12 AM
“Now, class, as Eighth Years many of you have experience beyond the curriculum usually taught to Seventh Years. Therefore, I have decided to assign a final project which you shall complete in pairs that are randomly chosen. The final project will be a research project in which you and your partner will be assigned a potion, which you shall research according to a common interest. You shall first develop a thesis which will be approved by me before proceeding to experiments and finally to a solid conclusion and presentation of your findings. Any questions?”
“Blimey, Slughorn means business this year…”
“What was that, Mr. Weaselbee?”
“Oh, uh, nothing sir. Just excited for the research project.”
“Well! In that case, let me read the partners and your assigned potions, and perhaps you may begin discussing possible research projects after class.
“Ms. Bulstrode and Ms. Parvati, the Draught of Peace. Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Parkinson, Veritaserum. Mr. Zabini and Ms. Granger, Polyjuice Potion. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Nott, The Draught of Living Death. Mr. Weasley and Ms. Greengrass, Felix Felices. Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter, Amortentia. Mr. Finnigan…”
“Psst! Did you hear that, Harry? You and Malfoy?”
“Yes, I heard, Hermione.”
“Well? You seem completely unbothered!”
“Well, what shall I do about it, Hermione? Ask for another partner?”
“I don’t know…Amortentia? You and Malfoy? It’s absurd!”
“It’s torture, mate. You should ask Slughorn to give you another partner. It’s the least he can do for what you did.”
“What I did?”
“Yeah, mate. You killed You Know Who. You’re the Savior.”
“Jesus.”
“Who?”
“Nevermind. I can’t just go about asking for favors because I’m the Savior.”
“Why not? That’s what I would do.”
“I don’t want any special treatment. Malfoy would never let that go.”
“And say what? That Harry Potter doesn’t want to be partners with a Death Eater? With the bloke who killed Dumbledore?”
“Ron!”
“What, Hermione? It’s the truth.”
“I’m not going to change partners. Besides, after Voldemort, Malfoy is gonna be a walk in the park.”
“Right…”
“Trust me. If anything, Malfoy is going to be the one who wants to change partners, not me.”
“Whatever you say, Harry.”
“Yeah, whatever you say…”
“Trust me. Everything is going to be just fine.”