Snape's Dungeon

Things stayed interesting over the week. The most recognizable event was Professor Sinistra swooning over the muggle telescope Harry had brought for the Astronomy classes. She had obviously never seen a telescope that got her such a clear and far-away insight into the solar system. When Harry offered to lend her the telescope for her private use when he didn't need it, he earned twenty points for Ravenclaw from the very happy Astronomy teacher. It was obvious that she really loved her subject.

On Thursday, the Ravens had their first Potions class with the Badgers. Many horror stories were told around Hogwarts about the Potions Professor, Severus Snape. Harry was prepared, though; he had read the complete supplementary books he got from the Apothecary, had read the Potions book and reviewed the first chapter on boil cure potions, and marked the critical phases of the brewing. He even lent his books to his fellow Ravenclaws to get an idea of just how useful they would be. Harry knew that eleven orders for the books on brewing techniques and ingredients had gone out Tuesday evening. Rick had also been impressed and cursed that he didn't have those books last year and that nobody had informed him about them. Harry was pretty sure by the end of next week many more orders would reach Miss Ranamis and Flourish and Blotts.

The classroom was in the dungeons, and just as they had been told, the students were present five minutes before the class started to not give their teacher cause to start deducting points. Exactly in time, the door to the classroom was thrown open, and their teacher strode into the room in billowing robes.

Snape, like many others, first tool roll-call and paused a little at Harry's name.

"Ah, yes," He said softly, "our new – celebrity."

Harry didn't react, though. He was used to worse from the Dursleys.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," he began.

He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but like Professor McGonagall he had the gift to keep a class silent without effort.

"As there is a little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe that this is magic. I don't expect you to 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 senses … I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death – as long as you aren't a bunch of dunderheads that I normally have to teach."

More silence followed the little speech. Harry had long since learned to copy the important points of lectures teachers gave, and while he listened, his hand flew over the parchment, jotting down notes.

"Potter," Snape said suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"Powdered root of asphodel is a core ingredient in all sleeping draughts, sir. In combination with an infusion of wormwood that can, depending on the concentration of the wormwood infusion and the other ingredients of the potion either make the Draught of Living Death or the Elixir of Clairvoyance. The first one is the most powerful known sleeping potion; the second one is used to test potential seers through a powerful trance-like state." Harry answered.

"Correct, Potter. Let's see if you are as well-prepared as you seem to be. Where would you look if I told you to find a bezoar?" Snape asked unwillingly, slightly impressed. He had only wanted to know about the Draught of Living Death.

"A bezoar is a stone that can be found in the stomach of a goat and will protect you against most poisons. As you normally don't have a goat available, most potion masters have given recommendations to add one to every basic potion ingredient kit. Still, that recommendation hasn't been accepted by many schools yet." Harry said.

"Indeed. Last question, what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" He asked.

"The difference is that they are different parts of the same plant. Wolfsbane is the common term for the blossoms of the plant, and monkshood is the leaves. Both names can be used for the plant, which also goes by the name of aconite." Harry answered.

"Now, please let your classmates know where you found that extensive amount of information, Mr Potter," Snape said, grudgingly very impressed.

That was not what he had expected from the son of James Potter. That sounded a lot more like Lily when they had started at Hogwarts.

"There are two really useful books called Brewing Techniques and Ingredients 101. They were recommended to me by Miss Ranamis, the owner of a small apothecary in a side alley to Diagon Alley, where I bought my supplies for potions. From there, I got the information on the bezoar and aconite, but they can also be found in 1000 Magical Herbs and Funghi. The information about the Draught of Living Death can be found in our textbook in the introduction, Professor." Harry said.

"Well done, Mr Potter, five points to Ravenclaw for proper preparation for this class. Why are some of you not writing that down?" He asked dangerously. Quills started scratching over the parchment immediately.

"As Mr Potter correctly stated, potions masters recommend having a bezoar in the ingredient kit. It hasn't been made a requirement by the Board of Governors, even though I repeatedly tried to get it on the list, as well as the two books Mr Potter mentioned. If you want to have success in my class, I advise you to get them. Now, divide into pairs and start brewing the potions described in chapter one, a very basic potion used for curing boils. The recipe is on the board, ingredients are in the student cupboard. You have until the end of class to begin." Snape said.

Harry ended up pairing with Sally-Anne Perks from Hufflepuff. With Harry having thoroughly prepared for the lesson, he managed to coach Sally-Anne, who was muggle born and hadn't known about the high demands of Snape, through the steps of brewing and explained the techniques that were used in hushed whispers.

"Now is the critical phase. Whenever you use porcupine quills in potions, always take the cauldron from the fire, or it will explode in your face, Perks." He said.

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