Potter's Shadow (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 52

"Come in, Come in," Slughorn hustled us all into the classroom. 

The room was drastically different than when Snape had taught potions. The windows had all been unblocked, allowing unfiltered light into the room. Although, it was only the first week of school you could see the remnants of other students compared to Snape's traditional tidy approach. Multiple potions were brewing around the room. The desks had even been moved into groups of 6 and not lines of pairs. 

"If you could all find a seat," he called across the room. 

Ginny and I grabbed a hold of Luna and Penny before claiming one of the tables. Penny and I sat one side of the table, while Ginny and Luna sat opposite us. Two Ravenclaw boys claimed the last seats at our table. 

"Welcome, to OWLs potions. Today you will be brewing the Draught of Peace for me to assess your skill sets," Slughorn spoke, his words met with the rustle of pages in everyone's textbooks. "But first, for bonus points can anyone tell me what is brewing in this cauldron? I don't expect any of you to get it right as it is a NEWT level potion, but I'm curious. If you all would walk past in single file before returning to your desk." 

I followed in line behind Ginny, with Penny behind me, as everyone glanced into the cauldron and taking a deep sniff. When it was my turn I eyed the the pearly coloured potion, I inhaled deeply. Apples, mint, parchment and pine. I inhaled again, deeper. Expensive cologne and not just any expensive cologne. I carried on moving, trailing back to my seat as my brain swirled, wanting to inhale the smell again. All I could smell was Draco, I glanced down but it couldn't be me as I wasn't wearing anything of Draco's. 

I sniffed again now I was back at the desk, my nostrils filling with dusty old classroom smell. The smell must have been the potion, which left me with only one potion it could possibly be. 

The last students took their seat at the table before Slughorn asked the question, "Does anyone know the potion?"

Everyone  muttered and shook their head. As if Slughorn knew nobody would get it, "I thought not-"

I raised my hand in the air grabbing his attention, "Yes?"

"It's Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world," I answered. 

He looked mildly impressed, "What gave it away?" 

"The smell. You smell what ever appeals to you most," I reasoned trying to explain. 

"20 points to Gryffindor, Miss-" Slughorn trailed off for me to fill my name. 

"Potter, sir. Rose Potter." 

Slughorn looked shocked, as everyone did when they met me. It still wasn't very common knowledge of Harry's younger sister. I watched as the thought settled on his face before he directed us to use our remaining time to brew the Draught of Peace. 

I opened my textbook following along with the instructions, adapting them as I wished, a small trick I'd picked up from my catch-up lessons first year with Professor Snape. The time passed quickly as I concentrated on my potion, step by step getting closer to that turquoise blue shade, which I knew the potion was meant to be. 

Nearing the end of the lesson, it finally shifted to the turquoise colour so I left it to simmer as I started to tidy away my desk. Returning class ingredients to the stock cupboard, almost cringing at the unorganised mess, which Professor Snape would have never left it in. Knowing I had a few minutes before people realised I was lingering, I sorted through the top shelf, ingredients A through F. 

I sat at my desk, reading through the material for the rest of the year, while I waited the 5 minute simmering time. The others were just settling down to simmer as I poured my potion into the vials.