A new chapter is up.
Come in, get comfortable, and let’s see what kind of trouble waits this time ❤️ ✦ At exactly nine o’clock, Professor Snape appeared in the classroom doorway, dressed in long black robes.
He strode inside, robes sweeping behind him as if the air itself had been trained to follow his displeasure.
Edmund suspected the robe was the same one Snape had worn when visiting him over the summer.
Or perhaps all his clothes looked exactly alike.
Snape passed the students without a word, cold and severe, and took his place at the front.
His gaze swept across the three houses in the room.
It lingered on Edmund for three seconds.
On Harry, it stayed for five.
Snape said nothing.
He opened the register and began roll call.
His voice was not magnetic.
It was low, controlled, and deeply cold.
Even when he read names at an even pace, there was always a trace of mockery in it.
At last, he reached Edmund.
Snape stopped for a few seconds and stared.
Edmund did not look away.
He met Snape’s gaze directly, though there was a hint of apology in his eyes.
When Snape had come to guide him as a new student, he had clearly assumed Edmund would enter Slytherin.
The Sorting Hat had refused to cooperate.
Edmund did feel somewhat bad about that.
After all, he disliked the atmosphere of Slytherin, not Snape as Head of House.
Perhaps Snape understood the message in his gaze.
He said nothing and continued calling the roll.
Then he reached Harry Potter.
He paused again.
“Ah, yes,” he said softly.
“Harry Potter.
Our newest celebrity.” Someone snorted.
Edmund turned his head.
Draco Malfoy and his two followers were covering their mouths and laughing.
When Malfoy noticed Edmund looking, he glared back defiantly.
Edmund ignored him.
Harry and Malfoy could continue their destined rivalry without his help.
He had no interest in sparring with that spoiled child.
Harry looked unsettled by the sudden targeting, though he did not yet know this was only the beginning.
Worse days were waiting.
Snape ignored the small commotion and addressed the class in his slow, cutting voice.
“You are here to learn the precise science and disciplined craft of potion-making.
There will be little foolish wand-waving here, so many of you will fail to recognize the magic in it.” “I do not expect most of you to appreciate the power of a cauldron simmering correctly, the quiet elegance of a properly prepared draught, or the subtle magic that can slip into the blood, cloud the mind, preserve glory, or even hold death at bay.” His words moved through the room like a spell in their own right.
Before the students had fully recovered, Snape struck.
“Potter.
What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” Harry stared blankly.
What was asphodel?
What was wormwood?
Who was he?
Why was he here?
Harry did not answer.
He only looked at Snape in confusion.
Not far away, Hermione’s hand shot into the air.
Snape ignored it.
Edmund watched the scene with interest.
This was the beginning of one of Harry and Snape’s many conflicts.
The question, however, reminded Edmund of a theory he had once read.
Snape’s first three questions could be interpreted as carrying a deeper meaning.
Asphodel, in an old symbolic reading, was associated with regret and the grave.
Edmund found it hard to imagine what Snape felt when he looked at Harry’s face and Lily’s eyes.
Hatred for James Potter, who had bullied him at school?
Guilt over the information that had led to Lily’s death?
As he thought about it, Edmund’s gaze toward Snape changed.
It gained a touch of pity and sympathy.
Snape noticed.
He did not know what Edmund had imagined, but that look made him deeply uncomfortable.
It was the look of someone pitying a wound he had no right to see.
Snape’s eyes shifted and pinned Edmund in place.
“Mr.
Gaunt.
You will answer the three questions.” Edmund blinked.
He had not expected to become part of the entertainment.
Still, he reacted quickly.
“Powdered root of asphodel added to an infusion of wormwood produces the Draught of Living Death, a powerful sleeping potion.
A bezoar is taken from the stomach of a goat.
Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant, also known as aconite.” He answered all three without hesitation, then gave Snape an ingratiating little smile.
Snape nearly choked.
The boy had not only answered.
He had the nerve to smile at him afterward.
Without pause, Snape continued.
“If a potion required shrivelfigs, how should they be prepared?” “Peel them.” “What potion can moonstone be used to make?” “The Draught of Peace, provided it is ground into powder.” “What is the most important difference between the Dreamless Sleep Potion and the Draught of Living Death?” “Dreamless Sleep induces ordinary sleep.
The Draught of Living Death creates a much deeper, deathlike state and is far more dangerous if mishandled.” The other students stared with their mouths open as the questions and answers flew back and forth.
Every one of them seemed to have entered Harry’s earlier state.
Who were they?
Where were they?
What were these two talking about?
Snape drew in a hard breath and stopped questioning.
Then his voice turned poisonous.
“As expected of the blood of House Gaunt.
You are quite prepared to flaunt knowledge you should not yet possess.” Edmund was speechless.
If it was not knowledge he should possess, then why ask?
Unable to find an easy opening against Edmund, Snape turned his venom back toward Harry.
“Did you hear that, Potter?
Clearly not every new student arrives as ignorant and empty-headed as you.” “Look at what other students manage.” “Professor, I-” Harry tried to protest, but Snape gave him no chance.
“One point from Gryffindor for your ignorance.” Then Snape looked at Edmund.
“One point to Ravenclaw.” Immediately after that, he added, “Next time you answer a professor, remember to include ‘yes, Professor.’ Two points from Ravenclaw for impertinence.” Edmund did not speak.
He knew that saying anything now would only give Snape another excuse to deduct points.
The rest of the class hardly dared to breathe.
Snape did not let them off either.
“Why are you staring at my face?
Are the answers written there?
Write them down.” After saying that, he still seemed unsatisfied and added one more line.
“This is the most dismal class I have ever taught.”
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AuroraVale Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you a little deeper into the story.
Stay close, because things are only getting more interesting.