Sixth Year Potions
by Iva1201
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A/N: Nothing mine, just playing with JKR's creations. Two-shot on the Marauder era – in their sixth year, Horace Slughorn forces Lily Evans and Severus Snape to continue working together in Potions, not taking into account (or rather refusing to see) that the two of them are no longer friends and do not even speak to each other. Enjoy!
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Horace Slughorn believed himself to be a moderately calm and most of the time overall friendly man who knew to greatly value the accomplishments of Hogwarts' students and graduates, no matter the House they belonged to. He might have favoured Slytherins a little as the Head of that House, but all in all he thought himself rather impartial in that matter – it were after all not only Slytherins who found influential or otherwise significant positions later in their lives. Horace Slughorn understood that and acted upon it – until, one day, he found out his friendly approach did not quite work with the two most talented pupils of that particulate decade, Miss Lily Evans from the House of Gryffindor and one Severus Snape, a member of his very own college.
The two young people, who had once amazed the whole faculty with the closest friendship they were able to recall between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin, evidently grew apart just after their OWLs, despite they both excelled at them. No member of the faculty was wiser as to why, although there were rumours circulating between the students which involved a few deeply insulting words next to a round of hexes. Fondly remembering the many successfully brewed and in many ways improved potions young Mr. Snape and his brewing partner, Miss Evans, had been able to produce during the previous five years, Horace Slughorn trusted that the tension between the two teenagers would pass over the summer.
Firm in his belief, Slughorn did not hesitate to nominate the pair for a new competition named "The Bubbling Cauldron Full of Promising Glory" announced by the Ministry that very summer and targeted on young brewers between 15 and 25 years of age. The contest was meant to encourage the popularity of potions' brewing in the young wizarding community – and promised quite a few galleons to both the winners themselves as well as their teacher. It was a sad fact that both St. Mungo's and the Ministry itself were lacking young candidates for the mundane positions of Potioneers – although the Potion makers and inventors were constantly in high demand, especially seeing to the current difficult pre-war time.
Slughorn was particularly proud that it was one of his past pupils, Damocles Belby, who was, despite his youth, tasked with the Werewolf inhibitor research run by the Ministry. Yes, Horace had known Belby would make a shining career one day – bringing fame and prestige also to Slughorn who had taught him.
There was no reason why Lily Evans and Severus Snape could not follow in Belby's steps. Unless, and Slughorn refused to even consider the possibility, his present star pupils would refuse to not only work together but even exchange a single one-syllable word with each other.
Sadly, this was just how Horace Slughorn was to meet the two young wizards after the summer holidays between their fifth and sixth year; the old Potions Professor feeling deeply disappointed, in fact practically betrayed, and rightfully angry at the pair for crushing his hopes for another two collected trophies. But Horace Slughorn was anything if not cunning and a good Slytherin knew his ways to success – or at least so he believed.
"The Bubbling Cauldron Full of Promising Glory" was to be won by Hogwarts' Sixth Year of the year 1977/1978.
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The front table to the left side of Slughorn's classroom had always been occupied by Lily Evans and Severus Snape in the past five years when it had come to the mixed Potions class of Slytherins and Gryffindors in their age group. Yet, on the first day of the NEWTs Potions they both were to attend, the front work bench was left empty. Young Mr. Snape eyed it with a bit of painful nostalgia when entering the classroom, and then followed to the rear of the room where he found an empty table for himself, clearly planning not to share his work space with anyone at all; Miss Evans did not even glanced in the direction of the table and seated herself next to Mary McDonald, who was her only Gryffindor girlfriend to make it into the NEWTs level Potions.
Watching his sixth class settling in, Horace Slughorn frowned upon watching his favourite pair of students taking separate seats. They had still not reconciled as it seemed. And there he was so very sure that they would put things to rights over the summer! Well, then, it was up to him to do it in their stead – and save his (and their) award and (a tiny bit of) well-deserved fame in "The Bubbling Cauldron Full of Promising Glory."
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"Amortentia, Draught of the Living Death, Felix Felicis, Veritaserum, Polyjuice Potion." Horace Slughorn listed, waving his plump hand in the direction of the respective cauldrons, passionately addressing his students. "Here you can see some of the most complicated and most intriguing potions ever invented by wizards and witches. Those of you who can master them in our NEWTs Potions class will not only pass their NEWTs with flying colours, but shall also – if wished so – easily obtain a Potioneer job. I would be absolutely willing to write you a very fine recommendation should you make it so far."
Slughorn gave his students a genial smile and opened his arms in an amicable gesture. "Indeed, I would be prepared to help you to fulfil your dreams. But in return I expect you all to apply yourself to the best of your abilities," he added sternly, his eyes suddenly trained at Severus Snape, swiftly changing their direction towards Lily Evans. "I will not tolerate anything less."
Horace Sluhorn trailed off, waiting for his words to sink in. He very much hoped that Mr. Snape and Miss Evans understood him well. Their marks at the NEWTs, no matter how many NEWTs they would achieve and how high their marks would be, would not help them in their job search in the Potions field; without his good word for them, far too many paths would be closed for them. He trusted they both realised what a waste that would be.
"Well then let us move to the real work now," Slughorn changed the topic once he felt his students had had enough time to consider his words. "There is much we need to cover this and the next year. Miss Evans, what smell does have Amortentia?"
Lily smiled, feeling relieved – she knew the reply to this and very much preferred to be quizzed on the subject than to consider the puzzling warning Slughorn had just imposed on them. "It smells differently for each individual, Professor, based on the favourite smells each person has. For me it is the perfume my mother uses, smelling after the lilies-of-the-valley, sea and honey."
"Perfectly correct, thank you, Lily." Slughorn beamed at her as was his habit. He turned to Severus then. "Mr. Snape, what can you tell us about Felix Felicis?"
It has taken Severus a moment to react, so deep in thoughts he had been – pondering over what Slughorn could have meant in his previous speech. He did not much like the possible answers that were coming up in his mind. While both Lily and the Gryffindors frowned at his disrespectful day dreaming, Avery kicked his leg from behind and hissed: "Snape, wake up." And Severus did, his eyes easily taking in Slughorn's outstretched hand which was still pointing towards the cauldron with the lucky elixir. He had very much considered brewing the draught over the summer so that Lily would listen to him when he would find the strength in him to attempt to apologise again – and very likely face another 'I am not interested.' But in the end the ingredients had proven to be too expensive for his greatly limited budget – and he also knew that there was no guarantee Lily would listen to him and become his friend once again anyway.
"Felix Felicis is considered to be liquid luck by many," Severus started to explain. "It always needs to be used sparingly and the outcome cannot be guaranteed – but those who have drunk it swear that they had one of their luckiest days after consuming it. Nevertheless, the long period needed to brew it and the expenses of the ingredients required for its production are not necessary worth the result."
Slughorn nodded and said, now sounding a bit reserved, as he – unlike Severus – did believe in the extraordinary power of the brew: "Correct as always, Mr. Snape. I however belong to those who have tried this lucky elixir and I can certify that it indeed does its job. But you are right in assuming that it does not fix things by choice."
Slughorn's eyes flicked from Severus to Lily and back and he became painfully personal in his attempt to push them to work together again and salvage his presently much desired prize in doing so. It clearly did not matter to him that the other students were listening to him too. "People are cognitive beings, Mr. Snape, Miss Evans," he said sternly. "We think, speak and learn and, should we make a mistake, we try to make up for it. One of our important abilities is the capacity to apologise and to forgive. Think about it before you come here for the next lesson. I expect you two to sit in the front row and share the desk by then as you did before whatever happened in the spring."
That said, Slughorn turned away from them and started to quiz the rest of the class on the remaining potions on display, leaving Severus and Lily gobsmacked. Neither of them had expected the Professor to mix up in their personal affairs. But Slughorn had just done so – and clearly was not at all interested in their disapproval. Neither of them could gather why this mattered to him so much.
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It all became clear that very evening when they arrived to the Great Hall. Dumbledore, clothed in a disgustingly cheerful tone of pink with golden embroidery, rose to address the assembled students just before the dinner, giving a telling nod to Slughorn, who was seated just next to him that mealtime.
"Good evening everyone," Dumbledore started, swiftly gaining attention of the whole students' body. He did not address them frequently – in particular not so soon after the start of term. Students were instantly curious about what he had to share with them and readily interrupted their discussions. "I have some very exiting news for you. The Ministry of Magic decided it was time for a new student competition.
This time we shall compare your expertise in the enthralling art of potions making with the skills of young graduates as well as home schooled individuals of your age. Anyone above 15 is encouraged to take part in the main part of the contest, while the younger students may try their luck in the pupils' challenge. Your excellent Potions Professor, the Head of the Slytherin House and my dear friend, Horace Slughorn, also informs me that he has already hand-picked Hogwarts' two representatives for the potions invention category of the competition.
It is my great pleasure to share the names of our team members in the potions invention category with you tonight, especially considering the sadly often lacking inter-House collaboration our two champions always excelled at in the past," Dumbledore trailed off here to heighten the curiosity of his audience, and to let the two young people, whom he and Horace Slughorn were addressing with his speech, ponder the extraordinary quality of their hopefully not entirely gone previous companionship.
"The Hogwarts' champions in the potions invention category will be Mr. Severus Snape from the House of Slytherin –" several people, most of them coming from Slytherin, readily clapped, this name had been expected by the students who knew Severus and his reputation "– and Miss Lily Evans, from Gryffindor." It was the Gryffindor table that erupted with cheerful clapping and shouts now. Just one of the Lions sat frozen in shock and stared in front of her – Lily Evans herself. While her housemates cheered over her nomination, the only word she was able to voice was a quiet "No."
Dumbledore either did not notice her reaction or decided not to react to it – most likely at Slughorn's request. Instead, he acclaimed a sincerely sounding: "Congratulations to our nominees!" and applauded to Severus and Lily himself, joined in by the rest of the faculty and the two remaining Houses. "The rest of you, please, read the announcements hanged out in your Common Rooms and apply by Professor Slughorn should you like to join! And now, let this old man amuse you by the entertaining name the Ministry of Magic decided to gift to this new contest while the food is being served." He clapped his hands once and the food started to appear on the tables. "Tuck in and enjoy "The Bubbling Cauldron Full of Promising Glory! Thank you!"
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A/N: One more chapter to go, should be up in the next weeks.