18. Seamus grinned

At lunch everybody talked about their classes and what their favorite one was. They would have Charms, History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts tomorrow. Harry was really looking forward to double Potions after lunch.

"There goes the bookworms," Weasley sneered as they left the table to head to the dungeon. "You know what they say about Ravenclaw's, don't you?" He asked Thomas and Finnigan who were walking with him.

"No, what?" Seamus grinned.

"They say they have to look in a book to see how to wipe their bums after they take a dump!" Finnigan and he cracked up, laughing hysterically. Dean Thomas looked embarrassed as if he wanted to be anywhere else but with those two.

"You know what I heard about Gryffindors, Weasley?" Greg asked. "They're too stupid to know how to wipe their bums and have to ask somebody to do it for them."

Weasley's face turn bright red in anger and it looked for a minute as if he was going to fly at Greg and punch him, but the other boy's size gave him pause.

"I guess he's not as dumb as he seems," Vince said to Greg.

Harry already knew his dad would make a startling entrance into the Potion's classroom. Severus came in, slamming the door and standing, watching the students jump before he strode up to the front, his cloak billowing out behind him. "You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making. As there is little foolish wand waving, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will 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 – if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."* He picked a roll of parchment and began calling out names. When everybody was accounted for, Severus began firing out questions.

"Miss Granger, what would I get if I added powered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"A powerful sleeping potion called the Draught of Living Death," Hermione answered confidently.

"Good. Ten points to Ravenclaw. Mr. Crabbe, where would I find a bezoar?"

"In the stomach of a goat, sir."

"Good. Ten points to Hufflepuff."

"Mr. Potter-Snape, what's the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"They're the same plant, Professor. It also goes by the name aconite."

"Good. Another ten points to Ravenclaw."

Severus sorted them into teams of two. He put Neville with Harry, knowing the boy didn't have a lot of confidence. "This will be a permanent arrangement for the entire year." He waved his wand and brewing instruction appeared on the board. "This is a simple cure for boils. Do not add the porcupine quills until you have taken your cauldron off the fire."

As the class brewed the Boil Cure Potion, Severus walked around the classroom peering into cauldrons and checking the students' progress. They all seem to be doing well and Severus congratulated himself on his decision to partner the houses.

"When you are finished, please decant your potions into vials, put your names on the label, and bring it up to my desk."

After all the students had brought up their sample vials, Severus said, "Please spend the remaining time reading the next chapter. I want three feet of parchment on the uses of Siamese Sipapodds in potions, due on Friday. Please use specific examples in your essays."

When the second hour was up, Severus dismissed the class and called, "Mr. Potter-Snape, please stay behind if you would."

"I'll see you at dinner," Harry called to his friends.

"You and Mr. Longbottom did very well on your potion," Severus remarked as Harry followed him into their quarters. Severus called Blinky and requested tea and biscuits.

"Thanks, Dad," Harry said. "I think Neville could be really good at stuff, but he doesn't have a lot of confidence I don't think."

"Not surprising," Severus replied as he poured the tea. "He has been raised by his paternal grandmother, Augusta and she is quite the stern matriarch. I think unfortunately she sees Neville as she wishes him to be and not as he really is, but it is good you have become his friend."

"He's really nice and he knows a lot about Herbology. In that class he seems like a different person than he does in our other classes."

"Perhaps Professor Sprout can help him in becoming more confident along with you and your other friends. I noticed the Weasley's talking with you at breakfast this morning."

"They wanted to let me know they weren't gits like their brother. Fred and George were really funny and Percy seemed a little …I don't know."

"Pompous?"

Harry laughed. "Yeah, but he's still nice."

"The older Weasley's are. They don't hold the same house prejudices as their younger brother seems to. What did you need to talk to me about?"

"I had a dream the night before last …"

"A nightmare?"

"No, but it was weird. You were seeing me off on the Hogwarts Express, but it just looked like a regular train; it wasn't anything like the real one. You were standing waving at me as the train pulled out and mum was standing right beside you waving too. She looked just like the pictures you showed me." Harry paused and looked confused. "I didn't see James though. He wasn't there and I wondered why. Wouldn't he have come to see me off?"

"Do you know how I knew where to find you when I bought you your Hogwarts letter, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "How?"

"Your mum came to me in a dream and told me where to find you and even showed me a picture of the where you were."

"She did?"

"Yes, she told me your aunt and uncle were not treating you right and they were not going to let you come to Hogwarts. It is entirely possible that she would come to see you off to Hogwarts with me."