Veritaserum

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"Congratulations kiddo!" Hagrid said. "It took all I had in me not ter say anything to yeh."

"I'm glad you didn't." Molly Weasley said frowning at Hagrid somewhat. "I still have my doubts dear. Not that I don't think you're ready it's just that it's so dangerous." She cut off and shook her head. "Mr. Weasley would have joined as well but he couldn't miss work."

Remus walked over and motioned to hug Hermione. Hermione got the point and Remus awkwardly put his arms around her. "You may want to speak with Harry when you get back." Remus said. "I'll see you at the next meeting." He said exiting.

"We best be going too I think." Molly said motioning Tonks to go. They each gave her one last hug, another congratulations and headed out.

"It's too bad I never had the pleasure of teaching you. I understand you are one of the brightest witches of your age. Good thing we got you before he did…" Mad-Eye growled at her. He rambled off as he left the room, taking a swig from his hip flask. Hermione couldn't help but shiver at the thought of his rotating magical eye.

After that, most everyone left with a cheerful welcome or something in relation to it. Snape had merely grunted something about not falling behind in potions and left. That had probably made her smile the most. However nice it was to see everyone, she really was itching to talk with Dumbledore.

She sat in the chair adjacent to his desk and thanked Professor McGonagall as she left. Dumbledore had a few words to say with her outside and joined her again shortly. He sat in his chair and stroked Fawkes who had landed on his desk.

"You did very well today Hermione. I suppose you have a lot on your mind. I just wanted to tell you that the reasons that I spoke of for your joining were true. We also thought it important because we wanted to make sure that you were protected from Voldemort."

"From Voldemort sir?" She had become comfortable with saying his name.

"Yes. We are aware that he is targeting many students of strong intellect and magical ability."

"Then, are there other members that are students?" Hermione said curiously.

"You'll have to find out at the next meeting. But I think you'll discover one or two before then" He replied cheekily.

"What exactly happened to me today and what about this?" She said motioning to the necklace that had been made earlier on.

"The oath you swore was true, or no glow would have formed around you and you have immediately been dealt with. As for the necklace, every member possesses one. We just do not wear them openly where non-members are present. It contains the magical essence of all who were present today, including yours. At every induction, there are only 8 members present and usually they are people you are associated with. Every members' necklace is unique to them and is cherished very much."

"How do I get to the next meeting?" Hermione questioned.

"Come to my office and we shall all go together. The next meeting is in exactly two weeks. Any other questions?" He said eyeing her with a twinkling gaze.

"For now I don't think so. Thank you" She said sincerely, rising from her chair. "I think I'll get back to what I was doing before." She said smiling at the thought of the plush Gryffindor couch.

As if reading her mind he replied, "That sounds like a good idea. R and R is one of my favourite Muggle mottos."

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Hermione returned to the common room to find Harry lying in her exact spot snoring loudly. She crept up to him slowly and grabbed her text from the floor where she had left it. She began to tiptoe away when Harry said, "How was it?" He sat up slowly stretching.

"It was...How was what?" She said catching herself.

"I'm a member too! I've been one for a few months now. I'm so glad I've got you along with me so I don't have to sneak around."

"That's great! It went really well. I was surprised to be asked though. Wait, you mean Ron isn't a member?" Hermione said, a frown forming contours on her face.

"Not yet. I'm hoping since you're a member now that Ron will be asked to join next."

"This isn't going to be easy Harry. I don't like sneaking around." Hermione replied looking into Harry's eyes. She sighed and wished that things could start to be less complicated. They never were though.

"You better put that away Hermy, before somebody else sees it." He said pointing towards her neck. She ran up to her dormitory and placed it in a small pouch that was kept in the lining of her Hogwarts a History book and charmed it to camouflage the book. She ran back down and sat on the chair across from Harry.

"So who was there?" Harry asked.

"Molly, Remus, Snape, Mad-Eye, Tonks, Hagrid, McGonagall and Dumbledore of course." Hermione said.

They discussed it a little while longer and realized that both were rather hungry when their stomachs began to join in the conversation. They headed to the Great Hall for dinner where they met up with the rest of the Gryffindor gang.

Ginny seemed to be on better terms with Hermione and Ron was looking very cheerful also. He had made a real improvement in his Quidditch strategies. This day was going very well.

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"Where were you all afternoon?" Miss Evans asked curiously.

"I had business to attend to." Snape replied.

"Are you testing students' potions or making one yourself?" She said eyeing the cauldrons in front of him.

"Both actually. I'm using the better potions for one I'm making myself. The ingredients are mixed already in the way that I need, so I see no point in wasting them."

"Did you plan this before or after you made them make the potions?" She said. Her breath caught suddenly as she read the label of the potion he was examining. Harry Potter. It was hard enough having to teach him every day. She ate in the Great Hall only when he was not there avoiding him whenever she could. Nobody had seemed to notice, yet.

Snape didn't notice the sudden detour in her attention. "That's not funny you know."

She came to her senses shaking her head as he picked up a new vial. "I thought you were supposed to be teaching me how to be as good as you are with potions." She said looking up into his eyes.

"Well what exactly do you know?" He said, still focused on what he was doing.

"I don't know, it's been awhile I'll tell you that much." She said smiling slightly.

"Well then, why don't we start with some basic review? Come over here." He commanded.

She did as she was told and stood next to him, eyeing the purple concoction that was boiling in front of them. "I am making...Veritaserum." He would have lied except that the fumes of it were causing him to lose control over what truths he spoke. However, she did not look surprised.

"I need you to stir it counterclockwise in lentulus form." He said eyeing her at that last part. He walked over to his supply cabinet and quickly grabbed a few bottles. "Please go right ahead. I will add in the ingredients and after I add in the last, change to actuaries form.

"Okay." She said hesitantly. After all it wasn't her potion she was going to be ruining.

She started to stir it slowly counterclockwise, which was correct. She looked up only every once in a while to check Snape's expression. He finished adding the last ingredient and she took a guess and started stirring it in the opposite direction.

"No, Rhea. Like this." He said stepping behind her and putting his hands over hers. He began to stir again counterclockwise and very rapidly. He was using his whole body to move the ladle around the large cauldron. She just sat and went along with it, enjoying every moment. His body was pressed up against hers with his arms wrapped around her. Not to mention that every time the ladle moved to the far end of the cauldron, he would press himself more firmly against her.

Snape realized what he was doing and stepped away immediately, dropping the ladle. "Very good. The potion is complete. If you don't mind I'd like to get some rest now." He said coughing and clearing his throat constantly. The potion had turned clear and there was no longer any odour or fumes emitting from it.

Miss Evans nodded and said, "Thank you for the lesson. I hope to learn more from you soon. Goodnight." With that she left Snape standing in front of a large cauldron searching for the ladle and trying to loosen the tightness, which was tugging on his robes in the lower regions. He began spooning the now perfect Veritaserum into several vials and smiled somewhat at the fact that he now had a pleasant memory involving the potion.