something you make// draco malfoy

fourteen

I stand in potions class watching Professor Slughorn. "Attention to detail in the preparation is the prerequisite of all plan." Slughorn stops talking as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley walk in. "Harry, my boy, I've been beginning to worry. You brought someone with us, I see."

"Ron Weasley, sir. But I'm dead awful at Potions. A menace, actually so. I'm probably just gonna..." Ron says as he turns to leave.

"Nonsense, we'll sort you out. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Get your books out," Slughorn says.

"I'm sorry, sir, I haven't actually got my book yet and nor is Ron," Harry states.

"Not to worry, get what you want from the cupboard." Slughorn turns back to face the rest of us. "Now as I was saying, I prepared some concoctions this morning. Any ideas what these might be?" Hermione raises her hand. "Yes, Miss...?"

"Granger, sir." Hermione walks up to the cauldrons. "That one there is Veritaserum. It's a truth-telling serum. And that would be Polyjuice Potion. It's terribly tricky to make. This is Amortentia. The most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them. For example, I smell... Freshly mown grass and new parchment and... Spearmint toothpaste." Hermione seems slightly troubled as she walks back to join the rest of us.

"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love. That would be impossible, but it does cause powerful infatuation or obsession. And for that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room," Slughorn tells us.

I raise my hand and point to a small vial. "Sir, you haven't told us what's in that one."

"Oh yes. What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen, is a curious little potion, known as Felix Felicis. But it is more commonly known referred to as..." Slughorn starts.

"Liquid luck," Hermione states.

Slughorn nods. "Yes, Miss Granger. Liquid luck. Desperately tricky to make, disastrous should you get it wrong. One sip and you'll find that all of your endeavours succeed. At least until the effects wear off. So this is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vial of liquid luck to the student who in the hour that remains, manages to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Dead. Recipes for which can be found on page 10 of your books. Issue one doubt, however. Only one student managed to brew a potion of sufficient quality to claim this prize. Nevertheless, good luck to you all. Let the brewing commence."

We all get to work hoping to claim the prize. The hardest part by far is cutting the sopophorous bean. Every time I try to cut into one it goes flying. I chuckle slightly as I hit Draco in the face with one. Blaise laughs as Draco stares daggers at him.

"Sorry," I offer.

Draco shakes his head lightly. I can tell he is trying to keep his hard exterior. But even he laughs when Seamus Finnigan drops an ingredient into his cauldron and it blows up in his face.

Harry is the lucky one to figure out the potion.

Slughorn drops a leaf into Harry's cauldron. "Merlin's beard! It is perfect! So perfect I'd just say one drop would kill us all! Here we are then, as promised. One vial of Felix Felicis. Congratulations. Use it well."

After class Draco and I walk down the hall.

"I say it's a good thing Potter got the potion," I state.

"And why is that?" Draco questions.

"After all the times You-Know-Who has tried to kill him he could surely use the luck," I offer.

Draco shrugs his shoulders. "I still would have liked to get my hands on it."

I wrap my arm around his waist. "You don't need any luck. You've got me Malfoy."