Chapter 22
Hermione knew that the shock must be showing on her face, because Snape had already told her to close her mouth and stop gaping at him twice since he began writing on the chalkboard. Hermione looked around the room at the other students in the NEWT class and was shocked to see that not a single other person was shocked by what was being asked of them.
"With Christmas Holidays coming up, I wanted each of you to spend that time preparing for your final project that will count as your practical exam for your NEWTs. You will each be assigned a partner and one of the listed potions to brew." Snape explained as he finished writing on the board before waving his wand and revealing seven cauldrons at the front table. "Everyone is to step forwards and look over each of these carefully, you'll be collecting the ingredients yourselves and then brewing it," he explained emphasizing the 'T' in it. "I will know if any of you take the lazy way," he said, looking over at Harry who was doodling on the cover of his book, not paying attention, "and purchase your ingredients." A quick flick of his wand and Harry's book slammed shut, causing her brother to jump in his seat and Dean Thomas, who was seated next to him, to break into a fit of coughs attempting to cover a laugh.
"You can't be serious," Hermione said, slamming her hands on the table she sat at next to Theo. "These are all schedule one potions, highly illegal and if we're caught brewing them without a potions mastery, the fines and the prison sentence–"
"That is in the United States, Ms. Granger. I shouldn't have to ask an eighteen-year-old girl to hold her tongue while in my class," the potions master responded. "Now, unless you'd like to fail your potions NEWT, I suggest you come and view these while you can."
Veritaserum (the most powerful truth potion), Drink of Despair (inducing intense pain, fear, delirium, and extreme thirst), Draught of Living Death (putting someone into such a deep sleep they can be mistaken as dead, sometimes the drinker never waking), Amortentia (most powerful love potion), Felix Felicis (also known as liquid luck), Forgetfulness Potion (equal to an obliviate, but more dangerous because you can't control it and it can be slipped to someone fairly easily), and Polyjuice Potion (changing one's identity into that of another).
There was a reason they were illegal, and they were incredibly hard to brew, any mistakes easily turning deadly. For this to be an assignment for a bunch of kids was beyond foolish, but very on par with Hogwarts she was beginning to realize.
"How do you know potion laws so well?" Theo whispered into her ear as they approached the front of the classroom.
"I studied law for fun this past summer," Hermione answered with a shrug, sticking towards the back of the group. "I needed something to pass the time and avoid Ronald Weasley when he came over to visit Harry."
"You're such a swot," Draco said, chuckling at her, making Luc (who of course was also in this class) glare at them.
"No," Hermione said, smiling and waving in the older twin's direction until he turned back towards Snape giving his explanation of each potion. "I needed to know just how close to the line I could toe and how to keep myself from getting in trouble if I was to get caught."
The boys standing with her were stunned silent, obviously not expecting that answer. "Devious," Theo whispered, his pupils dilating.
"Calculated," Hermione corrected, stepping forwards as the line moved. Theo burst out laughing, causing Snape to glare at the boy just as Hermione stood in front of the first cauldron.
"Care to try some, Granger," El taunted, making Hermione roll her eyes.
"I'd say the same to you, however I don't need to hear you make your undying confession for the unrequited love you have for my boyfriend." Hermione snipped back, causing the class to break out in fits of giggles and El's face to turn positively red. "I'm also watching you next to the Amortentia, don't need you trying to slip some into his morning tea." Another round of laughter broke out, this time Snape slamming a switch against the desk, instantly quieting the room.
"Twenty points from Ravenclaw," he drawled, causing Luc to again glare in Hermione's direction, but she could honestly care even less about the house cup than she did about Quidditch. "And I think another detention is in order, now finish your observations and get back to your seats. Your partners will be assigned at random, so no one is to move until directed."
Hermione could only roll her eyes at the potions master, who clearly fell short in the parenting department seeing as what a troll his daughter had grown up to be. As Hermione, Theo, and Draco were finishing inspecting the different cauldrons, Theo grabbed Hermione, preventing her from going back to her seat.
"What do you smell?" The brunette asked Draco, grinning like he'd won the lottery as they stood in front of the Amortentia.
Draco stepped forwards, looking Theo up and down, as he took a whiff. "Cloves, firewhisky," he said, then his eyes grew wide before looking in Hermione's direction. "Coffee, cinnamon, and vanilla," Hermione could feel her stomach drop, knowing that this must be a new development to the blonde.
"Hm," Theo said, taking a deep breath as well, "coffee, cinnamon, and vanilla are three new scents in mine as well, I wonder why…" He trailed off just as Snape was shooing them all back to their seats.
Once everyone had settled back at their tables, Snape tapped the blackboard with his wand, a list appearing without him uttering a word or writing at all.
Lucius Malfoy II and Susan Bones - Veritaserum
Harry Potter and Blaise Zabini - Drink of Despair
Emilia Lilian Snape and Theodore Nott - Draught of Living Death
Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger - Amortentia
Terry Boot and Justin Finch-Fletchley - Felix Felicis
Dean Thomas and Padma Patil - Forgetfulness Potion
Daphne Greengrass and Michael Corner - Polyjuice Potion
Hermione looked over at Theo who was sitting next to her, his mouth now hanging open, before snapping his jaw shut to glare at El, who equally looked mortified.
"What do you bet they'll both end up trying to drug the other with their potion?" Harry asked as he walked past her seat on his way to where Zabini was sitting.
"That's a losing bet if I've ever heard one," Hermione muttered, looking over at Draco who was in the process of moving away from Zabini's table and smiling. "I have a feeling it's going to be a very long second half of the year."