Chapter 1
“Today you will be divided into pairsrs. One will be brewing the potion and once it is done the other will identify the potion based on smell and sight.” Professor Eidelbrach announced to the Eighth Year Potions class. Harry looked at his partner Hermione and she rolled her eyes. She knew she would be the one brewing the potion. It was still very likely that Harry wouldn’t get it right but he had more of a chance at a decent grade with Hermione brewing.
The class set to work and Harry fought to stay awake. The war may have sparked his appreciation for a lot of subjects but Potions still wasn’t one of them. Even after his late night talks with Snape’s portrait about the many benefits of learning the art he wasn’t convinced. It was dull and paid too much attention to detail. Harry was much too straightforward to appreciate its nuances.
The Boy-Who-Lived chose to focus on his professor at times like this instead. The man was undeniably attractive. He was roughly 25 with a bright smile and wavy brown hair. He always found himself in precarious situations with the young teacher in his daydreams. He was brought out of a specific one involving the desk in Eidelbrach’s office he’d once caught a glimpse of when Hermione cleared her throat.
“Harry I’m finished. I’m positive you’ll get this one in a jiff.” She smirked at him and he already knew what it was. Harry glanced over the rim of the cauldron and scrunched up his nose at the foul-smelling potion that looked like mud. “Polyjuice.”
“Right you are Mr. Potter. Great brew Ms. Granger though I shouldn’t be surprised! Ten points to Gryffindor for you both.” Professor Eidelbrach winked at Harry and he grinned maniacally before he received an elbow from Hermione. Her and Ron were the only ones that knew Harry was gay but her look told him everyone would know if he kept it up.
Eidelbrach went to Ron and Seamus next. “Mr. Weasley what potion has you partner brewed?” Ron leaned in to look and took a long whiff.
“I’d know that anywhere Professor, that’s Wolfsbane.” Ron said between coughs after inhaling a bit of steam from the potion. Hermione had been brewing it every month for Remus the last year. The three of them could smell it from a mile away.
“Very good Mr. Weasley.” Eidelbrach smiled and moved on. “Mr. Malfoy?” Harry watched as the blond gave a long sniff. So Malfoy hadn’t been totally evil and maybe they’d saved each others lives during the war. That didn’t mean they had to like each other, they had already gotten detention twice for squabbling.
“Ugh! This potion reeks like Potter.” Malfoy said pulling his head back with a vicious sneer. The Slytherins snickered and everyone else either rolled or averted their eyes. Harry looked at his professor who looked like he’d just been attacked with a Petrificus Totalus.
“Well I er…” The man cleared his throat. “Would someone else like to give it a try?”
Hermione immediately shot out of her chair and walked to the cauldron. She may have become more relaxed since the war but that didn’t mean she wasn’t still Hermione. She leaned in and took a whiff while Malfoy and Blaise Zabini acted theatrically disgusted by her.
“Oh! Oh my goodness…” The bushy-haired girls eyes went wide as she turned between Harry and Malfoy. “Malfoy, you’re certain this smells like Harry?” She asked and he frowned. Why would Hermione ever second-guess herself to that prat?
“Yes I’m sure Mu- Granger. I’d know that horrible stench anywhere.” Malfoy replied screwing his face up. Harry rolled his eyes.
“Well then er… Professor, this is Amortentia.” Hermione said looking at Harry apologetically.
You could have heard a faerie wing hit the floor.
Amortentia. The strongest love potion in existence. Brewed by Blaise Zabini who was known to be as adept at potions as Snape’s godson, Malfoy. Amortentia. The love potion that only smells like the person you’re in love with. And Malfoy had smelled Harry Potter. Malfoy looked like he’d seen a ghost. His eyes flicked between the cauldron and Harry and Hermione.
“Well Granger.” He said after a moment. “I know this may come to as a shock to you Granger but you are capable of coming to a very wrong conclusion.” What Harry had come to call the ‘Malfoy Mask’ was out in force now.
“Yes Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger is human therefore she is capable of making mistakes.” Professor Eidelbrach looked angry and Harry was unsure why. “However, she is correct in this case. Mr. Zabini has brewed a perfect batch of Amortentia just as I assigned him. And you smelled our Harry here.” The instructors eyes focused on Harry. The intensity of his stare made the brunette squirm. Malfoy growled low in his throat and then coughed as if to disguise it. The Slytherin straightened his tie and looked around the room. Harry detected a bit of panic.
“Malfoy I-“ He started.
“Potter please learn when to shut that oafish mouth of yours.” Malfoy said before sweeping up his books and storming out of the room.