Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Fifty-Two: DADA, Potions, and Room of Requirement

The first day of classes started out with DADA, just perfect. First, Professor Snape talked about the Dark Arts. He used a voice filled with loving caress that only a Death Eater could use on the topic. As you may have noticed, I am no longer calling Professor Snape my father since I found out he's been keeping things from me. The classroom was darkly decorated with portraits of people in all sorts of pain from the Cruciatus Curse to the Dementor's kiss.

Today's lesson was on practicing nonverbal spells. I noticed most people were mumbling the spells, trying not to move their lips. Within five to ten minutes of practicing, I successfully disarmed Draco without saying the spell out loud. "Well done, Katie," Professor Snape praised me before continuing his walk around the classroom.

I glared at his backside and replied, "Thank you, Professor Snape." The class broke out in whispers from hearing me call him by his proper name.

"Quiet all of you. As I recall, nonverbal spells require no talking," Snape ordered. He walked back over to me and spoke quietly. "Katie, I understand you're mad at me for some reason, however not calling me your father anymore isn't going to solve anything."

I laughed a sarcastic laugh. "You are not my father anymore."

"You cannot just say that and make it true. I'm still your father. Whether you like it or not, we're blood related."

I smirked. "That's funny because the only reason you are my father is because my mother was too drunk to realize she was getting knocked up by a lying, greasy, big-nosed, idiotic freak!"

Murmurs of surprise rippled throughout the classroom.

"That is enough!" Snape yelled and the talking ceased. "I will not have you disrupt the class with our personal matters. Ten points from Slytherin. Get back to work."

After class had finished, I was the first one out of the room. Fortunately I could still enjoy my favorite class despite my issue with Snape because Slughorn now taught it. When I, with Draco hurrying to catch up with me, arrived at potions, I found that there were only a handful of students who made it to N.E.W.T. class potions. There was the Trio, Seamus, four Ravenclaws, three Hufflepuffs, and our foursome of Slytherins.

Professor Slughorn ushered us into the classroom and started the class with having us tell him which potions stood in front of him. Next he showed us a small vial filled with Felix Felicis, or Liquid Luck. He told us we were to attempt to brew the Draught of Living Death. The person who successfully brewed it would earn the vial of liquid luck. "Only one student has ever managed to claim this prize," Slughorn told us, his eyes twinkling over to me, making it obvious that Snape was that student. "Let the brewing begin."

My potion was going quite smoothly. I was using all the tips and tricks Snape had taught me and I was able to forget about all my troubles while working. Then there was a loud boom. Seamus's potion blew up, causing me to jump and add way more valerian roots than needed. I cried out in frustration and anger. There was no time to fix it. What would Father-NO! Don't call him that and don't care what he would think, I scolded myself mentally.

"Time's up! Now let's see if anyone has done it. Miss Snape?" He came up to my potion first.

"It's Miss Brown, Professor," I corrected him, trying not to show my annoyance.

"Of course, of course, my apologies. Oh dear, added too many valerian roots it seems."

"Yes sir. I accidentally dropped them all in when a certain explosion," I glared at Seamus, "caused me to jump."

"Well that is unfortunate." He continued around the room until he found the perfect potion, Harry's. "Mr. Potter has done it! Congratulations. Use it well," Slughorn said as he gave Harry the potion.

~~~~~

Every chance he got, Draco would head to the Room of Requirement to mend the vanishing cabinet. I always accompanied him so I could support him, although he refused to let me help him. He had Crabbe and Goyle take polyjuice potion and turn into little first year girls to keep watch outside the door. They carried large brass scales that they dropped if anyone were to come into the area of the entrance so Draco and I knew not to come out.

"Where do you guys run off to?" Maddie asked one night before bed.

"What?" I played dumb.

"After you and Draco get done with homework, you always leave and don't come back for hours."

"Prefect duties, you know that," I improvised.

"Right," she replied, unconvinced.

"Well, goodnight," I told her.

"Mmmhmm," she said before turning off the light.

***A/N: sorry it's so short! :/***