As Professor Snape wrapped up the theory portion, the students sprang into action, eager not to incur the displeasure of their already foul-tempered professor.
Harley, seated in the front row, rummaged through her bag for the basic ingredients for Potions, while Hermione set up the cauldron.
The two were old partners in all sorts of classes. Unless the professor assigned the groups, they always worked together to complete their tasks.
They had an excellent rapport.
But Professor Snape slowly paced over to them and said in a fairly gentle, normal tone:
"Miss Granger, with your talent, I think you can brew this Potion on your own."
"Always sticking with Harley is a waste of your talent and holds back your progress."
"As for you, Harley, the Shrinking Solution is far too easy for you."
"For this lesson, I want you to consider some additional questions. Why can leech juice be added when too much rat spleen has been used, but using toad blood causes problems..."
Professor Snape quickly raised a few points, then paced away.
Soon, his slow, low voice rang out from the back of the classroom:
"Mr. Longbottom, does your family sell cauldrons? If not, how can you afford to waste them like this?"
"Miss Thraston, are you planning to follow your uncle Orsino Thraston into show business and use Potions to perform a symphony of your own?"
"Otherwise, why is the sound of you chopping daisy roots so wonderfully rhythmic, when the roots you've chopped look as though a dog chewed them up?"
"Professor Snape's in a terrible mood today. Even worse than usual," Harley said softly to Hermione as she fetched her cauldron from the cupboard and lit the fire.
Hermione nodded in agreement, a hint of worry on her face. "Professor Snape's much angrier