Till Death do us Part

Odd Letters

Swiftly, I led the others down the corridors. Wayne had refused to wake up earlier and now we were running late. We were meant to arrive at transfigurations ten minutes ago and I was using every short cut I could remember to get us there quicker.

Bursting into the room, I breathed heavily before going to my seat. 'Morning McGonagall,' I greeted, nodding at the cat who nodded back.

Before she could transform back, the doors were slammed open and Ron came charging in. "Few, that was close. Could you imagine the face on McGonagall would give me if I was late"

Slapping my hand into my face, I gave Ron a tired look. Pointing over my shoulder, I wrote to McGonagall, 'that was not me.'

McGonagall just sighed, jumping up off the table and changing back. "While that may be, you all are still late. I hope you have a good explanation."

'They wouldn't get up so Ama said I should stay and take them down the secret passages to get them to class on time. Didn't work,' I wrote down, smiling innocently.

McGonagall's eye twitched, annoyance clear in her face. "Just sit down."

Laughing, I collapsed in my seat and brought out my pen and started to write out what was on the board. Wayne sat next to me, gasping still from McGonagall's lack of punishment.

"Why do you write in that language?" Wayne nudged my side, pointing at the sentences I just wrote.

Tilting my head, I looked back at my page. 'It's the first language I learnt. I guess it's just more natural for me.'

"Oh... What is it called?"

'I don't know. We called it Old tongue,' I lied, rotating the pen through my fingers. 'No one really speaks or writes it anymore.'

Wayne nodded, his eyes flicking up and down the page. "I learnt Greek," he blurted out, blushing when realising.

'Greek? I have never heard of it but I would love to learn.'

Wayne gave me a pleased smile, he was about to say anything else when I stopped him and wrote something down. 'We should refocus on the lesson. McGonagall has been glaring at us for four sentences.'

Nodding, Wayne turned back to his work.

After we left Transfiguration, we rejoined the others and headed off for Potions. We had been warned about the potions professor and I remember his... distant attitude. Ama said it was because he lost someone important to him but refused to tell me who, only said I would find out when the time was right. She said that a lot.

Heading deep into the dungeons, we passed through the cold stone corridors and towards the large wooden door. The other class had left and we were told to go in and be quiet. A little ironic being almost completely mute but they didn't know that.

This time, I sat with Kevin who had his text books out already. I placed my scrolls and my ink pot down. I took my quill into my hand.

I spun around when the door burst open and the familiar dark cloaked man came striding in. "There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death."

Smiling, I wrote down what he said. I knew teachers wanted you to take notes so it is better to write then while you can remember what is being said. I wrote in snake tongue, but did struggle in some of the translation since I didn't know all the words but Ama helped.

"Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention."

Kevin nudged my arm making me jump. He motioned for me to look up at the teacher who was glaring down at me.

"Mr. Potter. Our new celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

I thought over the question, I didn't recognise those words so I didn't know what they meant. Shrugging, I looked up to our new teacher, what did he expect?

"You don't know? Well, let's try again. What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Frowning, I tried to work out the different words but neither felt familiar.

"No, then where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"

Once again I didn't know the answer but I did know how I would go about finding it. 'I would look in the storage cupboard or if-' I couldn't finish writing when a pair of hands slammed down on my desk.

"Are you that arrogant you would continue ignoring me after I asked you a direct question?"

I wasn't sure what to do, if I couldn't write, I couldn't answer. I looked up at him like a fish out of water.

"Are you going to answer me, Mr. Potter?"

Unable to answer, I looked down, fiddling with my fingers. I did not like this. With most people I was told how to act. Ama had told me what and what not to do, but for some reason, whatever I did here was not right. I am so confused.

"Pity. Clearly, fame isn't everything," Snape finished turning around.

"Excuse me, professor. But as Sly can only talk using pen and paper, how do you expect him to answer you when you shout at him for writing?!" Kevin jumped up, holding out a hand in front of me. "And, beforehand, he was taking notes because he was paying attention and didn't want to forget what you said. I don't know what you got against Harry, but clearly it is uncalled for!"

Snape looked shocked but quickly covered it up. He picked up the paper I had been writing on and quirked up his eyebrow. "That is not a proper answer, Mr. Potter."

Tilting my head, I pulled out a different piece of paper. 'I apologise, but I do not understand some of your words. My,' I paused for a second. Dumbledore told me not to talk about Ama teaching me, so... 'tutor taught me potions in my first tongue, which isn't English. I have yet to learn all the translations for the names.'

Snape looked shocked by the statement but did not say anything, just giving me the scroll back and returning to the front.

Next time I'll remember to bring the Snake to Human translation book Ama made for me... well, dictated for me.