Hey! Thanks for the unwavering support and the reviews it helps inspire me and spurns me to keep on tapping. Hope you like this it took me quite a while to work out but I believe it came out pretty well. These are all still unbetaed and as such; all the blame goes to me [even the part of being mean to our beloved know it all]
As Usual, Harry and the gang including the Professors and staff does not belong to me except for the charming Mr. Farfade
Reviews are more than appreciated; Constructive or otherwise.
I have also tried to rectify my puntuational mistakes that some have pointed out. Cough *apologies* cough.
The morning sun found his face in the Gryffindor tower. He had not woken up this late before in this castle at least and he marveled at how rested he felt for a Monday smirked. Monday is the deities' way of punishing the professors and the ignoramus cretins but to the slytherin or at least a former slytherin. Monday held the most promising spot as everyone else is being panicky on the day to distract him thus leaving him with precious seclusion. another reason he likes Monday is because the dark lord does not held meetings on Mondays something about starting the week right.
He shaved his light stubble and took a long bath. It has been a long time that he has been constantly on guard that he neglected his own body. His tight muscles sang as he eased it in the hot water. He felt his mind release his pent up stress. Constant vigilance will do that to you and he did not want to end up like that raving mad eye.
The feeling slowly ebbed when they reached the first class of the day; History with Binn's and Hupplepuffs. It is safe to say that the whole class catched up on their sleep save for a select few like Hermione Granger who believe in the importance of the 25th retelling of goblin wars in the same year and the hupplepuffs who felt guilty for sleeping on the ghost's droning
The class felt like it lasted for a century; perhaps it did. There was no telling with the ghost who rambles to his own person.
What better mental torture than to be bored by a ghost who bored himself to death he thought as they walked to the next class.
The female population of Hogwarts seemingly gained a better appreciation to potions class overnight since the installation of the new potions master
"Gather round students" Professor Farfade called out as the students have entered the dungeon classroom. In the front of the room is a wooden table that has a small cauldron propped in the center.
The girls have pushed to be in the front vying for the best spot to watch the 'handsome blonde professor' in action as if they were cats in heat
The potions master, not disturbed by the amorous looks of the female students asked "now, who can tell me what this is?"
Hermione raised her arm and waited to be called.
"Amortentia sir" she answered when he pointed a slender aristocratic finger in her direction. It was not like anyone else was raising their arms
"Thank you miss" He said smiling his megawatt smile that made the female students to swoon and Sebastian's nose flare at disgust. It was like Lockhart once again.
"Granger sir" she answers gaining a healthy blush that increased to human tomato as she tried and failed hiding it in her hair
"Miss Granger ten points to Gryffindor" he announced going back to his place in front of the class
"Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the world. It is distinctive for its mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam that rises from the potion in spirals."
He said picking up a vial and opened the stopper to show the students "Amortentia is supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us."
"What do you smell Miss Granger?" he asked again causing the female crowd to glare at her as she stepped on the front.
"I smell something musty and... new parchment and... old leather sir." She answers stepping back
"Very well, who else would like to try?" he asked and the whole female population of the class lined up to take a smell.
Sebastian scoffed and rolled his eyes as the dimwits described smelling the forest and pines while looking, and some even winking suggestively at the professor.
"You say most powerful; will it make another love you?" a male ravenclaw student asked beside him
"Amortentia doesn't really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession and as such; It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion in this room" the professor answers.
"For your assignment; a parchment detailing what you believe is the most powerful potion and explain the significance of each ingredient to be passed next meeting. Class dismissed" he announced
The female students milled around the room probably undecided whether missing lunch altogether is worth the extra moment with the potions master.
The calling of food was of course the stronger force with the weasley boy and in extension, Potter and the reluctant Granger
"Mr. Prince a moment please" the man called out as they were walking out of the room. Walking around the gaggle of admirers who decided that his company is much more desirable than lunch
"I have received a glowing recommendation on your exceptional talent in potions and would like to award you an internship" the professor began as he sat in his office.
He looked around the cozy room. The heavy oak furnishings around the office match the man.
"It will entail work of course and some weekends in the laboratory but I believe it would be in your best interest to accept" the potions master added
Sebastian did not know how to one hand, he will have an access to the laboratory and in extension; the dungeons and possibly his personal stores without raising suspicion. On the other, he will have less time with his studies and personal research
"I understand that you need some time to decide. It will be a yearlong commitment after all. I will give you until next meeting to make decision"
"Thank you professor. I am honored that you think of me first. I will give it a lot of thought" he said giving a small bow
Divination could have gone better if Potter know how to shut his mouth but as it is, the young celebrity had chosen the subject to provoke the already livid Dolores Umbridge
"He is alive I'm telling you!" The boy insisted for the fifth time as if saying it enough times will make his words more believable and not like ramblings of an attention deficit child the ministry and the daily prophet make him out to be. Being headstrong certainly is not helping his cause.
"Now Mr. Potter you must know better than to spread lies to the student population" Dolores Umbridge chided smiling at the other students and the expectedly distraught divination professor.
"It is the ministry that is spreading lies. Voldemort is alive I saw him myself he killed Cedric" Harry shouted
"Enough!" she answered in a loud voice that emphasized her toad like face; temporarily losing her sweet facade "Mr. Potter we will talk about your uncomely behavior" she nodded to the professor to continue and sat back into her frilly pink seat.
By the end of the subject, it is not a farfetched guess that Professor Trelawney failed the evaluation by the cause of mishandling his young charges. Harry also gained another series of detention
As the adult in the group, Sebastian decided to accompany harry as he received his detention sentence; telling Hermione and Ron to go ahead
While the two were being briefed or more like harry was being castigated in the DADA classroom; in another part of school Hermione was to be surrounded by a group of girls from ravenclaw and slytherin houses. Ron had gone to the quidditch pitch to practice so she decided to go to the library using one of the lesser used hallways.
"My who do we have here... our little show off" Pansy Parkinson , a well known slytherin student and the leader of the group said crossing her arms
"Let's give her something to show off" one of the girls said nastily behind her as they cast the conjunctivitis curse
Hermione's eyes suddenly swelled and shut that she cannot see properly who said what.
"Suits you right. Big eyes to match your bucktooth." another added as they cackled.
Sebastian heard the commotion before he saw it. Three slytherin and two ravenclaw girls were surrounding a lone Granger. The Weaseley boy seriously needs to evaluate his priorities. Safety of your comrades should come second to personal safety and not that bloody sport he insist on joining.
Two of the students moved aside to reveal her swollen eyes filled with hate. He saw her hands clenched in anger. He is familiar with that feeling.
"You will apologize to the lady." Sebastian said coldly emphasizing each word to leave an unspoken threat.
"Or what?" the Pansy challenged
"You will learn how the Prince family earned the respect given to them" he drawled lowly like a bloodhound going for the kill.
For a slytherin, the girl has cheek and more importantly no idea of threats and sense of subtlety. He could also see the lack of important connections and barely two brain cells to rub together when she failed to get what he said. He did see the malicious look she gave him. Merlin, his eye twitched. She will be another Umbridge
"See you later... Chipmunk" The girls scoffed and walked away
Sebastian withdrew his wand to teach the moronic dunderheads a lesson when his sleeve was pulled
"Don't" Hermione said gently
He sighs. They deserve to receive a good hexing but she is correct. Not now; they would get off too easy.
"Come" he said leading her to madam pomfrey
A bottle of oculus potion later, they were released by the concerned mediwitch who told them off for being in the infirmary too often.
As the duo walked back to the tower She insisted and made him promise that they not tell the others of what have conspired earlier as she is feeling normal already. In hindsight; that would also mean he would not be restrained with getting some needed respect
"This won't do. We have to do something" Harry said as they convened in the Gryffindor common room.
"I agree. Professor Umbridge would not teach us anything" Hermione agreed and in typical Granger manner added "what will we answer for the O.W.L.S? We still have to prepare for the N.E.W.T.S"
"Then we have to take it to ourselves to learn how to defend ourselves" Sebastian declared looking pointedly at her yet ignoring the last half of her speech
"But how?" Ron asked popping a piece of tart in his mouth.
Merlin does this boy even stop eating? And where does it all go? Not in his lanky body surely Sebastian wondered as he became distracted by the constant jaw movements.
"First we need to find a place to practice where Umbridge won't find out." Harry said to his co-conspirators
"The Shrieking Shack?" Ginny suggested
"It's too small." Harry answered thinking about the dilapidated state of the haunted shack
"Forbidden Forest?" Hermione tried
"Not bloody likely!"Ron objected remembering their previous run in with the spider like beings
"Harry? What happens if Umbridge does find out?" Ginny asked suddenly scared
"Who cares? I mean, sort of exciting, isn't it, breaking the rules?" Hermione said giggling at the anticipation of danger.
It was probably right that she does. A weak ally is only a liability in the long term
"Who are you, and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" Ron teased pleasantly surprised at his normally uptight friend.
"I think Miss Granger earned a... Taste for danger do you not?" Sebastian concluded
"I'm still me Ron" she answered elbowing him then a light bulb moment came upon her "There is a place where we can meet. Somewhere in the castle that would provide us with what we need" Hermione said
"I have heard about that place..." Sebastian answered. Pausing a bit to emulate thinking "Is that the room of requirement?"
"Yes but how did you know?" the Insufferable know-it-all asked
He was saved from answering by a missive sent by Dumbledore.
"I have to go... the headmaster waits"
He excuses himself picking his robes and walking to the door
"Headmaster" Sebastian said giving a curt nod and continued standing.
It was all a game to the old man. One that he had played along for years with both masters. It is all about power and information. You are only invited to sit when you are needed to stay.
"Why haven't you told me my boy?" Dumbledore demanded clasping his hands in mock prayer
"I am afraid you have to be more... specific" he said in a monotone. Emotions are a breeze to manipulate for the man.
The headmaster fancies himself as a leader of the light but all he really does is play wizarding chess with live pawns in the name of greater good
"The punishment. She has used the red quill" the headmaster sighed palming his face
Severus did not know who the informant is but he had a nagging suspicion it was the spectacled boy
"It was only one time and I have looked after the children" he assured the old man "We have made an arrangement... the punishment she have to administer will be replaced with lesser ones" he added
Wherever the headmaster is while the punishment is doled or whether the old man would have interfered himself if Severus had not used his family name first is none of his business but he cannot help the nagging suspicion that Dumbledore would have let others fight for him.
"Very well," Dumbledore said in dismissal.
At this, he usually walked out of the room and took his billowing walk to the dungeon but he remembered another topic of interest.
"And before I go." he interrupted headmaster "Mr. Potter have been having nightmares lately. Tell poppy to give him some dreamless sleep potions"
"You have private stores"
"I'm not sure if you missed... it but Gryffindor and slytherin dungeons do not mix"
"Why Severus are you afraid of some snakes?" the headmaster taunted. His eyes twinkling under the half moon glasses
"Do not... call me that" he said as his nose flared and gritted his teeth deciding to get out rather than let the headmaster have a rise out of him
"Then prove it" the headmaster challenges at his retreating form
"Blasted old coot, blasted school filled with starry eyed dunderheads and illusionary facade" He muttered under his breath as he walked back to Gryffindor tower.
Why did he have to sell his soul for an unfulfilled promise?
Had he known that the man would use the bloody babe to bribe him to stay he would have took the boy, his dad's face be damned; ran away to the hills and never set foot in the school again
Would have saved the world a few more souls to damn. It's not like the Dursleys did a good job of raising the child either. How the headmaster allowed the boy to be abused for so long yet call him to greatness is a conundrum.
Sometimes he thinks that one of the reasons he still served the dark lord is because the insane man had more reason. Lord Voldemort may not be on the right side but at least the dark lord is honest in his determination to exterminate all muggles and muggle borns. Albus Dumbledore on the other hand is another story.
"Sebastian" harry asked in the darkness as they lay in the dorms.
Seamus Finnegan has exchanged beds with him since his falling out with Harry and Ron. The two were more than happy at the switch and did not let him forget it by wishing him good night every bloody night since.
"Yes?" he answered half awake. The dreams had just started pulling him in.
"I really messed up didn't I?" the boy wondered.
Sebastian thought of the words Harry had said earlier. It was indubitably caused by his abrupt surge of emotion.
"Since I consider you as somewhat of an... acquaintance; I will keep the acerbic comments at a minimum." he muttered "Yes you did. I almost stood up and clapped at your idiocy" he sneered in his usual manner
"Glad to hear I got your approval"
"And harry"
"Hmm" the boy replied sleepily
He had the heart to tell the boy to use words and not braying sounds when talking to people but decided against it until the boy is attentive enough to listen and take heed. He would not want to waste his voice by telling the dunderhead twice. He too is feeling sleepy after all
"About the nightmares; I have them too." he said after a short pause.