Harry Potter and The Mirror's Gift

Chapter 17

The next morning, Harry woke up still feeling tired and confused.

He wanted to tell Ron and Hermione straight away about what had happened the previous night, but there was no time. He couldn't tell them during breakfast, because the rest of the class was there; and the Potions exam would be held right after.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Hermione asked, during breakfast. "You – you look terrible."

Harry looked at her and Ron; both of them were looking worriedly at him. Neville, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, who were sitting nearby, were also looking at him.

"I'm all right," said Harry, "I – I just couldn't sleep last night, that's all."

Harry had been hoping Professor Flynn would be overseeing the Potions exam, but when he entered the dungeon together with the rest of the class, he saw Snape there instead. Neville looked even more dismayed than Harry. His round face was rather pale, but there was also a determined expression on it. He was evidently going to try to do his best for Jeanne.

Each student was given a cage containing a large bullfrog; they were to prepare a potion that would make the bullfrog sing like a bird.

Snape seemed to be going all out to frighten Neville. He would stand next to Neville's table, his eyes glittering, watching his every move. Neville was trembling, but with an effort he somehow managed to concentrate on what he was doing.

Finally, time was up.

"Stop working!" snapped Snape. "I will now test each of your solutions. Longbottom, we will leave you to the last, in case you are planning to provide us with similar entertainment as you did last year."

Neville went red, and stared worriedly at his cauldron. Draco Malfoy gave a sly smile.

Snape went around, a scowl on his face, testing each student's solution. Harry was relieved when his bullfrog gave a small whistle.

At last, everyone had been tested except Neville. Snape, his face looking more menacing than ever, drew some of Neville's solution into a dropper, and squirted a few drops onto Neville's bullfrog. The rest of the class all gathered round to watch, holding their breath.

The bullfrog blinked and looked around. Neville watched anxiously.

The seconds ticked past. The bullfrog gulped, but didn't make a sound.

Snape's lips curled into a sneering smile. He squirted a few more drops onto the bullfrog.

Neville gazed at the bullfrog, his eyes bulging with emotion, as if pleading with it to sing. The bullfrog just sat there, solemnly blinking its eyes. Then it looked at Neville, and gave a loud croak.

"Well, Longbottom," said Snape at last, a triumphant gleam in his eyes, "your solution does not appear to work. It looks as though I will have to fail you again this year."

Neville sat staring in front of him, as if he couldn't believe what was happening to him. The other students drifted back to their places to clean up, the Gryffindors casting sympathetic glances at Neville, and the Slytherins muttering sly comments among themselves.

Snape gathered up his books and strode toward the door. He had almost reached it, when Neville suddenly squeaked, "STOP!"

Snape wheeled around, his eyes glittering menacingly.

"What did you say, Longbottom?"

Neville was standing up. Shaking like a leaf, he pointed at his bullfrog.