Nothing But You // N. Longbottom

Nine: Felix Felicis

"Bye!" Norvina waved to her father as she stepped onto the train to Hogwarts. Neville waved to his grandmother, hand in hand with Norvina. The pair smiled as they grabbed their bags and headed to an empty compartment.

"Your grandmother is the sweetest, Nev." Norvina spoke, walking a couple of steps in front of her boyfriend. She smiled as she looked for an empty compartment, and found one just at the end of the hall.

"Yeah," Neville laughed, "she likes you more than she likes me." Neville commented, half-joking. Norvina whipped her head around in shock.

"No!" Norvina giggled, but stopped herself, "Wait, really?" Norvina smirked, knowing that she had Neville wrapped around her finger like lace. Neville knew it too, not that he minded.

"Norvina Evergreen, don't let that go to your head." Neville spoke into her ear, making her laugh through a shiver in the best way possible.

"Never."

X

"First off, let me introduce the newest member of our staff; Horace Slughorn. Who has agreed to resume his old post as potions master, meanwhile the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be taken by Professor Snape." Dumbledore announced to everyone in the Great Hall. 

Norvina looked over at Neville with a shocked face. Snape had finally been given the position he'd always wanted. Neville looked at his girlfriend with an equal amount of shock.

"As you know, each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival here tonight and you have the right to know why. Once there was a young man, like you who sat in this very hall, walked the corridors of this castle. He seemed to all the world, a student like any other, his name Tom Riddle. Today, of course, he's known all over the world by another name, which is why as I stand looking out upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of a sobering fact every day and this very minute dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle's walls. In the end, the greatest weapon is you." Dumbledore spoke, the Hall grows quiet. Tom Riddle was Lord Voldemort? 

Was there another student teetering over the edge just waiting for the opportunity to kill?

X

"Any ideas of what these might be?" Professor Slughorn asked, holding up a vial of the special potion. Norvina immediately noticed the vile and knew exactly what it was. Her hand flew up, but a certain Gryffindor was able to speak first.

"That one there is Veritaserum. It's a truth-telling serum." Hermione answered, and Norvina put her hand down. Neville whispered into her ear, making her forget all about Hermione.

"You're the best student in this class, Nora."

As the class continued, Norvina found herself dazing in and out as she thought about Neville. He had changed so much over the summer. She didn't miss the fact that he had grown another several inches and appeared far more toned than before. She tried to shake her impure thoughts out of her head, but at every gaze that he shot her, she felt herself falling for him even harder than before.

"Curse you, Neville Longbottom." She spoke under her breath, glancing his way every now and then. Neville only chuckled to himself as he listened to Professor Slughorn's lecture.

"What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen, is a curious little potion known as Felix Felicis. It is more commonly referred to as Liquid Luck. Desperately tricky to make, disastrous should you get it wrong. One sip and you will find that all of your endeavors 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 Death. Recipes for which can be found on page 10 of your books. I should point out, however, only one student who manages to brew a potion of sufficient quality claims this prize. Nevertheless, good luck to you all. Let the brewing commence."

Norvina was determined to make this potion and succeed with flying colors. She followed the instruction word for word, but was confused. With Snape as the potions master, he had them change a few things here and there to make the potion work properly. Knowing this, she also altered the recipe in hopes of the potion working the best it could.

"Your potion looks splendid, Miss Evergreen. Very well done, however, Potter finished first." Slughorn informed the girl. Norvina smiled to herself, proud that she had done so well. She glanced over at Neville, who only seemed to smile.

"So here we are then, as promised. One vial of Felix Felicis. Congratulations. Use it well." Slughorn congratulated Harry, handing him the vial of liquid luck.