This Wasn't Part Of The Plan

Chapter Four

The Potions Lesson

By SurferChick

A/N: Nothing really to add…Hope you like! Thank you's at the bottom!

D/C: I don't own anything except the plot. JK Rowling, Scholastic, and people who are luckier than me own it.


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At the beginning of potions, Snape wrote down the ingredients of the days potion on the board. "This particular potion, the Lover's Death Potion, will stop death in the one you truly love. Only the person who's truly in love with them will be able to give them this potion. Obviously, we won't be able to test it out, since I don't think any of you are truly in love…" There were snickers in the room. "I will, however, still be grading you on the appearance of this potion. Now get to work in pairs!"

Harry, Hermione, and Ron, who almost always worked together (except if someone was in a fight), were a bit surprised at Snape's remark about being in pairs. "Did you not hear me?" Snape said icily. "So sorry to split you three up, I know you're the Dream Team of England." Harry glared at Snape.

"Do you mind, Harry?" asked Ron, beckoning to him and Hermione. Harry put on his best fake smile.

"No, not at all," he said with a phony cheerfulness. He went over to be partnered with Neville. "Hermione and Ron sure are acting weird, aren't they, Neville?"

"Yeah," said Neville. "Although I'm kind of glad you're here, Harry. It sure beats being without a partner!" Harry looked at Neville with his big smile. 'Poor kid,' thought Harry, remembering the truth about his parents.

"All right," said Hermione. "You need to add four scales of an octopus tentacle in with three cat hairs." Ron added them into the potion, which frothed and turned a rich red color. "All right, we just need to wait awhile for it to settle."

"Thanks again for doing this, Hermione," said Ron. "You know how protective I am of Ginny."

"It's fine," said Hermione. "After all, what choice did I have? You're my best friend." Ron's eyebrows went up at that.

"Really? I'm your best friend?" he asked her. Hermione nodded. "And I always thought you liked Harry better."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please," she said. "Just between you and me, sometimes his ego does get the better of him. I know he doesn't mean it at all, but…you know, sometimes…"

"I know what you mean," said Ron. "Like last year, he seemed so distant from us." Hermione nodded in agreement. "But, anyway," he said, stirring the cauldron, "who's back do want to talk behind now?"

Hermione giggled. "I didn't mean to talk behind his back and you know it!" She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. Ron pretended to be severely wounded, with mock anger on his face. That just made Hermione laugh more.

Harry watched this whole thing from his desk on the other side of the room. 'Wow, they're sitting close together,' he thought. 'Ginny and I never sit that close together…Something really fishy is going on here.' He turned his attention away from Ron and Hermione for the rest of the class to actually concentrate on his potion for once. After all, who knew what Neville could brew up in one period?

After potions, Snape made Harry stay after to clean up because he got frustrated and accidentally made Snape's blackboard read everything it said on it out loud. He looked up after he was done for Hermione and Ron. They had left him. 'What is up with those two?' he thought, feeling slightly left out.

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A/N: Sorry it was so short!! Please review! And thanks again to all my reviewers: Joey (¡gracias!), Heather (you hate Ron?? Grr…just kidding), mealle (is this enough to satisfy you for now?), Laurie Lupin (remember, it's rated PG), ev (much MUCH opportunity), and especially to WeasleyGirl and Rupert Fan for being with me from the beginning! Ciao, and sorry again it's so short!