Chapter 10 - First week at Hogwarts part 5 (2/2)

Ron got angered after getting fooled by Malfoy and getting lectured by Hermoine.

Just then they heard footsteps and a voice, ”who's there?”. To escape him, in a panic they ran and somehow ended up at forbidden corridor of the 3rd floor inside a room with a giant Three-headed dog.

The next day, Malfoy was surprised to see both of them during breakfast. he thought they would already get expelled or hear the news of them losing a huge chunk of points but nothing he expected has happened.

Meanwhile, Neal who was oblivious to their situation asked Daphne, ”there are no classes during the weekend. Do you have any plans? I don't know what to do in this free time”.

She replied, ”I thought you might have already planned something and just thought of sticking with you”. Then she looked at Tracey, ”how about you?” She replied, ”I'm going for Library. I need to complete Transfiguration homework”.

Suddenly Malfoy buŧŧed in their conversation, ”how about Quidditch?”. Neal asked, ”our match is tomorrow, right?”. Malfoy replied, ”today is between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. I heard that Hufflepuff got a new team and brooms”.

Neal shook his head, ”Nah, I rather stay in my room and complete our syllabus”. Daphne sighed, ”well, I guess I'll spend time with Pansy and others then”.

Neal thought, ”maybe I can ask Prof. Snape to lend me ingredients to practice potions. He seems to have a very good impression of me. If it doesn't work, then I have a trump card”. Then he said, ”I decided to practice potions”. Daphne looked at him blankly, ”seriously? Potions out of all subjects?”.

Neal replied, ”well, it is a core subject, after all”. Daphne replied, ”well, suit yourself. I won't join you”. Neal smiled, ”you will, once you realize its uses”.

One of the major reasons is that he can let out Isle free in the classroom while he can practice. Later, he went to the dungeons and went to Snape's office. As he knocked on the door, he heard a voice, ”come in”. he entered the office and looked around.

It was a gloomy and dimly-lit room. The shadowy walls were lined with shelves of large glass jars filled with slimy, revolting things, such as bits of animals and plants, floating in potions of varying colors.

Snape asked, ”what do you want, Slytherin?”. Neal replied, ”Professor, I was wondering if you could permit me to practice potions today”. Snape asked, ”why?”. Neal replied, ”to get better in the subject?.

If ingredients are an issue, I can arrange it on my own somehow but unlike other subjects, it needs supervising”. Snape replied, ”so, basically, you are asking to spend my free time for you, isn't it, Slytherin?”.

Neal replied, ”well, I have a proposal, then. Let's go with give and take. Believe me, you will not refuse it”. Snape asked, ”oh? A deal? Interesting. Finally, you are behaving like a true Slytherin. Go on”.

Neal rolled his left sleeve and revealed a black snake coiled around his arm. He gently patted its head to wake it up. As soon as he touched its head, it woke up immediately and stared at Snape unsure whether he's an enemy or an ally.

Snape got surprised for a second and calmed down and asked, ”Is this your pet?”. Neal nodded, ”yes. Let's make a deal. You teach me various potions and supervise me while I'll give you its venom”.

Before Snape reply, he pulled out a vial from his pocket. Inside of it, Snape saw a dark green-colored liquid. ”Believe me. This is very deadly. According to someone I know, only Phoenix Tears can bȧrėly counter it. As long as you won't harm anyone with it and Isle becomes the culprit, I'm willing to trade it with you”.

Professor Snape who was instantly baited as he was working with various poisons to make a strong antidote which is as strong as Phoenix Tears, took the vial from him. ”On one condition. This trade must be secret from everyone”.

Neal asked, ”even Dumbledore?”. Snape replied, ”except him, of course”. Neal nodded and both shook hands indicating a deal has been made.