The Eyes Of A Seeker

Chapter 13: Potions Master

Today is the first day of class and our first subject was Transfiguration... And I need to tell you, Professor McGonagall is awesome! She's a registered animagus!! And her animagus is a cat.. A really cute cat that I would want to cuddle, carry, hug, and kiss! But sadly I can't do that because Professor McGonagall would expel me. Anyway, an animagus is a witch or wizard that can shape-shift into a certain animal, and if you don't know what your animagus is, you can see it by your patronous, the animal that you produce in a patronous is also your animagus form. 

Now on transfiguration, Harry and Ron were late and got embarrassed by Professor McGonagall about transfiguring one of them into a map so that they won't get lost.

We're in the dungeons now, because this is where we will take our potions class. Mind you, its pretty cold here.

"You shouldn't be friends with Granger, Zoe" said Draco beside me. Yes, he is beside me. The only reason was that he literally dragged me to sit beside him or he'll hex Hermione.

"And why?"

"Because she's a mudblood! And they're filthy, dirty, and-"

"Shut up Draco, Hermione is not what you think. Plus, I'm muggle-born, shouldn't you be calling me a mudblood too?"

He mumbled under his breath and I was about to ask him what he said when the door burst open and a black figure was walking fast. Still curious on what Draco mumbled, I tried to ask him.

"Hey, what did you say?"

"I didn't say anything"

"Yeah, you did.. Before Professor Snape went-"

"Is there something you wish to tell the class Ms. Jones?" said a monotone voice. I quickly closed my mouth and looked up to see Professor Snape looking at me. He was the one I was waving and smiling at yesterday but now he seemed to be the total opposite of what I expected. I then cleared my throat to answer him clearly.

"No Professor... I'm sorry to be impolite"
He stared at me for a moment and nodded. Then he continued talking with his monotonous voice.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making. 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, even put a stopper  to death."

The whole dungeon was quiet. His voice was cold that it doubled the coldness of the place.

"Potter!" Professor Snape suddenly said, making me look at Harry. He was writing something in his parchment and it seemed that he didn't hear Professor Snape call out his name. Hermione nudged him and he looked at her, then at Professor Snape.

"What would I get if I added a powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Professor Snape asked.

I knew the answer to that so I raised my hand, even Hermione's hand was raised as well. I looked at Harry to see if he would answer.

"I don't know sir" was all Harry said.

My hand still raised, I looked at Professor Snape eagerly. I want to answer!! He looked at me for a second then back at Harry.

"Clearly, fame isn't everything"

I heard Draco snickered and I glared at him.

"Let's try again, Potter. Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Oh! I know!!! I raised my hand again... This time, higher than my arms could extend... Come on!! He can't possibly just ignore me or Hermione!

"I don't know sir," Harry said again. This time, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were laughing and I made sure that I stepped on Draco's foot. He stopped laughing and winced at the pain and glared at me. I just smirked at him and stuck my tongue out like a 5-year-old.

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh Potter?"

Harry looked down at his books. He's embarassing him!! It's unfair!

"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

Like before, I raised my hand. Why is he like that to Harry anyway?

"I don't know... I think Hermione and Zoe do" said Harry.

Hermione was standing up, hand still raised, but I'm still at my seat, raising my hand like a small kid.
"Sit down," he said to Hermione, she did sit down but her hand still raised.

He then looked at me and said:
"Ms. Jones... You may answer all of my questions"

I stood up, sighing happily and answered
"Asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite." I said finally, then smiled at him.

Snape's POV
When Zoe stood up and answered all of my questions correctly, I couldn't help but feel proud. My daughter, so clever, brave, beautiful like her mother made me proud by simply answering my question. After she answered, she smiled at me. A genuine, happy smile. I couldn't help but smile back at my daughter. She was so happy doing the simplest things. She reminds me of Bella... I know what Bella will say to her if she were alive. Her mother would be so proud as I am today.

"Brilliant Ms. Jones.. 10 points to Gryffindor," I said, in a much, cheerful tone. Everyone except my daughter was surprised by my sudden change of mood. Upon realizing this, I cleared my throat and regained my cold stare.

"Well? Aren't you copying that down?" I said in my monotone voice.

The students wrote what Zoe said in their parchment, and I looked at my daughter, who was humming while writing what she said at her parchment. She was sitting beside Draco. 

Good.
I personally asked Draco to look after her, I told him about Zoe being my daughter, but her being unaware of it. The Malfoys are one of my trusted pure-blood families, and I know Draco won't tell anyone about it.

Zoe's POV
Professor Snape was talking about different kinds of potions and I, who really listened to him, took everything he said in my parchment. I would raise hands if he would ask questions, and he would always call me. I was happy at our double potions, two hours with Professor Snape isn't bad at all... Well, at least for me.

After potions, I was about to leave when Professor Snape called me. I waited patiently.

When all the students were out of the dungeon he finally faced me

"Ms. Jones, how do your muggle parents treat you?"
I was a little surprised by his question but answered nevertheless.

"Well, they treat me with full of love and attention... Sometimes we all bond but the majority of their time was dedicated to working."

"Shouldn't they be taking care of you than their work?"

I was trying to stop raising my eyebrow because he's acting suspiciously. I mean, why would he want to know?

"It's alright Professor, they're actually giving their all at work for me, to give me a better future. It's okay if they wouldn't spend a lot of their time with me. As long as I know that they love me and all that they were doing is for my own good, then I'm fine with that."

Professor Snape sighed. Then smiled at me, ruffling my hair. I chuckled at what he did.

"Such inspiring, clever words from an eleven-year-old girl. I'm proud of you.."

And then he hugged me... Like really tight. It was awkward, really, but I hugged him back. He was acting like a father to me which made me a little happy yet curious. He smiled at me once more and I waved a goodbye at Professor Snape.

Who knew a potions master can be like a father to me.