Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y5 ~ Proclamations

Harry and Y/N staggered down the dimly lit hallway, their hands throbbing painfully from the punishment Umbridge had inflicted upon them. The faint scratches of quills against parchment still echoed in their minds, the phrase "I must not tell lies" seared into their skin like a cruel mantra. Y/N clutched her left hand tightly, willing the pain to subside, while Harry's jaw was clenched in silent rage.

As they rounded a corner, the oppressive silence of the castle broke, and a shared glance sent them into a terrified run. Their robes billowed behind them as they darted toward the nearest bathroom. Once inside, Y/N immediately turned on a faucet, cold water splashing onto her trembling hands as she fought back tears. Harry wordlessly joined her at the next sink, his face pale and tight with fury.

"We can't go to Madam Pomfrey," Y/N whispered, her voice raw. "There's no time before Snape's class."

Harry didn't reply, but the grim set of his mouth said enough. He yanked a towel from the counter and handed it to her before drying his own hands, though the faint crimson stains wouldn't completely fade.

They exchanged a fleeting glance, a shared understanding of their helplessness in the face of Umbridge's tyranny. Without a word, they hurried from the bathroom, their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls as they caught up with Ron and Hermione, who were already on their way to the dungeons.

The air grew heavier as they descended the steps to Potions. The flickering torchlight cast long, wavering shadows, and the damp chill of the dungeon made Y/N shiver. She didn't hate Potions—in fact, she found it fascinating—but the thought of sitting through a lesson when her hand felt like it was on fire made her stomach twist.

Y/N quietly slid into a seat between Harry and Ron. Her hand throbbed as she adjusted her quill, and she glanced at Harry, whose expression remained dark and brooding.

Snape swept into the room like a menacing shadow, his ink-black robes billowing behind him as though propelled by an invisible wind. His sharp, obsidian eyes scanned the room, silencing any whispers before they could begin.

"Settle down," he barked, his voice slicing through the air. He strode to the front of the class, his presence commanding and cold.

"As you are undoubtedly aware, your O.W.L. exams are approaching," Snape began, his voice smooth but icy. "I will only be accepting students with an Outstanding in my N.E.W.T. class. However, whether or not you'll be attempting N.E.W.T., I suggest you concentrate your efforts."

Snape's gaze lingered on Harry, his dark eyes narrowing in disdain. Y/N felt Harry stiffen beside her, his hand curling into a fist on the desk.

"Today," Snape continued, his tone dropping to a dangerous hush, "you will attempt to brew Amortentia."

A ripple of interest passed through the room, though Pansy Parkinson's smirk was anything but subtle.

"Today, we will be creating Amortentia, which I can assure you will come up in your exams," Snape announced.

"Love potion? Well, isn't that useful," Pansy remarked with an evil grin. Snape stared daggers at her while the class silently laughed, seeing the fear on her face.

"As I was saying, love potions, if consumed in large amounts, will cause the one who consumed it to be madly in love with the maker. Like most potions, there is an antidote..." Snape pressed on, his voice sharp and unwavering.

Y/N barely heard him. The throbbing pain in her hand consumed her focus, and her attempts to hide it were growing more difficult. She winced as she gripped her quill, her knuckles white.