Time flew by as they studied. Apart from Umbridge making most of the students uncomfortable in her lessons, nothing much happened.
Perhaps because Harry had never clashed with Umbridge head-on, she had not punished him with detention either. For now, he was merely annoyed with her. Snape remained the professor he hated most.
In Potions class on Friday, Harry was distracted as he brewed his potion. In every lesson that week, Umbridge had kept saying, "There are half-human, half-wolf monsters among you."
This had already started some students speculating. If—
"Potter," Snape drawled from behind him, interrupting his thoughts. "Why aren't you putting your Grapp goat blood into the cauldron? Are you planning to wait until the potion is finished before adding it?"
Only then did Harry realize it was time for the next step. He and Ron hurriedly fumbled into action, slowly pouring the orange blood into the steaming cauldron.
"Idiots! I take it you've forgotten what I just told you? Grapp goat blood must be added in two separate portions. Potter and Weasley, failing to pay attention in class! Five points from Gryffindor because of you!"
Harry stopped and exchanged a look with Ron.
He was sorely tempted to spread a rumor of his own: Snape was actually the dangerous half-human, half-beast creature. The man was clearly some sort of half-human, half-bat thing.
"If you're too stupid to understand, why not watch how Behrens does it?" Snape glanced at Will beside them. "Mr. Behrens, come to my office after class."
"Professor," Will said after class. He had not kept Snape waiting, instead following him straight to his office. "Is something the matter?"
"We'll talk when we get there." Snape waved a hand, apparently unwilling to discuss it in the corridor.
From his reaction, Will already had a