Chapter 34: A Pink Mess.
It became Tuesday very fast, and Ash woke up early, for a potions lesson with Professor Slughorn… While Rhea was getting ready, Ash just went down into the common room to see what was happening. Most people had gone for breakfast, but as soon as she got down, she saw James was sitting there reading the daily prophet and eating a triangular piece of toast, and he was still in his pyjamas.
'Someone's being a little lazy today! Not going to potions?' Ash said as she approached James
'Yep, I am, just thought I would just have a little chill moment!' Smiled James
'Chill moment? Why?' Asked Ash
'Because, too much has happened and I need some rest' Said James
'Haven't you had enough rest from the weekend?' Smiled Ash
'Not really…' Sighed James
'Any reply from your dad yet?' Asked Ash
'Not yet, well I don't know, I haven't checked in the Owlery yet, I might check this afternoon when I have free period!'
'Oh… Okay' Ash smiled and then turned around
'Would you like to come with me?' James said looking down
Ash turned around 'Sure… That's only if you want me to' Ash nervously bit her lip
'That's why I asked… I want to spend more time with you…' James said
'Sorry? I didn't catch what you said?' Ash said looking confused
'I said, yeah, that's why I asked… Because I want you to come with me' Smiled James
'Okay great, where do you want to meet and what time?' Ash asked
'We could meet in the courtyard at about 2:30pm?' Smiled James
'Sure!' Ash smiled and waved bye to James and went to get her breakfast
Once Ash and Rhea were ready they grabbed their books and went to potions, of course they were kind of late mainly because Ash couldn't sort out her hair, and you know, Ash is very fussy about her hair, she doesn't want her hair to die. They ran really quickly to the courtyard and then over the bridge, inside, down the stairs and then straight into the potions classroom.
'Sorry we're late professor!' Shouted Ash
'Oh no problem Ash, just get your books and join us!' Smiled Slughorn
'We haven't got our books yet Professor' Said Rhea
'Oh not to worry Miss…' Slughorn smiled at Rhea
'Miss Basu…' She replied
'Oh sorry, always slips out of my mind… And here you go!' Slughorn handed the books to Rhea and Ash
Rhea and Ash took their books and then they joined the crowd… Where Chloe was, right at the back…
'We will be focusing mainly on 2 potions but I will tell you more about that later, now, I want all of you to brew a simple potion, you must remember it from your second year at Hogwarts, it is the Swelling Solution, I would like all of you to brew an acceptable swelling solutions, but I have put you into pairs. Your pairs are: Chloe and Raj, Ash and James, Sid and Priya (Rhea was starting to get a little angry when he was paired with her), Rhea and Lea, Andy and William, Harry and Louis, Rachel and Polly, Fi and Chris, Jay and Trey, Francis and Ryan, Jack and Amelia and finally Ross and Adam. Now off you go, you will find how to brew the potion on page 32 of your books' Slughorn explained
Everyone got into their pairs and then they went to their cauldrons and then started reading the instructions…
'James!' Smiled Ash
'You seem happy to be with me…' Blushed James
'Maybe I am…' Giggled Ash
'Yeah right!' James smiled
'Anyways, we need to get on with making this potion…' Smiled Ash
'Oh and the person who brews this solution the fastest, gets a prize, a special one indeed' Slughorn shouted
'We have to win that prize!' Ash said
'Okay if you say so… But I'm pretty crap at these kind of things…' Laughed James
'Well, stick with me and I'll make you less crap…' Winked Ash
'Right so I'll just put some doxy eggs into this…' Said James as he put some little glittering eggs into the cauldron and then put the heat on high
'Hey… Who said we had to put any doxy eggs into the cauldron?' Asked Ash
'Well that's exactly what the-' James stopped talking as the cauldron started bubbling and the liquid started getting higher
'Oh crap…' Thought Ash
The liquid turned a bright pink and then went back to the same amount as it was before and then it blew up… Some of it going on James' robe…
'Oh dear, James m'boy, what do you think you're doing?' Slughorn approached Ash and James
'Well… We didn't mean to…-' James said before he was interrupted by Ash
'There were doxy eggs at the bottom of the cauldron and when we put the heat on, this happened… Sorry professor!' Ash explained
'Oh dear, but James, you must need to go and clean up! You certainly don't have the skills of a potion master like your father, but oh well, Miss Phoenix, you may go with James to help him' Slughorn said
'Come on, we'll go to the unused bathroom and clean you up…' Ash said
'Sure…' James was embarrassed
Ash grabbed James' hand and then started running to the unused bathroom…
'Why are we running?' Asked James
'I don't want you to be embarrassed! And… If it dries, its going to stain!' Smiled Ash still holding James' hand tightly
Ash and James eventually reached the unused bathroom and Ash turned to the sink and turned on one tap…
'Well, good luck cleaning it!' Ash smiled as she moved away to let James clean
'Aren't you going to help me?' James smiled
'Well, I thought you didn't want me to help, so that's why I didn't you know… Clean it off as soon as we got here?' Ash said
'Well, you can… That's if you want' James looked down at the bright pink
Ash put her hand in the water and then got closer to James and started trying to take the stain off the robe… She tried and tried taking the pink off, dipping her hand into the water…
'It's not coming off…' Sighed Ash 'Well, slightly it has…'
'Keep trying!' James said
'Ebublio' Ash said
Bubbles came out from the end of her wand and then she got some water and started scrubbing again, the bubbles started turning pink which meant it was working…
'I think I may have to change robes after this' Smiled James
'Yeah, definitely, don't want to walk around with a wet robe' Laughed Ash
While trying to get the pink stain off, it was nearly off when a lock of hair got in Ash's way, she tried blowing it off, but it wasn't working…
'Er… James, will you…' She stopped talking
'Will I what?' Asked James
'Never mind!' Ash said before starting to try and blow it away while scrubbing
James noticed what she was trying to do and smiled as she failed at every attempt to move away the hair out of her face… He lifted his hand and as he did Ash stopped and looked up at him, he gently moved the lock of hair out of Ash's face and put it behind her ear and blushed, as well as smiling gently at her...
'Well… The stains gone' Ash looked down
'Oh really? I cant see because of the bubbles' Smiled James
'Aqua Eructo' Ash said and the bubbled disappeared
'Wow, now the robes really wet' James laughed
'God James, you make me do everything!' Ash laughed too 'Impervius' Ash added
The water went back and then the robe was dry, the stain was also gone, although there was a light mark where it was before… A mark which couldn't be seen unless you went very close to it.
'Well thanks for helping me' Smiled James
'No problem… Anything else you want me to do while we're alone?' Asked Ash
'Not really…' James said (Of course, James wanted to give Ash something… As they were alone but he kept it a secret)
'Are you sure?' Ash smiled
'Definitely sure, why?' Asked James
'You seem like you want something… Or you want to give something to me?' Smiled Ash
'What makes you think that?' James said
'Well… I've known you for 5 years now James… I know whenever you lie' Ash giggled
'Maybe I do want to give you something, but I don't know if you want it' Smiled James
'I don't mind to be honest… Just give it to me' Smiled Ash 'I like surprised'
'Close your eyes then...' James said
Ash closed her eyes and then James gently held her with his hands on her waist… Ash still closing her eyes got a little closer and then James leaned in closer to her, their faces got closer and closer…