Snape's Sharp Tongue

"Hermione, Snape's finished talking and class is starting!" Jerry said. She still looked a little dazed.

Hermione shook her head, pushed aside her wandering thoughts, and looked up. Snape was already writing potion ingredients on the blackboard at the front.

"Mm." Without looking at Jerry, she gave him a quiet reply, picked up her quill, and began taking notes.

"Jerry Green, could you answer the questions I just asked Mr. Potter?" a voice said behind Jerry and Hermione. Snape had appeared behind them without either noticing. He gripped Jerry's shoulder as he spoke.

"Sorry, Professor. My mind wandered just now. Could you please repeat the questions?" Jerry had been so focused on Hermione that he hadn't heard a word Snape said.

"So Mr. Jerry Green doesn't seem particularly fond of this class. The other professors tell me you're an excellent student who does well in their lessons. What happened today? If you don't know, just say so, like Mr. Potter. There's no shame in it."

"Professor Snape, I—"

Snape cut Jerry off. "All right, all right. I'll give you another chance. What potion do you get if you powder Asphodel Root and add it to an Infusion of Wormwood? Do you know?"

"The Draught of Living Death. It's a very powerful sleeping potion. Is that right?"

The confidence on Jerry's face irritated Snape. "Where would you find a Bezoar? And tell me the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane."

"A Bezoar is a powerful antidote found in a goat's stomach. Monkshood and Wolfsbane are the same plant, both known as Aconite. Did I get that right, Professor Snape?"

"Sit down. You've merely memorized the textbook. It's nothing remarkable. One point to Slytherin. As for you, Mr. Potter, one point from Gryffindor for talking back to a professor."

The Slytherin students cheered.

"Do you all know the answers now? What are you staring at? Pick up your quills and write them down." Snape's words silenced the noisy classroom at once.

"Now, on with Potions Class. Today you'll be brewing a Boil-Cure Potion. It's very simple to make. All you need to do is..."

Snape had a sharp tongue, but there was no denying his mastery of Potions. As Jerry watched him explain and demonstrate at the front, every movement and step flowed effortlessly into the next.

"Put down your quills. Work in pairs and follow the steps I've given you. I'll inspect your potions before class ends."

Jerry paired up with Hermione. They said little as Hermione measured the Dried Nettles and Jerry crushed the Snake Fangs. With their tasks divided, they soon had every ingredient ready and began brewing in the cauldron.

"Simon, put down your wand! And the rest of you fools who weren't listening, put down your textbooks and follow the steps on the blackboard. Harry, has a Troll eaten your brain? You've left out an ingredient!"

"Mr. Weasley, even a Troll would shake its head in pity at the sight of your brain. Use your eyes and read what I wrote on the blackboard!"

Every student in the Potions Classroom got to work. Snape came down from the lectern and prowled between their desks, criticizing students wherever he went. Harry received particular attention. Snape would stop at his cauldron, deliver a cutting remark or two, walk away, then return before long.

Snape inspected Jerry's cauldron several times too. Once, he even picked it up for a closer look. But after calling it an ordinary potion, he left Jerry alone.

My talent for Potions must not be enough to impress Snape, Jerry thought. Still, judging by Snape's reaction, it was enough to get him through the class.

Jerry was just feeling relieved that Snape had stopped bothering him when a bang rang out. Acrid green smoke billowed through the Potions Classroom.

Neville had accidentally melted Seamus's cauldron into a twisted, misshapen lump. Every drop of the potion inside spilled onto the stone floor, leaving scorched marks behind. A pungent smell filled the classroom.

The potion burned holes beyond repair in the students' shoes. Neville had been drenched in it from head to toe.

A series of hisses rose amid cries of alarm, and the whole class scrambled onto their stools. Red, swollen boils erupted all over Neville the moment the cauldron overturned. He cried out in pain.

"Idiot!" Snape snarled. With a wave of his wand, he cleaned the spilled potion from the floor.

Looking at Neville's swollen boils, Snape asked, "Did you put in the Porcupine Quills while the cauldron was still on the fire?"

Without waiting for Neville's answer, Snape turned sharply to Seamus. "Get him to the Hospital Wing, now!"

Then Snape addressed Harry and Ron nearby. "Potter, I seem to recall you're his friend. Why didn't you stop him? Didn't you know how dangerous that was?"

Harry tried to defend himself, but Snape gave him no chance. He simply announced that Gryffindor would lose another point for Harry's behavior.

Harry bristled. Luckily, Ron tugged him back. Otherwise, the Gryffindor students might have found their House Points wiped out that evening. Snape was perfectly capable of it.

An hour later, as class drew to a close, Snape examined the potion Jerry and Hermione had brewed. Without a flicker of expression, he awarded one point each to Slytherin and Gryffindor.

After class, a dejected Harry and Ron came over to Jerry and Hermione. Hermione seemed distracted too, and Harry asked curiously, "What's wrong, Hermione? You earned Gryffindor a point, didn't you?"

"You're usually the first to raise your hand," Ron said. "Why were you so quiet today? You didn't even react when Snape asked his questions. Don't tell me you're afraid of him too!"

Hermione said nothing. She glared at Ron, then left with several books in her arms, her face bright red.

"Hey, what did I say?" Ron asked Jerry, puzzled. "Did you two have a fight?"

Jerry offered no explanation. He said goodbye to them and hurried after Hermione.

"Harry, what's with those two today?"

"I don't know either."

"Class is over. Why are you two still here? Do you want to stay and clean the classroom?" Snape's voice suddenly sounded behind Harry and Ron. Startled, they snatched up their books and ran.

Snape ignored them. He watched Jerry and Hermione walk away, a thoughtful look on his face. The sharp coldness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep tenderness.