Chapter 20

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Ethan's week ended with the class every house other than Slytherin feared, Potions. Moreover, it was even a Double Potion, with Gryffindor.

Snape's classroom was cold, both literally and figuratively as it was located in the dungeons. But what really gave the students the chills were the pickled animals floating in glass jars all around the room, and the teacher himself, who looked ready to murder just about anyone at any moment.

Once everyone sat, Snape started, like all teachers, taking attendance, and like most teachers, stopped slightly longer on two names. Grindelwald and Potter.

For some teachers, the pause wasn't obvious, and for some it was quite dramatic, like with Flitwick who had toppled over his pile of books reading Harry's name.

Snape though was on the opposite end of the spectrum. For Ethan's name, he did not have much of a reaction, other than a stern look, and the other teachers also showed only small signs of recognition, polite enough not to yelp in fear while reading his name.

For Harry though…

"Harry Potter. Our new… celebrity."

Ethan could almost smell the spite in Snape's voice as he made a comment on the Boy-Who-Lived, whose blond enemy sniggered with his two lackeys.

The incident was short though, but Snape didn't fail to keep his dark side.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact of of potion-making." he began, while Ethan mentally noted the use of the word 'science'. It was a pretty foreign concept to most wizards who swore by nothing other than magic.

"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you either to 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…"

Snape did a great job at spooking his students.

"But for those left, I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stop death… if you aren't too similar to the dunderheads I usually have to teach."

The class was ruled by silence, and seemingly satisfied, although his face showed none of it, Snape's penetrating hawk like eyes turned toward Harry.

"Potter!" said Snape suddenly, still with his soft, contained voice, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry seemed surprised by the sudden question, and going by the look on his face, Ethan would bet that growing up in a magical family did not make Harry any better in potions than he was originally.

However, as Hermione Granger was holding up her hand, a voice suddenly answered, "It would make for a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. And although the potion has been made famous by the European tale of the Sleeping Beauty, the potion was actually created by a Russian potion-maker…"

"Enough. Thank you for letting me know you can read a book, Ms Potter." Snape cut her off, and Ethan saw his gaze grow unsteady as it locked on Cassia Potter, Harry's twin. If Ethan had to guess, it would be the astonishing resemblance the girl had with her mother that disturbed him.

Draco and his goons, as well as another group of Slytherin girls snickered at Snape's remark, making fun of Cassia, but the girl clearly didn't care as she had a smirk.

She obviously knew, like everyone in the room, that Snape was talking to her brother, but since the teacher had only said their family's name, she technically wasn't in the wrong.

This made Ethan smile a little, as that made him remember his own days at school in his past life. Again, those memories were getting blurrier as time passed, but he remembered he had a similar annoying attitude as a child. Most students did.

Cassia was lucky Snape was disturbed by her appearance, or else the teacher wouldn't have needed a valid reason to punish her.

Oh the injustice of being a student!

Still, as a master of his own mind, Snape quickly set aside the incident and said, "In my class you shall always work in pairs, for I fear to discover what insults to potions you would make on your own. Since you are working in pairs, check what your partner does, and correct them if needed."

The students were already looking at each other, sending glances at their friends to team up with them. Ethan was personally looking at his Gryffindor friend Sophia as he had already come to an agreement with Daphne on this particular matter.

Theodore was a loner, and if it wasn't for Ethan's push, he probably wouldn't even have befriended Ethan and Daphne, so there was no way he would make friends with any other Slytherin.

So the two had decided that when they needed to make pairs, if Gryffindor was there then Daphne would pair up with Theodore, while if it was in any other class it would be Ethan.

Back to the class, right as the children were starting a ruckus to pair up with their friends, Snape added dryly, "I will be making the pairs."

Before any of them could complain, not that they would have dared, Snape flicked his wand, and a colourful flame appeared above everyone's head. There were two flames of each colour, making the pairs.

Looking up, Ethan noticed his own flame was of a light blue, and looking around the room, his eyes finally set on his partner, at the same time as the other did. The other's eyes widened in shock, while Ethan internally sighed.

Ethan showed none of it though as he walked to the Gryffindor side of the room, (the students had naturally sat in a such a way to create two halves, with the Slytherins on the left and the Gryffindors on the right), and stopped next to the table of the Golden… Quatuor?

It doesn't sound right, Ethan thought internally.

Still, he analysed every member of the group of friends, starting with the know-it-all, Hermione Granger, who was looking at him with some degree of interest, but there was also some challenge. She was quite miffed about Ethan's incredible performances in Transfiguration and Charms, although she completely dominated in all other subjects.

Then came Cassia Potter, the biggest unknown variable of the school, whose personality he knew nothing of. The red haired girl did not show any of the fear or apprehension the other kids did either, she mostly looked at him with curiosity.

Third came the Boy-Who-Lived, whom Ethan had been compared to countless times ever since his public appearance. Ethan expected to find a challenging or even spiteful glare from him, but he was shocked to find pity in the green eyes.

Ethan was really tempted to look into his mind to know what exactly was going on in the black haired, green eyed boy's head, but now was not the time as his eyes set on the last member of the group, and the one he was paired with.

Round faced, short, chubby, dark blond hair, big brown eyes, he was none other than Neville Longbottom.

The boy had somehow become Ron's replacement in this universe, Ethan had no idea how, but at least he seemed to have a relatively similar personality compared to his canonical character.

His shyness seemed to only be bested by Sophia, and out of all the students he had met, Neville was most definitely the most scared of him.

Ethan pointed at Neville's flame, although maybe a little too quickly as he made Neville flinch, and said, "We will be working together, Longbottom. I'm not going to eat you, so stop shaking and let's grab a sit."

Neville nodded meekly as he rose from his seat, his head bowed. Hermione and the Potter siblings looked like they had something to say, but a certain red haired, freckled boy suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "You don't have to be such an asshole with him!"