The Draught of Living Death

Night.

"Huff... huff..." Jerry jolted awake in his Slytherin dormitory once again. Ever since he had looked into the Mirror of Erised on the fourth floor last week, the same nightmare had plagued him.

After running into Dumbledore on the fourth floor that night, he had known it was a trap set for him.

Dumbledore had probably been waiting for him to sneak out after curfew all along.

So the moment Jerry saw the Mirror of Erised, he kept telling himself that no matter what appeared in it, he had to pretend he saw his family and look both wistful and sad.

Jerry knew Dumbledore would not use Legilimency on someone lightly.

As long as his act was convincing enough, Dumbledore, given the kind of man he was now, would not take any dangerous action against him, even if he had his doubts.

As it turned out, Jerry was right.

Jerry had not actually seen anything in the Mirror of Erised. He had not even seen his own reflection.

From where he stood, the mirror was shrouded in a terrifying black mist. He could not make out a thing.

That mist clearly was not something a respectable wizard ought to have. Jerry was puzzled himself. His deepest desire was not Nai... (cross that out). It was not power or knowledge, either, but a strange black mist.

Did I have some weird hidden kink?

Jerry had always considered himself a polite, refined, sunny wizard. He held such splendid titles as outstanding Hogwarts student, Snape's foremost personal apprentice, and Slytherin's most dashing lad.

So he would never tell Dumbledore about his deep-seated longing for that evil, terrifying black mist. Dumbledore would surely take him for a budding dark wizard.

Dumbledore had already cultivated one Voldemort. He would never allow a second to appear.

Jerry had thought that if he kept quiet, the whole thing would pass, and he would not have to dwell on what had happened.

But the ordeal that would nearly break him had only just begun.

Since that night, Jerry had fallen into the same dream almost every night. He dreamed he was in a world shrouded in black mist. Everything around him was indistinct, and even the ground beneath his feet lay in darkness.

The dream felt so real. He could clearly feel the terror, oppression, and suffocation the mist brought with it.

If he had not known what kind of men Dumbledore and Snape were, Jerry would have suspected they had cast a spell on him or secretly drugged him.

Noticing how listless Jerry had been lately, Hermione asked worriedly, "Jerry, what's wrong? You always look exhausted."

"It's nothing. I just haven't been sleeping well lately. A little more rest and I'll be fine. Come on, we don't want to be late for class."

That afternoon, Slytherin and Gryffindor had Potions Class together.

"Jerry Green, stand up. Tell me, what color is Veritaserum?" Snape asked, walking over to Jerry.

"Colorless, Professor."

Snape glanced at the dark circles under Jerry's eyes. "Mr. Green, did you not sleep last night? Don't tell me you were sneaking out after curfew. As your Head of House, I feel obliged to remind you that it is against school rules."

Jerry rubbed his face, trying to wake himself up. "No, Professor. I just haven't been sleeping well lately. A bit of insomnia."

Snape glanced at Hermione, who sat beside Jerry looking worried, and said without expression, "Come to my office after class."

After class, Jerry said goodbye to Hermione and went to Snape's office. He knocked and entered to find Snape brewing a potion.

Snape saw Jerry standing in the doorway, looking listless, and said coldly, "What are you standing there gawking for? Come chop the Asphodel Root."

At Snape's words, Jerry set down his textbook, picked up the knife on the table, and began chopping.

Before long, Jerry had finished and handed the chopped root to Snape.

"Do you have a Troll's brain? Can't you see I'm busy? Put it in the Infusion of Wormwood beside you."

Jerry: "..."

"Mr. Green, a question for you. Do you know what potion I'm brewing?"

Jerry studied the ingredients around him for a moment, then ventured, "Is it the Draught of Living Death, Professor Snape? But the quantities don't seem right."

"You are correct. It is the Draught of Living Death, though its subtleties are beyond your brain. I assume you know what to do next?"

Ignoring Snape's jab, Jerry took a Sopophorous Bean from the nearby table, crushed it with the flat of his knife, and squeezed out its juice. He quickly added it to the cauldron still heating beside him, and the potion immediately turned pale lavender.

Snape came over and watched him work. "I didn't expect you to know to crush the Sopophorous Bean with a knife to extract its juice. Not bad. A little better than a Troll's brain."

Jerry: "..."

Jerry had not been left speechless this many times in years, let alone in a single visit to Snape's office. If you can't give a compliment, don't try.

Snape ignored Jerry's silence. He picked up a spoon and stirred the potion seven times counterclockwise, then once clockwise. It immediately changed from pale lavender to pale pink.

"You're amazing, Professor!" Jerry could not resist a little flattery after watching Snape work.

Snape ignored him. Once he had finished, he asked sternly, "Mr. Green, I want the truth. Have you really not been sneaking out at night?"

"Of course not, Professor. I never break school rules."

Snape gave a cold snort. "I hope you're telling the truth. If I find out you've lied to anyone—and I mean anyone—I will see you expelled from Hogwarts."

"Bottle the Draught of Living Death and take it with you. Remember, no more than a little under half a stirring spoonful at a time."

Jerry was astonished. What had gotten into Snape today? Was he ill? Feverish? Had his brain fried? Why would he be so kind as to brew a sleeping potion just because Jerry had not been sleeping well?

If the other Slytherin students heard about this, they would think they were still dreaming!

Jerry looked at Snape in confusion. "Professor Snape, are you sure?"

Snape could not help snapping when Jerry dared question him. "Idiot! What are you still standing there for? Do you expect me to bottle it for you too? Hurry up, then get out of my office!"

All right. Snape was still the Snape Jerry knew!