Disclaimer: Everything in this story belongs to J. K. Rowling except the plot and unfamiliar characters.

Authors Note: This story contains language, sex scenes, homosexuality, drug use, rape etc. You have been warned.

"I'm famished!" Harry exclaimed as he, Ron and Hermione sat at their table for the dinner feast. "The Dursley's only give me bread and water!" Ron nodded, but couldn't relate. His mother always cooked his family huge, delicious meals.

Dumbledore gave his usual speech before the food appeared. Piles upon piles of Pork Chops, Steak and Kidney Pie, Roast Beef, Pumpkin Soup, Tomato Soup, Roast Potatoes, Steamed veggies and salads appeared before their eyes, along with many jugs of ice cold pumpkin juice.

All through dinner Hermione keep peeking up at Ron, which confused him for a little while before he caught on. Then he was frightened.

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron were hounding Hermione for more cigarettes. "Please!" begged Ron desperately. "I need a smoke, I'm going crazy!" Harry nodded frantically.

Hermione laughed. "I don't have anymore. Don't worry," she added as she saw their faces fall. "I knew you would be addicted so I'm having three packets delivered in the post everyday." Harry gave a little whoop and Ron sighed with relief.

That night as the boys changed into their pajamas, Harry said to the other boys, "Doesn't Hermione look sexy with the black hair?" Seamus, Dean and Neville all nodded fervently while Ron merely said, "Mmmm."

"What's up with you man?" Harry asked. "The hair, the quietness, and for fucks sake Hermione is probably the sexiest fucking girl in the school and all you can say is 'Mmmmm.'"

Ron looked down, but surprisingly Harry didn't soften. "Pull yourself together dude!" He said, before pulling the curtains around himself. Ron and Dean exchanged funny looks before they too, along with Seamus and Neville, went to sleep.

The next morning Harry and Ron were awkwardly cool around each other, speaking very politely and avoiding eye contact. However the previous nights argument was forgotten as the post arrived and both boys craned their necks to watch a large Barn Owl swoop down in front of Hermione and drop a large package.

Hermione laughed at the eager looks on their faces. "Here ya go boys!" She said, ripping open the package and tossing them each a pack of cigarettes. Meanwhile, their timetables were being handed out. Harry groaned.

"First up we have a double period of potions!"

After breakfast Harry, Ron and Hermione descended the familiar steps down into the dungeons for Potions. Snape seemed to be in an extremely vicious mood. "He got denied the Defence Against the Dark Arts job again!" Hermione whispered. "Some old bat got the job instead."

Snape was standing in front of the class, a very bitter look on his face. "NEWT potions will test you in many ways that you had not previously imagined. Although, admitted, I was not very happy with who was decided to be in my class, it is my job to teach and teach you I shall. You may have found the last five years of potions hard, but I guarantee, you have no idea.

"The potion of muting. This potion has the ability to silence even the most talkative person. Depending on the dosage, it can silence someone for five minutes, or the rest of their lives." There was a dreadful silence. "It is extremely complex, in fact I doubt any of you will be able to make it work successfully on your first attempt." He flicked his wand. "Instructions are on the board."

The potion of muting was indeed, extremely difficult. It had to be brought to the boil at exactly the right temperature or it would cause a loud bang, and boiling potion would spray everywhere. Even Hermione was struggling. The potion, which was supposed to be transparent seemed awfully cloudy. Harry and Ron were enjoying themselves thoroughly, every time they added an ingredient their potion would glow neon green for a moment, before returning to magenta. At the end of a very long lesson, Snape stood before the class again.

"I am disgusted. Not one of you produced a satisfactory potion today. Your homework, a three thousand word essay on the potion of muting, its properties, its origin and why it should never be confused with a potion of silencing, is to be handed into me by Thursday. We will attempt the same potion again next lesson."

On the way out, Harry and Ron groaned. "Three thousand words!" Ron exclaimed. "That's going to take forever." They looked over at Hermione for her reaction. But to their amusement she was scrambling through her bag for a cigarette.

Well theres Chapter 3. I'm sorry it took so long. I have to admit, I've been ignoring the story. I have a towering pile of homework which is threatening to crush me, plus other personal issues. I'm sorry people. I will be trying to pay more attention to the story, adding loads of twists and turns to keep you all guessing. See you later!

Susie.