations but the result is still the same. I even try conjuring a washcloth to clean by hand but I can't even do that. At that point, Neville's side is done and he is staring at me. I turn and realize that he has just seen me fumble around like an idiot, and I turn away.
"Can you not do magic?" he asks, and I glare at him and say, "obviously not, since you just saw me acting like a complete numbskull". He doesn't seem to notice my comment and just finishes my side of the room. Within seconds it is sparkling, and anger bubbles up inside of me. He hen turns to me and says, "I am not the best at magic, but I have become pretty fair this year. I can help you if you want, in exchange for the potions lessons". I think about this, he does seem to be pretty good, and I have noticed some people getting better this year, despite the horrid Professor Umbridge. I despise her as much as the rest of the students, but she does not allow us to do magic, for which I am grateful.
"Okay" I say, keeping my voice even. He grins, though I am not sure why since he just gave away even more of his free time. "I will see you soon then!" he says. I turn for a second to say, "yes" and leave.