29. Victim of Your Own Creation
"This is a mess," Sirius said, his head in his hands.
"Wouldn't be if you'd just told her," Remus snarled.
"Can you guys just stop bickering for a minute?" James asked, exasperated. "This isn't a game, this isn't some stupid prank and Snape isn't bluffing. We need to figure out what to do!"
"We could kill him," Sirius said.
"If you haven't got anything useful to say then shut your face," Remus said.
"Can you guys stop arguing for a minute? You're giving me a headache!" Peter piped unexpectedly.
"That was the bell," James said, getting up and swinging his bag over his shoulder. "Potions, come on."
They trudged down to the dudgeons in angry silence where the class had already assembled outside the doors. Sirius tapped on Vienna's shoulder and she whipped around.
"Don't talk to me," she said. "Lily and me, we think we've worked it out. Someone put-"
"Veritaserum in your drink, yeah we guessed as much," he said under his breath. "And we know who did it too, now come on, we have to skive off and I'll explain everything."
Vi opened her mouth to answer when the door opened but Professor Slughorn ushered them all inside.
"Sorry," she whispered as she sat next to him. "You don't mind do you?" she asked quickly, glancing down. "I'll go sit with Lily."
"No!" he said, grabbing her wrist as she got up. Her brows knitted together.
"But isn't James your partner?"
"I'm sure he would love to work with Lily."
"I suppose," she said with half a smile.
"So about before-"
"Today we will be attempting a Asphyxiation Draft," Slughorn said in his booming voice. "We will be working in pairs. Now, this is a very volatile potion and will therefore require our full attention, does everyone understand?" There was a general murmuring of assent. "Ok then, off you go!"
Slughorn clapped his hands and made his way for Vienna and Sirius's table.
"Put a silencing charm on me quick!" Vienna said under her breath.
"Why?"
"Because he's going to talk to us about one of his parties, I know he is, and I'll be rude."
"So?"
"So, he knows people in the Auror office!"
"Fine!" he hissed, pointing his wand at her under the table. She stiffened slightly as the spell hit her, but relaxed when Sirius laced his fingers through hers.
"How are we doing over here Mr. Black, Miss Alden?"
"Fine, sir," Sirius said with a smile.
"Miss Alden, Professor, now what was it? We go through Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers like mad here."
"Professor Newhart sir," Sirius said helpfully.
"Ah, yes, professor Newhart was telling me what an aptitude you seem to have for the subject. She was telling me how you passed your last exam with full marks, utilizing defensive spells that aren't even taught until the second year of Auror training at the Ministry. That's where you're planning to go after school isn't it?"
Vi nodded, smiling.
"Oh, go on, there's no need for modesty Miss Alden!"
"She's not allowed to talk for the day. Madame Pomfry said, something to do with a concussion."
"Well that's unfortunate! I suppose you got that playing Quidditch. Your team has been doing fantastic I have to admit."
"We are doing rather good sir," Sirius said with a smile. "Regulus is just no match for James."
Professor Slughorn laughed. "I'm afraid you're right Sirius, especially after that beating you two gave him last match. Ah well, must go and check on the rest of the class, see how they're doing. Oh, and," he said, pulling two scrolls from his inside pocket. "I would be ever so pleased if you would attend my upcoming party. Just a small little get together of the rising stars of Hogwarts." He handed them both an envelope sealed with green wax. "Perhaps you could tell us your plans then Miss Alden, if you're feeling better of course," he said with a smile before turning towards the others.
Sirius flicked his wand once more and Vienna sucked in a deep breath. "Great. The next meeting of the Slug Club. I swear if I have to listen to Marcus Applebee ramble on about crossing a Venomous Tentacula with a Puffberry Pod for another hour, I will kill him. Figuratively."
"I know what you mean. The whole thing was rather pointless if you ask me. It wasn't even venomous anymore. What's the point?" Sirius asked, scattering beetles into the potion.
"What would have been cool would have been if he crossed a Venomous Tentacula with a Mandrake so you would get-"
"Annaliese Vance."
"That's horrible!" Vienna said giggling.
Then something caught Sirius's eye as Vi was busy pouring armadillo bile into the cauldron. Snape was staring at him, smiling his horrible little smile and waving an envelope. An envelope sealed with green wax. Sirius turned away quickly and opened the envelope.
Friday, this Friday, the Friday before term ended for winter break. That was when the party was. And Snape's message was clear.
He had four days until Vienna got her memories back.
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