The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

Love Potion

"Who're you talking about?" Harry asked.

"Romilda, of course. Romilda Vane."

"Very funny Ron. Might as well be a comedian." Carson muttered, as Ron threw the box at him.

"What was that for?!"

"It's no joke! I'm in love with her!"

"You're in love with her! Have you ever actually met her!" Harry exclaimed.

"No. Can you introduce me?"

It was then Harry noticed the note on the box. It was spiked with love potion, like Hermione was talking about in the library. She had actually been serious and Romilda had given him a love potion. It just didn't work for the right person.

"Ron, these chocolates, they're...C'mon. We're going to introduce you to Romilda Vane." Harry told him, helping him up and leading him out of the room, Carson following behind.

"How do I look?"

"Devastatingly handsome." Carson told him as he knocked on Slughorn's door.

"Yes? Oh, Potter. Marshall. It's you two. I'm afraid I'm busy at the moment." Slughorn dismissed them.

"Sir. I'm sorry. I wouldn't bother you if it weren't absolutely..."

"Where's Romilda?"

"Love potion. We need an antidote Professor." Carson told him, Slughorn nodding in understanding.

"Ah. Very well. Bring him in." Slughorn muttered, as the three walked into the room.

"I'd have thought you could whip up a remedy for this in no time, Harry, an expert potioneer like you."

"I figured this called for a more practiced hand, sir."

"Hello darling, fancy a drink?" Ron asked himself as he stared into the mirror. Carson stifled a laugh and sat Ron down on the couch.

"Hm. Perhaps you're right."

"I'm sorry, sir. About the other day. Our... misunderstanding."

"Yes, well, water under the bridge as they say, correct?"

"I mean, I'm sure you're tired of it, after all these years. The questions. About... Voldemort."

"I'll ask you not to use that name." Slughorn told Harry, as Carson sat with Ron by the fireplace.

"Yes, sir. It's just, well, Dumbledore once said that fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself. It seemed sensible."

"With all due respect, Dumbledore sometimes forgets that most of us do not possess powers so great that we can risk offending the most dangerous Dark Lord who ever lived." Slughorn mentioned, turning away as he finished making the antidote.

"Alright, m'boy! Bottoms up!"

"What's this?" Ron asked Slughorn as he went over to him.

"A tonic for the nerves." He dismissed, as Ron drank the potion. He slumped for a minute before returning to himself.

"What happened to me?"

"Love potion meant for Harry."

"And a bloody strong one at that." Slughorn mentioned.

"I feel really... bad." Ron told him, as Slughorn beamed.

"A pick-me-up is what you need, m'boy. Do us all good, I think. I've got butterbeer, wine, ah, and a dazzling oak-matured mead. I had other intentions for this but given the circumstances..." Slughorn said, pulling out a bottle and pouring it into cups.

"Thank you sir I'm parched." Carson told the professor as he took the cup.

"There we are. To life!" Slughorn toasted, as Carson and Ron downed the drink before anyone else could.

A moment later, both of them crashed to the floor turning blue and pale while thrashing around. Harry and Slughorn looked alarmed, and the professor seemed to be frozen.

"Ron! Carson! Professor, help them!"

"I d-don't understand..."

"Professor! Do something!!"

Slughorn shuffled through his bag, and Harry noticed the two turning even paler. They were choking as well.

"They're choking!!"

Harry runs around tearing through different supplies and his eyes landing on two beozars. He grabs them and runs back to the boys before shoving one each in their mouths. They go limp, not breathing as the antidotes were swallowed.

"Breathe! C'mon, Ron, Carson, don't be prat's. Breathe! BREATHE!" Harry shouted, as Carson and Ron started breathing again.

"Hermione is going to kill me..." Carson muttered, before falling unconscious, but alive.