Potions (1)

September 1994

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Two more days had gone by quickly after Harry's conversation with Hermione.

Though they had not talked anything else related to that subject, but Harry could easily tell that Hermione was thinking a lot in her mind and soon he would be bombarded with her questions.

Also, Harry's relation with Ron had improved or Harry pretended to do so.

As Harry had expected Ron did not apologise and started to act normal. Since Harry was still searching answers, he also acted normal. Although he still maintained his distance from Ron and did not converse with him, more than a few sentences.

Fortunately for Harry, since the day he had displayed his anger in front of Dumbledore, the old coot had not bothered him.

Draco Malfoy had returned to Hogwarts, the next day, but he did not bother Harry.

Another strange thing had happened in Defence against Dark Arts class, with Moody demonstrating the three unforgivable.

Neville Longbottom was scared and panicked to his soul on witnessing the Cruciatus Curse 'Crucio.'

Knowing Neville's backstory, Harry truly felt sorry for the boy.

But what Harry could not figure out was Alastor Moody's behaviour. Though he knew the retired auror to be ruthless and paranoid, the display of the unforgivables and particularly of the cruciatus curse in front of Neville was a bit strange.

And considering his own history with the DADA Professor, Harry felt a tingle in his spine.

Today was the first Potions class of the year and for the first time since his first Potions class, Harry was a little eager to attend the bat's class.

Harry wondered inwardly how would Snape behave after what had happened in their previous meeting?

Harry walked alone in the corridor to reach the dark dungeons and for the first time he felt a sense of belonging to this place.

As Lord Slytherin he felt a small connection with all the snakes engraved and carved on the walls and the darkness accompanying it.

Harry walked calmly and took his seat at the back of the classroom. He was among the first of the few students to arrive.

Soon the students started to fill in. Hermione gave him a small smile in greeting.

Following the students, Snape walked in with his ever dour face and glanced around the classroom in disdain. Though his eyes, lingered on Harry for few extra seconds, it was nothing more than that.

"One more year after and this you would be taking your OWLs and I would not be seeing most of your faces ever again in my classroom," began Snape.

"If you want NEWTs in Potions, remember that I only take students with O in their OWLs and if you want to achieve that then this year is going to be very important."

He snickered, "Even if I am telling you all this, I am myself very clear about how useless you all are. So, I am not very hopeful and neither do I want to see all of you dunderheads after your OWLs."

He then picked up his wand and tapped on the board, "Here is the recipe. Take your ingredients, equipment and start brewing."

"And the ingredients are quite expensive so you all will have only one chance and you all would be working in a group of three rather than a pair."

Harry glanced at the recipe on the board. It was a healing potion, slightly better than basic healing potion, used in deeper and little fatal injuries.

Harry snickered in his mind at the level the education of Hogwarts fallen. For three years, they had brewed nothing more than basic potions and the first slightly advanced potion they would be brewing was termed expensive.

Lost in his thoughts, Harry realised that he was late in collecting the ingredients and forming his group.

Hermione had already been dragged by her roommates and she gave Harry an apologetic smile.

Harry smiled back in response and looked around for possible students to form his group, when he found an interesting duo searching for their third partner.

He approached the duo, "I wonder if Miss. Greengrass and Miss. Davis would be willing to take me in their group."

Both the Slytherin girls were bewildered on Harry's approach and it took few moments for them to form a proper reply.

"How come the golden boy of Gryffindor is approaching the Snake's nest?" Questioned Daphne.

Harry smiled, "It seems I do not have a good image in your house."

Tracey chimed in at the moment, "For all the hate you and your friends have for us, you still ask this question? For three years you have acted like as we were untouchables and now you suddenly approach us?"

Daphne glared at Tracey in response while Harry smiled bitterly, "Though I cannot blame you for how you think, I admit that I had some preconceived notions. But I think we all learn many new things as the time passes. Same can be said to be true for me."

Daphne stared at Harry, "It is definitely true Potter."

She looked towards her right, "Do tell me, are these new things that you learned is the reason for your separation for with your 'dear friend' and 'brave Gryffindor' Ron Weasley?"

Harry followed Daphne's eyes and found Ron Weasley glaring daggers at him and he could very easily assume what the red hair was thinking. About him turning evil.

He ignored the idiot and turned his attention back to the Slytherin ice queen, "We can discuss all these matters patiently. So, what is your answer?"

Daphne sighed, "Very well, join us. I hope, you are not playing some kind of trick with us. Associating with a Gryffindor openly can make our life difficult, Potter. And if you are playing a trick then I will make your life difficult."

Harry paid no heed to the warning and his voice went a little loud so that almost everyone in the class could hear him, "Oh! I would love to look at the faces who make things difficult for you for being a friend of Lord Apparent of Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter."

At his declaration, the small doubt on Daphne's face disappeared and delight appeared in her eyes.