{Half A Hero} Hufflepuff!Reader

Chapter 20: Potion Master's Bluff

You watched the cauldron boil rapidly with a worry that the potion would burn. It had a evil hiss to it. A problem you hadn't faced before, and didn't know how to treat. You decided to tell your fellow potioneer, Draco. His ridicule would not, could not, be worse than ruining your potion streak. 

"It's a liquid. How will it burn?" He snarked.

You watched as the bubbles had more of a snap and a crackle than a pop. Pops are safe. Sharp bursts, however... Thankfully Snape stopped by. Unthankfully sided with Draco.

"Then why is it smoking?"

"Steam. The wormwood essence." They said in the same bored tone. "Neji Hybrid Sage."

You didn't see him add that. You were to busy watching Pansy and Blaise burn their purple toads instead of the light char grill of a fire roast you got your table's to. The only thing Draco trusted you with was making the inedible food grade for these absurd potions. But not your logic. No.

"Okay, Matilda."

"You're a Matilda." Draco muttered.

"Thank you."

Snape went back to gliding through the students. The only times he held some sort of amusement was when a table had ruined their potion beyond belief, but they desperately try to fix it during these five minutes. He would watch them from a far, usually scouted while at yours or Blaise's table before swooping in for the kill. The quiet watch behind the stirrer of the cauldron, before asking if they've forgotten something.

This was fun, but a part of you missed classes with the Ravenclaws. One reason being that Jason would let you sit pretty, not trusting you to handle the potion. That's why you had such a good steak, and why you were so nervous to fight for a title you hadn't worked for. Plus you could vet your homework against Raven's while outside the class. Now Snape would accuse who ever of you two had the later class for copying of the earlier class. You don't like to be made a lair, and you only help to cheat, not are the cheat. 

You hoped it was just a funny teacher joke that just tickled the wrong part of your funny bone. He was losing the Spicy Teacher appeal. You had Defense Against the Dark Arts later today, you'll be able to test Lupin.

You packed your bags in tandem with the other kids in Hufflepuff. Only the Slytherins wait for the command. You watched the class clock as it counted down the last three minutes, and pondered why the Slytherin's harbored such fear still. Your class really showed how relaxed with his rules he can be, but you could excuse that to your class always leaving the class as clean as entered. A condition the Slytherins hadn't known, but their Head Teacher appreciated. 

They've always been picked up after, and the Hufflepuffs are use to cleaning up. Is this one of the reasons father changed the allied classes? Then why were the Raven and Griffins paired? Because the Griffins needed research and solid advice before embarking on a journey that would have guaranteed a normal person's head lost? While your lot picked up after their pure blood counter parts?

You felt petty in this thought line and decided to spend your one free period in your room. You'd wait for Lupin to become an active member of the students again. A break was needed. Time to figure out what type of academic you were now. You've relied on Jason and Raven too much. If Damian had allowed, probably him too.

You had tuitions with the Hazardous Three. A punishment made by McGonagall for helping  Fred and George pitch their latest to your Father. This is what you get for endorsing a brand you had no trust in in the first place. 

The Hufflepuff dorm sat even emptier than on a rare sunny day. You headed deeper into the castle bowels for your room. At what you felt was the heart of the place. Looking forward to checking in on the not-so-puppy Puppy.

Snuffles paced your dorm floor, weaving an eight at different angles. You sat on your bed with the Hogwarts History book Hermione's been mentioning. At this point you just want to know what she was talking about, because you never bother to pay attention in the moment. You thought if this still was too much in tune with the curriculum you wanted to avoid.

You also opened a bag of crisps you had been gifted one of the many visits you've made to the kitchens. The snack did not distract the dog. He had more self control than you. You crunched on multiple crisps to drown the sound of his complaints, and opened to the Greenhouse Tricks to boost Plant Growth.

Mandrake were advised to keep out of this zone of Gaia energy. You weren't going to tell Draco that. The perks you've found for being in the magical world were injury induced humor. So long as some one else can handle the clean up. And the hospital ward was well equipped.

Snuffs sat in front of your fireplace. And sighed the heaviest one you've heard him make in a while. You put your plotting to later.

"He'll be here. Why must you do this every time?"

He sighed again. You set your book aside, with a stare back to the boy. This wasn't going to do anything. He only looked like he was blaming you for their lateness, instead of appreciating that the wasn't alone during the work day. A different tact, you decided.  You spoke through a mouthful of crisps while rustling through your school bag for your scroll.

"I'm gonna get fat if you don't help me."

He sighed and turned to the fire place. Snuffles has picked up reasonable weight from this usually working. And he's such a polite pet when he wants to be.

"Must I drop you off with Starfire? Hazard must have bumped into Dobby. You know how long their stories take."

Snuffles turned to stare at you again. He got up slowly and did a very big stretch. And walked over to you even slower.

"Old man."

He huffed at that. One more strike and you're gifted with a bite. You floated some crisps for him to eat mid air. Snaffles took took very small bites. Mulling things over between a well chosen crisp. You weren't the only one in a mood.

You pulled our your potions homework. Extra pressured to do it, because not only did Jason need it to complete his own work, so did Blaise and Draco. And Raven due to a recent encounter with a dark energy she was to show you later.

Only you.

Maybe this was why you were eating so heavily. Bulking for the journey, not the stress of your dog missing his favourite boy.

The door opened up and revealed The Hazard and his stooges.