Before The Past

Ch. 46

Class orientation week was finally over and we were onto actual classes. This morning we had transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs and our next class was potions with the Gryffindors. Professor Slughorn from what I could gather was a rather odd person. He had a bright personality, but you could also tell that the potion gases may have gotten to him. 

When we got inside there was a table full of potions in different shaped vials and cauldrons. Slughorn was standing in front of the table, greeting us and asking for our names. He also instructed for all of us to stand around the table for the lesson. He had a bright smile on his face while he waited for us all to get situated. 

"Good evening class, today I'll be going over the first few potions we'll be discussing within the next couple of weeks. I'll be giving you all the necessary grounds to complete each and every one along with-" Suddenly Potter and Weasley stepped in "Ah! Harry my boy, I was beginning to worry. You brought someone with us I see." Slughorn smiled. 

How did he already know Potter? Obviously everyone knew who he was, but he seemed a bit more familiar than being aware of him.

"Ron Weasley sir, but I'm dead awful at potions so I think I'll just be on my way-" He began to step back towards the door, but Potter had grabbed him and shoved him back. 

"Nonsense, any friend of of Harry's is a friend of mine, get your books out." Slughorn shrugged. 

"I'm sorry sir, I haven't actually gotten my book yet. Nor has Ron." Potter said. 

"Not to worry, get what you want in the cupboard" Slughorn said shrugging them off "Now as I was saying, I prepared some concoctions this morning. Any idea what any of these might be?" He continued. 

The boys did as they were told and once Slughorn had finished his question, Granger's hand shot up. 

"Yes miss-" He paused, not quite remembering her name. 

"Granger sir. That one there is Veritiserum, a truth telling serum. And that one is Polyjuice, a potion that allows you to morph into someone else. It's terribly tricky to make. This one is Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell different to each person according to what attracts them, for example I smell freshly mowed grass and, new parchment, and spearmint toothpaste." She took a deep breath in and hurried back to the group. 

Those scents sounded rather familiar, and based off of the reaction of Draco, my guess was right. How could that possibly be though? He swore to hate all of them, so maybe it was one sided? Why would Granger of all people be interested in Draco? Perhaps someone else had the same scent. 

"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love that would be impossible, but it does create powerful infatuation or obsession. For that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." Slughorn closed the lid "But I would like to give each of you the opportunity to have a go at smelling it, so form a line please, no cutting, and of course you are under no obligation to tell what you smell." 

Everyone quickly shoved each other into line, trying to impatiently smell the potion. I stayed more towards the back of the room, I wasn't particularly too excited about what I would smell. Slowly I got to the front of the line, listening to those who decided to share what they could smell. Once I got to the front, I could begin to faintly smell the potion. I got closer and took a small whiff. 

Cigarettes, leather, a very familiar cologne, and oddly enough it almost smelled like a cool breeze. Exactly like him. 

Exactly like that night that we stayed up most of the night simply enjoying each other's presence. Part of me wanted to sit there forever and bask in his scent. The other part of me was trying to fight it, trying to find any excuse on as to why this works. I didn't want to believe it, but I did at the same time.