Who would have thought, that the grumpy old dungeon bat could ever feel something that is just similar to love? Well, Elena Smith surely did not. But still, this is exactly what happened. He found love in his student - even if it was love at detours.
Elena's first class ever at Hogwarts was Potions. She was so nervous that she had a stomach ache and did not go to the Great Hall to eat breakfast. Because she was so nervous and overthinking, she nearly was too late – but she made it last second. The two last available seats were next to a Ravenclaw student or alone on a free desk. She took this as an opportunity to make her first friend. Elena put her bag down and her Advanced Potions book on the desk. The girl next to her eyed her critically but did not say anything about Elena sitting next to her.
"Hey, I am Elena", she introduced herself and the girl looked at her, confused. "Lisa.", she gave a short answer. But the new girl did not give up that easily and tried to get her involved in a conversation. "Are you good at Potions? I personally love that subject!" But her attempt failed miserably because after Professor Snape entered the room, everyone was quiet. Elena understood, that she should also stop her talking – at least for the beginning.
"I will not go easy on you this year", Snape began with his little speech. A boy in front of Elena sighed and whispered: "Yeah, you have never spared us, what's new?". Because of that, she giggled but shut her mouth in an instant, when she felt Snape's glare on herself. Snape continued by talking about this year being the most important one in their school career and that they were the few ones that mastered the subject Potions enough to be allowed to take part in that class.
The lesson that day dealt with the Forgetfulness Potion. Snape explained, that this potion is often used during pranks from students but most importantly it Is used by mental healers. This potion is able to treat people suffering from trauma or extreme anxiety disorders. Elena listened interested and wanted to make a good first impression brewing that potion.
She did not expect getting that distracted because of a conversation with her Ravenclaw-partner that she stirs the potion in the wrong direction, though. When she realized what she did, it already was too late. Her Professor noticed her fail, too. "And what is this supposed to be, Miss Smith?", he snared, and she looked at him, trying to think of an acceptable answer.
"A special edition of the Forgetfulness Potion, sir?" The whole class laughed, but it did not seem like a taunting laugh at her expenses. It seemed like they laughed because they all once were in that situation and her words described it perfectly.
"Silence, everyone. Miss Smith, stay after class." Elena sighed and started cleaning her cauldron. The first impression she made in class was not as good as she planned it to be. At least her partner wished her good luck and offered to study together after lunch. The new girl accepted that offer happily and thought that it was maybe worth it. Didn't everybody say that Slytherins had got an advantage when it comes to Snape? It couldn't be that bad then, could it?
Everybody left the classroom, only Elena and her Professor stayed behind. "If you continue working like that, you'll fail this class faster than you can say 'Potion', Miss Smith.", said Snape with a cold voice. Elena sighed and looked at him apologetically. "I normally am quite decent at Potions, Professor. I was distracted today; it won't happen again! Could I maybe brew that potion again? I can even do it without the Potions book."
Snape shook his head slightly. "Write two parchments about the potion if you want to increase your grade from a Poor to an Acceptable." She thought she was not hearing right – her grade in Potions was always Outstanding at her former school! She was upset. "But I am able to brew that potion!"
Snape snorted. "Well, you had your chance to show off your skills today and you failed miserably. The essay is the only thing I am offering, Miss Smith." She sighed frustrated but accepted his offer. Right as she turned around and wanted to go because she thought that this was it, Snape spoke again. "I'll see you for detention after breakfast on Saturday." She looked at him indignantly and was furious. This teacher was insufferable! As if he was able to read her mind, he told her why she earned herself detention: "It's for talking back to your professor, Miss Smith. Show some respect to your elders."
Completely furious she muttered a "Have a nice day" and left the room and banged the door shut a little too harshly – but she did not care.
When she arrived at the Great Hall, her new friend Lisa waved and Elena decided that she would just sit next to her. It is not an official rule that you have to sit at your house-table, is it? At the Ravenclaw table, she met two other friends of Lisa with whom she would go to the library after lunch. She described the punishment she got from Snape and Lisa said that she had her fingers crossed for her. As if Elena hadn't enough of that dungeon bat already, he appeared behind her while she was eating.
"Miss Smith, are you aware of the fact that you are not a Ravenclaw?" Acting surprised, she turned around and looked him drop dead serious in the eyes. "I had no idea, sir! Thank you for informing me!" Then she turned her attention back to her sandwich and took a bite. The Hall was suddenly really quiet. "Five points from Slytherin."
"Oh, so I am a Slytherin?!", she asked acting surprised again. Elena looked at her friends and acted exaggeratedly happy: "Did you know that?!" She heard a few giggles, but Snape did not really sound joyful. "Another five points from Slytherin. Return to your house or your friends will also start losing points."
Elena stood up, her sandwich still in her hand. "Well then, fellow Ravenclaw friends, I don't want to pull you into the abyss with me. See ya in the library!" Without looking back at Snape, she made her way out of the Great Hall and sat there, eating her food. Some students gave her a high-five when they walked past her and talked to her. She met Hermione, the red-haired boy and a new one. Hermione did not look really happy about her actions; the two boys however were praising her even more. She just grinned, thanked them and then made her way to the library where she spent the rest of the day studying and writing her essay. Her goal was it, to become the best in Snapes class and rub it under his nose (that was too big).
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