Harry and Ron turned their heads slightly and exchanged terrified looks.
They immediately realized that when they had returned to the castle earlier, class had happened to end as well. Snape had probably heard every word of their casual conversation.
"I..." Ron opened his mouth, but could not force out a complete sentence.
"We were telling the truth!" Harry took a deep breath and met Snape's eyes directly. "This Potions exam really wasn't difficult, and the practical exam this afternoon was the same!"
"The potions I brewed might not earn an 'E,' but I could at least get an 'A,' instead of getting 'P's every time... or some 'P+++' someone made up!"
He glared at Snape, deliberately stressing the words when he mentioned the "P+++" grade he had repeatedly received in the end-of-year exams.
Hermione bit her lip and gathered the courage to speak as well. "Professor Snape, Harry and Ron are telling the truth. The Potions paper in this O.W.L. exam really wasn't that difficult overall."
"Th-that's right! Hermione and Harry are right!" Ron practically shouted, his neck turning red.
Snape's gaze slowly settled on Harry as he drawled, "I see..."
"As a Potions professor, hearing a student speak with such confidence and guarantee that he can at least earn an 'A' in Potions should be gratifying, no matter what."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all widened their eyes at once, obvious disbelief showing in them.
Was that really something Snape would say?
"But I recall..." Snape abruptly changed his tone, hissing like a venomous snake, "your Head of House is Professor McGonagall, isn't she? And she teaches Transfiguration..."
"If you fail to achieve decent results in your Transfiguration exam instead... I imagine Professor McGonagall will be very, very disappointed..."
"To prevent such an unfortunate occurrence..." A cold smile touched