"Potter, what is this?" asked Snape angrily.
"The Draught of Living Death, Professor," said Harry casually.
"Tell me, Potter, can you read?" snapped Snape. Harry heard someone snickering in the background. He was not oblivious to the people in the school who were jealous of him. Harry still had many people who disliked him. Sirius had explained that it was mainly resentment because they felt Harry had everything while they didn't. He had the money, the good looks, the fame, a fiancée and was in the accelerated program. Who wouldn't be jealous? Of course, none of them truly knew the extent of Harry's suffering; but jealousy was not something anyone could reason with.
"Of course, Professor," said Harry, not falling for the trap to rile him up, though as always, he did retort with a cheeky reply. It would have worked if Snape hadn't tried it a hundred times before over the past two years. "I would never have been allowed in this class if I had not learnt how to read or write."
"Five points from Ravenclaw," the Potions master snapped. "Read the seventh line of the instructions for me, Potter."
Harry simply looked at the board. "Cut the sopophorous bean and pour the juice in the cauldron."
"Now read the tenth line for me."
"Stir counter-clockwise until the potion turns as clear as water. I don't see the problem."
"Don't you?" said Snape dangerously.
"No, I don't," said Harry quietly. "I know exactly where you are going with this, Professor Snape, and there is no reason I need to follow those instructions when there are alternate ones available that provide better results. You don't follow the same instructions when you brew the potion but you somehow feel that I shouldn't use the alternate instructions which every potions master uses."
Snape loomed over him dangerously as he whispered, "I am not someone who is impressed with my students cheating in my class, Potter. I don't know where you got these instructions from but you will not use them in my class!"
"This textbook is not the only source of reference, sir," said Harry, his eyes cold as the temperate dropped in the dungeon slightly as both wizards released some of their magic in anger. "As any good student would do, I researched the properties of the changes and applied them. The changes I used were confirmed by a certified potions mistress. Do not call me a cheat."
Harry and Snape stared at each other, anger displayed on both their faces. "How dare you use those instructions?" he snarled quietly, his face turning red in anger.
"Why would I be asking you permission for a method that is used by several potions masters around the world?" asked Harry haughtily. "You and my mother were not the only ones to discover it. Following my mother's instructions is hardly something to be frowned upon. Didn't you do the same? You both altered several potions together after all."
"Enough!" barked Snape, before leaning closer to speak in hushed, harsh tones. "Fifty points from Ravenclaw and detention with me, Potter! Don't you dare talk about Lily! Class dismissed!"
The rest of the class hurried out but after packing his bag, Harry remained, looking at Snape with an unreadable look on his face.
"What are you still doing here, Potter?" spat Snape. "Get out!"
"First shut up and listen to what I have to say."
"What did you say?" asked Snape dangerously.
"You have some nerve even mentioning my mother's name when you are the reason she is dead!" hissed Harry. "I have put up with enough hippogriff shit from you over the past two years, Snape, but I have reached the end of my tether. I don't have unlimited patience. You treat me like crap because of what my father did to you during your school days but you don't realise that you are exactly what you hate most - a bully!"
"Why you little -"
"You leaked the prophecy to Voldemort, do you deny it?" snapped Harry, making Snape stop in shock, his wand still pointed at Harry, the tip glowing. "You're the reason my parents were targeted. You're the reason my parents were killed. You're the reason I am an orphan. You are the reason I wound up living with Petunia and getting the shit beaten out of me every day for being a wizard. Don't act as though you are all mighty, Snape, because you're not. I know that I don't stand a chance if you choose to attack me right now, but know this. My influence in this country, especially after the Chamber of Secrets fiasco, is not something I am unaware of. I'm Heir Potter-Gryffindor, and that holds sway in the government. I'm the Boy-Who-Lived. You may have Dumbledore, but I have the entire magical population under my thumb. A former Death Eater won't stand a chance. Don't push my buttons or you will regret it!"
With that, Harry walked out of the class, slamming the door shut.
Snape gripped the handle of his wand tightly. Someday, he would get his revenge on Potter. He would make sure the boy suffered for mentioning Lily. It was not his fault that Lily had died; not really. If Lily had never married James Potter and married him instead like she was supposed to; if she had never had a child with Potter, then none of this would have happened. It all came back to Potter again; it was always about James Potter and the bastard's son was just like him! But it was only a matter of time, of that Severus was sure. He would watch as Potter cried. He would make sure the boy lost everything just like he had lost everything when Lily died.
....
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