AN: Hello it's Nym13 again, sorry it's been so long…(As if anyone misses me). This story is more of an experiment on my part. I decided I'll post a story on 14th, and I wanted to try writing in 3rd person, I think it's so wrong for me. Anyway, I also decided instead of a oneshot, I'll try make into a multi chap since it was already 15k long and I still have 8 more scenes to type. I don't think anyone would read a story that long. And if anyone is wondering I edited the cover for this story.
Dedication: I dedicate this story to guitar-godess16 whom I met through Dream Catcher and my unassigned reviews who reviewed Dream Catcher. Thank you guys!
Requested by: missbookish07 and maesde.
Must Read: AU. Harry has a normal life, no Voldemort. In this fic I also added my own, and please disregard other facts from the book as I set things to work for my fic. So yeah I know this doesn't follow HBP's timeline.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
XXX
Do you remember being young?
Do you remember not feeling love?
Do you remember seeing heartache with a child's eyes?
Do you remember telling yourself you won't be as foolish?
Do you remember making a list of your perfect love?
Do you remember specifying what he or she is like?
Do you remember setting up rules and guidelines of who to love?
Do you remember trying to look for him or her?
Do you remember being disappointed when there was none?
Do you remember telling yourself there is no perfect person?
Do you remember knowing it is true?
Do you remember being wrong about love?
XXX
-September 3, 1996-
"I'm telling you Harry, every year the Nimbus models get faster and faster!"
"Yeah, but Ron you know nothing ever beats a Firebolt."
"That's true, but have you ever thought how fast a Firebolt could become?"
"Reckon nothing can be faster than light, so if a Firebolt becomes as fast as the speed of light then…"
"Total chaos Harry! I'm telling you, Quidditch wouldn't be as exciting, imagine the players zooming around and we can't really see all the action…"
"It's not just for us audience, how about the players themselves, could they actually see anything if they're travelling that fast? Not to mention flying won't be as much fun-"
"Honestly you two!" A feminine voice broke the witty banter two English schoolboys were having. The three young pupils suddenly stopped in their tracks and the two boys; one with raven hair and the other with scarlet locks locked eyes with one another before turning to their brown haired female companion.
There was an annoyed scowl painted on her face, her loose curls seemed to be in a bushier state than ever as if mirroring what she was feeling inside. Her arms were crossed against her chest and clutched tightly her new potions textbook.
"Do you only ever use your heads to talk about Quidditch and brooms? Honestly, what could possibly be fascinating about brooms and their machinations? House elf slavery and unfair laws for magical creatures are problems that you two should think about instead. Now, we better hurry up or we're going to be late. We have a new potions professor remember?" Hermione Granger huffed in annoyance before picking up her paced and rolled her eyes at her best friends.
Now Harry knew about their new potions professor as his mum told him stories of him. He wasn't really sure if he'd get along with the new professor as well as his mother did. But he reckons anyone is better than professor Snape.
"Complete waste she says?" Ronald Weasley whispered to Harry Potter before speeding up towards their friend with a hint of mischief in his blue eyes. Harry Potter merely grinned while trailing behind his two best friends. He suspects they will have another one of their famous rows, since there isn't a day when there's none.
"The 'Brooms' topic is very stimulating." Harry overheard Ron say as he finally caught up with them and they continued to walk towards their classroom.
"How is it an interesting topic Ronald?" Hermione retorted back defiantly, her eye roll couldn't be missed by anyone.
"Well for one thing we are blokes and blokes love brooms. You're not a true wizard if you don't have a broom. Come on Hermione even muggles see witches as ridding brooms, more so than possessing wands…"Ron tried to reason out but Hermione kept her ground, it was clear no one was willing to back down.
"Muggles don't know about the magical world. They're bound to get a lot of things wrong."
"Back me up on this one Harry…" Harry looked startled; he honestly didn't know what to say…
"Oh, what can I say? Quidditch is a sport and it wouldn't be the same without brooms." Ron gave Harry a look that said 'Really mate, that's all you've got?' while Hermione merely laughed.
"See, Ron? I doubt the broom matters anyway; it all comes down to the player if he's any good."
"Excuse me? The broom matters. Any wizard knows that having the best broom is vital, right Harry?" Ron tugged at Harry his ears were slowly turning pink.
"Most definitely! I mean the length matters, its better if one's broom is longer, harder, faster…" Harry insisted suddenly feeling passionate about defending the importance of brooms in his favorite sport.
"I can see it now. You lot would be spending hours into the night trading stories on what's the best broom and who's got it? A truly stimulating topic indeed." Hermione sarcastically replied whilst trying to hold another laugh. Ron was fuming beside Harry by now. He truly did hate it when Hermione made fun of him or Quidditch; sometimes he just hates her insults.
"Oh, not only that, we also trade stories on how to correctly polish one's broom, if you know what I mean. Of course, it almost takes forever if you have such a long and hard broom, doesn't it Harry?"
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione exclaimed completely aghast and blushing profusely. Harry was completely dumbfounded by Hermione's reaction. There wasn't anything wrong with what Ron said. It truly does take forever to polish a broom that's long and sometimes his hands would hurt while polishing a hard broom.
"And if we get really naughty we talk about how many girls have ridden our brooms, or girls we imagine ridding our brooms…" Ron taunted and Harry finally realized why Hermione was suddenly embarrassed he almost laughed at his denseness.
"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Hermione huffed angrily. Harry thought that if he looked closely enough he could see the swirls of soft steam coming out of Hermione's ears, definitely not a good sign. Ron wasn't looking cool as well.
"Don't worry 'Mione…" Harry enclosed Hermione in a one arm hugged as the friends continued their heated walk towards their classroom. Ron and Hermione we're still heavily glaring at one another with Harry between them. Harry sighed, sometimes their fighting was amusing but mostly it was troublesome.
"You know we mostly talk about the girls we imagine ridding our brooms, not so much as who's ridden it…" Harry told Hermione to placate her anger. Hermione looked away from glaring at Ron and instead sought Harry's eyes. Harry could see a hint of annoyance lingering within them, but also the willingness to make light of the scene and not cause more fuss than necessary.
"I know. I can't imagine anyone possibly wanting to ride your brooms."
"Hey!" It was apparent that Ron wanted to start the fight again but Harry noticed that they were already near their classroom.
"We're here…" Harry announced and effectively stopped the fight before it had begun. They stepped inside the classroom and noticed only a few were present. The three friends took their seats at the empty stools with Harry still in the middle as the tension between Ron and Hermione was still lingered. Harry noticed that Ron was now trying to talk to Seamus about the Quidditch try-outs this afternoon while a scowl was painted on Hermione's face; he leaned down and whispered to her ear…
"See, brooms as a topic isn't as boring as you thought. It worked you up…" Hermione glanced at Harry and raised her eyebrow at him almost challengingly.
"How does that prove anything?"
"We know you only get excited about worthwhile things." Harry told Hermione giving her a wink and Hermione let out a small laughed before shaking her head in amusement.
Just then a stout old man with a thinning white hairline and a funny beard and wearing brown robes with gold buttons strode inside their classroom carrying a red rose with him. He finally settled in front the classroom and greeted his student with a jolly smile.
"Good morning class, as you may know I'm your new potions professor. I'm Professor Horace Slughorn. I'm replacing professor Snape as he is now teaching Defense. I will only be teaching this year as a favor for Dumbledore until they can find you lot a new teacher. Now, I may be new to you but I have had taught this class before, I believe my teaching skills isn't rusty yet. By the way, congratulations on passing your tests and getting in this NEWT-potions class. Alright, everybody off their chairs and please come closer…"Professor Slughorn instructed his class and the dragging of chairs and heavy sighs of complaints slowly started.
"Alright, I need a volunteer?" The professor barely finished his sentence when Hermione raised her hand, but no one else dared followed suit.
"Good dear, step in front please." Professor Slughorn took out a small cauldron and sat it on top the table, and slowly opened the lid…
"What's your name child?"
"Hermione Granger, professor." Some of the students had slowly stepped closer towards the cauldron as swirling shapes of translucent steam with a wonderful aroma was spreading inside the room and entrancing them to it.
"Miss Granger, would you mind smelling the contents of this potion and tell the class what you smell?"
"Not at all professor…" Hermione said as she leant in closer and took a sniff of the cauldron.
"I smell old books, ink and new parchment, freshly mown grass, and…is this Amortentia professor?"
"Well, that was supposed to be my next question, but well done child. Ten points to Gryffindor, I suppose you'd know what Amortentia is?"
"Yes, I do professor. It is a potion that smells different to each person as its scent corresponds to what a person is attracted to the most. It is the most powerful love potion known to the Wizarding World. So powerful in fact that it is illegal."
"Very good Miss Granger, another ten points to Gryffindor. You may now return to your place. Take a seat everyone." Hermione returned to her chair with a proud grin on her face.
"Now, you all know that Amortentia is illegal. Love is such a powerful and pure thing. It should not be trampled on or be messed with, hence is the reason why Amortentia is so dangerous since it is not real love, it just creates strong infatuation even obsession. There is another potion and spell that is illegal, it is a ritual. It is just almost a hundred and fifty years now since it has been illegal. It is a ritual that involves a rose…" Professor Slughorn told the class as he took the lone rose lying on his table and touched its red petals delicately.
"Truly, nothing is more beautiful than an English rose. Can anyone tell me what this ritual is?" He looked at the class intently everyone had a confused look on their faces, except for one…
Hermione Granger's hand was once again raised high up in the air.
"Yes Miss Granger!"
"Professor, is it the Rosarium Ritual?"
"Very good, fifteen points for Gryffindor." Professor Slughorn approached Hermione with a smile and gave her the red rose. Ron leaned in and whispered to Harry…
"Do you think the professor fancies Hermione?" Ron told Harry jokingly and the two boys laughed silently in their seats but stopped when Hermione glared at the both of them.
"He's a little old, don't you think?" Harry whispered back before trying to look like the epitome of seriousness when they noticed professor Slughorn clearing his throat as if to speak.
"Now everyone, since it's almost the three hundredth anniversary since the creation of it, and hundred and fifty since it has been pronounced as illegal, I have asked Dumbledore's permission if I can teach the young generation of today about this almost forgotten ritual; the Perfectus Femina or better known as the Rosarium Ritual. Now, one of you would be selected to participate in this ritual; that is if he passes the test." Hermione raised her hand and the professor turned to answer her once more.
"Professor, don't you think it would be dangerous? It is after all illegal for a reason. Surely you've considered the repercussions for this ritual should the selected student not be able to cope. Some of us aren't even of age yet and based on History, older men haven't survived the after effects of this ritual."
"I'm glad some of you studies in advance. Yes Miss Granger, we have considered those factors. But the Headmaster has agreed that it is a good idea too so that you will know why such things are indeed prohibited. The person that will be chosen shall undergo a technical test to measure his ability then an emotional test to see if he can handle it. You are all well aware of the sorting hat's ability to peek inside a person's mind. The sorting hat will asses if the boy is ready. Now, none of you may even qualify, but if there is one it is up to the prerogative of that student if he wants to try the ritual. Creating the Perfectus Femina after all is not easy…"
A hand shot up in the air. Its owner was a pretty blonde haired girl sitting at the corner with a flowery pink headband.
"Yes, your name child?" Slughorn asked the girl…
"Lavender Brown, professor. I was wondering why you kept using the word 'he', aren't girls allowed to participate in this ritual?"
"Good question Miss Brown. I'm afraid this ritual is exclusive for males only. Perfectus Femina in Latin literally means the perfect female; in this ritual a man can create the girl of his dreams. More on this later as the first test begins today! All boys on one side please, the girls on the other. Now, everybody will be brewing a potion; a dangerous potion the Draught of Living Death and I will be grading each one, but this will serve as technical test for the boys. Everyone turn to page…" But the professor's instructions were interrupted by someone raising his hand.
"Your name boy?" Professor Slughorn asked.
"Harry Potter, professor. You see-"
"Oh, you're Lily and James's boy. How are your parents Harry?"
"They're well professor, but I haven't got a book. I sort of left it…"
"Oh don't worry. I'm sure there are some old books here, go check in the cupboards." Harry did as the professor instructed. He found one old textbook. The binding was loose and the pages were yellowed and quite dusty. Harry frowned in distaste but, it's his fault anyway for forgetting his book. He went back to his table carrying the aged book with him.
"Bloody Hell mate, that's one ancient book." Ron whispered. Harry merely nodded his head.
"I just hope all the pages are intact."
As Professor Slughorn wrote the instructions on the board, Harry flipped the book open. He noticed these words inscribed on the first page; 'property of the Half-Blood Prince'.
XXX
So, I'll give you guys an option; I'll post this story again as a oneshot when I'm done or would I continue on making this as a multi chap?
Like I said, more reviews and alerts would make me happy. I'm done with 6 chapters of this if this is going to be a multi chap and if you want me to update fast you better review. LOL. This is an experiment to see if I'll have readers if I decide to write my multi-chap in the future.
Notice: There won't be a third part of Nemo, it didn't reach 20, sorry maesde, and all my readers. On the bright side I'll be accepting requests even challenges as long as I can feel it.
REVIEW…it may just save my life.