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Loyalties	By : Gemma Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 4261 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Disclaimer;

Although Thea is my own creation, Hogwarts and its characters belong to J.K.Rowling.

Potions

Thea ambled down the long, winding hallway, her eyes playing idly over the hanging portraits. Occasionally one of the figures within would wave cheerily at her, and she smiled briefly in return.
Today Thea was in a particularly good mood. Not only had she just aced an Arithmancy test, a lesson which she had been on the brink of failing, but now she was making her way to her most favourite class; Potions. Not many were surprised that a Slytherin was doing so well in potions. Some of the more embittered students claimed it was blatant favouritism on the part of the teacher Severus Snape, who was the head of Slytherin house. But those who watched Thea in class new she was gifted. Not only could she remember many complicated formulae but her knowledge and natural intuition allowed her to succeed, and her potions were rarely faulty.

Besides simply being a Slytherin wouldn't cut it with the cold and logical Professor Snape. The problem for Thea however was how much he grated at her, and she knew the feeling was mutual. Both shared an icy wit and a keen observational nature, not to mention a malicious streak, though Snape's was much greatly pronounced.

In fact many were surprised that Thea had been sorted into Slytherin. Although a quiet and largely anti-social girl, she was very warm to those allowed into her small circle of acquaintances, and she had on occasion assisted in the tuition of members from other houses.

People who knew Thea well knew that her temper was ferocious once provoked, which in itself was a rare occasion. Self-control was something she prided amongst all else. That, and success. In her studies and ambitions, Thea was ruthless, and that was why the sorting hat had, after long deliberation, settled her in House Slytherin.

Despite their animosity towards each other, Thea enjoyed her fights with Snape; it was so rare that she found someone who could match her articulation, pose and icy exterior. She was sure there's was a mutual love-hate relationship.

Finding herself at the stairs leading down to the dungeons, Thea quickened her step, determined to be early so she could prepare. Their assignment had been to work out the intricate formula to Veritaserum aka Truth Serum, and today they were going to apply their results. Thea was excited at the prospect, especially bse sse she knew Snape would test a resulting potion on one of the students, and she couldn't wait to watch the show. Despite how much she segregated herself from her year, Thea couldn't help but be amused by some of their actions.

The door was closed when she came to it and so she knocked politely. Snape's voice called out an irritated, 'Come in' and so Thea entered.
'I hope I'm not interrupting you, Professor.' Her voice was cool, neutral. She watched his face carefully, but as usual he was notoriously hard to read, a habit she could match him at.
'No. You may set out your equipment.' His eyes were cold though she could see the tiniest flash of smug satisfaction at her devotion and enthusiasm for his subject. Others might think he hated teaching, but Thea knew it was one of the rare things he allowed himself to enjoy. Though as always he attempted to hide this with icy disdain and indifference. She was sure however, that his scorn towards his charges was genuine.

A smile tugging at her lips Thea walked to her usual desk and began laying out her equipment. Snape went back to grading papers, and they worked in silence until the other rowdy pupils began pouring through the door.

Today's lesson was the dangerous mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin. Thea found the traditional house wars boring and unnecessary, and had purposefully seated herself amongst both Gryffindors and Slytherins, whilst the rest of the class stuck to their usual groups.

One of the first through the door was Hermione Granger, a girl whose exploits in the school were largely infamous due to her friends Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Although Thea found Harry Potter a little too optimistic and 'fluffy' for her tastes, in the past few years he had matured well. Although still prone to acts of foolish heroism and childish pranks, he had settled down to his studies more actively. Thea recognised his skill in a number of areas and respected him for that.

Ron was, in her opinion, no good for anything but menial small chat and chess. They had in fact played some games against each other, and they had been a wonderful learning experience for Thea, which earned him some extra points.

Hermione Thea liked. She was smart, determined and enthusiastic in her studies, if a little snotty and determined for every teacher to like her. Recently however Hermione seemed to be 'letting loose' slightly, and Thea enjoyed talking to her in the library. Occasionally they worked on projects together. Such an alliance between a Gryffindor and Slytherin was practically unheard of.

Once the chatting pupils were all seated, Snape called for, or more correctly, demanded silence. As usual Ron was the last to finish talking, determined as he was to finish his sentence to the pretty Gryffindor girl seated to his right.
'Weasley.' Hissed the professor, his eyes obsidian slits. 'You would do well to be silent when I tell you to.' Ron promptly shut his mouth. 'Ten points off Gryffindor.' Snape said in a bored tone before returning back to the blackboard. Many Slytherins laughed nastily, but Thea had to restrain her urge to roll her eyes. She found the deduction of points from other houses tedious; this whole business of house animosity was pointless. Purposefully provoking other wizards and witches, some of whom were stronger then yourself struck her as moronic. She had no loyalties to anyone but herself, and her closest friends.

The lesson proceeded and as always Thea found herself lost within the formulae, the careful addition of the ingredients and the steady bubbling of the potion. The end of class was almost upon them when Snape called for everyone to turn off their heat and remove their cauldron form their respective hearths. They all did so.

Snape strode around the classroom, appearing to stalk between the desks as he carefully and disdainfully eyed the pupil's concoctions. As always he stopped near the perpetually perplexed and nervous Neville Longbottom. Inside Thea hid an amused and slightly cold smile. Neville meant nothing to her, infact she found his many weaknesses highly irritating. His exploits in this class however were often amusing. Although she thought Snape's continual bullying off him time wasting, and therefore highly undesirable.

As usual Neville's potion was not the intended colour, and was in fact giving off terribly ominous smelling fumes. A waft of the pungent mixture hit her nose, and Thea frowned. That scent was triggering a memory; something she'd read in one of her advanced potion books.

Her eyes darted to Snape but if he recognised the scent he didn't make any signs to demonstrate such a knowledge. He looked as he always did when dealing with Neville; a mixture between disgust, disdain and malicious pleasure. No wonder so many feared him.

'I think we should test this little potion you've made, don't you Mr.Longbottom?' Snape's voice was mocking.
Neville gulped unhappily. This always happened, and the results were always very unpleasant, for him at least.
'Y-yes, Sir.' He stuttered in fear. Even at 17 he could not shake his fear of the Professor, and who could blame him for such cowardice? Snape had been taunting and bullying him since the poor boy joined the school.
'Well go on then.' Snape hissed as Neville trembled in his seat. 'Take a sip and let's see what happens.'

Neville's hand reached towards his ladle and dipped it into the mixture. The Slytherins were giggling nastily, ready to break out into full laughter when the inevitable happened. Thea's mind however was still trying to work out what this unusual smell meant. What potion smells like this? She wondered, as she watched him raise the ladle to his lips. And then it clicked.

'Don't!' she cried out as she jumped out of her seat, but Neville had already swallowed. As she rushed forwards she noticed the look of complete annoyance on Snape's pale face.
Neville was by now clutching his throat, his eyes bulging as his tongue began to swell and push itself from his mouth. Thea grabbed for him as his body slid towards the floor, but she couldn't get a grip on his bucking form. His body was going into spasm in its desperate attempt to gain more oxygen.

Thea hadn't noticed the professor move away but now he was back holding a vial in his hands. He none too gently grabbed the back of the terrified boy's head and poured the potion into his mouth. Some was lost due to Neville's protruding tongue, but enough must have been ingested, as slowly Neville's body stilled and his tongue slowly shrank, though his breathing was still irregular.

'Miss.Granger'. Spoke Snape indifferently. 'Take Mr.Longbottom to Madame Pomfrey. I will test your potion and give you your grade during your next potions lesson.'
Hermione nodded though her eyes burned angrily. She caught Thea's eye and nodded at her. Thea assumed she was grateful for her attempt to stop this whole fiasco.
As funny as some accidents could be, Thea did not agree with the endangerment of life. Not in school. Not where young minds were supposed to be learning.

Neville limped from the room, half carried by the silent and furious Hermione. The room was oddly silent.
Snape turned towards Thea. 'Now Miss.Carter, you seem particularly eager to be of assistance today, so why don't we test your potion and see if its results are more pleasing than Mr.Longbottom's?' His eyes were cold, hard and unreadable. Thea simply walked to her cauldron, extracted some of its contents and drank them down.
'Now,' Snape began, his hands behind his back as he paced at the front of the room, 'what is your name?'
'Thea Katrina Carter.' She spoke before she had even made the decision to. She did not enjoy the effects of Truth Serum; loss of control was her ultimate fear. But as always she hid it well.
'Your mother's name?'
'Melissa Carter.'
'And your father's?'
'Tobias Samuel Carter the Third.'
Snape's eyes flicked up to her.
'And what are you feeling right now?'
'Angry.' Thea wished she could control her speech, but obviously she could not, and so she was determined to simply go with this and face the consequences later.
'And why is that?' Snape enquired, ending his pacing so he could turn and look at her as he leaned against his desk.
'Because...I think you're an irresponsible arsehole, who knew damn well what that potion would do to Neville yet still you allowed him to continue.'

The room had fallen into a shocked silence, and the Slytherins were looking uneasy. It just wasn't done for a Slytherin to badmouth one of their own.
Thea's eyes however were locked on Snape. She noted how his back had stiffened and how his hands had tightened their grip on his desk.
'Stay after class to take the antidote.' Was all he said in a clear level voice, before bellowing that class was over and for everyone to clean up.

The pupils rushed through their cleaning, desperate to get out as fast as possible so they could talk about what had just happened. Thea had been aggressive with Snape before, but what she had said had really crossed a line. A clear example that Truth serum was a powerful thing.

Once everyone had left Snape closed the door with a brief wave of his wand. Thea stood quietly fuming. When Snape handed her the antidote she took it calmly from his hands, and gulped it down.

They stared at each other. Thea would not apologise, as she had had no control over what she said. Snape however seemed to be thinking.
'I did know what potion Mr.Longbottom had unintentionally created, but I could control the situation and knew that it would be a valuable lesson as to why potion preparation must be done with the utmost care.'
'There is no need to explain yourself to me, Professor Snape.' Thea said, her voice neutral.

Snape merely looked at her intently before saying, 'Indeed.' He went to open the door, and with a brief gesture he said, 'You may go.'
Thea was careful to walk calmly and confidently out of the door.

The rest of the term passed with little mishap. Although shunned by the more 'elite' members of Slytherin this only further amused Thea. Malfoy might have the arrogance to presume himself better than her, but they both knew her family ties were as well connected and prestigious as his own. Not to mention the fact that her father had a formidable reputation. Thea smiled slightly, knowing that she had quite a reputation herself. Not only was she famous for her great knowledge of curses and other spells, but she had been known to physically attack her opponents, something often unheard of in the wizarding world.
It wasn't that Thea was naturally aggressive, but when she did lose her temper it was a real fight, not just the exchange of shallow words. Thea had learnt long ago that words had more power when spoken little and carefully selected.
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Loyalties