Felix Felicis

Harry was waiting in the Surbiton Station. He'd recieved a message from Dumbledore that he needed him for something. What? Harry didn't know. The thing he did knew was that the old man was late.

So here Harry was, standing on an almost deserted railwaystation not knowing what he was supposed to do. Harry heard the opening of the dinner door. "Hello. What yah doooing?" A waitress asked him. A hint of mischief in her eyes.

Harry smiled towards her and said, "Nothing, just waiting for someone." Harry wasn't really intrested in a chat but the waitress seemed to have other plans.

"Your girlfriend?" She asked, giving him a look of innocence while leaning on the wall. But there was nothing innocent about it, Harry knew that for sure.

Harry almost broke out in laughter at that. "No, I don't have one actually." Harry said matter of factly, hoping she would just stop speaking to him, she smelt kinda bad.

"Oh, too bad." She said with a pout, moving her hands toward her shirt opening one of the buttons. Harry stared at her in disbelief. Well, this was certainly new.

"Eleven that's when I get off." She said, biting her lip and walking back into the dinner.

Harry stared at the same spot she just stood, blushing and not believing that had actually happend. 'Was she just flirting with ME?' Harry was shocked, startled, aghast and a bit scared too.

He wanted to run as far away as possible from the girl. Harry didn't even know her! When he looked around, deciding he should just walk away from the dinner, he finally saw an old looking man in robes with a long white beard, looking at a make-up ad.

Harry walked slowly towards the man, looking around to see if the crazy girl had followed him.

"I once knew a Muggle girl from Liverpool with hair like spun silk. No light could resist it." Dumbledore said, looking pointedly at Harry.

"What?" Harry asked, confused his professor would say something like this. When he turned and looked to the dinner however Harry immediately knew what he was referring to.

"What?! No, no no no! I don't even know her!" Harry tried to exlpain hastily. It was just, after Hermione's explanation Harry had also noticed he was very picky. Every girl he thought was interesting in 'that' way he found he would lose interest in them rather quickly. It where mostly little things, he eventually didn't like how they talked, smelled, acted, looked, wrote (yes even that!). Or they were just boring.

It frustrated him, how he could be so critical. Maybe it had something to do with being a vampire? Or he would only make exceptions for his mate, who knew?!

Probably Hermione.

Dumbledore quirked an eyebrow but let it go. "Take my arm," Dumbledore said, extending it. Harry was looking at the arm, noticing Dumbledore's smirk and not trusting it.

When he heard the door of the dinner close and turned around to see the waitress coming out, however, he didn't hesitate before clamping himself on the outstretched arm.

"Ah yes. Introductions. Harry, this is an old friend and colleague of mine, Horace Slughorn. Horace, this is, well, you know who this is." Dumbledore said gesturing to Harry while looking at Slughorn.

"Harry Potter," Slughorn said, smiling at him. Harry was still a bit confused by why Dumbledore had brought Harry here. He was looking around, seeing a well-lit room with a big, worn out armchair, a dirty floor, a broken lamp, and stacks of books all over the place.

"I never stay anywhere more than a week. The Muggles who own this place are in the Canary Islands." Slughorn tried to explain, noticing Harry was looking at the big mess.

"Well, I think it should be put back in order for them, don't you? You Yetis always make a mess out of everything." Dumbledore said fondly and waved his wand, putting everything back where it belonged to show a bright and spotless living room. "That was fun. May I use the loo?" Dumbledore smiled and went to find the toilet, leaving Harry with Slughorn.

"Don't think I don't know why you're here, Albus! The answer is still no! Absolutely, unequivocally no!" Slughorn shouted after him, but Dumbledore didn't respond.

Slughorn glanced at Harry with a smile. The silence was palpable and awkward, Harry didn't know what to do in these type of situations and was feeling more nervous by the second.

'I wish Hermione was here.'

Then Slughorn began to speak; "You look very like your father. Except for your eyes. You've got-

"My mother's eyes, yeah." Harry interrupted him, he'd get those comparisons a lot and was kinda tired of it.

Slughorn smiled softly. "Lily. Lovely Lily. She was exceedingly bright, your mother. Even more impressive when one considers she was Muggle-born." He said brightly.

"One of my best friends is Muggle-born. She's the best in our year-" Harry snapped.

"Oh, but you mustn't think I'm prejudiced! No, no, no! Your mother was one of my absolute favorites! Look, there she is. Right up front." Slughorn said pointing at a dresser, crowded with photographs.

"All mine, each and every one. Ex-students, I mean. You recognize Barnabas Cuffe, of course, editor of the Daily Prophet. Always takes my owl should I want to register my opinion on the news of the day. And there's Ambrosius Flume of Honeydukes. Sends a hamper of chocolate to the house each birthday. That is, when I had a house. And Gwenog Jones, captain of the Holyhead Harpies, free tickets whenever I want them. Of course, I haven't been to a match in some time..." Slughorn trailed off.

Harry watched all of the pictures noticing one who resembles Sirius. "Ah yes. Regulus Black. You no doubt know of his older brother Sirius. He escaped Azkaban. I taught the whole Black family except Sirius. Shame. Talented boy. I got Regulus when he came along, of course, but I'd have liked the set."

That's when Dumbledore appeared again, together with a magazine in his hands.

"Mind if I take this? I do love knitting patterns." Dumbledore asked, admiring the magazine and smiling at it.

"Of course. But you're not leaving, are you?" Slughorn asked sounding a bit alarmed.

"I think I know a lost cause when I see one. Regrettable. I would have considered it a personal triumph had you consented to return to Hogwarts, Horace. You are, like my friend Mr. Potter, one of a kind. Bye, bye Horace." Dumbledore said and made his way outside, Harry following him with a frown.

Harry heard Dumbledore humming placidly as they made their way down the walk. Seconds later, the front door swang open.

"All right! I'll do it. But I'll be wanting Professor Merrythought's old office, not that water closet I had formerly. And I expect a raise! These are mad times we live in! Mad!" Slughorn shouted after them, making Harry and Dumbledore turn around.

"They are indeed." Dumbledore said to Harry.

"Sir, exactly what was all of that about?" Harry asked Dumbledore.

"You are talented, famous and powerful, everything Horace values. Professor Slughorn is going to try to collect you, Harry. You would be his crowning jewel. That is why he is returning to Hogwarts. And it is crucial he should return." Dumbledore explained.

"I fear I may have stolen a wondrous night from you, Harry. She was, truthfully, very pretty. The girl." Dumbledore said staring at the moon.

"Sir, I wasn't intrested in her! But it's alright, I'll go back tomorrow, make some excuse." Harry shrugged.

"You'll not be going back to Little Whinging tonight, Harry," Dumbledore said, shaking his head. Making Harry frown again.

"But, sir. What about Hedwig? And there's my trunk-

"Both are waiting for you." Dumbledore said, extending his arm again. Curious, Harry reached out.

"But why didn't you tell us you were coming?" Molly asked, giving Harry a bone crushing hug.

"Didn't know." Harry said when she let him go and giving a shrug. "Dumbledore."

"That man. But then, what would we do without him?" Molly said.

When Harry looked over at his best friends he saw Ron attemting to touch Hermione but she retracted away.

"You've a bit of…" He said embaressed, gesturing to a bit of toothpaste on Hermione's chin.

She quickly wiped it off, and laughed nervously.

Draco's p.o.v

The whole vacation Draco had just spent in his room, crying, eating and playing sad songs. He was heartbroken. He was straight out told by his huge crush to stay away from him because he was making him depressed. His mother was obviously worried about him, asking him every day to come out and go do something with her but he always refused.

Only a few more days before the next school year began, and Draco was actually quite relieved, wanting to get out of his room and man up. So when his mother asked him for his help with some cabinet he accepted and went with her to Diagon Alley.

"It's an amazing peace of art, I tell you my boy. It's made by the best carvest in the world and I just need to have it!" His mother told him enthousiastic while holding his arm as they moved their way past Ollivanders and into a dark street. Draco felt guilty, here she was trying to lighten up the mood while he was just being a gloomy peace of shit.

"Yes mother you told me all about it, but why did I have to go with you?" Draco said, his voice hoarse from all the crying. They turned another corner of the dark street, and Draco got the feeling they were being followed, but was to emotionely tired to care.

"Because we need to make sure it will fit with the rest of the furniture and I know you've got a good eye for those things." His mother answered proudly. Draco knew she'd just brought him with her to take him out of the house. She probably knew what was going on and Draco was grateful that she didn't say anything about it as he followed her into the shop.

"Narcissa! Good to see you, and I see you brought your pup in here too." A hairy looking man said as he moved towards them from behind the counter.

"Fenrir, good to see you too. Draco, Frenrir Greyback. Frenrir, Draco." Narcissa introduced them. Draco gave the man a firm handshake.

"You're coming for the cabinet, right?" Greyback said, looking over to Narcissa.

"Yes, indeed. You know me well." She smiled.

"Follow me." He said working his way towards the back. When they were finally eye to eye with the cabinet his mother let out a gasp and a tiny shriek form excitment. And Draco needed to agree, it was a beautiful cabinet. It was a triangle one with beautiful incraves of a pack of wolves running in the forest with a big full moon. When Narcissa was talking to Greyback about the costs, Draco heard something on the rooftop of the building next to them. He turned towards the window and noticed a quick movement that could've been easily missed.

Draco frowned.

Harry's p.o.v

It was truly hilarious seeing the teeming mass of students fight their way to class on first day of term. And in the midst of it all was professor Mcgonagall, standing tall and stern while yelling at all of them.

"History of the supernatural is up ladies, not down. Mr. Davies, that's the girl's toilet..." Mcgonagall yelled at them.

Ron and Harry couldn't help but laugh at it all, luckily fort hem they hadn't got first period and where standing on a banch.

Mcgonagalls' eyes shifted and sadly enough, found Harry and Ron clearly deriving immense pleasure from the chaos. And was ready to take it away from them.

"Potter!" She yelled, and Harry immediatly stopped laughing and walked towards her as she beckoned her finger.

"This can't be good." Harry said seeing the smile on Mcgonagalls' face.

"Enjoying ourself, are we?" She asked rhetorically.

"Well, you see, I've got an open period this morning, Professor." Harry tried to explain, not wanting to anger one of his favorite professors.

"So I noticed. I would think you'd want to fill it with Potions. Or is it no longer your ambition to become an Auror?" She asked.

"It is. Or was. But I was told I had to get an Outstanding in my O.W.L." Harry said, not understanding.

"And so you did when Professor Snape was teaching Potions. However, Professor Slughorn is perfectly happy to accept N.E.W.T. students with 'Exceeds Expectations'." Mcgonagall explained, making Harry overjoyed and at the same time dreadful. He didn't want another year potions.

"Really? Well... brilliant. I'll head there straight away." Harry said, a bit startled as he walked back towards Ron to tell him the news. "Good. And take Weasley with you. He looks far too happy over there." Mcgonagall ordered while smiling.

Draco's & Harry's p.o.v

Draco looked over at the cauldrons. He was so happy Potter wasn't in this class, potions was Draco's favorite and he didn't want to be on high alert as to not disturb Potter the whole lesson. Like he did in all others.

That's when he heard the door open.

'Jesus Ron, just get in here!' Harry thought to himself as he dragged Ron inside, who was whining about not wanting potions.

When they were inside, Harry saw every person in the room look at them. He saw Hermione's frown, Lavender beaming face and saw Malfoy looking shocked. Before Harry could put a scowl on though, Slughorn started to talk; "Harry m'boy! I was beginning to worry! And I see we've brought someone with us I see."

"Ron Weasley, sir. But I'm dead awful at Potions, a menace actually, so I probably should just be going-

Harry immediatly gripped Rons' robes not letting him go. If he was going to endure a whole year of potions than so was Ron.

"Nonsense, we'll sort you out. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Right then, books out." Slughorn said and turned around.

"Um, sorry, sir, but I haven't got my book yet, nor's Ron." Harry interrupted him.

"Not to worry. You can get what you need from the cupboard." Slughorn said and pointed at it.

'No, no, no, NO! The one subject I don't want him in AND here he is! Can't I have one thing in this life!' Draco thought to himself while Slughorn resumed and gestured to the cauldrons bubbling before them.

"Now, as I was saying, I've prepared a few concoctions this morning. Any ideas what these might be? Yes, Miss...?" Slughorn asked. Draco didn't even need to pay attention to who had raised there hand. He did though, he wouldn't let Potter ruin his favorite subject.

"Granger, sir." Granger said and walked towards the cauldorns pointing at one."That one there is Veritaserum. And that would be Polyjuice Potion. And that"

Granger went on, but Draco's eyes shifted towards the cupboard where Weasley and Potter where fighting over a book, making Draco raise an eyebrow while trying not to laugh. It looked like Weasley had won, to Draco's dismay and he found himself back towards the cauldrons.

"…And this Amortentia. The most powerful love potion in the world." Granger said looking pointly at the cauldron. "It's rumored to smell differently to each person, according to what attracts them. For example, I smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and spearmint toothpaste-"

Granger blushed and stopped herself while frowning.

Draco took a whiff, almost growing hard right on the spot. Of course the main thing Draco smelled was Potter. Draco couldn't help but sneak a glance at Potter but immediately turned back towards the cauldron. He couldn't help but be curious as to what Potter was smelling. While immediately stumping down the suggestion that it could possible be him.

"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love, of course. That's impossible. But it does cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. For that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." Slughorn said, seeing some dreamy faces leaning into the vapors and put the cover back on the cauldron.

Harry settled into his seat with a soiled, old textbook and looking at it grumpily. He wasn't really paying attention like he should, he was just so disappointed with the book.

"Sir, you haven't told us what's inside that one." Katie Bell asked, and Harry found his attention towards a small tiny vial with some golden liquid in it.

"Ah yes...What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen is a curious little potion known as Felix Felicis. But it is more commonly referred to as-

"Liquid luck." Hermione cut him off. Harry noticed everyone perking up, even Malfoy.

"Yes, Miss Granger. Desperately tricky to make especially since it's one that needs magic. Disastrous should you get it wrong. But brewed correctly, as this has been, it has remarkable powers. One sip and you will find that all your endeavors succeed... at least until the effects wear off." Slughorn explained.

"But then why don't people drink it all the time?" Katie asked.

"Because taken in excess it causes giddiness, recklessness and dangerous overconfidence."

"Have you ever taken it, sir?" Asked Zabini.

"Twice. Once when I was twenty-four. Once when I was fifty-seven. Had two tablespoons taken at breakfast. Two perfect days..." Slughorn drifted off but shook himself out of it.

"So. This is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vial of liquid luck... to the students who, in the hour that remains, manage to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death, the recipe for which can be found on page ten of your textbook." Slughorn said noticing the excitement of the class and smiling knowingly.

"Well then, lets separate the class into pairs! " Slughorn said and looked over on his desk for the list he already prepared for this, not noticing many faces had transformed to alarmed. Since the class was a mix up with Gryffindors and Slytherins.

Slughorn didn't seem to care and started naming people.
"Mrs Granger and mrs Brown, mr Zabini and mrs Parkinson, mr Weasley and mrs Bell…" And so on, the only thing Draco and Harry where thinking however was.

'Please don't let it be him!'

"And for the last pairing, mr Potter and mr Malfoy. I should point out however that in all the years of my previous tenure at Hogwarts, only once did a student brew a potion of sufficient quality to claim this prize. Nevertheless, good luck to you all." Slughorn said and walked back to his desk.

Harry couldn't help but hate Slughorn for this. They were the only pair who were from different houses! Couldn't he just pick someone else?! No of course not, because Malfoy always needs to wreck everything! He breathed in for a moment and let it out. He opened his book seeing tight scribblings of a previous owner. Harry closed his eyes willing to stay calm. This was not his day.

'SHIT. This was not supposed to happen.' Draco thought to himself as he stood next to Potter who was scowling at him. 'Just try not to upset him more than he already is.'

"Ehm, you grab the asphodel I the wormwood?" Draco asked timidly, shocking himself and Potter too.

"Sure." Harry said, frowning at Malfoy's change of tone. It almost seemed genuine but Harry knew he shouldn't be fooled by that, it was probably just a trick. Malfoy was up to something Harry knew for sure. When he was in Ollivanders with Ron and Hermione wanting to sharpen her roncone, he saw them looking very suspicious and followed them with Ron and Hermione. Hermione suggested they were just shopping, but Harry knew better. So he sneaked in Malfoy's compartment on the train, yes he didn't do anything suspicious but Harry just felt it in his gut that he needed to keep an eye on Malfoy.

When they were both busy adding ingredients and stirring they were almost ignoring each other. Until it came to the twelve Sopophorous beans. The book said you were supposed to cut them but Draco saw many people struggle with it.

But the book said it needed to be done like that, so Draco took a silver dagger from his desk and made an attempt at cutting it, trying not to stare at Potters' handsome thinking face while doing it.

Harry looked at the scrabbles and then at the other students who's beans where flying all directions, Ron's bean even bounced off Katie's head, even Malfoy was having problems. So he supposed crushing was a good tactic.

That's when he smelled it, never had he ever smelt something so delicious it nearly made Harry fall down on the ground. He recognized the metallic smell, but never this rich, never this much, never this…good.

"Ouch!" Draco silently cursed seeing the blood slowly gushing out of his finger. "Stupid beans." He said, taking the wounded finger in his mouth, not noticing Potters' eyes were fixed on the display.

Swallowing, Harry shook himself out of it. And tried distracting himself by crushing the bean in front of him. Seeing the red juice coming out of it he instantly put it into the cauldron. He closed his eyes breathing in and out trying not to look at Malfoy's' finger.

"How did you do that? Hermione asked baffled. On this Draco's eyes shot towards them.

"Crush it. Don't cut it." Potter told her. Draco looked back at the bean and found himself asking, 'Now how didn't I think of that?'

"No. The instructions specifically say to cut." Granger being horrified of the idea of not following the book.

"No. Really." Potter said, smiling one of his beautiful smiles at her. Draco looked back down, he couldn't help but be jealous. He took the dagger and crushed the bean, putting it in the cauldron. Making Grangers' eyes go wide.

When they'd put all the beans in the cauldron Draco stopped Harry before he added another.

"What're you doing, the book says we only need twelve?" Draco asked, looking curiously at Potter.

"Um, I, I just supposed…" Potter began, but when Draco thought about the idea a little longer he found out that thirteen was indeed better.

"Wait, if we add another one that would mean that the potion gets a better resistance from turning into clog and will work more efficiently." Draco thought out loud, as he let go of Potters' hand and letting him throw the juice in it.

Harry began stirring as Malfoy was watching him, it's the last step and if it worked it meant they won a vial of liquid luck.

When the time was up and Slughorn was walking towards them, Harry couldn't help but stir one extra time clockwise instead of anti-clockwise, he just hoped the notes were true.

"Potter what are you doing?!" Malfoy silently cursed, before Slughorn stood before them.

Slughorn stared in disbelief at Harry's and Draco's potion.

"Merlin's Beard! But it's perfect. So perfect I daresay one sip would kill us all! Your mother was a dab hand at potions, but this... My, my, what can't you do, m'boy?" Slughorn said enthusiastic, obviously ignoring Malfoy. It was strange but Harry actually wanted to step up for him, they did the work together after all. And it surprised Harry that Malfoy did no such thing either.

'No don't let yourself get mislead by this!' Harry told himself, standing straight.

"Here you are then, as promised. One bottle of Felix Felicis. Use it well." Slughorn said giving the potion to them. Both Harry and Draco frowned.

"But sir, there's two of us," Harry said.

"Oh, you'll just need to sort that out together," Slughorn said while walking away.

'Fuck, I could really use this. But no way Malfoy's going to give it to me.' Harry thought to himself, while Draco was deep in thoughts himself.

'Maybe if I take the potion… I can ask Potter out. He'll need to say yes…" Draco thought smiling at himself, but when he looked at Potter, who was staring hopelessly at the tiny vial. 'He does have very bad luck.' Draco thought thinking back to all those things Potter had yelled at him, about what he had endured. Draco gave himself a small pity smile. 'And I suppose… it doesn't matter if I ask him, after the effect wears off he wouldn't want to be with me anyways.'

Malfoy picked up the vial that was placed on the desk.

'Here it comes, the endless debate about who deserves it more.' Harry thought bitterly, he was surprised however when Malfoy pushed it into his hand. Turning back around and packing his stuff.

"Wait, what? Don't you want this?" Harry asked, finding it very strange.

"I don't need it, besides Potter, it wouldn't be fair if I got the vial seeing you've done the most work," Malfoy said, not turning around before dashing out of the classroom, following Parkinson and Zabini.

Harry frowned. 'Maybe…he isn't that bad.'

Hello :)

The longest chapter of this whole story till now! Hope you liked the chapter.

Sadly (for you), I need to inform you guys that next week (maybe the week after that also, depends on how tired I am) I won't be able to update. I'll be going on vacation. :(

Thanks for favoriting/following/reading this story.

And thank you g02sleep for your comment!