The thing about preconceived notions and impressions of people is that you sometimes find yourself completely confused. You expect them to behave a certain way, because well, you’re supposed to know them. While this rang true for most of the students, professors and magical society. Severus Snape blew my mind away time and time again, and it started with our first meeting.
-Excerpt from Celestia Ravenclaw’s Journals, on Severus Snape.
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The great hall had a somewhat subdued effect. People were tired and it was the first monday after sorting and the welcoming feast.
My sister had stopped by for another chat yesterday, nothing substantial, just a conversation for getting to know one another.
I have made a plan for what I want to focus on during my seven years at Hogwarts. While Castle Hecate has a vast library, it’s not the most updated. I learnt that this is both a detriment and an advantage, as most newer books are heavily censored, they still do publish most of the new breakthroughs in white, light and light-gray magic.
I want to master dueling to the best of my abilities, both for circuits but also for pure survival and no-holds barred fights. I want to keep some abilities hidden, which I’ll cover up with the traditional dueling, while keeping my true style kept behind closed doors.
My true style will be interesting to experiment with, as it will be almost like unleashing my dragon instincts, and going off of them instead of logic, at least that is my current thought. Shielding and offhanding with my, well, offhand, while doing precision work and the more taxing spells with my wand. I want to try to implement shouts as well, but I don’t currently know at what level I am, as Castle Hecate wasn’t a good place for practical magic, according to mother.
I also want to eventually speak to someone regarding dark magic and the unforgivables, as I have some thoughts regarding them, and I want to see if they will be beneficial in my arsenal or not, but I don’t want to start dabbling in the dark arts until I get older, have more experience and my body coming into its magical maturity.
“Ah, Miss Ravenclaw. Here is your schedule.” My thoughts are interrupted by Professor Flitwick, even though our last conversation was, interesting, he doesn’t seem to hold it against me, but he is part goblin, so I can’t know for sure.
Taking a look at my schedule I can see I have double potions, which could be an experience, as I’m curious as to the personality of Severus in this world.
Hearing the shuffling of other students gathering their things and finishing up breakfast, I start to leave while casting a glance at my yearmates. I haven’t really spoken to them, and I’m not sure if I really will. While mingling and gathering connections could be important, I’d rather wait and see if some of them are mature enough. I’m not sure my patience or temper could handle the true immaturity of 11 year olds.
* * *
Entering the dungeon I’m hit with the different scents and smells of ingredients and lingering vapor from decades of potion making. It’s not an offensive smell, but neither is it pleasant.
I’m quite surprised as to how sterile the room is, as I wouldn’t really expect the magical community to have researched a lot when it comes to hygiene.
The sound of a cape billowing in the wind interrupts my train of thought, and for the first time I lay my eyes upon the dungeon bat, Severus Snape. Master of Potions.
He does remind me of Alan Rickman, but there are enough differences that I can tell they’re not the same person, but they do look like brothers. His face is more well proportioned, and the big nose associated with Severus is not one of his facial features. With my more mental maturity, and disregarding my sexuality he is objectively a bit above average, sort of handsome but not “wow”.
“Put away your wands and empty your desks. There will be no foolish wand-waving or experimenting with incantations or silly spells in my classroom. I demand your full attention, and that you all follow precise instructions. Those who fail to do so…” He trails off without finishing, leaving the threat hanging. His voice is smooth and silky, but more in an intimidating way than attractive.
Blocking our line of sight to the chalkboard, we can tell he’s writing by the sound. The room is completely silent, and for the first time I actually notice first year raven’s have potions with the snakes. This is the best outcome I could hope for. Hufflepuffs would tend to argue perceived unfairness, and the lions will probably not go over well with Severus.
Finished writing he moves out of the way and sits down at the professor’s desk. I look over to the board to read.
- Take a rag from the pile up front and clean your desk, knife and chopping board. No cleaning spells.
- Keep your desk free of clutter, only the ingredients for “Permanent Colour Changing Potion” as listed in your books.
- No talking, no interrupting your fellow students.
I do a double take at the first item on the list, and I might have to revise my earlier theory regarding magical hygiene.
Opening my book I look for the correct potion, its ingredients and instructions, before looking over at the shelf holding the different ingredients. I notice a few differences from how my mother taught me to make this.
Looking between the ingredients and Severus, I hold a silent debate before eventually raising my hand. He looks at me instantly and walks over.
“Yes Miss?”
“Ravenclaw.”
An eyebrow raises, why? He was there at the sorting feast, he should remember me based on his reaction?
“I see. Were the questions too complicated for even a ravenclaw such as yourself?” He drawls out in a smooth but monotone way, betraying nothing but sarcasm in his voice.
Normally this would annoy me, but coming from him I have to fight off a smirk.
“I was just wondering why we are making this potion in the outdated way?”
That gets a reaction, and the eyebrow that came back to level earlier shoots up again.
“Indeed?” He tilts his head, motioning me to go on.
“The other method devised by Wilkes improves boiling time, and cuts back on unnecessary ingredients, as you know.” Closing my book and placing it on my lap, I look into his eyes. Which was a mistake. Forgetting that Severus Snape is an occlumensy and legilimency master would normally be my downfall, if it had not been for my natural defenses coming from being a Dovakhiin, making it very difficult, but not impossible for legilimency to have an effect. The problem is that now he knows I have “studied occlumency”, which is technically not legal.
As we are both in a stalemate, both of us practicing and applying illegal arts onto one another, I can feel his probe leave my mind and his eyes bore into mine, not in another breaching attempt, but simply analyzing.
“Stay after class Miss Ravenclaw.” His cape billows as he turns to leave without hearing my answer.
