Violet Summer: The Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 12: The Draught of Dreams

 The atmosphere in the Great Hall during breakfast was charged with anticipation. The students were buzzing with excitement for the upcoming Quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. The taste of the food seemed to have an extra hint of sweetness, filling the air with a sense of celebration. Students eagerly indulged in the magically replenishing food that appeared at the center of their respective House tables.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Toni found her place beside Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Unlike the others, she carried a sense of solitude with her. Having been unjustly given detention by Professor Snape during their previous Potions class, she was forced to miss Harry's first-ever game. It pained her to sit among her friends, witnessing their joy and excitement, knowing she wouldn't be there to watch and cheer Harry on during the match.

However, finding solace in the situation, Toni took solace in the fact that she could share the banner she had painstakingly crafted with Harry. He still radiated admiration as they had gathered in the common room earlier that morning, and he spent extra time conversing with her. Hermione and Ron had promised to hold the banner during the game on Toni's behalf since she couldn't attend. Although it couldn't replace the experience of witnessing the game firsthand, Toni felt grateful for their gesture of support.

As they finished their breakfast and prepared to make their way to the Quidditch pitch, Toni couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement for her friends and a tinge of longing to be there with them. She wished she could be part of the electrifying atmosphere, cheering for Harry as he soared through the air on his broomstick. Yet, she remained hopeful that her friends' presence with the banner would somehow bridge the distance and make her spirit felt among the cheering crowds.

With a final glance back at the Great Hall, Toni mustered a smile and joined her friends as they made their way to the Quidditch match. Even though she couldn't physically be there, her heart was filled with unwavering support for Harry and her friends, ready to celebrate their victory regardless of her absence.

After reaching the hallway that led to the potions classroom, Toni bid her final farewells to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She could feel a sense of emptiness in the halls, as if even the ghosts had decided to remain hidden within the stone walls. The portraits were silent, their usual lively characters nowhere to be seen. Taking a deep breath, Toni turned the corner and paused to take in the entrance to the potions classroom before stepping inside.

Upon entering, the classroom appeared eerily deserted. Professor Snape's desk stood empty, as if recently tidied, and the potion tables lacked the usual signs of activity with dormant cauldrons sitting atop cold fires. Toni made her way to her usual table and began unpacking her supplies from her bag. Uncertain of the potion assigned by Professor Snape, she was determined to complete it quickly in the hopes of catching at least a glimpse of the remaining Quidditch match.

"Ah, there you are." Toni swiftly turned from her table, only to find Mr. Filch accompanied by his feline companion, Mrs. Norris, entering the classroom. Filch approached her with a wobbly gait, his face contorted in its customary expression of disdain and disapproval, giving Toni a disgruntled glare.

Approaching Toni, Filch began to rummage through his robes, emitting an oddly strong scent. The aroma of old pine and moldy dirt wafted from him, not entirely unpleasant but certainly not a fragrance Toni would choose to inhale. After a few more muttered words under his breath, he pulled out a rolled parchment paper and handed it to her. Toni's brow raised in surprise as she accepted it from his outstretched hands.

"Professor Snape said this is the potion you will be making for your detention. Everything you need is detailed there," Filch grumbled, accompanied by a disgruntled grunt. He then reached into his right pocket, retrieving a ring of keys. Flipping through them for a moment, he eventually found the one he was searching for and removed it from the hoop, promptly slapping it onto the table. "This is the key to the ingredients room in case you happen to need it."