The Severus Snape Saga-Book 1, the Sordid Hat

Chapter 4: Disaster with Dalverry

When Severus awoke the next morning, he wondered stupidly where he was. It certainly wasn't the high vaulted bedroom he had in Casa Serpens and it didn't look like any of the bedrooms of his friends. Just as he was about to panic, the window blew open and he looked out to see the immense Hogwarts grounds stretching before him. With a rush of joy he remembered where he was: HOGWARTS! It was true, he really was at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Everything from the previous night came flooding back: the sorting, the feast, the arrival of Vladimir Dolohov as the flying teacher....

Which made him think for a second. Why was Antonin's father taking on the extra responsibility of teaching flying? It seemed that he had enough work, what with being a school governor and head of the department of magical games and sports. Teaching flying at Hogwarts had to be difficult to fit in. Severus pushed these inquisitive thoughts from his mind and turned around to see that the other beds were empty. Realizing that he'd probably overslept, he hurried on his robes and climbed the stairs down to the Slytherin common room, where he stepped through the snake's mouth and began to ascend the stairs to the Great Hall slowly.

When he got to the Great Hall, he found that basically all of Slytherin house was already awake and that he had overslept at least ten minutes. Hastily taking a seat next to Bellatrix and another girl, he hurriedly helped himself to Bacon, toast, porridge and orange juice.

"Where were you?" asked Bellatrix quizzically.

"Sleeping," said Severus. "I only just woke up."

"A likely story," came an annoyingly high voice from Severus' left. He turned to find himself looking at what he thought at first must be someone who'd taken the Polyjuice potion in order to look like a toad. He managed to prevent his mouth from dropping open and simply asked, "What?"

"I said, it's a likely story that you overslept. Probably sneaking around, mucking up the corridors. Why, I'll bet you went into Hogsmeade while nobody was awake!" she said in the same annoyingly high voice with a tone that suggested you can't fool me.

Severus was annoyed, but before he could say anything Bellatrix had leapt to his rescue. "And how would you know that Sev here wouldn't sleep this late?" she demanded, her voice carrying a dangerous edge.

"No NORMAL person sleeps this late," replied the toad girl as if that settled the matter.

Severus snorted. "Well, I hate to tell you, sweety, but you're in Slytherin. Nobody's NORMAL here. Speaking of which, who are you?"

"Dolores Janet Umbridge is my name, thank you very much. And you're wrong that nobody's normal, why just this morning I was talking to a wonderful gentleman called Antonin Dolohov who seemed to be just as normal as I was," said the toad girl in her same high, annoying tone.

"Did that wonderful gentleman mention that he could do the Cruciatus curse since he was nine years old?" asked Severus indulgently. Then he called down the table "Oi! Ant!"

Antonin looked up with a piece of bacon dangling out of his mouth. He certainly didn't look normal.

"How old were you when you first did the Cruciatus curse?" Severus asked him.

Antonin swallowed his bacon and replied, "Nine." The people sitting near him started tittering excitedly and one of them actually nudged him and introduced herself bashfully. Severus, for his part, looked back triumphantly at Umbridge, whose mouth was now open.

"You see? Nobody's NORMAL here," said Severus, chuckling at how easy it was to prove someone wrong.

But Umbridge was not to be put off. "Then maybe it's time somebody changed things around here," she said dangerously.

"And you're going to do that, are you?" asked Bellatrix, with sarcasm permeating every vowel and consonant.

"If you wanted to be normal, then why did the sorting hat put you here?" asked Severus curtly.

"That's none of your damn business!" snapped Umbridge, and she went back to her porridge muttering greasy haired mop-topped slimeball.

Bellatrix had to fight down a laugh at this and even Severus chuckled a little.

"I'd love to know what her problem is," he said in a low voice to Bellatrix.

"Might be a good idea to offer a reward for finding out," said Bellatrix sarcastically. "Put a notice up in the common room: Ten galleon reward to anyone who can find out why Dolores Umbridge is an interfering cow."

Severus went into hysterics at this, causing several people to look at him strangely.

"Sorry, some git thought it would be funny to put a laughing potion in his pumpkin juice," said Bellatrix, trying desperately to explain Severus' laughter. Then she grabbed him and hissed, "Get ahold of yourself," in his ear. Severus took the hint and managed to shut up.

Then the owl post arrived. Several hundred owls soared through the windows carrying parcels. Lucius received a package of sweets from home which he dug into immediately causing several eyes to become envious. Severus' owl, Imperius, bore only a note identical to one received by Antonin and Lucius. Severus, on tearing the envelope open and reading it found the following:

Mr. Snape,

Your first lesson in the extracurricular activities will take place this Tuesday night in my office. Bring your cane.

Professor Riddle

Severus stuffed the note away while trying to look innocent. Umbridge eyed him suspiciously.

"What are the extracurricular activities?" she asked sharply.

"Reading over my shoulder, were you?" asked Severus angrily, "Don't you give anybody privacy?"

"I just don't think it's right that a student should be receiving such a mysterious letter," said Umbridge coldly.

"None of your business, though, is it?" sneered Severus, "So shut up and if you read over my shoulder one more ti-"

Umbridge had drawn her wand. "Don't threaten me, Snape, or I'll have you in detention for disorderly conduct," she said, tapping her wand on the table to emphasize her point.

"Teacher's pet," spat Bellatrix.

"Maybe I'll just ask Professor Riddle what that note was about, shall I?" asked Umbridge gleefully.

Severus had had it. This kind of interference was going too far. He seized Umbridge's wand, which let out a shower of sparks. He paid it no attention.

"Let go of my wand, you psycho!" Umbridge squealed.

Severus paid her no attention, he pulled her by the collar into his face and hissed "If you so much as breathe a word to anyone about this, I will turn your blood into flames. And if you read over my shoulder again, I'll have you sent to the hospital wing in a matchbox. Clear?" He emphasized his point with a rough jerk of Umbridge's collar, and released her.

He didn't realize, of course, that Professor Riddle had been watching and was staring down at them sinisterly.

"Well, well," he said softly. "What in Olympus' name is going on?"

"Severus Snape attacked me, Professor," said Umbridge in a simpering voice.

"She was reading over my shoulder about something important, Professor Riddle, I thought I'd make sure she didn't do it again," said Severus, hoping, praying that Riddle would know what he meant.

Riddle gave him a stern look which then turned into a very unpleasant smile. "Very well," he said. "Mr. Snape, five points from Slytherin for attacking Miss Umbridge. Miss Umbridge, ten points from Slytherin for being an insufferable busybody, and five points to Mr. Snape for not being cowed by childish threats. Good day."

Professor Riddle swept off. Umbridge looked after him in shock. "How did he know I threatened Snape?" she asked herself. Severus was wondering the same thing, but figured that it would be better to leave well enough alone. Not wanting to deal with Umbridge anymore, he stood up and left the great hall, carrying his book bag with him and glancing at the schedule he'd been handed by Professor McGonagall.

He had Defense against the Dark Arts first, with Professor Corlagon. Setting off into the Hogwarts castle, he suddenly had no idea where he was going. Thankfully, he saw a ghost coming and shouted out "Oi!", hoping that the ghost would know where to go.

To his horror, he discovered it was Peeves, the school Poltergeist. Peeves chuckled and began to sing in a voice which reminded him strongly of Umbridge's.

"Snapey, snapey, snapey!

Hair that's long and snaky!

Face like balls in rugby!

Snape is friggin' ugly!"

Severus ran for it, hearing Peeves sing the same annoying song over and over again while tipping over anything he could find in an effort to halt Severus' progress. Severus was just getting ready to collapse when...

"Peeves!"

Severus looked up in relief to see the Bloody Baron floating toward a terrified Peeves, who bowed very low (if it was possibly to bow while in mid air) and flew off. The baron smiled in a fatherly way at Severus and asked "What's the matter, lad?"

"Thanks for getting rid of him, Mr. Baron, sir. I was wondering if you could tell me where to find the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom," said Severus, once he'd caught his breath.

"Certainly, it's right there," said the Baron, pointing toward a door on Severus' right. Severus walked over to the door and pulled it open.

The Defense against the Dark Arts classroom was large and spacious, with a door in the wall which led down to a long staircase which Severus supposed must be where the teacher entered. But the teacher was already there. Professor Corlagon was placing books on each of the desks, awaiting the arrival of the students. Severus took a seat in the second row, not knowing what else to do.

It took some time for Corlagon to notice Severus, but when he did he smiled broadly and said "Hello there, lad, shouldn't you be at breakfast?"

"No, I ate enough. I figured I'd rather get here as early as possible, Professor. I don't' want to miss this class," said Severus, trying to seem as amiable as possible. He was sure that as soon as Professor Corlagon found out who he was he'd be less friendly.

"And well you shouldn't!" said Professor Corlagon. "You're going to have a very exciting time Mr...?"

"Snape," said Severus, feeling his heart sink.

"Snape?!" asked Professor Corlagon fearfully, sitting down next to Severus. "You're Pravus' boy, aren't you?"

"Yeah, that's right," said Severus, wanting to get it all out.

"Funny, I expected you to be here late," said Professor Corlagon. "I thought that after my little confrontation with your father in Diagon Alley he'd tell you to be difficult."

"No, I'm fascinated with Defense Against the Dark Arts. Especially since..." Severus caught himself, he had almost said "Especially since I'm learning them."

"Yes?" asked Professor Corlagon with a slight sneer, "Especially since what?"

"Especially since you never know when you might need it," said Severus, hoping that would satisfy Professor Corlagon.

"Hmm...well, I'll be interested to see how your Hogwarts career goes Mr. Snape," Professor Corlagon said doubtfully.

He didn't spend any more time talking to Severus, but rather went on distributing books until the rest of the class arrived.

Lucius plopped down next to Severus, as did Bellatrix. Antonin and Rodolphus sat behind and in front of him and Serena sat next to Bellatrix. Slowly the rest of the class filed in and soon the place was a buzz of chatter until Professor Corlagon rapped sharply on his desk and barked "WANDS OUT!"

Everybody dug into their robes simultaneously and pulled out their wands. "Excellent," said Professor Corlagon. "When you enter this classroom I expect you to already have your wands in one hand and your books in the other hand. Anybody who doesn't will automatically lose five points for their respective house. Defense against the Dark Arts is not a trifling matter." He glared at the class as if to say "And I am not a man to be trifled with."

"Now," he continued, "Rather than tell you what we will be studying today, I would like you to turn to page five of the books I have handed out and read. You may write down whatever notes you wish from that page."

There was a scrambling for quills and parchment and the sound of books flying open. When Severus had opened his, he looked at the page and read "What makes a Dark Curse?"

The books were very interesting, as the writer had written things in a dramatic style. Severus had taken about a page of notes when Professor Corlagon barked "Books closed!" When everyone had closed their books (and certain students, including Serena, had been gently discouraged from copying the whole page down verbatim), Professor Corlagon spoke.

"Now, while the book probably gave you an adequate representation of what curses are considered to be dark, I would like to nail the point in even more. Mr. Severus Snape, Miss Bellatrix Black and Mr. Antonin Dolohov, up here if you please!" Severus got up feeling sick. What was Corlagon going to do?

"Mr. Snape, I overheard a discussion at breakfast this morning being perpetrated by Mr. Dolohov and Mr. Lestrange. They claim you are capable of performing the unforgivable curse Avada Kedavra." There was a collective gasp from the classroom. Snape was sick with anger. Corlagon didn't have any right to put it out in the open like this!

"Mr. Snape, I have with me a few rats. I would like you to demonstrate to the class what Avada Kedavra looks like. Once will do."

Corlagon pulled a large rat out of a cage and set it on the table. He then turned to Severus.

"Mr. Snape, would you please kill this rat using the unforgivable curse Avada Kedavra?" he asked, his voice showing more than a hint of sarcasm. Severus reached out his wand toward the rat and, with a sweeping gesture screamed "Avada Kedavra!"

There was a flash of green light which erupted from Severus' wand, and a rush that sounded like bat's wings and a few seconds later the rat lay dead on the desk. Corlagon was looking at Snape coldly.

"Thank you, Mr. Snape, you may sit down."

Severus took his seat again and watched to see what Corlagon would do next.

"Mr. Dolohov, I overheard another conversation at breakfast which alerted me to the fact that you have been capable of performing the Cruciatus curse since you were nine years old," said Corlagon, who had now placed another rat on the table. "Place that curse on this rat if you please, Mr. Dolohov."

Antonin gritted his teeth and screamed "Crucio!" The rat began to roll around, squealing horribly and shrilly. It rolled off the table and came to rest at the feet of Dolores Umbridge, who let out a terrified squeal.

"That will do, Mr. Dolohov, you may sit down," said Corlagon. Antonin walked grimly back to his seat, leaving Bellatrix alone and trembling in front of the class.

"Miss Black, I was alerted at breakfast that you are capable of performing the Imperius curse by none other than a Miss Dolores Umbridge. I would like you to demonstrate that curse on the last rat."

Bellatrix whimpered, but shook her head. "I won't," she said in a small voice. "I won't do it in front of everyone."

"You won't? Miss Black, I am in no mood for games. Fifteen points from Slytherin for disobedience. And it will be fifty if you don't perform the curse now!" Corlagon snarled. Rodolphus stood up, his expression one of rage.

"Leave her alone, Professor," he said.

"Don't give me orders, Mr. Lestrange. Ten points from Slytherin for acting like an autocrat and another ten for standing up out of order," said Corlagon sternly.

"Leave her alone. If she doesn't want to do the curse, don't make her," Rodolphus whispered defiantly.

"Rodolphus, you don't have to do this," Bellatrix said in a monumental display of self-control. Then she turned to Corlagon with a look of hatred. "I'll do it, fine," she said shortly. "Just don't any more points off us."

Corlagon nodded. "Perform the curse now, Miss Black."

Bellatrix caught her breath and then spat "Imperio!" at the rat. Almost instantly it leapt on Corlagon and began to bite his face furiously, squealing with rage. Bellatrix looked wonderfully satisfied with herself and let the rat carry on for a few minutes before removing the curse. Corlagon was livid with fury.

"Sit down, NOW Miss Black. Detention and thirty points from Slytherin."

Bellatrix flashed him an arrogant smile and walked back to her seat. The other Slytherins were muttering discontentedly. Corlagon attempted to salvage his dignity.

"What you have just witnessed these three perform are the three most heavily punished curses in wizarding law. Simply administering them on another person is enough to earn you a life sentence in Azkaban. So why can three first years do it?" Corlagon sneered at the three of them with hatred flickering in his eyes. "Because not all wizards are good. Some of them go over to the dark side completely and among them the most famous names are as follows: Ivan Dolohov, Mr. Dolohov's grandfather, who invented the Avada Kedavra curse. Pierre Black, Miss Black's great uncle, who invented the Imperius curse and last but not least, inventor of the Cruciatus curse and descendant of none other than the dark wizard Grindenwald himself, Pravus Snape. Mr. Snape's father. We are all too fortunate that two of these three wizards are dead. These three are considered by most other wizards to have been the most dangerous and evil wizards alive. Your homework is to research the one of your choice and write a foot of parchment covering all his atrocities and giving at least three reasons why he should be considered one of the most dangerous dark wizards in existence. Dismissed."

Corlagon swept out of the classroom with the parting words "And Miss Black, we need to arrange your detention."

Severus was furious. How dare Corlagon single him out like that and then tell the entire class that his father was one of the most dangerous dark wizards currently living? He already knew that though he had been more than willing to ingratiate himself with Corlagon, Corlagon's hatred for his family was too potent for the Professor to put aside.

Their next class, Charms, turned out to be a great improvement. Professor Vestino, the teacher, actually made a small Puffskein he had brought zoom around the room, land on Bellatrix's head, fly circles around Antonin and then return to the desk completely unharmed. They were all a bit disappointed when he told them that they wouldn't be making things fly for a few weeks yet, but instead put them to work on severing charms, which turned out to be more difficult than they'd expected. By the end of the class, only Serena and Severus had managed to sever the tail on their respective cats. Lucius had also succeeded, but his charm had not been properly painless and the cat had yelped before running off the desk and colliding with the door. Lucius got fined five points for that.

Then came History of Magic. Severus found it a wonder that anyone could concentrate during Binns' horrible class. All the old, wheezing ghost did was drone on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on (rather like this). Severus and Lucius spent the class alternately dozing off and playing hangman until, to everyone's immense belief but Serena's, the bell rang.

As soon as Severus had finished helping himself to food, he sat down next to Bellatrix and decided to try and comfort her.

"Hey, Bella," he said calmly, trying to break the ice.

Bellatrix looked up at him and he did a double take. Her eyes were puffy and red and there were large tear stains on her cheeks. "Are you alright?" asked Severus.

"Do I look it, Severus?" she asked tearfully. "Do you have any idea what Corlagon was like after you all left?"

"No," said Severus, "What did he say?"

"He called me a filthy spawn of dark wizards and for detention he's making me write lines!" she burst into tears.

"That's not so bad for a detention," Severus comforted her.

"It is when you have to write 'I will not act like my evil, dirty, low family anymore' over and over again!" Bellatrix sobbed. Severus felt a flash of red obscure his vision.

"Hey, Bella, what's the matter?" came the voice of Rodolphus, who had sat down on her other side. Bellatrix looked at Rodolphus in a heartbreaking way and launched into the whole story. Severus was too busy planning revenge on Corlagon to notice the person coming up behind him and tipping his pumpkin juice flagon over his head.

SPLASH! "Surpise, Snivelly!" came the voice of James Potter. Severus rounded on him furiously after muttering "caldario" and drying himself off.

"What's the idea, Potter?" snarled Severus angrily.

"The idea is you don't look like you take many showers with that mop top, Snivellus! We're doing you a favor!" smirked James.

"And did you know you look like a troll when you smile, Potter?" asked Severus through gritted teeth, "So I'll be doing you a favor by doing THIS! Cardio octopi!"

James screamed as his arteries wrapped around his heart and squeezed, then unclenched themselves. Unfortunately his scream had attracted the attention of the one person Severus didn't want to see at that point: Corlagon.

"What's going on here?" he asked, seeing Potter double up with pain again as the arteries wrapped again. "Finite Incantatem!"

"It was an octopus heart jinx, Professor," said an annoying and high voice. Severus turned around to see Dolores Umbridge standing there looking smug. "Snape put it on Potter." Corlagon seized Severus by the shoulders.

"Severus!" said Corlagon seriously, "Just because your father does that sort of thing doesn't mean you have t-"

"Pardon me, Professor Corlagon," came a voice which Severus at that point was gladder to hear than any in the world: The voice of Professor Riddle, the head of Slytherin house. "But could you take your hands off my student?"

Corlagon turned to see Professor Riddle stalking toward them and Severus managed a smug smile while Corlagon wasn't looking. Umbridge, on the other hand, was looking at Professor Riddle as if he were the dark wizard Grindenwald himself. Riddle gently removed Corlagon's hands from Severus' shoulders and asked "What just happened here?"

"Snape just used an Octopus heart jinx on James Potter, Tom," said Corlagon.

"Indeed? That's an impressive dark curse, Dalverry. Are you suggesting that a first year could actually administer it?" asked Riddle sarcastically, though Severus could see that his eyes were telling a different story.

"Severus performed the Avada Kedavra curse in front of my class, Tom. I would venture to say that Octopus heart does not seem very far beyond his abilities," said Corlagon dryly.

"Avada Kedavra? Dalverry, I think you are tired. Full grown wizards have trouble performing that curse, no eleven year old slytherin could use it. You are obviously seeing things," said Riddle.

"You can ask any first year here!" exclaimed Corlagon desperately, "They'll tell you!"

"Very well. Miss Black, did Severus Snape perform the killing curse in Defense against the Dark Arts this morning? Professor Corlagon seems to be under that impression," said Riddle kindly to Bellatrix. Bellatrix seemed to have lost her tongue, but she shook her head emphatically, seeing Corlagon there.

"Well, there you have it, Dalverry," said Riddle calmly, "You need your rest. I would think you had more sense than to suggest that a first year could use an unforgivable c..."

"Miss Black performed the Imperius curse!" shouted Corlagon angrily. "And Mr. Dolohov performed the cruciatus curse! Ask her!" he motioned to Umbridge. Riddle smiled indulgently.

"Oh, tsk tsk, Dalverry, you haven't been taken in by this young lady's assurances, have you?" asked Riddle. "Miss Umbridge is a brazen attention-seeker. She tells tall tales left and right, a most unfortunate habit. Five points from Slytherin, Miss Umbridge, you are annoying me with your persistence in telling lies. Now why don't you go back to your lunch, Dalverry, and I will manage the rest of your classes. You need your rest."

Corlagon, seeing that he was not getting anywhere, returned to the staff table. As soon as he was gone, Riddle said "Mr. Snape, Miss Black, a word please."

Bellatrix and Severus followed Riddle silently through corridors into his office. It was in the dungeons and filled with jars which contained unpleasant looking things. Riddle sat down in a chair and motioned for Bellatrix and Severus to sit down.

"Professor, we have Astronomy in five min..." began Bellatrix, but Riddle interrupted.

"I will explain to Professor Sinistra why you are late, Miss Black. The three of us need to discuss a few things, especially the curse Mr. Snape used..."

"I can explain that, Professor, please..." began Severus, but Riddle cut him off.

"Silence! I know that you used the Octopus heart curse on Mr. Potter and I also know that he thoroughly earned it. Rest assured, Mr. Snape, that I will not be punishing you for using it. I must warn you, however, that it would be wise to use a less dangerous curse on Mr. Potter if he attempts to annoy you again. A simple boils curse would suffice to punish him without drawing the attention of that interfering scum Dalverry Corlagon. However, I must commend you for excellent execution of a very difficult curse. Twenty points to Slytherin."

Severus was shocked. Twenty points?? Riddle was full of surprises. He began to wonder if Riddle was really as evil as he had thought. Bellatrix was just opening her mouth to say something when...

"And Miss Black, I will inform you that the reason you are here is that I happened to be present, without anyone knowing it, when you set that rat on Professor Corlagon during Defense Against the Dark Arts. I also commend you on your fine ability to lie when called upon in a tight spot. I know you have a detention with Professor Corlagon, and it is not my power to undo that. But maybe twenty points and a cheering potion should lessen the blow." Riddle handed Bellatrix a bright red potion, which she nodded her thanks for and drank. In an instant she was laughing happily.

"I have been a total prat, haven't I, Sev?" she asked happily. Severus was relieved to see Bellatrix come out of her unhappy state.

"Not at all, Miss Black, but now I must escort you both to Astronomy," said Professor Riddle and without another word he swept out of the dungeons with Bellatrix and Severus in tow.

Once Riddle had explained to Professor Sinistra why Severus and Bellatrix were late, she seemed pacified and allowed them to sit down at their telescopes without docking any points. Severus found Astronomy to be the most difficult of all the classes he had yet had. Try as he might, he could not locate Jupiter, no matter whether it was the biggest planet or not. In the end he just pretended to see it and managed to describe it accurately enough for Professor Sinistra to not sense the deception. He later learned that nobody else could find it either. Of course, some people's answers as to what they could see where so ludicrous that it was no wonder they were given extra work. Antonin had described a luminescent green solar body which certainly did not correspond with the description of Jupiter.

Their next class was Potions, which they had to share with the Gryffindors unfortunately. All the Slytherin first years seemed to be looking forward to seeing whether Professor Riddle favored them as much as the older students said.

Riddle's class was deep in the dungeons, which corresponded with the Slytherin common room and his own office. It took them all very long to find his classroom, as there were numerous cells in the dungeons to look in.

At last, in a large, vaulted chamber they found a large classroom with at least four dozen cauldrons set up. It was fairly obvious that this had to be the Potions classroom, and as Severus filed in, he couldn't help thinking that this had to be a fascinating subject, for around the class were cupboards filled with all sorts of exotic substances for use in potions. He took a seat with Lucius near an especially large cauldron at the front of the classroom and awaited the lesson's beginning.

Meanwhile, the Gryffindors were filing in and Snape saw to his absolute horror that James Potter was there. He was talking to Sirius Black and his two other Gryffindor friends. Severus yanked his eyes away to see Bellatrix sitting very angrily at a cauldron with none other than Dolores Umbridge. He nearly retched.

"Hey, Snivellus!" came the annoying shout. Here we go again, thought Severus.

"I'm sorry?" asked Lucius as James Potter and his gang approached.

"I wasn't talking to you, blondie," said Potter, "I was talking to Snivelly here." He indicated Severus, who went red with anger.

"I'm afraid my friend's name is Severus," said Lucius coldly. "And if you have a problem with that I think Crabbe and Goyle here," Crabbe and Goyle had moved up from their cauldrons, "Will be happy to talk about it."

James Potter looked at Crabbe and Goyle as if sizing them up. He seemed to not like what he saw. "Well, maybe we can talk about it this way. Furnunculus!"

"Finite Incantatem!" shouted Professor Riddle's voice, which then added "Sit down."

James, Sirius and the two others looked around in shock, trying to see where Professor Riddle was. They were answered as Riddle rose out of the cauldron at the front of the room and levitated onto the floor. "Sit down, Messrs Black, Potter, Lupin and Pettigrew. Fourty points from Gryffindor."

There was an exclamation of outrage from the Gryffindors at this, but Riddle seemed not to notice. Instead, he wrote "Potions" in big fancy letters on the blackboard so that it looked like

Potions

"Before I begin, I would like to take a role-call," said Riddle absently. "And I'm sure you will all oblige me."

Riddle, however, didn't just do roll call, but asked every person he had on the list whether they were interested in potions.

"Antonin Dolohov."

"Here!" shouted Antonin.

"Are you interested in potions, Mr. Dolohov?" asked Riddle.

"Yes, sir."

"No, you're not. But I like a student who can tell someone what they want to hear. Ten points to Slytherin. Bellatrix Black."

"Present," said Bellatrix.

"Are you interested in Potions, Miss Black?"

"Yeah, a bit."

"At least you are honest with yourself, I like that. Five points to Slytherin. Lucius Malfoy?"

"Here," said Lucius.

"Are you interested in Potions, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Not really," said Lucius, causing a gasp to go around the classroom.

"Defiance is like a fine wine, Mr. Malfoy, taken sparingly it is exquisite. Ten points to Slytherin. Severus Snape?"

"Here," said Severus.

"And are you interested in Potions, Mr. Snape?"

"Yes, sir, quite a bit," said Severus, meaning it.

"Well, you most certainly are not lying. Ten points to Slytherin for being so eager."

When Riddle was tacking off the Gryffindors, however, was another story.

"Barty Crouch."

"Here."

"Are you interested in Potions, Mr. Crouch?"

"I suppose so, sir."

"You are lying through your teeth. Five points from Gryffindor. James Potter?"

"Here," said Potter defiantly.

"Are you interested in Potions, Mr. Potter?"

"Why should I be? I haven't learned anything about it."

"Mr. Potter, stupidity and ignorance are unfortunate traits and hence should be discouraged. Ten points from Gryffindor."

When Riddle had finished the humiliating Gryffindor roll-call, he crossed to the front of the classroom and faced the class with a hungry look on his face that made Severus think very much of a burmese python.

"Welcome to Potions. While what you are about to learn is perhaps one of the most delicate and impressive works of art ever created, certain ignorant and dull-headed individuals believe that because there is no foolish wand work this is not viable magic." Riddle's eyes flicked towards James Potter and his gang. "But those individuals are idiots. Nowhere else in magic can you learn to manipulate emotions and drown sorrow with a well-placed draught of happiness. Nowhere else can you learn to bottle fame, glory and love. Nowhere else can you put a stopper in something which will open the door between life and death. All these things await those individuals who have the proper subtlety to excel. The greatest powers in the world can be placed at your disposal easily if you aren't as big a load of featherbrained airheads as I normally have in this classroom."

Severus was quite impressed and needed no further coaxing to begin work on the forgetfulness potion which Riddle set them all to working on. Lucius grumbled about how difficult the instructions looked, but Severus thought he had never seen anything so easy in his life. The instructions condensed into a perfect whole and he found that putting the ingredients in and stirring the cauldron was almost second nature. This was right. This was beautiful. This was what he wished he could always do.

As Riddle swept around the dungeon looking at the potions and when he reached Severus' and Lucius', he looked mildly concerned.

"Malfoy, why aren't you helping your partner?" he asked, puzzledly.

"Well, Sev here seems to know what he's doing better than I do, and he told me that I was getting in the way, Professor," said Lucius apprehensively. Riddle looked at Severus' potion.

"You are aware, Mr. Snape, that the potion you have concocted is not normally taught to any students who are not in sixth year?"

Severus looked at Professor Riddle puzzledly. "Professor, I don't understand you. We are brewing a forgetfulness potion," he said innocently.

"But you have not produced a forgetfulness potion, Mr. Snape, you have produced a draught of luck. Were you reading the instructions on the board?"

"On the board?" asked Severus perplexedly. "No, I was reading the recipe I found on this table, Professor. I assumed it was a copy of the recipe we were studying today."

"No, I am afraid, Mr. Snape, that you were working with a recipe left behind by some careless sixth year student of mine. However, considering that you managed to carry it off flawlessly, probably more than I can say for the student who left it, take ten points and my congratulations. However, I do expect to see you produce a forgetfulness potion before this week is out. If you would be so kind as to meet me here after classes and do that I would be quite grateful." And with that, Riddle moved on.

Severus was shocked. He'd produced a potion which sixth year students had trouble concocting? How was that possible? Was he just naturally good at this subject? What was his secret to this kind of success?

No sooner where they out of Riddle's classroom than Lucius, Bellatrix, Antonin, Rodolphus, Augustus and Serena all crowded around Severus.

"How did you DO that?" asked Bellatrix, with her mouth wide open.

"Bloody brilliant!" said Antonin.

"You're better than I thought," said Lucius.

"Even I couldn't do that," said Serena.

"Three cheers for Severus Snape, Lord of the Simmering Cauldron. Looks like you'll be doing all those things Riddle told us about in class, eh Sev?" said Rodolphus.

Severus was shocked at the attention he was getting, and even more shocked when he heard Riddle lecturing a large, burly sixth year.

"Avery, if you do not work harder and remember your recipes, you will be outdone by first years! Why, just now one of my first year students produced a draught of luck without any coaxing at all! You are going to have to do better in my class..."

"Sounds like Riddle's got a soft spot for you, eh Sev?" asked Lucius, winking at Severus. "Maybe you can use it to get us a look in the restricted section."

"We could get in real trouble for that!" hissed Serena.

"Serena, where's the Slytherin in you? That reminds me, why did the Sorting Hat put you with us, anyway? I was sure you were going to be a Ravenclaw!" asked Rodolphus.

"Well, it was going to put me in Ravenclaw or Slytherin, so it asked me to choose. And...I told it to put me where I could prove to my parents that I wasn't a demon, that wizards weren't all bad, that some of us were really good and powerful so they'd accept me as their daughter again. And, well, you know the rest," said Serena.

"In essence, you told it you wanted to make a splash, so it put you in Slytherin," said Severus. "Well, aren't you just full of surprises, Serena?"

"I would think you'd know that by now, Sev," she said mischievously. "I've only been something like your adopted sister for the past few weeks."

Severus had to admit she was right on that count, but didn't have time to comment as he had to leap out of the way of Dolores Umbridge, who for some reason had barreled into the great hall with a fiendish look of glee on her face. Severus wasn't sure he wanted to know why.

It was hideously apparent, though, as just when they were about to enter the Great Hall, Umbridge and a band of Gryffindors ambushed them and Umbridge began to lead the Gryffindors in a chant which sent Severus into a fit of rage.

Acklebridge is a demon!

Acklebridge is a witch!

Acklebridge is a demon!

Acklebridge is a bitch!

Serena burst into tears and ran away. Umbridge laughed cruelly and fished some galleons out of her pocket, which she then handed to the Gryffindors. "Make sure everybody knows the story by tomorrow," she said to them. It was then that Severus noted that James Potter was one of them. Potter smirked at him.

"Hey, Snivellus."

Sorrowfully, Potter and his friends left before Severus could curse them, but Umbridge was still standing there with a smug look on her face.

"WHAT'S THE IDEA?!" spat Severus, glaring at her.

"The idea is that you abnormal, authority-challenging upstarts are just too loud for your own good. Disowned, eh? Oh, I'll make sure everyone knows about that filthy little half-breed come..."

SLAP! Bellatrix had just slapped Umbridge in the face furiously. "You filthy, low, bigoted, overweight toad!" she snarled as she slapped Umbridge again. "What have you got against us anyway?" SLAP!

"Start talking before we force it out of you!" SLAP! "And just because you deserve a lot more than this, you want a fresh one?" SLAP!

Umbridge was staring lividly at Bellatrix, but then she got a horrible look of triumph on her face. "Hello, Professor Corlagon!" she shouted happily, and they turned around in horror to see Professor Corlagon walking towards them.

"What's going on here?" he asked. "Miss Black, what is the idea of slapping Miss Umbridge in this brutal manner? I cannot tolerate such uncontrolled outbursts. Ten points from Slytherin and just for good measure," he slapped Bellatrix. "See how you like a taste of your own medicine, you filthy dark-wizard spawn!"

"Scelesti Sanguinium!"

Severus turned around to see Professor Riddle walking toward them with his wand outstretched and pointed forcefully at Professor Corlagon, who was gagging uncontrollably. Severus thought that Professor Riddle looked genuinely frightening, his face was a mask of cold and evil fury and he was laughing a cold, hard, sadistic laugh.

"NEVER physically assault one my students again, Dalverry," he snarled at Corlagon, who was still choking horribly as his blood turned to pitch. "I will certainly see to it that you are permanently removed from this world if you ever do such a thing again..."

"That will do, Tom," said a soft voice behind them and they whirled around to see Professor Dumbledore strolling toward them. Riddle begrudgingly muttered "Finite Incantatem" and Corlagon stopped rolling around on the floor.

"Professor Dumbledore, I'm afraid you don't understand. You see, Professor Corlagon has physically assaulted one of my stu-"

"I am well aware that Dalverry Corlagon slapped Miss Bellatrix Black for no justifiable reason, Tom. However, I must ask you not to use dark magic in the presence of students again. It could lead to the wrong behaviors in the students. I will deal with Professor Corlagon myself," said Dumbledore calmly, "And I leave Miss Umbridge to you."

Dumbledore then motioned for Corlagon to follow him and Corlagon did so, looking terrified. Riddle rounded on Umbridge with fury.

"Well, I see you manage to be at every scene where I find this sort of action. Miss Umbridge, I do not believe that any punishment would be more appropriate than having you, in front of your entire house, confess to why you bear these first years such unprovoked malice. When you have done that, you may crawl off to lick your wounds in detention with me and pontificate on the twenty points you have just lost your house. Do I make myself clear?"

Umbridge looked thoroughly terrified, but she answered "Yes, Professor Riddle, perfectly clear." And the made to run off, but Riddle stopped her.

"First you will tell me the names of every single Gryffindor you told about Miss Acklebridge's unfortunate past and then you may go."