Spells and Visions; A Harry Potter story

Chapter 3: The Half-Blood Prince

We had a different way of receiving our timetables this year, since the subjects we chose to go on with, were the ones we would do a N.E.W.T. in. I had failed Astronomy and Divination, but I wouldn't need either for Healing, so those obviously went.

"Well, you've done it," McGonagall said satisfied. "You did well in all the subjects you need to become a Healer. I suppose you don't want to continue Astronomy and Divination?"
"No, I think I can use my time better to study," I said. "And I don't think I will need History of Magic either."
"What about Care for Magical Creatures?" she asked.
I frowned. I didn't like the subject as much as I thought I would, but I had heard that the trio wouldn't continue it, and to leave Hagrid alone was a bit sad. I wouldn't need a N.E.W.T. in it, but I could still follow it.

"I'll take it," I said. That left me with Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology and Care for Magical Creatures.
"Good," McGonagall said. "I saw you did exceptionally well in Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts." She tapped a blank timetable with her wand, and it filled with my subjects.
"I guess it's in my name," I grinned, and I took the paper.

~

Dark Arts was very different from what I knew. Everytime there had been a teacher we didn't know at all, and now there was someone we knew for six years.

"The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing and eternal," Snape said. "Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, and everytime you cut of a head, another grows back, stronger, fiercer and cleverer. You are fighting that which is indestructible."
He paused.
"Now, are you familiar with non-verbal spells? Tell me, what are the advantages of non-verbal spells?"
Hermione's hand shot up, and since no one else knew, Snape let her speak.
"Your enemy has no warning about which spell you are about to use. That gives you a split-second advantage."
"Correct. Not every wizard can do this, of course, it is concentration and mind power, which some lack."

Next, we had to practice with non-verbal spells, which meant we had to jinx someone without speaking. Hermione, of course, was the first one to succeed. I had quite some trouble with it, I couldn't seem to concentrate enough, it was like my head was full with thoughts I didn't need now. I could really use a Pensieve to drop my memories in there.

Stupefy, stupefy!
I couldn't do it. Maybe next time. It could be really useful, so I would practice it.
I sighed and watched Ron and Harry. Ron's face was purple of trying to hex Harry.
"Here, let me show you," Snape said, and really fast turned on Harry, so that he accidentally yelled: "Protego!"
Snape was caught off guard, and was knocked against his desk.
Scowling, he got up and turned back to Harry.
"Do you remember that we are practicing non-verbal spells?"
"Yes."
"Yes, sir."
"No need to call me 'sir', Professor."
People gasped, and I actually hid behind my hand to not accidentally laugh.
"Detention, Potter, Saturday night, my office."

~

Whenever I had no lessons, I felt strange. That weird loneliness again. I could barely concentrate on my homework because my head was so full of everything.
I was almost happy when we had a lesson, so I could do something. Potions would be interesting, with Slughorn teaching. There weren't many who continued Potions. I was along with the trio one of the only ones from Gryffindor.
Harry and Ron both thought they couldn't continue Potions because their O.W.L.s were not high enough to continue, but McGonagall told them they could. Slughorn gave them both books from a cupboard, that looked old and dusty.

Slughorn was way more enthousiastic about Potions than Snape had ever been. He showed us many potions, and of course, Hermione knew what they all were. When Slughorn wanted to start the actual lesson, Ernie pointed at a bubbling cauldron.
"You haven't told us what's in that, sir."
"Yes. Well that, ladies and gentlemen, is Felix Felicis. Can you tell me what Felix Felicis does?" He looked specifically at Hermione.
"It's liquid luck," she said instantly. "It makes you lucky."
He also said that it isn't used much, because it could give you overconfidence, and it could be toxic if you took too much. One of us could win one tiny vial of liquid luck if they could brew a perfect Draught of the Living Death. I had more experience with healing potions, and this one was particularly tricky, but I could always use some luck. I sat with the trio and Ernie at a table, and started. Harry had it very easy, since his potion turned light purple when it needed to, and mine was still dark.