Okay
there is still no sign as to whether or not this is going to be slash, although
most of my reviews so far seem to want it to be but you will just have to wait
and see!
As
always please review with your comments and suggestions. The more reviews I get
the faster I post the next chapter.
Enjoy
the story!
LETTERS
AND POTIONS
Harry
stared after Malfoy as the pale boy raced away down the corridor.
"What
was wrong with him?" Harry wondered but he didn't have time to dwell on it for
long as something large and white sailed through the window at the end of the
corridor and came to rest on his shoulder a small note clutched in her beak.
"Hedwig!"
he exclaimed "so that's where you were when I couldn't find you just now. I had
to send a school owl to Sirius instead."
He
tore open the note as Hedwig nibbled his ear affectionately before returning to
the Owlery. It was from Sirius but it had obviously been written before he had
received Harry's letter.
Harry,
How are you? I'm okay and so is Buckbeak
but Remus isn't too good, he is finding the transformation even harder these
days since he has been working so hard in the League Against Voldemort (AN: I read that term in
someone else's fiction and I thought it was appropriate but I can't remember
where I read it – I hope you don't mind me borrowing it.)
We
will be meeting at the school next weekend and Dumbledore has given me
permission to take you into Hogsmeade for lunch, bring Ron and Hermione if you
like.
I've
got some more news for you but I'll wait until I see you next weekend to tell
you.
Remus
and Buckbeak send their love, say hello to Ron and Hermione for me.
Take
care of yourself and don't go out on your own at night.
Love
Sirius
Harry
smiled as he folded the note and put it in his pocket.
"I
wonder what Sirius has to tell me." Harry mused which drove Malfoy's strange
behaviour from his mind completely at least for the moment.
When
Harry reached the library he found Ron and Hermione huddled together surrounded
by piles of books their heads just visible above the vast tomes that almost
blocked them from view – almost but not quite. As he got closer Harry could see
that they probably wouldn't appreciate the interruption.
Harry
slipped away unnoticed by his friends and felt somewhat bereft now that he was
alone – Ron and Hermione wouldn't to spend so much time with him now that they
were together. What would that leave him with? Oh yes plenty of people were
interested in 'The Boy Who Lived' but few seemed interested in Harry Potter!
Harry
shook his head as if trying to dismiss such thoughts and gritted his teeth
before taking out his potions essay, dipping his quill in the ink and beginning
to write.
The
next day in potions, the class listened intently as Snape described the potion
they would be making that day.
"The
Veritoptica potion enables you to see into the mind of one other person for a
short period of time, it is therefore both extremely useful and extremely
dangerous and its use if strictly controlled by the Ministry of Magic. It is a
complex potion that I am not entirely sure any of you will be able to brew
successfully so I have undertaken the most difficult bit on your behalf in
order to increase the likelihood of you being able to experience the effects
successfully.
In
order to brew the potion you will need a drop of the blood of the individual
you wish to see into the mind of, together with milroot, wolfsbane and powdered
root of asphodel."
A
shiver ran tangibly through the potions class as Snape divided them into pairs.
When he reached Harry his black eyes glinted maliciously. "Ah Potter, I wonder who I should pair you
with." He scanned the room, eyes alighting on Malfoy. Harry balled his hands
into fists and his face reddened but he remained quiet determined not to give
Snape the satisfaction of deducting points from Gryffindor on top of everything
else.
"Do
you have any objections Potter?" Snape asked as if daring Harry to argue.
'Why
would I want to see into Malfoy's mind anyway' Harry thought, 'I already know
what an evil little git he is.' Then he realised that not only would be able to
see into Malfoy's mind but Malfoy would be able to see into Harry's. He would
find out all about Sirius and all his secrets thoughts and feelings would be
laid bare for Malfoy to see, even those ones who he didn't even tell Ron or
Hermione. Harry paled as he imagined what Malfoy could do with all that
knowledge.
"Better
get started then Potter." Malfoy's voice broke into Harry's thoughts.
"Please
remember that the potion needs some time to stew before it can be drunk, so you
will have to return here this evening after dinner. Anyone who fails to attend
will automatically be given a months detention with Mr Filch." Snape's lip
curled into a sneer.
The
potions lesson had proceeded fairly normally, although because Harry was
working with Malfoy, Snape had resisted the urge to criticise his work. In fact
in for perhaps the first time ever Gryffindor had managed to survive an entire
potions lesson without losing any points even Neville had managed to avoid any
mishaps but that may have been because he was partnered with Hermione.
To
Harry's surprise, working with Malfoy had proved to be a not too unpleasant
experience, plus Malfoy was actually very good at potions.
The
bell rang to signal dinner and the class gathered their things together
chattering excitedly about taking the potion later that evening as they made
their way to the Great Hall.
Harry
was silent as he sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped himself to lamb
chops.
"Bad
luck Harry, imagine having to see into Malfoy's mind." Ron pulled a face, his
arm slung casually over Hermione's shoulder.
"I'm
more worried about Malfoy being able to see into mine." Harry replied and
Hermione nodded.
"Mm"
Ron said his mouth now full of chicken and mushroom pie, then clapped his hand
to his mouth as realisation hit him. He chewed furiously and swallowed quickly.
"Sirius!" he exclaimed looking shocked.
"Yeah
and not just Sirius –he'll be able to read all my thoughts." Harry said
shakily, his face pale and a little sweaty.
"Cheer
up Harry, it might be all right you know – maybe you and Malfoy won't have made
the potion properly and it won't work." Ron said cheerfully and Harry gave him
weak smile.
"Yeah"
he said "maybe."