Dark Memories

Book 1 - Part 4: Options

They were in the Great Hall eating breakfast when the mail came, Harry surprised that he actually had received a letter.

Dear Harry,

I know you get Friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me after your classes? I want to hear all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Hedwig.

Hagrid

Harry replied, 'Yes, please, see you later,' on the back of the note, and handed it to Hedwig.

Harry could hardly wait.

- - -

Harry and the other Gryffindors entered the dungeons, joining the first year Slytherins.

Neville, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat together, in that order. Harry looked across some of the tables to find Draco and his buds staring at him. Harry gave an acknowledging nod, quite enjoying the confused expression on Draco's face. He clearly didn't know what to make of Harry, and that was how Harry liked it.

Everyone suddenly went silent upon Snape's entrance, the door being slammed open.

Harry and the others listened intently to Snape's little 'Introduction to Potions' speech after he had completed the roll call, his feelings towards 'celebrities' coming in loud and clear the whole time.

"Potter!" Snape said suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry blinked, having trouble just understanding the words Snape had just said, let alone what they made, though those ingredients did sound familiar...

"I don't know, sir," Harry said, trying not to let himself phase out into a memory as he vaguely noticed Hermione's hand shoot high into the air.

"Tut, tut—fame clearly isn't everything."

Hermione looked apologetically at him, lowering her hand, deciding now was not the time to really answer questions.

"Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Harry closed his eyes, hoping this memory would be done quickly, since he wasn't able to beat it back...

Tom began reading the chapter on 'Cures and Their Ingredients', his finger trailing down the list, and passing 'Bezoars'.

Harry looked back up to Snape, thankful to realize only a few seconds had passed.

"It's a stone sir, from a stomach of a goat, and if I remember correctly from 'Magical Drafts and Potions', it will save you from most poisons, right?"

That caused Snape's eyes to narrow and everyone in the room to go very still.

"Correct, though, I'd like to know why you knew that, but did not know the first question I asked you," Snape said, suspiciously.

"I uh...was a little more interested about reading cures and positive things potions can do, if you want to know the real reason, sir. I find Potions to be one of the more useful subjects here, though, I don't think it could ever be my favorite, there's too many things that could go wrong by not mixing a potion correctly, or using too much of a certain ingredient..."

He trailed off, looking past Snape to find Draco staring at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Well, I'm glad you are conscious of that fact, Potter. I'm going to expect you not to make those kinds of mistakes, especially now that you seem to understand the risks so very well," he said, exuding sarcasm and rudeness, before beginning the lesson.