Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.
Chapter Twenty-One – Draught of Living Death
On the first day of term sixth years met with their Heads of their House to finalize their N.E.W.T. schedule. Leo approached McGonagall right before Neville. She looked at his schedule, "Leo, have you decided what you want to do yet? I understand last year you were quite unsure about which path you wished to pursue."
Leo smiled, "I had plenty of time to think it over this summer and I'd like to be a Healer."
McGonagall smiled, "Well that is a prestigious career. You will need Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts. You will need an E on each of these N.E.W.T. level courses. Did you wish to continue in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes?"
"I think I'd like to drop Arithmancy," Leo looked down. He didn't see the need for Arithmancy as a Heeler. Ancient Runes could be used to find forgotten cures and effective treatments.
She tapped his schedule, "I have added an hour with Madam Pomfrey on Tuesdays and Thursdays to start your healing training early."
Leo took his schedule, "Thank you, Professor."
Hermione and Leo walked from Ancient Runes to their Defense Against the Dark Arts class that was made up of all four houses continuing in the subject. Leo looked around and noticed that Ernie MacMillan, Susan Bones, Hannah Abbot, Michael Corner, Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom, Parvati Patil, and Seamus Finnigan, were all in the class. They were all of their year who'd been in the D.A. with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Leo was a little shocked to see a few Slytherin in the class as well. He wasn't surprised to see Theodore Nott or Draco Malfoy, but he was surprised to see Pansy Parkinson. He was surprised that she was intelligent enough to continue on in N.E.W.T. level courses. Also fellow Gryffindor Fay Dunbar was in the class even though she had chosen not to participate in the D.A. the year prior.
He was drawn back to Hermione's conversation with Ron and Harry. She informed him of the large amount of Ancient Runes homework the two of them already had to finish by Wednesday. Leo looked around the room and noticed it was much darker than usual. Snape had all of the curtains drawn and the room was lit by floating candles. The artwork on the wall depicted many gruesome Dark Art curses being performed. Leo had a feeling they would learn a great deal from Snape. Snape sauntered in the room and quickly informed everyone that he didn't want their books out yet, which caused Hermione to drop her copy of Confronting the Faceless back into her bag. Snape then informed them, "I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention."*
He paused as he glanced over everyone's faces and seemed to rest on Harry's face a bit longer than the rest, "You have had five teachers on the subject so far, I believe. Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be much more advanced."*
Snape started making his rounds around the classroom causing everyone to move their heads to keep him in view as he lowered his voice, "The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time the neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible."* Leo raised an eyebrow at Snape's Hydra analogy for the Dark Arts. He noticed that the former Potions Master admired the Dark Arts, but he couldn't help but wonder if one needed to understand them to fight them properly. Wasn't Snape the best at counter curses, brewing antidotes, and a master duelist?
Snape spoke a bit louder, "Your defenses must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse," he waved his hand toward a painting depicted a witch screaming in agony, "feel a Dementor's Kiss," he pointed to a painting were a blank eyed wizard slumped against a wall, "or provoke the aggression of the Inferius." He waved over a painting where there was only a bloody mass on the ground.*
Parvarti's high pitched voice broke through his speech, "Has an Inferius been seen, then? Is it definite, is he using them?"*
Snape used a cold indifferent tone as he set off around the other side of the classroom with his robes billowing behind him, "The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?"*
Of course, Hermione's hand shot in the air. Snape looked around the room at everyone else to make sure he didn't have another choice, "Very well – Miss Granger?"*
"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform which gives you a split second advantage."*
Snape dismissively waved his hand as Draco sniggered in the back corner, "An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six, but correct in essentials. Yes, those who progress to use magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some," he sneered as he stared at Harry, "lack."*
Harry and Snape seemed to have a staring contest until Snape looked away, "You will now divide into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on."*
Everyone paired up and quite a bit of cheating occurred as many people whispered or muttered spells. Hermione was with Neville, Dean was with Seamus, Ron was with Harry, Lavender and Parvarti, Padma and Fay, Ernie and Susan, Hannah and Michael, Terry and Anthony, Pansy and Draco, which left Theo to pair up with Leo. It wasn't too long into the class when Hermione managed to block Neville's muttered Jelly-Leg Jinx, which Snape openly ignored. Theo was already quite accomplished with silent spells as they assisted in his escape from his father and was shooting jinx after jinx at Leo. Luckily Leo had previously perfected the silent shield charm and was able to rebound jinx after jinx. Snape also ignored their silent dueling. Leo quickly realized that he needed to practice other silent spells in the future. Since they were both Occlumens neither one was able to determine what spell the other was going to cast.
Leo and Theo stopped what they were doing when Snape approached Ron and Harry, "Pathetic, Weasley. Here – let me show you-"*
Snape turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry seemed to forget all about nonverbal spells when he yelled, "Protego!"*
"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?"*
Harry stiffened and muttered, "Yes."*
"Yes, sir."*
Leo noticed Harry's straight face when he informed Snape, "There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor."*
This remark had caused several people including Hermione to gasp but Leo noticed large smiles on the faces of Ron, Dean and Seamus who all were behind Snape's back. Leo couldn't help but smirk, knowing Snape had set himself up by attempting to curse Harry. Leo shook his head wondering when Snape would realize that he needed to stop holding his grudge because Harry resembled James.
Snape managed to contain his emotions even though Leo was sure Harry's statement angered him, "Detention, Saturday night, my office. I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter…not even 'the Chosen One.'"*
Leo and Theo walked into the Potions class together. There were only twelve students in the N.E.W.T. level class. Ernie was the only Hufflepuff and he ended up sitting with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The four Ravenclaws: Padma, Michael, Terry, and a girl Leo was not familiar with sat at a table together. This left Leo to sit with Theo and the other two Slytherins in the class Draco and Zabini. Draco glared at him as he took a seat next to Zabini and across from Theo. Leo rolled his eyes, "Well, your other option is Ernie MacMillan. Would you rather I switch places with him?"
Zabini and Draco both looked over at Ernie and then to each other. Draco mumbled, "I guess we'll keep you."
Leo smiled, "I'm so grateful the Prince of Slytherin has allowed me to sit with him and his friends." He furrowed his brow for a moment, "Are you still the Price of Slytherin or have you been dethroned?"
Draco ignored him as Professor Slughorn walked to the front of the room. The older looking portly man with a large walrus mustache stood behind a table with three different potions. "Now then, now then, now then," he got everyone's attention. "Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making…."*
Harry raised his hand from the table across the aisle, "Sir?"*
"Harry, m'boy?"*
"I haven't got a book or scales or anything – nor's Ron – we didn't realize we'd be able to do the N.E.W.T., you see-"
"Ah, yes, Professor McGonagall did mention…not to worry, my dear boy, not to worry at all. You can use ingredients from the store cupboard today, and I'm sure we can lend you some scales, and we've got a small stock of old books here, they'll do until you can write to Flourish and Blotts…." He walked over to a corner cupboard and placed two battered books in front of Harry and Ron. He then returned to the front of the room. "Now then. I've prepared a few potions to have a look at, just out of interest, you know. These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of 'em, even if you haven't made 'em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?"*
He pointed to the potion closest to the table Leo was sitting at with the Slytherins. Hermione's hand flew into the air before anyone else's. Though Leo was sure he knew what potion was clear and resembled water. He believed it only took three drops to cause a person not practiced in Occlumency to spill all of their secrets. Slughorn pointed to her.
"It's Veritaserum, a colorless, odorless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth."*
Slughorn's oversized belly juggled like a preseason Santa. "Very good, very good! Now," he pointed to the caldron closest to the Ravenclaw table, "this one here is pretty well known….Featured in a few Ministry leaflets lately too...Who can-?"*
Leo looked at the bubbling mud like substance in the second cauldron. He figured it could only be the shape shifting potion Barty Crouch Jr. had used during the Triwizard Tournament to impersonate Mad-Eye Moody. Before he could raise his hand to answer Slughorn was already acknowledging Hermione's raised hand.
"It's Polyjuice Potion, sir."*
"Excellent, excellent! Now, this one here…yes, my dear?"* He kept his eyes on Hermione as her hand shot up once more. Leo didn't even have the chance to look at the cauldron as it was closest to Hermione's table.
"It's Amortentia!"*
"It is indeed. It seems almost foolish to ask," his expression showed how impressed he was, "but I assume you know what it does?"*
"It's the most powerful love potion in the world!"*
"Quite right! You recognized it, I suppose, by its distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen?"
Hermione's voice bubbled with enthusiasm, "And the steam rising in characteristic spirals and it's supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and-" Her embarrassment stopped her from finishing the sentence.
"May I ask your name, my dear?"*
"Hermione Granger, sir."*
"Granger? Granger? Can you possibly be related to Hector Dagworth-Granger, who founded the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?"*
"No, I don't think so, sir. I'm Muggle-born, you see."*
Leo watched as Draco leaned toward Theo and whisper, "Yeah like she'd be related to someone famous like that. She's just a bushy haired know-it-all and there's no way he'll be impressed by her."
Theo played his part and sniggered, which didn't impact Slughorn at all. Instead his face lit up as if he had an epiphany. "Oho! 'One of my best friends is Muggle-born, and she's the best in our year!' I'm assuming this is the very friend of whom you spoke, Harry?"*
Harry nodded, "Yes, sir."*
"Well, well, take twenty well-earned points for Gryffindor, Miss Granger."*
Leo watched as Draco's face filled with shock and anger before he reined in his emotions. He looked over and noticed Hermione beam at Harry and whisper something to him. Ron seemed to whisper something back to her with an annoyed expression. Leo turned back to Draco and stage whispered, "Is something the matter? Don't tell me you're jealous because Slughorn is giving Granger attention but ignoring you and Nott because your fathers are convicted Death Eaters?" He tapped his lip and smiled, "Maybe the Prince of Slytherin has been dethroned. Hey Zabini, are you looking to take Draco's place? Maybe someone in your family won't have to poison someone to get your way."
Zabini and Draco both glared at Leo but Theo just completely ignored him, like he wasn't worth his time to respond. Leo knew it was because they didn't want anyone to guess the two of them were friends. Leo turned his attention back to the Professor who was once again lecturing, "Amortentia doesn't really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion in the room – oh yes," he nodded gravely at Draco and Theo who were smirking skeptically. "When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love….And now it is time for us to start work."*
"Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one,"* Ernie gleefully pointed at the potion in a small black cauldron on Slughorn's desk. The molten gold colored potion was dancing and splashing around in the cauldron with large drops leaping like gold colored dolphins in the ocean. However, not one particle of the potion spilled over the side of the cauldron.
"Oho," Slughorn pretended to have forgotten the potion but Leo was sure it was only for dramatic effect. He could tell their new potions professor was as much of an attention hound as his brother Draco. "Yes. That. Well, that one, ladies and gentlemen, is a most curious little potion called Felix Felicis. I take it," he turned to a gasping Hermione with a huge smile on his face, "that you know what Felix Felicis does, Miss Granger?"*
"It's liquid luck," Hermione bounced in her seat as she tried to contain her excitement. "It makes you lucky!"*
Her answer caused Draco to sit up straight and turn to give the Professor his undivided attention for the first time in the class. Leo could only guess what made Draco do that other than his need for luck to succeed in the mission the Dark Lord gave him. Slughorn continued, "Quite right, take another ten points for Gryffindor. Yes, it's a funny little potion, Felix Felicis. Desperately tricky to make, and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this has been, you will find that all your endeavors tend to succeed…at least until the effects wear off."*
"Why don't people drink it all the time, sir?"* Terry eagerly questioned.
"Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence," Slughorn explained. "Too much of a good thing, you know…highly toxic in large quantities. But taken sparingly, and very occasionally…"*
"Have you ever taken it, sir?"* Michael couldn't keep his interest out of his voice.
"Twice in my life," Slughorn smiled in remembrance. "Once when I was twenty-four, once when I was fifty-seven. Two tablespoonfuls taken with breakfast. Two perfect days." He dreamily stared off resembling Luna Lovegood for a bit before returning, "And that is what I shall be offering as a prize in this lesson."*
The silence that filled the room as everyone stared at Slughorn with wide eyes filled with desire. The bubbling of the potions in the room sounded much louder with the absence of any other sound. Once Slughorn was sure he had everyone's attention by looking around the room, he continued, "One tin bottle of Felix Felicis. Enough for twelve hours' luck. From dawn till dusk, you will be lucky in everything you attempt.*
"Now, I must give you a warning that Felix Felicis is a banned substance in organized competitions… sporting events, for instance, examinations, or elections. So the winner is to use it on an ordinary day only… and watch how that ordinary day becomes extraordinary!*
"So," he continued briskly, "how are you to win my fabulous prize? Well, by turning to page then of Advanced Potion-making. We have a little over an hour left to us, which should be time for you to make a decent attempt at the Draught of Living Death. I know it is more complex than anything you have attempted before, and I do not expect a perfect potion from anybody. The person who does best, however, will win little Felix here. Off you go!"*
A scraping sound filled the room as everyone moved their cauldrons toward them. Leo smirked as he looked at the directions in his book. He knew he wouldn't be able to make it perfectly without Snape's augmented directions, which he figured Snape hadn't shared with anyone, but he had the advantage of making the potion the year before. He looked at Draco once who was flipping through his potion book quickly. His desire for the prize was tangible and Leo had to look back down at his book before he popped off with some remark. Leo began the potion following the direction and chopped up his valerian roots quickly but remembered to crush the Sopophorous bean instead of trying to cut it. He looked up when Slughorn passed by their table.
Draco cleared his throat, "Sir, I think you knew my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy?"*
"Yes," Slughorn answered him without looking at him, "I was sorry to hear he had died, although of course it wasn't unexpected, dragon pox at his age…."* He quickly walked away. Leo watched as Draco's expression deflated.
Leo couldn't help but whisper, "I don't think he's that interested in Death Eaters, Draco."
He then went to crushing his Sopophorous bean with his silver knife. He scooped the juice into the cauldron and stirred it per the directions. Leo heard Harry suggest that Hermione add a clockwise stir and shrugged as he attempted the tip. He had noticed that Harry had too used the knife to crush his bean. He stirred counterclockwise seven times and added one clockwise stir. He gasped when his potion turned the palest shade of pink. However, he didn't continue to stir it because he didn't want to win. He stopped adding the clockwise stir and thus his potion remained pink.
Slughorn announced, "And time's … up! Stop stirring, please!"* He went around the room and looked at the potions. He would stir one here and there. He furrowed his brow as he looked at Leo's potion. He muttered, "It's almost clear. I don't think you stirred it enough."
He walked toward Harry's table and checked everyone else's potions before looking at Harry's an exclaiming, "The clear winner! Excellent, excellent, Harry! Good lord, it's clear you've inherited your mother's talent. She was a dab hand at Potions, Lily was! Here you are, then, here you are – one bottle of Felix Felicis, as promised, and use it well!"
Zabini, Draco, and Theo all looked furious as they watched Harry tuck the tiny bottle of golden liquid into his inner pocket. Leo walked up to Slughorn to ask him a question. "Professor Slughorn, I was wondering. Did anyone present a perfect Draught of Living Death before Harry?"
He refused to look at Leo as he mutter, "Ah yes."
Leo shook his head, "Professor, please look at me. I'm not a bloody Malfoy. I know I resemble them but I'm not connected to any of those horrible Death Eaters. I'm even a Gryffindor. I'm Leo Rosier." Slughorn looked up at him with surprise etched in his face. "Yes, I know I'm a spitting image of Lucius and Draco but that's not the point. I was wondering if Snape was the only other student to turn in a perfect Draught of Living Death?"
Slughorn nodded his head, "Yes, he was. He was always good at potions. I thought he'd do well but sadly he never achieved anything."
Leo shook his head, "I'm sure he's achieved a lot Professor. However, he just chooses not to share his findings." He turned and walked away. When he reached the Gryffindor tower he overheard Harry admit he only did so well on the potion because he followed the directions a previous student wrote in the book. Ginny seemed quite disturbed about it and Harry swore it wasn't like Tom Riddle's diary, which caused Leo to furrow his brow. He hadn't heard about that story and who the hell was Tom Riddle? Hermione snatched the book away from him and did a few spells. She then read something and muttered, "The Half-Blood Prince?" Harry grabbed the book back and ran upstairs to their dormitory with it.
A/N: Ah, Leo has a few more facts about Snape than the rest of them. Do you think it's possible that he'll figure it out? Of course since he has to work closely with Snape so that he can save Draco and spy, do you think he'd ever share that information with Harry?
* All dialog was taken from chapter nine of The Half-Blood Prince (2005) and thus belong to JK Rowling. Pages 177- 193 of my paperback copy respectively.