Year 5, Lesson 1

[LORCAN MCNABB]

Lorcan walked out of his office located just next to his classroom. He enjoyed the dungeons of the castle as they were quite spacious and this is the reason he had requested his room and office be located down here. That also gave him the opportunity to have easier access to the Slytherin House. He stroll the few feet to his classroom door and noticed that the students were all lined up in the hallway. Smiling slightly he walked towards the door and with a wave of his wand and a muttered Alohomora. Today Lorcan's hair was it usual shade of black, his skin it's usual paleness as if it had yet to see the light of day. His eyes however were a wild bright blue as they surveyed the students.

"Enter and sit down!"He commanded before sweeping into his classroom and taking his seat at the front desk. He waited patiently for the students to settle down before he spread his hand to them. Silence fell in his classroom as he expected it would. When it did, and not a moment before he began.

"Welcome students. As you've already done this class for a few years now the rules must not be new to you all. However we shall review them," Lorcan looked down at his notes to make sure he had stated them all. He quickly ran through the rules as they were not the subject of his interest this lesson.

"This year we will be looking at poisons. First we will start with making them, and then we will look at their antidotes. At the end of term your exam will consist fo creating one of the six antidotes we will look at through this year. If you fail then I shall be very disappointed. And you shall suffer the effects of the poison I give you." Lorcan surveyed the class to see if his words had sunk in at all. after a short pause he continued. "However do not fear. The poison will only make you ill. I am not per see allowed to kill any of you. Regrettably. Do not however take this lightly as it does not mean you can simply not pay attention in this class and pass. It will be challenging and it will be demanding!"

Lorcan paused once more. This time he rose and turned his back to the students as he used his wand to write upon the board the following words:

What is a poison
What is an antidote
What is the most common antidote

With that he turned around and faced the class once more. "Who can answer these three questions?" He said as he surveyed the class. He believed that students should know firmly what they were going to learn about before actually learning something as complex as poison making.

[DYLAN MAZANI]

Dylan Mazani was a quiet fifth year. She blocked herself off from most others and so usually when she was questioned she cringed away from doing the answering. Today she stood outside of the dungeons, waiting to take her Potions class. While potions had never been her favorite subjects, she had found Professor Slughorn well enough. But now that the three years of Professor McNabb were piling up before her, she was hating every moment of being down in the dungeons. The young fifth year found herself badgered by a couple of Slytherin boys, both laughing and jabbing snide remarks about her mother and how the Mazani daughter was a waste of space, a mere lapse in her mother's judgement. She was a half-blood. A foolish mistake that her own Pureblood mother had made when she was young. Her brother and sister were also reminded of how they were a mistake, but not nearly as often as Dylan.

When the door to the dungeons slammed open, she quickly moved forward, clutching her books tighter to her chest and bowing her head as she passed her professor. Dylan took only a moment to look up at the man and cringed away from his blue eyes. He was a Metamorphmagi, something she had often forgotten about. She remembered hearing older students wondering what he really looked like without the magic, but she had no urge to find out. Dylan hoped for this to be her last year in potions. While she was rather good at the class, her true passion was in the stars and things like it. Not in a dark, moldy, dungeon where she was convinced rats and other nasty creatures hid.

As Professor McNabb listed off his rules, she noted how every year the rules lecture seemed to take less time, and this year it was practically none existent. After all, she understood why. No one in the fifth year class was new. And the foreign exchange students were all at least in the sixth year. She sat with her eyes on the board, hands on her lap, and a scroll laid out before her. She knew what this teacher was capable of. Had heard stories from the last fifth year students who had become sick off his dreaded exam at the end of the year. Luckily no one had died, as he promised, but it was hardly an enjoyable experience for them. Dylan remembered one of the girls in the dorm up all night. The thought made her shiver.

When he began writing on the board, Dylan began writing in very neat handwriting the questions, with an answer on the paper. While she didn't want to be called on, she definitely knew the answer. She had learned quickly in most of her classes. Had only done so out of fear of what the Death Eaters would do. And the fact that her mother would stand by and let them was no consolation. She swallowed hard after a couple of minutes, when no one rose their hand or made an attempt to answer the question. While she didn't want to answer it, she feared seeing someone ridiculed for not being able to. She wanted to protect whomever that poor person would be. Dylan raised her own hand and waited to be called on.

When she was, she made a small glance down at her paper to make sure that the answer she was about to say was right. She had written it, and knew potions. "A poison is a substance that causes severe distress or death to anyone it comes into contact with." She looked down for a moment before averting her eyes from her teacher. "An antidote can act against or protect against a sickness or poison." Her finally answer, she actually trembled before being able to finish. She hated answering questions in this class. She always feared being wrong. "The Potion called "Antidote for Common Poisons" is the simplest antidote, it will cure most bites and stings. It's ingredients include Bezoars, Standard Ingredient, ground Unicorn Horn, and mistletoe berries."

When she had answered the questions, Dylan quickly slumped back into her chair, attempting to make it as if she didn't exist. The Slytherin boys who had been picking on her earlier snickered and one leaned forward in their chair, where they sat behind her and whispered. "Mazani, you don't know anything." That made her shrink down even more.

{OCC: Just so you know, all the information from any Harry Potter sources, such as the books, movies, video games, and especially Pottermore are considered valid sources for information. I gathered this information from Pottermore. What a smart little Dylan. }

[LORCAN MCNABB]

Lorcan was discouraged as he usually was by the lack of interest in the class. They seemed to be just the regular bunch. All of them seemed to think it amusing to pay as little attention as posible. As he surveyed the class while giving them a small chance to write down answers he noticed only a handful of students doing this. He frowned his hair darkening to an almost midnight black. His eyes flashed red for a moment before dulling to a midnight blue. He was angry as he often became when he knew this would be a long lesson in which his best chance would be to poison a student. Well at least that would be pleasant enough. He smiled faintly remembering some of his previous years. Ohhh it would indeed be grand.

He settled himself at his desk stacking his hands into a steeple where each finger was touching it's twin on his other hand. His gaze swept the room as he waited for someone to volunteer the information. A moment before he was about to choose some pour unsuspecting soul to answer he saw a tentative hand raised and looked over at the student. With a wry smile he answered "Mazani?" and awaited her answer. He wondered if she would get the information correct. He slipped a little chart out from under the neat stack of papers on his desk. As she answered he made little jots of notes in his fine neet angular script.

"Very good miss Mazani," He surveyed the class noting that none had written the answer down. "Well what are you all waiting for? Write the answers down!" He hissed at them all and soon the sound of scrapping quills on parchment met his ears as with a flick of his wand and a mumbled word the answers appeared on the board almost exactly as Mazani had said them. He gave the students a single minute to write before he continued.

"You have earned one house point Mazani, let us not loose it now," he said directly to her with an evil smile curling his lips. His eyes had returned to an ice cold blue by now.

He rose to his feet and quickly continued as he walked around the desk to lean against it's front surface. "Now we will be brewing a simple potions to start today, for the reminder of the class I would like you all to brew the Befuddlement draught. Now first can anyone tell me what this potion does?" He said waiting for someone to answer his question.

[DYLAN MAZANI]

Dylan slumped in her chair at the sound of his dry compliment. It mattered little to her and seemed to only make her feel worse about answering his question. The house point that was awarded mattered little. She merely wanted this class time to pass quicker and she knew the longer he had to wait for an answer, the longer they would sit. She laid her hands against the table, staring down at them as they shook and trembled. It was hard to believe that she was so terrified of the man before the class. Hogwarts had once had so many friendly professors. They were all kind. Now she felt empty and the little comfort she did receive was only from the occasional smile and conversation she had with one of the nicer teachers and students that still existed.

She made a small line beneath her previous notes and wrote Befuddlement Draught before making a dash. Her fingers trembled for a second as she contemplated writing the answer or leaving it empty. She knew what it was, and so added behind it. Causes drinker to become belligerent and reckless. Then she placed her quill back into the ink well and lowered her gaze. Dylan would only answer this question if called upon. She saw no need to prove herself if all the Slytherin boys behind her were going to do was snicker and prod jokes her way. Mazani, you don't know this one? They teased, their voices soft in their words. A hand behind the girl shot up. It was a fifth year Slytherin. He had a mop head of hair and a puffed out chest as he waited to answer the question.

A friend on his right took the initiative to begin tormenting Dylan again as he leaned forward. Jeez, Mazani. Even Wister knows this one, and you don't? What's the matter with you. He chuckled and leaned back. Dylan's eyes remained focused on the paper beneath her and she stared. She hated them for being such jerks, and she was angry that McNabb was doing no thing about it. But she didn't say anything because she didn't need to make him angry. The last thing she needed was a nice drop of poison or a curse from a Death Eater sent her way. Just because her mother was a Death Eater didn't mean she was any more protected.

[LORCAN MCNABB]

Lorcan's gaze flowed around the classroom disappointed at how long it was taking for them to answer. As a hand shot up he heard a faint hubbub of noise around Mazani and his eyes narrowed dangerously. They should ALL know that his classroom was not the place to be making noise. His eyes were a deep red now as he focused on Mazani. His voice cold and cutting through the hubbub like a knife through flesh he said in a hiss. "Up here now Mazani!" His anger was evident in his tone and anyone who heard the barely audible words spoken in such a dangerously cold whisper would head them least they find themselves at the wrong end of his temper.

He didn't wait for Mazani to gather her things or to move he simply turned his attention away from her and back to the raised hand. "Wister, answer!" He said in a crisp tone. his words cut through the sudden dense silence of his class. He waited impatiently for the reply. His eyes a dangerous dark red and his face looked paler. His dark mark standing out on his stark white flesh of his left arm where it rested on the top surface of his desk as he stood behind it. his body regid and his hand holding his wand extremely tight. The mark was stark black and a reminder to those in his class what he really was. Right now. He was fighting the urge to curse them all into oblivion. Oh if he could use poison on them right now. He would so do it. Maybe he could use just a small dose to teach them a bit of respect.

[DYLAN MAZANI]

Dylan Mazani leaned against her desk, writing in silence a list of ingredients for Befuddlement Draught from her book which was opened to the page when she heard Professor McNabb bark directions at her. She flinched at the sound of his voice, and after she actually realized what was going on, her jaw actually dropped a little. Not in complete aw, but almost as if she were amazed with what was happening. The fact that he was actually telling her she had to move up to the front for sitting there writing in silence seemed to make her blink and she had to fight the urge to ask why. Every fiber of her being was screaming that she should have asked, should have said it wasn't her fault that they were talking. But deep down she knew that would only get her in more trouble than it was worth.

She slammed her book, accidentally actually, but the sound rang through the silence of the classroom and she closed her eyes tightly, holding her breath. It was almost instant the way she froze and she sat with her head bowed for a moment, cursing her temper. Dylan could feel anger welling in her veins and slowly starting to course. But if she wanted to remain in a good standing with the teachers and her mother, she had to be careful. She gathered her things quickly, scrolls stacked on top of the book and gathered her quills before quickly moving to the front of the room and sinking down into the seat even farther than she had done in the back. She wanted to be invisible. Didn't want to be here. She couldn't wait until the end of this year when she would never have to take potions again. She didn't care how well she did on it,s he wouldn't be taking Potions. It wasn't worth the frustration.

Wister's friend grinned as Dylan moved up to the front of the room. He leaned back in his seat and watched her in silence, smirking. The girl had often caused trouble for Wister and his friends and got them in trouble in their earlier years. But now that the Dark Lord had won, it didn't matter. She no longer mattered. "It makes the drinker reckless and belligerent." He answered, sitting up straight as he placed his hand on the table. His friends scrawled the answer on their scroll quickly. Dylan stared down at the paper before her, not daring to look. She muttered to herself. "This is freaking ridiculous. I haven't done anything wrong."

[LORCAN MCNABB]

Lorcan's gaze bore into Mazani as the book snapped shut loudly. He ground his teeth in anger and frustration. He hatted students and if it hadden't been the only downfall for teaching he would have actually enjoyed teaching. He loved to share knowledge with others, but this was beyond ridiculous. how could one be so disruptive! His eyes darted back to the students as the answer was given and the class wrote the answer down. Well at least they had learned. As soon as he had spoke Lorcan let a faint smile curve his lips.

"five points Wister," he replied crisply. Turning to write on the board the instructions and ingredients bellow the description of the potion they would be brewing. His patience was wearing thin by the interruptions and the noise level in his classroom. When he heard the faint voice of Mazani behind him his anger boiled through his veins and he spun around. His face a mask of anger. His eyes narrowed dangerously and his whole body went absolutely rigid.

His eyes flashed murder "Do you have a problem Mazani?" he said in a very dangerous and cold voice. If it was posible he was an even more imposing figure now that his anger was boiling over. His words were a sharp hiss as he spoke them. "Shall I call Justina, Mazani?" he asked with a glint in his eyes. He knew her mother, the two of them served the same master after all. He was disappointed in Mazani however, she wasn't like her mother. He would have enjoyed having Justina in his class. This he did not appreciate.

"If you do not stop disrupting my class Mazani that is exactly what will happen!" he growled dangerously. His face a mask of anger and hatred in that one moment. as his eyes bore into her not taking into account the rest of the class. He usually had an abundance of patience, but not for this type of non-sense.

[DYLAN MAZANI]

Dylan stared ahead, watching as he wrote the next answer on the board. She thought she had only muttered it, but it seemed she had said it a little too loud. Loud enough that Professor McNabb turned on her and his eyes flashed and seemed to grow colder and darker as he approached where she sat. At first when he spoke, she actually trembled. Her hands shook and she had to hold onto the desk to stop them from shaking. But as he continued, the threat of her mother rang true to the girl. She swallowed hard and her eyes snapped up to meet his. He wasn't serious was he? Then again, who wouldn't be? All of the teachers knew how much Dylan feared her mother. How much she hated her, how much trouble and pain she had caused in the young girls life.

Yet as she stared at her teacher, her lip twitched and she stared him in the eyes, not blinking. Her brown hair shifted as she leaned back slowly before speaking, her hands still shaking. But she didn't care, she was sick of this. She was tired of being stepped on and having everyone hold the hell her mother put her through over her head. "Go ahead, Professor McNabb." She snapped, her eyes glaring up at him. Her temper was flaring, and she was done with this bull. It was pathetic. Hogwarts used to be a place of learning and happiness. Now... it was hell. And she was tired of having no where to turn. If she kept letting everyone step on her it would only get worse. That was it, there will be no more.

"Then do it! If you aren't capable of gathering your classes attention in any other way, then go ahead. Make my day. There is nothing she can do that she hasn't all ready!" Her voice was rising, and whatever fear she had was suddenly gone. She was no longer shaking, but now was rising from her seat. "She's all ready made my life hell, nothing you can say or do will make it any worse, so please, stop trying to flatter yourself." She left her stuff placed on the desk, book still open and quill still in the ink well. It didn't matter what happened now. Hogwarts was nothing to her. It didn't matter any more.

[LORCAN MCNABB]

Lorcan was shocked for a single moment before his own temper snapped. Never before had a student talked to him this way. His jaw ticked and his eyes flashed dangerously as he glared at her. As the last of her words rang out and filled the now perfectly still and silent classroom Lorcan's want shot out before he could even think to stop himself and his deadly voice hissed "Crucio!" the word reverberated through the classroom as he held the spell.

His eyes were narrowed as he spoke the next words not releasing his spell quite yet. "You will sit down, you will be silent and you will NOT disrupt my class again! am I understood!?" his words were very quiet, yet they thundered through the shocked silence that had fallen. He never let his gaze waver from Mazani, but his next words were for everyone. "The next person to disrupt this class will be punished with more than just pain!" he growled his warning.

With that he released his spell and surveyed the damage he had done. Hoping he had done a significant amount of damage as he had put a lot of hatred, frustration and anger into the spell. he had really meant it. He had wanted to hurt her for what she had accused him of being. Oh her mother would hear about this, he did not tollerate disruptions well at all!

[DYLAN MAZANI]

The word that hissed through his teeth caused her to feel like his skin was on fire. She felt like she was going to burst into flames. The pain caused her to tremble, but other than a single gasp in pain as her body shook and she sank to her knees and then leaned back against her feet, she said nothing. She didn't cry out, didn't ask it to stop. She merely trembled and a few tears rolled down her face. She held her mouth clamped tightly shut until it was over. His threat didn't bring fear to her heart. It only made her feel empty. It only made her hate him more. Nothing would change her mind now. When the curse finally broke though, she took a shaky breath, one after another, her shoulders trembling and her head bowed, face hidden by her brown curls that had fallen before her eyes.

She was painfully aware of the silence around her. The cool air of the dungeons caused goosebumps on her warm skin. Even as she leaned forward, hands shaking and she placed them on the ground before her, using them to steady herself as she rose. The Slytherin's in the back sat in stunned silence. Mazani had taken the curse with out little sound. And though pain showed in her eyes and it was easy to see that she was angry, she said nothing to anyone as she walked back to her seat, gathered her things, drew her wand, and lifted her book and scroll into her free hand. "Oh go screw yourself, Lorcan. You're a lonely old Death Eater and the only thing you can manage is a curse and a poison. Well congratulations, you are no better than any other person in this hell hole." With that, she made her exit, not once turning back.

She was a Mazani, and once her mind was set to something, well that was all that would be heard on the matter.

[LORCAN MCNABB]

Anger literally crackled around Lorcan as he watched her storm from the room. He wanted to curse her again, but knew it would do no good. So instead he hissed as the door was closing so she could still hear him. "Ten points shall be taken from Gryffindor for your departure Mazani!" and with those words a small smile crept on his face as he turned to face the rest of the class.

"Now unless any more of you wish to leave we will be continuing with our lesson." with that he turned back to his desk waved his wand and the instructions for the potion appeared on the board. he finished speaking as he waited for the words to write themselves on the board. "You may finish the potion, put some in the provided flask. Label them and leave them on my desk when completed. Those of you who are not here will receive zero for the assignment." he said the last knowing one of Mazani's friends would tell her or one of the boys who humiliated her would.

With those words and the potion instructions on the board he returned to his seat and watched as the class set up and began.