Jupiter | Harry James Potter

lxv ; a bad influence

-HARRY-

"Before we begin today's lesson," said Snape, sweeping over to his desk and staring around at them all as they sat in the potions classroom, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'Acceptable' in your O.W.L., or suffer my . . . displeasure."His gaze lingered this time upon Neville, who gulped."After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me," Snape went on. "I take only the very best into my N.E.W.T.Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying good-bye."

Snape's eyes rested on Harry and his lip curled. Harry glared back, feeling a grim pleasure at the idea of never taking potions again. He looked over to Jupiter, who was sitting extremely straight with her excited eyes fixated on the greasy bloke in front of them. While he never understood her innate love for the dreadful subject, he had to admit that watching her work so happily during class gave him something to look forward to. 

"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," said Snape softly, "so whether you intend to attempt N.E.W.T or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts on maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from myO.W.L. students."

 "Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at OrdinaryWizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing." 

On Harry's left, Hermione sat up a little straighter, her expression one of the utmost attentiveness. "The ingredients and method" — Snape flicked his wand — "are on the blackboard" — (they appeared there) — "You will find everything you need" — he flicked his wand again — "in the store cupboard" — (the door of the said cupboard sprang open) — "you have an hour and a half. . . . and no, Black, you cannot work in partners. . ."

Jupiter lowered her left hand slowly, mouthing a subtle 'sorry' to Harry at Snape's words. If he was being completely honest, his girlfriend was the only reason he was passing the class. He gave her a polite smile, then felt his eyes drop to her other hand in her pocket. He knew she was hiding something from him, and he knew it had to be serious because Jupiter rarely lied to him. He wasn't angry, of course not, he was simply worried. While he knew that forcing her to tell him what happened would only make her more defensive, it didn't make it any easier for him to sit there and watch her be so obviously in pain. 

Just as Harry, Jupiter, Ron, and Hermione had predicted, Snape could hardly have set them a more difficult, fiddly potion. The ingredients had to be added to the cauldron in precisely the right order and quantities; the mixture had to be stirred exactly the right number of times, firstly in clockwise, then in counterclockwise directions; the heat of the flames on which it was simmering had to be lowered to exactly the right level for a specific number of minutes before the final ingredient was added.

 "A light silver vapour should now be rising from your potion," called Snape, with ten minutes left to go. Harry, who was sweating profusely, looked desperately around the dungeon. His own cauldron was issuing copious amounts of dark grey steam.

"Help," he whispered to Jupiter, seeing that her potion was unsurprisingly perfect. She leaned over her cauldron to peer into hers, and when she saw the murky dark color, a small laugh slipped from her lips. 

"Honestly, Potter, you're hopeless," She laughed quietly, shaking her head at him. "I think you forgot the-"

 Jupiter quickly went silent and focused back on her own potion as Snape approached the table, scanning each potion carefully for any hint of mistakes to criticise the students.