Chapter 28

The next morning, I wrote a note and took it with me when I went to breakfast. It was really good, but I was to nervous to enjoy it. After breakfast, Snape had to leave, but I caught him at the door.

"Sir, I-I was wondering if you might promise me one thing before you leave." I managed to say. He looked at me. "Very well. What is it?" He asked. I handed him the note, because I was too scared to say it out loud. He read it and nodded slowly. "Alright. I will do this." Then he left. I was glad that he took the note with him. In it, I asked him not to drink or get addicted to alcohol. Drunks were always scary, and I never want to see him drunk, and I also didn't want him to become dependent on it. Needless to say, I was very relieved when he said that he would not get drunk.

After Binns' class, I had Transfiguration, which is one of my favorite classes, right up there with Potions. There were a few spitballs in History of Magic, but there weren't any in Transfiguration, which made me enjoy the class even more. Today, we learned how to change wood into stone. It was fun, and fairly easy. I had to remind myself to only do it after Hermione does, so I don't get in trouble.

"Ms. Henderson, please stay after class, I would like to speak with you." I nodded. After class, I stayed in my seat as everybody left. In the shuffle, somehow my seat got tipped over and my bag spilled. Coincidentally, it happened when Potter walked past. I didn't say anything, just got back up and picked up my stuff. McGonagall closed the door after the last students left.

"Ms. Henderson, you do know that you can always come and talk to me when you are being bullied." I started to deny it, to say that I wasn't being bullied, but she kept talking. "Don't bother trying to deny it, I have been teaching longer then you have been alive, so I have seen this situation many times, although, there is really only one other case like this. You remind me a lot of the boy who was bullied. He too, was a Slytherin, also bullied by a group of four Gryffindors. You probably know about them, the Marauders, they called themselves. And you know who the boy was." I nodded. "It was Professor Snape, wasn't it." She nodded. "Yes, it was. Severus, Professor Snape, I mean, knows what you are going through, and he doesn't want you to go through it as well. If I hear or see them bullying you again, I will talk to Professor Dumbledore, who will deal with them accordingly. And I already know who it is. Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom. Is that correct?" She asked me.

I shook my head. "No, Professor, it's not. I'm not being bullied, I'm just very shy and don't like being with people. Sometimes, when it has been a lot of interaction, I can't handle it and stay in the Common Room, where there are less people. That's all." I lied wonderfully. In fact, she believed it. "Alright, I believe you, but please make sure you come to all of the meals and classes. And speaking of meals, it is lunchtime. Let's go, shall we?" I nodded and followed her to the Great Hall. I sat down in my spot at the end of the table and she went to her spot at the teacher's table.

When lunch was over, Dumbledore stood up. "In case you haven't noticed, Professor Snape is no longer here. He had to resign suddenly, and we have not had time to find another Potions teacher yet, so until further notice, the class will be canceled. For those of you taking you O.W.L.s, or your N.E.W.T.s, we will figure out something. However, until that time, you do not need to worry about it. Also, I will not permit any cruel rumors about Professor Snape. Well, I think that's enough words from this old man, so I bid you adieu." And with that, he sat down.

Immediately, everyone started talking. When I saw that there would be no more announcements, I left quietly and went back to the Common Room. I found Salazar guarding my stuff. I smiled. "You sure have grown, Salazar. Are you hungry?" I asked him. Yes, thank you. And I have grown a lot. Look! He stretched out to his full length. I nodded. "You are big! Are you upset that I keep leaving you alone?" I asked him. Of course not. I don't mind. And I think that if I went with you, you would get in trouble. But I could also hurt them, because I am really big now. I laughed. "Yes, I'm sure you could. But then we both would be in trouble, and I don't want that. Also, I remembered that you are a cold-blooded reptile, so I was wondering if you are not too cold down here, because it can be pretty cold here." He bobbed his head. It can get cold, but I can either go the the fire, or I can go into my box, because it is warm too. And it is very comfortable and I think it grows when I do.

I had a question. "Do you happen to know what kind of snake you are?" I asked. He straightened. Yes, I do. I am a king cobra. A black one too. He looked very smug and pleased with himself. I smiled. "That means that you will get big, right? And that you have venom? That is so cool!" I smiled. Then my smile faltered. What's wrong? He asked. "I just realized that with Snape gone, that's one less teacher the Pride have to worry about. And I don't really know what is going to happen over the summer, just that I get to go to the Weasley's place for half of the summer." I groaned. "Oh no." What? Salazar asked, concerned. "I just realized that I will be spending half the summer with at least one of the Pride. I am going to die." Hey, don't worry about that yet. There are still a few months left of the school year, so we can worry about that later, alright? I nodded. "Alright. Thanks Salazar." Then the other students started coming in, so we had to stop talking. I didn't really want to advertise that I could talk to snakes. I pulled out my book that McGonagall gave me and kept reading. It was very interesting and I couldn't wait to try some of the harder ones. I looked over as one of the prefects put an announcement on the board. I got up and went over to look at it. It was from the Ministry.

Dear students,

Due to certain changes in the Ministry, we have decided that certain classes are no longer necessary and will no longer be offered as courses. The list is as follows:

Arithmancy

Astronomy

Potions

Muggle Studies

And possibly others

However, if there is sufficient interest, the classes can be added as an extra class for a fee of 20 galleons per student. If there are 10 or more students interested, bring it up to Headmaster Dumbledore.

This will start immediately.

Minister of Magic,
Cornelius Fudge.

There was quite a ruckus when everybody read it.

"What's this about?!"

"Why are the doing this?!"

"They can't do this!"

"My father will hear of this!"

I didn't say anything, just stared at the word 'Potions'. Why would they cancel Potions? Fine. I can go without my favorite class, without my sanctuary. Sensing any sarcasm? I hope so. But why worry? Next year is a long ways away. I went back to my corner and sat with Salazar. We didn't talk, just sat. Each clique banded together and talked about it. I didn't move. I didn't have a group to join, just me and Salazar. But I don't need anybody, I can survive on my own.