Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OC (Katherine) is entirely my own.
Severus stepped out into the corridor and silence fell over the group of students that were waiting outside.
"IN," he scowled, as the sixth years made their way inside the classroom. Harry, Ron and Hermione choose their seats towards the back of the room as Severus closed the door and moved to face the class from behind his desk.
"I do not want to see any books," Severus said, as he sneered at the class before him. "I want your fullest attention as we begin." He glazed over the students and then set off around the edge of the classroom.
"The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal," Severus voice was now low and dangerous. "Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, and indestructible."
Severus carried on a bit more, showing them various pictures of dark arts curses and items used by the Dark Lord.
"Now..what is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?" Severus questioned as he had finally made his way back to his desk. "No one? Very well, Miss Granger."
"Your competitor has no warning about what kind of magic youre about to perform, which gives you a split-second advantage." Hermione stated.
"An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six," Severus sneered, looking at his Slytherin, "but correct in essentials. Those who progress to using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some...lack.
"You will now divide into pairs and practice this concept." The students paired off and began practicing; one casting a jinx and the other blocking it all in silence. Severus walked around the room accessing the work at hand.
"Pathetic Weasley," Severus muttered as he rounded on Harry and Ron, "Here...let me show you..."
Severus turned and shot a nonverbal spell towards Harry, who forgot about the concept of the task, "Protego!" Harrys shield charm was strong enough to knock Severus off-balance and hit a desk. The students looked towards the professor as he righted himself angrily.
"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?" Severus spat towards the boy.
"Yes," Harry answered stiffly.
"Yes, sir." Severus corrected him.
"There's no need to call me 'sir' Professor." The words escaped him too quickly and several people around him gasped.
"Detention, Saturday night, my office," Severus sneered. "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter...not even 'the Chosen One.'"
..................
The dungeon door opened in a flash and the blonde-haired professor stepped out to allow the few dozen students to enter.
"Inside, now," her voice was low and venomous, much like Snapes was earlier that morning.
The room was full of vapors and smells and the students sniffed attentively. Large, bubbling cauldrons lined the table in the front of the room. The professor made her way to the front of the classroom as the students seated themselves. Her black robes billowed out around her, making the students believe she was truly the female version of Snape.
YOU ARE READING
The Potion Mistress & the Half-Blood Prince
Fiction généraleSeverus finally gets the position he has always wanted, but it means dealing with a new Potions professor and a woman from his past. Takes place during the HBP, DH and beyond. AU. Rated M for later chapters.
