Once I'm out, I still have to serve a detention with Professor Snape. He spends at least an hour lecturing me on murtlap tentacle. So far, we've covered that it has certain healing properties, and that, more importantly, it provides resistance to dark charms. One is less likely to be hit by a curse if they've consumed murtlap tentacle.

It's all elementary.

"What will be a side effect of overdoes on murtlap tentacle?" Professor Snape asks me.

I am acutely aware of how straight my body is. I'm upright, trying to pay attention. Fake it until you make it, I guess. Every part of me is more rigid than the last.

"It will turn your ear hairs purple," I tell him.

"And why does an overdose turn your ear hairs purple in colour?" he continues.

I don't know why. No one knows why. I think. Although, I could be wrong.

Professor Snape stands above me. "Need I repeat myself?" he asks.

"No, Professor," I bite my lip, trying to think of the solution. "I just don't know."

The professor takes a step backwards. He moves over to the chalkboard and stares it down.

"You don't know?" he grumbles with his back to me.

"No one knows," I answer. "You'd think it would also dye one's nose hairs purple, but it doesn't. It does not affect hearing, it does not affect the brain, so no one is quite sure why it dyes the ear hairs purple."

Professor Snape turns around. "Do you want to be a potioneer or not?"

"I do," I insist. "I really do."

I don't take the time to question if I do or don't. It is my only option out. If I can brew Felix Felici, I can set up my own private studio, and I can brew potions for the wealthy. On the side, I can innovate myself, become a true potioneer, rather than a brewer.

The future is apparent before me. I want it. Imaging days spent in a room, surrounded by components and ingredients, with a flat to myself. If Professor Snape can give it to me, I will do what he requires of me.

"What was it like, brewing Felix Felici for the first time," I ask.

Professor Snape pauses. He turns to face me and swallows. I watch his Adam's apple bob up and down. His lips form into more of a scowl than his usual frown.

"You haven't, have you?" I ask.

He doesn't answer me. Rather, he turns his back to me.

"Some scholars believe that the murtlap tentacle has anti-gravity defying properties, but that wizards and witches just can't tolerate the dose required to-"

"You're sending me on a fool's errand," I interrupt him, getting up out of my chair. "You can't even brew it, and you're expecting me to do it without blowing my own eyebrows off."

"Miss Travers," he warns.

I shake my head. It's definitely Fred getting to me, but I don't want to hide my anger. I want to be authentically me.

"I could die," I point out. "Haven't you thought of that, Professor?"

A voice does the tiniest and softest of coughs in the doorway. It's the kind designed to get your attention, rather than to clear the throat. I turn around and spot Professor Umbridge standing in the doorway. She stares us down.

"Hello," she smiles, cocking her head to the side. She struts in the room, her body as stiff as a board. She's so still that I am surprised she can move at all. "I wanted to see how detention is going. I take it not well."

"I was just going to tell Miss Travers that she is going to serve another detention with me," Professor Snape says.

I find myself recoiling from both of them. Professor Snape's scowl is only deepening while Professor Umbridge maintains her stiff upper lip.

"Yes, Professor," I say, ducking my head.

Professor Umbridge approaches Professor Snape's desk. She picks up the jar of Ashwinder eggs, examining them. Behind her, I watch Professor Snape, trying to catch a flicker of anything in his face. His eyes droop, and he looks at me, but both of us remain silent.

"These are rather expensive, surely not for your classes," Professor Umbridge manages.

"It is for extracurriculars," Professor Snape says.

"With whom?" Professor Umbridge turns around. She looks at me. "With Larkin Travers? I should think not. She hexed another student, Professor Snape. If you should remember, as per Educational Decree Number Twenty-Five, all punishments are up to me."

Professor Snape nods. "I understand. You told me that Larkin Travers was to serve detention with me."

"Not play potions," Professor Umbridge shakes her head. "From now on, Larkin Travers will serve detention with me. The ministry will be pulling its funding from this project, and so it shall discontinue."

I sit in silence, listening to her rattle on. Even though I was just yelling at Professor Snape, I wish that I could continue this project. I mean, I don't think Professor Snape would have me do it if he thought it would result in my death. The risk entices me.

I know I can do it. I know I can. Even if Professor Snape cannot.

"Very well," Professor Snape says. "The project will stop. Miss Travers, you are excused until your detention with Professor Umbridge."

Professor Umbridge's face begins to turn pink, but I don't give her a chance to protest. I'm already scurrying out of the room, running down the stairs and towards the Great Hall. Lately, I've been eating far later than everyone else so that I don't have to cope with eating alone.

When I get to the Great Hall, I sit down at the far end of the table and stare at the plate of food. No matter how much I try to shove it down my gullet, I know that I'm not going to be able to eat.

"Hey," Robbie plops down across from me. She smiles at me, softly, without any teeth showing. "Do you want to come and eat with me?"

I look over her, at the table behind her. "Are you eating with anyone else?"

She seems to deflate. Her shoulders relaxing. "No, I'm not."

"Why don't you eat here with me?" I offer.

She doesn't answer but takes a seat. She fills her plate as well and stares down at the contents.

Mashed potatoes, vegetables, a roll.

"You going to take any meat?" I ask her

She shakes her head. "I'm a vegetarian."

I almost ask her what that is, but I'm sure it's some Muggle thing that I wouldn't understand. I take in a deep breath and look down the table at the other Slytherins. None of my friends, or old friends, ex-friends if you will, are here.

"Why did you come to me?" I ask, when the real question I mean is why did she choose me out of everyone at Hogwarts? She helped me with the Howler, she helped me when I got hexed, and she's still here now. Maybe it's because she knows I come from money and prestige, and she wants a taste.

Robbie swallows. "You looked like you needed a friend. I wanted to be that friend for you."

"But why?" I press forward.

She snorts out what is almost a laugh. Her eyes betray her though. They are glossy and their sides don't crinkle. "If it isn't obvious, I don't really have many friends either."

It wasn't obvious. She seems nice enough. Pretty too. Although, I realize I know next to nothing about the Hufflepuff prefect. We have a few classes together, but she's rather quiet in all of them. Has she always had no friends, or is this a new development? It's probably not best to begin an interrogation with the only person who is willing to sit with you.

Instead, I look at her. "Really, I spend most of my time in the potions room. Professor Snape was having me work on a private project, but Professor Umbridge cancelled it."

"I can't stand that Professor Umbridge," she puts her hands on her hips and bites her lip. "She's really quite awful. She's ruined Defence Against the Dark Arts, as I'm sure you noticed."

How many classes have I had with this girl without realizing it?

"You don't really seem like the type to enjoy duelling," I point out, a smirk on my face.

She shrugs. "I'm not. I've been learning some spells but... anyway, I want to be a healer, and Defence Against the Dark Arts is a requirement. What do you want to do after graduating?"

I want to be able to breathe. "I'd like to be a potioneer."

Her eyes widen and she nods. I watch as she picks up food with her fork and eats it. She continues to nod as she chews. Finally, she swallows. "That'd be fun. I live across the street from a potioneer, in Diagon Alley. You should check them out sometimes."

Maybe I will. Hopefully, I can sneak the supplies I need from Professor Snape to brew Veritaserum, and then I can impress the potioneer. If I can't brew Felix Felici, I'll brew something.

~~~~~

Welp, I like this. The plot is rolling, even if the Weasleys are nowhere to be found. I quite enjoy this. Anywho, you all should apply to my story Leper. It's going to be quite fun, fantasy-filled adventure. I'm very excited to write it!

Otherwise, I shall see you soon.