The light was beginning to shine somewhat through the water and through Jason's window. He finally decides to get up from bed and go to class. He only got up that morning to get his N.E.W.T level classes approved by Professor McGonagall and then he headed straight back to his dorm to sleep. He checks the grandfather clock across the room for the time. The arms adorned with snakes slither towards 11am.

He missed his Muggle Studies class. It was his 2nd period class and luckily he had a free period for his 1st. He was only taking it for the free credit anyways so he wasn't missing much, plus he's muggle-born so he knows more than the professor in that class could possibly ever know. The first days are never important for electives anyways.

However he would be damned if he was about to miss potions. That was his next class. Mondays it was a double period so that only made things even better! Maybe having Professor Snape teach them some more advanced potions would distract him from his horrible meeting with Harry Potter yesterday. He also hoped to ask if he could trade his horribly raggedy, scribbled-on Advanced Potion Making textbook for some other less used one.

Jason decided he had enough time to take a shower before heading to Potions Class. As he took off his clothes he looked at a dark burgundy-black stain on his sleeve and remembered that he had dried blood from bumping into Harry yesterday on his robes. If he was a crazier person he would probably never wash that robe again, but he decided that was too much effort. He only had so many robes...

After he finished his shower he got dressed and headed to potions class. As he walked there he took a closer look at his potions book. Jason's face filled with disgust.

It was more horrible than he remembered. He had the optimism that maybe the commentary from the previous owner on how to make potions would stop eventually but it continued all the way through to the last page, which had Property of the Half-Blood Prince written on it. Jason thought the name was very creepy. All the more reason to give it to Professor Snape.

Finally Jason arrived to class a few minutes before 2nd period ended. He entered and made his way to his usual seat. He took a look around the room. There was no sign of anyone being in there. He noticed there was a table set up in the front of the classroom that had cauldrons filled with what he assumed were potions. He recognized one of them as Amortentia, however only by the mother-of-pearl sheen and characteristic steam spirals rising from it. It's supposed to emit seductive smells unique to each person but for some reason Jason can't seem to smell a thing. Well other than what he assumed was Polyjuice Potion next to it. It smelled disgusting.

As he was taking a closer look at the cauldrons he heard Professor Snape fumbling under his desk. He was probably looking for something.

"Professor Snape?" Jason asked. The Professor got up from under his desk, only it wasn't Snape. It was a balding, heavyset man dressed in attire a butler would wear. Jason was caught off guard by this surprise and almost knocked over one of the cauldrons filled with potion.

"Oh dear me, m'boy did I startle you?" he asked as he went over to check if Jason was alright.

"No...No..., I'm fine," Jason assured him, clutching his heart. "Though I am wondering where Professor Snape is. Is he unavailable today?" he asked.

"American accent eh? Wasn't expecting that...Were you not at the feast yesterday?" the man asked. Jason shook his head. First the man introduced himself as Professor Slughorn and then continued on explaining that he would be taking over Potions Class from Professor Snape, who is now the Defense against the Dark Arts Professor. As he finished explaining the bell rang that signaled for everyone to go to 3rd Period.

"Ahh there's the bell. I was wondering if my hearing had gone south since you were already here. How did you get here so early? A free period before this one I suppose...?" Slughorn asked suspiciously.

"Oh, yeah, that's correct," Jason lied. He didn't want to be known for skipping by this new Potions Master. Jason was a little disappointed that Professor Snape was off teaching Defense against the Dark Arts now but maybe Slughorn will be even better. Plus this is a chance at a fresh start. One thing he didn't like about Professor Snape was how he absolutely loved to pick on Harry. Though he almost hoped Harry didn't qualify for potions this year...

"Well since you're here so early why not help me find what I was looking for," suggested Professor Slughorn, "I seem to have forgotten where I placed the last potion I was going to be showing today. It's contained in a small vial, filled with a potion that resembles liquid gold—"

"Felix Felicis? We're going to be learning how to make Felix Felicis!?" Jason exclaimed. Slughorn looked impressed.

"We'll see," he said with a smile, "Why don't you start in that cupboard over across the room, I might have left it over there when I was unpacking." Jason nodded and went over to look as Slughorn arranged the potions already on the table. When he opened the cupboard he immediately saw the Felix Felicis inside of a vial case. It looked so enchanting, and rightfully so since it's supposed to grant the drinker extreme luck.

As he reached out to grab it he noticed that on the shelf under the vial case there were two copies of Advanced Potion Making. He turned around to check and see if Slughorn was looking and then opened one of them.

Jason couldn't believe it! It was by no means in mint condition but it was loads better than the raggedy mess he ended up with. Jason quickly went to his table to switch out his copy with the one in the cupboard and returned to Slughorn with the Felix Felicis. Was it possible that just being in the presence of the liquid luck grants good fortune?

"Here it is sir," Jason said, handing the small teardrop-shaped vial to Slughorn. "You were right sir, it was in the cupboard."

"Ahh yes right on time! Thank you m'boy!" Slughorn looked at Jason's uniform to see what house he was in and granted Slytherin 5 points. Jason truly felt like today was his lucky day! As he returned back to his seat with his slightly used, new potions textbook he really felt like this class was going to be a good one.

Students began to arrive now and Jason observed his classmates that would be joining him in potions this year. He saw his Slytherin colleagues enter, including Malfoy. As he walked in Draco scowled at Jason. All the Slytherins ignored him and grabbed a table far from him. He didn't care, he was used to being ignored by them, even though he just earned them 5 points.

Not long after walked in some members of the Ravenclaw house. They all went over to sit at another table together and didn't pay Jason any attention other than notice he was sitting away from the other Slytherins. Then there was Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff. Jason didn't particularly know him other than being rather pompous and that he was a member of Dumbledore's Army last year.

Next entered Hermione Granger. It almost looked like she was the only Gryffindor who made it to N.E.W.T level potions, which wasn't really a surprise. Jason was surprised she was alone, but relieved. He felt an ease finding out Harry and Ron weren't going to be in this class. After what happened yesterday with Harry he didn't need the awkwardness of being in such a small class with him. He probably told Ron and Hermione some crazy Slytherin went off on him and Ron was the type to pick at that situation. If he told Hermione she would never say anything about it, she just wasn't that type. She began to walk in his direction.

"Bias," she greeted him.

"Hermione," he greeted back. They both rolled their eyes at each other as she sat down at the table in front of him. If Hermione had a rival anywhere, it was Jason in potions. They were constantly neck and neck when it came to the subject. Their interaction is always cold but sophisticated.

Other than a half dozen stragglers from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, it seemed as though that would be everyone. Then entered one last Gryffindor into the mix. Jason was surprised to say he already had a friendly interaction with this guy before in Diagon Alley while shopping for school supplies.

"Dean! How great!" Hermione said relieved, "I thought I would be in here alone..." She was almost looking at Jason as she said this.

"Hello Hermione," Dean greeted. He immediately went to go sit next to her. As he put his stuff down he noticed Jason, who was trying to hide his face behind his Advanced Potion Making textbook. "Oh hey," Dean said to Jason, his face was surprised yet happy to see him. Hermione also looked surprised.

"You two...know each other?" asked Hermione, almost amused.

"Yeah we met back at Diagon Alley this summer," Jason explained as he put his text down, accidentally pushing it over the edge of his table. Jason tried to reach over and grab it but Dean picked it up for him.

"Whoops," Dean chuckled. As he handed it over to Jason he looked at the emblem on his robes. Jason immediately noticed and sat back down. "You're...a Slytherin?" Dean asked as if it were impossible. Jason blushed and didn't answer back, instead he just sat back down and buried his head in his book. He hated the feeling he had when he was embarrassed of being a Slytherin.

Before Dean could say anything else Professor Slughorn decided to start class. He now had on an academic cap and robes.

"Hello everyone! Welcome to Advanced Potions!" His almost walrus like mustache was very entertaining to see move when he spoke. "Now if everyone would come up to the front...," he asked of them. Everyone went over to the table that held all the different potions Jason observed earlier, with the addition of the Felix Felicis now on display behind the others. Slughorn went on to explain that now that they were in their 6th Year and at N.E.W.T level studies they will be taught how to make the potions they see before them.

"Can anyone tell me what these potions—" before he could finish the sentence two people entered his classroom. Everyone turned to see who it was. Jason's heart sank at the reveal.

"Harry m'boy! I was beginning to worry you wouldn't show up!" Slughorn said happily. "And I see we've brought someone with us..." Slughorn eyed Ron curiously.

"Ron Weasley, sir. But I'm dead awful at Potions," he complained, "a menace actually, so I probably should just be going—" Ron's annoying voice was irritating enough when he had to hear him always whining about something in the Great Hall and now Jason has to hear him here? Jason thought he was free of him this year, but that doesn't look to be the case. And on top of that Harry is there. He'll probably end up sitting at the same table with Hermione...across from Jason. So much for his lucky day...

After Slughorn convinced, or rather forced, Ron to stay, Harry explained they didn't think they would be in potions this year and that they didn't have the supplies.

"Not to worry. You can get what you need from the cupboard," Slughorn pointed to the same cupboard Jason found his new textbook and where the Felix Felicis was. As Harry and Ron went over to get their supplies Jason realized that one of them is going to end up with his old book.

"Now, as I was saying, I've prepared a few concoctions, some just finished this morning," Slughorn said gesturing to the potions on the table, "Any ideas what these might be?" Jason would have raised his hand to answer but he really didn't want to draw any attention to himself now that Harry was there. Unsurprisingly Hermione is the only one who raises her hand.

"Yes, Miss...?"

"Granger, sir," she informs him. She then continues to answer his question. "That one there is Veritaserum—"

Jason can't bring himself to focus at the moment. All his energy is now on trying to fade into the background and go unnoticed by Harry or Ron. He looked around to see if there were any tables left that he could move to so that he could distance himself from them when they sit with Hermione, but the only tables left available are all around theirs. Sitting directly behind them is the best move. Hopefully once he sets up his cauldron and potion's set he'll be able to hide behind them.

"Sir, you haven't told us what's in that one," Dean said as he pointed out the Felix Felicis. Jason started to zone back in.

"Ah yes," Slughorn picks up the vial, holding it up for the entire class to see. "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 blurts out. As she says this everyone immediately plays close attention. Slughorn continues.

Yes, Miss Granger," Slughorn states. "Desperately tricky to make. 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." Jason is very annoyed that Hermione is getting all the glory for pointing the obvious out. Slughorn even looks at Jason as if to ask why he isn't speaking up. Then he proposes a challenge to the entire class.

"So. This is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vial of liquid luck to the student who manages to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death, the recipe for which can be found on page ten of your textbook. Everyone has more than enough time to at least make a decent attempt at brewing this sleeping potion, and again I don't expect perfection, but the student who does it best will receive the prize," As soon as Jason heard that there was a chance to win a perfectly made vial of Felix Felicis he was all ears. Actually, everyone in the room hurried to their seat to get to work on their potion for a chance at this prize. It was a very new feeling as no one has ever felt excitement in potions class before that day.

Jason hurried back to his seat to set up all his stuff. His anxiety of Harry noticing him was no longer as strong of a worry now that he was a shoo-in for winning the potion. All he had to do was beat Hermione. She was his only real competition. After he wins the Felix Felicis he pretty much knows what his lucky day will consist of...

Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Dean all returned to the table across from Jason just as he expected. He tried not to look at them, but Jason could feel Harry staring at him. He saw Harry whisper something into Ron's ear and couldn't help but feel paranoid about what it was.

About an hour and a half later Jason was breezing through the brewing process. All he has left to do is add a chunk of Valerian Root and stir counterclockwise exactly one hundred times, wait for it to turn pink, and he's done. He does admit that it was pretty challenging, but he was in much better shape than anyone else in there. Every single person was clearly struggling to try and brew this potion as best they can. Hermione even looked like she was about to have a meltdown, which made Jason smile.

The only person who didn't look like a mess was Harry. It seemed as though he was very relaxed and making his potion with no worries. Jason tried to look and see what text Harry ended up with. After squinting a little he could make out tons of scribbles all over his pages. No doubt in Jason's mind that Harry ended up with his old book. Harry Potter has Jason's old potions textbook. It's almost worth celebrating. He then notices Ron and Harry are talking about something...

"—so you bleed all over a Slytherin and you just let him walk away without cleaning it off? Bloody hell Harry aren't you scared he'll put a curse on you or something?" Ron gawked.

"Why because I bled on him?" Harry guessed.

"No, he could use your blood to put a curse on you. I bet those Slytherins bathe in dark magic like that," Ron clarified. Jason couldn't help but feel extremely offended by that.

"Percello," Jason whispered the jinx and aimed his wand at Ron from underneath the table desk. Jason's jinx slashed the foot of Ron's chair at just the right angle that Ron immediately got knocked down and falls on his back. Jason made sure to look super busy. He heard Dean laugh a little and immediately looked at Jason after. Hermione didn't pay any mind as she was trying to complete her potion.

"Ron! Shut up!" Harry stressed. He then whispered something to Ron that was inaudible.

"What!? He's right behind us? Why didn't you tell me?!" Ron tried to whisper. Ron turns around and makes direct eye contact with Jason, then he looks over to the other Slytherins. Jason feels like he could see Ron loading his mind with hurtful things to say.

"What kind of Slytherin is so horrible that his own kind won't even acknowledge him?" Ron says loud enough for the entire room to hear. Jason's face goes hot with embarrassment. He looks over at Draco and sees that even he cracks a small smirk at Ron's comment.

"Ron," says Harry warningly. The whole class was paying attention now. Slughorn went out to use the restroom, so that just gave Ron more of a reason to lash out.

"I mean you've got to be a real rubbish of a human being to have no friends in your own house, especially in Slytherin—"

"Ron, shut it."

Dean spoke out against Ron. The entire room looked shocked. It's not every day a Gryffindor defends a Slytherin. Ron looked like someone just stepped in his way to the candy shop.

"What the hell Dean?" demanded Ron, "You're defending this prick?"

"You're behaving like a jerk Ron. A right twit. It's not cute." Dean teased. Everyone laughed minus the Slytherins, Harry, and Hermione, who was still giving her undivided attention to making her potion. Ron's face turned as red as a tomato. This made Jason feel a little less embarrassed.

"Oh yeah...well you and my sister snogging isn't cute..." Ron mumbled. Dean only laughed and mocked his weak come-back.

"Well that's something you can thank my mate over there for," Dean gestured his head towards Jason. He was shocked to hear that he just called him his mate. He turned to look at Harry, but he just looked away. Ron looked confused. "In fact," Dean continued, "This table is plenty crowded, mind if I sit with you?" Dean asked Jason.

Jason was caught extremely off-guard with the question, "Um y-yeah, sure," was all Jason was able to say. Dean immediately Wingardium Leviosa-ed his cauldron, furnace, and potions ingredients and went to sit next to him. Harry didn't acknowledge this at all and Ron just looked defeated. At least Jason won't be alone in potions class anymore, but he wondered if stealing Harry's friend Dean without even trying made Harry hate him even more than he probably already did. It was all a very bittersweet moment for Jason.

As soon as Dean sat down next to him Jason's emotions were almost in a whirlwind. He didn't know what to feel or what to do. What was even the point of trying to finish this potion to win the Felix Felicis? Could the luck it grants even possibly fix this huge disaster that just occurred enough to give him a small shot of being friends with Harry? Or was Jason just granted unfortunate luck? Right now Jason's wish seems all but impossible.

"Name's Dean Thomas by the way," Dean told Jason, pulling him out of his thoughts and back into reality.

"Mines Jason. Jason Bias," he told him. Dean smiled at him and continued to work on his potion, which was crystal clear at the moment. "Uhh...have you even added the essence of wormwood yet?" Jason asked Dean while he dropped some Valerian root into his cauldron. Dean just looked at his text and smacked his head.

"So that's why it didn't turn lilac yet!" he exclaimed. Jason just laughed. He too decided to double check his text. As he read over the recipe his heart sank for the second time in less than 2 hours.

The ingredients asked to add one small piece of Valerian root as the final part of the potion...and Jason just added an entire chunk! He already began to stir, which was turning the potion magenta instead of pale pink...

"Uh-oh," said Jason.

Before he could do anything else his potion let out a cloud of steam into Jason's face which then exploded, knocking him back towards the potions table. Jason's head got dunked by the potions. As soon as this occurred Professor Slughorn returned from his bathroom break and immediately rushed to Jason's side.

"Keep your mouth shut tight! Don't open your eyes! Makes sure you don't let any of these potions inside your body!" Slughorn demanded. Jason, not sure what the outcome of having all these potions mixed together would be, does exactly what he says. He could feel whatever potion dowsed his head coating his hair and running down his face and back. "Someone please take Jason to the Hospital Wing to get him cleaned up properly," Slughorn asks, "How about you Harry m'boy?" Slughorn asks Harry, to Jason's horror.

"Er...sure Professor," said Harry.

"Alright, so explain to Madame Pomfrey the situation and then return here as soon as you can," he told Harry.

Jason could sense that Slughorn wanted Harry to be there to be a contender to win the Felix Felicis, and the fact that Slughorn made it clear to leave Jason at the Hospital Wing meant Slughorn didn't think Jason would make it back in time.

They both leave the classroom, and then Jason feels Harry hold his hand. At first Jason was extremely surprised but since he couldn't open his eyes he had to be led to the Hospital Wing and he realized that was the easiest way to do it. He didn't know if it was the potion fumes smothered all over him that were making it hard to breathe or the fact that Harry Potter was holding his hand.

After a few instances where he stumbles and complete silence between them Jason felt sunlight on his face that only the Hospital Wing would get at this time of day.

"I'm gonna let go now alright? We've arrived," he finally said. His tone was soft and thoughtful, which made Jason's chest flutter. Harry went to go find Madame Pomfrey and explained the situation to her. He heard Harry leave and then Madame Pomfrey led Jason to a bed. As he laid down, some of the potion seemed to have seeped into his ear and Jason's sense of reality became warped, not knowing what's real and what's not. His face felt like it was elongating, his legs like they were curling up into twists, and he couldn't even feel his arms at all. Finally Jason felt a tap on his forehead, creating a ripple of warmth that moved throughout his body. He suddenly felt exhausted, every inch of his skin like it was being cleansed until finally he dozed off into a slumber.