"How did Harry Potter get Felix Felicis?" Pomona asked.
"He successfully brewed a Draught of Living Death. Professor Slughorn said a single drop could 'kill' all of us." Ernie Macmillan snorted. "What an exaggeration."
Pomona narrowed her eyes at him.
"You want Felix Felicis too?"
"I heard it's complicated," Ernie said.
"It's extremely complicated," Pomona emphasized. She was about to repot a Blackroot plant when she discovered that the spot where its pot had been was empty.
"Someone..."
"Head of House!" a fifth-year Hufflepuff said breathlessly from the greenhouse entrance. "Headmaster Dumbledore wants to see you."
"Can I borrow your empty greenhouse?" Ernie said. "I want to practice Potions. I can't lose to Harry."
"I thought you two were 'partners,'" Pomona said.
"That doesn't harm our competitive relationship," Ernie said arrogantly.
"You'll be responsible for cleaning it up," Pomona warned Ernie. "And you are not to touch any dangerous plants without my supervision."
"Yes, Head of House!" Ernie said at once, thrilled.
Pomona wanted to give him a few more instructions, but she could not remember what else to say, so she left the greenhouse.
Ernie was the only Hufflepuff in this year's class who had enrolled in Slughorn's advanced Potions course. That was strange. She clearly remembered several students whose chosen careers required Potions certification, and their Potions grades had been quite good.
Then she remembered Severus, who had finally gotten what he wanted: the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He had decorated the place with plenty of "personal flair." Though it was on the third floor above ground, it was as gloomy as a dungeon. Candles had been arranged throughout the classroom even in broad daylight, their light illuminating oil paintings depicting bodies ravaged by all manner of dreadful curses.
He was just like one