Hmm. I don't mind people being picky with language -- I tend to be that way myself -- but in these cases I would stick with my original wording. Snape has potions to tend; that's a valid usage. Making him have potions to tend TO would be an alternate way of wording it, but less British in my opinion, as then you' d end the sentence with a preposition. I don't think that's a deal-killer, per se, but is is less idiomatically British.

As for striding straight away, that just lends more emphasis to the action. He was striding in a forceful manner, I  meant to say. I know that "straight away"  has another meaning (ie, right away) but I'm not using it in that manner in this sentence, obviously.

I'm really happy you' re loving the story enough to comment -- we just don't see eye to eye on my linguistic choices, but I think that's all right.

Thanks,

Aspen