Shadow and Light {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapitre 7

Summary:

My name is Alice and yesterday I sincerely smiled.

Chapter Text

It was the next day in the late afternoon that the trio was informed of the classes awaiting two of them, via Minerva McGonagall. They were walking down the corridors toward the classroom they had been directed to.

"It's still weird, don't you think?" Ron began.

"That you're the worst students in the class? Not particularly," Hermione affirmed.

"Ouch, you're harsh, 'Mione, but I see what Ron means. Why would we get extra classes?" Harry added.

"And besides, would Snape have asked for us to get help? Honestly, do you believe that?"

"First of all, it's not Professor Snape who requested it; it's Professor McGarden. And then... um..." Tried Hermione

"You see for yourself; you can't even understand why we would be subjected to this..."

"In any case, I'm not going to complain; McGonagall said the classes would replace some of my detentions with the other... um... the other." Harry had held back from insulting a certain professor, fearing he would once again be caught saying something foolish.

They had approached the classroom and spotted Neville Longbottom in front of the door.

"Hi, Neville," Ron said.

"Hi... Were you all summoned for extra classes too?"

"They are," Hermione started. "I'm just accompanying them."

"Ahah, yes, of course..." he added a bit nervously.

Just as Harry was about to say something, the door opened, revealing a very enthusiastic professor. It was the first time the young ones had seen her up close, and it was Harry who seemed most troubled, his mouth left half open.

"You're on time; that's wonderful! Come in! Come in!" she invited.

The trio, along with Neville, entered the room. It was a rather large and bright classroom, with tables scattered here and there in groups of four. On the largest desk, presumably the professor's, a whole bunch of papers and books were spread out.

"Excuse the mess; I'm still figuring out how to arrange this room in a... um, optimal way... Oh, Miss Granger, do you also wish to attend the class?"

"Well, originally I was just accompanying them, but I must admit I'm curious to attend one of your lessons..."

"The more, the merrier, as they say? Sit wherever you like; I'll be right with you!"

Alice moved away to her desk and began rummaging through her papers while the young ones took advantage of the moment to whisper among themselves as they settled in. Ron seemed to assert that she had looked sick the last times he had seen her, and Hermione replied that illnesses could be treated. Harry, meanwhile, still seemed somewhere else, and Neville... Neville was just as nervous as ever. Alice eventually rejoined them.

"I gathered that you were having a bit of trouble in Potions class?"

"That's an understatement... Potions are too hard!" Ron exclaimed.

"Let's just say it's intimidating..." Neville added.

"Really? It's a shame you have such a view of this subject, which is actually quite interesting! And you, um... Potter? What do you think of Potions?"

"It's troubling..." Harry said, as if just pulled from his own thoughts, his gaze meeting Alice's before she quickly looked away.

"Troubling... That's quite a special term to describe Potions, but I suppose we all have our own relationship with this field... But my goal is to help you appreciate it! We're going to review the last preparations you saw in class and try to identify your mistakes. How does that sound?"