"Now," Snape says. "Can anyone tell me what three ingredients are in a Calming Draught?" Everyone looks panicked while Ursa raises her hand. "Miss Malfoy?"
"Lavender, crocodile heart, and peppermint." Ursa answers.
"Correct. What three ingredients are in a Pepperup Potion?" Snape asks and Ursa raises her hand again. "... Miss Malfoy."
"I believe that would be Bicorn horn, mandrake root, and jewelweed. Though the name suggests there should be some kind of pepper or peppermint in it."
Snape storms over to Ursa's table. "What color is a finished Sleeping Draught?"
"Dark purple." Ursa replies.
Snape slams his hands on the table and Ursa is trying to hold back her amused look. "What spell do you use to finish a Fire Protection Potion?"
"Flame-Freezing Charm."
Snape glares. "What part of a dragon is used in Strengthening Solution?"
"Trick question. There are no dragon parts in Strengthening Solution." Snape pauses and Ursa smiles. "Now I have a question for you." Ursa points at a blackboard. "Why does that say 'Antidote to Common Poisons' when that is the recipe for uncommon poisons?" Students snicker.
"Ursa shut up." Draco whispers.
"Do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" Snape asks. "I do not need two in one class."
Ursa puts her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. She looks like she's thinking. "You know what? I do a little bit."
"Detention for you Miss Malfoy." Snape says before mumbling. "And ten points to Slytherin." Ursa smirks. "Get to work on a Calming Draught. Instructions are on the board." Ursa chuckles quietly as Snape fixes the error she pointed out.
"Good job on getting detention." Draco says.
"Don't be bitter just because I know more. Besides, it's just Severus- Snape. Whatever. I'm not too worried."
"His detentions are horrible." While everyone else follows the instructions on the board, Ursa pulls out her book. "He said to follow the instructions on the board. Why'd you get a book, we didn't have to."
"It's my book from Ilvermorny." Ursa opens the textbook and Draco notices there is writing in it.
"Did you get a used book?"
"Huh?"
"There is writing in your book."
"No. It's just notes I've copied from past textbooks. Just things the Ilvermorny potions professor said and things I found in other books."
Later, Draco notices Ursa is not following the directions. "The board says to cut not grind."
"Just let me follow my book. Then you can laugh at me if I mess up."
Near the end of class, Snape walks around the room, examining everyone's finished potions. He lingers at Ursa's and she barely conceals a smirk. "It seems we have an overachiever." Snape says.
"What does that mean?" Ursa asks. "That it is perfect?" Ursa smirks at Draco.
"I would not go that far." Snape says. "Everyone except Miss Malfoy owes me a roll of parchment on the Calming Draught due at your next class. Get cleaned up." Everyone bottles one vial before moving around the room to clean up and Ursa stays in her seat. Ursa uses magic to bottle six vials of her potion before pointing her wand inside her cauldron.
"Evanesco." Ursa says and the rest of the potion disappears as Snape walks up.
"And I am too late." Snape sighs.
Ursa picks up three of the vials and holds them out to him. "I assume this is what you wanted." Snape snatches them from Ursa's hand with a glare. He walks away and Ursa calls after him. "You are welcome Professor!"
"You are going to make his life hell aren't you?" Draco asks.
"Maybe a little. I have two summers of annoying to catch up on" Ursa replies before pointing her wand inside her cauldron again. "Scourgify." Ursa's cauldron cleans itself. Ursa gets up and puts her ingredients away by hand. When she returns to her table, she points her wand at her area.
Snape comes up behind her. "And what do you think you are doing Miss Malfoy?" Snape asks. "Having your wand out while you should be cleaning."
"Scourgify." Ursa says without answering Snape.
"Show off." Draco says after her area cleans itself.
"Do not tempt me little brother."
"What?"
"Do you know what that spell does when used on a human mouth?"
"No and I don't think I want to."
"Miss Malfoy stop threatening your brother." Snape says.
"Fine." Ursa says. "And for your information Draco, it's the magical equivalent of having a bar of soap in your mouth. Commonly used on children with dirty language."
"So you?" Draco asks.
"Once or twice."
That evening after dinner, Ursa goes to the Potions classroom and sits. Snape comes in a few minutes later. "You're early." Snape says.
"I figured I would get some work done in a quiet spot before detention." Ursa replies.
Snape walks over to Ursa. "Alright how did you make the potion that well?" Ursa grabs her textbook and sets it in front of him. He looks at her questioningly but she doesn't notice as she is digging in her bag. Snape opens the book and pages through it. "Why is this written all over?"
"Tips and tricks I picked up from the teacher at Ilvermorny and different books."
Snape gets to the pages with the Calming Draught. "So you followed your notes instead of what I had on the board?"
"Yep."
"How did you find this information?"
"Well I didn't have any friends so I spent a lot of time reading. Specifically Potions, Dark Arts, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. And the potions teacher at Ilvermorny took an interest in me and let me experiment with different things I found. As long as I cleaned up my mess and didn't cause and explosions. I've perfected quite a few potions. Forgetfulness Potion is my specialty. Has gotten me out of trouble a few times. And poisons."
Snape continues to page through the book. "Why does it not surprise me that poisons are one if your specialties?"
"Probably because Bellatrix Lestrange is my aunt."
"I hope you know the antidotes to poisons."
"I always learned the antidote first."
"How did you test some of these? Like the Forgetfulness Potion."
"Ilvermorny's potion classroom is more of a lab. They have lab rats you can train. I trained a few to do a task at a sound and they didn't do it after I gave then the potion. They did occasionally the task or part of it with the book recipe."
"I see you are still annoyingly smart."
"Yep, but you know you missed me. Admit it Uncle Severus."
"I mean life was a little calmer without you causing explosions. And don't call me that here."
"That was one time! You'll be glad to know I don't cause explosions anymore."
"Good. I already have a Gryffindor in your year who causes enough."
"I see no one has fixed my explosion here." Ursa motions to the crevice and cracks in the wall.
"Yes. I never repaired it. To remember never to leave children unattended while making potions."
"Well you should know I'm pretty sure that explosion is what got me so interested in potions. So I heard your detentions are horrible."
"Depends on what you did."
"What did I do?"
"You were being a smart-ass."
"That's what I figured."
"I have some dirty cauldrons that need to be cleaned." Ursa reaches for her wand. "No wand. You're doing it by hand."
"Do you really think this will stop me from being a smart-ass in the future?"
"No, not at all. You've been a smart-ass since the moment you were born, but I couldn't let you get away with that in front of the class. Get to work." Ursa chuckles before starting.
***
A letter lands in front of Ursa and Lyra lands on her shoulder. "You told them I got detention didn't you?" Ursa asks as she glares at Draco.
"Yes." Draco replies.
"Oh come on Dray. It was just Unc- Snape." Ursa groans and she reads the letter.
"So are you in trouble?"
"No. Mother got a letter from Severus- Snape. Damn it I give up! She got a letter from Severus too telling her it was because I was being a smart-ass."
"What did you have to do?"
"Scrub cauldrons."
"Geez you got off easy."
"Yep. He always has had a soft spot for me."
***
Ursa pulls her robe close and pulls out her wand as she steps out of the Slytherin common room. "Lumos." Ursa says and the tip of her wand lights. She walks down the dungeon hall. "Let's hope I remember where I'm going." Ursa gets stopped by Filch at the top of the stairs to the East Towers.
"And just what do you think you're doing out a bed?" Filch asks.
Ursa pulls a note out of her pocket and hands it to Filch. "I have permission to be out of bed, sir."
"Yea. Like Dumbledore would give someone permission to be out after bed." Filch grabs Ursa's robes and starts to drag her towards Dumbledore's office.
Ursa rips her robe from his grip. "You do not need to drag me." Ursa follows Filch to Dumbledore's office, Mrs Norris circling her. When they get to the gargoyle entrance, he goes to pull the rope that rings a doorbell. "Exploding Bonbons." Ursa says. Filch turns and looks at her before the gargoyle slowly spins up, revealing a staircase.
"Up you go." Filch growls. Ursa rolls her eyes and walks up the stairs. Ursa knocks on the door.
"Come in." Dumbledore says and Ursa walks in. "Miss Malfoy. Mr Filch what can I do for you?"
"I caught this one with a fake note sayin' she had permission from you to be out after curfew." Filch says.
"Ah. It's not a fake note. Miss Malfoy will be coming to my office after curfew on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays until further notice. Thank you Mr Filch." Filch grumbles as he leaves the office. "Have fun." Dumbledore says as Ursa walks up the stairs to the loft.
"As long as I don't crash I will." Ursa replies. Fawkes takes off from his perch and out the large window. "Okay I guess we're starting with actual flying." Ursa climbs up in the ledge and free-falls. She transforms part way down and manages to pull up a bit. "Uh Fawkes." She says as soars towards him. "I only know how to glide."
"Sorry."
***
"Like our new badges? They're like the one you got from Granger, but not for some stupid pointless group." Draco asks Ursa as he shows off his badge that says Support Cedric Diggory – The real Hogwarts Champion in glowing red letters. "And watch this." He presses the badge into his chest and the badge changes to read Potter Stinks in glowing green letters.
"Really Dray?" Ursa asks as Draco puts it back to Cedric.
"I love them. Can't wait to see Potter's reaction. Oh here he comes." Ursa turns to see Hermione and Harry headed their way. Harry sees the badge. "Like them Potter? And this isn't all they do, look." Draco pushes the badge and it changes. The Slytherins other than Ursa laugh. Ursa rolls her eyes.
"Very funny." Hermione says sarcastically. "Real witty."
"Want one Granger? Maybe it can replace that crummy badge you gave my sister."
"I paid for it idiot." Ursa says. Draco holds out a badge to Hermione.
"I've got loads." Draco says "Thank Ursa for the enchantment."
"Wait what?" Ursa asks. "Did you take my enchantment notebook? Is that why I can't find it?"
"Pansy did." Draco admits.
"Snitch." Pansy mumbles.
"Don't touch my hand though Granger. I just washed it and don't want a Mudblood sliming it up." Ursa hits Draco. Harry draws his wand and Ursa quickly draws hers.
"Harry." Hermione says in warning.
"Go on then Potter." Draco says as he draws his wand. "Moody's not here to protect you now. Do it, if you've got the guts."
"Shut up Draco." Ursa snaps. The boys look each other in the eye and at the same time both boys cast.
"Furnunculus!" Harry yells.
"Densaugeo!" Draco casts.
"Protego Duo!" Ursa casts immediately after, sweeping her arm to protect all the Slytherins.
Jets of light shoot from Draco and Harry's wands and hit each other in midair. They ricochet off each other at angles. Harry's hits Ursa's shield while Draco's hits Hermione.
"Hermione!" Ron and Ursa both yell and hurry towards Hermione. Ron pries her hand from her face to see her teeth are elongating at an alarming rate.
"What is going on out here?" Snape asks as he appears. Snape points at Draco. "Explain."
"Potter attacked me sir-" Draco starts.
"We attacked each other at the same time." Harry interjects.
"Ursa managed to protect us from his spell."
"Malfoy got Hermione." Ron says. "Look."
"Which Malfoy?" Snape asks.
"Which one do you think?" Ursa snaps. Snape looks at Hermione.
"I see no difference." Snape says. Tears fill Hermione's eyes and she runs off. Ursa glares at Snape before taking off after Hermione. "Where do you think you are going Miss Malfoy?" Ursa ignores him and follows Hermione. Behind her, she hears Ron and Harry yell at Snape. Ursa manages to catch up to Hermione.
"Let me see." Ursa says as she draws her wand. Hermione moves her hands again and Ursa grimaces. "Do you want me to fix it or go to the Hospital Wing." Hermione pushes Ursa's wand hand down. "Hospital Wing it is." Ursa takes Hermione to the Hospital Wing before returning to potions classroom. Ursa glares at Snape as she walks in and sits next to Draco.
"And where is Miss Granger, Miss Malfoy." Snape asks.
"Hospital Wing. What are we doing?"
"Working on the antidotes you've been researching."
"So basically use my book to make an Antidote to Common Poisons?"
"Yes." Snape walks away.
"Where'd Harry go?" Ursa asks Draco.
"Mr Bagman wanted him for photographs."
"I heard yelling when I went after Hermione."
"That was Potter and Weasley, managed to get detention and 50 points taken."
"Enough talking Malfoys!" Snape snaps.
"Damn he's pissed." Ursa whispers.
"Keep talking and I will take points." Ursa rolls her eyes. "Detention Miss Malfoy."
"Yes sir." Ursa growls before pulling out her ingredients.