Chapter 7 - First week at Hogwarts part 2 (1/2)

As everyone settled down and waited for Professor Snape, all of a sudden, Prof. Snape entered the classroom as if he's in a hurry.

Just like Prof. Flitwick, he took a roll call after his introduction is over. He stopped at Harry's name and spoke sarcastically, ”ah, yes. Harry Potter, our new celebrity”.

Malfoy along with Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands. He stopped laughing after Neal nudged him and gestured him to stop. Meanwhile, Snape continued to take roll call and stopped at Neal's name. ”Slytherin”.

”yes”. Snape then said, ”Dumbledore told me your situation. Well, as the head of your house, I won't be that strict compared to others. Your pet is allowed to roam here provides that it will not disturb the class.

Neal replied, ”its alright professor. The school and the ministry have allowed it to come with me. That's enough for me”. Snape nodded, ”good, then”. Ron whispered to Harry, ”you see that? Prof. Snape is always partial to his house”.

After the roll call is over, Snape stared at everyone while Ron and Harry are whispering with each other.

He spoke in a low voice and yet everyone in the room heard him perfectly saying, ”As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic.

I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses...

I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach”.

His eyes narrowed at Ron who is still whispering something to Harry. Hermoine nudged him and gestured with her face to look at the front. As he looked towards the Professor, he found Snape is looking at him silently.

Ron felt nervous but then unexpectedly, Snape called out, ”Potter”. As Harry was surprised, Snape suddenly asked a question, ”What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood”.

While Harry and Ron were stumped by the sudden question, Neal and Hermoine's hands shot in the air. Snape pointed Neal, ”Slytherin”. Neal replied, ”they make a powerful sleeping potion known as the Draught of Living Death”.

Snape nodded, ”good, a point to Slytherin”. Once again, he looked at Harry and sneered, ”I guess fame clearly isn't everything”.

”Ok, let's try again. Potter, where would you look If I told you to find me a bezoar?”. Hermoine's hand shot up in the air and she almost stood up just so she could get a chance to answer.

But as Harry was once again speechless, Snape pointed Neal who just raised his hand slightly, ”Slytherin”. Neal answered, ”Bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a Goat and it will save you from most of the poisons”.

Snape nodded, ”good. Unlike someone who only relies upon nothing but fame, it seems you went through the books for once. Two points to Slytherin”. Malfoy felt happy as they earned three points in Snape's class while Harry got scolded.

Harry thought that it will finally stop but at that moment he realized that Snape didn't just dislike him, he hates him. ”Potter, one more last question. What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?”.

While Hermoine's hand is quivering in the air, Harry asked him, ”why don't you ask Hermoine. I think she knows the answer”. As a few people laughed, Snape snapped at Hermoine who stood to answer, ”Sit down”.

He looked at Neal who was writing something and asked, ”Slytherin, what are you doing?”. Neal replied, ”I'm copying down the things you have asked and writing down the answers to them”.

Snape asked, ”so, I guess you knew the answer to the last question?”. Neal answered, ”they are the same plant which is also called aconite”. Snape nodded, ”a point to Slytherin”. Then he looked at all over the class, ”well, why aren't you copying that down?”.

While everyone continued copying it down with their Quills, Snape said, ”A point will be taken from Gryffindor for your cheek, Potter”.

And so, nightmares began for Harry in the Potions class while Neal is enjoying the class as he is receiving far less attention than he expected thanks to Harry.