Chapter 92
Lady Luck
It wasn't until the end of the week that Lily had her first potions lesson with Slughorn. She had found out that a lot of the year six and seven students were studying potions; it was an important part of the magical world, after all.
As she arrived, she had the book that Snape had given her, with all the added instructions. She had been working hard to study the changes that had been written in the book, and every time she had tried the alternate instructions, the potion had been perfect. A part of Lily wondered why the instructions weren't the standard, but had quickly concluded that Professor Snape had come up with these either alone, or, and she knew this was a stretch, but could Lily's mother have helped Snape, and this was Snape's way of returning the favour?
That was a question Lily knew she'd never get an answer to; despite the fact that Snape had been kinder in private to her, she knew that those outside of her friends still saw the contempt that Snape had shown her in her first two years.
Slughorn greeted the class and waited for all of them to take their seats. Lily noticed that Goyle wasn't there, but then, she doubted he'd gotten the required grades. If anything, she figured that Dumbledore took pity on him and Crabbe, since they never really did anything when it came to studying.
"Welcome, welcome, please take your seats," Slughorn said, standing at the front of the class. There were four cauldrons, each with different potions in them. Lily could recognise one of them; Polyjuice potion. Since she'd used it in her second year, she knew she'd never forget the smell, the look, or worse, the taste.
"So, now that we're all here, let's start our lesson. This year for all of you is going to be tricky, and as you'll see, a number of your classmates aren't here. I can't let anyone with less than an E into my class, because of how dangerous some of these potions you'll be learning to make are if you make them wrong," Slughorn was smiling. "Let's see how your knowledge is." He went to the first cauldron, taking a ladle and picking some of the potion, and tipping it to let it flow back into the cauldron. "Who can tell me what this is?"
No one was surprised when Hermione's hand shot up first; Lily wasn't surprised that Hermione was the only one who seemed to know.
"Dear me, only one of you? I hope this doesn't bode ill for all of you. Well, go on Miss Granger, please do enlighten your classmates," Slughorn said.
"That's Veritaserum, sir, the most powerful truth potion in the world," Hermione stated.
"Absolutely right," Slughorn said with another smile. "Can someone else tell me this second potion?" Lily raised her hand . "Go ahead Lily, my dear girl."
"Polyjuice potion, sir. When it's in the form it is now, almost complete, it needs a sample of hair or skin, or other form of DNA, to complete it. Drinking it will will then temlorarily turn the person into a duplicate of the donor," Lily explained.
"Very well explained, Lily," Slughorn complimented her. "I can see so much of your mother in you right now, she was excited in this class as well."
"Thank you, sir," Lily replied.
"Now, how about this next one?" Slughorn asked. Lily felt shocked to see Draco raise his hand. "Yes, my boy? And please, do tell me your name."
"Draco Malfoy, sir," Draco said, not looking offended that the Professor didn't seem to recognise him.
"Ah, yes," Slughorn nodded in understanding. "Professor Snape told me all about your skills in potions. So, what one is this?"
"That's Amortentia, sir. It's called a love potion, but in reality, it's more of an obsession potion, since no potion or spell can actually create love," Draco explained as he eyed the concoction.
"I can see why Professor Snape holds you in high regard, my boy. You are absolutely right. Ladies and Gentlemen, listen to Draco here. When it comes to love potions, I've always been wary of them, because, as Draco said, it's an obsession potion. When making it, whoever brews it adds a part of themselves, much like in Polyjuice potion, but whoever drinks it will be obsessed with that person. This one, for instance, was made by me, and if someone were to take even a sip, they would become completely obsessed with me. It's very dangerous, and one can get addicted to it."
"Has that ever happened before, sir?" Lavender asked.
"Unfortunately, yes, my dear. Some love potions, like those sold in some shops, are weak, and last for maybe an hour or two, useful for a prank, or to get someone to help you with a task. Amortentia, however, is much more powerful. There have been many instances where someone was forced to drink this every day for the rest of their lives. Some even had children with the object of their obsession. But this is a cruel form of manipulation, and assault. To force someone to be with you is a terrible crime and comes with horrendous consequences. There have been a few instances when a child born from such a potion has been left without the ability to love, with no moral compass, and no care. The so-called Witch Trials here in the United Kingdom is a prime example. What isn't known in the history books is that a wizard so loved a witch that he tried to do anything to be with her. She wasn't interested, so one day, he forced her to take Amortentia," Slughorn explained, no longer smiling.
"How did that lead to the Witch Trials, sir?" Lily asked, curious now.
"Well, the wizard, known as Benedict the Foolish, got the poor witch pregnant. Their child was born, and at a young age, something like twelve, I think, Alaric the Dark One –" the classroom broke out into sniggers, "- and yes, I'm aware of these foolish names, but back then people liked names and titles," Slughorn replied with only a small twitch of his lips. "Anyway, Alaric killed both his parents and over the next twenty years, began a campaign to try and rule over Muggles. He failed when the Ministry of Magic were able to stop him, but the muggles became very suspicious regardless. The secrecy we now hold wasn't as enforced back in those days and many Muggles feared magic. They ended up accusing a muggle woman, Eleanor Cobham, of being a witch, and executed her. That was the first known Witch Trial in England."
Lily had to admit, if Slughorn had been the History of Magic Professor, she, and everyone else, would likely pay more attention. It wasn't that she didn't like Professor Binns, he just made everyone want to be a ghost in his lessons.
"Anyway, we're getting off topic, I think," Slughorn said, with a chuckle. "So, this last potion," he indicated to the molten gold colour potion. "Anyone care to venture a guess?"
Hermione was, like the first question, the only person to raise their hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"That's Felix Felicis, otherwise known as Liquid Luck, it makes the drinker very lucky," Hermione recited
"Absolutely right," Slughorn said. "Devilishly tricky to make, disastrous to get wrong, but when made correctly, it makes the person lucky."
"Can't someone take it every day then, sir?" Ernie Macmillan asked, looking a lot more interested than before.
"Can they? Yes. Should they? No," Slughorn replied. "Too much luck can be a dangerous thing. Makes one overconfident and cocky and can have fatal consequences."
"Have you ever taken it, sir?" Blaise Zabini inquired, also looking at the liquid gold with a strong degree of curiosity.
"Twice in my life; once when I was twenty seven, and again when I was fifty three. Two teaspoons at breakfast, and it led to two perfect days. Now, it's illegal to use in sporting events, gambling, anything like that, but it will lead to a perfect day, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is what I'm offering today," Slughorn quirked an eyebrow at the excited rustle and whispers that went through the students before clearing his throat and continuing. "As an incentive, we will be making a tricky potion, the Draught of Living Death. I'm not expecting anyone to create a perfect potion, but the one who makes it the closest will win this small vial of Felix Felicis," He puller out a small vial from his robes before making the four cauldrons disappear with a swish of his wand.
Lily felt a wave of excitement run through her; this was the first potion Snape had taught her in the extra lessons, and with Snape's instructions, she knew she could do this. She opened her book, and immediately began to follow the instructions, taking out the ingredients from her potion case. As soon as she came to the beans needed, she took her silver dagger, and instead of cutting, she crushed them. This releaser more of the juices than anyone else had managed to gather.
Hermione looked at Lily's cauldron, and Lily could see how stressed Hermione was getting. "How are you doing that?" she demanded, glancing between hers and Lily's.
"Turn anti-clockwise every…" Lily began, but Hermione shook her head.
"No, the book says clockwise," Hermione said, focusing on her potion. Lily knew she'd talk with Hermione later, and explain everything, just as she continued to follow Snape's instructions instead of the books, knowing this would end well for her.
Lily was correct, and Slughorn had stated how impressed he was with Lily, since she was the only one to make a perfect Draught of Living Death. Not only did Lily win the Felix Felicis, she and Hermione had earned thirty points between them (Twenty for Hermione, Ten for Lily, at ten points a question answered). Draco had earnt Slytherin ten points, which he accepted with a small nod of his head.
Sitting in the Gryffindor common room that evening, Lily explained how she had gotten the potion so perfect.
"Snape? Snape's instructions got you the win?" Ron asked, both incredulous and impressed.
"Yeah. Wasn't the first time I've made that potion either, I made it the first time I had an additional lesson with him," Lily replied. "He told me not to instruct others how to make the potions, but you can study the book he gave me."
"Thanks Lily," Hermione said, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry I was so abrupt with you in the lesson."
"I haven't seen you that stressed in a while, are you okay?" Lily asked.
Hermione sighed. "I just want to make sure I don't make any mistakes with my studies. Our NEWTS are next year."
"No, that's not it," Ron commented, frowning. "Lily's right, the last time you were this stressed was in our third year, when you were taking all those classes. You've not got a time turner again, have you?"
"No, I learnt my lesson, and we destroyed the ministry's supply of them when we were fighting the Death Eaters," Hermione said after a mome ta hesitation. She was beginning to look amxious. "I just… I didn't want to burden any of you."
"Hey, we're your friends, Hermione," Lavender told her, taking her hand. "We want to help."
"Always," Ginny agreed. "So come on, what's up?"
"It's…" Hermione paused, apparently mentally deciding something, before sighing. "I guess I'm just a little anxious. Fleur and I are really happy, and I love her completely. Her parents like me too, but they've… well, they brought me and Fleur a house here in England, for us to live in when I officially turn seventeen. I know I'm technically eighteen, but I just… it just feels like things are…"
"Getting real?" Lily asked, with a small smile. Hermione nodded. "Hey, I get it. Believe me, I do. We're sixteen, you're eighteen, and in less than a year, we're all considered adults, and we have to start planning for the future. It's not going to be easy."
"Here at Hogwarts, everything makes sense. I knew I could do things, but out there… it's about more than being clever, there's also surviving, especially in the middle of a war," Hermione said softly. "And we'll be fighting You-Know-Who when we leave here, won't we?"
"Yes," Lily agreed. "I want to say no, but are any of us going to be able to sit on the sidelines for this war?"
"I know I won't be able to," Ginny replied. "I'll be right by your side."
"Likewise," Ron said, as Lavender held onto him. "We both will, right love?"
"Right," Lavender agreed.
"I want to tell all of you to just relax and enjoy yourselves, and not fight…" Lily began, but Ginny took over.
"But you know better than that, don't you?" Ginny insisted.
Lily chuckled softly. "I know arguing with you is pointless," she teased. Ginny smiled and kissed her softly.
"Damn right it is," she said. "Remember, I wear the pants in our relationship."
"Yes dear," Lily replied, smirking. The group burst out laughing at that.
"At least you know those two words," Ron said, grinning.
"Whenever I'm with all of you, I always feel better, thankfully," Hermione said, smiling now.
"See, a smile, that's what we wanted," Lily told her. "Hermione, we're always here for you."
"Thank you," Hermione said, looking at the group with love and affection. "So, changing subject, when are you holding Quidditch Try-outs?"
"On Saturday," Lily replied. "Coming to watch?"
"I thought I might do, yeah," Hermione agreed. "Ron, you're going for Keeper again, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I didn't do so bad last year," Ron agreed.
"You were brilliant, Ron," Lavender complimented.
"She's not wrong," Katie Bell said, having arrived in the common room a minute earlier. "Did I hear right? Try-outs are on Saturday?"
"You did, I've got the pitch booked for the morning," Lily grinned at her "You won't need to try-out though, you're brilliant."
"Lily, you can't let me on just because of my past success, or our friendship. Quidditch teams have been brought down that way before," Katie chided.
"She's right," Ron spoke up. "If someone else comes for Keeper, and is better than me, you need to let them play."
"Likewise, for me as Chaser," Ginny added.
Lily nodded, suitably chastised. "Okay, so everyone has to try out," she corrected herself, nodding. "It should be interesting."
"I know you'll find a great team," Katie complimented.
"I hope so. I have to admit, I've been doing a lot of studying on Quidditch tactics and plans. Oliver made it look so easy, but when I first started thinking about the team, and who would most likely stay, figuring out how to play everyone together wasn't as easy as I thought it would be," Lily said.
"Oliver made a lot of things look easy, but don't try and think like him. You'll find your own style," Katie told her. "Every Captain has to find their own style and method. What worked for Oliver won't work for you because you think differently, and that's okay. We can't all think the same way, otherwise things would be impossible."
"Valid point," Lily conceded. "I guess I'll wait until Saturday to plan things out."
"Good idea," Ginny complimented. "Come on, we should head down for dinner. I dunno about the rest of you, but I'm famished."
"Isn't that Ron's line?" Hermione teased, as they got up, prompting a round of laughter from the group. Lily grinned as they left the common room together. She knew she had a lot to study, but in that moment, with her friends, she felt like she could do anything. She just hoped that feeling would last, even though, in the pit of her stomach, she knew it couldn't.