The First Potions Class

Then Snape strode up to the podium, step by step. As he passed each window, he gave a slight wave, and the curtains fell shut on their own, making the Potions Classroom even gloomier.

That display was enough to show just how powerful Snape was. Even most Aurors couldn't manage both Wandless Magic and Nonverbal Spellcasting.

Once Snape reached the podium, he swept his gaze across the classroom and spoke:

"Why are you all looking at me? Look at your desks!"

His sharp bark sent every student in the classroom ducking their heads, even the Slytherins.

"On the corner of each of your desks, you'll find a stone. First question: what is it?"

As soon as Snape finished speaking, Wentworth noticed Cassandra raise her hand with a swift "whoosh."

Snape slowly walked over to Cassandra. Just as Wentworth was carefully examining the stone in front of him, Snape suddenly turned and looked at him.

"Wentworth, you answer. What is this stone?"

Wentworth gave a wry smile and grumbled inwardly, Snape, you're not even trying to hide your revenge. It's a shame this body of mine wasn't born with the eyes you like.

Still, Wentworth slowly stood and answered:

"Professor Snape, it's a Bezoar."

Snape continued, "What is this stone used for?"

"A Bezoar is taken from a sheep's stomach. It's very effective against poisons!"

Snape gave no sign of approval or disapproval. "Sit down."

After Wentworth sat, Snape walked back toward the podium and said:

"The Bezoars in front of you were prepared in advance. If any of you are foolish enough to smear something poisonous on yourselves and then regret it, you can use one to counteract the poison. Don't worry, I have plenty of these. Feel free to experiment on yourselves!"

Snape returned to the podium, tapped the desk, and shouted:

"Why are you all looking down? Look at me!"

In an instant, every student in the classroom raised their heads again.

Snape took out a vial of Potions and said:

"This is Draught of Living Death. Who knows what it does?"

As soon as Snape finished speaking, Cassandra raised her hand again, not far from Wentworth. But he noticed that Snape merely glanced at her before turning his gaze back to him.

"Wentworth, tell us. What does Draught of Living Death do?"

Just as Wentworth had expected, Snape had called on him again.

Fortunately, Cedric had given him a crash course the night before, and Draught of Living Death was required material for first-years. Wentworth stood and answered:

"It's a powerful sleeping draught, Professor Snape."

"At least you're not completely stupid."

Snape said it without expression, then gestured for Wentworth to sit.

Once Wentworth sat down, he felt a scorching gaze on him. He followed it and saw Cassandra glaring at him, as if she resented him for stealing her thunder.

Wentworth could only shrug helplessly, trying to show that he hadn't wanted this either!

But to Cassandra, his pursed lips and shrug looked like an unmistakable provocation!

"You two, are you exchanging flirtatious glances in class?!"

Snape's voice suddenly rang in both their ears. They turned and realized that he had somehow appeared beside them.

Wentworth thought, Oh, no. This Old Bat can't stand seeing boys and girls interacting at school!

Sure enough, Snape said without mercy:

"Hufflepuff, Slytherin, five points from each!"

Snape had taken points from Slytherin. Wentworth knew he must be furious by now!

Snape held up the vial of Draught of Living Death again and asked:

"Who can tell me the two most important ingredients in Draught of Living Death?"

Wentworth lowered his head and watched from the corner of his eye as Cassandra seemed about to raise her hand again. She hesitated, perhaps because she had just been reprimanded, and lowered it halfway.

"Cassandra, you answer!"

To everyone's surprise, Snape called on her this time.

Cassandra froze when she heard her name, then immediately stood and answered:

"Powdered Root of Asphodel and Infusion of Wormwood, Professor Snape!"

Snape nodded at her answer and gestured for her to sit before saying:

"Perfect answer. Ten points to Slytherin!"

Wentworth was completely at a loss for words. He finally understood how Harry Potter must have felt in the original story. Even though he knew Snape wasn't a bad person—in fact, Snape's story had once moved him to tears—he couldn't help feeling resentful now.

No matter how annoyed Wentworth was, all he could do was sit obediently and listen as Snape stood at the podium and explained how to brew Draught of Living Death.

Suddenly, Wentworth noticed a pile of old books near the Potions Class podium. Familiar with the original story, he recalled a scene from it, and an idea stirred in his mind.

So, near the end of class, Wentworth seized his chance and quietly tore a few pages from his textbook.

Although Draught of Living Death was potent, it wasn't difficult to brew, which was why it was taught as an introductory potion. Even so, by the end of class, many first-years still hadn't finished making it.

Fortunately, with Cedric's crash course the night before, Wentworth managed to brew Draught of Living Death successfully. Seeing his success, Snape, who had been pacing around the Hufflepuff tables, returned to the podium and sat down without getting up again.

At last, amid Snape's biting sarcasm, the Hufflepuff first-years finished the first Potions Class of their lives, their faces long.

As everyone filed out of the classroom, Wentworth walked up to Snape with his textbook in his arms.

"What, are you so eager to start the training I've prepared for you already?"

Snape looked mildly surprised to see Wentworth approach him on his own, then asked casually.

"Professor Snape, for some reason, a few pages are missing from the textbook I bought. I was wondering if you had any old textbooks here."

Snape flipped through Wentworth's book and sneered at his answer:

"Even a Troll knows to check its weapons before leaving home! Go pick one from that pile over there!"

Snape pointed at a pile of old books nearby.