Harley and Hermione walked all the way into the chilly classroom in the basement and found seats in the front row.
Harley actually wanted to sit in the very back row. After all, the professor looked unkempt, so he probably smelled awful too.
And she really disliked that strange look in his eyes, one that seemed able to touch her Spirituality.
But Hermione insisted on sitting in the front row, as close to the professor as possible, saying it was the best way to hear the lesson.
The bell rang, and Professor Snape strode into the classroom, his black robes billowing behind him.
To Harley's surprise, she discovered that he had actually washed his hair!
Professor Snape immediately noticed Miss Potter in the front row and saw the shock in her eyes.
Professor Snape was extremely pleased and gave a slight nod.
At the start-of-term feast, he had noticed that Harley looked at his hair with an odd expression, as if she found it utterly repulsive.
So he had made a point of washing his hair before class today, and it seemed to have worked.
Professor Snape cleared his throat, took out the class register, and began calling roll.
When he reached Harley's name, Professor Snape paused for a moment, then quickly continued.
After closing the register, Professor Snape began his opening speech:
"You are here to learn the precise science and strict art of preparing Potions..."
Professor Snape launched into a long-winded lecture.
Harley listened attentively, unwilling to miss a single word.
Although she didn't think the professor would start with anything particularly advanced, she still paid absolute attention, lest she lose her hope of regaining her strength.
After finishing his opening speech, Professor Snape looked around the classroom, then finally turned his gaze to Harley in front of him.
He paused. Complicated emotions flickered in his eyes, and then he said gently:
"Miss Harley, what would I get if I added Asphodel Root Powder to an Infusion of Wormwood?"
Harley rose to her feet at once:
"Professor, when Asphodel Root Powder and Wormwood are combined, they can be made into a powerful sleeping Potion, whose proper name is Draught of Living Death."
A hint of a smile appeared on Professor Snape's face:
"If I asked you to find me a Bezoar, where would you look?"
"Professor, I'd look in a goat's stomach."
"Miss Harley, tell me, what's the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"
This time, Harley thought for a moment. She remembered that these two kinds of Aconite were quite different on the Northern Continent, but here they seemed to be a little different.
After a brief recollection, Harley answered again:
"Professor, they're the same plant, collectively known as Aconite."
Professor Snape nodded, and his face pulled into an unmistakable smile, as if he wanted to prove how kind he was. But that smile might have been better suited to scaring people:
"Miss Harley, you don't need to say 'Professor.' You don't have to be so formal. Just speak to me the way you would to your fa—... to a friend.
"I appreciate all students who are good at Potions, especially students like you, who studied diligently before the term began!
"You clearly have a real talent for Potions, Harley!
"If I were you, I'd devote all my energy to Potions, because you're destined to become a Potion Master!
"You really remind me of...
"In any case, Miss Harley, absolutely correct! Thirty points to Gryffindor!
"Miss Harley, please sit down!"
The class was shared by Slytherin and Gryffindor, and the classroom was packed with Slytherin students.
Now they all stared with their mouths hanging open in astonishment.
Were they seeing things? Professor Snape never treated Gryffindors like this!
According to the older students, even if a Gryffindor answered every question Professor Snape asked correctly, they'd still lose points for either failing to say "Professor" or for saying "Professor."
Why was Harley allowed to be an exception? Why? Did Professor Snape not love Slytherin anymore?
Professor Snape, however, paid no attention to anyone else and simply began the lesson.
Though it was more accurate to say that he merely read out the recipe before telling the students to try making it themselves.
"Potions is a subject that demands practical work!" Professor Snape shouted across the classroom.
"I have to watch you work with my own eyes to point out your mistakes! There's no other way!"
As he spoke, Professor Snape tapped the blackboard with his wand, and a detailed Potion recipe appeared on it.
Professor Snape divided the students into pairs, and they began brewing a simple boil-curing Potion.
Meanwhile, Professor Snape dragged his long black cloak around the classroom, pointing out the students' mistakes as he went.
But he seemed to stop by Harley and Hermione's group especially often, standing there to watch them.
"Miss Harley, turn the heat up when you boil the horned slugs."
"Miss Harley, you must grind the snake fangs to a fine powder. Your pieces are much too large."
"Miss Harley, you should add more dried nettles here..."
The Slytherin students behind them snickered quietly. So this was the proper script after all.
How could Professor Snape not pick on a Gryffindor?
Malfoy even laughed out loud without bothering to hide it, then said to Goyle beside him:
"Look, that Potter girl clearly has no idea how to brew a Potion!"
"Silence!" Professor Snape spun around and glared furiously at Malfoy.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you think your work is perfect? Have you finished brewing your Potion?"
As he spoke, Professor Snape strode over, scooped up a large spoonful of Potion with a transparent ladle, and held it high.
"Look! At this stage, the finished Potion should be a clear purple. Why is yours a filthy blue?"
"P-Professor," Malfoy stammered, "I haven't finished brewing it yet. I haven't added the powdered snake fangs..."
"Indeed!" Professor Snape drawled in a chilling voice.
"Mr. Malfoy, you haven't finished brewing it. You haven't added the powdered snake fangs...
"And yet you have time to mock a girl—to mock Miss Harley. Her attitude is ten thousand times better than yours!
"How dare you mock her? Get back to brewing, or you'll fail this assignment!"
Malfoy looked as if he were about to cry. This wasn't how the script was supposed to go!
He shot a resentful glance at Harley's back. It's all because of you that my godfather scolded me!
Ron and Dean were brewing a Potion together nearby. Hearing Professor Snape's words, they covered their mouths and snickered.
Who said the professor hated Gryffindor? Look how fair he was—he'd reprimanded Malfoy from Slytherin!
But the two of them soon stopped laughing, because Professor Snape turned to look at them:
"Mr. Weasley, Mr. Thomas, do you find it amusing when I reprimand someone else? Do you think your own work is perfect?
"Talking in class. Ten points from Gryffindor!"
Before you continue