Dark Ends ~ Kayden Buckley

T W O

September 2nd, 1996

We all had Potions together. We discussed the properties of Amortentia and proceeded to smell it to see who or what we're most attracted to. It was a pretty simple matter, actually.

But my mind wouldn't stray from that story about Zacharias, Hannah, and Susan. If it were true, Hannah must be feeling the blunt of it all.

I can't help but feel as if I should talk to her.

I feel this kind of tug whenever I think of her, like my consciousness is dragging me to go and say something to her. Maybe to say 'hi' or ask her if she would like to study together sometime.

Not on a date or anything.

Just as friends.

I just can't believe Zacharias would do something like that to her.

I also thought Hannah and Susan were pretty close. Whenever the two are in my classes, I always see them pair up for partner work.

"Mr Buckley."

My head snapped up, breaking my train of thought and my eyebrows were raised in surprise when I met Professor Slughorn's eyes. "Professor?"

"It's your turn," he said. "For the Amortentia."

I nodded and stood up, walking to the middle of the room to the cauldron. It was sort of awkward leaning down to sniff the potion, but I did it anyway. It was a shimmering red colour and there were swirls of a light brown among it.

The scent that filled my nose was pure Heaven. I had to stop myself from making a 'mmm' noise as the waft of new brooms, chocolate, and strawberry shampoo infiltrated my senses.

"New brooms, chocolate, and strawberry shampoo." I said to no one in particular. It was so good that my brain felt fuzzy and disoriented.

I suppose that was the point of the potion though, wasn't it? It was meant to trap you under the spell of obsession masked as love.

Kind of morbid if you think about it.

I shot a glance at Y/N, who was staring at her quill in deep thought. She claimed she had smelt caramel and oak trees. I find that hard to believe. She didn't sound very confident in her answer.

Neither did Malfoy for that matter.

Slughorn dismissed the class and I found out that I wasn't in many classes with any of my friends at all. My second class of the day was Ancient Runes. It wasn't that bad of a class, I took it through fourth and fifth year and I liked it. To be honest, it was definitely one of my favourites.

I never told anyone that, though.

The typical answers that don't lead to the judgement and questions are usually Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions. I usually alternate between the two, but my actual favourites are Ancient Runes and Flying.

Well, Flying technically ends in year one, but it was always my favourite before that so I leave it as my favourite. It still counts to me.

I walked to my class after telling my friends I'd see them later. I was the first one in Ancient Runes, so I took a seat at the back of the room.

I brushed my chestnut hair out of my eyes before looking through my bag to get out my textbook, a parchment, my quill and ink. When it was all set up, I pulled my wand from my pocket and drew some basic runes to refresh my memory.

The pink sparks cascaded in the air. I waved my wand to create the runes and mumbled the meanings for each of them under my breath.

"I could use a bit of ruthlessness right now." sniffed a voice from above me.