A/N: Still tweaking :D

Chapter – 17

Charting territories

Disclaimer: Not ours :D

"Amelia…. Wake up! Breakfast will get over in a few minutes. Wake up!"

Can't this Amelia girl wake up….. Some people here need to sleep.

"Amelia Sparks, You better get up or we're gonna leave without you!"

Hmm…. Amelia Sparks? That sounds familiar. Where have I heard that name? Wait! Amelia? Amelia Sparks? AMELIA? OH MY GOD! That's me!

Mia…. Shut up! Its not even seven in the bloody morning!

HARRY! SORRY…..!

Ouch!

Sorry?

Hmm.

"AMELIAAAA"

"I'm up. I'm up. Sorry! Just tired…."

"About time too."

"Why are we up so early?"

"Early? Classes begin in 10 minutes!"

"WHAT! I'M LATE ON MY FIRST DAY!"

"Well, whose fault is that?"

"But wait! Harry said it's seven?"

"Harry? Who's Harry?"

Ha! Let me see how you are gonna get out of this!

Shut. Up.

"Sorry…. Just a weird dream…. Some stupid parrot."

Parrot? You called me a bloody parrot? I'm a freaking phoenix!

"Wait? Isn't that Slytherin guy you came with called Harry?"

"No… I call him that. His name is Harris."

"Are you guys…you know…."

"WHAT! NO!"

"Why? He is cute…"

Wait! Mia? Who called me cute?

"He is cute? Ha! Don't tell me there aren't any real cuties around."

Hey! I'm plenty cute! I'm handsome! You know… the alpha male handsome?

Wait….when did we start talking about Tom?

What! Hermione, no fraternizing with the enemy!

"Hello? Earth to Amelia? Hello?"

"Sorry….just spaced out."

Harry! Get out of my head!

"Get up soon…. Its Potions first and with Slytherins."

"Ok Augusta… You wait in the common room…I'll be down in a minute."

Everything was surreal in this world. Hermione felt out of her element. The day before, when she entered the common room, she felt as if she was home. If not for the absence of Ron's goofy grin at winning another chess match and Harry carefully polishing his Firebolt, Hermione would have almost believed she had come into the same old room. But it was not so. Still, the Gryffindors were as boisterous as ever. Everyone was eager to have a new comer. Harold and Septimus were more than happy to introduce her to others and she found herself charmed by the quirky ways of Neville's Grandma, Augusta, as she insisted on being called.

Quickly getting dressed, she went down to the common room. Augusta was tapping her feet impatiently. Grace Abbot, another 6th year was standing next to her, calm and poised. Augusta looked up when she heard Hermione descending.

"Thought you would never come! Let's go.

"We have potions first right?"

"Yes, how did you get your timetable? I thought it was given out only during breakfast." Grace asked curiously.

"Dumbledore gave it last night."

"Let me see." Augusta demanded. "Hmm…. You take nine subjects?! And all advanced. Wow! I thought you were home schooled."

"Ha our Amelia is naturally brilliant." Hermione smiled upon hearing Septimus's voice.

"Hey there sleepy head! Had a good night?" Harold joined in.

"Bloody Hell! We have Potions straight up!" Croaked Septimus, still half asleep.

"Prof. Slughorn's a good bloke. There's no reason to be frowning, Septimus!"

"Oi! You're one step away from joining the Slug club yourself, ain't you, Harold? No wonder you're so worked up!"

"Don't think I don't know why you hate him! Still frowning about the Draught of Peace, eh?"

"Don't bring that up, Harold! I just added a bit extra moonstone powder! Besides, he didn't have to kick me out, did he?"

"Why? What happened?" Hermione butted in, curious.

"Well, Sparks, Septimus here, dunked a whole load of moonstone powder, and I do mean a whole lot, into his draught of peace potion and somehow convinced Xenia Lovegood over there…" He pointed to a Ravenclaw walking nearby, a grey eyed blonde, who had a distant look about her. Hermione recognized her easily and a smile adorned her lips.

"…to take a sip of his potion. What was it that you said, Septimus? Wack..? Wackspore?"

"Wrackspurt!" said Septimus, looking away, not wanting to hear any more of that conversation.

"Ya, Wrackspurt! He told her she could see them once she drinks this, as it keeps the mind at peace, so that she can focus better!"

"And?"

"Well, she took one sip, and down she went, sleeping. Only woke up after two weeks!" Harold broke into a loud laughter, Hermione followed suit. Septimus let out a sigh and wacked Harold on his head.

"Her housemates say she's gone a bit Looney after that. You know what, Sparks, I think that his potion packed such a punch, that her family' going to be sleepy for generations to come!" He laughed again.

"That's rude, Harold! And you can call me Amelia, you know. Sparks is kinda formal"

"You should've seen Slughorn then Amelia…."

"….All right! We better move! Don't want to be late on our first day, do we?" Septimus cut in, apparently that was all that he could take.

"We are so going to be LATE!" Augusta moaned.

Harry joined them on the way to the dungeons. Immediately the two boys fell silent, they were not keen to walk with a Slytherin shoulder-to-shoulder.

"I don't believe you've met Harris! Harris, this is Septimus Weasley and this… is Harold Potter"

"Hello! Please, call me Harry"

Both the Gryffindor boys nodded their heads in exchange.

Ooh, that went well, Mia.

Give it time! We were never really keen on talking to Slytherin too, were we Harry?

Fair Point!

Oh yeah, your grandfather looks just like you!

I noticed! So does Ron's! Well, you can identify Weasleys easily!

Ha! Yeah! Excited about Potions?

What? No! But, you know, HE's gonna be there.

Talk about the devil! There he is!

Tom Riddle was standing near the entrance to the Potions classroom, looking at the fire that was lit on a torch on the wall. The four of them stopped, even Septimus and Harold seemed unsure on how to proceed.

"I wonder what he wants. He never straggles." Septimus whispered.

Riddle slowly turned his gaze toward them, and his eyes met the crowd. They seemed a deep blue in the light of the blaze. Harry's memory went back to the chamber of secrets; he looked similar to his image in the diary, but he had a very different, distinct aura. The riddle from the diary was straight up evil, just the thought of that empowering darkness sent shivers down Harry's spine. But this guy, this guy had no trace of creepiness. He was the kind of guy you'd feel safe looking up to. He had a sturdy air of command and a glimmer of kindness in his face.

"Hello Harris, Potter, Weasley, Ms. Abbott, Ms. Sloan, Ms. ?" Riddle said smiling and nodding at each one before focusing his complete attention on Hermione.

"Sparks. Amelia Sparks." Hermione said, giving him a small smile. She was impressed by his manners. He was very cordial, for a Slytherin.

"Ms. Sparks." He repeated, giving her a full blown smile. She heard Grace taking a sudden breath next to her. She couldn't blame her.

"I hope you both had a pleasant night. It might be tough staying away from home. Scotland seems to be very different from …."

"Scania, in Sweden. It's not that different. And we travel a lot."

"You have a unique accent. Is it native to your place?" Tom seemed genuinely interested.

"Not really." Hermione said.

"Well, shall we proceed to the classroom?" Riddle asked, unperturbed.

Harry!

…

Um, Harry?

…

You're spacing out again!

…

Earth to Mr. Mooney Potter, please report back A-S-A-P, I repeat, A-S-A-P!

…W…o…w. He seems nice!

Harry, he is a master manipulator. See how easily he extracted information about our backgrounds, by sounding like he was making small talk? He is really unpredictable.

Oh

Ugh, I thought you improved. Let's just get in to the class, shall we Mr. Potter?

Harry looked sideways to Hermione, mouth wide open.

"THAT was Riddle?"

"Ya, tha' was! Don't worry, Harris, you'll get used to it!" Septimus said in a laid back tone.

"We should probably be going in, shouldn't we?"

"Let's listen to the here and just get in, okay guys?"

The potions classroom was very different from what they were used to. Instead of the usual dark and gloomy dungeons, it was airy and pleasant. There were many potions merrily bubbling in and around. Only a few people were present, this being the Advanced Potions Class after all. She could just hear what Professor Snape would have said about that.

"Ah! The lion house has arrived it seems"

Hermione cringed knowing it was due to her that they ended up being late. She was just opening her mouth to apologise when Septimus nudged her and not-so-subtly nodded towards Horace Slughorn, their potions professor. He was smiling.

"He doesn't care." Augusta mumbled out of the corner of her mouth.

"So then let's get on with the pairs for this year. Ms Stanhope, you will be paired with Mr. Malfoy for this term." When the pronouncement was met with vitriolic glares from both sides, he cleared his throat and hastily added. "This is Headmaster Dippet's order, for promoting inter-house friendships."

Augusta had an expression of utmost distaste on her face and Malfoy was no better. To say that the rest of the class were a little more accommodating was stretching it too far but there weren't any more vocalised protests.

"Ms. Sparks, you'll be paired with Mr. Riddle. He is very gifted and can show you the ropes quite easily."

Riddle smiled charmingly at Hermione and started rising from his previous position.

"Not to offend Sir, but if it's not too much of an inconvenience, can I be paired with Mr. Bolt?"

There were gasps of outrage from the part of the girls and incredulous looks directed by the boys. Even Slughorn looked taken aback. But Hermione was paying careful attention to Riddle's features and other than a barely perceptible tightening; there weren't many changes to his face. In fact, one wouldn't have noticed it unless one was actively searching for it.

"Of course, of course…. But are you sure dear? He will be invaluable to you."

"Actually that's because you wouldn't need to do any actual work." Septimus muttered.

"I think we'll manage Sir." Harry replied with a teasing glance at Hermione.

"Ok then, Mr. Riddle you are with Mr. Potter."

Hermione clamped her hands on Harry's, tightly, when he looked confused and started to answer.

Shut it! You are not Potter now.

I knew that. I was merely adjusting myself.

Ya right!

"Ok class, now that's done, let us begin. Welcome to Advanced Potions. All of you are proficient enough to identify the potions that you see around. They are just samples of what you will learn and make in the coming days. Since it's the first day today, I have something special for you. A gift that will entice you to perform your best today. Something worth your while."

That proclamation had a straightening effect on the class. Everyone was staring at the Professor with the utmost attention. Even Harry and Hermione couldn't hold back their interest.

"Can anyone of you tell me what this is?" He was holding up an iridescent stone of red, roughly the size of a table tennis ball. Hermione gasped and Riddle looked like he was holding his breath. Harry was concentrating hard on the stone, remembering something Snape said in one of his milder sessions.

"Yes Ms. Sparks, you seem to know the answer. Do enlighten the lesser ones." Slughorn said jovially.

"It's Dragon's Heart. Highly priced in Potioneering. Very difficult to obtain?"

"Ah….the perks of being a good teacher. One of my old students is a Dragon Tamer." He winked at her.

"Tell me Ms. Sparks, What is the most potent ability of this stone."

"It offers you clarity of mind in tumultuous situations, strengthens or weakens bonds between people and is used as an ingredient in many of the rare potions. One drop of this is enough to neutralize dark potions and turn a harmless potion deadly…" she trailed off in awe. "but sir, isn't this a little too you know, dark?"

"I'm sure professor Slughorn trusts us to be wise with it" Riddle intervened "we are in Advanced potions after all."

"Well…. I'm sure you'll be wise with it."

"Thank you for your confidence in my potion prowess"

Why that little…

Mia! No pissing off the Dark Lord. You might end up with a crucio to your ass!

"Yes. resolved….10 points to Griffindor. Very good Ms. Sparks. Class, this is what you are going to obtain once you successfully complete todays assignment."

"Sir, you never told what today's assignment is?" Harry asked, curiously.

"Well spotted, Mr. Bolt. You are going to brew The Draught of Living Death."

"That's way advanced!" Septimus whined.

"You are in Advanced Potions Mr. Weasley."

"Now…. I don't expect perfect potions from any of you. It IS a fifth grade potions and you had barely touched Third Grade. But the one most similar to the original will receive the price."

Riddle looked very self-satisfied. Harry and Hermione was feeling elated. The potion was of Severus's favourites and they were pretty familiar with the ingredients, though they had never made the potion. Hermione's hair was getting bushier every second, signalling her eagerness. Riddle looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Hermione stared back, unblinking. The tension that emanated between them was almost palpable.

NO UST

….. What? Harry…you ass!

The next two hours were gruelling for all of them, each pair trying to prove their worth. Harry and Hermione were using every trick that Severus had ever taught them. They even used the divergent instructions, though it went against Hermione's conscience. Harry had no such scruples, though.

"Ok. Time's up…. Every one, step back from your cauldrons."

Hermione gave their potion one last stir, while Harry added the crushed beetle eyes, the final ingredient. As soon as they were finished, Hermione looked towards Riddle to see how he was faring. He was leaning against the wall, calm and confident. Slughorn went from cauldron to cauldron, nodding here, stirring there and at times stepping away from the atrocious smell. When he reached Riddle's cauldron, he beamed so brightly that Hermione felt like wilting. She really wanted that stone. As she sat drooping, someone took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Quit fretting, Mia. This potion is Severus's master piece. No aspiring dark lord is gonna get one over it.

Humph!

On reaching their cauldron, he frowned fiercely. His brows went up and he scrutinized the makers. The class held their breath, Slughorn was never slow to judge and he never frowned. Hermione held her breath and clenched Harry's hand so tightly that he produced an unattractive squeak. He looked up to see Riddle narrowing his eyes at their clasped hands. Harry raised an eyebrow at him and pulled Hermione closer.

"Who taught you two?"

"My dad." Harry replied. "He had a passionate love for the art of potioneering."

"What was his name?"

"Severus Bolt."

"I've never heard of him."

"He didn't make his living out of it. He considered himself an amateur."

"Amateur? If he had become a potions master, I don't think there would be many who would have out-shined him."

"Oh?"

"This potion is brilliant! I have never seen anything so close to perfection and that's because the potion was never this perfect before. I must say Miss. Sparks, you chose very wisely. Here you go."

Hermione looked at the iridescent stone gleaming in her hands and looked at Slughorn with her mouth wide open. Slughorn chuckled and winked at her. Harry snapped her jaw back in to place, making her blush furiously. Then she smiled so hard that her cheeks hurt. Suddenly remembering the impromptu challenge, she looked towards Riddle. He was calmly clearing up his workplace, his partner standing a few feet away. Feeling her gaze on him, he looked up, stared for a few moments and then graciously dipped his head in the universal acknowledgement of defeat. Then he straightened, smiled at her and walked away.

A/N : Goddess cure mystic : She is blue tinged as opposed 2 the traditional orange….

Thank u 2 every1 who reviewed…. We r greedy and expect more :D