"Ah, yes," Snape said softly when he reached his name during roll call. "Harry Potter, our new...celebrity." Harry held back a sigh, that tone portended nothing good coming from this man. Potions Class was most likely going to become his least favorite course soon.
"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," Snape continued in a near whisper. "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 human veins, bewitching the mind, 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."
Harry thought that speech sounded kind of rehearsed. Snape probably used it for the first class every year. He would probably use it on the Slytherin/Gryffindor class too, when they had their first class. It wasn't a bad speech though, just a little over the top.
"Potter!" Snape called suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
"I have no idea, sir." Harry answered. He hadn't spent very long going over his Potions textbook. It just wasn't as interesting to him as conjuring lightning or the myriad of other spells he could start learning. Not to mention the vast amount he was still learning about Runes and Arithmancy.
"Tut, tut, clearly fame isn't everything. Let's try again Potter..." Snape drawled.
More questions came and Harry was unable to answer any of them. Truthfully, he probably should have actually read through his Potions books, but learning how to hurl spells from his hands was a much stronger desire for him than learning about stirring a collection of odd ingredients inside a cauldron. He was an eleven year old boy, after all. With one last disdainful sneer, Snape rapidly went over the answers to the questions and instantly demanded to know why the rest of the class wasn't writing them down.
This train of near harassment went on for the rest of the class. Snape stalked around the classroom practically glaring at every student's cauldron as if they'd personally offended him. There was no encouragement or corrections, only yelling and point deductions, truly Snape had to be the worst teacher Harry had ever heard of. He spent the rest of the Potions Class in a bad mood. Maybe he could find some alternative to attending this particular class? Snape was clearly determined to pick on him for some reason, so actually learning anything from the man was doubtful at best and laughable at worst. Harry sighed as he left the classroom in the dungeons; the first week had been going so well until now.
"What's got you so down today, nerd?" Tonks asked from beside him causing Harry to jump almost a foot off the bench he was sitting on in the Great Hall. Tonks' laughter led to an embarrassed blush spreading across his face.
"Tonks! Do you really have to sneak up on me?" Harry demanded as he breathed out gustily.
"Yep!" Tonks replied with a grin. "So what's got you all moody?"
"I think Professor Snape hates me for some reason." Harry replied.
"To be fair, Snape hates everyone that isn't a Slytherin, so you're not the only one." Tonks explained with a shrug.
"Why is he a teacher then?" Harry questioned only getting a shake of the head from Tonks in reply.
"Visiting again, Tonks?" A girl's voice spoke from behind the two. Turning around the two came face to face with Penelope Clearwater the Ravenclaw Fifth Year Prefect.
"Yep, just checking in on Harrikins!" Tonks chuckled as she ruffled Harry's hair.
"Oi!" Harry objected as he pulled his head away from her hand.
"While I can't say I approve of this…'relationship' between a Seventh Year and a First Year, as long as you aren't violating the rules I won't say anything. I'm just glad Harry has at least one friend." Penelope sighed as she looked at the two. Harry's face was bright red in embarrassment while Tonks grinned back at her.
"He's not my boyfriend, he's my nerd, you're just jealous that he likes me better!" Tonks laughed as she playfully stuck out her tongue.
"That's fine." Penelope sighed again. Dealing with Tonks was always an experience, though she did count the Seventh Year Hufflepuff among her friends.
"Join us for dinner Penny!" Tonks demanded as she pulled Harry into her side and motioned Penelope to take the spot beside Harry. Harry's blushing looked to be getting to unhealthy levels as he struggled to get out of Tonks' grip so Penelope sat down in the offered spot quickly.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Penelope asked once Tonks let the First Year out of her arms.
"I'm fine." Harry mumbled as he looked down at his plate refusing to meet anyone's eyes until his face wasn't red anymore. Tonks' snickering wasn't helping on that front.
"That's good. After not seeing you hang around with any of your year mates I was getting worried that you did not have any friends." Penelope admitted. As a Prefect it was her responsibility to look after the younger students. Seeing a new First Year without any friends was worrying and Penelope felt like she needed to do something to fix the situation.
"What're you saying, Penny? Harry's got the two of us! We're the best friends he could have, right Harry?" Tonks exclaimed with a wide grin.
"Yes, Tonks, thank you Tonks." Harry mumbled quickly only to be pulled into another sideways hug by the playful Seventh Year. "Tonks! Stop it!"
"Nope!" Tonks teased as she ruffled his hair again.
"Tonks don't harass Harry." Penelope scolded getting the older teen to let Harry go again.
"Fine, ruin my fun." Tonks grinned getting an eye roll from Penelope and a deadpan glare from Harry as he tried to fix his messed up hair.
The three chatted as they filled their plates with food and enjoyed their evening meal. By the end of dinner Harry definitely counted Penelope as his friend. Said Prefect smiled fondly at the First Year before both were pulled into a group hug by Tonks. Naturally there was much protesting from the Ravenclaw duo.