The Potions Master

seveитуseveи: laughter and interrogation

It was monday morning, breakfast. I was sat tiredly next to Draco Malfoy who had been silent the entire morning. He just swirled his spoon in despair, staring into the abyss of his cereal bowl.

I finished my cereal ages ago. "Are you going to tell me why you've been so moody?" I asked, Draco stayed silent. He only sighed. I raised an eyebrow. Could he hear me?

"Dracooo". I called, staring at the side of his head, he wouldn't look at me. I hardly touched just should before he quickly turned at me. I almost jumped out if my seat.

"What do you want?!"

My shoulders fell a little. "I want a better friend". I got up and gave him a stern look before quickly storming away.

I nearly rammed straight into Hermione, she stopped my by grabbing a hold of my shoulders. "Woah slow down, what's going on with you?" She asked concerned. I looked to the side. "It's nothing to talk about". I muttered. "Did you hear about Zander?" She continued, I stopped for a second. "Um, gryffindor's Zander?" I asked. She nodded. "He's in the hospital wing and he lost us 100 points for bullying!" Hermione growled. I gave her a pitiful look. "Sorry bout that 'Mione": I patted her shoulder. She took a deep breath sighing. "I feel terrible but I have to ask this of you". Hermione went on, she looked nervous. "Yes?"

"The person who took away our points, was your.. head of house—"

I quickly stopped her, putting my hands up. "Woah woah woah. Just because he's my head of house doesn't mean it's my responsibility!" I sighed. She gave me a sad look. "Wait, what, he's in the hospital wing, why?" I asked.

"You didn't let me finish".

I frowned and stopped myself. I zipped my mouth shut and gestured for her to go on. "Well, I was just thinking, you could maybe talk to him, ask him to give us a few points back? Aren't you his favorite student? And Zander was found in the boys bathroom hexed and passed out, no one really, knows, and he refuses to talk".

That caught my eye. I feel like I could piece two and two together but something didn't fit right.. Who would hex him in the middle of the night, and why? I mean it's understandable he's incredibly rude. I suspected one person, but why would they do it? Snape. Why would Snape do it?

"I'll talk to him".

~

"Are you alright, you look concerned". Harry asked, pretending to be practicing magic spells. "It's nothing".

"Don't seem like nothing, we keep catching you lookin' at the professor". Ron added. I froze a little and sighed. I crossed my arms. "Did you hear about Zander?" I asked. Harry nodded reluctantly, he looked annoyed just by the name. "The older guy". Harry replied, I nodded. "He was ... I was the one being bullied last night". I sighed and looked at the ground sheepishly. "I'm the reason you guys lost so many points".

Harry seemed to relax and he put a hand on my wrist gently. "It was not your fault, in any way. We.. We could just earn those points back". Harry smiles at me to try and brighten my mood. I smiled back. When someone smiles at you, it's like a high five, you can't leave them hanging.

"Explains much, Snape wouldn't take away THAT many points over just any student".

Ron added. I looked at him suspiciously. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You two were in the yearbook together, you can't act like you don't hang out with him". Ron laughed. My face turned red and I crossed my arms. "Y/n, are you playing quidditch this year?" Neville came over curiously. I nodded no. "But If I was, I would crush you Harry". I nudged him, he laughed and rubbed the spot I elbowed him.

I'm surprised we've gone this far without getting yelled at. "So Y/n, why don't you show us what you've got?" Ron spiked interestedly. I raised an eyebrow at him. "What?"

"Your patronus!"

I became tense quickly. I had a bunny as a patronus. I looked away. "Oh, err, i'm not very good at performing a patronus without a wand".

I lied, looked to the side.

"No. Why don't you go on? Show us".

Professor Snape had come out from the shadows, he looked ready to watch me embarrass myself. He extended a hand with his wand. For once. I didn't hesitate and I took it. I took a deep breath. "But it's bloody pathetic, alright?" I sighed. Ron smirked watching. Why was professor Snape was encouraging this, I had no idea.

"Remember to think of something memorable and happy". Snape reminded. I nodded. I looked back at my memories for a few seconds and found one. I became happy just thinking of it.

It was when he first said he loved me.

"Expecto Patronum!"

Out danced sparks that turned into a cheerful hoppin—

Doe?!

I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Haha that is bloody pathetic". Ron chuckled.

I gaped at it with my mouth open, Harry looked at me. He was feeling the same as me. "It was more pathetic! I swear, it was a bunny! It can't be a doe!"

"There's no way". I muttered. Professor Snape quickly left without a word, he didn't even make a snarky comment. He just turned away and left back to his desk.