What if Sirius Black didn't die?

Chapter 15: The Draught of Living Death

LIVING DEATH- Nicholas Hooper

HARRY POV:

We stood watching the crowds of students swarm everywhere with McGonagall trying to control them. Ron and I snickered like the prats we are, and soon, McGonagall motioned for me to go over to her.

"What now?" I muttered, giving Ron a look and ushering my way towards the professor.

"Potter." She started.

"Are you not still wanting to become an Auror?" She asked, staring at me curiously.

"Yes, Professor but-" I started.

"Then why aren't you in Potions?" She interrupted.

"Well, I was told I needed an O in Potions to attend Professor." I started.

"When Professor Snape was teaching. However, Professor Slughorn will gladly take you with an Exceeds Expectations." She said smiling kindly.

"Oh well, then I'll be going straight there Professor," I said, starting to turn around.

"Oh, and Potter," she yelled after me.

"Take Weasley as well. He looks far too happy there." She said, grinning as I nodded.

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"Why do I have to take Potions too? I need to practice for quidditch tryouts." Ron groaned.

"Because I'm taking it, and I'm not going alone," I said, tugging him after me.

We reached the room, I carefully opened the door, immediately spotting Hermione amongst the Gryffindors, along with the Slytherins, who were all staring at me.

"Ah Harry, I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up. Brought someone with us I see?" Slughorn said looking back at us.

"Ron Weasley sir. I'm not that good at Potions Professor so I'll just-" Ron started to walk out of the doorway.

"No! No! Nonsense. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine." He said ushering us into the class.

"Take out your books." He said, as Ron sighed and closed the door.

"Professor we didn't know we were attending so we didn't get a chance to get our-" I started.

"Very well, take what you want from the cupboard." He said, turning back to his class.

Ron sighed again and followed me towards the place where Slughorn was pointing. I opened the small door to the cupboard and immediately saw 2 books. One was almost brand new, and the other- well it looked like it had seen better days. Ron and I both lunged for the better one and both tugged at it for a while, until I lost grip and he gave me a smirk, and walked towards the students, leaving me with the shriveled book. I immediately grabbed it, shut the cupboard door, and made my way towards Ron, who had taken a place near where Hermione was before she moved up to the cauldron in the front.

"The most powerful love potion in the world." She finished.

"It's rumored to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them." She said, moving an inch closer.

"For example, I smell- freshly mown grass and"

She paused to smell the pink smokey liquid.

"New Parchment and- spearmint- toothpaste." She said rushing back to us.

"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love. That would be impossible, but it does cause powerful infatuation or obsession." Slughorn said as some of the girls tranced towards the cauldron.