Young Liars

The next morning Eleanor managed to wake up earlier than most, even if she did not fall asleep for a long time. So much happened yesterday that it kept her up most of the night, not to mention an hour of answering questions from her fellow roommates.

House? Thunderbird. Thunderbird? Thunderbird. What does it mean? It’s difficult to explain, but the soul, adventure. House points? We have them. Are the dorms better there? Yes. Laughter. Do you play Quidditch? No…

After the dinner last night, she was approached by the Head of House (which she was surprised to learn was the same witch that called up the first-year students for their sorting). She followed the professor up the stairs yet to another tower, learning about the class schedules and her exam evaluation tomorrow after breakfast. This kept her up too, quietly wishing they would have taken care of it a bit earlier, letting her know of what to expect.

Nonetheless, she quietly exited the dorm and descended down into the common room. One other girl was napping on the couch. She might have fallen asleep there last night, or early morning today, who knows.

From what she was told, breakfast would be served soon. Not wanting to be late, but mainly wanting to eat in peace, Eleanor left the common room quietly, so as to not wake the girl up, and walked through the portrait. She shook her head slightly and chuckled - crawling through a portrait. A list of things to tell her friends is growing with every step she takes.

Eleanor tried to be quick when walking down the stairs, she saw how they moved yesterday, always keeping an eye on where the right path of the stairs is. The lower she got, the more students she noticed. From various houses, but mostly Ravenclaws. Maybe the girl Luna was around? She wanted to ask about The Quibbler. Soon she had reached the bottom of the stairs and turned one corridor to find Great Hall, congratulating herself on remembering where to go.

“Morning.” she heard a voice coming from behind her. Blaise was walking up the staircase from a floor below.

“Of course, the chess pro is up and early.” she stopped to wait for him.

He chuckled, walking up to her, hands in his pockets. “I’m only talking to you because you’re a Thunderbird.”

“Oh, right…” Eleanor scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Now we can’t be seen…”

“You should know better than to walk around with Potter and his buddies.” Blaise scoffed and let her go into the Great Hall first.

“Shut up,” she elbowed him. “They’re nice.”

There weren’t that many students in the Hall yet and not everyone was sitting at their rightful house tables. Ravenclaws were mixing in with a few Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs. There weren’t that many Slytherins yet. She looked up. The ceiling was clear, allowing everyone to see the sky above. White clouds.

“Where do we sit?” she asked Blaise who was looking at her the entire time, waiting for her to stop admiring the Hall.

“Well,” he shook his head. “Gryffindors aren’t welcome at our table.”

“Then–”

“We aren’t welcome at yours either.” he cut her off, expecting what she was about to suggest.

Eleanor crossed her arms and tsked. “Are you all five?”

“We’ll talk later,” he shrugged and gave her a thin smile. “Practise until then.”

Eleanor waved at him, shaking her head in disbelief. How are they that serious?

“Morning.” she smiled at Pansy who has just walked into the Hall.

But all the girl did was scoff, looking at the red accessories on Eleanor’s robes. Fine. So dumb. She shrugged and walked toward the Gryffindor table, looking around for Luna or any other familiar face to be honest, as more and more students were coming in. It grew louder quickly.

She didn’t mind eating alone, she even enjoyed it most of the time. And the food was great. She was on her 5th pancake when two girls from her dorm walked past her. She inhaled forgetting their names for a moment. “Hi!”

One was Lavender for sure. She talked more. The other one, she just could not remember. Eleanor smiled and took a bite of another pancake. Orange juice was better here than at Ilvermorny.

“Mornin’.” Neville sat next to her. He seemed nervous. But he seemed nervous the first time she met them all, so maybe it’s just the way he is. And no toad this time.

“Hi, Neville.” Eleanor smiled before looking around. Almost all the tables were full. She saw Hermione, Ron, and Harry not that far away. They waved. Ginny was on the opposite side, talking with the same boy she walked with after dinner. The staff table was almost full too. And almost all students returned to their house tables.

“How’s the food?” he reached for some eggs, almost spilling her glass of orange juice with the sleeve of his robes. “Sorry,” he muttered.

Eleanor chuckled. “It’s good, Neville.” she took another bite. The amount she just ate was starting to make her feel unwell. “Do you know when we’re getting our schedules?”

“After we eat. Before the first class starts.”

Eleanor sighed and ate the last bit the of pancake. Then it must be mere minutes before she gets her schedule.

And she wasn’t wrong. After about ten minutes, Professor McGonagall descended from the staff table and started handing out the schedules. It was fairly smooth up until the sixth-year students. The professor would spend more time, asking, double checking around the other papers she had in her hand, and thinking. Of course - she had to check the exam results.

The exam results. Eleanor spent the next moments pleading EAGLE’s did not fail her.

First was Hermione. From what Eleanor heard, she was allowed to take all the classes she wanted, she had fantastic results. Maybe the top of the class, Eleanor pondered. After Hermione was cleared, the girl quickly said bye to her friends and hurried out of the Hall. The first class was about to begin. Runes? She heard Runes. Rarely did someone take Runes back at Ilvermorny, even if there was a prize for excelling at it. It was either Ancient Greek or Latin. Eleanor took Ancient Greek, just because she loved Plato.

Next, Professor McGonagall approached Neville, even if they were sitting a bit further away. Neville looked stressed. More than the other times.

“Herbology, fine,” she said. “Professor Sprout will be delighted to see you back with an ‘Outstanding’ O.W.L. And you qualify for Defense Against the Dark Arts with ‘Exceeds Expectations’.” good job, Eleanor thought. “But the problem is Transfiguration. I'm sorry, Longbottom, but an ‘Acceptable’ really isn't good enough to continue to N.E.W.T. level. Just don't think you'd be able to cope with the coursework.”

Neville lowered his head, contemplating. Professor McGonagall stared at him through her square glasses. “Why do you want to continue with Transfiguration, anyway? I’ve never had the impression that you particularly enjoyed it.”

“My grandmother wanted me to.” Neville looked miserable. Eleanor even felt awkward watching the whole ordeal.

“Hmph,” Professor McGonagall exhaled sharply. “It’s high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she’s got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have - particularly after what happened at the Ministry.”

Neville turned pink, probably confused at the compliment he had just received.

“I’m sorry, Longbottom, but I cannot let you into my N.E.W.T. class. I see that you have an ‘Exceeds Expectations’ in Charm however - why not try for a N.E.W.T. in Charms?"

“My grandmother thinks Charms is a soft option,” Neville muttered under his nose, still not looking up.

“Take Charms,” Professor McGonagall flipped some pages. “And I shall drop Augusta a line reminding her that just because she failed her Charms O.W.L., the subject is not necessarily worthless.”

Eleanor’s lips turned up when she saw Professor McGonagall smile at Neville. Like a mother does. The witch tapped a blank schedule with the tip of her wand and handed it, now carrying details of his new classes, to Neville.

Eleanor was ready to go after Neville, but McGonagall walked over to two of the girls, that greeted her this morning.

“Now, Patil–” it was Parvati! Eleanor remembered.

“Is Professor Firenze still teaching Divination?” the girl smiled politely at the Head of House.

“He and Professor Trelawney are dividing classes between them this year,” Professor McGonagall sounded slightly annoyed. “The sixth year is being taken by Professor Trelawney.”

The smile disappeared from Parvati’s face and soon she was off to class, leaving her friend.

Next was Harry. “So, Potter, Potter…Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration… all fine. I must say, I was pleased with your Transfiguration mark, Potter, very pleased. Now, why haven't you applied to continue with Potions? I thought it was your ambition to become an Auror?”

“It was, but you told me I had to get an 'Outstanding' in my O.W.L., Professor.”

“And so you did when Professor Snape was teaching the subject. Professor Slughorn, however, is perfectly happy to accept N.E.W.T. students with ‘Exceeds Expectations’ at O.W.L. Do you wish to proceed with Potions?”

“Yes,” Harry was nodding, “but I didn't buy the books or any ingredients or anything–”

“I’m sure Professor Slughorn will be able to lend you some,” Professor McGonagall explained. Eleanor was thankful her parents took care of the supplies and books for her. “Very well, Potter, here is your schedule. Oh, by the way- twenty hopefuls have already put down their names for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I shall pass the list to you in due course and you can fix up trials at your leisure.”

Professor turned back again, walking over to Lavender, who kept her gaze on Harry and Ron for another moment. “You’ll be happy to take Divination with your friend…” Professor breezed through a few pages. “Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration. All fine.”

The girl smiled and quickly stood up. “Bye, Ron!”

Ron was next. Same subjects as Harry. Both boys walked out.

Then was the boy that Ginny was sitting with. Probably dating, Eleanor thought. When he was cleared, he waited for his friend. They both walked out.

This left Eleanor and all the seventh years at the table. A similar situation was at the other House tables too. She could see Malfoy stand up after Professor Snape handed him the schedule.

“Somerset.” Professor McGonagall sat down in front of her. Eleanor inhaled slowly. “We were consulting with your Headmaster about the exam results,” she took out a slightly yellow paper. Her exam results. Looked like they were sent in through mail. Eleanor had a copy. “You have great results. We decided that your ‘Excellent’ are equivalent to ‘Outstanding’ here. Your ‘Great’ is ‘Exceeds Expectations’ here. The rest matches as well.”

Eleanor nodded at everything.

“Now you have three ‘Excellents’... Defence Against the Dark Arts. Exceeding at nonverbal magic?”

“Mhm,” Eleanor nodded. She forgot the comment was there.

“Very well, I think Professor Snape will enjoy you being in his class.”

Nod.

“Potions… And Ancient Greek? We have runes, dear, but I don’t–”

“I don’t want to take Runes.”

Professor McGonagall seemed to be thinking the same. “Very well. Charms and Transfiguration are ‘Greats’. You can take the classes. With your results, you can take a few more classes. You took Creature Care, Professor Hagrid is happy to accept students with an ‘Acceptable’.”

“It’s okay,” she smiled nervously. “I had enough these past few years if I’m being honest.”

Professor nodded. “Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration.” she looked at Eleanor for approval.

“Correct, but I don’t have all books. Mom and I got the books for Potions and Defence.”

“I’ll have a book for Transfiguration when you come to class. Charms… check the library now before Defence Against the Dark Arts.”

When she was handed the magic schedule, Eleanor thanked the Professor and walked toward the door, leaving the rest of Gryffindor students at the table.

She stood by the entrance when she noticed Blaise standing up. Zabini. Must be last on the list. Assuming Professor Snape went alphabetically.

“Always the last?” she crossed her arms when he approached her.

Blaise scoffed. “Do you have a free period?”

“Mhm. But I need to go to the library. No idea where it’s at, forgot to ask Professor McGonagall.” she only realized that when she was standing by the entrance, before noticing Blaise.

“I’ll show. There’s a chess board there.” he walked with his head held high and hands in his pockets. “It’s actually not far.”

The boy turned to a corridor where they both walked up the stairs. A little bit further were large ornate, wooden doors.

The library was huge, bigger than the one at Ilvermorny. “Whoah…” she looked around, amazed. This is what heaven looked like for her.

Blaise chuckled. “What do you need from here?” he led her to the front where the librarian was.

“Charms book.”

“Good morning, dear.” the librarian smiled when Eleanor approached the table. Blaise sat down in front of the chess board, fixing some of the pieces.

“Morning. I need a Charms book, for the sixth year.” she told the librarian politely.

“I’ll see if we have any to spare.” the old lady stood from her chair and disappeared behind a bookshelf reaching the ceiling. Eleanor turned to Blaise. He was assigning the pieces like how they left the game off last time, he had written it down in a black notebook.

“Here.” the librarian startled her and handed her the book. “Just careful.” she smiled but her eyes were dead serious.

Eleanor signed a paper and walked to Blaise. “I didn’t think you’d actually write it down.”

“It’s a serious game.” he showed her a paper of her last move, to remind her.

“Thanks.” she whispered.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Blaise moved. Then they sat in silence again until Eleanor moved. If she were to be honest, she had forgotten her strategy completely. She could not piece together the plan she was harboring the whole time. But if the boy, that sat behind them at the bar, noticed it just by watching the game, maybe she could too.

Blaise on the other hand looked extremely confident after his move. As if the pieces fell into place for him instead of Eleanor.

“What classes are you taking?” he asked after moving fairly quickly. Maybe Eleanor didn’t move precisely where he wanted her to, but he had a backup, it seemed.

“Potions, DADA, Charms, and Transfiguration.” she sighed.

“Good, we’re taking the same.”

Eleanor smiled but quickly furrowed her brows again, going over the pieces. Her hair was already full of small braids.

As Eleanor moved, the door closed loudly and both of them turned their heads. Hermione hurried in with a list in her hands. Eleanor waved at the girl as she got closer. Blaise scoffed.

“Don’t.” she stared at him and shook her head slightly. “Don’t, Blaise.”

He didn’t say anything, just scoffed again and turned his head down, and studied the board.

“Hello.” Hermione approached them. There weren’t other people in the library but the girl still whispered. “Did they sort out your schedule?” she looked at Eleanor and then quickly glanced at Blaise. Looked like she was questioning the pair.

“Ah, yes. Taking Potions, DADA, Charms, and Transfiguration.” she glanced down to see Blaise still contemplating the board. Or pretending to, so not to speak.

“Great! We’ll see each other in all of them. Now you will have to excuse me, I’m looking for books for the Ancient Runes class. There is so much homework already.” she wailed and disappeared somewhere in the back.

Blaise moved almost immediately when Hermione left the two. For Eleanor, it looked like he had trapped her. But this move of his opened a way for her piece. She would have believed he hadn’t noticed it if she didn’t know he plays well. Fuck, she thought, He has other plans.

“I think it’s time we move.” Blaise spoke when they heard the door close again. It must have been Hermione leaving.

She nodded. “I need to get my books.”

“Okay. I’ll write this down.” he circled his hand around the board.

Eleanor quickly left the library and followed two Gryffindor girls going up the stairs, just in case she remembers the walk wrong. Soon she reached the Portrait, through which Harry and Ron were leaving.

“Are you taking Defence Against the Dark Arts?” Harry quickly glanced back as she crawled inside.

“Yes, see you there!”

Eleanor ran up the stairs to her dorm, passed a few younger girls who were staring for too long, and placed the Charms book on top of her suitcase. When she got the Potions book that her mom bought her, she collected the cauldron and other supplies, before descending the stairs again and meeting Blaise next to the library. The boy was leaning against the door, watching students pass by.

“So I walked down to go up again?” Eleanor groaned as they walked up the stairs. The classroom was on the third floor, Blaise said.

A few more turned corridors and she noticed many students lining up by the door. Hermione was holding tons of books in her hands and explaining something to Ron and Harry. The Slytherin buddies of Blaise all turned to look at the two approaching. Malfoy clearly whispered something to Pansy that made her laugh out loud, staring at the two.

“Good luck.” Eleanor whispered to Blaise and raised her eyebrows after Malfoy and Pansy giggled their way, turning to the Gryffindor students, which did not notice the two.

“You wait,” Hermione looked at Ron resentfully. “I bet Snape gives us loads.”

Right as Hermione spoke and Eleanor silently greeted Harry, the classroom door opened and Professor Snape stepped into the corridor. His face was emotionless, framed by greasy black hair.

Everyone was silent.

“Inside.” he moved to the side, allowing students to flood in.

She let some of the students past her before entering herself. The classroom was pretty dark, as the curtains have been drawn over all the windows, and only the candles were providing light. There were very few desks, the rest were pushed against the back of the classroom. You could barely see them, as the candlelight didn’t reach that far.

As everyone settled down, Eleanor quickly noticed how there were just the right amount of tables for all students to have a partner. She looked around to find Hermione already sitting with Neville so she proceeded towards the last table near the back on the side of the windows. It was still empty.

When she sat down, Eleanor looked at all the gruesome paintings on the walls. People screaming and shaking in pain, disembodied, moving strangely. Nobody spoke as they settled down, looking around at the pictures too.

When someone drew the chair back, she turned away from one particularly gruesome painting to find an even worse view. Malfoy slumped into the chair next to her.

Eleanor shook her head and leaned back, crossing her arms. Looking around she tried to find any other open seats. Blaise, as confused as she was, glanced at Malfoy and sat in front of them. The boy that watched them play chess, someone with the letter T, she just couldn’t remember, sat next to him. Harry and Ron were somewhere in the middle row and Parkinson was fuming, turning around to stare at Malfoy. Now she had to sit with a Ravenclaw. Poor girl.

None. Absolutely no free seats left.

Malfoy didn’t even look at Eleanor, keeping his hands in his pockets as he leaned back as well. Eleanor sat up straight.

“I have not asked you to take out your books.” Professor Snape closed the door and turned to face the classroom. “I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention.” his black eyes pierced everyone else’s. “You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe.”

Five? That’s quite a lot. Eleanor placed her head on her palms, holding her head up by the elbows.

“Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be more advanced.” Snape started making his rounds around the classroom. “The Dark Arts,” he explained coldly. “Are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible.”

That was interesting to visualize, Eleanor thought.

“Your defenses,” Professor Snape said a little louder this time, “must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures,” he gestured at the few on the walls, “give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse.” he waved a hand toward a witch who was shrieking in pain. “Feel the Dementor’s Kiss” he waved toward a wizard lying huddled and blank-eyed, slumped against a wall, lifeless. “Or provoke the aggression of the Inferius” he waved toward a bloody mass.

“Has an Inferius been seen, then?” Parvati asked in a high-pitched voice. “Is it definite, is he using them?”

“The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past,” Snape explained, “which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now…” he walked back to the front, behind his desk. His robes flew behind him. “…you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?”

Hermione's hand shot into the air. The Professor took his time looking around at everybody else, even Eleanor caught a glimpse, before turning to Hermione, “Very well - Miss Granger?”

“Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform,” Hermione explained, “which gives you a split-second advantage.”

“An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six.” Professor Snape said dismissively. Malfoy sniggered and Eleanor frowned at him. Absolute moron.

Besides, what’s wrong with Hermione’s answer? Eleanor sighed.

“–but correct in essentials. Yes, those who progress in using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some…lack.”

He looked at someone for a moment longer, but Eleanor could not see who. A few heads disturbing the view.

“You will now divide into pairs.” no no no no. “One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on.”

Eleanor inhaled deeply and turned to Malfoy, who looked relaxed, still leaning back, front legs of his chair lifting up slightly as he pushed himself back with his feet. “You can start.” she said.

Malfoy shrugged, still pushing himself back and forth on the chair. Other kids were merely whispering the incantation instead of saying it aloud. Some mouthed them.

Whatever Malfoy had in mind, Eleanor was ready with the Backfiring jinx. Almost smiling, confident she was. Had enough practice.

Inversus. Inversus. She kept repeating in her head, not knowing if or when Malfoy was going to strike. She was almost clawing at her pitch-black wand. Must have missed the feeling.

In a moment, Draco’s legs gave out and he fell forward as his chair was no longer being pushed up by his feet. The sound caught a few students, not to mention Professor Snape’s attention, but she didn’t notice. While he steadied himself Eleanor knew it was a good opportunity to strike.

Pungo.

Draco clawed at his forehead. Eleanor frowned. It caused a very slight headache, so Malfoy’s reaction was strange to her.

She quickly saw the two boys in front of her chuckle at Malfoy. “Sorry,” she smirked even if she was being genuine. Eleanor was glad the magicless month did not have an effect on her. Oh how she missed using magic.

“It seems like the American has got it.” he talked slowly, towering over Malfoy. Everyone turned around to see Malfoy struggling. “Care to explain to these listening ears?”

Eleanor pressed her lips together and exhaled slowly. “Well, practicing nonverbal magic is pretty common at Ilvermorny.” she looked around. “We learned it last year. Wandless too. Next year. The wand is a European invention after all…” she said the last part very quietly.

But Professor Snape did not look satisfied.

“And, uh, my mom is really good at it, gave me a few lessons over a couple of summers. Maybe that helped.” she blurted. Was that enough?

“Practising at home?” slow. He talked so slowly.

Even Malfoy turned to listen. He wasn’t rubbing his forehead anymore, but he looked mad.

“Yes?” she frowned. “Oh!” she remembered they weren’t allowed here. “We are allowed with parents' permission and a recommendation from the Head Teacher,” she explained away and crossed her fingers, placing her palms flat on the desk.

A sharp inhale and a quick turnaround. “Next time use the shield charm. I did not instruct you to jinx back. Everybody. Get back to work.”

Eleanor was left to pretend he was impressed, frowning at him for a moment. He said to repel. That’s what she did. At least some of the students were impressed, glancing back at her and Malfoy.

The boy didn’t say anything. She didn’t either, watching other students work. Hermione was the second student to successfully repel Neville’s jinx. But Professor Snape did not care about that pair, focusing on Harry and Ron struggling. Harry had his wand raised, waiting to repel a jinx that seemed unlikely ever to come.

“Pathetic, Weasley.” Snape scoffed after a while. “Here– let me show you–” he turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry reacted instinctively and yelled. “Protego!”

Immediately Professor Snape was knocked off-balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked up and watched as Snape righted himself, growling. “Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?” Eleanor pushed herself up with her elbows to see better. Malfoy was staring too.

“Yes.” Harry answered stiffly.

“Yes, sir.”

“There's no need to call me ‘sir,’ Professor.”

Several people gasped, including Hermione. However a few others, like Ron and some other boys were grinning. Eleanor chuckled quietly and shook her head. That was funny. Malfoy immediately glared at her, scoffing and leaning back again. Why on earth would he sit here?

“Detention, Saturday night, my office.” Snape was cold. “I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter… not even ‘the Chosen One.’”

‘The Chosen One’ sounded silly, but after that comment the whole classroom was dead silent until the class was over. Professor Snape assigned a lot of homework. Students walked out in silence, only sharing their annoyance outside the door.

“Find a better seat next time, Malfoy.” Eleanor pushed her chair back and stood up.

“I always sit here.” he shrugged but stayed seated.

“Learn to repel a jinx then, bud.” she tapped him on his shoulder twice and walked out, waving at Blaise. Pansy was glaring.

“That was brilliant, Harry!” she heard Ron exclaim before descending down the stairs to the library. Seeing just how much was assigned, she wanted to do at least half until she had Potions. The library seemed like the best spot. She always did her work at the library, Holly turned her into too much of a talker if she was at the dorm.

Finding a secluded spot, surrounded by big shelves but a big window right in front of her, she started working. It was as complicated as she had expected. She moved slowly as the time went by quicker than usual.

“Somerset.” someone hissed from behind her, walking quickly.

Eleanor inhaled and placed her quill down. Of course, it was Malfoy. “What?” she whispered.

“Don’t you dare humiliate–”

“Humiliate?” she shook her head slightly in surprise. “I was doing what was told if somehow you missed that.”

“What jinx?” he placed his hands on the desk, towering, hair falling on his face. Slightly huffing, must have hurried here the entire way.

She could smell him now. Mint… pine?

“For the headache?” she squinted at him.

He nodded.

“P-U-N-G-O.” she spelled out and gave him a thin smile. “Use it next time.”

“Pungo?” he looked as if he had never heard of it.

“Yes, Malfoy.” she rolled her eyes and gestured at the open books on the desk. “Anything else? I’m busy.”

“It’s lunch by the way.” Malfoy disappeared as fast as he had appeared.

Eleanor chuckled. Lunch. Malfoy was strange.

After grabbing lunch, during which she tried some pumpkin soup and steak, she returned to her dorm to grab the supplies for Potions, before heading back to the library where for the remaining time she did her homework. She was almost finished when the bell rang. Descending the staircase Eleanor hoped she remembered what Blaise described correctly.

She did.

Only a few people were standing by the door. The same Slytherins from the previous class (Malfoy had Pansy wrapped around his neck), four Ravenclaws, one Hufflepuff, and three Gryffindors, not counting her.

It was cold here. Wet too. And it did not smell pleasant.

“…And how are you, Ron– Hermione?” she heard the Hufflepuff boy ask the three as she approached the students.

But before anyone could answer, the dungeon door opened and Slughorn's belly preceded him out of the door. He moved to the side to allow students to flood in. “Harry, m-boy!” he was nodding extensively, holding his hands on his belly when Harry walked in. “Good day, Blaise, very good day!” Blaise was greeted with enthusiasm as well.

“Hello.” Eleanor smiled as she was the last one to walk in.

“Oh! Good day, Eleanor!” he was beaming, closing the door behind her.

Eleanor walked past large bubbling cauldrons, deeply inhaling the various odd and delicious smells. The four Slytherins were seated together. So were the four Ravenclaws. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat next to the Hufflepuff boy, leaving her seatless for a moment before Professor Slughorn dragged a chair and placed it on the edge of the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff table. Harry was on her right. She said hi to all.

Their table was closest to a gold-colored cauldron that was emitting one of the most seductive scents Eleanor had ever inhaled. Her eyes widened as she smelled the ocean back home. Those early morning swims. She almost groaned from longing. Memories crashed at her like waves of the same ocean. Pine trees near beaches…And– Ah! It’s Amortentia. Eleanor exhaled sharply, pulling herself out of the near haze she was in, gulping in the fumes. That was a weird feeling. Old books. That’s what she was going to say next. Old books.

Harry and Ron were staring at each other lazily, almost giggling. Hermione was stiff, but breathing in.

“Now then, now then, now then.” Professor Slughorn was shining through thick fumes. “Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making…”

“Sir?” Harry raised his hand as Eleanor pulled the scales out of her bag.

“Harry, m’boy?” he walked closer to their table. Eleanor pulled out the book.

“I haven’t got a book or scales or anything– nor’s Ron– we didn’t realize we’d be able to do the N.E.W.T., you see–”

Eleanor pulled out the kits and leaned back. Watching over the interaction.

“Ah, yes, Professor McGonagall did mention… not to worry, my dear boy, not to worry at all. You can use ingredients from the store cupboard today, and I’m sure we can lend you some scales, and we’ve got a small stock of old books here, they’ll do until you can write to Flourish and Blotts…”

Slughorn quickly walked over to a corner cupboard and, after a moment’s foraging, during which he dropped a jar, emerged with two, very scuffed-looking copies of Advanced Potion-Making. By Libatius Borage, the same Eleanor had. He gave the books to Harry and Ron along with two sets of scales. They were in no better condition than the books. The boys did not look happy.

“Now then,” Slughorn returned to the front of the class, placing his hands on his inflated belly. “I’ve prepared a few potions for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know. These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of ‘em, even if you haven’t made ‘em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?”

He gestured at the cauldron closest to the Slytherin table. Eleanor leaned back and raised her head to see what was in the cauldron. From what she could see, it looked like plain water.

Hermione was the first to raise her hand. First and only. Professor pointed at her.

“It’s Veritaserum, a colorless, odorless potion thar forces the drinker to tell the truth.” Hermione shot out, confidently. Even Eleanor felt that Professor Slughorn would appreciate her knowledge more than Professor Snape.

“Very good, very good!” Slughorn was happy, his chest inflating, shirt buttons holding on for dear life. “Now,” he continued, pointing at the cauldron closest to the Ravenclaw table. Eleanor did not recognize this muddy liquid. She would have guessed something disgusting before reminding herself where she was. School, not her dad’s workshop. “This one here is pretty well known… Featured in a few Ministry leaflets lately too… Who can–?”

Hermione was first again. “lt’s Polyjuice Potion, sir.”

Eleanor nodded with approval, Hermione was brilliant.

“Excellent, excellent! Now, this one here… yes, my dear?” Professor asked Hermione directly this time so Eleanor did not raise her hand.

“It's Amortentia!”

“It is indeed. It seems almost foolish to ask,” Professor looked very impressed, “but I assume you know what it does?”

“It's the most powerful love potion in the world!”

“Quite right! You recognized it, I suppose, by its distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen?”

“And the steam rising in characteristic spirals.” Hermione answered enthusiastically, smiling. “And it's supposed to smell differently to each of according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and–” but she turned slightly pink and did not complete the sentence.

Eleanor smiled. Happens to all.’

She recognized it by the smell only. But her knowledge of brewing it a year ago slowly crept back, of course, the pearl sheen.

“May I ask your name, my dear?” Slughorn frowned, ignoring Hermione turning pink.

“Hermione Granger, sir.”

“Granger? Granger? Can you possibly be related to Hector Dagworth-Granger, who founded the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?”

“No. I don't think so, sir. I'm Muggle-born, you see.”

Both Eleanor and Harry seemed to notice Malfoy whispering something to another boy (his name Eleanor did not remember. T-), and both of them giggled like two little girls. Eleanor glared at the two. Then the rest. Pansy was grinning, listening to the boys. Blaise was picking at his robes, scratching something off before quickly glancing up at Eleanor. She looked back at the Professor, who was only beaming in delight. He clearly did not hear Malfoy and his buddy. Not worth his attention.

Eleanor suddenly remembered the incident at Malkin's. That’s who Malfoy was making fun of. Hermione. Evil little prick.

“Oho! ‘One of my best friends is Muggle-born, and she’s the best in our year!’ I’m assuming this is the very friend of whom you spoke, Harry?”

“Yes, sir,” Harry nodded and quickly glanced at Hermione. She was smiling ear to ear.

“Well, well, take twenty well-earned points for Gryffindor, Miss Granger.” Slughorn smiled and clasped his hands together.

Eleanor looked at Hermione excitedly, mouthing ‘Good job’. Hermione must be pulling the entirety of the Gryffindor house, collecting points, Eleanor thought, before turning back to Malfoy. He looked just like when his legs gave out. She had to stop herself from jinxing him again, as it was that easy the first time.

“Did you really tell him I’m the best in the year? Oh, Harry!” Hermione was radiant.

“Well, what’s so impressive about that?” whispered Ron, who for some reason looked annoyed. “You are the best in the year - I’d’ve told him so if he’d asked me!”

Hermione smiled and shushed her friends so that they could hear what Slughorn was saying.

“Amortentia doesn’t really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion in this room– “ she saw Malfoy scoff, realizing she was staring for too long. “Oh yes!” Professor nodded at Malfoy and his friend, both of whom were smirking skeptically. “When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love. And now, it is time for us to start work.”

“Sir, you haven’t told us what’s in this one.” the Hufflepuff boy spoke pointing at a small cauldron on Professor’s desk. The liquid inside was beautiful, the color of gold. Large drops, or bubbles, she couldn’t tell, were leaping above the surface, but not spilling.

“Oho!” Slughorn paused dramatically, staring at each kid. “Yes. That. Well, that one, ladies and gentlemen, is a most curious little potion called Felix Felicis. I take it,” he turned to Hermione as she let out an audible gasp, “that you know what Felix Felicis does, Miss Granger?”

“It’s liquid luck.” Hermione’s eyes were wide. “It makes you lucky!”

Everyone sat up straight, trying to see inside the cauldron. Even Malfoy was now listening fully, gesturing away at his friend who was whispering something.

“Quite right, take another ten points for Gryffindor. Yes, it’s a funny little potion, Felix Felicis.” Slughorn nodded. “Desperately tricky to make, and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this has been, you will find that all your endeavors tend to succeed… at least until the effects wear off.”

Fantastic. Eleanor could think of many ways to use it.

“Why don’t people drink it all the time, sir?” a Ravenclaw boy asked eagerly.

“Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence.” Professor sighed. “Too much of a good thing, you know… highly toxic in large quantities. But taken sparingly, and very occasionally…”

“Have you ever taken it, sir?” another Ravenclaw asked with great interest. His hair reminded Eleanor of Professor Snape.

“Twice in my life.” Professor smirked and gazed dreamily into the distance. “Once when I was twenty-four, once when I was fifty-seven. Two tablespoonfuls taken with breakfast. Two perfect days.” he paused. “And that,” he finally spoke, disturbing the mere silence that was building. "Is what I shall be offering as a prize in this lesson.”

A Ravenclaw girl gasped in the back.

“One tiny bottle of Felix Felicis,” said Slughorn, taking a minuscule glass bottle with a cork in it out of his pocket and showing it to them all. “Enough for twelve hours’ luck. From dawn till dusk, you will be lucky in everything you attempt.” he exhaled sharply.

Eleanor raised her hand. When Professor Slughorn nodded at her, she asked. “Can we use it anytime?” exams, tests, homework… What else could she use it on–"

“Felix Felicis is a banned substance in organized competitions… sporting events, for instance, examinations, or elections. So the winner is to use it on an ordinary day only… and watch how that ordinary day becomes extraordinary!” he beamed at her. “So, how are you to win this fabulous prize?” Professor turned to the rest. “Well, by turning to page ten of Advanced Potion Making. We have a little over an hour left to us, which should be time for you to make a decent attempt at the Draught of Living Death. I know it is more complex than anything you have attempted before, and I do not expect a perfect potion from anybody. The person who does best, however, will win little Felix here. Off you go!”

Hermione had her book open already, manically searching for the right page. Students moved their cauldrons, some stood up, and others started weighing. But everyone was silent.

Malfoy must have reached the same speed of flipping as Hermione. Looked like he really wanted the potion. Everyone did. Eleanor too. Not wasting any time, she found the right page and walked over to get her ingredients. She had to wait until Malfoy grabbed a handful of the Valerian roots, bumping into her left shoulder as he strolled back to his table.

Back at her table, Eleanor set her ingredients into a line, from left to right, from the first ingredient she will have to use, to the last. It was fairly difficult to move freely, sitting on the edge and elbowing Harry the entire time. “Fun one you have there.” she nodded towards the various black annotations on Harry’s old book.

Words, even paragraphs, scribbled all over. Sections crossed out, written over. Harry chuckled and shrugged, carefully trying to make out the annotations. “I can barely see the original instructions.”

“Take a look at mine if you need.” she sighed and started chopping the roots.

Eleanor did not pay attention to everyone glancing at each other’s cauldrons, or students taking longer routes around the tables to reach the cabinets, staring at everyone’s progress. With every minute the classroom was subjected to more and more fumes. Come on… she was mixing her ‘black currant-colored liquid’. It was supposed to be smooth. Her’s was thick and still clumpy.

Hermione’s was smooth, looked like she was the only one that had reached what was desired of the book at that point.

Maybe it will smooth out in time, Eleanor thought and moved on to chopping the sopophorous beans. But they did not stay in place, gliding from under the blade each time. She was getting frustrated and it seemed like the students who had progressed this far, had the same problem, quickly glancing over to see if everybody else’s beans were escaping the grips.

“Sir, I think you knew my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy?” Eleanor looked up. Professor Slughorn was staring at Blaise’s cauldron, nodding in approvement, when Malfoy spoke.

“Yes.” he answered without looking at Malfoy. “I was sorry to hear he had died, although of course, it wasn’t unexpected, dragon pox at his age…”

And he walked away. Eleanor scoffed. His grandfather did not leave an impression on the Professor. It was very clear that Malfoy wished to be treated like them, congratulated on his family's achievements.

When their eyes met, Eleanor pressed her lips together and wiped her wet fingers against a dry cloth. Maybe her fingers were making the bean slippery?

“Can I borrow your silver knife?” her eyes lifted as Harry took a knife from Hermione. Her liquid was still the same color as before.

Eleanor quickly remembered and mixed her little experiment, it was getting smoother. “Finally.” she whispered to herself.

When Eleanor saw Harry slightly squeezing the bean before crushing it, she remembered her dad stabbing a fruit, similar to these beans in texture, with a fork, and cutting then. Eleanor quickly stood up, startling Hermione and Harry, and walked over to a drawer she saw Blaise take out a spoon from a few minutes ago. There she scrambled for a fork.

With one in hand, she didn’t even sit down, stabbing one side of the bean with all the force she had, until she heard small pops and drops of juice appear on the surface. Taking her knife she carefully cut in. The juices started leaking immediately.

Ron was copying Harry while Hermione nervously re-read the instructions for what seemed like the hundredth time. The Hufflepuff boy went to get a fork himself after groaning in despair.

Eleanor squeezed what was still inside the bean straight into her cauldron. The liquid immediately turned lilac, just as it was described in the book. “Yes!” she exhaled. Light competition is never light to her.

She had to stir next. Counterclockwise until the potion turns clear as water. Easy.

But it never did. She must have been stirring for a couple of minutes, while Harry’s was already clearing up.

“How are you doing that?” Hermione demanded. She was looking frantic, with hair all over the place and a red face. Her potion was still resolutely purple, just like Eleanor’s.

“Yeah, I-”

“Add a clockwise stir–” Harry cut Eleanor off.

“No, no, the book says counterclockwise!” Hermione snapped and stabbed the exact word in the book with her finger.

Harry just shrugged and continued what he was doing, without saying another word.

But Eleanor tried his advice. Immediately her liquid turned a pale pink color while Ron cursed under his breath.

“And time’s…up!" Professor looked away from the grandfather clock. “Stop stirring, please!”

Eleanor managed to quickly put in another clockwise stir and her liquid turned even lighter, as Professor Slughorn strolled around the classroom, peering inside the cauldrons. He didn’t say a word just occasionally gave the potions a stir or a sniff.

Their table was the last one. He gave a thin smile after inspecting the tarlike substance in Ron's cauldron. He passed over Ernie's navy concoction. Hermione's potion he gave an approving nod. “Very well, Eleanor–” he was about to say something more but then he noticed Harry’s cauldron. A look of delight spread over his face. He was beaming.

“The clear winner!” he announced and tapped Harry’s shoulder. “Excellent, excellent, Harry! Good lord, it’s clear you’ve inherited your mother’s talent. She was a dab hand at Potions, Lily was! Here you are, then, here you are - one bottle of Felix Felicis, as promised, and use it well!” he took Harry to the front of the classroom and handed him the small bottle of the golden liquid. Prettiest she had ever seen.

When Eleanor started clapping, everyone turned around. Slytherin’s were furious especially Malfoy. Hermione looked disappointed. When no one else joined in, she stopped. Nodding at Harry.

He got lucky with the book.