Potion class took place down in one of the dungeons. It hasn't even been a week since Valeria had arrived at Hogwarts - and admittedly, she has been rather enjoying her stay. However, today, this particular part of the castle was cold and eerie, with animals floating in glass jars all around the walls. Then again, she was used to this - but that does not mean the spider legs did not give her chills.
Professor Snape started the class by taking the register and he paused at Harry Potter's name.
Valeria stared at the boy who lived, several rows in front of her, a small smirk. Her onyx eyes that are deeper and darker than any abyss protruded the back of potter's head. Her long shining black bangs invaded her vision despite her hair being kept in a messy ponytail.
"Ah, yes," Snape's voice was soft, like a snake's, "Harry Potter. Our newest - celebrity."
Some people like Draco and his friends - whatever their names were, sniggered behind their hands as if it were the funniest thing to happen today. Whereas others like Valeria, merely rolled their eyes at Snape.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," he began. He spoke in hisses, and with every word the class was silent. No one dared to speak to him. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
With every word Snape has his students leaning further and further off their seats, bewitched by his enchanting words as Valeria was also a victim of this. She stared up at him with a small dose of admiration and eagerness to learn, while some (Hermione Granger) was more eager to prove that she wasn't a dunderhead. Valeria followed Snape's gaze as it returns to Harry's once more who was writing away with his quills, completely oblivious to the predatory gaze of Severus Snape.
"And then again maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough not pay attention," Snape shouted out the last few words, but still, Harry Potter doesn't acknowledge the man in the slightest but absentmindedly dips his quill into the ink. Hermione had to give Harry Potter - The Boy Who Lived a helping hand by giving him a gentle nudge to gain his attention. Immediately Harry placed down his quills, giving an irked Snape his attention.
"Mr. Potter,"
"Uh-oh," Valeria mumbled in an undertone, overhearing the sniggers of Draco Malfoy seated beside her.
"Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" As soon as the inquiry left Snape's mouth Hermoine's hand shot up like lightning bolt as she practically nearly shot out her seat along with her hand, she desperately tried to get Snape's attention, even letting out gasps once or twice.
According to Victorian Flower Language, asphodel is a type of lily meaning 'My regrets follow you to the grave' and wormwood means 'absence' and also typically symbolized bitter sorrow. Combine it together and it meant 'I bitterly regret Lily's death'.
Her elbow rested firmly on the desk, eyes glistered with interest.
Draco Malfoy caught sight of her grin.
"Do you know the answer?" he asked softly.
"Yes," said Valeria.
"Well?" Snapped Draco. "Do tell."
"By mixing an infusion of wormwood with powdered root of asphodel you can make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death," Valeria answered plainly, before tapping her bottom lip with her index finger and looked up at the ceiling in a thoughtful manner, "if I remember correctly anyhow."
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FOOLS || D.M.
Fanfiction"Humans have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them."
