"Is he going to be alright?" asked Luna.
"He'll be fine. He should be waking up very soon," answered Madame Pomfrey. Jason opened his eyes to see Luna and Dean sitting close to his bed. There was a faint thumping in his ears, like a liquid was sloshing in his head. As Jason sat up, the feeling went away.
"Speaking of," said Dean with a smile. Before Jason could sit up Luna lunged at him.
"JASON! I'm so glad you're okay! You were basically dead for 2 hours!" she said as she hugged him tightly.
"I'm fine Luna, really," assured Jason. It was a nice surprise to see Luna waiting for him to wake up, but he was even more astounded that Dean was also there. He barely even knew the guy.
"I told that girl you'd be perfectly alright but she wouldn't leave until you woke up," sighed Madame Pomfrey. "She kept going on about nargles?"
"They're attracted to many things, not just mistletoe," Luna insisted. "Spilled potion is said to be the quickest way to get an infestation, no matter which type of potion was spilled."
"Oh, is that why you put that necklace around him?" Dean asked her, almost mockingly. Jason didn't even notice the butterbeer cork necklace around his neck.
"It's one of the only ways to repel them. That and these," Luna showed off her earrings. "Dirigible plum earrings," Luna leaned in. "Madame Pomfrey says you're all clean but you can hold on to that necklace just in case," she whispered. Jason saw Dean smirking.
"Thanks Luna I will," he assured her. "So am I free to go then?" Jason asked Madame Pomfrey.
"Oh alright," she said. "You're very fortunate you didn't fall into the Polyjuice Potion. You'd be a horribly disfigured young man for a week!" she scolded.
"I'll count my blessing then," Jason joked. He immediately got up and looked for his belongings to leave when he remembered that he left all his things back in the dungeons.
"I gotta go back to Professor Slughorn's to get my stuff," he told Dean and Luna. "Thank you guys for waiting for me to wake up by the way," He looked at Dean. "Especially you, I know you barely even know me, it must have been a bother."
"Nah. I told you remember? You helped me work up the nerve to ask out Ginny back at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. You're my mate. Bedsides everyone was picking on you in Potions, someone's gotta stick up for you and fight off those nargles," Dean teased. Jason punched him jokingly.
"Well you'd actually be completely helpless against them Dean. They provoke memory loss and hallucinations," Luna informed him. "Well alright Jason, I'll see you around. I want to see if I can persuade more people to take a copy of the Quibbler. This month's issue is the back to school issue and people need to be wary of blibbering humdingers and their ploys to steal your parchment and ink." she said as she left. Dean and Jason were pretty immune to her beliefs, but they were fighting to not break out in laughter.
"Oh Luna," Dean chuckled. "You should have heard the things she said to us when we were training in Dumbledore's Army."
"Yeah...wish I could have been there," Jason muttered. Dean must have noticed that he struck a chord with Jason because he immediately changed the subject.
"Well I have nothing to do, why don't I go with you to the dungeons?" Dean offered. Jason almost said yes, but realized who Dean was in a relationship with.
"It's fine really. You should go find Ginny, I'm sure she's wondering where you are. Don't let my efforts be in vain!" Jason told him. Dean obliged and said he'd see him around.
Dean chuckled. "Yeah you're probably right about Ginny wondering where I am. Oh hey, this Saturday's Quidditch Tryouts. I'm going to try out too since Ginny is part of the team now. You and Luna should tag along for luck!"
Jason nodded, "Yeah that sounds really great! We'll be there!" Jason goes every year since he knows Harry would be there but at least now he has a built in excuse if anyone asks.
Jason made his way down the stairways to the dungeons. On his way he recapped everything that happened. He screwed up the very last step of the potion needed to win the Felix Felicis. Probably the easiest step of the entire recipe. All he had to do was add a tiny piece of Valerian Root and he was sure he'd have earned the liquid luck. He doesn't even remember what screwed him up. It was probably Harry.
Harry Potter.
He then remembered that it was Harry who brought him up to the Hospital Wing after his little accident. He even held his hand. Jason felt faint just thinking about it.
Finally Jason made it all the way to Professors Slughorn's classroom. He knocked on the door and hoped someone would answer so that he wouldn't have to go all the way to Slughorn's Office to get his stuff.
"Come in!" He heard Slughorn shout. Jason entered the dungeon. He immediately saw the mess he fell into. There were two house elves scrubbing at the floor, one who looked at Jason menacingly. The potions spilled on the floor stained the ground and Jason could tell those stains were there to stay. Jason sits very close to the front of the classroom so he'll be able to see the stains on the floor just perfectly, reminding him he completely screwed up his perfect opportunity to win something that could give him a shot at being friends with Harry Potter. Slughorn must have noticed Jason's remorse for the stains.
"Oh don't feel guilty m'boy. It wouldn't be a potions classroom without a few stains on the floor would it?" Slughorn suggested.
"No I guess not," Jason faked a chuckle. "I'm just here to get my stuff Professor I'll be out of here very quickly," Jason said as he walked towards his things, still on the table where he left them. He saw a little bit of fizzled up bubbles were still on the ground from the overflow of his cauldron. As he walked closer he noticed that his Cauldron was actually missing from the rest of his belongings.
"Professor? Do you know what happened to my cauldron? Please tell me it didn't disintegrate or go up in flames after I left?" Jason asked.
"You needn't worry about you cauldron dear boy. It's right over here on my desk," Slughorn pointed towards it. "I'm glad to see you're alright Jason, and I'm extremely happy you stopped by. Here I want to show you something." Slughorn gestured him to come to his desk. As Jason made his way toward him Slughorn pulled out a green, perfectly crisp leaf.
"After you left for the hospital wing and Harry returned we finally tested out everyone's potions to see who did the best. Since you were otherwise absent I didn't even think to test out your attempt of the recipe," Slughorn dropped the leaf into Jason's potion. Before it even hit the concoction it started to smoke, and when it finally did it started to burn up. As it sunk and hit the bottom of the cauldron the leaf was burning underneath the liquid. It played even better than the way the potions textbook had said it would. Jason couldn't believe it.
"So does this mean I won the Felix Felicis?" Jason asked excitedly. Jason knew his Drought of Living Death was the best in the class.
"And that's the unfortunate part I'm afraid," Slughorn confessed. Jason's heart dropped. Of course, it was too good to be true of an outcome. "Had I known, absolutely! Your potion would take the victory. Alas, I didn't think to check I'm afraid. The winner with the best Draught of Living Death at the time was Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter won the liquid luck?" Jason asked, almost in disbelief. He didn't know how to feel about that. He was sure that if he didn't take the win then Hermione Granger would.
"I believe it was the excess of Wormwood that really made your potion a triumph. We might have to revise that potions textbook!" Slughorn said jokingly. "And though Harry's potion was no match for yours, it was divinely a close second," claimed Slughorn.
"Oh," Jason almost whimpered. "Alright then. I guess I'll be off then Professor. I'll just take my things and be on my way..."
"Before you leave Jason. I was so impressed with that potion that'd I'd love for you to be a member of my Slug Club," Slughorn offered.
"The Slug Club, professor?" Jason asked. The name sounded like a kid's movie about radioactive slug people.
"It's my special little club made up of only the elite of my students. I was thinking of starting it up again this year. My way of celebrating a homecoming I assume," Slughorn chuckled. "Our first supper party will take place next week. What do you say?" Jason had nothing else to do this year. Now that Snape isn't teaching potions anymore he'd probably have tons of free time. Jason usually helped Professor Snape organize and categorize potions ingredients, in return the Professor would allow Jason to take some extra ingredients with him. Nothing too big but enough to make a few helpful little potions.
"Sure Professor. It sounds like fun," Jason tried to say convincingly. Apparently it worked because Slughorn looked pleased.
"Splendid! I'll add you to the guest list. Keep a look out for my owl," Slughorn said.
Jason got the rest of his things when he remembered that his cauldron was still on Slughorn's desk. He went over to empty it and take it with him when he noticed there was a potion's recipe on Slughorn's desk. For Felix Felicis. That's when idea struck Jason.
"Professor?" Jason asked, almost coy.
"Yes m'boy? Do you need help emptying your cauldron?" he asked.
"No not exactly. I just wanted to ask, how good of a job did I do with the Draught of Living Death?" Slughorn let out a laugh.
"It was probably one of the best I've ever seen of the damn thing. I'd wonder if even I could do such a great job as you did with that potion. It was outdoes perfect," He praised.
"That's great to hear Professor! I was thinking, since I did such an amazing job, and seeing as I wasn't able to collect the liquid luck..." Slughorn looked at Jason. He could tell Slughorn can't imagine what Jason is about to ask. He just emptied his cauldron, acting like what would come next was totally normal. "Do you think it's be okay if I could take a stab at...making it...?" Jason looked at the Professor. Slughorn was absolutely stunned.
"My dear boy do you know how advanced of a potion Felix Felicis is? How dreadfully time consuming? I could only imagine it would take you 7 months minimum to finish it, and that's a generous estimate!" Slughorn stated. It hurt Jason to think that he'd have to wait 7 months until he'd be able to use the liquid luck. But it was a better wait then eternity.
"I can do it professor! You said it yourself! You doubt you could even make a better Draught of Living Death then mine!" Jason reminded him.
"M'boy that potion is milestones easier—"
"Please Professor! I promise you can trust the recipe to me! What's the worst that could happen? I'd waste 7 months of my time? It'd be an honor to even attempt to make that potion! I've read tons about the potion and I know how to handle it. All you have to do is trust me!" Jason assured. Slughorn looked like he was contemplating trusting his life to Jason. There was an awkward pause that felt like a lifetime. Until finally—
"Oh alright. But no one can know of this! The potion is well beyond even a N.E.W.T. level difficulty. Very few wizards have ever even made the potion correctly! If anyone caught wind that I let a 6th Year handle something of this difficulty...I can barely stand to think about it!" Slughorn warned.
"Thank you Professor Slughorn! I promise I won't breathe a word to anyone about this!" Jason vowed. He felt very excited. Like a second chance was coming for him. A second chance to become close with Harry Potter! Slughorn started to smile.
"I daresay if you pull it off you'd have to be the youngest wizard to ever do so! When you are done, show me the finished potion. If done correctly I will guarantee you will graduate Hogwarts with flying colors!" Slughorn roared. He left to the backroom where all the potions ingredients were stored. He shortly returned with an egg the size of a softball in his hand.
"This is Ashwinder Egg. The first ingredient in the making of Felix Felicis," Slughorn handed Jason the egg. "And here is the rest of the recipe," Slughorn took the parchment with the recipe for Felix Felicis and rolled it up to give to Jason. "If you ever need a thing, all you need do is ask!" he offered. Jason got the rest of his things and bid goodbye to the Professor. He was beaming. All of Jason's wishes are a possibility, and it's all up to Felix Felicis.
The following Saturday Jason woke up early to go watch the Quidditch tryouts. Luna was waiting for him in the Great Hall with a bagel and pumpkin juice. Jason was very excited.
They soon made their way to the Quidditch field and sat on a sun kissed spot in the stands. Even though it was early September, the weather was very cool. After a few trials, Harry was forced to narrow down his picks for the team. Unfortunately Dean didn't make the cut. He looked a bit disappointed as he made his way towards Luna and Jason to sit down.
"I'm sorry Dean," said Luna apologetically. "From what I could gather you were a top contender! Harry must be under the influence of a confundus charm!"
"Nah that's McLaggen." Dean said with a chuckle. "But I appreciate the sentiment, Luna." They stayed seated at the stands while continuing to watch the second trials of the tryouts. Eventually they stopped paying attention and began joking around. Jason thought it was ridiculous, him sitting down next to a Gryffindor and being amicable with him. Eventually the conversation turned towards him and Dean's meeting.
"So Jason how exactly did you and Dean become familiar? I had no idea you two knew each other before Monday!" Luna asked. Dean answered for Jason.
"We were in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes when I bumped into Jason," Dean told Luna. "Jason caught me staring at Ginny and told me that he overheard some kids saying we were an item, so why not make it a reality. Jason recommended I buy Ginny a pygmy puff and the rest is history," Dean looked at Jason. "I owe this guy my relationship."
"Oh wow, quite a coincidence! I think I remember seeing you that day Dean. If I remember correctly that night there was a crescent moon, the phase of the moon said to bring Love and Friendship," Luna said matter-of-fact. "I don't remember seeing you there Jason..."
"I left right after I talked to Dean. I had to get my second hand potions book. That thing was from a special hell," Jason joked. He remembers that day pretty clearly.
"—Oh sorry!" said a tall kid after bumping into Jason. He almost fell but the boy grabbed him before he did. Jason looked up to see Dean Thomas' face. He's seen him around hanging out with Harry Potter before. A Gryffindor boy. He hoped Dean didn't know who Jason was or he'd fear causing a scene since Gryffindors and Slytherins aren't a good mix.
"I haven't seen you around before," said Dean, which was a huge relief to Jason. "You go to Hogwarts?"
"Yeah I do," Jason answered. "This is my sixth year.
"Really?" Dean looked shocked. Jason felt self-conscious now. He didn't look THAT young did he? Dean must have noticed that it came across this way. "Not that you don't look like a sixth year, it's just...people like us with some color on our skin aren't too high in number around here you know, so we stick out. And also your accent is American so I figured you just transferred."
Jason felt better and completely understood. They talked a bit about how crazy the items in the store were. Then Jason felt his heart almost stop. He looked across the store and saw that silhouette that he knew only too well. The one of the boy with Jet black unruly hair, Harry Potter. He was staring in the direction of the Wonder Witch Love Potions. Jason wondered what Harry would want with love potions? The thought made him a little annoyed. Then he realized Harry was staring at one of the girls who were looking at the love potions, Ginny Weasley. And she was staring back. He looked at Dean, who was ALSO staring at Ginny. Then lighting struck.
"Hey Dean, who're you looking at?" Jason asked teasingly. Dean quickly averted his eyes from Ginny. Jason smirked. "You like that girl don't you? Ginny Weasley right?" Dean blushed a little. Then he confessed.
"Yeah, I've been crushing on her since last year. We were in Dumbledore's Army together and when she conjured her Patronus..." Dean looked sickeningly infatuated.
"Oh, that's, um, great," Jason replied almost too quickly. "Hey. I've been hearing that people think you and her are dating!" Jason said feigning interest.
"Really? Why would they think that?" Dean gawked.
"You know, I have no idea," Jason lied. He actually did know why, he heard girls earlier around the pygmy puffs that Ginny and Dean were very close all last year, always together. However Jason felt like if he explained it, he'd sound like he had too much of a reason for what he was about to say next.
"Why don't you ask her out?" Jason prompted.
"Nah I couldn't. I don't have the guts. I'm deathly afraid of rejection," Dean protested. Jason rolled his eyes.
"Dude, it's so easy, just go up to her and ask if she wants a..."Jason looked around the room and saw a bunch of girls gathered around the pygmy puffs where he first heard the gossip he repeated just now, "Pygmy Puff! Girls are crazy for them I hear. All the rage. She'd be crazy to refuse. Hell I'd say yes to you," Jason joked. Dean chuckled. He couldn't stop smiling.
"You know what. I will. I have an extra Galleon or two lying around," Dean said as he double checked his pockets. Jason motioned for Dean to go to Ginny and he obliged. Not too long later Dean stole Ginny's gaze off Harry and to himself. Dean looked at Jason and he gave him a thumbs up in approval. Jason looked back at the spot where Harry was and saw he was now talking to the Weasley brothers. Jason doesn't know why he's so pleased with himself for what he just did, but he smiled to himself and left the shop knowing Ginny wasn't anywhere near Harry right now.
"YES GO RON!" yelled a girl sitting in front of Jason, Luna, and Dean. Everyone else also cheered as Ron blocked the ball from going through the goals. Jason noticed Harry was the one throwing the balls to everyone trying out. He could see how much force he had when he threw every Quaffle. His sweat was glistening in the sun off his head, his hair drenched in it as well. As the day went on it did begin to warm up, prompting Harry to take off his Quidditch robes revealing he was wearing a tight undershirt. Jason couldn't stop staring are Harry.
