The second day of term, Hogwarts Great Hall.
Ron sat on the bench and looked over his timetable again. "This schedule is terrifying! A History of Magic, Potions Class, Divination... Defense Against the Dark Arts is the only remotely interesting class."
The Hufflepuff table stood beside the Gryffindor table. Justin Finch-Fletchley, seated at the Hufflepuff table, said, "Our schedule is pretty decent. The hardest part is the two Potions classes in the afternoon."
"The O.W.L.s are at the end of the school year..." Ron looked at Harry and sighed. "I wonder how Snape is going to torment us..."
Harry understood the look in Ron's eyes. He curled his lip and nodded in wholehearted agreement.
Hermione placed a bookmark in Magical Tuning: Beginner Potions and said, "Then don't badmouth him behind his back!"
She gently closed Magical Tuning: Beginner Potions and held it up before Harry and Ron. "If you're worried about being called on in Potions Class, I suggest taking a look at this."
"Good point!" Ron nodded. "And we've got the whole morning..."
Hermione knew what Ron was about to say. Her eyebrows shot up as she cut him off in rapid-fire speech. "That's A History of Magic! A History of Magic is also a required O.W.L. subject! You should be listening to Professor Binns!"
"Ron, Snape will probably call on me..." Harry sighed. "If you're really worried, then don't sit with me."
Ron still sat with Harry, and Snape did not disappoint Harry's expectations. The moment he pushed open the door, he called out, "Potter!"
"Tell me, when brewing Confusing Concoction, what happens if someone is careless enough to use cooked castor oil?"
Hearing Snape's question, Harry felt a surge of delight. He remembered that this was a mistake he had made before.
More importantly, after that