First potion class

Three days later at breakfast

How are you, Harry? You look awful. Asked Jenny

Mgrahupod. He muttered into the bowl of hot chocolate in which Harry had plunged his head.

What are you saying?

Harry lifted his head from his bowl of hot chocolate.

How can you tell if I look awful without seeing my face?

I am a witch, remember? Jenny replied mysteriously, who had, like every morning, settled at the Hufflepuff table.

He has nightmares every night and wakes up screaming. That's why he's out of it. A first-year Hufflepuff named Peter intervenes.

Huh, that's nonsense. Harry objected, blushing.

If it's true! They even asked the prefect to cast a silence spell on his bed, so they could sleep. Isn't that right, Cédric?

The prefect Cédric Diggory, who was sitting with his friends at the other end of the table, came over to join them and confirmed.

Yes, and by the way, I talked to Professor Sprout about it. She says you should talk to someone about your dreams. Or at least ask for a dreamless sleep potion at the infirmary.

Ah, but that's enough: I'm fine. Leave me alone. What do we have today?

We have our first potions class together with the Ravenclaws. What's the teacher like? Asked the first-year Hufflepuff, aware that it was pointless to press further.

You see the troll who killed three students last year? He was much nicer than Snape. Good luck first years. And repeaters. Added Diggory towards Harry who stuck his tongue out in response.

oOoOoOo

A few hours later

POTTER!

Harry woke up with a start when the Potions professor shouted his name while banging violently on his desk. He had arrived early and had fallen asleep.

Perhaps you will finally deign to answer my question: what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane? Snape threw at him with a hateful glare.

Hey, hey, what?

Are you deaf? Or are you simply too stupid to understand a simple question?

No sir.

So could you explain to me the reason why you didn't answer me?

I was sleeping, sir.

You were sleeping. Oh, excuse me for disturbing you. Where was my head to want to impose on the great Harry Potter the low obligations to which the common people are subjected? Just like your father, you think you are above the rules.

Snape continued to monologue like this for a few minutes during which Harry did everything to stay focused. But he was so tired. Without anyone noticing, he gently nodded off until a revelation dawned in his mind and he exclaimed out loud:

But it's you, Servilus!

A deathly silence filled the room. Harry looked at his professor's face. Immediately, a dose of adrenaline pulsed through his veins and made all feelings of fatigue in Harry's body disappear. His survival instinct had spoken: he was in mortal danger and he had to flee.

oOoOoOo

A few hours later

Potter, can you explain to me why our number of points is negative? Cedric Diggory called out to him as soon as he arrived in the great hall.

Before he could respond, the Weasley twins intervened in the conversation.

Let's see, Cédric, a magician never reveals his secrets. Right, George?

Absolutely, Fred. It would be dangerous to put such knowledge in everyone's hands.

Do not try to corrupt our early years, the twins. Cedric replied with a smile.

Us, corrupt the youth?! What an unworthy accusation!

And without proof, moreover. We have a solid alibi. We were throwing dungbombs in the third-floor corridor at the time of the incident.

Ah, that's what stinks! exclaimed Cédric.

Another man of little taste. Replied Fred

You won't leave us alone until you get what you want? Cedric continued.

No. The twins responded in unison.

You know that this year, I am a prefect?

No, we didn't know. Our deepest condolences.

Well, what do you want?

In response, the twins recited the following text with all the solemnity they could muster:

Just pay our respects to the chosen one of chaos

We know how to recognize a master when we see one.

Achieve the feat of making Snape lose his temper

During his first class, no less.

Know that we place a lot of hope in you.

What!? exclaimed Harry, seeing his strange twins bow before him.

And modest too. The two jokers said before returning to their table.

Once the twins had left, Cédric turned to Potter and murmured to him:

I think it means they like you.

Huh!?

In short. Tonight, you take this dreamless sleep potion. And no need to protest.

Okay.

Then Cédric walked away and shouted at him:

And I made you an appointment with Sprout at 8 p.m. I'll let you explain to Snape that you won't be able to be on time for your first detention with him.

Bastard!