Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, moments, or plots from the books in the Harry Potter universe or anything that's written by JK Rowling. I do not make any money on this either. This is purely for my benefit and nothing else.

Note: I try to use themes and moments from the books and movies of the Harry Potter Universe, but I don't heavily borrow from either. If it's a direct moment from the books I will mention it, otherwise I will not do so. The stories I write may be OOC and that's fine. I just want to interpret the story as I see fit.

Summary: During HBP, Harry uses the vial of Liquid Luck earlier than intended in the books and for a new reason entirely. What will happen?

Chapter 1: First Day Back

On the morning of their first day back at Hogwarts for their sixth year, Harry, Hermione and Ron were eating breakfast in the Great Hall and were going to receive their new schedules for the term in just a few moments. Harry and Ron of course didn't mind what class they went to first, as long as it was not DADA now being taught by Snape. Hermione however was anxious.

"Honestly Hermione it's just classes. You'd think you'd be used to them by now," said Ron.

Hermione shot Ron a glaring look that sent shivers down his spine.

"Well of course you wouldn't care Ronald since you barely managed to get 7 OWLS from your tests last year! I want to start off this year with something that is not DADA since its always my worst subject!" Hermione stated.

"But Hermione, you got an E on that exam," said Harry. "You can't be the best at everything, because then what would Ron and I have to show for it?"

Harry could tell that Hermione was slightly put off by this as she looked down and resumed eating breakfast. However, he tried to make her see reason.

"Look Hermione you really don't have to make a big deal about it okay? You're brilliant and anyone would be happy to receive the scores you did. Don't let it get you down! Besides everyone knows you're the smartest witch of the age!" said Harry.

Even though Hermione said nothing to him, Harry could see the sides of her lips form into a slight smile at that comment. He always knew what to say to cheer her up, but all of that convincing was squashed when Ron spoke and said:

"Ya.. Wha Hawwy sad" as he was chewing his food rather loudly so that most of the entire Great Hall heard him.

Hermione was now beyond annoyed at Ron and began her fidgeting and anxious routine all over again. After a few more minutes of fidgeting, it was starting to get on Harry's nerves so he tried to distract himself from his two best friends when he noticed something farther down the Gryffindor table.

It was Ginny. Specifically Ginny and her boyfriend Dean. They were kissing.

Harry felt like a ton of knots were gathering up in his stomach. It figures that he had just begun to fall in love with Ginny the moment that she ended hooking up with a brand new boyfriend. Oh how he wished that he was the one kissing her instead of watching from afar while some bloke made out with her. Even though Harry knew it was wrong to try and break the two of them up, he didn't feel as bad once he saw the two of them kissing for a few minutes straight.

Harry turned back to his food and realized he was not hungry anymore. Before Harry had time to get up and leave to avoid seeing Ginny once again, he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"Ah Granger, Weasley, and Potter. Here are your new school schedules" said McGonagall.

Hermione's eyes widened and she almost tore the poor professor's arm off after realizing that that's what was in her hand.

Ron was clearly annoyed at this point and stated "Really Hermione you are mental" and began reading his schedule. With that he began heading off to his first class: a free period. Which, to Ron Weasley, meant practicing for the Quidditch tryouts that were scheduled to happen in a few weeks time.

Before Harry could find out what was in store for him that morning, McGonagall spoke once again.

"Potter if you would, can I speak to you privately for a moment?"

"Sure Professor. I'll see you later Hermione." said Harry.

Hermione would have said something but she was lost in thought as she began gathering her things to the sixth year's potions class.

Harry shrugged, got up from his seat, and began walking behind McGonagall up to the front of the Great Hall. As he passed Ginny and Dean, it took all of his strength not to tackle Dean to the ground and pound the living daylights out of him. Before he kept wishing disastrous harm on to his fellow Gryffindor, McGonagall chose that moment to speak up.

"Potter I noticed that you have a free period this morning on your schedule and was wondering why you decided to drop Potions?"

Harry looked at the Professor questioningly as he answered with "Yes I dropped Potions, but I figured I didn't need it anymore since I got an "O" on my OWLS last year!"

"I thought your ambition was to become an Auror, Potter." said McGonagall.

"Yes Professor it is, but I received that "O" when Professor Snape was teaching and ..."

Professor McGonagal proceeded to cut him off at that point.

"... and Professor Slughorn now runs the class and would love to accept new additions to his sixth year class this morning."

Harry groaned a little but decided to take McGonagal's advice and enroll himself in the 6th year potion's class. As he began walking over to the dungeons, McGonagal called to him again and asked Harry to fetch Mr. Weasley from the Quidditch pitch to bring to the potions class as well.

Even though Harry was slightly more annoyed with McGonagal, he couldn't help but smile as the thought of Ron making his "disappointment face" and being forced into another potions class again.

Once out of the Great Hall, Harry spotted Ginny and Dean one final time saying their goodbyes. Harry could tell that Ginny was extremely happy and did not want to get in the way of that even if it meant standing on the sidelines while he got his feelings hurt.

"She really must be over me then. This must have been how she was feeling when I was drooling all over Cho Chang last year!" thought Harry.

Once the "happy couple" was out of view, Harry felt more at ease by heading to Potions and tried to put the thought of his crush snogging another guy out of his mind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(A few hours later that same day)

After Professor Slughorn's class, Harry was brimming with joy. Not only did he outsmart Hermione for once, but he managed to acquire a vial of Felix Felicis as the top prize for brewing a perfect batch of Living Death.

As he took the small vial out to examine it once more, he remembered the words that Professor Slughorn instilled in class.

"This class is what's known as Felix Felicis, or more commonly referred to as "Liquid Luck". The drinker of this potion is given 24 hours of pure luck and is ensured that all of their endeavors will succeed. The student who can successfully brew a perfect batch of Living Death by the end of class will be given this as a reward! However I must warn you that only one student has ever managed to brew a worthy batch and claim this prize, so you have quite a task ahead of you!"

Harry now felt practically invincible knowing that he had this small batch of pure luck in his hands. Oh the things he could accomplish! If there was a big Quidditch match coming up, if Snape was assigning him extra homework, or even if he was just bored and wanted to see what would happen if he tried some, then this little charm would help him out flawlessly.

As Harry was contemplating on what to possibly use this potion for, Hermione spoke up and distracted him from his thoughts.

"Are you SURE the instructions told you to crush the ingredients instead of cut them?"

Harry proceeded to turn around and was about to tell Hermione off because he had already explained this several times to her, but Ron beat him to the punch.

"Oh lay off Hermione. So Harry's book told him to crush something instead of cut something. He beat you fair and square. Besides it's not like he cheated to get the prize," said Ron.

"But… but… Ok. I'm sorry Harry. I got a little jealous and I didn't believe you. I apologize." said Hermione

Even though Hermione was getting on his nerves today, Harry could tell she was sincere and decided to forgive her instead of dragging it out.

"It's okay Hermione, but I just wish you would have believed me the first time around when I told you."

"I understand Harry. I won't do it again I promise."

"Thanks Hermione."

Harry could have just admitted that he may have been cheating considering the book he received from Potions class was mostly scribbled out and replaced with better instructions from someone named "The Half Blood Prince", but he was not having the greatest of mornings and he really needed a pick me up. Correction. What he needed was..

"So Harry. Since you have that vial of instant luck, I was thinking that maybe this could really tip the balance in case you run into any Death Eaters." said Hermione.

Harry stopped dead in his tracks and since Ron was not looking where he was going, he crashed into him and fell on the floor. After helping Ron back on his feet, Harry turned to Hermione and said:

"You know, I never thought of it like that Hermione. I'm not always that confident when I face them and there have been close calls before. Perhaps if ..."

Harry almost started mentioning Sirius. If he had the vial of Liquid Luck back in the Department of Mysteries then Sirius may still be alive right now. Harry was avoiding his friend's gazes. He was truly heartbroken at the thought of Sirius going through the void in the archway again.

Hermione instantly regretted mentioning this to Harry and didn't consider that he may link this to the death of his Godfather. She would have to do something nice for him later as an apology. Even though she only viewed Harry as a brother, she really did care for him with all of her heart and hated to see him in so much pain.

With tears welling up in his eyes, Harry shook his head and proceeded to finish his response to Hermione.

"And maybe if something drastic were to happen then lives could be spared because of this." said Harry.

"Yes .. Yes that's right Harry. I'm glad you see this as something that is truly important and may even save your life one day."

"Harry are you okay?" asked Ron.

At this moment Hermione slapped Ron upside the head.

"Ouch! What was that for Hermione?!"

"Ron! Can't you see that Harry is still upset about Sirius?"

"Well excuse me Hermione I was just asking Harry if he was ok! There's no need to get violent on the back of my head!"

"You DESERVED IT you git after continuing to pry at Harry when you could see that he was upset!" shouted Hermione.

"Whatever! I don't need to hear this!"

And with that Ron stormed out leaving Hermione and Harry awkwardly staring at one another. Deciding to end the tension, Harry spoke up first.

"It's ok Hermione I'm not upset anymore. I didn't mean to bring up Sirius, but I couldn't help but think about it the moment I said it possibly saving someone's life." said Harry.

"Ok Harry. I'm sorry about Sirius. I know you still miss him and so do I."

Harry simply nodded and said it was fine. Truth be told he felt bad more for Ron than Sirius' passing at the moment. Even though he is clueless, Ron did only want to help in the end. Unfortunately Ron and Hermione were fighting a lot more than usual lately and that meant it would be some time until they patched things up again.

After that, Harry and Hermione didn't say anything and resumed walking to their next class.