Chapter 3.
MCGONAGALL: History of magic is upstairs, ladies, not down. Mr. Davies! Mr. Davies! That is the girls’ lavatory.
Harry and Ron are above, watching all of the chaos unfold.
MCGONAGALL: Potter?
HARRY: Oh, this can’t be good. Harry gets down and makes his way over.
MCGONAGALL: Enjoying ourselves, are we?
HARRY: Well, I had a free period this morning, professor.
MCGONAGALL: So I noticed. I would think you would want to fill it with potions. Or is it no longer your ambition to become an Auror?
HARRY: Well, it was, but I was told I had to get an outstanding in my OWL.
MCGONAGALL: So you did, when Professor Snape was teaching potions. However, Professor Slughorn is perfectly happy to accept NEWT students with exceeds expectations.
HARRY: Brilliant. Um… well, I’ll head there straight away.
MCGONAGALL: Good, good. Potter, take Weasley with you. He looks far too happy over there.
James grinned. “Good ol’ fashioned Minnie.”
We cut to Ron and Harry walking through a hallway.
RON: I don’t want to take potions. There’s Quidditch Trials comin’ up. I need to practice.
“Ron is speaking the truth,” Sirius reported solemnly. “Quidditch above all else.”
They enter the classroom.
SLUGHORN: Attention to detail in the preparation is the prerequisite of all planning. Ah. Harry, my boy, I was beginning to worry. You brought someone with us, I see.
RON: Ron Weasley, sir. But I’m dead awful at potions, a menace, actually, so… I’ll probably just go.
SLUGHORN: Nonsense. We’ll sort you out. Any friend of Harry’s is a friend of mine. Get your books out.
HARRY: Uh, sorry sir. I haven’t actually got my book yet and nor has Ron.
SLUGHORN: Not to worry. Get what you want from the cupboard. Now as I was saying, I prepared some concoctions this morning. Any ideas what these may be? Hermione raises her hand. Yes miss…
HERMIONE: Granger, sir. Harry and Ron open the book cupboard. That one there is Veritaserum. It’s a truth-telling serum. One book looks much more worn than the other. A scuffle briefly ensues. And that would be Polyjuice Potion. Ron ends up with the better one. It’s terribly tricky to make. This is Amortentia… the most powerful love potion in the world. It’s rumored to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them. For example, I smell…freshly-mown grass and new parchment… and spearmint toothpaste.
Mary sat up. “Ron! Because-” she gestured around blindly. “Because he had that toothpaste moment earlier!”
Sirius groaned.
SLUGHORN: Now, Amortentia doesn’t create actual love. That would be impossible. But it does cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. And for that reason it is, probably, the most dangerous potion in this room. Slughorn puts the lid back on.
GIRL: Sir, you haven’t told us what’s in that one.
SLUGHORN: Oh, 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-
HERMIONE: Liquid Luck.
SLUGHORN: Yes, Ms. Granger. Liquid Luck. Desperately tricky to make. Disastrous, should you get it wrong. One sip and you will find that all your endeavors succeed. At least, until the effects wear off. 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 manages to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death the recipes for which can be found on page 10 of your books. I should point out, however, only once did a student manage to brew a potion of sufficient quality to claim this prize.
Severus smirked and raised his chin slightly.
SLUGHORN: Nevertheless, good luck to you all. Let the brewing commence. Harry opens his book once he reaches a stand. There is an escription: This book is the property of the Half Blood Prince.
“Name of the video,” James pointed out, unbeknownst to the fact that across the room, Severus was staring, jaw-dropped at the screen.
Things are flying around the room as the students attempt to make the potion. Harry follows the book’s instructions. Something fizzles from a potion.
HERMIONE: How’d you do that?
HARRY: You crush it, don’t cut it.
HERMIONE: No, the instructions specifically say to cut.
HARRY: No, really. Seamus’ potion blows up in his face. One girl’s potion climbs out of the container and spills onto the desk. Hermione looks increasingly frazzled, meanwhile Harry’s potion seems to be going well. Slughorn drops a leaf into Harry’s potion, and it burns immediately.
SLUGHORN: Merlin’s beard! It is perfect! So perfect, I daresay, one drop would kill us all!
Severus blushed slightly, before taking on a more serious expression that matched with the rest of the room.
“Okay, who is the Half Blood Prince, and why is he this good at potions?” Lily asked, a bit of frustration leaking in.
“Jealous?” James joked.
“No, not at all,” Lily frowned, speaking a little to quickly to be believable.
SLUGHORN: So here we are, then, as promised. One vial of Felix Felicis. Congratulations. Slughorn hands the potion to Harry. Use it well. Slughorn starts clapping, and the students hesitantly start applauding as well.
The scene changes to Dumbledore examining Tom Riddle’s destroyed diary. There is knocking on the door.
DUMBLEDORE: Ah, Harry, you got my message. Come in. How are you?
HARRY: I’m fine, sir.
DUMBLEDORE: Enjoying your classes? Harry nods. I know Professor Slughorn was most impressed with you.
HARRY: I think he overestimates my abilities, sir.
DUMBLEDORE: Hm. Do you?
HARRY: Definitely.
DUMBLEDORE: What about you activities outside the classroom?
HARRY: Sir?
DUMBLEDORE: Well, I notice you spend a great deal of time with Ms. Granger. I can’t help wondering if-
HARRY: Oh, no, no. I mean she’s brilliant, and we’re friends, but no.
James stood up and put a finger in Sirius’ face. “Hah! You hear that?”
Sirius swiped it away, annoyance clouding his features. “Doesn’t mean he’ll end up with Ginny.”
DUMBLEDORE: Forgive me, I was merely being curious. But enough chit-chat. You must be wondering why I summoned you here tonight. The answer lies here. What you are looking at are memories. In this case, pertaining to one individual, Voldemort or as he was known then, Tom Riddle. Dumbledore reaches for a vial. This vial contains the most particular memory… of the day I first met him. I’d like you to see it, if you would. Harry pours the memory into the bowl and leans in.
It is a dreary looking building, and the skies are gray and angry. A younger Dumbledore walks along with an umbrella. The camera pans up to reveal the sign of an orphanage.
WOMAN: I must admit to some confusion upon receiving your letter, Mr. Dumbledore. In all the years Tom’s been here he’s never once had a family visitor. There have been incidents with the other children. Nasty things. The woman knocks on Tom’s door. Tom? You have a visitor.
DUMBLEDORE: How do you do, Tom?
The scene changes, to a few minutes later.
TOM: Don’t.
We focus on different things throughout the room, paper, and rain amongst others before changing to when Tom is now sitting down.
TOM: You’re the doctor, aren’t you?
DUMBLEDORE: No. I am a professor.
TOM: I don’t believe you. She wants me looked at. They think I’m different.
DUMBLEDORE: Well, perhaps, they’re right.
TOM: I’m not mad.
DUMBLEDORE: Hogwarts is not a place for mad people. Hogwarts is a school. A school of magic. You can do things, can’t you, Tom? Things other children can’t.
TOM: I can make things move without touching them. I can make animals do what I want without trainin’ them. I can make bad things happen to people who are mean to me. I can make them hurt… if I want. Who are you?
DUMBLEDORE: Uh… well, I’m like you, Tom. I’m different.
TOM: Prove it. The closet bursts into flames, and Riddle’s eyes widen.
DUMBLEDORE: I think there’s something in your wardrobe trying to get out, Tom. Tom opens the door, and there’s a box at the bottom of it. As Tom gets hold of it, the flames fizzle out. Tom takes out whatever was in the box. Thievery is not tolerated at Hogwarts, Tom. At Hogwarts, you’ll be taught not only how to use magic but how to control it. You understand me? Dumbledore starts to leave.
TOM: I can speak to snakes, too. They find me. Whisper things. Is that normal for someone like me?
The memory fades and Harry looks up.
A silence all-encompassing filled the room.
“Bloody hell,” Sirius stated, breaking it.
“It’s weird see Voldemort- of all people- as a young kid,” Andromeda said.
“I agree,” Bellatrix nodded. “Seeing the Dark Lord so young is… disturbing…”
“Guess he was always a strange kid, huh?” Ted pointed out.
“Yeah, I could see the signs already,” James agreed. “But… I don’t feel bad for Voldemort at all, but for a young kid to grow up in an orphanage with people thinking he’s mad?”
“Could be rough,” Alice frowned. “But then again, he is Voldemort. I don’t feel much sympathy.”
HARRY: Did you know, sir? Then?
DUMBLEDORE: Did I know I’d just met the most dangerous dark wizard of all time?
“Well, I guess when you put it that way,” Sirius mumbled.
DUMBLEDORE: No. If I had… Over time, while here at Hogwarts, Tom Riddle grew close to one particular teacher. Can you guess who that teacher might be?
“Slughorn,” Regulus realized. “Of course.”
HARRY: You didn’t bring Professor Slughorn back simply to teach potions, did you, sir?
DUMBLEDORE: No, I did not. You see, Professor Slughorn possesses something I desire very dearly. And he will not give it up easily.
HARRY: You said Professor Slughorn would try to collect me.
DUMBLEDORE: I did.
HARRY: Do you want me to let him?
DUMBLEDORE: Yes.
The scene cuts to multiple Death Eaters flying through the air. They try to get through the forcefield protecting Hogwarts, and are unable to.
James smirked. “Just like the insect.”
We cut again to Draco walking through the halls. He reaches a wall. Inside there are plenty of different things. Draco tugs on a curtain, and a mysterious looking artifact is unveiled.
We cut one more time to the quidditch fields. Everyone is fighting each other whilst Ron is staring at Harry.
HARRY: Alright. Um… Okay, so this morning, I’m gonna be putting you all through a few drills just to asses your strengths.
“Harry!” James exclaimed. He wiped a tear from his eye. “He’s-”
“He’s captain!” Sirius cheered. “Prongs, your son did not let us down!”
HARRY: (quietly) Uh, quiet. Please!
“He needs to be a bit louder, huh?” Remus joked.
GINNY: (loudly) Shut it! The quidditch players stop fighting.
HARRY: Thanks. Alright, um, uh… Now then remember, just because you made the team last year does not guarantee you a spot this year. Is that clear? Good. Ron glances up, where Hermione is watching from the stands. She waves.
CORMAC: No hard feelings, Weasley, alright?
RON: Hard feelings?
CORMAC: Yeah, I’ll be going out for keeper as well. It’s- It’s nothing personal.
RON: Really? Strapping guy like you? You’ve got more of a beater’s build, don’t you think? Keepers need to be quick, agile. The keeper catches a fly.
CORMAC: Ah, I like my chances. Say, um, you think you could introduce me to your friend Granger? Wouldn’t mind, uh, getting on a first-name basis. Know what I mean?
“Bloody hell,” Peter mumbles. “Stealing your spot and your girl.”
Ron and Cormac get into their spots respectively.
LAVENDER: Go on, Ron. Go on, Weasley. The scrimmage beings, and Cormac is able to block multiple shots in spectacular fashion. Ron also blocks a few shots, using his body as the main deflection. At one point he falls off his broom.
HARRY: Come on, Ron. This time, as the player approaches Cormac, Hermione puts her hand to her lips.
HERMIONE: Confundus. Cormac misses the next shot.
James and Sirius wince.
“Oh come on, she’s trying to help her friend,” Lily excused. James shook his head.
“The integrity of the game is more important than frivolous friendships,” Mary wisely advised. Lily paused for a moment, and then shook her head, just as confounded as Cormac.
The next shot against Ron, he uses his head to block.
LAVENDER: Isn’t he brilliant?
The scene changes to the dorm room.
RON: I have to admit, I thought I was gonna miss that last one. I hope Cormac’s not taking it too hard. He’s got a bit of a thing for you, Hermione. Cormac.
HERMIONE: He’s vile.
HARRY: Have you ever heard of this spell? Sectumsempra?
Severus frowned. Despite it being his book, he’d never heard or used of that spell.
HERMIONE: No, I haven’t. And if you had a shred of self-respect you’d hand that book in.
“Lily, she sounds just like you,” James jested, nudging Lily in the side.
“Well, she’s right,” Lily insisted.
RON: Not bloody likely. He’s top of the class. He’s even better than you, Hermione. Slughorn thinks he’s a genius. Hermione looks sharply at Ron. What?
HERMIONE: I’d like to know whose that book was. Let’s have a look shall we? Harry shuts the book.
HARRY: No. Harry and Hermione stand up.
HERMIONE: Why not?
HARRY: The binding is fragile.
HERMIONE: ‘The binding is fragile?’
HARRY: Yeah. Hermione scoffs and Ginny steals the book.
GINNY: Who’s the Half-Blood Prince?
HERMIONE: Who?
GINNY: That’s what it says right here. ‘This book is property of the Half-Blood Prince.’ Ginny tosses it back. The camera zooms in on the book.
HERMIONE: For weeks you carry around this book practically sleep with it, and yet you have no desire to find out who the Half-Blood Prince is? The camera finishes the zoom in with the trio walking through the snow.
Marlene nodded. “That’s a good point.”
HARRY: I didn’t say I wasn’t curious. And I don’t sleep with it.
RON: Well, it’s true. I like a nice chat before I go to bed. All you do is read that bloody book. It’s like being with Hermione.
HERMIONE: Well I was curious so I went to–
HARRY AND RON: The library.
HARRY: And?
HERMIONE: And nothing. I couldn’t find a reference anywhere to a Half-Blood Prince.
HARRY: There we go. That settles it then.
“Exactly,” James agreed. “It was probably just a stupid moniker some pretentious prick decided to use.”
SLUGHORN: Filius, ah, I was hoping to find you in the Three Broomsticks!
FLITWICK: Ah, no, uh, emergency choir practice, I’m afraid, Horace.
HARRY: Does anyone fancy a butterbeer?
Slughorn is telling a story about someone whilst the trio sits down.
HARRY: No, sit beside me. Draco and Harry lock eyes for a moment, before Draco walks up the steps.
RON: Oh, bloody hell. Ginny and Dean are sharing a drink in the corner. Slick git.
HERMIONE: Honestly, Ronald, they’re only holding hands. The pair start kissing. And snogging.
RON: I’d like to leave.
HERMIONE: What? You can’t be serious?
RON: That happens to be my sister.
“No, no, he’s right. I wouldn’t want to see Reggie shagging some girl,” Sirius grinned, which made Regulus fail to muffle a laugh, which only made Sirius grin some more.
HERMIONE: So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging me? Would you expect her to get up and leave?
SLUGHORN: Hey, my boy!
HARRY: Sir. Wonderful to see you.
SLUGHORN: And you, and you.
HARRY: So what brings you here?
SLUGHORN: Oh! The Three Broomstick and I go way back, further than I’d care to admit. I can remember when it was One Broomstick. He spills a bit on Hermione. All hands on deck, Granger. Listen my boy, in the old days I used to throw together the occasional supper party for the select student or two. Would you be game?
HARRY: Oh, I’d consider it an honor, sir.
Lily smiled. “Like mother, like son,” she glanced sideways at James. “Certainly not like father.”
“Hey!”
SLUGHORN: Ah… You’d be welcome too, Granger.
HERMIONE: I’d be delighted, sir.
SLUGHORN: Splendid! Look for my owl. Good to see you, Wallenby. Harry sits back down.
RON: What are you playing at?
HARRY: Dumbledore’s asked me to get to know him.
RON: Get to know him?
HARRY: I don’t know. It must be important. If it wasn’t Dumbledore wouldn’t ask.
“I wonder what Slughorn could possibly have,” Remus voiced.
RON: Uh, um. Got a little bit… Hermione has foam on her mouth, and she wipes it away.