Chapter Five

The Truth Serum

Those three words, spoken so sweetly to each other, never left their sub- conscience. The vacation ended and they went back to Hogwarts a day early to unpack and prepare for the last six months of their school year. From the moment Jeremy and Holly spoke on that day, they never let go of each other. During the car ride back to the school, Holly leaned against Jeremy with his arm around her shoulder, holding her tightly. Snape couldn't help but shake his head and smile. A Quidditch game was to be played in a week or so, so practice was to be expected.

" Holly! Keep your head up!! We have a game soon and Ravenclaw's seeker is tough! " Flint hollered.

Holly couldn't help but be hypnotised by the past event. Her head was in the clouds. She didn't realize how much she felt for Jeremy until the day of their confession.

" LOOK OUT! " Flint screamed, a bludger headed straight in Holly's direction. She snapped out of it and reluctantly moved out of the way. Flint flew over to her, " What's wrong with you today? "

Holly combed her hair with her fingers and sighed, " Nothing,__I'm just thinking of stuff___it happened during break. "

" Well get your mind off of Jeremy and get back to practice!! " Flint scowled.

Holly shook her head, then paused and thought to herself, How does he know of Jeremy and me? She flew over to Flint and kicked him slightly, " How do you know of--? "

He chuckled, " I hear you in the common room, I see you at lunch, in the halls, in the library! Holly, you really can't hide it. "

She lowered her head, slightly with a blush, " Well I guess I can't really hide my feelings for him. And this past week on break something between us happened___and__, " She broke off.

" You shagged and your pregnant? AREN'T YOU?! " Marcus's eyes bulged and he was kicked in the face.

" NO! You pervert! We just finally got our true feelings for each other out and we both love each other and stuff! " She shook her head and flew off in search of the fake snitch.

Practice ended and Holly was late for Transfiguration. She ran back and forth, changing from her Quidditch uniform to her house uniform, grabbing things for the remaining classes. She screamed as she fell forward, landing on her potions ingrediants, spilling a mixture that turned pink onto her clothing.She groaned and got up. A goblet full of liquid sat near her satchel. How convient she thought, having needed something to drink. She grabbed the goblet and downed the liquid inside, drinking every drop. With much satisfaction, she belched and threw the goblet over her shoulder.

She made it to her Transfiguration class just as the class began to leave. She hung her head and groaned.

Jeremy came out and poked her slightly," Hi. Practice? "

She nodded, " That and potions mixture for a strawberry flavor. " Her hand moved down her shirt and he laughed a little.

" Well potions is next. There's a quiz says Parvati. Tough as well. Have you your notes? "

Holly shook her head, " Unfortunately, no. I haven't gotten a chance to study really. "

They began to walk on to the dungeons. Holly held her stomach tightly and closed her eyes, whimpering slightly. Jeremy looked and her and asked if she was alright, she nodded and they went down the sloping hallway and into the dungeons. They took there usually seats and Holly started cleaning herself off. Snape kicked the door open in his, " I hate you all " type manner and strode in. He moved to his desk, turned and nodded to Holly.

" Today, as probably most of you have already heard, there will be a quiz. I will be giving you all exploding quills so don't even think about cheating.. " Severus's eyes moved towards Neville and Ron. They froze slightly and he continued. " Your quiz will be hard. I expect you all to do well. If you do not, there will be a make up quiz. "

Ron muttered to Harry, " Which'll be even harder than this quiz. " His eyes rolled and the quiz was given to him as well as the quill.

The rest of the class had gotten their quills and they began. Holly's eyes widened and she spontaneously blurted out to Snape. " YOU CALL THIS A QUIZ?! I'VE SEEN STICKS HARDER THAN THIS! "

Snape turned and looked at her, " Would you like an even harder quiz, dear? "

" NO! " She stood up and slammed her quill onto the table, causing it to explode. " I would like for you to get another goddamn wife so you can take all your anger out on her and not me!!! Why don't you get off your arse for once and not hang around in your room all day and find somebody!! "

The class gasped and Snape stared at her,looking as if he was going to chew her head off. He then grinned widely and shook his head. " Well well Holly. Seems my truth serum is working on you. My little guinea pig. "

She lifted an eyebrow," What the hell do you mean truth serum? "

" That's what you get for picking up random goblets and drinking what ever is in them. "

" YOU JERK!!"

He laughed and handed her a new quill. " You can begin now, Holly. " He strode off as she groaned and started.

The test was long and complicated. Though this was actually quite simple for Holly. To Neville and Ron, they would do anything to at least get one answer right. Ron's eyes wandered and his wand exploded. Neville's eyes widened when his quill exploded. He blurted out, " BUT PROFESSOR! I DIDN'T CHEAT!! I thought about cheating but I didn't! HONESTLY!! "

Severus looked up at him, " That's why I told you, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT CHEATING! " He replaced the quills and moved their seats.

Lunchtime. The tests were collected and the grades weren't going to be given for two days leaving several students time to hope for the best. Neville and Ron were inevitably going to get a grade lower on their quizes for cheating. The potion Holly drank didn't seem as if it was going to wear off. Draco came up to Holly and Jeremy, back in his uniform and talking in his regular first person.

" Well Holly I hope you're satisfied with yourself after making me look like an absolute idiot out there! " He scowled.

Holly laughed abit, " Yup. And just to let you know, you have really nice legs Draco. I'd love to see you in another pillowcase sometime soon. " Her hand immediatly slapped over her mouth and she started to nervously laugh.

Jeremy and Draco's eyes widened. Draco finally spoke, "...I'm...going to pretend I didn't ...hear that. " He walked away.

Jeremy looked at Holly. " I could hex your father if you want. "

She sighed and shook her head, ".....It's alright. Besides, it only lasts an hour or so. "

And so it did. After lunch the potion wore off due to a large intake of food and other liquids. Study Hall had been given to replace Defense Against The Dark Arts for Professor Quirrell was absent that day. Many students passed around rumors that the vampires had come after him again and he had to leave Hogwarts for a few days. Some of those rumors lead to Jeremy because he was a dunpeal but he tried his best to ignore it.

In the library where most students were, Holly was reading a little on potions to make sure she had gotten a few answers correct on the quiz. A large falcon came in from the window. It was a beautiful dark chocolate color with bright blue eyes and strong sharp talons. It landed infront of Holly and handed her a note from his strong black beak. She nodded. " Thank you Artemus." She softly began to pet his belly until he climbed onto her hand and made his way up her shoulder. "..Wonder what father wants. " She fed the bird a licorice wand piece and opened the letter.

Holly. I wish to see you in my office once you are finished with the rest of your classes. There is something I have finally decided to tell you. Come alone. Remember, come only after the rest of your classes are finished.

- Dad. P.S Stop feeding Artemus licorice wands, my bird is becoming addicted to them and he'll soon be pudgy.

She lifted an eyebrow and turned to Artemus who was preening her hair. Curious to know what this was all about, she disobeyed her father's orders and went to see him immediatly. She walked into the dungeons and saw him at his desk grading papers. He looked to her.

" I thought I told you to come after your classes. "

She placed the note on his desk, " What is it that you want to tell me? "

He stood up and strode over to the door. After shutting the door, he turned to her. "..Holly...it's about your mother...I know about her disappearance..." He walked back over to his desk and leaned against it. "..You might have to sit for this.."

She nodded and sat. " So what happened? Is she ok? Will I be seeing her anytime soon? "

He turned his head away from her. " Holly. This is going to be hard for me..I only wish I could answer two of those three questions.. " He paused and lowered his head. " When you were ten years old...I was experiancing some odd moments where I would do something and Adrieana would witness it,..tell me,......but I wouldn't remember that I had done it in the first place. ......"

Holly stared and listened quietly. She had to interupt.. "..Are you skitzo? "

He sighed and shook his head. " That's what your mother and I first thought....But one night...I..I experianced a much more intense side to it..and..I painfully remember it.....Your mother was getting ready for sleep and I had just walked in from putting you to rest. I crawled next to your mother and we spoke...but..I then found myself holding her against the wall with my wand using one of the unforgivable curses...the ...death one.." His eyes moved to Holly and her expression hadn't changed. He continued.

" Soon her agonizing screams went unheard and she fell over limp. Of course..She was elf so I had to make sure she was dead..I picked up her body and brought it outside. Where I severed her head and limbs and threw her into a river.. I blacked out and met with.....You-Know-Who.....He congradulated me on my murder and cursed me with.... " As he trailed off, he turned to her and pulled up his sleeve of his left arm, showing her the dark mark.

Holly stared at it. Tears began to form in her eyes and she looked up at him, " ..You mean...you killed..my...mother?.." She jumped up and screamed. " HOW COULD YOU!!!! "

He jumped slightly. " I was possessed by dark magic! Do you think I wanted to kill her?! Adrieana meant everything to me! I would never do anything to harm her! "

She cried and threw a testtube at him, " THEN WHY DID YOU?!! "

He caught it, kneeled down and grabbed her arms. " Dark Magic is very powerful, Holly!! "

" You went to Hogwarts!! YOU COULD OF PREVENTED IT! "

" I could of prevented it if I were facing it face to face! But not if it happens when the wizard is unseen!!! If he wasn't this wouldn't of happened! Believe me! "

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at him, not knowing whether she should embrace or slap him. "....You kept this from me for years...why? "

" I wasn't sure if I should of told you right away..If I told you while you were young I was afraid you'd still think she would come home.. I couldn't let you wonder something that wouldn't be true, Holly...." He pulled her closely in a hug, but her arms didn't go around him as he expected. " ..Holly I love you..and the reason why I try so hard to get the Defence Against The Dark Arts job is because I want to teach espically you how to protect yourself incase it happens again and you end up threatened by it...."

Her face burried itself in his shoulder, her arms clung to his back and she began to sob into his clothing. He rubbed her back and held her closer, whispering apologies in her ear. She broke away and ran out of the dungeons. She pushed through a crowd of students who gathered at the door, hearing the commotion. Snape came up, sighed while watching her run down the hallway, then turned to the students. "....Class is canceled. " He shut the door in a slam.

Holly ran through the halls in a crying mess. She crashed into Jeremy but had pushed him aside as if he were a Gryffindor and went straight to the common room. The painting was closed and it began laughing at her.

" SHUT UP AND LET ME IN! " Her wand was removed and she aimed at the painting.

" You can't intimidate me. I'm not letting you in until you say the password. " The snakes around the man hissed threateningly.

Holly didn't have time to say the password, nor did she want to deal with a two demensional twit like Salazar. The tip of her wand began to glow and she recited, " Lacarnum Inflamaray!! " The painting burst into flames and swung open, screaming all the way. She stepped inside and it shut. She pulled off her cloak and vest, throwing them onto the couch. Then moved over to a window where she climbed onto the ledge and sat there, curled up and softly cried in her knees.

Jeremy stared down at the flaming painting. He walked over to it and poked it slightly. " Can I come in? "

" YES! YES YOU CAN! JUST DON'T SET ME ON FIRE!! PLEEEEEAAASSSSE!! " It swung open.

He stepped inside and looked around.. " Holly? ..Holly are you alright? "

She called from the window. " No..I'm not. I just found out my mother was killed by my own father! Of all people! " She wiped off her eyes and pulled her hair away from her face and adjusted the way she was sitting a little. Jeremy came over and gave her a hug.

" How'd it happen? " He asked and then sat next to her.

" He was possessed by....by dark magic or something. " She rolled her eyes and coughed slightly.

"..Well that stuff is pretty powerful..." He sighed and looked at her. " Will you be alright? "

She nodded. " I just don't want to believe he did it..I want to just pretend somebody else did it! Not him. "

" I wouldn't..then when you get older you'll realize you've done nothing but lied to yourself all these years. " He pulled her close to him and gave her another hug. She smiled and rubbed her head against his arm.

" Next week is the big Quidditch game..against Ravenclaw.." Jeremy spoke after abit of silence between him and Holly.

She nodded. " I'm sure we'll do fine.. I heard the seeker is tough. "

"..Cho is very estatic about the game. She just keeps talking about how she wants to crush the seeker. I told her you were tough but now she just wants to practice harder..." Jeremy ran his hands through Holly's hair a little. She pulled herself closer to him and hummed a little.

Slytherins poured in laughing at the painting. Pansy came in last and noticed Holly and Jeremy. " Aww how sweet. " Holly smiled meakly at her and closed her eyes, just ignoring the talking of the group and concentrating on only Jeremy's heartbeat. The rhythmic sound of his heart lulled her in his arms. Her thoughts drifted and she had images of her mother and father. Sleep suddenly came. A dream of her parents seperation replayed in her mind. The image of her mother being attacked by one of the darkest spells a wizard could come up with repeated itself. The screaming died and there was a flash. It was Jeremy and Holly they were sitting in Hogwarts as teachers. Holly took up Snape's position. Jeremy with McGonagall's. A man in a long black hooded cloak came through the doubled doors of the Great Hall. To the teacher's table he ran and he pulled off the hood. It was Draco looking frighteningly similar to his father Lucius. From the long sleeves his hand appeared with a wand. The face shifted itself to that of Lord Voldemort's. A long forked tongue flickered outwards from his mouth before it quietly spoke with a snarling voice. " Say goodbye, Holly." The wand rose and as a flash of light rapidly came towards Holly, she woke up in a panic and cold sweat.

She looked around, breathing hard. Jeremy was no longer behind her. She woke up on the couch with a blanket over her waist in the common room only lit by its fire place. The place was empty and the only sound was her breathing and the crackling of the wood. She felt her forehead and stared up at the ceiling and her breathing eased up.

" Ladies and Gentlemen!! Welcome once again to Hogwarts Quidditch! I hope you all enjoyed your winter break! I know I did! " The Quidditch game had finally came and it would be the game to determain who goes to the House Cup game. Hufflepuff didn't stand a chance against Gryffindor so whoever won this game would compete against the Lions for the glorious cup. " Today's game! Ravenclaw and Slytherin!!!!! "

Holly soared through the air on her Nimbus 2000 followed by her team. There was much confidence inside of her because it wasn't like her first game. Though there was abit of nervousness going through her head because of what Jeremy told her of Cho. She had never met this Cho, nor did she really hear anything about her until last week. Snape was in his teachers spot like normal and 3/4s of the Gryffindors were cheering for Ravenclaw. The teams met in their formation around Madam Hooch. Jordan announced what was going on until the game began.

Cho flew over to Holly. Her hair was pulled back and her eyes were narrowed. " Don't you think you're getting an inch near that snitch, Holly! Just because your the potion master's daughter doesn't mean I'll give you any special treatment! "

Holly's eyes widened. All she wanted to say was good luck. But if Cho was going to be this rude. " Who lit the fuse on your tampon? " She flew off and around. Cho gasped slightly and went after her.

" This game is quite thrilling ladies and gentlemen! Espically if Hogwarts Hottest Couple, Jeremy and Holly are playing not together but against each other!! "

Holly and Jeremy both shook their heads at the exceeding amount of immaturity and continued to play. He smacked a bludger to the second beater, Nabisaki who smacked it at the student stands, intending to hit Draco. Fortunatly for him, it missed.

" Damn! " She glared and smacked her broom with her club. " I was hoping it would hit. "

Jeremy laughed, " There is a second bludger. Let's try next time. "

" Yes. Lets. " She laughed evily and flew around some more.

An hour passed quickly and the score was fifty to seventy, Ravenclaw. The snitch was found several times but because of the intensity and determination and competitive attitude of both seekers, the snitch went uncaught. More bludgers had gone into Malfoy's direction, curteousy of Nabisaki, though Ravenclaw was given penalties, like that stopped her. Jeremy flew up to Holly.

" Good game, eh? " He laughed and smacked another bludger.

" You're only saying that because your team is winning by twenty points. " She ducked as a chaser followed by two beaters flew by. A scoring sound was made.

" ANOTHER TEN POINTS FOR RAVENCLAW!! " Shouted Lee enthusiastically as he hit the tab giving the team eighty points.

Holly growled, clenched her fists, looked at Jeremy with slitted eyes and flew off, now aggrivated at her team and more determained to catch that little bastard of a ball.

Jeremy floated there momentarily until Cho flew up. " Jeremy! Just because she's your little girlfriend doesn't mean you should treat her like a teammate! When you see that bludger you sure as hell better hit it and hit it right to her! Otherwise! I'll make you wish you were never on this team! " The snitch flew by. " HA! Remember Jeremy! NO SCREW UPS! " And she was gone. Jeremy flew away in the opposite direction.

Suddenly a flash caught Holly's eye and she turned to focus on the flash and it was the snitch. Unfortunatly being followed by Cho. Holly was screwed if she didn't get over there, which she did as fast as possible. Little did Holly know she was being followed by a bludger. She adjusted herself and flew side by side next to Cho. Both going as fast as their brooms could carry them, unfortunatly it was no match against that winged gold plated thing. As Jeremy soared around, he noticed the bludger going straight for Holly.

" ..Alright....think fast...save the one I love...or help my team by getting rid of Slytherin's most valuable player?..." The answer to his question was quickly solved. " DUH!! " He flew over quickly and smacked the bludger away from Holly. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Cho glared and rammed herself into Holly. She reacted by ramming back and Jeremy flew off. The snitch changed directions and suddenly Holly was hit by a bludger in the end half of her broom and was sent foreward flying. She fell about ten feet to the ground and landed in a sand pit, becoming scratched up some in the face.

Snape stood up and looked down. Lee paused slightly as he watched Holly stand. She held up her hand, revealing the snitch in her fingers. " AND SLYTHERIN WINS WITH 200 POINTS!!!!! REMEMBER! NEXT MONTH'S IS AGAINST HUFFLEPUFF!! WHO WILL INEVITABLY LOSE GIVING SLYTHERIN ANOTHER GAME AGAINST GRYFFINDOR!!!!!! And don't forget! End of the Year exams are coming soon!! Stock up on your parchment and ink! Prepare yourself for rigerous training! And remember, GO GO GRYFFINDOR!!! "

So Slytherin won. The team members ran over to Holly and they rejoiced. Snape appeared on the field and came through the crowd of players. He smiled and placed his hand on Holly's shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled a little. With a nod he left her to continue the celebration. Jeremy hopped off his broom and ran over to the crowd. He pushed through and made it to Holly. They both smiled at each other and Holly couldn't help but laugh a little and hug him. He hugged back and smiled at her. The team shouted, " PARTY IN SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM!! SLYTHERINS ONLY!! " And they ran off. Holly laughed again and grabbed a hold of Jeremy's hand, pulling him along.

In the common room there was laughter and cheers heard. Exploding Snap was played and the smell of sweets and butterbeer infested the air. Holly dragged Jeremy inside through the restored painting. Josh grabbed a hold of Holly and pulled her into a corner with Jeremy close behind.

" We're playing this fun game." Josh said as he kneeled down.

" Yeah. " Nathan grinned and laughed slightly, " We're figuring out how many ways we can annoy Voldemort."

Josh shuddered at the name. Holly and Jeremy laughed. Holly's fingers snapped. " I got it! If you're feeling gutsy...........call him Voldie-poo. "

They laughed and Nathan came in, " Eat his pet snake. Then offer him some. "

" Encourage him to think ' happy thoughts! ' " Jeremy shouted and laughed.

" Whack him in the arm and say 'mosquito' - every few minutes. " Josh grinned.

The game went on until their attention was pulled to the center of the room where a duel was taking place. Apparently they were making a reinactment of the duel that Holly and Draco had nearly a month ago. Pansy was Holly and Flint was Draco. Rather embarassed, Draco stepped up and tried to put a stop to it but he became hexed and fell over twitching. Laughter filled the common room and Holly stole some butterbeer. She stepped up onto the table where the duel was taken place.

"Fellow Slytherins!...And Jeremy. We all know how much we despise Gryffindor house right? " A loud roar was heard. " Ok. Just checking. " And she hopped from the table and sipped more of her drink. A few students looked at her and she just giggled. Jeremy smiled some and put his arms around her. Holly took his hand and lead him upstairs to the girls dormitory. She sat down on her trunk and he sat next to her.

They looked at each other and she gave another giggle. She looked kind of bad because she had no time to clean up from the Quidditch game. Her hair was pulled out of its tight ponytail and combed with her fingers while Jeremy watched her. She moved herself a little closer to him and looked into his eyes.

"You know Jeremy...I didn't think I would of found love in a school.. " She whispered slightly but enough so he could still hear.

He nodded,.. " Neither did I, Holly. " He moved a little closer to her as she began to fiddle with her wrist guards nervously. He placed his hands on her own and laid his head on her shoulder, softly starting to nuzzle her.

With a smile, Holly returned the same affection. Her hands removed themselves from her lap and found their place Jeremy's back. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back some. Holly inhaled, closed her eyes and began to parselmouth. He smiled pushed his head into her neck a little then after she finished, he asked.

" What does that mean? "

" The moldy cheese has melted and now you must wash your fuzzy pants with the lemon scented flamingo. "

He chuckled a little and pulled himself away, staring back into her eyes. He ran his hand across her cheek softly and pulled a little closer to her. She smiled again and moved close as well. Their lips were only centimeters away from touching.

Draco came in, "HOLLY!! JEREMY!! QUICKLY! YOU MUST SEE WHAT MARCUS AND PANSY ARE DOING!! IT'S NUTS! "

" Draco. You're....DEAD!! " She jumped up and chased him out of the dorm and back downstairs into the mosh pit of a common room.

Jeremy sighed and walked back downstairs. He leaned against the wall and watched everyone dance and laugh and celebrate and watched Holly diving and running through the crowd after Draco. Holly ended up chasing him out of the common room. Jeremy quickly followed after, not wanting to be the only Ravenclaw there with no Slytherin at his side there. Plus he wanted to see Holly kick Draco.

She chased him down the hall and tackled him by the boys bathroom. He squirmed underneathe her but couldn't break free. She began to beat him up. Of course she wasn't that mad that he interrupted a moment between her and Jeremy. Just that she also felt like torturing her cousin for a little bit. Professor McGonagall turned a corner, noticed Holly and Draco and rushed over, taking Holly and pulling her off.

" Miss Snape! What on earth do you think you are doing?! "

" ..Beating up my cousin..? "

" For your actions I'm taking fifteen points from Slytherin and I'll inform your father on it, Holly. " She dropped her and looked down at Draco, " And you Mr. Malfoy, get off of the floor! " And with that, she walked away.

" Well.....that was boring. " She walked into the bathroom, not catching a glimps that it was the boys one after all. Jeremy soon followed in.

" Uhm...Holly.., " he stared at her.

She looked around,.." I'm in the boys bathroom...aren't I? "

He nodded and chuckled a little.

" It's a hell of a lot bigger than the girls bathrooms. And nicer too..,..you boys have all the nice things. " She leaned against the wall.

He laughed, " And we were thinking the girls bathrooms were nicer. " He walked to her and leaned as well.

" ..Jeremy. Were we about to do what I think we were gonna do back there...? "

He looked at her, " ..I don't know. "

They turned and looked back into each others eyes. And then it happened. Jeremy couldn't stand it anymore and his arms went around Holly's back, embracing her while he kissed her softly on the lips. Her eyes closed and she returned the kiss, arms going around him as they both began to blush. The kiss carried on and their hands rubbed each others backs and sides. Holly's eyes fluttered and she brought herself up onto a window ledge where her legs had wrapped around Jeremy's waist. His eyes widened but the kiss continued on uninterrupted. Students walked into the bathroom ocassionally but decided to leave after seeing the two together. After nearly ten minutes together, they slowly broke away, opened their eyes and stared. They smiled at each other and Holly pulled herself off of the ledge, sharing a nuzzling hug with Jeremy.