The Elf, the Love and the Alibi Potion: Part Two
by: Sanna
***
As head of the Slytherin house, I was known for having a very short temper. Whoever took my Polyjuice Potion knew exactly what they were doing and thought that they were too clever for me. Well, we'll see about that! I sang a song (to the tune of Heffalumps and Woozles from Pooh):
"I'm back, I'm gonna brown(nose), I'm up, I'm down
I'm in, not out, I'm all about!
I'm far, I'm near, you think I'm gone, but I'm here,
I'm quick, and slick(haired), and insincere!
Beware, beware, be very, very scared!
I'm out to get that imposter, who made me, look like a roster
And I'm going to do it very sly!
(Sly, Sly, SLYLY!)
I come back to class with a fuse, and if I choose,
If you won't tell me who did it I'll poke your eye!
(Eye, Eye, Eye!)"
"I'm very, very angry, so better be wary,
because I'll find out in the very end!
(End, End, END!)
If Potter's who you're hiding, you'll find that, I'll find him,
because I want him kicked out of the school!"
Despite the arguments from many, I still think that James Potter's son is responsible for this. It would be just like him to trick everyone and get away with it. Trick everyone but me that is! So what if he was present in that class? He could have gotten someone to pretend to be me.
Yes, that would be just like him. The fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins had been present, but Potter had made foolish alliances with the rest of the Gryffindors, older and younger, and also from the other houses, ignorant Hufflepuff and the book-reading Ravenclaw. There were also the house-elves, especially that disgrace of an elf, Dobby.
I was told of the clothes I wore that day. Honestly, is everyone here that stupid? How could they not know I don't wear underneath my green robes different pairs of socks with laces and a mismatched turtleneck. I hate red! I bet this was Lupin's doing! He was the one who taught them defense against the boggart and made it look like me in clothes somewhat like that!
"I'm green, and mad, I hate red, that's sad,
So looking like me and making me wear it is a terrible sight!
I'll tie yourselves in horrible knots,
Or make you wear polka-dots!
Beware, beware, I'll catch you, be scared!
Beware, Beware, Beware, Beware, BEWARE!"
I searched through everyone's belongings as much as I could without attracting too much attention, but I think I failed there. No matter. I shall find the culprit and make sure they are thrown out. I didn't bother to look through my Slytherin's things, though they might be blinded by their love' now, I doubt any of them wanted to fall in love with the Gryffindors in the first place. Those rotten Gryffindors however, they might be the ones that pulled that rotten trick!
I searched and searched, for any signs of an empty potion bottle. An empty potion bottle that had previously contained a Polyjuice Potion was different. Once you used it, it was impossible to use it again for it had grown poison.
This was a result of the extra drop of Vampire's blood which was not to affect the user of the potion, only to the glass, so if a drop remained leftover, no one could take it and use it again for another. Which meant that the beaker was probably somewhere in the trash. With it in his possession, I would be closer to discovering who made a fool out of me.
After terrorizing the kitchen and the house-elves, I came across the trash bins by the corner outside the kitchen on the way to Filch's office. I tossed carelessly aside the trash that I didn't need, going through each one by one, searching for my well needed evidence. Finally I came across it. An almost empty beaker, with a dark purple substance scorched at the bottom. I smiled in triumph. "Ah ha! Got you!" I looked at my surroundings and knew exactly who had stolen my potion and pretended to be me. They would pay dearly.
***
Not often mentioned, but not forgotten, I am Ginny Weasley and I was sitting in my room, on top of my bed and more specifically was thinking about my crush. I no longer had a crush on Harry Potter, the famous boy who saved millions when he was only a baby and even more as he grew. Instead, I had a crush on a boy who many thought they knew but actually did not.
His looks left a bit to be desired for, but to me, he was the cutest boy I had ever met. His heart was big, he was very kind. I knew that to my brother and his friends, I seemed to be a pest, a years difference did that much. But he was very kind to me, and I liked him even more for that.
The fact that he was older than me did not stop me from having a crush on him. In fact, I recently realized it wasn't just a crush, nor infatuation. It was something more. The fact that I could see behind the mask he hid behind meant that I liked him more than words could describe. Maybe, I was in, just maybe, it was even love.
I lived in a world that was not kept behind the boundaries of the old ways. In fact, it was quite common for a girl to call for a boy, or to send him gifts. This was exactly what I did. Also, this was partly because I was so shy to do so in person.
Why I am so shy, I did not know. I got along fairly with many boys, this especially due to the fact that I have six older brothers.
But this boy was different and that was why I acted differently toward him. It wasn't fair that I treated him differently than others, but there was nothing I could do about the way I acted or felt. I was only fourteen.
A happy smile formed on my lips as I thought about him. But then it slowly turned into a sad smile. I had bumped into him earlier in the hallway, he looked so sad and detached from the world, all alone. More than anything, I wanted to go over to him and comfort him, but I couldn't gather the courage to.
I sighed. There was one way I could tell him my feelings. I had been doing so lately in the very same way. I'd write him a note. I wrote it in a song (Saying I Love You by the Moffatts):
"Saying I love you, it's the hardest thing to do,
And you know that when I do, you know I'll always be true,
I may not be the best,
Looking witch you ever knew,
But I can show you love,
That will always be true,
And when you're down 'coz it's Voldemort's day,
My love will guide the way,
And if these words that I hold,
Could only be told."
"Saying I love you, it's the hardest thing to do,
And you know that when I do, you know I'll always be true,
And when I saw your tears fall to the ground,
I wanted to pick you up when you felt down."
"Saying I love you, it's the hardest thing to do,
And you know that when I do, you know I'll always be true,
And now that you're all alone,
I will be there for you and never leave your side for so long,
Saying I love you, it's the hardest thing to do,
And if I ever do, you know I'll always be true."
After signing it (anonymously of course), and sealing it, all I needed to do was deliver it. Quietly tiptoeing out of my room, Parvati was getting some beauty sleep' as she called it and was very grouchy when disturbed, I headed off to the Gryffindor common room where I could hear my brother talking with Harry.
They were semi-arguing. That was happening a lot lately. Harry was still pissed that Ron and Hermione were spending a lot of time with the Slytherins lately. I honestly couldn't really agree, because the Slytherins hadn't been acting so much like Slytherins' as they were before so it didn't matter to me.
They were acting really nice, which was quite a change to me. Once, I bumped into Goyle in the hallway. Surprisingly, he hadn't knocked down my books on purpose. Instead, he helped me pick them up. I knew for a fact that his romance' with Parvati hadn't worked out, so I wondered why he was being nice. Maybe it was because his friends weren't being nasty, or maybe that's what the potion did to him. Or maybe, he really was nice, it was just now he could actually be nice without his friends taunting him about doing so.
Nah, I thought to myself. I casually passed behind Harry and Ron, dropping my letter into Harry's bag without them noticing. Then I crossed the room and sat down in one of the other couches and picked up a book pretending to read it so as not to be obvious as I continued to listen in their conversation.
This time, Harry was talking to Ron intently about his secret admirer.' My heart leapt as I wondered what Harry thought about my notes and gifts. (PS I told you she wasn't in love with Harry Potter, the famous boy who saved millions when he was only a baby and even more as he grew. She was in love with the Harry who was just himself)
"Ron, it's freaky the way she's stalking me!" Harry exclaimed. "I should bring these to Dumbledore and have her thrown out of school! Or at least have a restraint order!"
"Don't!" Ron laughed. "Then I'll never see her friends again since I'm always with you!"
I felt my heart crumble. He didn't like my gifts. He hated them, hated me. Before the two could see me break down in tears I fled to my room faster than Harry could fly on his firebolt.
As Ginny had left, Harry and Ron noticed this. "I wonder what's wrong with her?" Ron mused out loud.
Harry's heart went out to her and hoped that whatever had upset her, or whoever had, would get it in the end. "I don't know," he muttered. And then he leapt back to his tirade. "Millicent Bullstrode is really weirding me out!"
***
It was a special gathering in the Great Hall one afternoon. No one quite knew exactly why they were called with the exception of myself and Severus. At Severus' anxious request, I called together all of the teachers and cancelled afternoon classes. The students didn't complain, they were quite glad to get out of classes for the afternoon.
"Albus," Minerva said to me as she came up to the teacher's table. "Why were we all called for this special assembly? Surely nothing greatly wrong has happened, has there?"
"No," I told her, smiling, shaking my head. "But Severus has something to tell everyone in this school and he wanted this gathering."
She frowned slightly, but made no further comment. She knew as well as I did that he had been acting strangely the past few weeks, driven by the need to find out who made a fool out of him. We all weren't quite sure what he intended to tell us all, not even I, just as we weren't sure how important he considered it to be. Severus could get quite driven by his anger at times.
As all present in the Great Hall sat, wondering for what the reason they were called. When they first came in, I smiled in amusement as I watched the Slytherins and Gryffindors try to sit with each other. Unfortunately for them, Severus quickly came their way and separated the two houses. What a shame, I wonder when I'll manage to see something like that again.
The hall quickly quieted down when Severus came up and stood at the center of the room, shooting anyone who was noisy a deadly glare. He cleared his throat loudly. "You may all wonder why I called this assembly" He continued right away, not wanting anyone to interrupt. "Well, as you may all have witnessed these past few weeks, disgraceful to their houses, the Slytherins and Gryffindors," he said this with much disgust, "have been mixing."
I could hear many mumbling, angry muttering, mostly coming from those he insulted. I, too, was not pleased of the way he spoke, but my time to speak would come soon.
"The culprit behind this foolish prank will be revealed today, at this very gathering." Again the murmuring continued, and everyone wondered who it could be. "This foe stole my Polyjuice Potion I was preparing for presentation for one of my classes, impersonated me, insulting me and played an unforgivable trick on one of my classes, the fifth year Slytherins and Gryffindors. After many weeks of searching, I have discovered the culprit and I assure you they shall not be punished lightly."
I could see Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy squirming in their seats. I smiled. I knew why they were doing so. They knew who was really behind the trick' as Severus called it. I did to, but I wanted to first hear what Severus had to say.
"That culprit is none other than Argus Filch!" Severus shouted, and the room fell completely silent for a moment. And then there was a burst of laughter from one of the tables and soon everyone was laughing. I too had to keep from smiling.
Severus was furious at being laughed at. "It is true! I found this in the trash bin in front of his office!" He held up a beaker, and the students looked at it in confusion. Even angrier, he explained about how a beaker may not be used again if used for a Polyjuice potion.
Finally, Argus stood up angry. "You seem to be ignorant, Severus. It was not I who took that potion and imitated you. I dislike those clothes that were worn during that lesson, why would I wear it myself?"
"Because you'd like to make a fool out of me," he shot back icily. "This was found outside of your office."
"So? Many people throw their trash in that trash bin. It connects with the main hallway where everyone passes. Also it's the main trash bin, as the keeper of this castle, I collect all of the trash and put it in that bin, so it could have come from anywhere."
Severus was finding himself at a loss for argument, trying to come up with another comeback, but I knew he was finally realizing he had not much to back up his claim. Argus added another detail he had forgotten to check, "And, I was at a meeting with Professor Dumbledore during that class and he can vouch for me where I was present."
The potion teacher's confidence faltered. "I-is this true?" he asked in a whisper. I nodded. I watched as his shoulders slumped. I finally decided that now was the best time to finally speak what I knew of.
"Indeed it is not Filch who took your potion and taught that class. I do know, however, who did." Severus' eyes shot up in amazement and I saw a glitter of hope in his eyes. "He has confessed to me his deeds and I have forgiven him, as should you Professor," I told Severus.
His mouth dropped open in protest but not a word came out. "As Professor Snape is the only one in this school who is very well knowledged in his field, no one else except for him knows quite how to create the love potion. The culprit' as you so eloquently called him, had the class make a juice potion, so as not to harm them and make them believe that they were in love, for reasons known only to themselves."
The two arguing Professors standing in front for everyone to see had now fallen back in their seats in shock, and the rest of the Great Hall stared at me in an amusing openmouthed manner. I could see Dobby through the corner of my eye, peeping out of the kitchen, smiling at me gratefully. "What the Gryffindors and Slytherins may want to do now, is their decision. I do hope that this matter will be cleared up soon."
I stood up from my chair, signaling to everyone that this gathering has ended. It took them a moment longer than it usually did, but soon, they began to file out. None of the teachers said a word, nor did they come up to me with questions, they were leading their houses back to their separate towers.
I smiled as I headed towards my own office, passing by the kitchen on my way. Dobby stepped out of the doorway and bowed to me. "Dobby thanks great wizard Dumbledore for not throwing Dobby out into the streets and punishing him."
"I wouldn't even dream about it, Dobby," I told him with a twinkle of my eye. "It was very interesting indeed. I hope one of these days you'll pull of something just as good and entertaining."
Dobby grinned back at me, his elf-like features making me smile even more. Certainly not, I didn't regret it at all.
***
They all trudged in slowly and silently after the gathering in the Great Hall. This was not uncommon for the Slytherins, but usually the silence was threatening. This time it was because they were all in pure shock or in deep thought. I was silent in uneasiness, knowing that I knew all along that the potion was a fake. I only hoped they wouldn't find out.
Snape ushered them in, half angry that the culprit hadn't been caught, but triumphant that finally his Slytherins would stop mixing with the Gryffindors. He headed off to his own room, but not before we all caught the smug smile on his face.
The fifth-years were especially angry with him for that. He had ruined our perfect romances. Suddenly, Snape went from being our favorite teacher to our least liked one. Though we had yet to admit it to each other.
Instead of heading to our own rooms, the fifth-years, as well as a few other Slytherins, stayed behind. We were all silent for the longest time, before finally, Pansy spoke up, surprising us all. "Well, so now what do we do?"
No one dared answer her except for Lobrego Flint, Marcus Flint's third-year brother. "What do you need to do? They're just Gryffindors. Surely you don't really like them?"
Again the silence took over. We were all thinking about the recent weeks and how wonderful it seemed. And then we remembered Pansy. She had spoken up. That meant she was actually thinking about sticking with them. Slowly, we all looked up. The looks on our faces were determined. We all agreed. We officially didn't hate the Gryffindors anymore.
"I do." I spoke loudly for all to hear. "I really do like Hermione. You heard Snape and Dumbledore. The potion was a fake. We've liked them on our own free will. The only difference that juice did was to make us realize this house feud is stupid and that they're really ok!"
The rest of them seemed to nod their heads in agreement. Lobrego still didn't agree. "You're stupid! You were just under the impression that you had to like them, because your grade depended on liking them! I bet while you guys were together you still had doubts about how nice they really were."
Actually, his last sentence made more sense to the side that wanted us to like them. "Our grade did not depend on us liking them!" Crabbe spoke, shocking us all. "You know Snape favors us anyways. If this was really real in the first place and we still didn't like each other, he'd fail them and pass us."
There was a murmur of understanding. He was right. Even the other Slytherins who weren't involved seemed to agree with us. Flint still didn't agree with us. Now, he seemed fuming mad. "They were only nice because they were under the impression that they were under a real potion!"
"But they weren't," Millicent spoke up. We all turned to her. We all knew about her failed attempts with Harry. Now we understood why it had worked' on her but not him. "They were acting as their real selves, they were really the people we liked and could still do." She blushed as she remembered her own experience.
"Even though Harry didn't seem to like me romantically, he was friendly to me and so were the rest of them, even those who weren't in our class." She gave Lobrego a glare that finally shut him up. He finally slinked away without a further comment and went to sulk in his room.
"So what do we do now?" Goyle asked, repeating Pansy's question. "I didn't really get along well with Parvati, but the rest of them were really nice," he grunted, as if he didn't want to admit it. We all stared at him. None of us had heard him put together a full sentence, much less one with substance behind it. And then his words finally began to sink in.
Blaise smiled shyly again. "Well, I really do like Ron. He's the only guy whose been able to make me forget all my problems," she whispered the last part softly, as she didn't want to mention that part to us. We didn't prod, it wasn't our business to bother her. I smiled at the happiness curving her lips. Thanks to Weasly, her smile had become somewhat permanent.
Crabbe nodded slightly. "I don't find Lavender slightly interesting romantically, but she is fun to hang out with. She's helping me get my Divination grades up."
We nodded and then turned to Pansy beside him. We all watched their love/hate thing, which seemed to be like watching a soap opera. Finally, she bit her lip and tilted her head slightly which is what she usually does when she's admitting something for the first time. "Well I guess it's safe to say I really do like Neville. He's kind of a nerd, but he's the only guy who can get me so fired up. Also, he's the only guy who can stand me."
We all laughed, something which was not usually heard in this room. Snape popped his head out of his room, frowning in confusion. Seeing him, we all went back to scowling and he was satisfied with that and closed his door. Finally, they all turned back to me.
I realized I was the last who had yet to speak more about my own experience and feelings. I smiled wistfully. "Herm's brought out a side of me that I never knew was in me. She made me see past the dragon in me and see the heart I really have inside. Like Pansy and Neville, she's the only girl who can really get under my skin."
I continued without pausing, my thoughts coming straight from my heart rather than my head. "I realize now why I got so fired up at her that time in the Great Hall when we fought. I was so infatuated with her, so angry that I couldn't have her I wanted her so much, but I couldn't. She's the only one who can touch me in such a way, the only one who can handle my heart, or break it." I looked up. "I love her." I hadn't realized it until now just how much I loved her. I forced back the tears that I could feel coming.
Instead of looking up to see the jeering faces of the Slytherins, I looked up and saw the faces of touched people, my friends who I had never really known until now. There was an even greater bond between us all now. And we shared it with the Gryffindors.
We all shared a smile of understanding. Not much needed to be said. Our eyes said it all. "So," Blaise spoke. "We're ready to be friends? Real friends?" We all smiled in agreement. And then we turned to the other Slytherins.
"Promise you'll be nice to them also and not give them a hard time?" we asked each of them, but not quite in the same words. They agreed and swore they'd help change things between the houses with the others not present.
A smile filled the room, the atmosphere suddenly aiming high. The Slytherin house was changing, despite Snape's wishes. And suddenly, the students, us, were all so much happier than we had ever been in our lives. It was a turning moment. A moment that would go down in history.
***
The Gryffindor common room was silent. We were all in shock. Well, mostly they were. I had known the truth about the potion ahead of time. No one dared speak. Not even Harry. I half expected him to say, I told you so,' but I knew he wasn't the type of person to do that. See, despite his protests I was still his close friend who knew him well.
"So the Slytherins they were really being nice?" Colin Creevey finally asked, his voice dripping with disbelief. We were all silent, but as we looked back and forth between each other, somehow, our own surprise was pushed aside by our own thoughts about how we reacted with them.
I hadn't been able to catch a glimpse of Draco during the gathering earlier. He was there, but all of us were too absorbed in the melo-drama happening in front with Dumbledore and Snape. And with Dobby of course, but no one else knew that except for Draco and me, I think Professor Dumbledore knew too.
Ron was staring out the window. From my couch across the room I could tell he was thinking about Blaise. What else would he be thinking about? Also, I could see he was looking at the tree where below they shared their first kiss. He must be wondering about their relationship.
"Well," Harry said meekly. "I guess that's why I didn't fall for Millicent."
There was a slight chuckle, but the room's atmosphere was quite bleak. Everyone was deep in thought. The main thought that was wandering in our heads was, the Slytherins were really nice. They really did seem to be nice, they liked us, and we really liked them. What now?'
Parvati stood up from her chair. "Ok, so I'm probably not the best to speak, since my supposedly-romance with Goyle didn't work out, but then again, I'm probably the best one to start this conversation considering that I'm technically in the middle."
We were all silent so she continued on, softer this time, looking at her friend, Lavender. "Lavender, I remember you used to come back from the room, telling me that Crabbe was fun to hang out with, even though he's not crush material. Would you still hang out with him now?"
Lavender shrugged, a silky strand of hair fell back. "Yeah, I probably would, that is if Crabbe and the Slytherins are still nice. But if they're not, why should I?"
The Gryffindors started mumbling among their friends in agreement, but agreeing to what I wanted to know. Would they still be nice to them, or would they wait until the Slytherins were nice again, I wonder. I looked and saw Fred and George, I knew they were especially skeptical about Slytherins. They were in seventh year, this was the first time they had seen Slytherins being so nice, it was a first and they weren't sure whether to believe it or not.
"But how many of you would actually be nice to the Slytherins first before they do anything? I mean, what if they were waiting for us to be nice first?" Neville spoke up. I was surprised, he sure had changed a lot this year. He was a lot braver, and I think that even Pansy had actually been a good influence on him.
And again there was a lot of murmuring. "Why should we be the first? We're always nice anyway!" Fred spoke up.
"Yeah." George agreed. "I bet the Slytherins only believed they could be nice. Now that this is over, they don't have to think that anymore."
"But think about it," Neville argued. "The Slytherins are human too. They were just brought up differently from us. They proved to us they could be nice if they wanted to. I, for one, will promise to be nice to them—"
"Especially Pansy," someone interrupted and there was a bunch of catcalls all of a sudden.
Neville turned pink, then grinned before continuing. "I don't mind if Pansy treats me like dirt, she usually does, but then we make up." And again there were the catcalls of laugher. "But at least she knows I'm still going to be nice to her."
The Gryffindors nodded in agreement, and even Fred and George had to admit Neville had a point. They too agreed with him and were on the verge of deciding to be honestly nice to the Slytherins.
Ron had been looking back and forth between his brothers and the rest of the Gryffindors before he finally spoke. "Well, I guess I really liked like Blaise. She's been the first girl whose ever brought out that side of me that I never knew existed." He turned red as he and his brother's made eye contact. He knew they agreed about his taste in girls, well, in Blaise anyway. Somehow, they had forgotten that she was a Slytherin and they were really happy that she had made Ron so happy. She was especially nice to them as well, and every time she was with Ron and they came up, she was always in good company.
"I really hope Blaise and I can still get together after this, I hope that things won't change. If ever things still do get rough between Gryffindor and Slytherin, hopefully not between us. I, too, promise to be nice to the Slytherins. I've really enjoyed their company for the past weeks, and I don't want to throw away the friends I've made just because of some dumb house rivalry."
I smiled as I could see Fred and George's face soften. The bond between the brothers was really strong, and I could see now that Ron was really happy, they were thrilled. Ron hadn't had an easy time the past years being overshadowed by Harry and myself in different aspects, but they were thrilled he was happy with her.
Everyone in the room clapped, and the twins started to thump Ron in the back. Ron grinned proudly, thankful for his brothers' concern. It touched me, and everyone else in the room. What a picture-perfect moment. A family moment. And then I frowned. Where was Ginny?
I couldn't wonder for long, Parvati interrupted my thoughts. "What about you, Hermione? We all know that you and Draco seemed to be the hottest couple around, but that was because we all thought it was because you guys were the best at potions. Will you guys be nice now? We all remember how you guys fought before this started."
I bit my lip and thought for a moment. All eyes were on me. I knew what was in my heart, but I wasn't quite sure how to get it out of my mouth to make them understand. I had to tell them the truth about the potion, but I didn't think they'd understand. But I owed them the truth, at least I did to Harry and Ron. I made a mental note to myself to tell them later on.
In the meantime, I took a deep breath before I spoke, "Of course I'll be nice to them. They were really nice to me, and it was on their own free will. As for Draco I love him." The room fell completely silent as they waited for me to continue. "He's my soul mate. I've never met anyone else who can get me so angry or so ecstatic. Even before Snape, or rather that someone gave us the potion, when I was paired up with him, somehow, deep inside, I felt so happy. I realize now why. I wanted to be with him so much, though I was blinded by the fact that I was from Gryffindor and he was from Slytherin, my heart kept pointing me in his direction. After our argument in the Great Hall, I just knew. I love him so much, more than words can say."
I looked up and saw most of the room about to burst into tears. If not on the verge of crying, the others were smiling like crazy. At once, I knew the outcome. We were all going to be friends again. And I was so happy, I felt the tears form behind my own eyes. The feud would finally be put to an end.
***
I sat on the edge of my bed, waiting anxiously for Ron to come back inside. He and a few of the other Gryffindors were still talking about their plans, how they would face the Slytherins, how to make to first move, how to casually smile or just nod a hello.'
Impatiently waiting, I reread the note I clutched in my hand. I needed to talk to him desperately. He was my best friend, other than Hermione of course, but he'd understand more than she would about this. This was a guy thing, a guy's version on how to deal with crushes, secret admirers and my own feelings. Since Hermione had always been with Malfoy, wait, Draco, as I'm supposed to call him now, and I usually spent my time talking with Ron in the boy's dormitory, she didn't know much about it.
For some time now, I've been getting gifts and notes from my secret admirer. I figure its Bullstrode, who else would but her? The way she's stalking me! Anyway, I've received chocolate frogs, a flower here and there, some cool trinkets from the shops in Hogsmade, but more importantly, love notes.
My head whirled around the room wildly, my untidy black hair flying. Where was Ron, I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him more about the notes, how strangely important they were becoming to me, how I was starting to treasure them and feel a wealth of meanings behind the words that were written. I wanted to tell him how I was falling for my secret admirer, Bullstrode.
I shuddered at the thought. Fine, so if she had written it, I still felt strange. Ok, I'm not the type of person who judges a person by their looks, so just because she's not the prettiest girl around, heck, let's just make that pretty, I can't blame her for that. Also, I'm not the type of person to hold grudges on people for forever, if Herm and Ron and the rest of the Gryffindors can forgive the Slytherins, so can I. But I just don't feel right with Bull- I mean Millicent. No matter what I do, she still creeps me out in a way. Fine, she's nice, but I just don't feel the chemistry with her when I'm around her.
But then these notes, they just mean so much to me. I've fallen for the writer, I love her for the words she wrote, the kind words of encouragement, I smile at her dedication to me. I know she watches me from a far, she writes so, she sees me alone, though I've tried my best to hide that part inside of me. She loves me for who I am, and not what I have done.
I was so deep into my thoughts, I didn't realize it when all of them had left the Gryffindor house for lunch. It was so quiet, you could hear Flinch complaining about the mess all the way on the other side of the house. But I didn't get a chance to fall back into my trance.' Just then, I heard the faintest of sobs.
Curiously, I left my room and decided to check it out. I looked around nervously, wondering who it was, or what it was, before I realized I was being silly and way to overcautious. I followed them all the way to the girl's dormitory. Hesitantly, I paused, before I finally knocked softly on the door, and then pushed it slightly, letting myself in.
On her bed, crying in her hands sat Ginny Weasly. She gasped when she saw me. "Harry! What are you doing here? This is the girl's room!" She hastily swiped the back of her hands across her wet cheeks in an unsuccessful attempt to wipe her tears dry.
I frowned slightly as I took a seat next to her on the edge of her bed. "Are you ok? I heard you crying from my room and decided to check it out. What happened?"
Ginny turned away from me, but I could see she was hurting. I gently took her hand. "What's wrong?" I asked her again. She burst into tears and went back to crying in her hands. I tried to pull her closer to me, to allow her to use my shoulder to cry on, but she refused my touch, each time, pulling away. I felt awful.
Finally, in her high emotion, she blurted out, "The guy I like hates me."
I frowned again, getting angry at whoever hurt her. "Why? He must be an idiot! What guy wouldn't like you? You're sweet and kind—"
But Ginny broke me off. She laughed bitterly, something I had never seen come out of her. "I've tried so hard to make him realize my feelings. I've done so much for him, but he still rejects me. I heard him myself!"
"Ginny, I'm sure he didn't mean it I'm sure—"
She interrupted me again, her hurt and anger doing her talking for her instead. "Do you think it's wrong for a girl to give a guy gifts in this day and age? For her to write him notes to tell him how she feels?"
"Um, not really, I guess," I told her, not quite sure of the answer myself. "I guess not. It's fine with me. I'm sure he was really flattered by your gifts, he just doesn't really know how to express his feelings—"
"Harry!" she finally shouted at me, getting my attention. "I was talking about you! I wrote you those notes and sent you those gifts!"
I looked at her dumbstruck. "Y-you did? I thought it was sent to me by Millicent." She shook her head, looking down at her shoes. Suddenly it all came rushing in to me, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle finally falling into place. I liked her. There was no doubting it. I was in love with Ginny Weasly. In some way, I had been ever since I met her, I was just embarrassed because I thought she just liked me for being "the great Harry Potter." But she really did like me, for me.
I smiled. All this time, I had loved her so, but I was so blinded by appearances and names, just as I always disliked. I looked down at her, the happiness that rose in my chest, falling when I saw her look so crestfallen. "Look at me, Ginny," I urged her.
"No thanks. I think I've looked enough," she replied. Not willing to take no for an answer, I took her hands in mine and then lifted her chin with one hand, gently and made her face me. "I love you, Ginny," I told her.
She blinked for a few moments. Finally, she replied, "Stop trying to make me feel better. You're making me feel worse by pitying me."
"I'm not," I insisted. "I realized it just before I came in to your room. I was falling in love with my secret admirer, but I was scared because I thought it was Millicent. But now" I trailed off. "Now that I realize that it's you that I've been in love with all this time."
She stared at me in wonder for what seemed to be the longest time. Finally, I could bear it no longer. I leaned in closer to her and kissed her softly on the lips. She smiled at me and then fell into my arms and we hugged tightly. "I love you, too," she whispered back, her voice filled with emotion.
Finally, it seemed that the missing part of me that I had searched for so long for was found. I felt whole again for some reason, and I think she felt the same way.
I was soaring higher than I ever was during Quidditch, and I didn't want to come down ever again. I had what I wanted, I wanted her, I loved her, and nothing made me feel better than knowing she loved me too.
***
Everyone started to pour out of their common rooms for lunch, and the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs stopped to watch as the Gryffindors and us Slytherins came out and came face to face. They all wondered what was to happen now that the truth was revealed.
Ron took a step forward. "Blaise, I—"
"Shut up, Ron," I commanded in an unemotional voice. The whole hall fell silent. Ron's expression fell. Then, without warning, a smile came across my face. "Shut up and kiss me." Ron grinned back and the students cheered as we locked lips.
Aside from me and Ron, the other previous Gryffindor-Slytherin couples faced each other. Lavender and Crabbe faced each other. Without a word, Lavender took Crabbe's hand, "Common, we're not yet done with your Divination lesson yet."
The rest of them laughed. The crowd was slowly starting to disperse, sitting down in their own tables for lunch, but they all watched carefully for the rest of the drama to continue. Harry passed by Millicent as she was about to sit down at the Slytherin table. He helped her into her chair and with a cheery hi' before he headed back to the Gryffindor table to sit with Ginny.
Ginny blushed slightly. I saw Harry take her hand, I think he wanted to kiss her, but I could tell by the way he was looking in our direction he didn't think Ron would approve. So to help him – wow! Now I'm helping a Gryffindor! – I took Ron's face into my hands and kissed him again. Our faces turned a good shade of pink, everyone was laughing and cheering at us, but not from embarrassment but enjoyment.
When we drew apart, we watched the rest of them. Goyle passed by the Gryffindor table on his way to the Slytherin and waved to Parvati. We were all surprised, those two weren't known for even being in the same room together, now they were friends?
On the other end of the hall, Neville and Pansy were at it again with their favorite pastime, arguing. Their words drifted all the way here, and we could hear their arguments were the usual petty things. None of us worried. Sure enough, after glancing away for a second or two, turning back, we saw the two locked in an embrace, sharing a teasing smile.
A smile formed my own lips as I watched everyone so happy. I couldn't remember the last time I was this happy. Thing sure turned around in my life when that potion came along. I turned and faced Ron who was smiling at me fondly. And him, too. I leaned my head against his shoulder when I finally noticed the last couple. Hermione and Draco.
Everyone's attention suddenly turned to them as well. We all knew they had been the sweetest couple around during the potion,' and by the looks of it, they could still really be great together. Draco's speech earlier in the Slytherin common room was so sweet, so touching, I don't think I ever saw someone, much less everyone, in the Slytherin house so sentimental. I hoped, and somehow knew, that Hermione had mutual feelings.
Hermione and Draco got the feeling that everyone was indeed watching their exact moves carefully. Slyly, they walked towards each other, held hands, and then ran out into the garden to get some privacy. The hall instantaneously burst into loud cheers. Even Harry seemed to be laughing as well. "Yihee!" I heard someone shout.
"Go get em girl!"
"That's so sweet!"
"Hmm I wonder what they'll be doing"
The last one was said by Ron. I punched him lightly on the shoulder. He grinned at me teasingly. "I don't need to wonder, I know." I smiled back at him.
Ron laughed. He pulled me closer to him and we walked towards the Gryffindor table and sat down for lunch. Or was it the Slytherin table. I couldn't tell honestly. The barriers were broken down. The Slytherins and Gryffindors were friends now. For some, more than friends. And we were all happy.
***
Though Fall was quickly approaching, the day was lovely and fair, and as I took Hermione's hand in mine, was made our way to the large willow tree in the middle of the large garden and sat down next to it. She lay in my arms, as I ran my long fingers through her soft brown hair. We were completely content, awed at the same time thinking about how far we had gotten.
It was odd. The past four years in Hogwarts, I had always been the cold-hearted boy who everyone loved to hate because no one could touch or hurt. For the past four years, she had been the studious student who excelled in everything. But now, to each other, we were so much more.
Suddenly, she giggled. I smiled thinking how pretty she was. "What?" I asked her.
"I was just thinking about what's going on the Great Hall right now. Our two houses together, I couldn't even tell which was the Slytherin table or the Gryffindor table."
I, too, laughed. It was strange, I had never used to laugh before I realized I loved her. "We all used to be close minded, thinking we were better than the others. It's so much better now, we're all friends, we can talk to people from the other houses without worrying what will be said against us." I smiled fondly at her. "I can't even picture my life without you anymore. You're a part of me that will never go away."
Her eyes shined, and I thought for a moment she was going to start to cry. Instead she pulled me down closer to her and then kissed me softly. Every time our lips touched it felt like magic. I wonder how I could have ever thought that she wasn't good enough' just because she was a Mudblood.'
We sat there for a few moments in a comfortable silence. Knowing that the other was there with us was enough to keep us happy. And then I smirked, not in my old mean manner, but the smirk was more of a smile. "You know, I never realized how good green and red look together, just like silver and gold." She smiled, looking at me like I was crazy. "Hey! Christmas colors are green and red," I insisted.
And then we launched into a discussion about whether Professor Dumbledore would allow the Gryffindors and Slytherins to do a little redecorating,' meaning taking the colors around our two tables and putting them together.
"Dumbledore might," Hermione said thoughtfully, but then grinning wickedly. "But you know Snape will never allow it."
We started laughing. Right before we had made our exit, I noticed Snape watching the two houses group together, and furiously he tried to give both houses deductions and detention. Fortunately, he was stopped by Dumbledore who told him it wasn't against the rules. Snape had stormed off angrily, not before tripping on a house-elf who was smiling happily at the sight. Yep, it had been Dobby.
"Dobby's the best. If it wasn't for him none of this would have happened," she said.
"Yeah. Our houses would still be rivaling against each other, everyone would still be stuck in their depression, and worst of all, we never would have admitted to each other our feelings," I gazed at her intensely, and she could see my more sensitive side. I didn't care, I loved her and I wanted to share that part of myself with her.
"I never realized just how much I loved you, and how much I cared that you cared if he hadn't spilled the beans." She smiled at me with complete adoration, something that made me melt completely.
I smiled at her, gazing at her thoughtfully for the longest time. I traced her face with my fingers, as if trying to memorize her face. "I love you so much, Herm. What can I do how can I how can I make you love me more?" I asked, only then realizing my insecurities about my love.
She rose and sat down next to me, our heads now face to face, giving me the same loving expression I was giving her. She started singing her thoughts (to the tune of Steps Love U More):
"You can make the Slytherins purple,
You can make Neville love a turtle,
But you know you can never make me love you more.
You can turn Butterbeer into water,
Turn sadness into laughter,
But you know you can never make me love you more."
My face fell. Did she really mean that? Nothing I would do would make her love me more than she already did? But how much did she love me? Just a bit? Maybe it wasn't really love? My heart fell to my stomach.
She grinned at my sadness. I was immediately hurt and opened my mouth to protest when she cupped my head with her fingers. "Because I already love you more than life itself."
I laughed, relief filling within me. And then I sang the next stanza:
"Let Snape fall down,
Let Marcus Flint court Lavender Brown,
Still you know you can never make me love you more.
Make Voldemort die,
Let Harry's bank account run dry,
Still you know you can never make me love you more."
She laughed at my own quick reflexes at making up my own joke. And I think the image of Marcus Flint and Lavender Brown together made her laugh even more. I cracked a smile. It was pretty funny. Also, I figure Harry's got even more money than I did, so that would be awhile before it ever ran out.
And then Hermione continued her own singing:
"You can make willow to a Sorcerer's Stone,
Or make Professor Binns groan,
But you know you can never make me love you more.
You can make me dance to order,
During a Yule Ball in front of all,
But you know you can never make me love you more."
"Let our love no longer hide,
Leave your past scars inside,
Still you know you can never make me love you more.
Let Myrtle's bathroom pour down,
Let Flinch's office drown,
Still you know you can never make me,
Hey you know you can never make me love you more."
I joined her in the singing:
"We can make the Slytherins turn purple,
We can make Neville love a turtle,
But you know you can never make me love you more.
We can turn Butterbeer into water,
Turn sadness into laughter,
But you know you can never make me love you more."
"Let Snape fall down,
Let Marcus Flint court Lavender Brown,
Still you know you can never make me love you more,
Make Voldemort die,
Let Harry's bank account run dry,
Still you know you can never make me,
Hey you know you can never make me,
Yeah you know you can never make me love you more."
And then we fell back into the grass, laughing like crazy. I had never felt this good. Hermione had brought out a side of me I had never seen before. I stood up, and then gently pulled her up. She wrapped her arms around my waist and I held her face in my hands. "Herm, my only love." I added, making a joke. (for those of you who didn't get that, Herm, my only' sounds close to Hermione.')
She smiled back at me. "I love you."
And then I pulled her close and hugged her tightly. She held on to me firmly and then finally we drew into another kiss. Things happen, and things change. If you had asked me a month or two back, I hated change and other things that weren't like me. But because of her, my whole view of the world was changed. And I liked it. I loved her. And I had never been so glad for change in my life. From the cold hearted boy who was angry with the world I had been, she had brought out a side of me I had never known before. And that was who I wanted to be for the rest of my life, and especially with her at my side.
******
"The Elf, the Love and the Alibi Potion" story, storylines © 2000 Sanna
"Love Potion #11" storyline © 2000 Daphne
"The Elf, the Love and the Alibi Potion" corrections © 2000 Lia-Sheep aka my beta-reader
"The Elf, the Love and the Alibi Potion" title © 2000 Cams
"Something There" from Beauty and the Beast © (a long time ago) Disney
"Girl of My Dreams" © 1998 Moffatts
"The Work Song" from Cinderella © (a long time ago) Disney
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King © (a long time ago) Disney
"Heffalumps and Woozles" from Winnie the Pooh © (a long time ago) Disney
"Saying I love you" © 1998 Moffatts
"Love you More" © 1998 Steps
all JKR Harry Potter characters, places, objects, etc. © 1997 (?)
Usually, I don't care about disclaimers since Fanfiction.net takes care of that, it's on their site if you haven't seen it. But since there were so many things coming from very different places and people, I just got a kick out of doing this now, just one time. Long, isn't it? Can you imagine if I had separate lines for each of the characters and etc. I used from JKR? =)
Sorry if I confused you guys with the different PoV's, I just wanted to keep you guys on your feet. =) This is a very long story. My longest ever, not counting the Princess Bride since that was full of spaces between the lines.
The Moffatts songs were so out of place, they just didn't sound funny when I changed the lyrics a bit since the song itself could go in the place of their feelings. Shucks! I didn't know what to change it into!
I forgot to add this last thing, so for the people who have just read this now... I wasn't sure whether Blaise Zabini was a girl or guy, so since I was in need of girl Slytherins I made her a girl! Hey, my friend said that Blaise is a girl and Blaize is a guy. I dunno, I'll take her word for it!
I know I know. The Dobby scene really doesn't make much sense. Sigh. I wasn't quite sure how to write his scene and stuff, third person or first person. What to choose? Also, if I wrote the way he ALWAYS talked, it REALLY wouldn't make sense! "I is making sure Master is not scolding Dobby." Ok, so I made that line up, but that's probably how he'd say it!
What's weird was, my feeble attempt at humor here and there as I continued on and on with my story, so sorry if it became too much of romance. I wanted to do something funny, so if it really sounds lame, my apologies.
My writing style kept on changing, I guess it was hard writing in the same way especially all throughout 28 pages! (Actually, the 28 pages is without the HTML editing!) And a month or more of working on this it's hard to keep the same track of mind. Now it's 52 pages! Wow! That's twice as long as my Princess Bride story!!! Geez.
This originally turned out to be h/d but I just had to put in all those other romances, so sorry to those who wanted to read 28 pages of h/d! =) I wanted that too! Hehe. Also, I probably should have added more of Harry and Ginny since my beta reader requested it. Sorry you asked for it too late in the writing and I really didn't want to change anything anymore. =) I'll try and write a h/g story one of these days.