Damaged Goods by slytherin_after_dark

Chapter 3

- NOT MY STORY!! ALL CREDITS TO @slytherin_after_dark ON A03!!
-

"Can you explain what it is you're trying to achieve, Ms. Granger?" Snape looked at her with disdain.

She stood back up, throwing the broken glass in the trash. "Working on improving my potion since you seem never pleased with my skills."

Snape stared at her—or looked down at her would be the better way to describe it. "May I suggest something? You seem too emotional for potion work at the present moment."

Fucking perfect. The only thing she had that was hers was academia and now he was taking that away from her as well. "Yeah, well, I guess there is no rule against me working on my potion thesis while 'emotional'."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "No, perhaps not. But I can tell you right now that these ingredients you have assembled so prominently here will result in nothing because silver and borrow hen feathers cancel each other out."

She knew that. What a beginner's mistake. She hadn't even meant to grab that.

"Fine," she stepped back from the cauldron. The walls seemed to be closing in on her. Out there, everyone was laughing at her. "I'll hand you my drop-out request in the morning."

She walked past him in fast steps until his sharp voice called her name and she stilled.

"Sit." He commanded and she took a seat on one of the chairs, the old wood creaking underneath her.

Snape's face never gave anything away. He should try his luck at poker, she thought.

"Why is it that you have chosen potions as your specialty?" He asked.

Nervously she played with the sleeve of her robe. "It interests me."

Snape's eyebrow rose with precision. "It interests you," he repeated like it was the most ridiculous thing he ever heard. "I am sure there are other specialties that interest you, Ms. Granger." 

He circled around her like a crow.

"I get it, you think I chose wrong. I already told you I'm dropping out. What more do you want?"

The professor came to an abrupt stop in front of her. Black eyes observed her with curiosity like she was a potion that he couldn't make sense of.

"When I heard that the brightest witch of our generation joined my class, I was very curious to see what you might bring to the table, Ms. Granger. So, imagine my disappointment when I see the mediocre work you have been producing."

She was either about to laugh hysterically or cry. Maybe both.

"I know, the golden girl is not so golden anymore," She said and surprisingly kept her composure. She stood up. "If that's all, I'll be on my way. Or would you like to tell me I'm a disappointment in another form? Maybe write it down, so I can frame it?"

Snape just stared at her and sometimes she wishes he would actually react like a normal human to things. She turned and headed for the door. 

"Potions is a very difficult art form. It's not a math equation. It requires something more."

She stopped and tentatively turned to face him again but remained close to the door.

"What does it require?"

"Intent," Snape responded. "Even when recreating potions that have already been developed it can be tricky when the intent behind it is wrong. But to devise a new potion, one needs to dig deeper. You will not drop out of my class." His voice was authoritative. "Next week, you will not touch a single ingredient. Your only homework will be to answer one question: Why are you in this class?"