Scorpius and Albus were the first to get to potions that day. Albus had originally wanted the two of them to walk with Rose and Casey to their next class before coming to potions but obviously that wasn't happening. The world must really hate him. First he was put into Slytherin and after he decided that wasn't so bad, he finds that his cousin/sister/best friend is now mortal enemies with his only new friend. Well ain't that just swell.
Albus and Scorpius chose a seat in the front this time around. Scorpius considered potions his best class and wanted to be sure that his hand was seen. He left out the part about it being seen before Rose's hand but that was implied.
"Who's teaching this class?" Albus asked being that the teacher was not in the room at the moment.
"Did you read the schedule at all?" Scorpius asked.
"I did but I wasn't paying that much attention. I was a bit preoccupied yesterday with my first letter home. Busy trying to make my parents not disown me you know." Albus replied casually.
Scorpius rolled his eyes at Albus, "Professor Slughorn teaches it. He also happens to be the head of the Slytherin house, by the way. So its probably best if you try and get on his good side."
Albus nodded, "I think my parents had him when they were here."
"Your parents and your grandparents, Albus my boy," said a voice from behind the two boys. The man walking in behind them wore a brown corduroy robe that looked like it might explode from the multiple roles of flab that were stuffed into it. His head was lacking any trace of hair and his eyes were a the color of gooseberries. Albus couldn't help but think that this one hundred year old man would make an excellent Santa Clause.
Professor Slughorn walked over to the two boys and shook each of their hands, "Yes I remember your parents and grandmother the most. Look I've even got their pictures up on my wall." He lifted his arm and pointed a pudgy finger at a shelf. On it were what must have been about twenty pictures each of one of his past students. His father was easy to find being that he was identical to Albus at that age. In the picture he had one arm slung around his mother and the other around Aunt Hermione. They looked happy. To the right of that picture was another in which he recognized his grandma Lily. He had never met her of course but his dead kept a picture of her and Grandpa James up on a wall along with several other dead relatives and family friends. Albus had asked several times how each had died but had yet to get a straight response from any of his relatives. Maybe he would try Slughorn he seemed to know his family pretty well.
Slughorn clapped Albus on the back and smiled, "Your family was brilliant with their potions. Particularly your father. I've still haven't met anyone to this day who could draft a better Drought of the Living Death. You're the first that I have had in my house though. I am sure we will have a great couple of years," Slughorn beamed with pride as he finished speaking. Clearly he was ecstatic about Albus' placement. Albus sighed inwardly wondering how long it would take before the Professor realized that he wasn't anything extraordinary. Probably not long.
"Um this is Scorpius Malfoy," Albus told Slughorn desperate to get the attention off himself.
Slughorn examined Scorpius for a second, "Oh yes I knew your father," he muttered to himself. Then he turned and addressed the class, "Well everyone I think its time to get started."
Albus' eyebrows came together. This was the third time in the past forty eight hours that someone seemed to not like Scorpius' dad. First Uncle Ron, then Nott, and now Slughorn. Though Slughorn never actually said anything bad he just changed the subject.
Albus turned and surveyed the room. The rest of the room had filled up now that the rest of the students had arrived. The other side of the room was filled with red and gold ties. They must be taking this class with Gryffindor. Scorpius is just going to have to deal with not being able to one up Rose in this class.
"Alright then why don't you all get started," Slughorn finished from the front of the room.
Albus bit his lip and glanced at Scorpius. He had taken out his cauldron and had his text book open to the first potion. It read Cure for Boils, "Turn to page five and make the potion," Scorpius explained upon seeing Albus looking over his shoulder. Albus nodded and got out his cauldron and book.
1) Add 6 snake fangs to the mortar.
2) Crush fangs into fine powder using pestle.
3) Add four measures of crushed fangs into cauldron.
Albus followed the instructions being careful not to screw anything up. When he had to add them to the cauldron he closed his eyes and waited for something to explode. After a moment when there was no fire or burning sensation from his ingredients flying towards him he dared to open them. The mixture was floating in the water perfectly safe. He continued to make the mixture. It was amazing. His potion didn't make like acid and go through the bottom of the pot, it didn't smoke up, and it didn't emit any suspicious odors. In fact, it looked good. Well as good as any mix that you drank to get rid of severe boils could look.
After another twenty minutes he finished working and looked up. Scorpius had finished already and was sitting down in his chair watching everyone else work. He looked amused so Albus followed his gaze. One of the Gryffindors had fallen backwards and was on lying on the floor staring terrified towards his caldron. His caldron had a green flam leaping out from it. Slughorn was in the process of walking over there but being unusually large as he was, it was quite difficult for him to move very fast. Once there he did safely extinguish the flame. He wondered how he missed the kid falling over in the first place. He probably was the only one still working when that kid's cauldron went up.
When Slughorn got back to his desk he looked a bit winded and it took him a second to realize that Albus was no longer hard at work.
"Albus, my boy, finished already?" he asked. Albus nodded and Slughorn walked down to take a look, "Well done! You must take after your father eh." Slughorn looked a little gitty as he tottled back to his desk. Albus and Scorpius talked for the rest of the class as they waited for the class to end.
Finally the class ended. Lunch was next and Scorpius started to get up and leave. "What are you waiting for?" he asked.
"I'll catch up I want to ask Professor Slughorn something," he told him.
Scorpius shrugged, "Suit yourself." He turned and headed out towards the dining hall.
Slughorn was sitting down at his desk looking at a book when Albus approached him, "Um Professor Slughorn? I was wondering if you could tell me about my grandmother."
Slughorn smiled at Albus, "Sure. She was a lovely girl. One of the smartest girls in her class and on top of that she was a sweetheart. I don't think that I ever heard her ever say one bad word to anyone. "
Albus nodded that's pretty much what his father had told him, "Um what do you know about how she died sir?"
Slughorn's eyes snapped up at Albus and he had a panicked look on his face, "It was very tragic yes."
Albus' eyebrows drew together, "Yeah I know it was tragic, but what was tragic about it? What happened?"
Slughorn looked like he was struggling to keep himself calm, "She died in a muggle car accident. Just like your father said. I think that you should leave now. You're going to miss your lunch."
Albus frowned frustrated, "Do you know what happened to Remus Lupin? If you knew my grandma you must know him."
Slughorn got serious then, "It is time that you should go." Albus surveyed his teacher's face carefully. He wasn't budging.
Albus sighed," Yes sir." Well if he wasn't sure before, he was now. There was something his parents weren't telling him and he had every intention of finding out.