IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ok, so before you all continue reading, from here onwards this fanfic is going to be CO-WRITTEN with one of my really good friends. We've always been huge Harry Potter fans (and fans of fanfiction…lol, how weird does that sound?) so I really couldn't have asked for anyone better to co-write with me. Anyway, this isn't going to change anything or feel different so you can all continue off to the chapter. I bet you guys are screaming at me right now because you can't wait to get to the bit in the excerpt…well, who am I to deny you the right. Read on my friends, here's a nice looong chapter for you all :)
Disclaimer: We don't own Tom, Charlus or Muriel…or Hogwarts…or any of the teachers…We do however own the plot and any characters you do not recognise.
Chapter 5- Potion's Partners
"Wake up Elena"
"Mmh, sod off"
"ELENA! DON'T USE SUCH LANGUAGE LIKE THAT! IT'S COMPLETELY UNLADYLIKE AND-"
"Ok, ok, I'm awake, wait, who the hell are you?"
"ELENA! Language! We're your dorm mates you know? You transferred to Hogwarts last night."
"Right." It all came back to her. She had gone on her super-secret-ninja-mission to become friends with teenage Voldy, who by the way was a really hot sociopath Slytherin prefect with amazing eyebrows.
She got up, walking up to the shower, only to see a long line of girls waiting patiently in front. Well, things were gonna much different now that she wasn't the only girl in the dorm. After about two hours (holy shit, no wonder she had to wake up so early) Elena finally got her turn in the bathroom. Although she had washed her hair the previous day, it still looked like a rat's nest. She rubbed in some of her favourite citrus and cinnamon shampoo and washed off. Ok, now came the hard part, trying to get it to dry. It would probably poof up like last time…But she did it anyway… the weather was freezing and she couldn't be walking around with wet hair. "Siccus Saeta"
Poof.
Fuck.
What the bloody hell is wrong with me? Elena combed through her poof-of-a-hair only to have the comb stuck in there. She pulled harder and the handle broke off.
I'm not even going to comment on this now. Wait, but there were other girls in her dorm now right? Who could help her?
"Um, guys, a little help here please? Charlotte?" She called the blonde girl.
"Yeah, sure…whoa! What did you do?"
"I don't know can you fix it?" Elena asked impatiently.
"Yeah, of course I can." The girl smiled. I s'pose I'm the only non-morning person in here. With a flick of her wand, Elena's hair untangled and the comb slipped out. Elena cautiously took a step forward looking into the mirror.
HOLY SHIT. Her hair…it was…STRAIGHT. Like straight as in completely smooth and in silky straight chestnut waves. Was that even possible? She was so used to seeing her unruly waves that…she just looked like a whole other person. Wow.
"You have a really big forehead," Charlotte commented.
Yeah, thank you. Tell me something I don't know.
"Can I try something?" the blonde asked. Elena shrugged her shoulders as if to say 'yeah, whatever, not like I care.'
"Incidere Saeta". Elena looked into the mirror. If she did something to my hair, I will kill her.
"I thought you would look much nicer with a fringe. There, it frames your face perfectly. I think it also brings out the blue in your eyes. You look beautiful!"
Hah, beautiful, me? Right. Joke's over. Well, it wasn't that bad. On second thoughts I actually looked pretty good…well, good as you can get. She stepped out of the bathroom.
"Wow, you look really nice," said miss goody two shoes...uhh, I mean Beth.
"Thanks," Elena mumbled.
You look ridiculous wearing that skirt by the way. "You look nice too."
Elena realised with revulsion that the skirts they were wearing were the ones she had to wear too. They were BELOW HER KNEES for goodness sakes. Well, there's nothing like making a statement on your first day; even if it's not a good one. She pulled out one of her normal skirts that fell a bit above the knee (which was considered conservative for the society she was from)
"Elena, what on earth is that?" Beth questioned. Ahh, is was going to be fun.
"It's a skirt." Elena smirked.
"Oh, uhm," Beth blushed, "Don't you think it's a little too short?"
"Short? Oh no, I wear skirts like these at home all the time."
"Well, at home you were alone, at school you know, there are boys."
"And that is a problem why?" Elena shot back. This is hilarious.
"Look Elena, even I think it's too short, and that is saying something," said Charlotte, while pulling on her socks.
"Oh come on, just leave it. If she wants the whole school staring at her legs all day it's her problem not ours," sneered Kate. Well, you wouldn't call it sneering because she had this permanent expression on her face like someone was dangling a particularly rotten piece of mouldy cheesy right in front of her face. And she looked like her wand was shoved too far up her arse.
"Come on ladies; let's go introduce Elena to the boys!" Charlotte giggled, linking arms with Elena. Either a) she was just a naturally happy person or b) the effects of the chocolate from last night were still working.
The girls walked out into the common room only to see a group of boys waiting for them. Charlotte immediately lunged into one of their arms, hugging him for dear life. Uhh, she was in a relationship? Wasn't she gossiping about Tom Riddle last night? And wasn't she spying on some dude changing in the locker room?
Charlotte smirked at Elena as if she knew what she was thinking. 'Don't tell anyone,' she mouthed.
"Morning," a guy who looked suspiciously like Harry Potter greeted, "Aren't you ladies looking fine today?"
"And who's this?" he said, looking at Elena.
"This is Elena, she transferred to Hogwarts last night. She was homeschooled."
"Ahh, I see." Thankfully he didn't ask too many questions. Repeating the story over and over again was just annoying. Elena wished she could just write the whole thing down on parchment once, and if anyone asked who she was again, she'd just shove the thing in their face declaring, 'here is the whole story, just read the damn thing and piss off.' But of course, she'd be accused of her unladylike language and attitude.
Great, he was staring at her legs. Just like the rest of the guys in the common room. Maybe the whole, 'wanting-to-make-a-statement' thing was a bad idea…nah; it'd be worth it to see Riddle's expression.
"Charlus Potter." He said, holding out his hand. Alright, so this was the guy Charlotte spied on.
"Noah Bennett," said the boy beside Potter. He was cute actually, with his blonde hair and hazel eyes…but of course, no one could beat Riddle, oh no did I just think that?
"E-Emery Johnson," the third guy stuttered as he untangled himself from Charlotte's body. Well, anyone would stutter after receiving a particularly public, snogging session by their, she assumed, girlfriend…who secretly lusted after other men.
He quickly recovered however, holding out his hand to Charlotte, "Would you, my lady care to accompany me to breakfast?" he made a little bow as Charlotte curtsied before slipping her hand into his, "Why of course you may, kind sir." Elena noticed Lucy watching them with a jealous expression on her face. Elena felt sorry for her…Lucy really did believe she would one day get with Riddle. That was just, well, pathetic.
Charlotte, Lucy and Beth watched in horror as Elena shovelled food into her mouth. Kate was probably too busy secretly gossiping about everyone with her subconscious mind.
"H-how much are you going to eat?" Charlotte finally voiced what everyone on the table was thinking.
"Until I'm full?"
There was an awkward silence.
"Oh by the way, what classes does everyone have?"
Oh classes, she had completely forgotten about that. Snape had given her a time-table…apparently she was in every class Tom Riddle took. Unfortunately; Tom Riddle took every single class…except Muggle Studies (hmm…she had no idea why…note sarcasm.) What a swotter. To her absolute dismay, that included Divination. Really, what was wrong with him?
She pulled out her time table. Double potions, Double charms, Double Arithimancy, Double Transfiguration.
Not a single free period? Why did Riddle have to be such a smart arse? WHYY? Elena wailed dramatically in her head for a few more moments. Apparently, she was making strange wailing-expressions too because she saw three pairs of very-concerned eyes staring at her.
"Are you alright?"
"See, I told you not to eat so much."
Whatever. The girls were all really starting to annoy her. She grabbed her bag and walked off the table, "See you all at lunch."
She reluctantly made her way over to the dungeons to her first lesson. Don't get me wrong, Elena loved potions, it was probably her best class. But Slughorn, she couldn't stand. Hopefully, he wouldn't put her in the goddamn slug club again.
"Ouch," Elena gave an audible groan as she banged straight into another student, knocking him or her- probably a him from the feel of it, straight into the ground. Why oh why was she so clumsy? Her mother was perfectly poised, and graceful, and elegant, and everything young ladies should be. She on the other hand was clumsy, reckless and messy.
"Why is it that you are always falling around me?" Elena was greeted by a very familiar cool voice. Great, of all the people she had to fall on it had to be Riddle, the guy she was supposed to make friends with. And it really didn't help that he was extremely attractive.
She realised with horror that she was sprawled over him and her skirt had inched up. SHITE, and she just happened to be wearing her very lacy- very translucent underwear that morning. Oh god, oh dear god. If Riddle noticed anything he didn't mention it. Flustered, Elena quickly got up, smoothening down her skirt.
She wished she had a smart thing to say…except she didn't and Riddle was staring at her critically so she did the only thing she thought she could do; she ran off to the potions classroom leaving him to stand there, wondering what the hell just happened.
She walked into Potions fuming, and sporting a brilliantly red face. She took the only double seat available and sat down. Obviously it was the front most desk in the class; who by the way were throwing her strange looks. She still could not believe what she had just done. She put her head into her arms and attempted to become invisible. It was so stupid! Of course she just HAD to bump into Riddle and nearly flash him at the same moment as well! Why was she so stupid?
"Are you feeling alright, Ms. Grey?"She looked up to see Professor Slughorn's face looking inquiringly at her. Then she did a double take. WAIT, Slughorn had HAIR? And it was BLONDE? Woah, that was wierd!
"Um, yes of course Professor...I just had a bit of a...um...a headache, but it's alright now," she finished hastily as Slughorn's expression had became more worried.
"Alright then, I shall proceed to begin the class. Now, I believe you are new to the school, Ms. Grey?"
"Yes sir, I arrived last night. I was homeschooled till now," she explained. As Slughorn (and, from the brief glance Elena cast behind her, the rest of the unnaturally attentive class) looked at her expectantly, she thought, okay, okay, tell them the sob story...I really DO need to write this down. "A week ago, Grindelwald's followers murdered my parents and my tutor and I decided that Hogwarts was the safest place from me to go."
"What a shame, really. But I see, of course. I believe that Hogwarts is indeed the safest place for young people in these troubled times," Slughorn nodded absentmindedly and stared dreamily into space, as if contemplating the wonders which Hogwarts provided. Looks like his playacting hasn't changed in sixty odd years...ah well...hold on, he's coming back now...
"And now class, Grindelwald or no Grindelwald, you all are starting your NEWT's courses this year and, especially in Potions, everything will be a step up from the OWL's. Now, to begin the lesson, I here, have brewed four vastly difficult potions..." he trailed off as the dungeon doors opened and a crisp voice interrupted him.
"My apologies, Professor, I got held up at breakfast this morning. The prefects had a meeting to decide our duties for this year and lost track of the time." Tom Riddle's smooth, cultured voice reverberated around the dungeon. He had looked directly at Elena when he said 'held up' and she couldn't help but get instantly reminded of their uncomfortable (understatement of the year) encounter.
His voice and expression, however, were perfect. He had just the right amount of (fake) humility, concern and just that hint of remorse, which obviously had the Professor head over heels, and swallowing the story whole. Because Elena knew he was lying; he had been going in the opposite direction when he bumped into her, and was obviously in a hurry to get somewhere.
What a great job I'm going here. The first day and I don't know if he went to plot world domination with his Death Eater pals or was actually just in the loo. I should really just go back now.
"Of course, of course Tom. We all get held up sometimes, especially you with your prefect duties. Why don't you just take a seat now. I was explaining to the class the importance of the following two years," Slughorn said, with an obvious twinkle in his eye. It was fairly evident that Riddle was a favourite of his.
"Yes sir," he said, surreptitiously looking around the room for a seat. His gaze eventually fell on Elena, and more importantly, on the only empty seat right next to her. He wordlessly approached her table and took the seat next to her, taking care not to brush her. Oh no! Why, why, WHY? Did he HAVE to sit next to ME of all people? And I know he's hot and I'm supposed to become his 'friend' but I embarrassed myself really badly in front of him! If there's a God, I know he hates me now. Oh and great, we're probably going to brewing our potions at the same table too…Another way to get embarrassed; yet again. The fates are definitely on my side right now.
"Right, as I was saying, to begin with I have brewed four very special potions for you today," Slughorn said, indicating to the steaming cauldrons placed on his desks. He hasn't deviated from his teaching plan in sixty years either Elena thought dully. Guess who knows what the potions are? That's right, me! Amortentia, Polyjuice Potion, Veritaserum and Felix Felicis. She sneaked a glance at Riddle. It was odd, but he looked just as bored as she did. But he hadn't done this lesson before...hmm she was going to have to dig deeper if she was going to get anywhere here.
"Now who can tell me what the first potion here is?" Slughorn asked, indicating to the one that was obviously polyjuice potion (it was muddy and bubbling). Elena decided to answer and raised her and hand in the air, at precisely the same moment that Tom Riddle did. "Well, well. Lets give Ms. Grey a try, shall we? So what is it, dear?" Before answering, she glanced at Tom Riddle and he had a tiny smirk playing across his face, as though he knew she would never guess the answer. Well, we'll just see Mr. Tall, Dark and Voldy.
"It's Polyjuice Potion, sir," she said confidently.
"Well done, well done," Slughorn exclaimed, looking impressed. "And the next one..."
"That's Veritaserum, sir. The strongest truth potion in the world," It felt good to know all the answers beforehand. Tom Riddle looked shocked. He probably had never had competition before. Slughorn, on the other hand, looked ecstatic and was already motioning to the third cauldron. "Amortentia, sir. And yes, that is the strongest of love potions." Again Elena sneaked a glance at Riddle, and was shocked to see his face tensed (but still attractive) in anger.
Oh Merlin, I really have to stop now! I can't try to make friends and have sexually inclined thoughts about him at the same time! Alright Elena, from now and no more of this. You are on a mission, and you will stick to it! But she wondered what part the love potion had in putting that expression on Tom Riddle's face.
"And so class, we shall now attempt, and mind the word attempt as I doubt anyone in this class will be able to brew a perfect Draught of Living Death. It is ridiculously complicated to perfectly brew..." Again Slughorn stopped midsentence when a Hufflepuff in the back row asked (an obviously intended) question
"But, sir, you haven't told us what's in the last cauldron."
"Ah, my boy, now that is a curious little potion called Felix Felicis." When most of the class sat in confused silence, Slughorn sighed and said "And does anyone know the effects of Felix Felicis?"
"It's a lucky potion, sir. It brings the drinker luck," Tom answered simply. The tangible tension in the room stiffened; it looked like everyone was finally paying attention. Elena was shocked by Tom's placid tone which had replaced his earlier anger. He was tensed again, but this time Elena sensed a difference. There was determination now, as though he really wanted the contents of the last cauldron, as though he'd do anything to get it.
"Absolutely correct, Tom. And that is the award that awaits the two lucky potioneers who manage to brew me the best Draught of Living Death in the hour and fifteen minutes remaining of this lesson. You will be working with the person sitting at your respective table. Everything you will need is in the cupboards. Go!"
The class rushed in a fevered frenzy towards the stores cupboard. "You should know that I intend to win this thing for us, and I would prefer it if I received no distractions or interruptions from the likes of you," Tom said in his arrogantly sardonic tone.
"Well, I would like you to know that you're not the only one good at potions here and I am perfectly able to win this competition on my own. Unfortunately for the both of us, Slughorn said to work as partners, so whether you like it or not, that's exactly what we're going to do." Elena ended on the high note. She decided that Tom needed some putting down here, as his enlarged ego was the cause of him acting like such an arrogant (but still attractive) pain in the arse.
"Fine, fine. Just start it already." A few minutes later, Elena and Tom were both frantically adding ingredients to their cauldron. It still wasn't the exact 'smooth currant colour' that the book indicated was necessary.
"Add the juice of the Sophorous Bean" Elena read out from the book.
"Give the bean to me, and the silver dagger," Tom ordered.
"No, I know the right way to cut it up, I swear there's a trick here," Elena said. She then proceeded to grab the bean and the dagger out of Tom's hands and crushed the bean with the left side of the dagger. Immediately it released so much juice, Elena had to scoop the remainder with a spoon. The effect on the potion was instantaneous. The potion turned the plum colour the book had dictated.
Tom was now looking at her with a half frown on his face. He couldn't seem to figure out how she had just accomplished that.
"And now I hope you'll let me do the stirring as well? There's another 'trick' involved, if you were wondering." Elena snarkly remarked. It felt good to gain his confusion, if not his admiration. Stop Elena, Stop! You don't need to gain his admiration! In fact it would be better if you didn't gain it at all!
"Go right ahead," Tom said. He leaned slightly against the desk, and observed her as she deviated from the original instructions and added an extra clockwise stir. He had an inscrutable expression on his face now, which was turning into grudging shock as the potion got closer and closer to the colour of water.
"And, time's up! Lets see who managed the task best, shall we?" Slughorn genially walked around the classroom, generally sniffing and poking at people's cauldrons. He finally reached their table. "My Goodness! I don't believe I have ever seen a first attempt at the Draught of Living Death that was that good! We have our clear winners here!" Tom and Elena looked at the class discreetly (who were now all throwing them looks of deepest resent and loathing) and back up at Slughorn who went up to give them their prize.
"Here you go. One bottle of Felix Felicis each, as promised. Use them wisely" After giving them an enormous wink, he handed them two miniscule bottles full of the golden liquid.
A/N: well, after all, reviews are the only payment a fanfiction author gets…and it would take you hardly 5 minutes to click that little button and submit a review…