After All This Time - Book 3

Seven

The Half-Blood Prince, your mom and I hadn't heard that name in years. Unfortunately I do not know who the actual person is. However I do remember seeing the name in a book belonging to your potions professor, he was kind enough to let me borrow it once. I'm sure he would know; I would assume it was whoever he got that book from. His family was not well off and most of his belongings were hand-me-downs. I know this isn't the answer you're looking for, but I hope it helped.

Your mom and I cannot wait to hear about your summer travels, should we expect you home for Christmas?

-Dad

"Anything?" Ron whispered across the table at me.

I shook my head and slid the note across the table to him, watching as his eyes quickly scanned the short note before handing it back to me.

"So then who is it?"

"I checked around the restricted section yesterday but found nothing" Hermione chimed in. "Whoever it is probably didn't want it to be known anyways."

I nodded, turning my attention back to my Alchemy homework in an attempt to break off the conversation about this Half-Blood Prince. I was almost one hundred percent certain it was Snape, I just wasn't certain whether or not I should tell anyone else or just leave them be. It was essentially a dead end anyway.

"Bloody hell, why do we have so much work" Harry grumbled, slamming shut his Herbology book and pulling out his Charms one.

"You're telling me" Ron groaned, "I thought we'd be able to just chill but I'm quite literally drowning in work!!"

Nonverbal spells had now progressed from just DADA to Transfiguration and Charms as well. Naturally, Draco and I excelled at them along with Hermione. Most everyone else was still struggling, Harry included. I glanced up from my own work at Harry who was attempting a nonverbal wingardium leviosa, but failing miserably. I could see him getting more and more frustrated, each swish of his wand faster than the previous.

"Slow down" I quipped at him. "Think it the exact same way you would say it with the motion."

Harry nodded, trying again. This time the piece of parchment lifted off the table about an inch before falling again.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to give Harry some hope. "Thanks" he smiled.

I nodded, burying my head back into my Alchemy book to try and get some work done before quidditch try outs later that afternoon. I wasn't trying out, but Hermione and I had promised to go watch in support of Ron who was trying out. No sooner had I gotten back into my work that a loud thud on the table broke off my concentration again. I looked up, a large package and Hedwig now sat on the table between us.

"She's a bit late" Harry started, grabbing the package and tearing it open, "but at least it's finally here!" He pulled out a new copy of Advanced Potion Making and set it down on the table.

"Good, now you can get rid of that other copy" Hermione said at him.

"Now why would I ever do that" Harry laughed, pulling it from his bag. A quick spell and he had switched the covers of the book, The Half-Blood Prince's book now disguised as a brand new one. "I'll give Slughorn back this one" he said, putting the new book with the old cover on the table and sliding the other one into his bag. "He wouldn't know anyways."

Hermione gave Harry quite the look but said nothing else, rather got back to her work. I started to as well, but stopped seconds later as a dark figure entering the Great Hall caught my eye. I glanced up as Snape walked by us to relieve Flitwick of his study hall duties, glancing over for just a second and winking at me as he passed. I felt my face flush as my eyes raced back down to my Alchemy book. There was no way he was doing this in public now. I heard a whistle across the room and looked up, making eye contact with Draco who was wagging his eyebrows at me. I shook my head and slammed my book closed, shoving it into my bag. "I'm going to head upstairs and change out of my uniform before try-outs" I said, getting up from the table and grabbing my DADA workbook for Snape. "I'll see you guys out there in a few."