Something Wicked This Way Comes

CHAPTER NINE

Potions class. The one place you couldn't and shouldn't mess up, for fear of Professor Snape getting involved with quick-witted dryness and a smack of a book to the back of your head. At least that's how everyone else felt, honestly I didn't have much of a problem with the Professor myself. Sure he was odd, and monotone, but I could tell the passion he had for potions. It wasn't just that he loved it, it was an art to him, if you didn't get it right on the first try it was an insult to his work.

"Class, turn to page 236 in your textbook," He coolly demanded. I began flipping through chunks of the book, trying to find the right page. When we happened upon it, it was odd, like being struck with something, "Wolfsbane, sir?" I turned my head upward to look at him. He stood in front of his cauldron at the front of the class, "Yes, precisely. Today will be the first lesson on Wolfsbane, it is an essential potion within the wizarding world, can anyone tell me why?"

I thought for a few moments trying to think of why, but John beat me to it and raised his hand. Snape nodded to him and he answered quite confidently, "Is it because of the rise in lycanthrope cases, sir?" Snape nodded once, "That is one reason, the reason is also because it is actually quite common within our world to witness a Were-creature. Now," He flourished his cape and he spun around grabbing his massive book, "Can anyone tell me what the most common Were-creature there is?"

I slowly rose my hand, I was quite sure I had this one. Without looking Professor Snape called me out, "Go on, Emerson."

"Werewolves?" I lacked the confidence to correctly speak. The professor must have caught on to this, "While you are correct Mr. Emerson, take better care next time to speak up and enunciate, lacking confidence will only further anyone's demise in their own mind."

He wasn't wrong and I knew that. The lesson goes on and he asks what felt like hundreds of questions, as if trying to drill into us the importance of Wolfsbane. It was curious as to why he was doing this. We learned about werewolves and other werecreatures by our 4th year at the latest, why was he making it such an important topic? Did it have to do with the rise in cases?

"Now once you put in the powdered moonstone," Oh, right, we were going over the potion. I gazed down at my book hoping to quickly catch up– Add seventeen leaves of the wolfsbane... Put in juice of two mandrake leaves... Add three drops of dragon blood... Control temperature... Ah, there we are!-- " Make sure to stir thrice counterclockwise, if you do it the wrong way the potion will turn to sludge!" Gross... I was glad Snape made it very clear to not go clockwise. As we took notes Snape checked the time, "Alright class, that is all for today, remember that this will be a potion you make, and it will be due for your final project for this term. The notes will be due on Friday."

Today was Tuesday, which gave plenty of time to read it over. The students began filing out of the room, and as much as I wished to follow, something told me to not do so. I stopped and spun around, "Professor Snape?" I called out. I saw his back was turned to me, packing up his things. Barely acknowledging me he hummed, furthering me along.

"I was just curious..." I began a bit nervously, "Why are we really learning this now?" Snape stuttered for a moment in his movements before moving along, "It's for your NEWTs," He spoke plainly, but I could see past it.

"But sir, NEWTs studies aren't until next term..." I frowned, now it truly made no sense. Snape sighed through his nose, something he often did when trying to keep his composure, "Mr. Emerson, I will not stand for you questioning my teachings in my very classroom."

"Oh no sir, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to do so..." I sigh and fiddle with my hands, "With the whole Sirius Black thing... it sounded like you might have been teaching us because of worry sir..."

Snape once more paused and turned around, this time without flourish, it was slow and methodical. He took a step around his desk and planted himself a few feet from me, "You really do catch on quick..." He muttered "Reminds me of someone I once knew," There was a waft of silence. Who he referred to I wasn't sure, but I figured I would not to pry, "I do want to make sure you all have the proper knowledge, you never know when or how soon it may come in handy."

He knew something, didn't he? That's why he was being so careful about it, "Sir-"

"I have a question for you, Mr. Emerson," He interrupted, "You've been hanging around Professor Lupin for a bit now, yes?" I frowned and tilted my head, "Not exactly sir... no..."

He nodded stiffly, "I see..." That was odd...

"Why are you bringing him up?" I asked curiously. Snape leaned forward, "One such as him invites many troubles. Trust me, I should know, " He let out a small scoff, "I went to school with him..."

I was not ready for that lore drop, my eyes widened, "You knew him?"

"Yes, he was a sniveling snot-nosed brat. He still is!" My mind wandered to the calm teacher, delicate almost, respectable. Didn't seem like a brat to me. However this pertained to him, I couldn't make out. There were missing pieces everywhere, Sirius Black and the deaths of Harry Potter's parents, then Professor Lupin, and now Professor Snape. I slowly nodded my head, "I see sir... I shall be quite careful around him if you're correct on that.." That was a lie and I knew it.

Snape nodded, "See that you do," Goodness with all of this vagueness I could have sworn I was in a novel, and I had to solve the all clues! Whatever author wrote me... What the fuck?! It all seemed to be fictional. No matter that, I smiled at the professor and took my leave. I thought it be best to not push on any further.

I walked down the labyrinth halls, not paying any mind to my surroundings. Honestly, I should have done better to do so, because within moments of stepping out of Snape's confounding classroom, I found myself knocked backward onto the tile floor with an oomph!

"Oh, I'm so terribly sorry!" I gazed up and saw Professor Lupin, just the man Snape told me to avoid! He held out a hand to me, "Here, let me help," His voice sounded a bit breathy and rough. Not at all like he usually sounded, even with him being so quiet he had a strong voice. I took his hand and with ease, he stood me up. With all the (two) times he had carried me or helped me up I would have thought he had super strength, I wasn't a petite fellow.

"No I'm sorry Professor, I should have watched where..." I trailed off as I took in his features. He was pale, well paler than usual, and he had sweat beading down his forehead as if he had just gotten done with a workout, but he didn't seem winded from picking me up off the ground, and with how smoothly it happened he didn't seem to strain.

"Professor, are you alright?" I took a closer look. How I didn't realize the scratches he had on his face I truthfully didn't know, and I wanted to hear his honesty first before I jumped the broom and asked him more about it. Instead, he gives a soft chuckle, "Oh nothing, I'm perfectly fine, just coming down with something..."

I gave him a strange look, "I don't think the common cold gives such nasty scratches along one's face..." I watched his warm demeanor change to one that seemed colder, more distant. His smile fell and the mirth in his eyes shriveled away.

"Do not be presumptive Mr. Emerson," He spoke curtly, "No one likes anyone who assumes. I must be off," His tone was growly and almost angry. I had never seen him turn to act in such a way. I stood frozen in my spot, my chest clenching. He had been so kind, did I do something that upset him? What did I say? I thought long and hard, that any time I had a conversation with the Professor, it was sometimes witty banter, and I figured this was one and the same. I shook my head and watched as the teacher strutted his way down the hallway furiously. In the words of Alice; Curiouser and curiouser...