InsaneJournal

An Affinity for Plants by BertaS
Title: An Affinity for Plants
Author: BertaS
Date: ???
Characters - Severus - Neville - Hermione - Harry and a Random Ravenclaw
Rating: G
Word Count: 525
Warnings: None
Summary: My thought is that maybe there is a reason that Neville explodes so many cauldrons in potions class. I own almost nothing, so suing me would be a waste of time.



An Affinity for Plants

“Miss Granger, I must admit to some confusion.” Professor Snape tilted his head as he glared at the girl, “You have never melted a cauldron in my class before. Would you care to explain why you seem to have doubled the amount of comfrey in this mess?” Snape gestured to her work station.

She scowled back, “I know that is what it looks like, Sir. But …” she shook her head. “Neville measured it out when I ask to borrow some. And then I measured again just to double check. It was actually just a teensy bit less than the instructions called for.” She slumped in her seat, staring at the mess on her work station.

Neville shook his head, “It shouldn’t have done that. I know it was right. I grew it myself.”

Snape’s eyes snapped to the boy, “Would you care to repeat that, Mr. Longbottom?”

“I… I grew the c…comfrey myself, Sir. I grow a…all my ingredients.” Neville stammered a bit.

Harry started snorting as he tried not to laugh out loud.

“Potter,” Snape snarled, “What has gotten into you?”

Harry shook his head and laughed, “He had an affinity for plants and growing thing.”

Snape started to open his mouth only to be interrupted by one of the Ravenclaws, “Professor, I think I see the problem. Would you agree to an experiment?”

Snape glared as he raised his eyebrow for her to continue.

“Have Neville measure out the ingredients from his ingredient kit and you brew something using only what you need. If there are leftover’s or the cauldron melts,” she shrugged, “Or blows up, it would mean that everything he grows is over powered.” She smiled at the blushing boy so he would not be offended by her next statement. “If there isn’t, it confirms your belief that he really is incompetent.

Snape looked thoughtful before looking at the clock. “There is not enough time today. Those of you, who have not allowed your potions to be ruined, bottle a sample and turn it in.”

While everyone was cleaning their work area Snape turned to Neville, “Mr. Longbottom, would you care to join me in the proposed experiment this evening, directly after dinner?” The look on his face said he was looking forward to proving the boy’s incompetence.

Neville looked around for support from his friends before nodding hesitantly.

Snape had to fight not to roll his eyes. “Anyone who wishes to observe may do so. Provided you are silent. Am I understood?”

There was a chorus of ‘Yes Sir’s’ and he dismissed them to lunch.

…

Severus stared from the melted cauldron to the excess ingredients with shock. Raising his eyebrow caused light titters of laughter from the audience, alerting him to the fact that his eyebrows had most likely been singed off in the explosion.


AN: Of course, we all know that would happen. Right?