Hogwarts: A Snake in the Grass - BOOK 6 (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

3: The Worst Time of Month

I made my way down into the dungeon and noticed only about fifteen people were doing N.E.W.T. level.

Nico, Josh, Ron, Hermione and Harry were also doing it. Before we could say a word to each other, Slughorn appeared. He greeted me, Harry and some Slytherin with much more enthusiasm than anyone else.

We entered the room as sat down in fours. Four Ravenclaws sat together and four Slytherins did too. That left Harry, Ron and Hermione with a Hufflepuff and Nico, Josh and I to sit in a three.

'Scales out, everyone, and Potion Kits, and don't forget don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion Making...'

'Sir?' said Harry, raising his hand.

'Harry, m'boy?'

'I haven't got a book or scales or anything - nor's Ron - we didn't realise we'd be able to do the N.E.W.T., you see -'

Slughorn gave Harry and Ron their Advanced Potion Making books and sets of scales and began to tell us all about the potions on tables. Hermione answered what they all were, to no one's surprise.

Veritaserum was first. It was a potion which forces people to tell the truth. Next was Polyjuice Potion, which we had made in second Year. Lastly was Armortentia, the strongest love potion in the world.

I sniffed the air, intrigued as to what it would smell like to me. I smiled as the familiar scents reached my nose - chocolate which was my go to comfort food after a full moon, Remus' cottage which permanently smelt of tea and old books, and... was that Josh's hair? I went slightly pink at the thought.

'Your shampoo is really strong today,' Josh commented and I resisted the urge to laugh. It seemed he didn't realise what Armortentia smelt like, 'What?'

'Nothing,' I whispered, a small smile creeping onto my face. There was a quiet rumble of laughter around the class as Josh had spoken loud enough to be heard. He was still confused so Professor Slughorn stepped in to make sure his embarrassment was obvious.

'Can anyone tell me what Armortentia smells like?' he asked and I silently cursed. Josh was going to be ridiculously embarrassed by the end of this.

'It smells like the thing that appeals to you most,' Hermione answered and all eyes were on Josh who had suddenly gone bright red. I stifled a giggle as he cleared his throat awkwardly and attention turned back to Slughorn.

Hermione earned twenty points for Gryffindor, essentially for embarrassing my boyfriend. Slughorn then told us it was time to begin to work.

'You're so adorable,' I whispered to the still beetroot red Josh and he playfully shoved me.

'Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one!' said the Hufflepuff, pointing to a cauldron on Slughorn's desk.

'That is Felix Felicis! I take it you know what it is, Miss Granger?' Slughorn asked.

'It's Liquid Luck!' said Hermione excitedly, 'It makes you lucky!'

Everyone straightened up at that except me and Hermione got another ten points for Gryffindor.

'That is what I shall be offering as a prize at the end of this lesson! Now, turn to page ten in your books! You can make an attempt at Draught of Living Death! Off you go!' Slughorn announced.

Hermione and I had progressed the furthest so far. We were at the halfway stage already.

Hermione was then stuck with cutting up her sopophorous bean and I was also facing trouble. I gave up and used one of my unbelievably sharp nails and it cut straight away.