The Forgotten Prophecy [Book 3]

XIX. Side Effects

...
'Sick and tired, 
but I don't wanna mess up
cause life goes on.'
...

       We sit in potions class. I stare blankly at the ingredients in front of me. Too tired. Hermione huffs snapping me out of my thoughts. She reads a magazine. Rita Skeeter had written another article on Harry and Hermione. This time she focused more on Hermione and Viktor Krum's relationship. She also mentioned that Hermione is quite intelligent, hinting that she probably has Krum under a love potion. "I told you! I told you not to annoy Rita Skeeter!" Ron huffs. Hermione crosses her arms. "Is this the best she can do? This is old rubbish." The Slytherin students at the table next to us are watching carefully. Hermione gives them a cheerful smile showing that the article was not bothering her at all, although it is. It's bothering her very much. "What I don't understand is how she knew Viktor had asked me to visit him over the summer," Hermione ponders. 

Ron's eyes almost fall out of his head. "He did what? What what did you say?" "But she wasn't there so how could she have heard? Unless she has an invisibility cloak--" "And what did you say?" Ron asks again. Harry and I exchange looks. I could sense Ron's jealousy. Hermione's face is as red as a tomato. "Well I didn't say anything. I was too busy checking if you two--" "Fascinating as your social life is, Miss Granger. I must ask you not to discuss it during my class. Five points from Gryffindor," Uncle Severus says coldly. Hermione lowers her head and looks at her potion. Uncle Severus notices the magazine under the table. "Ah and reading a magazine during my class? Ten points from Gryffindor." He stops as he notices something, picking up the magazine. "Oh, well surely Potter has to keep up with his press cuttings." I roll my eyes as a few Slytherin students laugh. 

"This won't do. I should separate the three of you so you can focus on your potions rather than your social lives. Weasley stay here. Granger, go sit next to Parkinson. And Potter, sit at the table in front of my desk," Uncle Severus says. They slowly move and go to their new seats. "And what about me, Professor?" I ask him. Uncle Severus looks at me. "Stay quiet and we won't have a problem," he responds. I smirk as he goes back to his desk in front of where Harry is sitting. "He truly acts cold towards you. It's hard to believe you guys were ever close," Ron whispers to me. I stare at Uncle Severus. "Yeah," I whisper. I turn back to my potion, but keep my hearing focused on Harry and Uncle Severus. 

"Listen here, Potter. I don't care how famous you get. I'm giving you this warning once. If I catch you breaking into my office one more time--" "I didn't break into your office," Harry snaps. I feel my head getting dizzy. I blink a couple times, shaking the weariness off. I listen carefully again. "Don't. Lie. To. Me... Gillyweed. It comes from my private stores, I know you stole it," Uncle Severus whispers. Oh shoot, Harry is getting in trouble for something he didn't do. Harry doesn't say anything for a moment. "I don't know what you're talking about," he replies. Uncle Severus shakes his head. "Do you know what this is, Potter?" I look over at them. Uncle Severus is holding a tiny bottle in his hand. Harry shakes his head. My vision begins to blur. I look away, blinking my eyes to get rid of the haziness. "It's Veritaserum, a Truth Potion. Three drops and you will be spilling your innermost secrets out to everyone," Uncle Severus says. 

Alright, Ellie. Pull yourself together. I feel a ringing in my head. Ignoring it, I stand and walk over to Harry and Uncle Severus. "No need for Veritaserum, Professor. Harry's telling the truth," I tell him, holding Harry's chair to help me stand. "Eavesdropping are we now, Miss Grindelwald?" He asks me. "What can I say? I have a very keen hearing," I say with a little shrug. The ringing in my head gets louder. "Miss--" "But I thought you should know that I'm the one who stole the Gillyweed from your room," I say, trying to speak over the ringing voice. "Ellie, why are you shouting?" Harry whispers, noticing the class watching us.