The Potions classroom was its usual dimly lit self, the air thick with strange and pungent odors. And there, as always, stood Severus Snape, his face a mask of perpetual gloom. So many years wasted, overlooked for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post only to see some washed-up old coot "respectfully" invited back... Resentment churned within him, and it inevitably spilled over onto his students, whom he considered no brighter than trolls.
Especially Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter! The nerve they had, waltzing into his Potions class late!
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy," Severus Snape's voice dripped with a false calm that sent shivers down their spines. "Do you believe yourselves so special that my class is beneath your notice?"
He continued his tirade. "I assume you both received Outstanding marks in Potions last year, yes? Speak up! Why are you silent? Ashamed to address a Potions professor incapable of teaching you?"
"Uh… Professor Snape," Harry ventured, "I actually did get an O in Potions last year."
"Silence, Mr. Malfoy! Are you the professor, or am I? When your potion-making surpasses my own, then you may address me so!"
"…"
Malfoy wore an aggrieved expression. He tells me to speak, then berates me when I do! Should I speak or not?
Harry shot Malfoy a look of pity. Hasn't he realized? Snape just wants someone to yell at.
The rest of the class sat hunched, heads bowed, terrified of attracting Severus Snape's ire.
Severus Snape seemed to regain a measure of control. "Very well, let us return to our lesson. Oh, but before we do, I assume you two believe yourselves exceptional?"
"No! No, Professor..."
"Silence! You will speak only when spoken to. And your homework will be doubled."
"…"
Harry and Malfoy were practically in tears.
"Pfft."
Someone snickered, and several students stifled their laughter, faces reddening as they tried to contain themselves. Who dared to break the tension?
"Oh? Another 'potential master' who thinks I'm wrong?" Severus Snape scanned the room with a glacial stare. "Since you harbor doubts about my methods, perhaps you would care to enlighten me..."
His eyes landed on Cassandra Volle, who was biting back a smile.
"…"
Severus Snape paused, adopting an extremely authoritative tone as he reprimanded her. "Miss Volle, disrupting your classmates is unacceptable! Even if you cannot control your mirth, please do so silently!"
There's no reasoning with her; her influence at Hogwarts is even higher than Dumbledore's. Even the proud Severus Snape wasn't immune to being "reprimanded" by her!
"My apologies, Professor," Cassandra Volle said smoothly. "I will endeavor to be more discreet."
"See that you do." Severus Snape nodded curtly, then resumed his assault on Harry and Malfoy.
After yet another barrage of abuse, Severus Snape declared, "Such audacity, skipping class! I shall report this to the Headmaster." He then instructed Harry and Malfoy to join the lesson.
The two naturally dared not disobey. As they trudged to their usual seats, they found that all but one up front were taken.
The middle seat in the front row… meaning they would be subjected to Severus Snape's full attention for the duration of the class.
"…"
With no choice, Harry and Malfoy glumly took their seats, faces like thunder.
Severus Snape shot them a final glare but said nothing, proceeding with the lesson.
But soon, something else occurred that reignited his fury.
Harry and Malfoy had forgotten their textbooks.
Severus Snape knew they had been rushing, and it was perhaps understandable in the circumstances. But he was still beside himself with rage. How could they be so utterly incompetent?! If it were the clever and adorable Cassandra Volle, such a blunder would be impossible!
The anger grew with each passing moment, and without a second thought, Severus Snape unleashed another torrent of insults on Harry and Malfoy—it had become second nature.
After Harry and Malfoy had endured what felt like an eternity of torment, Severus Snape pointed to a bookshelf. "You two, fetch spare textbooks from there."
"Yes, Professor Snape!" They scrambled to the bookshelf.
Opening it, they found two textbooks. One was relatively new, the other old and worn.
"…"
Malfoy, with a grand gesture, clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Scarface, you take the good one. We're practically brothers; I couldn't possibly take advantage of you."
"No! Just give me the rotten one!"
"Alright, I'll take the good one then." Without hesitation, Malfoy snatched the newer book.
Realizing he had been tricked, Harry was speechless.
But what could he do? Severus Snape's eyes were already boring into him. Harry picked up the old book and returned to his seat, head bowed.
"…"
Seeing the textbook in Harry's hand, a flicker of surprise crossed Severus Snape's face. He stared at Harry with a complicated expression, saying nothing.
...
Back in his seat, Harry opened the textbook. On the first page was a signature: "The Half-Blood Prince?"
The Half-Blood Prince? Oblivious to Severus Snape's sudden silence, Harry read on. Who in their right mind would have that name? What kind of delusional person gave themselves that nickname?
"…"
Severus Snape's head was lowered, masking his expression. But the air around him crackled with tension.
"Mr. Potter!"
Looking up, Severus Snape called him forward, his voice deceptively calm. "Tell me, Mr. Potter, how does one brew a perfect bottle of Felix Felicis? I want at least three distinct methods."
"What?!" Harry was bewildered. "Did we even learn about that?"
Malfoy, standing nearby, sensed Severus Snape's anger and could only hope Harry would survive.
Cassandra Volle, in the back, watched Harry and Severus Snape with interest… I'll have to tell Tom Riddle about this later.
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