* * *
Lily's still mad at me by the time we go to Potions, but not mad enough that we don't sit together.
At our table, there are two goblets filled with what seems like water. In Potions class, you never know.
I unpack my things, waiting to begin. Lily's looking over towards Potter's table. He's sitting there with Black and Pettigrew. This is our only class with Slytherin, so that's why Pettigrew's sitting with them. I'm surprised he hasn't started going to Gryffindor classes yet. Someone's missing, but I can't place it.
"Good morning, class," Professor McShane says with a grin. "I would like everyone to drink the liquid in your respective goblets."
Unquestioningly, I pick mine up and drink the lot. It tastes exactly like water. I hear a clinking noise, and behind me, Potter, Black and Pettigrew bang theirs together before chugging it all down.
"What IS this stuff, Professor?" Black calls out.
"Water," he says simply. "At least for eighteen of you." Eighteen? I realize that the missing person is Remus Lupin. He's never in class. He's probably cutting.
"What's in the other one, then?" Black asks.
"Veritaserum."
"WHAT?" The whole class is in an uproar. Except for Potter, who is just sitting at his seat passively.
"Well, well, well." Professor McShane says with an evil smile. "It looks as if we've got our victim. It's time to show you all just how powerful veritaserum really is. Mr. Potter has no control over what he will, and will not say, and I promise you: every last word will be the complete truth. His lips are looser than the drunkest drunk."
"You can't do this!" Black shrieks. "It isn't right! Self-incrimination is illegal!" Professor McShane just smirks.
"Mr. Potter, it's time to answer a few questions. What's your name, son?"
"James Potter," Potter's voice has this weird monotone to it. Black's standing right next to Potter, but his eyes are on the professor. I have a feeling that Black is going clamp his hand over Potter's mouth if a bad question was asked. Like "Have you ever broken a school rule?" HA! "Yes, Potter, but what's your full name?" McShane asks again.
Dutifully, Potter answers, "Godric James Tainer-Stratford Potter." Several people snicker, others look surprised. None of Potter's friends react. They obviously know and don't care.
"So your real first name is Godric?" Black is still eying Professor McShane. He seems less tense, but not much less. You don't use veritaserum to get someone to say his or her full name.
"Yes, it's a family name. My mother and father wanted me to have it, not use it. I've been called James even before I could call myself anything. They just wanted to honor my great-great-great-great grandfather because he founded my house." A murmur rushes through the classroom. POTTER is Godric Gryffindor's infinitely great grandson? Amazing. Although I can't see how naming Potter Godric would be an honor considering Potter once poured a liter of red paint on the statue of the great Gryffindor himself on purpose.
Black stands up and says without being called on, " Professor, you don't have the right to do this. James did not want people to know that."
"Mr. Black, I don't see any reason why Mr. Potter should care one way or the other. These facts aren't personal, not yet anyways. Who cares if our friend Mr. Potter happens to be related to a wizard in history? Being a historical figure does not prevent people from having children, you all must realize that." I can't help but agree with Professor McShane. It's far out that Potter is related to THE Godric Gryffindor.
"But James did not want people to know that. His family keeps it quiet on purpose," Black repeats. "Certain people care very much about these things, and I think you know damn well who I'm talking about, but of course you kept quiet about him! Couldn't have given him some veritaserum, eh?"
No one in the class has the faintest idea what Black is saying, except Professor McShane, who's pale complexion has turned the red of one of those signs in Lily's neighborhood that tells Muggle cars to stop at intersections when they really should know to do so already.
"Mr. Black. You will sit down in your seat right now, and say no more. If you do, I will take off five hundred points from Gryffindor," Professor McShane fumes. I can tell he's really cross.
Black opens his mouth to protest, but then realizes it is in his best interest to shut up.
Perhaps to get revenge on Black or perhaps because he meant to all along, Professor McShane asks loads of questions about Potter's family. I realize I never knew much about Potter. Black looks at the Professor like a determined guard dog. His threat is entirely empty. Five hundred points is too much, even for him.
I can see why Potter wouldn't want people to know what he is saying in his toneless voice. Potter has worked quite hard these seven years: getting into fights on the very first day with Severus Snape, sneaking nose-biting teacups on the staff table with fascinating results, turning the Headmaster's beard green (oddly, Professor Dumbledore LIKED it and kept it that way until he had to go to the Ministry a month later), breaking the detention record along with Black (the offical announcement was made last February that they beat Peeves by serving their one thousand first detention together), holding parties after quidditch matches using food that could only be gotten from Hogsmeade (God knows how they got it), and being out of bed just about once for every detention he's got to create the impression that he's a rebel. I don't feel bad at all that it is all going out the window, considering he comes from a very nice family indeed. For one, his grandfather is the Minister of Magic himself. For another, before he died, Potter's father was a school governor, which is quite impressive. The disappointing thing is that the intrigue of how Potter could get so many detentions and stay on the Quidditch team, and in Hogwarts is completely gone.
Potter's still droning on about his father's position. He doesn't care that his father was a school governor as much as he cares about the position going to a person called Lucius Malfoy after his father died. Malfoy was too young, too stupid, bought the position, and most importantly: a Slytherin.
"Enough!" Professor McShane shouts after about five minutes of Potter's droning that went from "The equal balance of governors from each house has gone shifted to a poor level" to "Lucius Malfoy is about as slippery as oil" to "Everyone knows that Malfoy works for Voldemort except that idiot Cornelius Fudge" to "You can never trust a Slytherin."
All the Slytherins look rather cross at Potter. Even his buddy Pettigrew, who hero-worships Potter and Black with the utmost devotion (that makes me want to vomit), seems really scared. He looks like someone just died. Professor McShane is looking at Potter with the utmost hatred. After all, he is head of Slytherin house, and for someone to tell him that Slytherins can't be trusted under the influence of a powerful truth potion may have made him slightly angry.
"Potter, I have a little question for you: have you ever betrayed a friend?" The class goes quiet. I wouldn't want to answer this question under veritaserum, myself. I mean, everyone has probably done it once or twice. Even though Lily's my best friend in the entire world, I've talked about her behind her back a few times. Mostly about stuff that involved her doing stupid stuff with her sister, and how she still has no clue about half the things in the wizard world. But I don't do it THAT often. I wonder what Potter's done?]
"Nothing," The whole class gasps. "I would never betray anyone that I count as my friend." Severus Snape calls out, "Potter's got to be lying. I don't think the potion is working. Everyone knows he's not that honest." Too true.
"I am terribly sorry, Mr. Snape, but the potion is working. Apparently Mr. Potter is a very trustworthy person," Professor McShane seems rather annoyed. He was hoping to make Potter look bad, or as bad as Potter can look. He's gotten caught doing so many embarrassing things, but somehow still remains popular.
Lily leans over and whispers in my ear, "Wow, he's really never betrayed someone. Thought that's not a big thing. You've never betrayed me."
"Right," I say, melting a little.
"All right, Mr. Potter, how far have you and Ms. Engerton gone?" The whole class gasps. Some of the girls start giggling. Black seems oddly unconcerned. Even I'm curious to hear this one, considering what the pair has done in public, let alone private. Clearly Professor McShane was thinking along the same lines.
"Nothing, really. She kissed me in public and sat on my lap, but I never did anything back with her, and we didn't do anything in private. I'm sure she wanted to, but I never let her. I didn't feel about Veronica the way she felt about me. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I finally called it off after she unknowingly insulted my mother."
Professor McShane is again disappointed. Obviously he had no idea about Potter and Engerton's little split.
"I TOLD you it wasn't working, Professor," Severus Sanpe insists.
The Potions Master mutters something, then hurries to his office. He comes out with a miniscule crystal bottle, shoves the open end in Potter's mouth, and drains it into you.
"THAT should clear any doubts as to whether it's working or not. It only takes three drops on the tongue, and I'm willing to bet that was more. MUCH, much more."
"Is he mad?" Lily whispers. "Couldn't James get sick?"
I shrug. "Maybe. I wouldn't care if Potter croaks right here and now. Besides, Professor McShane is the Potions Master. He wouldn't ever give anyone too much of anything."
"Look at him!" Lily hisses.
Professor McShane is looking down at Potter, who definitely does look slightly nauseated.
"He'll be fine!"
"Alright, Potter," Professor McShane says. If you aren't going to the Noel Night with Veronica, who are you going with?"
"Lily Evans." There is no symphony of oohs and gasps as Potter reveals this. Everyone in the room (except possibly Professor McShane) already knows. The only reaction in the room is from Lily, who reddens slightly.
"I wasn't aware, Potter, that you fancied Ms. Evans, why don't you elaborate a bit," Professor McShane says with a small simpering smile. He turns to the class. "It doesn't take much power of the imagination to know that under normal circumstances, most of us would not care to answer this next question, even Mr. Potter, who doesn't have a governor on his mouth in the first place, right Potter?" There was this very unfortunate incident years ago when Potter called Professor McShane something iI've/i never uttered aloud.
Potter isn't listening. Instead, he says, "I've liked Lily Evans ever since the first day of classes in my first year, when she yelled at me for calling her and Perry 'swots.' I remember looking into to her eyes that first time. She's got the wildest eyes ever. Every time I look into them, I get swallowed by a forest of green."
Gag me. Potter's really that bonkers about Lily? And speaking of Lily, she's under the table, which is peculiar because I know she's not one to hide from things. I poke my head under the table. Her face is the exact same color as her hair, which is a rich, dark red that I'm secretly envious of. I hate my hair. It's blonde and stringy, which doesn't really work because my face is too fat.
"And she's got this smile, that makes me melt every time I see it. I get chills down my spine, and butterflies in my stomach." Potter won't shut up. I'd never thought he was capable of a coherent sentence, let alone talk for so long on the same topic.
All the Slytherins are snickering. Black has his head in his hands and is shaking his head. Lily's still under the table. People are staring, but no one can see Lily, so they're all staring at me.
"I don't just like Lily because she's beautiful," Potter says. "She's intelligent, and funny too. I love talking with her. She's understands me, and I feel comfortable with her."
I've had enough or people staring at me, so I slide off my stool and under the table.
"Oh my god, oh my god," Lily groans. Her face is still beet red. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"Look on the bright side, Lil: at least he's not saying you are a pukeface. He genuinely ilikes /i you. Fancy what he would say if Professor McShane asked him about me," I joke.
"Oh Ros," Lily begins to laugh a bit, but I can hear from her tone now that she's trying not to cry.
"Lily?" I say. "Just think how embarrassed POTTER is going to be when he realizes what he's said all class. You think you've got it bad."
"Oh GOD," Lily shakes her head. She bites her lip then says, "if James can live this down, then I can too."
'That's my girl. Up on the count of three. One. two. three," We resurface to find Potter still reminiscing about the time Lily tried to take him on because he made her hair match her eyes in our third year, and he didn't want to hit her back, because he didn't want to mess up her face in addition to the fact that he won't hit a girl.
"Great story, Potter," McShane says, interrupting him with a sneer. "Now, how about you tell us where you went late last night?"
The whole class bursts out laughing. Potter and his friends are infamous for sneaking out of bed several times a month. No one knows where they go or what they do, or how they never get caught, just that they are out of bed more often than not. Black's jaw drops to the floor.
"Last night was a-" Potter begins.
"HAVEN'T YOU DONE ENOUGH?" Black barks all of a sudden, hand over his best friend's mouth. "FIRST YOU EMBARRASS STUNDENTS IN THIS CLASS, AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO RUIN HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING ELSE HE'S WORKED FOR! JUST TO MAKE JAMES LOOK BAD, TO PROVE A BLOODY POINT! IT'S NOT WORTH THAT."
"Black's gone mad," Lily exclaims.
"He'll lose us five hundred points! What's he doing?" I hiss.
I gasp as Black jumps out of his seat. He hoists Potter onto his shoulders, which isn't an easy thing to do because Potter's so tall so he's hard to lift, and tries to run with him out of the classroom.
"Stop at once!" Professor McShane roars. He digs in his pockets for his wand, but it isn't there. He runs over to his desk and grabs it, but it's too late. Black's already out the door with Potter.
Lily's still mad at me by the time we go to Potions, but not mad enough that we don't sit together.
At our table, there are two goblets filled with what seems like water. In Potions class, you never know.
I unpack my things, waiting to begin. Lily's looking over towards Potter's table. He's sitting there with Black and Pettigrew. This is our only class with Slytherin, so that's why Pettigrew's sitting with them. I'm surprised he hasn't started going to Gryffindor classes yet. Someone's missing, but I can't place it.
"Good morning, class," Professor McShane says with a grin. "I would like everyone to drink the liquid in your respective goblets."
Unquestioningly, I pick mine up and drink the lot. It tastes exactly like water. I hear a clinking noise, and behind me, Potter, Black and Pettigrew bang theirs together before chugging it all down.
"What IS this stuff, Professor?" Black calls out.
"Water," he says simply. "At least for eighteen of you." Eighteen? I realize that the missing person is Remus Lupin. He's never in class. He's probably cutting.
"What's in the other one, then?" Black asks.
"Veritaserum."
"WHAT?" The whole class is in an uproar. Except for Potter, who is just sitting at his seat passively.
"Well, well, well." Professor McShane says with an evil smile. "It looks as if we've got our victim. It's time to show you all just how powerful veritaserum really is. Mr. Potter has no control over what he will, and will not say, and I promise you: every last word will be the complete truth. His lips are looser than the drunkest drunk."
"You can't do this!" Black shrieks. "It isn't right! Self-incrimination is illegal!" Professor McShane just smirks.
"Mr. Potter, it's time to answer a few questions. What's your name, son?"
"James Potter," Potter's voice has this weird monotone to it. Black's standing right next to Potter, but his eyes are on the professor. I have a feeling that Black is going clamp his hand over Potter's mouth if a bad question was asked. Like "Have you ever broken a school rule?" HA! "Yes, Potter, but what's your full name?" McShane asks again.
Dutifully, Potter answers, "Godric James Tainer-Stratford Potter." Several people snicker, others look surprised. None of Potter's friends react. They obviously know and don't care.
"So your real first name is Godric?" Black is still eying Professor McShane. He seems less tense, but not much less. You don't use veritaserum to get someone to say his or her full name.
"Yes, it's a family name. My mother and father wanted me to have it, not use it. I've been called James even before I could call myself anything. They just wanted to honor my great-great-great-great grandfather because he founded my house." A murmur rushes through the classroom. POTTER is Godric Gryffindor's infinitely great grandson? Amazing. Although I can't see how naming Potter Godric would be an honor considering Potter once poured a liter of red paint on the statue of the great Gryffindor himself on purpose.
Black stands up and says without being called on, " Professor, you don't have the right to do this. James did not want people to know that."
"Mr. Black, I don't see any reason why Mr. Potter should care one way or the other. These facts aren't personal, not yet anyways. Who cares if our friend Mr. Potter happens to be related to a wizard in history? Being a historical figure does not prevent people from having children, you all must realize that." I can't help but agree with Professor McShane. It's far out that Potter is related to THE Godric Gryffindor.
"But James did not want people to know that. His family keeps it quiet on purpose," Black repeats. "Certain people care very much about these things, and I think you know damn well who I'm talking about, but of course you kept quiet about him! Couldn't have given him some veritaserum, eh?"
No one in the class has the faintest idea what Black is saying, except Professor McShane, who's pale complexion has turned the red of one of those signs in Lily's neighborhood that tells Muggle cars to stop at intersections when they really should know to do so already.
"Mr. Black. You will sit down in your seat right now, and say no more. If you do, I will take off five hundred points from Gryffindor," Professor McShane fumes. I can tell he's really cross.
Black opens his mouth to protest, but then realizes it is in his best interest to shut up.
Perhaps to get revenge on Black or perhaps because he meant to all along, Professor McShane asks loads of questions about Potter's family. I realize I never knew much about Potter. Black looks at the Professor like a determined guard dog. His threat is entirely empty. Five hundred points is too much, even for him.
I can see why Potter wouldn't want people to know what he is saying in his toneless voice. Potter has worked quite hard these seven years: getting into fights on the very first day with Severus Snape, sneaking nose-biting teacups on the staff table with fascinating results, turning the Headmaster's beard green (oddly, Professor Dumbledore LIKED it and kept it that way until he had to go to the Ministry a month later), breaking the detention record along with Black (the offical announcement was made last February that they beat Peeves by serving their one thousand first detention together), holding parties after quidditch matches using food that could only be gotten from Hogsmeade (God knows how they got it), and being out of bed just about once for every detention he's got to create the impression that he's a rebel. I don't feel bad at all that it is all going out the window, considering he comes from a very nice family indeed. For one, his grandfather is the Minister of Magic himself. For another, before he died, Potter's father was a school governor, which is quite impressive. The disappointing thing is that the intrigue of how Potter could get so many detentions and stay on the Quidditch team, and in Hogwarts is completely gone.
Potter's still droning on about his father's position. He doesn't care that his father was a school governor as much as he cares about the position going to a person called Lucius Malfoy after his father died. Malfoy was too young, too stupid, bought the position, and most importantly: a Slytherin.
"Enough!" Professor McShane shouts after about five minutes of Potter's droning that went from "The equal balance of governors from each house has gone shifted to a poor level" to "Lucius Malfoy is about as slippery as oil" to "Everyone knows that Malfoy works for Voldemort except that idiot Cornelius Fudge" to "You can never trust a Slytherin."
All the Slytherins look rather cross at Potter. Even his buddy Pettigrew, who hero-worships Potter and Black with the utmost devotion (that makes me want to vomit), seems really scared. He looks like someone just died. Professor McShane is looking at Potter with the utmost hatred. After all, he is head of Slytherin house, and for someone to tell him that Slytherins can't be trusted under the influence of a powerful truth potion may have made him slightly angry.
"Potter, I have a little question for you: have you ever betrayed a friend?" The class goes quiet. I wouldn't want to answer this question under veritaserum, myself. I mean, everyone has probably done it once or twice. Even though Lily's my best friend in the entire world, I've talked about her behind her back a few times. Mostly about stuff that involved her doing stupid stuff with her sister, and how she still has no clue about half the things in the wizard world. But I don't do it THAT often. I wonder what Potter's done?]
"Nothing," The whole class gasps. "I would never betray anyone that I count as my friend." Severus Snape calls out, "Potter's got to be lying. I don't think the potion is working. Everyone knows he's not that honest." Too true.
"I am terribly sorry, Mr. Snape, but the potion is working. Apparently Mr. Potter is a very trustworthy person," Professor McShane seems rather annoyed. He was hoping to make Potter look bad, or as bad as Potter can look. He's gotten caught doing so many embarrassing things, but somehow still remains popular.
Lily leans over and whispers in my ear, "Wow, he's really never betrayed someone. Thought that's not a big thing. You've never betrayed me."
"Right," I say, melting a little.
"All right, Mr. Potter, how far have you and Ms. Engerton gone?" The whole class gasps. Some of the girls start giggling. Black seems oddly unconcerned. Even I'm curious to hear this one, considering what the pair has done in public, let alone private. Clearly Professor McShane was thinking along the same lines.
"Nothing, really. She kissed me in public and sat on my lap, but I never did anything back with her, and we didn't do anything in private. I'm sure she wanted to, but I never let her. I didn't feel about Veronica the way she felt about me. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but I finally called it off after she unknowingly insulted my mother."
Professor McShane is again disappointed. Obviously he had no idea about Potter and Engerton's little split.
"I TOLD you it wasn't working, Professor," Severus Sanpe insists.
The Potions Master mutters something, then hurries to his office. He comes out with a miniscule crystal bottle, shoves the open end in Potter's mouth, and drains it into you.
"THAT should clear any doubts as to whether it's working or not. It only takes three drops on the tongue, and I'm willing to bet that was more. MUCH, much more."
"Is he mad?" Lily whispers. "Couldn't James get sick?"
I shrug. "Maybe. I wouldn't care if Potter croaks right here and now. Besides, Professor McShane is the Potions Master. He wouldn't ever give anyone too much of anything."
"Look at him!" Lily hisses.
Professor McShane is looking down at Potter, who definitely does look slightly nauseated.
"He'll be fine!"
"Alright, Potter," Professor McShane says. If you aren't going to the Noel Night with Veronica, who are you going with?"
"Lily Evans." There is no symphony of oohs and gasps as Potter reveals this. Everyone in the room (except possibly Professor McShane) already knows. The only reaction in the room is from Lily, who reddens slightly.
"I wasn't aware, Potter, that you fancied Ms. Evans, why don't you elaborate a bit," Professor McShane says with a small simpering smile. He turns to the class. "It doesn't take much power of the imagination to know that under normal circumstances, most of us would not care to answer this next question, even Mr. Potter, who doesn't have a governor on his mouth in the first place, right Potter?" There was this very unfortunate incident years ago when Potter called Professor McShane something iI've/i never uttered aloud.
Potter isn't listening. Instead, he says, "I've liked Lily Evans ever since the first day of classes in my first year, when she yelled at me for calling her and Perry 'swots.' I remember looking into to her eyes that first time. She's got the wildest eyes ever. Every time I look into them, I get swallowed by a forest of green."
Gag me. Potter's really that bonkers about Lily? And speaking of Lily, she's under the table, which is peculiar because I know she's not one to hide from things. I poke my head under the table. Her face is the exact same color as her hair, which is a rich, dark red that I'm secretly envious of. I hate my hair. It's blonde and stringy, which doesn't really work because my face is too fat.
"And she's got this smile, that makes me melt every time I see it. I get chills down my spine, and butterflies in my stomach." Potter won't shut up. I'd never thought he was capable of a coherent sentence, let alone talk for so long on the same topic.
All the Slytherins are snickering. Black has his head in his hands and is shaking his head. Lily's still under the table. People are staring, but no one can see Lily, so they're all staring at me.
"I don't just like Lily because she's beautiful," Potter says. "She's intelligent, and funny too. I love talking with her. She's understands me, and I feel comfortable with her."
I've had enough or people staring at me, so I slide off my stool and under the table.
"Oh my god, oh my god," Lily groans. Her face is still beet red. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"Look on the bright side, Lil: at least he's not saying you are a pukeface. He genuinely ilikes /i you. Fancy what he would say if Professor McShane asked him about me," I joke.
"Oh Ros," Lily begins to laugh a bit, but I can hear from her tone now that she's trying not to cry.
"Lily?" I say. "Just think how embarrassed POTTER is going to be when he realizes what he's said all class. You think you've got it bad."
"Oh GOD," Lily shakes her head. She bites her lip then says, "if James can live this down, then I can too."
'That's my girl. Up on the count of three. One. two. three," We resurface to find Potter still reminiscing about the time Lily tried to take him on because he made her hair match her eyes in our third year, and he didn't want to hit her back, because he didn't want to mess up her face in addition to the fact that he won't hit a girl.
"Great story, Potter," McShane says, interrupting him with a sneer. "Now, how about you tell us where you went late last night?"
The whole class bursts out laughing. Potter and his friends are infamous for sneaking out of bed several times a month. No one knows where they go or what they do, or how they never get caught, just that they are out of bed more often than not. Black's jaw drops to the floor.
"Last night was a-" Potter begins.
"HAVEN'T YOU DONE ENOUGH?" Black barks all of a sudden, hand over his best friend's mouth. "FIRST YOU EMBARRASS STUNDENTS IN THIS CLASS, AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO RUIN HIS LIFE AND EVERYTHING ELSE HE'S WORKED FOR! JUST TO MAKE JAMES LOOK BAD, TO PROVE A BLOODY POINT! IT'S NOT WORTH THAT."
"Black's gone mad," Lily exclaims.
"He'll lose us five hundred points! What's he doing?" I hiss.
I gasp as Black jumps out of his seat. He hoists Potter onto his shoulders, which isn't an easy thing to do because Potter's so tall so he's hard to lift, and tries to run with him out of the classroom.
"Stop at once!" Professor McShane roars. He digs in his pockets for his wand, but it isn't there. He runs over to his desk and grabs it, but it's too late. Black's already out the door with Potter.
