Everything Remains

Chapter 5- Broken

Harry and Draco kept up a quick pace, making their way downstairs to the lower levels for Advanced Potions class. 
Harry wondered silently who would be teaching this year, as Snape was gone...
'Merlin, can't I have just one bit of my life unaffected?' he shook his head, feeling almost angry that everything was a constant reminder of the pain. 
"What is it, Harry?" 
"Hmm? Oh, urm, nothing. Just wondering who the potions teacher will be.."
"I've heard some whisperings about him. He comes from Albania, studied under Dumbledore decades ago. That's about all I know."
"Hmm... well. It will be strange not to see Snape there, leering over our potions."
"I suppose you're right. Six years with him, and now we have to get to know someone new." Draco looked wrapped in thought, his eyes glazing over. 
The pair entered the potions classroom, swinging the heavy oak door open with a creak. 

"Ah. I see our lost students have found themselves in the right place."
The professor in front of the room was dressed... eclectically in deep plum robes, embroidered with gold and bronze accents around the trim. His pale skin stood in contrast to his dark brown, curly hair, styled in a half-slicked back style. He wore dark green tortoiseshell glasses that reflected the flecks in his chocolate-brown eyes. The crinkles around his mouth and eyes suggest that he is in his 50's. 
"Silias Galos is the name. You may call me Professor Galos. I am your new advanced potions teacher. 
I come from Albania but am very familiar with Hogwarts, as I went here myself, many years ago. Potions are incredibly important in the wizarding world. Not only can they heal, protect, and provide help in times of trouble, but you may find some actually save your life in a pinch. We will be working on several different potions throughout the year. And as the class name implies, these are some of the most difficult potions to brew."

"Now. Who can tell me safety provisions for potion brewing?"
Everyone looked around the room, unsure of what to say. What? It's not like Snape cared if they got burned or had some potion spill??
Hermione raised her hand. "Ah, Ms... Granger is it?"
"Yes sir. Safety provisions for potion brewing would include things like being careful not to splash outside of the cauldron, keeping your face away from the potion itself, making sure to keep your hands away from the flames, and double-checking ingredients before adding them."
"Great answer. 5 points to Gryffindor. Now, if anyone has any questions about safety or about making the potions themselves, just let me know. I do not expect you all to be perfect and know precisely how to brew the most difficult potions known to wizardkind."

Everyone in the room looked shocked. Not one to provide much guidance or invitations for questions, Snape was the opposite of Galos in so many ways. 
"Now. Today we will be starting off with an advanced potion, but one of the more tame ones to ease us into it. It is called the 'Wound-Cleaning Potion'. I'm sure some of you have had this used on you in the Hospital Wing, but haven't brewed it yourself. This can come in handy to have on you at all times. You never know what could happen, right? Does anyone have any examples of when they've seen this used?"
Hermione's hand shot up in the air again. "Yes, sir. Madame Pomfrey used it on Harry several times, after Quidditch and after the Triwizard Tournament. It helped his wounds heal up within a few minutes."
'Great, Hermione. way to bring everyone's attention on me.' Harry rolled his eyes and hid his face in his crossed arms. 
"Great observations. Another 5 points to Gryffindor. Now, you may all strike up your fires underneath your cauldrons. We will work through the potion together, step by step."

 The students got to work, starting their kindling and releasing flames underneath their cauldrons. Seamus already managed to burn his finger, eliciting a deep sigh from Galos. 'How the hell did Seamus get approved for this class anyways?'
Harry gathered his ingredients, moving to his cutting and prep station. Thankfully, Hermione had gotten him, Ron, and Neville a four sided potion table together. 
"Mate? What happened with Malfoy?" Ron side-eyed Harry as he stripped the leaves of his plant. 
"He.. was just not feeling well. Everything is fine." Harry replied, trying to conceal his fib. 
"He looked utterly dreadful. I wonder what is going on with him?" Hermione added, before dripping a few drops of her essence into the cauldron.
"I dunno. I think he's fine." Harry looked over to Draco's station, watching him slowly chop up his ingredients. He had a dissociated look on his face, not really there. 
"Blimey, it's day one and things are already amping up." Ron rolled his eyes, adding way too many ingredients to his potion at once. 
"Ronald, are you even paying attention to what you're doing? You're going to mess this up!" Hermione scoffed. 
Harry ignored their back and forth bickering and focused back on his potion and his thoughts. 
'I can't believe that Bellatrix did that to her own nephew. I wonder if he has tried to heal it? Maybe he can use this?' The scaring looked weirdly fresh, although it was done over a year ago. 

"BLAGH!!" Neville yelled, jumping back from his cauldron. Inside was a brown, gooey substance that was expanding largely out of the pot. 
Galos rushed over, assessing the damage. "Arresto Momentum." stopping the substance from growing larger. 
"Let's use this as a learning moment. Who can tell me why his potion reacted this way? Anyone?"
Hermione raised her hand, of course. "Was it too many fig leaves, Professor?"
"Precisely! Another 5 points to Gryffindor." Galos flicked his wand at the substance, evaporating it from the table. 
"Another few minutes and I will come around to check out your potions and give you your grade!"