Thick Smoke

E.B

At dinner, it was already a known fact that Malfoy got scratched by Buckbeak the Hippogriff. Eliza clearly heard him say the hippogriff was a beast and a danger for any student or anyone for that matter.

"He's lying through his teeth. I'm sure no creature would harm someone innocent." Eliza mumbled, hearing the blond whine to his friends and exaggerating his injury.

Dean glared at the blond over Eliza's shoulder before he turned to her. "His father is definitely furious and won't let things as they are now. He will probably get Hagrid fired." The boy retorted, before pushing a paper in front of her. "You did it wrong." He continued, making Eliza groan and lean her head on her hands.

"Why is this so hard? How should I know about muggles and their lives? Why am I taking that class anyway? " She whined, getting a chuckle out of Dean.

"Your parents are purebloods, aren't they?" He asked, curious yet shy since he didn't want to pry much in her life.

Her shoulders fell in disappointment and nodded. "That has nothing to do with the way I have been raised. Before I came here I was actually homeschooled in magic and went to a normal school. I know how Muggles do things." She grumbled feeling already tired.

Dean chuckled. Having homework from every teacher was harder than having homework from Remus.

"You know, Slytherins are usually pure blood wizards and look down on any muggle born or half blood. You should keep away from them if you can. They're bad news, especially Malfoy and his lot." The Gryffindor boy advised.

Eliza took a peek at the Slytherin table and saw one piggy faced girl simpering at Malfoy while two other Slytherins were stuffing their faces still.

"Rich kids are the same everywhere," She muttered loud enough for Dean to catch on.

He laughed but didn't say anything until he remembered their time table, "Tomorrow morning we have Potions. You should be careful around Professor Snape. He's the Head of Slytherin House and he favors his students before anyone else. It's good to be careful around him."

"So he bullies everyone except Slytherins?" She repeated, her eyes wandering towards the professors table.

Dean leaned in a bit and whispered, "The one in all black and menacing- well, everything is menacing about him. Just beware Snape."

Eliza nodded and took one last glance at Snape before giving a dramatic yawn.

Next day, Eliza found out on her own skin the wrath of Professor Snape.

As soon as she entered with Neville, the dark eyes of the Potions professor fell on her and she swore he sneered. They had to make a Shrinking Solution and while she was right next to Neville and tried to help him cut his ingredients, Snape saw her and glared at her.

"Each with their own cauldron Molley. I believe your former professor taught you as much," He spoke curtly from the very first meeting.

What was indeed annoying for Snape was the way she seemed to absorb everything he was saying with great interest, making it hard for him to snap at her. She was neat and calculated and even Hermione was struck of the way she seemed to be so composed with all the glaring from both Slytherins and Snape.

"He may take points from you because you're good," Seamus whispered but quickly backed away when the greasy haired teacher turned to him.

"Is there something you want to share with the class, Finnigan?"

Seamus shook his head quickly and added another ingredient, the mushy stuff in his cauldron becoming even worse.

Without any help coming from either side, Neville's potion had a very ugly orange color and from the smell, Eliza was sure it could kill someone. That was probably Snape's opinion too because he strutted over with that menacing look and watched Neville try his hardest before snapping at him.