Chapter 3

The corridors were swarming with students. I, out of instinct I guess, held Draco's hand as tried to get to Potions class. He stopped and looked at my hand. Apparently he had just realized I had been holding his hand the whole time. He then looked into my eyes and held for a few moments. Then he snapped out of it and started walking again. We ran into the class and took our place next to fellow Slytherins. After a few minutes of us being there Professor Slughorn said, "Welcome students to Advanced Potions class. My name is Professor Slughorn as you may already know and…" Just then the door to the classroom opened abruptly and Professor Slughorn turned around to see Potter and Ron Weasley walk into the door. "Ah Harry, my boy, I was beginning to worry. Brought someone with us I see." "Ron Weasley, sir. Terrible at potions. A menace actually. I'll probably just…" Oh not at all. We'll sort you out. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Get your books out." "I haven't actually got my book sir. Nor has Ron." "Get what you want from the cupboards. Now as I was saying, I've mixed up some concoctions today. Any ideas what these might be? Yes Miss…" "Granger, sir. That there is Veritaserum; it's a truth telling serum. And that one there is Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell differently to each person depending on what attracts them. For instance I smell freshly mowed grass, new parchment and spearmint…toothpaste." Slughorn chuckled, "Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love, that would be impossible, but it does create great infatuation or obsession. And for that reason it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." Then Katie Bell spoke up, "Sir, you haven't told us about that one." She pointed to a small little vial filled with gold liquid. "Ah yes a curious little potion known as Felix Felisus or more commonly referred to as…" "Liquid Luck!" "Yes Miss Granger. Liquid Luck. Desperately tricky to make, disastrous if you get it wrong. One sip and you'll find that all of your endeavors succeed." Draco raised his head towards Slughorn like he was finally interested. "At least until the affects wear off. So, this is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vial of Liquid Luck to the student who, in the hour that remains, manages to brew an acceptable draft of Living Death. The recipe of which can be found on page ten of your books." We all flipped wildly through our books. Apparently we all wanted the Liquid Luck badly. "Let the brewing commence!" Draco and I walked over to a table with all of the Slytherins and began to brew the draught of Living Death. The recipe was hard:

1:Add the Infusion of Wormwood.

2:Add the powdered root of asphodel.

3:Stir twice clockwise.

4:Add the sloth brain.

5:Add the Sopophorous bean's juice.

6:Stir seven times anti-clockwise.

Draco and I followed this process very carefully. As we were cutting the bean Draco sliced his hand and almost yelped. "Draco are you okay? Here." I wrapped my handkerchief around his hand where he had cut it and continued working. That hour felt like five. My hair was now poufy and Draco's was hanging over his eyes. "Time's up everyone." Slughorn came to every single one of us and tested the potion with a rose leaf. Mine just floated on the surface. Draco's shot in the air. He then got to Potter's and said, "Oh my! It's perfect! So perfect I daresay one drop would kill us all. There you are Potter. One vial of Felix Felisus. Use it well." He clapped as a sign for us to all join in. Draco just stood there with his hands in his pockets. And no Slytherin clapped for Potter. We all hated him so why would we? We all left the classroom and went to lunch after DADA. Draco and I sat together at the Slytherin table once again. Draco ate nothing just sat there lost in thought. Boy I wish he would tell me what's wrong.

Draco's POV

Why did Potter have to get the Liquid Luck? I need that desperately. I guess that's life. Give everything to Potter, nothing for Malfoy. But I had to worry about better things than Potter. I needed to find the Room of Requirement. But how? I heard Granger say it was on the Seventh Floor of the castle, in the left corridor. Maybe today while everyone is at Quidditch practice I'll go looking for it. I really wish I could tell Astoria everything but I don't want to pour all my problems on her. Then it hit me. What if I didn't finish this task? What if I never found what I was looking for? What if I failed? No I couldn't fail. My mother and father would never approve. Then again when did my father ever approve?

Astoria's POV

Just then Professor Slughorn walked over to me, "Miss Greengrass, I remember your mother and father when they came to school. You look just like your mother. Anyhow, I used to throw the occasional supper party in the old days and I would like for you to come tonight. Would you?" "I would love to sir." "Look for my owl. Good to see you Mr. Malfoy." Then he walked away and Draco had a puzzled look on his face, "Wonder why he didn't ask me. Of course I don't care but I really wonder." I simply shrugged. "I don't know but I have to go to Quidditch practice see you later, Draco." "Oh right bye." I walked towards the common room and into my dormitory. I quickly changed, grabbed my Nimbus 2001, and walked down the hall swiftly, my cape billowing as I walked. Quidditch was my favorite thing to do in my free time. I'm Slytherin's Seeker because after Draco quit the team, Montague gave me the spot because I could see the Snitch wherever it was. He said I was better than Draco was but I really think he is just trying to get me to like him. My father was Quidditch Captain in his Hogwarts days and I have always wanted to be Captain but that would probably never happen. I arrived on the Pitch and was greeted by Montague, "Hello Astoria, ready for practice?" "Yes of course. I have been ready for the whole summer." "Great I just wanted to know…" Just then Vaisey came over to me and said, "Hey Astoria we need you over here for a minute." "Ok I'm coming." And I left Montague standing there by himself. This was going to be a long Quidditch season.