I'm back people! Here is chapter three!

Chapter 3:

Severus Pov:

I scowl to myself as I start to scrub up the disastrous after effects of a fifth year song potion gone wrong. These imbeciles don't even know the difference between parciel and cottonfog, even though I distinctly remember teaching those very ingredients to these same individuals two years ago. I shake my head at the notion that they should retain any of that.

I am just finishing throwing out the last of the broken glass, when the room begins to fill with the next class. Rubbing my temples at the spark of an impending headache, I remember the time.

Taking a deep breath, I exit the room, wanting to make a lasting impression on these children. I want them to learn, at the very beginning, that I am no one to mess with. I am not a likable person and enjoy my solitude. I do not enjoy, contrary to most professors, the company of my students. I am here for one job only: to ensure that these children get a proper education and learn a thing or two before they venture out into the real world. Nothing more, nothing less.

I wait outside for a bit until I concur that most of the students are in place. I am highly certain there will be no stragglers or absentees as it is their first day in my class.

I throw open the door to the dark, crisp dungeons, an area that has become my favorite place in the castle. It is quiet, mysterious, both a place for haunting and protection. Most everyone misses the value in it. Most everyone avoids it. They don't see the beauty in the ambiguity.

All heads snap up at my entrance, and I am joyful, an emotion not common within me, that the faces carry looks of fear and uncertainty, amid dark curiosity.

"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class", I snarl, as I make my way to the front of the classroom. I spin around, looking closely at the sea of faces staring back at me. Some shrouded in the darkness. I recognize a few people here and there. Draco, of course, is front and center, and wears a tiny smirk on his face. I will have to speak with him about that. I see a few other death eater children, all among the least scared looking. My eyes continue and I land upon what is undoubtedly a Weasley, looking quite petrified, no doubt having heard stories of my monstrosities from his rascal of older brothers. The curious thing, however, is his neighbor, Harry Potter.

My breath catches slightly at the sight of him. James Potter in the flesh. I suppress violent flashbacks as I take him in.

My eyes catch his, only for a second, before he hurriedly looks away, but there is no denying what I saw. Lily.

I saw something I had feared seeing my whole life. Lily. He has her eyes. Dead ringer.

C'mon Severus. No time to dwell on that right now. Look at him. He is James, already obnoxious and not paying attention. Focus on that.

I sneer once in his direction, wanting to get my point across, not that he would have any idea of said point.

I see him shrink a little and look confused and I congratulate myself.

I carry on with the lesson, taking points here and there, yelling a bit, and scaring the students to death. Most of them seem okay, however a little muggleborn know-it-all can't seem to be quiet. As annoying as I find her, I am slightly impressed with her knowledge and desire to learn, although I would never say it. Draco is close behind her, having grown up with me and my lessons since birth. Everyone else falls in line, about even. Then there is that Longbottom fellow. Complete disaster with no hope of ever succeeding , to put it nicely. I will be amazed if he gets through this course without setting himself or another classmate on fire.

I keep a sharp eye on Potter. Waiting, wishing for him to mess up, make a mistake that I am able to chide him, embarrass him in front of the class.

I am watching him and Weasley work from the book, and I notice Potter's face bunch up. He winces and grabs at his arm. Weasley is too engrossed in the sludge before him to notice. Potter eases up a bit, and gently lays his arm back on the table.

Very interesting, I say to myself. How on earth has he already gotten injured on his second day at Hogwarts. No doubt got in a fight, most likely over something stupid. Ignorant boy, don't you know not everyone will bow to you here.

I feel slightly better as I continue the lesson, knowing someone has put Potter in his place.

The lesson ends without too many mistakes and I feel better already knowing I have another day before I have to see these twits again.

As the students pack up and begin to leave, I overhear a conversation.

"C'mon Harry, we've gotta go, we're gonna be late for McGonagall. Fred told me she turned him into a mouse because he was 3 minutes late to a lesson last year." The weasley boy says, looking quite petrified.

The Granger girl rolls her eyes.

"No, Ron, she can't do that. The teachers aren't allowed to use magic on students. I read about it in the handbook."

The two then begin bickering, and I am so annoyed that they are still in my presence. I am about to call them out on it, maybe throw in a detention for dawdling, when Potter catches my eye.

I look over at what on earth is taking him so long to pack up his books and I notice he seems unable to do so. I watch his pick up his potions book, and ever so slowly, move it to his bag. He is wincing the entire way. He eventually sets it in and begins to antagonizing attempt to zip his bag. He finally gives up, put his books in his other hand down and switches to zip up the bag with his right hand. He then picks his books back up and stands.

The two others were too busy arguing over whether or not McGonagall will turn them into a mouse to notice the unusual event.

"Guys, guys, I'm ready. Let's go." And with that they all turn and exit the room, unaware of the little scene I have just witnessed.

I am glad they are gone, but something pierces at my mind. Why is Potter so sore? What on earth happened to him that makes him incapable of zipping his bag? These thoughts stay with me and I am still thinking about them as I lay down at night.

No bother, I think to myself. Without a doubt the boy and his superior attitude has gotten him into some students mess. It will work itself out.

And that is the last time I think about Potter before I succumb to sleep.

Hi! Here is chapter three! I have no excuses for why it took this long but here it is! I hope you like it! Snape is soooo much fun to write and I just love his ambiguous nature! Hoping to have the next chapter up soon! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review! It gives me so much motivation and makes me feel so good. Feedback, constructive criticism, anything. It all helps and makes me into a better writer. Anyway, hope you all had a wonderful christmas! I love you guys - Mack