Hogwarts: A History [Harry Potter Fanfiction]

Chapter 3 - Potions

 It was early in the morning as the group made their way to their first class which just happened to be potions. They sat quietly in their seats, or rather tried, as James and Sirius were flying little paper phoenixes around the room and causing quite a commotion. They would guide the phoenixes up to the top of the ceiling and then bring them sharply down, right above the heads of the students while the tails spurted out gold and maroon sparks. Naturally, this granted them the looks of just about every girl in class who was eager to have a go with one of the Marauders. They continued their antics until Professor Slughorn entered and none too kindly set the paper up in flames as he entered the room.          

"Gather 'round class, gather 'round," Professor Slughorn motioned for his students to approach a multicolored gleaming potion. "Can anyone tell me what this magnificent potion is?" Lily Evans's hand shot up into the air, and Professor Slughorn looked at her, bemused, "Yes, Miss Evans?"

Lily straightened her blouse and fluffed back her hair before answering the question, "It's called Amortentia, and it's the most powerful love potion in the world! It is supposed to smell different for every person, depending upon what they find attractive." Gizelle sniffed the air and smelt her fresh flowers, ripe peaches, hazelnut bath suds, and a strangely familiar musky scent, which upon recognition brought a flush of crimson to her cheeks.

"Correct, ten points to Gryffindor." Slughorn's loud voice boomed around the classroom and Lily beamed, turning towards her friends, Gretchen Roberts, Chartreuse Allen, and Leesha King, as they all simultaneously praised her and her expansive knowledge of potions. "Today, class, each of you will be attempting to brew Amortentia. A very advanced potion, I know, but if any of you succeed, you will be given the opportunity to choose a person and to test it out on them." He glanced around the room for a moment, "Well...what are you waiting for? Get started! Open your books to page 284 and begin!" There was commotion as everyone jumped to get their book of Advanced Potion Brewing Grade Six and shuffled in a rather messy line to grab ingredients from the supply closet. They all began their work and soon enough, a boy named Jacobey Yearls's, from Hufflepuff, cauldron started emitting green fumes. After a moment, the fumes seemed to be sucked back into the cauldron where it proceeded to burst right in his face. He staggered back from it and the classroom erupted in laughter. His face was bright pink with even pinker lips, his shirt had been stained with purple dots, and his hair had shot up on end so as that he resembled a very grumpy clown.

Hannah screamed and tried to hide behind Peter, as she was deftly afraid of clowns; ever since a rather large one had tried to give her a hug. She had never heard of them before, being raised in a family of magic, and ever since she couldn't even stand to look at one without either attacking it or running.

Professor Slughorn, less than impressed with Hannah's reaction, flicked his wand, and Jacobey was instantly transformed back into his proper self.

~.:#:.~

Fifteen minutes later, Gizelle was standing on her seat, wand pointed threateningly down at her potion, "If you are not going to willingly change to lilac, then I shall make you!" She let out a loud cackling laugh and started to prod the bottom of her cauldron. James, who was sitting next to her, knew she was not so stupid as to actually try and cast a spell on her potion, so he let her have her fun. By the time the class was nearly over, a girl from Hufflepuff named Marlene McKinnon, a boy from Hufflepuff whose name was Nathan Kilgallon, James, Remus, and Lily had all seemed to successfully brew the potion.

"Now for the test. If you are truly confident that your potion is done correctly, I want you each to pick a name from this hat." He pulled out an old looking cap from behind him and placed it on a stool.

James, looking absolutely crestfallen immediately interjected, "But Professor, I thought you said we could choose!"

"Ah, Mr. Potter, I knew that you would not try your hardest if you were not able to pick for yourself, and," he added in a whisper, "I don’t believe that Miss Evans would much enjoy being infatuated with you."

"Sucks for you mate," Hannah smirked at him; prompting James to take a swipe at her, which Hannah swiftly ducked under.

Professor Slughorn continued, "You will give that person a small dose of Amortentia, enough for two hours of infatuation, and then we will see if they are affected. So, who thinks they are up to the challenge?" They all nodded and proceeded to pick a name out of the hat.