Fathers, Godfathers, and Godsons...Oh My

Chapter 7

First year potions had a lot of students, and he was given two aides to help him sort everyone into seats. They were also there to keep accidents to a minimum since he was teaching almost thirty students at the same time. This class worked like Remedial since they were first years, discussion on Monday and potion making on Wednesday. Cassie had nearly made him laugh several times with the faces she was making and he was certain the twins were going to cause trouble, even if they were his friends.

But that was over and done with and third year remedial was next. At least he’d had a good lunch before this. He inwardly grinned as his year warily entered the potions lab. He was sure every single Gryffindor was more than wary he was going to ruin their chances for the house cup. And there were quite a few in Remedial. Actually, from his understanding, the bulk of third year was remedial, with none advanced save himself and Hermione. Harry sat at the front, hands folded on his desk and a cheeky grin on his face.

He mock glared at the brunette even as Ron hesitantly sat down, looking damn nervous. The silent bell chimed and everyone stiffened, eying the blond warily, “Welcome to third year remedial potions. For simplicities sake, just refer to me as Professor here. It’ll save all of us the awkwardness.”

Harry chuckled softly, ignoring the stares and silent pleas to not get house points taken away. But Draco just grinned at his friend and carried on, “I’m sure you’re all eagerly anticipating this class, so here is how this will proceed. On Mondays, I will lecture about the potion of the week. I will ask questions to insure you are familiar with all of the ingredients- yes?”

Neville timidly lowered his hand, “Will you...er, well, um...”

Draco calmly came around the work bench, walking up to Neville who had trailed off nervously, “Will I what, Mr. Longbottom?”

Breathing slowly, “Points...will you deduct points for incorrect answers?”

Shaking his head slowly, “No, Mr. Longbottom, I won’t.”

Sighing in relief, “Oh...”

A ghost of a grin flittered across Draco’s expression and Neville caught it, before it faded and Draco
addressed the other students, “I am not going to terrorize you. I will not badger you. If you do not know the answer, say so. But I will expect the correct answer on Wednesday before you make your potion or it will affect your grade. Think of it as a homework assignment. Now, I do hope you did your summer work because I’m about to put it to the test.” He grinned at the groans, even as everyone dutifully pulled out parchment.

“Now, this is an oral test, but you will have to correct any wrong answers so parchment will be necessary.” He tapped the board once and a picture of a plant appeared, “Mr. Potter. What is this plant?”

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment, Draco’s tutoring about to pay off, “Ginger, sir.”

“Correct. Mr. Weasley, what potion is this plant used in?”

Ron blushed and looked down, “I don’t know...sir.” [Wit-sharpening potion]

Draco nodded, “Find out by Wednesday.” He tapped the board and a creature appeared, “Mr. Thomas, what is this creature-...”

Dean smirked, “A rat.”

“-‘s elements used in? I expect two potions in your answer.”

Dean paled, not counting on being asked that question. It was obvious he didn’t know, fumbling with his
parchment and mumbling but Draco waited patiently, not saying anything. Face resigned, “I don’t know.”

Nodding, “Find out.” [Shrinking Solution, Hair-raising potion]

The questions went on and on from there, taking up most of the preparation and class time. He glanced at his recording records and sighed to himself. Not good. Not good at all. Harry was the only one who came prepared. Even the first years didn’t do as miserably. He slipped his wand up his sleeve and put his hands behind his back in a classic Snape pose. The class watched him warily, “I’m going to be very blunt. If this is the extent of your knowledge, and you do not improve, you will be back in remedial next year. And every year up through your OWLs. And I promise you, you will not progress to NEWT level potions.” Many paled and stilled, “I will teach you. I will show you everything I know. But you must put forth the effort and frankly only one of you has done so. We will review again on Wednesday, no potion making this week. And I will expect your corrections turned into me. Class dismissed.”

Many couldn’t leave fast enough, particularly the Ravenclaws and Slytherins, all highly embarrassed. But they were embarrassed about their lack of effort, not how Draco had taught them. They actually had no complaints about that and many were rushing to find the answers. Ron came forward with his head down, face red, “You are going to give me the answers, right?”

Draco sighed and gathered up his parchment into a bag, Viola disappearing into his robes so she wouldn’t fall, “I told you. I’d help you study for tests..it’s up to you to find the answers.”

He looked up and glared, “‘Mione would do it, maybe I’ll just ask her.”

Draco cocked his head to one side, glancing at Harry who guiltily nodded, “If she continues to help you remain ignorant, I’ll be deeply disappointed in the both of you.” And he swept out of the room, heading for the Great Hall for afternoon tea.

Ron scowled and kicked the stone floor, “Git! Worse than Snape.”

Harry glared and grabbed his books, “No. He’s not. And if you thought about it, you’d know why he won’t tell you the answers.”

Scoffed, “Cause he’s lord of potions, now. He can hold it over all of our heads.”

Harry rolled his eyes, “Get your stuff, or are you gonna sulk through lunch?”

“Maybe.” But he did collect his things and followed Harry to the Great Hall. Everyone was spread out, laughing and talking excitedly about their classes. His table was slightly different. The first years were nervous, the Slytherins both red and Hermione looked guilty as hell.

Harry sighed and sat down, “Pass the sandwiches, please.”

Cassie handed him one, Hermione studying her fingers even as Ron slid in next to her and put his most charming face forward, greeting her like a long lost friend. Draco ignored all of them, thumbing through his lesson plans for the afternoon and obviously upset, “Mione, I need to ask you something later-...”

“No, Ron.”

He blinked in surprise, seeing her chin firm and her hands clench. He glared at the blond menace, “You slimy-...”

“Ronald Weasley! You will not blame him. It’s my own fault. I should have made you do your own work a long time ago.”

Stabbing a finger into the air at Draco, “‘Cause he convinced you it’s wrong when it’s just this slimy git’s way of being on top once again.”

“It is wrong. It doesn’t help you!”

“It’s the only way I pass!”

Draco grabbed a sandwich in irritation and his bag, his chair screeching as he pushed it back. Harry scrambled to his feet, “Draco-...”

Expression stoney and eyes cold, “I feel like my own company, thank you.” And he swept out of the Hall without another word.

Harry slammed his hand into the table, before grabbing another sandwich and pushing back his chair. Ron frowned, “Har-...”

“Shut it, Ron. You obviously care more about being a bastard than realizing you’re wrong.” And he stormed out after his friend. The three first years glanced at one another, nodding before looking at Ron like he was something icky stuck to the bottom of their shoe.

“Well, we have research. Thank Merlin we’re not in the same house. Come on ladies.”

Blaise watched Pansy intently. He knew her. Knew her hot temper could rival Draco’s if it got hot enough. And he could practically see steam, “Listen to me very closely you redhead sack of shit.” Both Hermione and Ron jerked around to stare at her, “You Gryffindors may not understand the concept of friendship, but it is sorely different with us, than with you. He offered you a chance, Weasley, and a second chance to Potter. I don’t think you appreciate how rare of an opportunity that is, but I can assure you, you are firmly an ally at most, not a friend. If it were up to me, I would not have to stomach eating across from you ever again, but sadly it is up to Draco. However I will be expressing my opinion of you to him, and he will take it into consideration. Hopefully, you will not be here tomorrow.” She gave him a nasty sneer and rose, Blaise following her, “Oh, and one more thing...for your information, Draco never gives the answers, even when tutoring. It was always up to us...he would just point us in the right direction.”

The two swept away and Hermione pushed away her plate, “I’ve lost my appetite.”

She threw down her napkin and walked away, leaving Ronald Weasley alone at the table, all the eyes of Hogwarts watching him.