Chapter 4
Flashback
After getting off the boats and making their way inside the castle, Leah, Harry and the rest of the first years were told by a teacher ,who introduced herself as Professor McGonagall, to wait outside. She was tall and had a very tight bun on top of her bed, a very strict face and her square rimmed glasses seemed to shine with judgement as she talked. When she had said that, she looked around at all the kids before her eyes stopped at the Potter siblings. Leah saw that her eyes looked sad as she looked at them, before the woman recovered and left the hall to see if everyone was ready for them. Leah didn’t really understand the woman’s reaction, but guessed that she must have taught her parents. She knew that her parents had been in Gryffindor, though she hoped to also be in the same house, she wouldn’t mind if it was any other house, as long as she gets to prove that she belongs here.
They stood there waiting for a while, then suddenly there were some screams from the group, turning around, Leah saw something that made her gasp, there were ghosts floating above them, and other people could see them. She noticed that these ghosts looked different to the ghosts she saw, these while still translucent had a silvery image to them, whereas Regulus looked just like every other person just a bit see through. As Leah was about to ask Harry if he was seeing this too, or was it just certain people who could see them, the ghosts started talking to some of the students. Huh, well I guess some ghosts can be seen by everyone and some can’t. She was going to have to ask Regulus when he next pops up.
When they were finally able to go into the Great Hall, Leah saw the most amazing sight. The hall was huge, filled with five long tables, four of them with students lining them and one with teachers sitting along it. The ceiling of the hall was enchanted to reflect the sky outside, showing a beautiful night sky. There were candles floating above them as well, casting a yellowish light around the hall, making it look mesmerising.
As they made it to the front of the hall, right in front of a small platform, where a musty hat and stool were left there. For a bit the hall was silent, clearly waiting for something to happen, then suddenly the hat started singing:
‘Oh, you may not think I’m pretty,
But don’t judge on what you see…’
Jesus, wasn’t that the truth, Leah thought as she listened to the rest of the song. She listened as the hat characterised the different houses; Gryffindor was brave at heart, Hufflepuff were just and loyal, Ravenclaw were witty and valued learning, and Slytherin where people found their true friends and were cunning to get what they want. As Leah listened, she found that she did not know what house to expect, though she knew that Harry would get Gryffindor. The boy was too brave and hard-headed for his own good. As people started to be called up in alphabetical order to be sorted, Leah let her mind drift for a moment, wondering what house Regulus was in when he went there. She slightly hoped that now she was here she could find out more about him.
She started to feel Harry tensing next to her, looking at him, she could tell that he was worried about what was going to happen, so she linked their pinkies like they used to do when they were younger to calm him down. After a few minutes it worked, as he relaxed next to her, both of them knowing that no matter what happens they were there for each other.
“Potter, Harry”
Suddenly the hall was filled with whispers and people standing up from where they were sitting to get a better look, even some of the teachers looked more interested. Leah looked at Harry, who had gotten even more pale within a matter of seconds, she had to nudge him a little to get him to move, he looked back at her and she gave him the most encouraging smile she could muster, as she felt the exact same way that he did, giving him a thumbs up as well for good measure, causing him to smile at her stupidness. As he made his way up and sat down with the hat on his head, covering his eyes, Leah finally allowed the feeling of cautiousness to show on her face. She soon felt a hand on her shoulder, turning her head she saw that it was Ron, trying to make her feel better, smiling at him in thanks, Leah turned back round and waited for the hat to make its decision. After a while the hat moved and shouted “GRYFFINDOR”.
The resulting scream from said table was deafening, they looked so excited, Leah could even hear some screaming ‘we got potter’ making her laugh. Looking at Harry’s happy face, she felt relieved that he seemed happy with the choice. As he passed her, he smiled at her and said good luck, walking towards the Gryffindor table, being embraced by everyone who got their hands on him. Leah turned back round and waited for her name to be called.
“Potter, Leah”
Again the hall was filled with silence, but there was a definite buzz from the Gryffindor’s who seemed to think that they were about to get both Potters. As she walked towards the hat and stool, on her right she heard whispers from the tables, as they saw her face, walking with her held held high, refusing to be ashamed in this important moment for her, she grabbed the hat and turned around before putting in on, allowing everyone to see her scars. Before she could see people's reactions, the hat fell onto her head and for a moment it was silent until she heard a voice in her head.
“Ah, another Potter, filled with bravery like your parents before you, but also with loyalty, intelligence and ambition. My my, what a difficult one.”
What did that mean, difficult, Leah just wanted to prove herself to everyone and show that she is more than just her past.
“I see you want to prove yourself, like many before have as well. Your ambition to prove yourself makes you determined, your determination makes you brave and your bravery makes you smart, loyal and witty. Hm, where to put you?”
Not knowing what to do, Leah sat there waiting patiently for the hat to decide.
“You will do great things in the future, Leah Potter. Better be…”
“SLYTHERIN!”
Silence fills the hall yet again, this time in disbelief, a Potter in Slytherin, no one knew what to do. Suddenly there was a clap from some of the teachers then the students joined in. Soon the Slytherins were hollering to the Gryffindor, trying to say they got the better Potter, starting an argument as Leah made her way to the Slytherin table, turning her head to look at Ron as she passes him, giving a small smile to wish him luck, receiving a smile in return, Leah continues walking this time looking at Harry. His face looked a little disappointed at the fact they weren’t in the same house, but she shrugged at him, causing him to smile at her and shrug as well.
As she turns back to the table she sees that the seat available is next to Malfoy, the boy who annoyed them on the train, rolling her eyes she sits next to him, turning her back slightly so as to not look at him, but she soon feels a tap on her shoulder. Cool grey eyes stare into her own, the boy's face slightly sheepish as he looks awkward against her unbothered expression on her face when looking at him.
“Hey, we got off on the wrong foot on the train, how about we start over? I’m Draco Malfoy.” he says, holding out his hand for her to shake.
At fully intends to turn down the handshake, but then she notices the looks she is getting from the older Slytherins up the table, realising that this might be her only chance to make a friend in her own house, she accepts his handshake, looking at him and smiling.
“Hi, I’m Leah Potter.”.
End of Flashback
Four hours later, Leah had disposed of her jumper and was red faced due to the steam of this stupid potion. When Snape had given her the run down of the potion and handed her the instructions, as she started to set up he had left her alone in the classroom stating:
“You seem confident enough to do this without supervision, you are not a child, you do not need to be babysat. If you make a mistake and blow up my classroom, make no mistake, you will be cleaning out the supply cupboard and stocking it until the end of your seventh year.”
After that beautiful threat, he had turned around, rather dramatically, robe swishing behind him as he left her alone. Not minding this at all, Leah set about preparing her station for the Ostensio Memorias potion. Snape had explained to her what his potion was supposed to do. It was supposed to project a memory of the potion maker's choice, when they finished brewing it they thought about a specific memory, or something that they want to remember and the potion will show it. Though it’s not the most difficult potion out there and does not take ages to make, the process is meticulous and if you make a slight mistake, the effects could be detrimental, from temporarily losing your memory to blowing up the room, hence why it is a seventh year potion, but lucky for Leah, she had already brewed harder potions before and excelled at them. That was why Snape even entertained the potion, knowing that she was competent and could handle it.
Though the potion was taking a little more time then she had anticipated, she was nearly finished and it looked just as described in the book, the only thing left was to wait for the salamander skin to dissolve so she could add the final ingredient, two mermaid scales, and then she would be finished. As she prepared the last ingredient, she started thinking about what her memory would be, and wondering whether Snape would be coming down to witness it, or whether he would just ask for a vial of it for him to analyse and mark.
As she was doing this, Leah heard the classroom door creak open, fully prepared for it to be Snape that entered, Leah was surprised when she turned around to find Draco standing there.
“Hey, I was wondering where you were. You didn’t tell me you were practising today.” Malfoy started walking towards her, looking at the potion in confusion.
“I’m not practising, I missed the lesson the other day and didn’t hand the homework in, so Snape’s given me the challenge of brewing a NEWT level potion to make up for it and to see whether I’d be able to do it.” Leah explains as she stirs to make sure the salamander skin has fully dissolved before she adds the scales.
“Of course you’ll be able to do it, you’re the best when it comes to potions, Snape could have just given you detention instead he’s letting you have free rein of his classroom and brewing a potion he knows that you can do. And you still try to tell me that you are not his favourite.” Draco says exasperated.
“I might have been his favourite student if I wasn’t my dad’s kid, you know he hated my dad. I just happen to be his best student, so he’s trying to test my limits.” Leah said as she stops stirring clockwise to add the scales, then stirs counter-clockwise 3 times, before waiting for the potion to turn a mint green.
Due to her concentration she hadn’t noticed Draco looking at her as if she was an idiot.
“What’s the potion then, potter?” Malfoy asks, interested in the potions colour.
“Ostensio Memorias” Leah answered not taking her eyes off of her potion.
“Salazar, you’ve managed to brew this, I heard even some of the best students struggle with this, yet you’ve done it as a fourth year. What the fuck?!” Draco exclaimed, shocked.
“You’re acting as if I'm the smartest person you’ve met? Close your mouth, you’re gonna catch flies.”
“I still don’t understand why mu-muggles have the weirdest phrases for things. Anyway, when it comes to potions, you just might be the smartest person I know, same with Transfiguration-”
“But not the other subjects, the other day you had to help me with charms, because I was too close to failing that homework, for the third time.” Leah states looking up at him, showing her appreciation for his help, and telling him to shut up about the topic.
Draco falls silent for a moment, looking down at the pages of notes in front of him, reading about the potion. From the look on his face, Leah could tell he was stalling for what he really wanted to say.
“I heard Weasley today, talking to his other half,” Leah paused what she was doing, watching him out of the corner of her eye, seeing that he was watching her. “I heard that you two had an argument this morning.”
Leah turned to face him fully, looking at him so he could see her face. “What do you want to know?”
“Did you need your potion?” Draco asks seriously, not taking his eyes off of her.
“I always need my potion in the mornings-”
“Did you need it more this morning? Does it hurt even more than yesterday? Are you going to tell the teachers that it’s getting worse?” Draco asks, not even pausing after each question to give Leah a chance to answer.
Leah takes a deep breath, looking at him, and remembering why he knows about her secret.
Flashback
Third Year
November 5th 1993
After the Halloween fiasco, why is it always at Halloween when something happens? The castle was slowly turning back to normal, perhaps with more security then before, if that was possible. Leah was walking back from Care of Magical Creature to the Slytherin common room, intending to lie down after the tightening in her chest was getting worse.
For the past couple of months it had been bad, a constant squeeze on her heart and lungs, making it difficult to breathe sometimes. A few times it had felt like there had been something in her throat, she must be coming down with something, maybe she’ll go to Madam Pomfrey after her nap.
Just as she got into the castle, she heard a voice calling out her name, it was Malfoy. As soon as she realised who it was she continued to walk away, not bothering to talk to him as she was still pissed that he had lied to get Hagrid into trouble for Buckbeak.
“Hey, wait, Le I just want to talk!” Draco starts running after her, trying to talk to her and apologise.
Leah intends to speed up so she doesn’t have to deal with him, but as she does, she see’s Fred at the other end of the corridor, and suddenly something lodged in her throat, cutting off her breathing, causing her to start coughing. Whilst trying to breathe, Leah notices the girls bathroom across from her, and starts heading that way. Just as she’s moving, that’s when Malfoy shows up, breathing heavily after running after her.
“Finally, listen I want to say that I’m sorry I just- WHAT in the merlin is wrong with your face?!” Draco finally notices that there is something wrong with her. He realises where she was headed, and wrapped an arm around her to help her get to the bathroom quicker.
As they get there, she opens the door and runs into a stall, not even bothering to close the door as she starts coughing and heaving trying to get whatever this was out of her throat. Draco, not knowing what to do, stands there for a while, before remembering what he saw someone do once. He starts walking towards her, as he stands behind her he raises his arm and brings his hand down onto her back, dislodging whatever it was, allowing it to escape Leah’s throat, enabling her to finally be able to breath.
Tears streaming down her face as she tries to catch her breath. She leans back against the stall wall still coughing. Draco stands over her, looking down at her, trying to see whether his friend is okay now, before looking at the toilet intending to flush away what was in there, before noticing what it was stopping immediately, going pale.
Leah, noticing his silence and lack of movement, lifts her head to look at him, seeing the look of horror on his face, and where he was looking. Moving to look into the toilet, what she saw caused her to gasp with surprise. Inside the toilet bowl were two red rose petals, looking perfect, not even crumbled, and she also noticed that the water was tinted red, like some blood had been mixed in. being a shaking hand to her lips, brushing her fingers against it, when she brought her hand down she found that her fingertips were red with blood. Not understanding what was going on, she turned her head to look back at Draco to ask what was going on, but found her friend looking at her with tears in his eyes. Confused and scared, she asked what was happening. Instead of answering Malfoy brought himself down onto the floor and pulled her into a hug, muttering apologies and saying “We’ll fix this, I promise” over and over again. Still not understanding what was going on, she pushed him away.
“What is happening to me? Why did I just cough up petals and blood, what does this mean?” She started crying out of fear of what was happening to her. Was this a prank someone had done or was it something else.
“I can’t explain it properly to you Le, I don’t know a lot, only the basics. But this is called Hanahaki Disease. It happens when someone is rejected or not loved by the person they love.” Draco explains trying not to cry at the look on Leah’s face.
It was as if she could feel her heart break, her body was killing itself because she wasn’t loved, because he didn’t love her back. Leah felt herself crumble, collapsing against the floor and her friend as she started sobbing, hoping that this was just a dream. Praying that she wasn’t feeling this heartbreak for real.
End of flashback
As Leah looks at him, she sees his broken face as he told her what was wrong, and feels that she owes it to him to tell him everything he wants to know.
“Yes I felt like I needed it more this morning, yes it hurt more. And I told Snape that it was getting worse and me and him are going to talk about a new potion that should be better.” she replies in a soft voice, not wanting to make him worry even more.
“Right well, at least you’re finally talking to the teachers again.”
After Draco had told Leah about Hanahaki, he taken her to Madam Pomfrey, a couple of hours later three healers, five teachers and Dumbledore stood in front of her, telling her everything she need to know and setting up treatment plans after she refused to say who the person was. The only thing that she asked was that they not tell anyone, only talk to the people in the room about it, leaving it up to her to decide whether she would tell her friends and Harry. She had also asked that Remus not be informed, as they had originally wanted him in the room, but after figuring out that he used to be her Uncle Moony, she didn’t want him to have to worry about her. Since then the teacher had been hounding her to tell her brother at least, but had reluctantly accepted that she would do it on her own time.
“Yeah, I’m talking to them, I’m doing what they asked so I’m fine.” she said, turning back around done with the conversation.
Draco sensed her mood change, and not wanting an argument allowed her to stop talking about it.
“So, what memory do you think you’re gonna choose to see?” Draco changes the topic.
Leah smiles, “I don’t know, probably something to do with my parents, or maybe my dad’s friends. I have vague memories about them from before, so maybe it’ll show me the proper memory.” Leah says looking down at the potion with excitement, it was perfect and she would be able to view a memory soon, she just needed to clean her station quickly while she waited the last few minutes for it to be done.
Asking for Draco’s help, they started gathering the ingredients to put them back into the supply cupboard, but just as Malfoy started walking away with the Bowtruckle leaves, Murtlap essence, and mermaid scales, he suddenly slipped over something on the floor, and the ingredients flew into the air. Realising what was about to happen, Leah went to grab her wand to cast an immobulus to stop the things going into the potion, but was too late, just as she grabbed her wand, the ingredients fell in. Before she could even move to start damage control the potion started to glow and shake, then exploded. The last thing Leah saw was the mint light of the potion as she remembered what she was planning on seeing in the potion before everything went black.
The last thing she heard was a small pop.