1 Chapter 2

On that same day, but earlier in the day, a girl called Aurora was attending a Potions class with Snape, but with the Ravenclaw and her house, the Hufflepuff. Aurora was a happy Hufflepuff; there was never a lack of things to do in their common room. Snape swept into the room like a vampire, Aurora had to duck his cloak, and Snape didn't even sit down before he started talking.

"Now class, we've been avoiding this particular topic all year, and despite my reservations, I had this odd notion that you might be mature enough to handle it." Snape took a deep breath and pressed on. "We're about to make a Love Potion. Any foolish use of this potion in my class will result in points taken away, any foolish practical jokes played using this potion will result in your being expelled so fast you get whiplash." Snape still looked uncomfortable about the idea. A strange boy, with long messy brown hair leaned over to Aurora.

"Hi, my name's Nitrotic. Boy does he look uncomfortable!" Nitrotic giggled slightly.

"He sure does. Looks like he's swallowed something horrible!" Aurora whispered back to him. "What house are you? I'm a Hufflepuff."

"Ravenclaw. It's ok though, I'm always willing to help a person who needs it. Regardless of house." Nitrotic grinned. Aurora smiled at the boy. He seemed nice enough.

"Look at him!" Nitrotic was almost cracking up, and discreetly pointed at Snape. "He's almost crying at that stuff up that Robins made!" He set up his cauldron, and Aurora was gathering together their ingredients. They had somehow become partners. Robins had spilled some on her partner, and now the girl wouldn't leave Robins alone.

"50 Points from Ravenclaw. And you, Robins, will have detention." Snape snapped angrily.

"Awww darn! We worked hard for them points!" Nitrotic complained. "We're good at Quidditch, but we're always beaten by that damned Slytherin!"

"I know the feeling. I'm a Beater." Aurora sighed. "Are you on the Quidditch team?"

"I sure am. Chaser for Ravenclaw, and I happen to think I'm damned good at it too!"

Quietly they conversed over Quidditch, until Snape walked over and loudly interrupted.

"While I'm sure your conversation is more interesting than my class, perhaps you could humour me and get back to work!"

"Calm down Snapey!" Aurora protested. "We're just talking about Quidditch." Aurora immediately realised her mistake when Snapes face turned red from anger, and the entire class gasped.

"Miss Aurora. You will take one hundred points from Hufflepuff, and the pair of you will be on detention."

"What'd I do!?" Nitrotic complained.

"And now it's 50 points from Ravenclaw also." Snape finished. "You will report to the Library after Dinner, where you will dust every single book they have until you either finish, or the sun rises." Nitrotic waited until Snape left, then said to Aurora. "You're really put our foot in it!"

"I'm sorry!! I couldn't help it! Sometimes I just say things without thinking!" Aurora apologized.

"I hate to say this, but THINK next time!" Nitrotic would have shouted, except he had looked at Snape and decided against it.

"SORRY ALREADY!" Aurora did yell this time, and a sharp look from Professor Snape made her stop very quickly.

"This'll be hell." Nitrotic said gloomily. Aurora agreed.

The rest of the day passed surprisingly fast for Aurora and Nitrotic, despite the fact that neither of their houses were entirely THRILLED with them losing so many points. The constant shadow of detention hung over the day. By Lunch, they were positively gloomy.

"Look at it this way, at least it's the last day of term!" Aurora tried to cheer up Nitrotic, but it didn't work for either of them. They were still depressed. Then the latest evil one of Slytherin, often nicknamed 'Draco's heir', came up to them.

"Hello Aurora. Hello Nitrotic. Still haven't told anyone your real name have you?" The boy sneered.

"Hate to inconvenience you, but could you frag off Zantor?" Nitrotic asked.

"But I haven't chatted with you in such a long time! How are you Nitrotic?" Zantor always said 'Nitrotic' with an air of derision.

"A lot better before you came, but still bad. Will you go away now?" Nitrotic queried.

"But I haven't spoken with your girlfriend yet!" Zantor laughed. Aurora merely pulled out her wand, and said "Petrificus Totalis!" Zantors arms slapped against his sides and he froze solid, except for his eyes. Nitrotic lazily stretched out his leg, and nudged Zantor with his toe, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Zantor really is an idiot. Sometimes I think he has Muggles for brains." Nitrotic laughed. Aurora giggled too, and their minds were temporarily taken off of the detention. Aurora stopped giggling, then said in a serious voice. "Please lay off the Muggles a bit, I'm half Muggle myself."

"Oops, Sorry Aurora. I'll give Muggles a break ok?" Nitrotic apologized.

"Thanks. Do you think we should let him go now?" Aurora asked, indicating Zantor, who was still frozen. The pair looked at each other, and simultaneously said the most obvious answer.

"Nah!"