Part Nineteen
The first day of classes was hectic. Hundreds of new students trying to find their way around. Professor McGonagall showing students to their classes. You smiled at her as you passed on your way to Potions.
The class was getting their introductions when Harry and Ron walked in late.
"Harry m'boy! I was beginning to worry! And I see we've brought someone with us." He looked at Ron.
"Ron Weasley, sir. But I'm deadawful at Potions, a menace, actually, so I probably should just be going -" Slughorn cut him off.
"Nonsense, we'll sort you out. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Right then, books out!"
"Um, sorry, sir, but I haven't got my book yet. Nor's Ron. You see-" Slughorn cut them off again.
"Not to worry. You can get what you need from the cupboard." The two go and look then seem to fight over a book. You crack a small smile. Slughorn continues his lesson.
"Now, as I was saying, I've prepared a few concoctions this morning. Any ideas what these might be? Yes, Miss...?" He points to Hermione.
"Granger, sir. That one there is Veritaserum. And that would be Polyjuice Potion. And that is Amortentia! The most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell differentlyto each person, according to what attracts them. For example, I smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and spearmint toothpaste..." She flushed a bright red and stopped herself. Slughorn nodded and added on.
"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love, of course. That's impossible. But it does cause apowerful infatuation or obsession. For that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." As he turns many of the girls in class, stalk forward to try and get a whiff. He covers the caldron with a lid and turns back to face the class. One student speaks up.
"Sir, you haven't told us what's in that one." She pointed to a small vial of a golden shimmery liquid.
"Ah yes... What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen, is a curious little potion known as Felix Felicis. But it is more commonly referred to as..." He leaves it open for reply.
"Liquid luck." He smiles and nods at her. The class seems to perk up. Even Malfoy.
"Yes, Miss Granger. Desperately tricky to make. Disastrous should you get it wrong. But brewed correctly, as this has been, has remarkable powers. One sipand you will find that all your endeavors succeed... at least until the effects wear off." The same student spoke again.
"But then why don't people drink it all the time?"
"Because taken in excess it causes giddiness, recklessness and dangerous overconfidence." A male student spoke this time.
"Have you ever taken it, sir?" Slughorn replied.
"Twice. Once, when I was twenty four. Once, when I was fifty seven. Two tablespoons taken at breakfast. Two perfect days. So. This is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vial of liquid luck... to the student who,in the hour that remains, managed to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death, the recipe for which can be found on page ten of your textbook. You should know that in all the years of my previous tenure at Hogwarts, not once did a studentbrew a potion of sufficient quality to claim this prize. In any event, good luck." The students all went to their tables and began mixing. You'd never quite excelled at potions, but when reading the book, it just seemed wrong. certain things just didn't make sense to you. Your potion failed, of course, as did everyone else except Harry's. He was given liquid luck at the end of class.
~~~~~
Hermione had asked you to accompany her to the quidditch try outs as she normally sat alone. You agreed. You watched as the players did their best. Ron was doing his best. Cormac continued to make flirty looks towards Hermione, and she just rolled her eyes.
"Seems like Cormac has an eye out for you." She fake gagged.
"He's disgusting." The two of you laughed it off and continued to watch. Once, she even used a spell to slide Cormac to the side so he'd lose a ball.
"Naughty Hermione." She gently smacked your arm.
~~~~~
"For weeks you carry about this book. You practically sleep with it, and yet you have no desire to find out who the Half Blood Prince is?" Hermione, Ron, Harry, and you walked towards the Three Broomsticks.
"I didn't say I wasn't curious, and I don't sleep with it." You chuckled softly.
"Well that's true. When I go to bed, Only thing you do is read that bloody book. It's just like being with Hermione." You smacked his arm.
"Well, I was curious so I went to-" The two cut her off.
"The library. And?" You rolled your eyes.
"And nothing. I couldn't find a reference anywhere to a Half Blood Prince."
"There you go, that settles it then huh?" We heard talking and stopped. It was Professor Flitwick and Professor Slughorn. They seemed to be talking about some meeting Flitwick had. The group made their way to The Three Broomsticks and found a table. Ron was about to sit beside Hermione but Harry stopped him.
"No, sit beside me." Ron stopped and sat beside Harry. You had already sat on the edge of the table by the wall leaving a space in front of Harry open. A waitress came up.
"Four butter beers and some ginger wine, please." She nodded and walked off. You started talking when Ron stilled.
"Oh, bloody hell. Slick git." We all looked in the direction he was and saw Ginny with Dean. The were holding hands and laughing.
"Honestly, Ron, They're only holding hands." Then the two kissed.
"And snogging..." Ron shifted uncomfortably.
"I'd like to leave." Hermione scoffed.
"What? You can't be serious."
"That happens to be my sister."
"So? What if she looked ta me and saw you snogging me, would you expect her to get up and leave?" Just as they finished talking Slughorn walked over.
"Hey, my boy!" Harry stood to greet him.
"Hello, Sir, wonderful to see you."
"And you, and you."
"So, what brings you here?"
"Oh, the Three Broomsticks and I go way back, further than I care to admit." Slughorn seemed a bit tipsy and stumbled spilling a bit of drink on Hermione.
"Oh, hands on deck, Granger. Listen my boy, In the old days I used to throw together the occasional Supper party. With select student hood, would you be game?" Hermione wiped up what had spilled on her.
"I'd consider it an honor, sir."
"You'll be welcome, too, Granger, L/N." Hermione took a sip of her butter beer.
"We'd be delighted sir.
"Splendid. Look for my owl. Good to see you, Wallanby." Ron grimaced a smile and Slughorn left.
"What are you playing at?" Harry sighed.
"Dumbledore's asked me to get to know him."
"Get to know him? Downright."
"It must be important. If it wasn't Dumbledore wouldn't ask."
"Hope so. I don't really like parties." You drank the rest of your butter beer and went to leave.
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