The incident in Herbology was two weeks ago now and Jason was slowly getting out of his slump. He realized how dumb and pathetic he must have looked in there crying and his depression turned to anger. The anger only fuels how hard he has been working on the Felix Felicis. He basically has every ingredient he needs now and the ones he doesn't are easily available to him from Slughorn's ingredient closet.
Today Jason was on his way to drop something off at Slughorn's and also grab Occamy eggshell for the potion. The recipe calls for the eggshell to be crushed to a fine powder so he wrote his mom asking if she would let him borrow her molcajete, a Mexican tool used for grinding various foods like peppers and corn. It's the best way to crush chili peppers so eggshell will be no problem. It arrived today so he picked it up at the Owlery along with a package for Slughorn.
As he heads down the stairs to the potions class he sees Dean just hanging out at the bottom.
"Hey Jason!" Dean greets him.
"Wassup Dean," Jason responds back. Dean looks at him with a confused smile. Jason thinks to himself how many times he gets a variation of that look when he uses American lingo. He decides to ignore it.
"I'm just waiting on Ginny. Ever since that grand romantic gesture you and I cooked up, we've been in a way better place." Dean explained.
"That's great to hear!" Jason replies. He was very happy to hear that. Hopefully that means less Ginny around Harry. Even though he has been giving Harry the cold shoulder ever since the Herbology incident, Jason gets a huge wave of jealousy when he sees Harry and Ginny together laughing or having a good time. He realizes how much of a toxic trait this is, but he can't help it. He wishes he was in that place.
Jason and Dean had a small conversation about Pokémon before Slughorn's class finally ended. Dean started looking for Ginny in the rubble of fifth years leaving Potions class when Jason spotted her inside…with Harry. Jason looked at Dean and saw he immediately noticed as well. Dean's blood ran cold.
Jason and Dean both walked in, and while Jason had to pretend he didn't notice anything for his own self-respect, Dean had no such obligation. He walked straight up to Ginny and Harry. Ginny saw him coming and got a look on her face as if she should hide. She whispered something to Harry and he turned around.
"Harry mate, what are you doing here?" Dean asked Harry. Dean almost tried to pass it off as friendly, but it was clear he was fuming. Jason went to look for Slughorn who was in the back. He didn't really feel like seeing whatever was going to happen next. If Dean was willing to get into a fistfight with Ron over Jason's hurt feelings what would he do to Harry for clearly flirting with his girlfriend. Though he was still a bit mad at Harry for being a jerk, he didn't know if he wanted to see him get hurt.
He walked into the ingredients closet and saw Slughorn holding a jar of what looked like eyeballs. Jason knocked on the wall to let Slughorn know he was there. This startled Slughorn and he almost dropped the jar.
"Jason m'boy, you can't sneak up on an old man like that!" Slughorn told him, clearly still a little startled. He seemed suspicious.
"My apologies Professor. I didn't mean to scare you." Jason said. "I brought your delivery from the Owlery for you," Jason showed the Professor a small package he had in his robe. With this it seemed everything was forgiven.
"OH yes! That is excellent. Exactly what I needed," he exclaimed. "By the by, here is a list of a few errands I will need done for the next several months," Slughorn said as he handed Jason a list. Jason took it and wasn't too displeased when he saw the size of the parchment but then Jason realized every item was written in minuscule writing to fit the many contents and requests on the single sheet. He folded the parchment and put it in his back pocket. Jason tried his best to hide his distress. That's when they heard someone yelling back in the classroom.
"Oh dear, what was that?" Slughorn asked Jason.
"I'm sure it was nothing Professor," said Jason, though he knew it was Ginny. Sounds like her and Dean are having a screaming match. "What was that jar you were holding earlier?" Jason asked, trying to change the subject so he wasn't forced to leave the closet.
"Oh the Tiger's eye. Yes a very rare and difficult specimen indeed. Crucial to the concoction of many a powerful potion!" Slughorn said excitedly. Jason blinked. The more rare ingredients were usually located in Slughorn's personal potions closet in his office. However, this particular ingredient wouldn't be found in any closet. Tiger's Eye is said to be banned in many parts of Europe and tons of potion breweries refuse to handle the item. He thought it was banned at Hogwarts as well. Jason wondered how Slughorn managed to get a whole jar of them, but he decided to play dumb and act bewildered to keep Slughorn talking.
After about five minutes it seemed Dean and Ginny were done with their argument and Jason thought it was safe to finally make up an excuse to leave. He did want to get started on grinding down the Occamy Shell. He grabbed it from the closet as Slughorn turned to leave. Jason knew he didn't have to sneak it out but, he was just feeling devious today. He grabbed a few smaller ingredients for other potions as well.
As Jason left the ingredient closet he saw that Harry was still in the classroom. Slughorn and he were discussing something when Slughorn said he had to run before Jason could bolt, leaving Jason and Harry together alone.
Jason felt his face warm up. He hoped it wasn't noticeable when Harry finally broke the silence.
"Hey."
"Hey…"
Harry started making his way towards Jason. Jason almost wanted to step back but he stayed planted in the spot, looking down at his feet instead. Harry must have noticed something was wrong because he stopped. There was another silence.
"Listen, I'm sorry," Harry finally said. Jason looked up. He saw Harry's green eyes. He could tell Harry meant what he said. "You must know by now why I acted like I did—"
"Because you're embarrassed to be friends with me." Jason interrupted.
"No! Not of you." Harry explained.
"Of being friends with a Slytherin," Jason clarified. Harry confirmed the statement by looking away. "Harry, that's the same thing. I'm a Slytherin. After six years of belonging to that house, it's a part of who I am. Just like Gryffindor is a part of you too. It hurts just as much."
"I—" Harry tried to start. But they both knew there was nothing left to say about it. He looked back at Jason. They were just staring at each other's eyes. It felt like there was nothing else in the world but just those two to Jason.
"I miss you." Harry said. "I miss hanging out with you and laughing and being goofs," Jason started smiling a bit. Harry beamed. "I know you do too. Being mates with you, it feels like I'm just another bloke at this school. I love Ron and Hermione to death, but we don't have that type of friendship. Especially not now." Hearing this confession from Harry made Jason feel so fuzzy on the inside. It's everything he wanted to hear.
"So…" Jason said smiling.
Harry chuckled. He walked up to Jason and gave him a hug. Jason melted into Harry's arms. Jason hates how easily he's allowed to be swooned. "Want to head out to the Quidditch field?" Harry asked Jason. Jason looked at Harry. He couldn't help himself from accepting.
…
It's been a couple of weeks now since Harry and Jason made up. They've been having their regular meetings at the Quidditch field and for now Jason is content with this. Harry has begun to be more public with Jason in terms of friendship recently. After the last Quidditch game, Harry invited Jason to come by after it was over and Harry walked right over to him with everyone still around! Though Harry still feels a slight hesitation to be seen with Jason, it won't matter anymore after Jason makes his liquid luck.
Unfortunately Jason was still mashing away at that Occamy eggshell. It turns out it's a lot studier than a normal egg shell so he is only ever able to grind at a piece of the egg for so long before his hand starts getting sore. Tonight he has one small piece left that he knows he will be able to finish and finally add to the cauldron in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom where he has set up shop. Jason felt the last small piece of Occamy Egg in his pocket. He planned to go and mash away at it later.
Jason met up with Luna to watch Harry at Quidditch practice. It wasn't as chilly out today as it usually was but there was a nice sheet of fluffy snow on the ground so it was a very bright and pretty Saturday afternoon.
"Hey Luna," Jason greeted her while he sat down on the bleachers. He noticed she was talking to Padma Patil. She looked upset. Jason doesn't think he has ever spoken to Padma for one second so he didn't know what to do. Luckily Luna picked up on Jason's awkwardness.
"Padma, this is my friend Jason," Luna said, introducing him to Padma. Padma gave a weak smile and waved hello. "She's a little upset at the moment. She just found out one of her favorite authors is a bigot." Padma and Jason both looked at Luna, a little taken aback at the bluntness. Nevertheless they both didn't say anything of it.
"That sucks, what author? What'd they do?" asked Jason. Padma seemed somewhat hesitant, as if she was sizing Jason up to see if she could trust him. Jason wondered why the hesitation. Finally she looked at Luna as if to get her opinion. Luna nodded.
"I found out K. R. Jowling is someone who doesn't believe people like me are women," She answered. Jason was confused.
"Whaa..?" he said. Padma was clearly a girl. What could she mean? Padma saw the confusion on Jason's face and she began to explain. She revealed to Jason that growing up she always felt like she wasn't quite right. She saw her twin sister Parvati, and how comfortable she was in her own skin, and looked back at herself and hated what she saw. One day, she tried on one of her twin sister's dresses. That's when she knew that she was always meant to be a girl. Jason put two and two together.
"Oh. Padma, you were born into the wrong body at birth?" He asked. Padma nodded. Jason remembered seeing people who had been interviewed on talk shows about how they were born into the wrong body. Jason always understood. He never questioned what they felt was true in their heart.
"And I'm just devastated because this author created some of my favorite stories and an amazing world. Stories I grew up with and that I cherished." Padma said, sounding deeply hurt. Luna comforted her. Jason knows the author that she's talking about. Her most popular book series' movie adaptions wrapped up a few years ago now. They have spin-offs. He even knows about a recent game based on the series that's in development coming to PlayStation. It's a very popular series with tons of devoted fans. He knows how much of an imprint she has made on the world due to her stories. It makes Jason angry to know that author is a bigot.
"Padma, I hope you know I am always here for you. I know how much this series means to you. I'm so sorry." She said as she hugged her.
"I'm sorry too." Jason said. Padma seemed thankful with the sympathy. It doesn't feel right that there's such hatred and ignorance in the world and just exist idly by. Jason wishes he could do something about it. But what? It seemed like something for greater minds than his to tackle. He knows he'll be ready to fight along them when it happens. It's definitely something to think about.
Padma continued to vent her feelings out to Luna while Jason just sat there. He realized how great of a friend Luna was to everyone. He never thought someone so in their own world could also be so attuned to this one as well.
Soon Quidditch practice ended and Harry walked right up to Jason to ask him to stay for some butterbeer. Jason couldn't help but smile when he saw that Harry didn't even wait for his team to disperse before asking him.
Harry led the way to the hidden butterbeer cooler. Jason looked back at the bleachers to wave goodbye to Luna when he saw Dean and Ginny walking away together. Dean was looking towards Harry with a leering gaze that could kill. It seems Dean was still in a bad way. After the huge argument Ginny and Dean had right before Harry and Jason became friends again, Dean has been cold towards Harry in a manner that could give him frostbite. Somehow after that blowup Harry made it out unscathed and Ginny and Dean seemed to be together reluctantly. Jason knows it's selfish, but he prefers it this way.
It's still pretty early in the day which is rare for their meetups but it's welcome. As they crack open their butterbeers and warm them up with a spell, Jason and Harry begin laughing the day away. Harry asks Jason about Slughorn and his errands, in which Jason goes on about how the silver lining is at least he pays well. Eventually the conversation turns towards what's been going on with Harry's Gryffindor friends.
"—And so Hermione is furious at Ron because she has feelings for him and he is blatantly ignorant towards them and turns around to date Lavender Brown," he explains, "You should have seen what Hermione did. She had birds chase him out of our dormitory tower. It made me sad really."
"Wow, that's a lot of feelings for a Quidditch after-party I think," Jason jokes. Harry chuckles.
"I guess so," he says. "Actually now that I think about it, lots of drama when it comes to Quidditch. Some of the most dramatic things in my life have been Quidditch related," Harry reflects as he sips on his butterbeer. Jason laughs.
"You're such a jock!" Jason tells him. Harry almost chokes on his drink.
"Jock?" Harry asks incredulously. "Like… the bottomless underwear that American football players wear?" Jason just laughs even more.
Harry looks at him smiling. "Honestly I think you'd be good at Quidditch." Harry remarks.
"No way," Jason said. "I haven't ridden on a broomstick since first year when we had our first lesson with Madame Hooch."
"Are you serious?" Harry chuckles.
"Deadly. I fell off after being on it for two seconds." Jason confessed. "I bet I'm worse off now than I was then too." That's when Harry gives Jason a smirk. Jason gives him a terrified look back.
"NO," Jason said. But it was too late. Harry had summoned his Firebolt. It appeared right in front of Jason, as if ready for him to give it a try.
"Go on Jason," Harry said. "If you fall I promise to catch you." Jason starts blushing immediately.
"Fine! I'll try again," he gives in, but only to try and hide his reddening face. At least there's still enough light out to see exactly what he's doing.
Jason grabs a hold of the Firebolt broomstick, having quite a bit of trouble actually mounting it.
"Here, let me help you," Harry offers. He balances the broomstick so that Jason can mount and place his feet on the footrests. He stumbles a bit but Harry holds him in place. Jason feels Harry's hand on his lower back and all he hears is his heart pounding. Finally, Jason is successful in getting on and is now floating just a couple feet above the ground. Harry claps sarcastically. Jason tells him jokingly to shut up.
"Okay…how do I make it go?" Jason asks Harry. He's still behind Jason holding on to the broomstick to make sure Jason doesn't lose is balance. He can almost feel Harry's warm breath on the back of his neck.
"You just pull up on the handle to go higher and push down to go lower," he advises. "Easy though." Harry whispers in Jason's ear. Jason looks back at Harry. He just looks into Harry's eyes as he finally lets go of the Firebolt, giving Jason full control.
Jason is hesitant at first, but he looks straight ahead and gives it a try. He pulls up on the broomstick which immediately takes him higher off the ground. He's almost terrified to look down but hears Harry cheering for him. This gives him a huge confidence boost. He begins steering the Firebolt to circle around the field. Jason actually feels a sense of… fun. He sees Harry who seems beside himself at Jason flying. This makes Jason beam.
There's a sense of peace up there, in the air. Jason has a sense of clarity. He reflects on all the events that have happened so far. He's stood up to Harry Potter, become friends with him, and had a small falling out with him. Now it feels like they are closer than ever, and it's only December. He's never had this much excitement in his whole life. The ups and downs. The heartache and the joy. It's cathartic.
It's only for a second, but Jason forgets he's steering a broomstick 20 feet in the air. As he realizes where he is, it's too late. He begins his downward spiral towards the ground. It all happens so fast he can't even let out a yell. Jason blacks out for just a second and next thing he knows he's on the ground laying on top of Harry Potter.
He opens his eyes and sees Harry's emerald green ones looking into his. Jason's nose tip rubbing up on Harry's. He's never been so close to Harry. His arms were wrapped around Jason, holding him tight. Even through his coat Jason could feel Harry's biceps flexing on his shoulders. In the shuffle, Harry's glasses must have fell off. His hair pushed back from the tumble as well. Jason looked at his forehead and could see Harry's scar clearly. The lightning bolt shaped scar that was so famous. The mark of The Boy Who Lived. Jason couldn't help himself from touching it, his fingers grazing over the tiny scar.
"Told you I'd catch you," Harry said. Jason looked back down into Harry's eyes. He was smirking. This woke Jason from whatever trance he was in and he immediately stopped and got up.
"Oh, gosh sorry!" Jason apologized. Harry got up as well.
"No it's okay, really. I didn't mind." Harry said, smiling. Jason believed him, but it didn't mean it wasn't embarrassing. Harry looked at him. He took a step towards Jason when they both heard a crunch. Harry had stepped on something. Jason looked down and he saw it was the last piece of the Occamy Egg he needed for the Felix Felicis. It must have fallen out of his pocket on his tumble down. He kneeled down to pick it up.
"Oh, sorry was that yours?" Harry asked as he kneeled down as well to help pick it up. It broke into five clean pieces so it didn't take long to gather.
"No." Jason said flustered. "I mean yes, it's mine but you don't need to apologize. You actually probably did me a favor. It's for a potion and I need it grinded up anyways so the smaller the pieces the better." He over-explained. "Actually, I should probably get going! I wanted to finish with this by tonight and it takes hours to grind it."
"Oh. Uh… okay." Harry said. He looked like he wanted to say more, but didn't. Jason grabbed his things and began making his way towards Hogwarts.
"See ya Harry, thanks so much for the flying lesson!" Jason chuckled. Harry smiled and waved goodbye. He processed what just happened. He could still feel the phantom of Jason in his arms. As he saw Jason walk away he went back to the butterbeer cooler to finish his drink. Harry couldn't stop smiling.
As always when Jason leaves a hangout session with Harry, he felt warm inside, and he knows it's not just the butterbeer. He always leaves asking himself if he should go through with the liquid luck. Does he need it? What's the point now? But he has to remind himself how he felt when Harry gave him the cold shoulder in biology, and in potions, and how he didn't even know Jason existed until this year. He has to go through with the Felix. The worst case scenario is he'll have one day with perfect luck. He knows he'll get lucky, that's for sure.
Finally he arrives at Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He goes to the stall he enchanted to look like it wasn't there and begins grinding away at the egg.
"Hey Jason," Moaning Myrtle appears from the stall door, trying to give him a fright.
"Hey Myrtle," he replies, not paying her any mind. She crosses her arms in a huff to show her disappointment at her failed scare attempt and just starts moaning away.
…
After a few hours of grinding on the molcajete Jason's wrists feel like they're made of mush, but he finally finishes. He has grinded the entire eggshell to a fine powder and it is ready to be added to the cauldron. He breathes a sigh of relief. Not that any of the ensuing steps will be any easier. However, for the moment all Jason has to do is make sure to stir slowly and heat. Something he has decided to do tomorrow.
"Aww are you leaving Jason," Myrtle asked. "But you're such swell company!" she said sarcastically.
"Ha. Ha. Sorry if I'm boring Myrtle, but I'm only here on a mission," Jason said. She stuck her tongue out at him.
"You ARE boring, aren't you? Nothing like that sad boy who's always in here." she said.
"You're always telling me about this sad boy Myrtle. I wonder who he could be. You have me real curious," Jason confessed. He was almost done gathering all his stuff.
"Well I don't know who he is, he won't tell me. But he cries a lot. A real tortured boy," she described. Jason chuckled. He couldn't imagine who would go to Moaning Myrtle for sadness relief. "Oh, but good news! He'll be here soon!" Myrtle taunted as she disappeared,
"What?" Jason whispered desperately. He was just about to head out when he heard the door open. He ran as fast as he could to his hidden stall. It seemed the stranger didn't notice.
Myrtle wasn't kidding when she said the visitor was a sad boy. He came in sniffling and crying. It seems he went directly to the sink which was as far as possible from his stall. Jason wondered if he could sneak out stealthily. He wishes he had an invisibility cloak right now. Jason really didn't feel like comforting some poor lost soul at the moment.
After what seemed like an eternity of listening to this boy sniffling and whimpering, Jason finally had enough and tried to attempt to sneak out. He slowly opened the stall door. He looked to the sink and saw that the boy was just sitting on the floor, weeping into his arms. Jason couldn't see his face… but there was something familiar about his hair. Nevertheless, Jason continued to tread lightly on his way to the door. It was only a few steps away.
"Petrificus Totalis!" Jason heard the boy incant. He recognized the voice. Jason felt his body stiffen as a board and fall to the ground. He saw the boy walk up and look down at him. His face wet with tears, yet full of rage.
It was Draco Malfoy. Myrtle giggled.
