NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10 Snape’s Potions Class
There was only one Potions class per week, shared between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Everyone was particularly looking forward to it, especially the Slytherin students who arrived early to wait for their Head of House.
However, some Gryffindor students remained skeptical, having heard rumors about the Potions professor's bias toward Slytherin House.
"I have a feeling Professor Snape might target me," Hermione whispered to Glenn beside her in the Potions classroom, glancing behind to confirm Snape wasn't standing there smirking.
The "might" could probably be removed from that statement.
"Well, you did end up in his least favorite house. Just try not to make mistakes or give him any ammunition," Glenn replied while helping Hermione set up her cauldron and other potion-making equipment.
He remained seated among the Gryffindors, even during Potions class, much to the Slytherins' growing displeasure.
Just wait until Professor Snape deals with you!
The young snakes thought viciously, with Glenn's roommate Draco being particularly eager.
To him, it was utterly humiliating for three pureblood Slytherins to share a dormitory with a mudblood Slytherin.
Plus something odd had been happening lately - every morning they'd wake up to find the three of them lying in a row on the floor, with no memory of how they got there.
Strange, I don't normally roll around in my sleep.
Young Draco scratched his head, thoroughly puzzled.
Just as Glenn and Hermione finished organizing their workspace, BANG! The classroom door was thrown open with tremendous force, making all the young wizards jump.
Snape strode in wearing his characteristic black robes, took his place at the podium, and began taking attendance without ceremony.
When he reached Hermione and Glenn, Snape gave Hermione a "friendly" glare. But Harry received the most notable treatment.
Upon reaching Harry's name, Snape's sharp, lifeless eyes narrowed.
"Ah yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new — celebrity."
Hermione's eyebrows rose, sensing there was more to this.
Draco and his cronies "discreetly" snickered, their laughter loud and brazen, while Ron shot them a fierce glare in response.
Glenn had already noticed the animosity between these groups in recent days.
After finishing roll call, Snape surveyed the class with his cold, empty eyes and began his opening speech.
"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 they caught every word — in the silence of the classroom under his commanding presence, every syllable was crystal clear.
"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic," he continued after a pause.
"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..." Snape's voice rose with increasing pride and reverence for his subject.
"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." His tone dropped suddenly, bringing a wave of tension to the room.
After his brief introduction, silence fell.
Glenn and Hermione exchanged glances, sharing small smiles.
The professor hadn't changed.
Just as the students thought class would begin, Snape suddenly turned to Harry with questions.
"Potter! What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Harry appeared stumped, frozen in place, while Hermione's hand shot high into the air.
I know this! Professor Snape, pick me, pick me!
Hermione decided to participate eagerly as usual, hoping to reduce Snape's dislike of them even slightly.
But Snape ignored Hermione's raised hand, keeping his gaze fixed on Harry.
Glenn noticed something odd - did Snape have some history with Harry or his family?
"I don't know, sir," Harry answered.
Snape's lips curled into a sneer. "Tut, tut — fame clearly isn't everything."
"Let's try again, Potter. Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Snape asked again. Harry likely wouldn't know this either, while Hermione's hand stretched even higher, her bright eyes boring into Snape as if demanding to know why he wouldn't call on her.
Draco and his two sidekicks were shaking with laughter.
"I don't know, sir," Harry replied again. The boy clearly hadn't reviewed over summer break, though truthfully he couldn't have answered even if he had - these questions were well beyond first-year Potions material.
Snape let out a cold laugh. "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" He shook his head, appearing "disappointed."
He continued: "What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Harry still looked lost, while Hermione stood up, glaring at Snape.
You called me stupid! Let me show you what I can do!
Let me earn points, you horrible Professor Snape!
Under Snape's dangerous gaze, Glenn quietly pulled Hermione back into her seat.
"I don't know," said Harry quietly. "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?" His voice grew bolder - typical teenage defiance when feeling humiliated.
But what's the point of being defiant about not knowing the answers?!
"Sit down!" Snape snapped at Harry, his gaze sweeping over to Glenn and Hermione. Glenn gestured for Snape to let Hermione answer.
Snape had intended to answer himself to properly chastise Harry, but faced with Hermione's earnest eyes, he hesitated before breaking into a sinister smile. With a sigh, he said, "Very well then, Granger... and Hawthorne beside her, you tell our empty-headed Potter the answers to these questions. I hope you can answer correctly."
What?
Wait, Professor, you're dragging me into this too?
The resentment in Hermione's eyes was practically crystallizing!
Sensing trouble, Glenn quickly stood up: "I apologize, Professor, but I don't know. However, I'm certain my colleague Hermione can provide satisfactory answers."
He simultaneously mouthed words to Snape.
"One week of organizing potion ingredients and textbooks."
Snape clearly understood Glenn's meaning and frowned in displeasure, but acquiesced.
"Well then, Granger, provide the correct answers."
Hermione finally stood up happily and rapidly recited: "Asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death.
A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons.
As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite!"
She caught her breath, looking proudly at Snape.
How was that! I did well, didn't I? I didn't embarrass you!
Give us points!
Hermione stared expectantly at Snape, who curled his lip and looked at her with disdain.
No points were awarded to Gryffindor.
Snape suddenly roared, "Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"
There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment. Over the noise, Snape added, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter."
Hermione and Harry were thunderstruck.
My points???
What?
Hermione gazed reproachfully at Snape, who avoided her eyes.
The rest of Potions class remained treacherous. Snape put them into pairs and set them to mixing a simple potion to cure boils. Besides Glenn, Hermione, and Draco, nearly everyone received criticism from Snape.
At one point, something went wrong with Neville and Seamus's potion. Their cauldron suddenly emitted acidic green smoke with ominous sounds.
The cauldron melted, and the boiling potion was about to splash onto Neville.
In that instant, Glenn quickly cast "Wingardium Leviosa!" The scalding potion froze in mid-air but was still slowly moving toward Neville.
"Scourgify!" Hermione reacted, using the cleaning charm to vanish the suspended potion.
Neville, pale-faced from the shock, gratefully thanked them both.
No joke - as far as he knew, only Glenn and Hermione could have reacted so quickly.
It was impressive enough that the others hadn't frozen in panic.
Come to think of it, they'd helped him several times now.
From now on, you're my big brother and sister!
"Idiot!" Snape snarled. Thankfully Glenn and Hermione had contained the potion, or Neville would have been badly hurt.
He whirled on Harry, shouting, "Potter, why didn't you tell him not to add the porcupine quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor."
What?
My points???
No points for helping a classmate?
Hermione was distraught, continuing to stare at Snape. Seeing he truly had no intention of awarding her points, she let out a small "Hmph!"