We emerged out of the DADA classroom laughing our heads off. My plan had worked off quite fantastically. 

Each of us (I mean me, Fred and George) had submitted more than just two scrolls of parchment. And guess what was written it? Nothing but the truth. Because seriously none of us think that he did any of these tasks. 

And neither did we have enough stamina to remember all of them in chronological order.

So all we had filled in those parchments were elaborate adjectives describing his awful personality; pompous, preposterous, extravagant, flamboyant etc etc. Lockhart thought we had actually written a lot on him and had awarded us fifty house points each. 

I could imagine the look on his face if he read our essays (by mistake) and well even if he did, that's much better, right?

Next class was Potions which was held in the dungeons. Thinking of the dungeons always made me shudder. It was colder here than up in the main castle and must have been quite creepy. And I was not too certain whether I'd enjoy this class or not. 

Severus Snape was known to be the nastiest teacher at Hogwarts. But I suppose he must be tolerable when compared to Gilderoy Infatuated Lockhart. All of us had just settled down when a person emerged from the shadows. Like literally emerged. Theoretically speaking he must have entered through the door but his movements were too gradual and silent that it was almost unnoticeable. 

The whole class grew silent as if affected by a strong Silencing charm. Professor Snape looked like a man of brooding, slow burning personality and had that potion-like look about his gaunt face. His skin was starchy and pale and his black hair were the greasiest I had ever seen while his nose was pointed and sharp like an eagle's beak. A formidable personality, indeed. 

"Ah well the troublemakers are here again," he spoke eyeing us Gryffindors. "And their dumb comrades are here as well," this time he was addressed to the Hufflepuffs. 

I don't think I like him. Well who am I kidding exactly? He has made a horrible first impression on me and I'm quite sure I'll do the same. 

However I noticed his gaze was piercing right through me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. "Another Weasley. Probably a recruit in the list of the most intolerable students at Hogwarts," his voice was laced with hate as he stared at me and the twins who were sitting beside me. 

"Today we will be brewing the Elixir to Induce Euphoria," he spoke, "does anyone of you has brains enough to state what exactly is this Elixir used for?" 

Easy question but I don't think I'll give the answer. 

"Miss Weasley stand up and enlighten us on what you know about the Elixir to Induce Euphoria." 

Oh damn! Anyways I stood up mustering up all the confidence I had, "it's a potion used to induce Euphoria." 

See, so simple. 

"And what are the ingredients?" 

How am I supposed to know that. "Well... We'll know the ingredients when we start brewing it, right? Until or unless you enlighten us on what exactly is used to brew it." 

He glared at me, "twenty points from Gryffindor." 

Hey, that's not fair. 

"No one else knows the answer? Fifty points each from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff." 

All of us grumbled in disappointment. 

"The ingredients used for this potion are Shrivelfig, porcupine quills, sopophorous beans and wormwood. Open your books and take the ingredients in the mentioned quantity. I hope you are not dumb enough to do the rest of the work yourself." 

George brought the ingredients and as we had to work in pairs, they joined me on my cauldron. All of us started to brew the potion amid Snape's insults and rebukes. 

"I said just four quills," he shouted at a Hufflepuff, "honestly, Morrison, do you even have a brain in this useless head of yours?" 

I wish this class too gets over soon. 

"I would award him an order Of Merlin first class for being the nastiest teacher at Hogwarts," Fred mumbled. 

"Fifty points from Gryffindor," Snape thundered, goodness he sure had a keen set of ears. 

Finally the potion was ready. It was a beastly yellow color and was setting off fumes. At least we got the yellow right. 

Some of us had tweaking orange potions, others had flaming blues and runny violets. Snape started his investigation. From table to table he cursed and yelled and deducted points. 

At last he reached us. He glared at us as if he was not pleased with the appearance of our potion. Well that's exactly what the book says, Professor. But I guess he was more angry on the fact that we had got it right and was staring and considering to point out a blemish. 

"It is not thick enough," he spoke at last his face twisting into that of great fury. He went on about all the faults we could have made and I saw that he was quite busy and was not staring at the cauldron anymore. 

I put my hand in George's pocket and grasped one of the phials that contained a tiny amount of Erumpent Potion; highly explosive and it was what they had to use in the explosion of Filch's office. I think we need some Erumpent potion here as well. Quick as a flash I slipped the contents of the phial in the cauldron. It set off a green fume which attracted Snape's attention. 

He bent down to sniff it and dripped his finger inside. All three of us backed off. Did I mention before that Erumpent potion explodes on touch? No? Well, basically that's what it does. 

Soon as Snape put his finger in, the cauldron exploded and the gooey mixture came flying on him. 

He was covered in yellow fluid and his face had gotten red hot as if he was sitting on a stove. His eyes had gotten so wide that it seemed as if they would pop out. All the class was laughing by now. 

"Five hundred points from Gryffindor!!!" he bellowed, "and detention! All three of you!!! Class dismissed!" 

We were about to dash outside as well but he held us back by shutting the door straight on our face. He looked terrifyingly angry. 

"It was just an accident, Professor," I spoke. "Which. One. Of. You. Brought the Erumpent potion?!?!" Now all of us were looking down at our feet trying to look as innocent as we could. 

"I don't even know what potion you're talking about," I mumbled. 

"Yes, it's not her fault, Professor," Fred spoke up. 

"We slipped it inside. By accident of course," George backed him up. However I didn't want them to take the blame on themselves and nudged them to shut up. 

"All three of you will be helping Professor Sprout in taking care of the Whomping Willow," he announced our punishment, "especially after what your brother did to it... Now get lost from here! Idiots!" 

But whatever the punishment was, the exploding effect had been worth watching. We stepped out of the dungeons and soon as we had climbed the stairs all three of us burst out laughing. The look on Snape's face was surely priceless.

***