Rating:
PG
House:
Riddikulus
Characters:
Harry Potter Minerva McGonagall Ron Weasley Severus Snape
Genres:
General
Era:
The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix
Stats:
Published: 04/11/2005
Updated: 04/11/2005
Words: 534
Chapters: 1
Hits: 909

To Each Their Own

Fourth Rose

Story Summary:
No-one can be good at everything, but everyone is bound to be good at something. A vignette written in honour of Snape's birthday.

Posted:
04/11/2005
Hits:
811
Author's Note:
Thanks to Yella for the beta!


Ron managed to pull Harry aside before they entered the Transfiguration classroom where their exam was going to start in a couple of minutes.

"Harry, listen to me - Fred and George just told me that McGonagall had to leave yesterday evening because her sister is ill and that Snape has been administering the Transfiguration exam for the second-years this morning! I bet he's going to cover for her during our exam, too!"

Harry's face fell. "Oh, bollocks. Just when I thought that the worst of the exams was over after surviving Potions yesterday."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't you get it, mate? Everyone knows that Snape is horrible at Transfiguration - always has been since his first year at Hogwarts! I've even heard that he failed his Transfiguration OWL!"

Harry shrugged. "That's nice to know, Ron, but what -"

"Merlin's beard, Harry, think!" Ron interrupted him impatiently. "This is our chance to get back at him at last! Just pretend that you've made a mistake and turn his hair green or transfigure his nose into a broccoli - I bet he won't be able to change it back!"

Harry stared at him. "Are you nuts? Like I want to fail my Transfiguration exam and be skinned alive by Snape afterwards!"

Ron grinned. "It would be worth the trouble, though, wouldn't it? Come on, Harry, Gryffindors are supposed to be brave - and imagine his face! We can't let such a golden opportunity go to waste!"

"Yeah, well" - Harry hesitated for a moment, pondering the tempting vision of a green-haired, broccoli-nosed Snape and weighing it against the consequences that would undoubtedly be dire. Then Gryffindor recklessness got the better of him. "Alright, let's try it. I'll do the hair, you'll do the nose, OK?"

Ron shook his head. "Better let me do the hair, you know how I suck at vegetables..."

Before Harry could answer, the classroom door opened and a black-haired head poked out.

A head wearing a tartan hat.

"Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, are you waiting for a written invitation before you decide to grace this class with your presence? In with you, the exam is about to begin - and five points from Gryffindor for being late!"

Ron merely gaped for a moment before he rushed to his seat. "Professor, " Harry stammered, "I'm sorry, but - but I thought you'd gone to see your ill sister?"

"She got better. Now do take a seat, Mr Potter, or the exam is going to start without you."

* * *

Two hours later, a group of exhausted students staggered out of the classroom after what had definitely been their most difficult and unpleasant Transfiguration exam ever.

The professor watched them leave, thin lips curling into a self-satisfied smile.

It was true, Severus Snape had always been horrible at Transfiguration, and he would have made a total fool of himself in front of Potter and his gang if they had tried any tricks during the exam.

Therefore, it was just as well that he was also a very adept Potions Master - one of his greatest achievement being an improved Polyjuice recipe which made the potion's effect last for two hours.

FIN