MAGNOLIA ↠ S. BLACK

NINE

  Magnolia felt an extra chill in the air as she rubbed her eyes with a groan the next morning. She immediately regretted how much she had let herself enjoy the previous evening as her pounding headache quickly made its presence known.

"C'mon, Mags, we have Potions in twenty minutes," chided Amelia, shaking the redhead's arm through the thick covers. Magnolia lets out another grumble of displeasure as she stretches her arms above her head.

She finally gains enough will to sit on the side of her bed as suddenly, a wave of nausea overcomes her.

"Ugh shit—!" Magnolia gasped in horror before jumping to her feet and dashing into the lavatory. She just barely makes it to the toilet when her stomach decides to empty its contents into the toilet bowl.

"Have a bit too much last night?" asked Amelia, frowning at Magnolia through the doorway of the bathroom.

"Bugger off," She groaned before padding over to the sink and splashing cold water onto her face before washing her skin. "I'll be fine,"

Magnolia quickly brushed her teeth before throwing her terribly messy locks of red up into a bun. She does not even bother to go above and beyond to impress Sirius today, choosing to completely neglect her makeup and simply opt for some cherry lip balm instead.

Her uniform is thrown on half-heartedly as she follows Amelia out the door.

"Alice and Hestia are already in class, I reckon," commented Amelia as they trudge down the steps deeper into the dungeons. "I chose to stay and make sure you woke up. You really need to be more self-sufficient, y'know,"

Magnolia instantly feels a pang of guilt strike her. "You're right. I'm sorry, Mels, I'll work on it. I appreciate you looking out for me,"

"What are friends for?" hummed Amelia as she pushes open the heavy door to the Potions classroom.

Magnolia instantly regrets not trying harder on her appearance. Sirius looks undeniably attractive with his dark hair falling effortlessly into place. A growing smile appears on his lips at the sight of her. She suddenly feels insecure as she adjusts the strap of her bag on her shoulder, sliding into the seat beside him. His deep grey eyes bore into her as she settled into her seat.

"How are you feeling?" Sirius finally asked.

"Like shit," Magnolia bluntly replied. "Whatever Potter put in that punch has given me a miserable hangover,"

"I believe he poured in at least 4 bottles of sherry and Firewhiskey,"

Magnolia's eyes widened. "Bloody hell, is he an alcoholic?"

"No, but considering how much you drank last night, are you?"

"Oh shut it," snapped Magnolia with a teasing smile as she folds her arms over her chest.

"Good morning, class!" declared a rather cheerful Professor Slughorn. "I hope everyone is doing well! I have exciting news! Our Veritaserum should be completed this evening, seeing as it's a full moon!"

Magnolia could have sworn Sirius stiffened beside her at this announcement.

"Tonight, each of you must place your vials  outside so that they are fully immersed in the moonlight. Only then will the potion properly mature and strengthen so that it is complete," Slughorn continued, his belly looking extra round as he strolled around the classroom.

"Therefore, today in class we will be brewing the Antidote to Veritaserum! This potion also takes a rather lengthy amount of time to mature, yet is rather simple. On that note, I expect perfection from all of you!"