Chapter 4: Potions Class
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked into Potions, they noticed a bunch of their classmates had gathered around a cauldron that was already being experimented with. The three Gryffindors spotted an empty table and quickly surrounded the station, opened their books and started on the assignment. Before they could start to talk, Viktor Krum, another exchange student, this one from Bulgaria, looked around the room, noticed the trio, and strode over to them.
"Why, hello there. Need a fourth? I'd be very happy to take part", said Viktor. He pushed his sunglasses down so his eyes were visable. He seemed to be talking to Hermione more than Harry or Ron.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Actually, we've got enou-, ouch!"
Hermione nonchalantly stepped on his foot. "Of course you can join us, Viktor!", said Hermione, smiling in a way Harry nor Ron had ever seen her before.
The next student who came in, well, twirled and skipped inside, was the girl with the weird glasses, who approached Ron, looking completely interested. "You have a Nargle in your ear!", exclaimed the Ravenclaw girl. After she told Ron, she skipped away to share a cauldron with Neville Longbottom, who looked equally surprised to see her.
Ron responded by letting out a terrified scream and began swatting away madly at his left ear.
"Ron! Ron!", shouted Hermione, putting a hand on his shoulder to make him stop. "Nargles aren't real", she said, in a matter of fact tone, and pointed to the dreamy girl. "That's just Loony Lovegood. She believes in anything impossible", she finished, rolling her eyes and putting her full attention back on the already bubbling potion.
The girl named Luna didn't seem offended by what Hermione said, appearing calm and spoke in her usual serene voice. "Of course it's possible. And it's Luna Lovegood, actually-", but she was cut off as the Potions Professor entered the room, his black cloak and his matching black hair, gave the students an uncomfortable feeling as they all fell silent.
"There will be no lollygagging in this class", he announced clearly, his very low voice equally disconcerting. "I, Professor Snape, have been given the unfortunate task at teaching you undeserving students how to master the art of potion making. It will not come naturally to you, and most will fail, I'm afraid. And some will succumb to the simple glory of a perfectly brewed potion", he said, making his way around the students. "Today, we will be making Felix Felicis, which I highly doubt any of you are familiar with? Anyone?", Snape said, ignoring Hermione as she bounced up and down, hand raised wildly in the air, hoping he would call on her. "At all?", he asked, looking around.
Ginny seemed to be gazing at Harry, absentmindedly stirring her assignment, Draco along with Crabbe 'N Goyle were laughing at Neville and how badly he was messing up his potion, Cedric Diggory was admiring himself in his ladle, Viktor was glancing at Hermione, much to Ron's annoyance and Harry's disgust, and Luna was swatting away at the air in front of her, as though she were trying to get rid of a bothersome fly.
Not being able to take it any longer, Hermione happily answered. "Felix Felicis instills the drinker with extraordinary good fortune, which is commonly known as Liquid Luck!", she exclaimed, beaming.
Snape scowled. "Yes, that is, correct", he said dully. "Whoever brews the potion today, will be permitted to keep it for further use. Begin", he stated, and left the students to finish their task.
Harry added a green powder and wanted to record what he was doing. "Hermione? Could I have something to write with?"
Without taking her eyes off what she was doing, Hermione instinctively grabbed one of her extra quills from inside her pocket and handed it to Harry. "Sure, here Harry."
Looking at the quill in his hand, Harry became enraged. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THIS?!", he shouted, throwing the quill on the floor. That was enough for everyone to stop what they were doing and look at the upset Gryffindor. "Are we living in the middle ages or something?!"
Hermione was now scarlet, embarrassed at the attention she was getting. "B-, but we go to wizarding school", she managed to get out, sounding baffled.
Harry continued. "It's no reason not to use a pencil or a pen. Hermione, I'm surprised at you!"
"But, but don't you want to join the wizards in their wizarding ways? For once in my life, I feel, included", she said, smirking, just a bit.
"That's no reason not to use a pencil, or at least a pen", repeated Harry.
Neville Longbottom, being the shy boy he was, considered his fellow Gryffindors to be his friends, shuffled over to Harry. "What's a pen?", he asked, curiously.
But before he could get an answer, it was clear Hermione didn't want to be seen with a not so popular kid when there was a handsome, international Quidditch player with them. She grabbed Neville gently by the shoulders and turned him around. "There's no seat here, Neville. Go away."
With his head down, Neville went back to his cauldron, where he was greeted by Luna, ready to help him.
As the class worked on the potion, there was also time to chat.
"Those are interesting glasses, Luna", muttered Neville.
After waving her wand over their potion, Luna smiled at him. "Thank you, Neville. My Spectrespecs came with daddy's new edition of the Quibbler. If you'd like, I could get a pair for you."
At the other table, Draco was acting strange in Crabbe N' Goyle's eyes. She noticed that along with Ginny, Draco kept glancing over at Harry. He then spoke in a loud voice that was more than necessary. "You know what I think? I think the pen is the most useful writing utensil in the world."
Crabbe N' Goyle rolled her eyes. Yep, he was acting stranger than usual. "Yeah, they're brilliant", she said, sarcastically, as she noticed Draco staring at Harry once more.
"POTTER!", bellowed Snape, who suddenly appeared behind Harry, scaring everyone. "Do you have satisfactory Felix Felicis for me?", he asked, hand held out, which Harry reluctantly put the bottled potion into. "I wouldn't be surprised to know this is the worst I've ever seen in my luxurious career as your teacher. 9,000 points from Gryffindor."
"Merlin's pants!", said an agitated Ron.
But upon further inspection, Snape realized the potion was perfect. "Wait! You've brewed this correctly? Impossible!"
"Yes! I'll be taking that", said Harry, grabbing the bottle and stuffing it inside his pocket.
Unimpressed, Snape pulled another bottle off his shelf. "Well, Potter, indeed you have mastered only one of the toughest potions. But you have yet to create this, Amortenia. A potion, that when made right, allows the maker to smell what attracts them the most. What do you smell, Miss Granger?", he asked, holding the bottle under Hermione's nose.
Sniffing the scent, Hermione appeared to become lightheaded. "I smell, freshly cut grass, new parchment, and-". Her expression turned from dreamy to horrified as she quick glanced at Ron, then turned back to Snape. "What do you smell, Professor?"
Sniffing it himself, Snape recoiled. "I smell, a red headed woman with soft skin." Realizing everyone was staring at him, he hastily made for the door. "I need a Firewhiskey, CLASS DISMISSED!"
As everyone cleaned their stations, Colin Creevey made his way into the room, and as soon as he spotted Harry, he became ecstatic, as he took a picture of Harry. "Hi, Harry!" exclaimed Colin. "I love you, er, I mean, Dumbledore wants to see you in his office." Before he left, Colin snapped another picture.
"Go on, it's probably important. We'll clean this up", said Ron.
Nodding his head, Harry left the dungeons and made his way to the Headmasters office. Letting himself in, and sitting down at the huge desk, Harry was shocked to see Dumbledore coming towards him in one of those rolling chairs.
"Ah, Harry! You look like your father, but you have your mother's eyes! Now, have you heard of Voldemort?"
"Well, I heard he was a bad wizard, but he can never come back, right?"
"It is difficult to explain", said Dumbledore, as he stroked his beard. "The lines between good and evil are not so easy to draw, but suffice to say, Lord Voldemort is no longer a normal being. He does not understand joy, friendship, or love. But yes, he is back, and he has a body now."
Harry was really paying attention now. "But, I defeated him when I was one. Everyone says that when he tried to kill me, he died instead."
"Ah, nothing but rumor, I'm afraid. He was never truly dead, and with the help of his followers, he now has a body. As for the not dying part, your mother gave her life to save you. Her love protected you from Voldemort."
Harry was anxious. "So you're saying, he could be defeated again? And I'm the Chosen One?"
"Yes, I believe you must be the one to kill him."
"I want to do it, but how? He's so powerful", said Harry.
"The only powers he has are advanced skills and a massive group of his followers, who have joined him to ensure his survival", said Dumbledore, as though this was no big thing.
"Sounds like power to me."
"But he does not have the power that you have, Harry. And you can defeat him more easily than you think."
"What? I'm supposed to defeat him by, loving him?!"
"Ah, the most beautiful and terrible of all emotions. You should be off to class now, Harry. Enjoy your day!", said Dumbledore.
"But Sir, what about, You Know Who?"
Dumbledore looked stern, which was rare for him. "Voldemort. Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself."
"What about, Voldemort?", Harry asked, not wanting to argue. "He could be up to anything right now. You don't think he'll start, killing again, do you?"
"I dare say he will be the master of his loyal followers and making plans as we speak, now that he has a body back. But I will not expect him to act immediately. Goodbye now, Harry, and I will be sure to alert you if there are any new developments."
With that, Harry knew the discussion was over. Without another word, he walked out of the office, and headed to his next class wanting desperately to tell Ron and Hermione about what was said.
What a day!
AN - Remember to review!