Chapter 8 - Potions (1/2)

”Look at the stars, observe their movements and revel in their glory-”

Arty flipped a page.

”There are an assortment of plants in the world. Some will heal, others will harm-”

Arth took out another book.

”I am your charms teacher-”

Arth scribbled something in his book before flipping the page.

”Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned-”

Arth put the book back into his bag before taking out another one.

Before he could start reading, someone took his book. Arth frowned. ”Can you give me my book back?”

Daphne stared at Arth with a disbelieving gaze.

”. . . . Are you not going to pay attention during class?”

Arth tilted his head. ”But I was paying attention?”

”While reading during all of your classes? I don't think so. What are you going to do if you fail all your classes?”

Arth rolled his eyes. ”I won't fail and I am listening.”

Daphne scoffed. ”Imagine if you got caught by Professor McGonagall? You would've been murdered. . . . How did you manage to read in her class without getting spotted?”

Arth shrugged. ”I don't really know either.”

”Hmmm,” Daphne with a suspicious look, ”All right, then. Keep your secrets. What class do we have next?”

”Double block potions,” replied Arth.

Potions lessons took place down in one of the dungeons. It was colder here than up in the main castle, and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the walls.

Snape started the class by taking roll and paused at Harry's name.

”Ah, Yes,” he said softly, ”Harry Potter. Our new celebrity.”

Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands. Daphne poked Arth in the side before mouthing out ”drama”. Arth just rolled his eyes and took out a book.

”You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making,” Snape quietly muttered. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word. Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. ”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 human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses.... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.”

More silence followed this little speech and Arth flipped the page.