An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Jovian's breath misted slightly in the air as he walked down the corridor leading to Snape's office. Hopefully the Professor was in and was somewhat amicable mood, since he would like to begin work on acquiring a Potions Kit over the holidays. Sure, it would mean tramping all over the grounds in winter in search of ingredients, but it would be worth it.
Adjusting his grip on the package with his dress robes - it would have taken too long to drop them off in the Tower, and he had a gaggle of first years to avoid - he knocked on the door and waited to see if there would be a response.
Post by Jonathan King on Oct 8, 2021 23:10:48 GMT 10
Eventhough he would have much preferred to head straight outside to play in the snow, Joe had begrudgingly agreed that it was best to see professor Snape before going away for christmas. They had been putting it off for too long already and Joe had hoped he could put it off for ever.
But then again, professor Snape was their teacher and he could not be avoided. Besides, Joe was quite pleased with his collections of ingredients anyway.
"Aight. Here we go", he said as he rounded the last corner. He noticed that older Ravenclaw student from breakfast had beat them there and joined him infront of the office door. He searched his pockets for the ingredients he had gathered for show and counted them once again for good measure.
Was it bad that he hoped Snape wasn't there after all? Joe looked back, trying to catch sight of Toby for encouragement. When he had his best friend by his side not even Snape could be that scary, right?
In a way it had been Snape who had made them become friends in the first place even. Joe smiled at that.
Last Edit: Oct 10, 2021 0:42:52 GMT 10 by Jonathan King: can’t even copypaste
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Oct 9, 2021 17:49:55 GMT 10
Toby was determined not to let anything spoil his mood, there was snow on the ground and soon he would be home with his parents, with no nasty potions teachers in sight. Unfortunately, he had one more day of dealing with Snape and he didn't think there was anything he'd rather do less than pay him a visit.
At least he had Joe by his side though, with his friends at his back he felt like he could do anything- even face up to nasty horrid Professor Snape.
When they arrived at his office, he was disappointed to see an older student was already there. Didn't that guy know that they were in a hurry? And he didn't really feel like having anyone else present to watch Snape belittle him further- the potions master seemed particularly fond of that.
Watching Joe check over his ingredients, Toby decided it would be a good idea to do the same- to prevent Snape from trying to come up with an excuse to make him look for more. He counted them and then made sure that each ingredient was undamaged and would survive Snape's scrutiny. They all looked good.
Now they just had to survive the next few minutes and they'd be free.
Post by Ryan Barrow on Oct 10, 2021 0:44:05 GMT 10
Ryan joined his best friends as they went to see Snape, who he could happily avoid himself since he'd already completed his kit and was just there for moral support. He was glad to spend some time with his friends, even if it was in the creepy and cold dungeon. He was quiet over breakfast, in awe of the enchanted snow while also sulking about the cold.
While they waited, he kept a bit to the back as to not intrude -- or really, to hide from Snape himself and avoid being asked why he was there. Ryan frowned, knowing he was a few ingredients short of being able to brew a potion yet. He'd wait to hear what Joe and Toby wanted to do today first though.
He ignored the older Ravenclaw, not sure what to say or do around him anyway. If nothing else, they could hide behind him if necessary.
With a swish of his wand, the door suddenly swung open -- yet was magically prevented from banging against the wall. The doorway clear, Snape awaited his company to make an entrance and explain why his peace was being intruded upon yet again. He glanced up just enough to see who it was, with clar dread in seeing it was multiple students, then resumed his task at hand.
Most notable was a decent stack of leather-bound books on one side of his desk. There were titles such as Unbinding Binding Curses, An Intricate Comparison of Werewolves and Wuffsnouts, The Most Advanced Study of Counter-Poisons, Lost and Forgotten Counter-Curses, and An Ancient Guide to Forbidden Magical Practices.
Jovian inwardly sighed as not one, not two, but three younger students arrived shortly after him. He had been hoping they would have taken longer to reach the dungeons, but luck was apparently not on his side this morning. Still, he offered them each a polite smile and nod, seeing that two of them were fellow Ravenclaws.
He watched with interest as ingredients were carefully checked, pleased to see them taking such care. Granted, it was Snape they would be facing, and he was sure the man would be critical of anything that didn't meet his standards, but checking over ingredients was always good practice.
Jovian straightened as Snape called for them to enter and the door opened, and he strode into the office ahead of the younger students. "Good morning Professor," he said. "I feel I've progressed enough in my potion studies to try brewing outside of class, and so I would like your permission to use the Student Laboratory."
The stack of books on Snape's desk caught his eye while he waited for a reply, and he scanned the titles briefly, lingering on the The Most Advanced Study of Counter-Poisons and An Ancient Guide to Forbidden Magical Practices. He wished he could ask the professor about them, but knew better than to waste Snape's time with idle chatter.
Professor Snape scrutinised Jovian, almost as if he was reading the boy's mind. He drew out the moment, letting thee Ravenclaw be nervous and unsure. His eyes narrowed, not very agreeable with Jovian's self assessment of his Potions studies but conceded enough that he wasn't at a total loss of ability either.
'Very well. I shall grant you a chance to prove you're willing to dedicated yourself to the task at hand.' He summoned a scroll to the front of his desk for Jovian to grab, which listed ingredients and their locations around Hogwarts.
Snape turned his interest back to his own task, making it clear he was done with the conversation. If it could even be called that.
'Bring me five ingredients you've collected yourselves,' he explained, sorting some papers under candlelight. 'Only then shall I consider your request.' Snape paused to glance at the first years, wondering if they planned to speak soon or if he should banish them while he had the chance.
The younger Ravenclaws clearly had poor taste in friends, so he wasn't optimistic for their decision-making skills.
Post by Jonathan King on Oct 11, 2021 4:06:21 GMT 10
Snape was as intimidating as Joe remembered and he gladly let the older Ravenclaw take the lead. He followed Skittles in but stood back and waited his turn politely.
Joe peeked back out to smile at Ryan, thankful for his company. Ryan was his lucky charm after all. This also reminded him that he had meant to talk with Ryan about something before the day ended but he figured he still had time for that.
Joe turned towards the potions professor when he told the older student to find ingredients.
“Good morning, professor!“, he said a little too loudly. He had rehearsed his words beforehand but was still feeling nervous now.
“We have gathered the ingredients and would now like to properly request using the student laboratory.“
Joe showed the professor his ingredients and waited for his judgement, heart beating strongly in his chest.
Last Edit: Oct 11, 2021 15:41:04 GMT 10 by Jonathan King: spacing and stuff
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Oct 11, 2021 10:34:32 GMT 10
Toby waited impatiently when the older Ravenclaw student addressed Snape first, was he unaware that their matter was a little more important? They had snow to play in and if they weren't fast then all the good snow would be trampled and gone, replaced with slush and ice- not great for making snowballs.
Then it was finally their turn and he cringed when Joe spoke to their potions teacher. Why was he yelling? Was he trying to give Snape and excuse to punish them? It would be just like him to use it as an excuse to send them out looking for more ingredients, which would be almost impossible in the snow.
"We found exactly the amount you asked for" he interjected, holding out his own ingredients for Snape to inspect. Hopefully they wouldn't be there too long, he was starting to understand why Ryan was always so reluctant to approach the teacher.
Professor Snape briefly closed his eyes at Jonathan's loud greeting, as if bracing himself for worst or anticipating a headache to form.
'There is no need in which to raise your voice, King,' he said dryly and with clear disapproval. 'Do so again, and I shall remove you from my office.'
Snape stood to inspect their ingredients, deliberately taking his time. Jonathan's were acceptable, though he scrutinised Tobias' far more than necessary -- especially as the Gryffindor boy had a higher requirement for a previous lack of manners.
'Twiggs.' His mouth formed a sly sort of smile that did not bode well. 'I distinctly recall requesting six viable ingredients, of which you collected yourself and that count towards your Potions Kit. As such, Ginger Root does not qualify.'
A promise of punishment, or making Tobias leave to go collect another qualifying ingredient, were tempting and the assumed consequence. However, it was the Christmas holidays and Snape had no desire to spend even a second of it longer with the boy if he could avoid it.
'However,' he allowed, with great reluctance and distaste. 'You managed to adequately meet the standard five ingredient request. As I do not wish to have you disgrace my doorstep again today or the foreseeable future -- I shall, regrettably, allow it.'
He gave each ingredient, from both boys, one final critical glance.
'Very well.' Snape summoned glass items, hovering them to the front of his desk for them to retrieve. They got an empty jar and vial, which was the only indication he gave that they'd been successful in their task.
'Follow me.' He left the office, leading them to the Potions classroom once Jovian had collected his scroll. He didn't particularly trust the Ravenclaw unsupervised in his office, as the door remained open, but anything of importance was mostly protected from thievery anyway.
In the classroom, he indicated to a bench of mucky pewter cauldrons. 'You'll require a spare cauldron to work with,' he said. 'If you're willing to clean it, without magic, you may each take ownership of one of these. No assistance.' Snape gave them a stern look.
It was a test to ensure they were serious about wanting to use the student laboratory in their free time. Though he peered at jars, there was no mistaking that he still heavily supervised their task. They had to clean out a cauldron, without magic, and only then would he seriously consider their request. Snape's expression was unreadable, but they'd made it this far...
Note: Ginger Root doesn't qualify for obtaining the Potions Kit as it's a purple-starred item, as seen in the Potions Ingredient list. I allowed it as 6 wasn't the usual requirement; I'd rather avoid you having to go make another thread, get an ingredient, the come back here -- on a technicality that, had it been any other student, would have passed.
Post by Jonathan King on Oct 11, 2021 15:50:49 GMT 10
Joe shrunk back slightly upon being scolded for his loud voice and held on more tightly to his ingredients while the professor inspected them. When he moved on to Toby however and gave him grief for collecting the usual amount, he straightened back up, ready to come to his friends defence should he want it.
Joe cast Toby a glance, waiting for a signal to tell Snape that that extra ingredient had been an unfair task to begin with for no reason whatsoever.
The professor seemed to allow both of them to proceed however and after storing the glass and vial Joe followed obediently, although not without secretly scowling at the potions master‘s back, long enough for his friends to see.
His expression changed again when he saw the laboratory and he took the spare cauldron to clean it on one of the benches. Joe looked around briefly for a sponge or the like and then got to work, now and again softly complaining to himself about stinky cauldrons.
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Oct 13, 2021 21:25:00 GMT 10
Toby held his tongue when Snape spoke rudely to Joe. It was obvious that the Ravenclaw hadn't meant to be disrespectful, or... It was obvious to Toby who was now fluent in the language of Joe. Maybe Snape should spend more time getting to know his students instead of dishing out unfair and unreasonable punishments.
His heart sank when the potions teacher then turned on him and began to criticize the ingredients that he'd presented. It was a dumb mistake but one that could cause him to spend his last day of term hunting through the snow in search of one more poxy ingredient.
"But-" he was about to protest when Snape continued. He figured that he should be thankful that the teacher found him so insufferable- it had gotten him off the hook this time. Maybe in future he should aspire to be more annoying whenever Snape was around to ensure that they had to spend as little time together as possible.
"Thank you, Professor" he managed to say, gritting his teeth against the words as if they caused him great discomfort. He then retrieved the vial and empty jar, glad that now he had completed the bloody task that had tormented him for so long- it wouldn't be long before he and his friends were brewing potions like pros.
Following Snape out of the office, he felt uneasy- maybe this had all been a trick and they were being led to their doom? Snape would like to be rid of them, that was for certain. But luckily, it seemed that they were just going for a short walk to his classroom instead- a place where he surely kept all kinds of potions and poisons just for occasions when he got annoying first years on their own.
But what waited for them inside that classroom was worse than poison.
Snape expected them to clean their own cauldron without magic?! Did they look like muggles? Toby was no stranger to household chores but he feared the wrath of his mother a whole lot more than he did Snape. The potions teacher was just looking to get free labour out of them- but what was the alternative? Going this far and not succeeding?
Begrudgingly, Toby approached the table and tried to pick out that cauldron that looked least mucky- though they were all more or less equal. He then exchanged a look of disgust with his friends and began to scrub at the cauldron, switching hands whenever his arm began to ache with the effort.
It was tiring work. It wasn't clear how long they'd spent scrubbing, but their arms ached and hands were numb.
Professor Snape carefully inspected their cauldrons with a critical eye, and once again scrutinised Tobias' efforts more than Jonathan's. Yet each shone and he found nothing to fault them with. They'd done as he asked, so Snape said they could keep their cauldron as a spare -- to be used in their own time.
'You are each permitted to use the Student Laboratory at will,' he said, though gave them a rather stern look. 'Do so responsibility, and clean up after yourselves, or else such privileges shall be rightfully revoked. If I ever catch you there at curfew...' He let his sentence trail off so their imagination could decide how bad things would be for them.
He had nothing else to say, so Professor Snape returned to his office. With great reluctance and dread, he left his office door open -- should anyone else need to intrude upon his peace again.
Post by Ryan Barrow on Oct 14, 2021 0:07:47 GMT 10
Ryan winced in sympathy when Professor Snape led his friends to the classroom, remembering his own aching arms after that awful task. Not wanting to be put to work or asked why he was there, Ryan lingered back in the corridor. He avoided the 4th year, who hopefully wasn't feeling chatty as Ryan was anxious enough as it was in the Dungeons.
He rocked on his feet, quickly getting bored of waiting but not enough to go peek into the classroom and risk certain death. He was most worried about Toby, who Ryan suspected would be the least cool with the awful scrubbing task.
'Hurry up,' he mumbled to himself, then yelped as Snape appeared a moment later. Pale and unable to speak, Ryan gave him an awkward as heck smile or wave. He wasn't even sure, just acted on instinct. He then stared at the classroom doorway, hoping his friends would emerge.
Post by Jonathan King on Oct 17, 2021 15:41:33 GMT 10
Scrubbing the cauldron by hand was a tedious chore but Joe was glad when it was over. He waited for Snape's judgement and the way he looked at Toby's cauldron somehow made him dislike the professor even more. Joe wondered why he seemed to single out his best friend to be extra nasty to. Did not seem fair at all.
"You won't catch us here, sir", Joe said quickly. And he meant it. Why would they come to the creepy dungeon at night? Just to risk detention or worse? No, thank you.
"Let's get outta here" He glanced at Toby once Snape had left and then followed quickly, wanting to spend the rest of the time playing in the snow.
Joe walked out of the door just in time to see Ryan smile and wave at the potions professor and stopped in his tracks. Now that seemed a little awkward and he smiled at his best friend before straightening his posture as good as he could and did a serious salute behind Snape's back.
He then grinned and waved for Ryan to follow him before he started jogging towards the stairs, away from the dungeon and ultimately heading outside.
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