Our Nest

Some Pretty Good Wizard Love Stories

James walked into Professor Hornmackle's classroom and immediately looked to the back of the room. Sure enough, Ashley was sitting at the back of the room, reading something called The Siren.

James hopped over to where she was sitting and plopped his books down next to her.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," Ashley responded, looking up from her book.

"Is that a good book?" James asked.

"Yes, it's a love story."

"A muggle love story?"

"Is there any other kind?"

James placed his hand over his heart and pretended to be offended, "I happen to know some very good wizard love stories."

Ashley cocked an eyebrow at him, "Like what?"

"Ours," James said matter-of-factly.

Ashley smiled and kissed James's cheek, then continued reading.

  Professor Hornmackle entered the class room and announced to the students, "Ok class, today we will be making the ammortentia potion."

  Ashley closed her book and leaned towards James, "I thought we didn't make that til' sixth year?" she whispered.

  "I guess they changed the curriculum," James whispered back.

  "Can anyone tell me what ammortentia is?" said the professor.

  James looked at Ashley, expecting her to answer, but she stayed silent. James warily put his hand in the air.

  "Ah, Mr. Potter," Hornmackle exclaimed.

"It's a love potion right? The most powerful one in the world?" James answered.

  "Correct! 5 points to Gryffindor."

   The professor went on, talking about the potion but James looked at Ashley,
"Why didn't you answer? You know everything!" he whispered to her.

  "I'm shy, remember? Aside from you and my best friend, I barely talk to anyone," Ashley whispered back then continued listening to the professor.

James almost didn't understand it. It seemed impossible that the quirky, laughing girl that had fallen asleep in James' arms was the shockingly quiet girl sitting next to him. He began to feel slightly sad. He wished there was a way for Ashley to break out of her shell. He knew that if she tried, she could brighten anyone's day with just a few words and a smile like she did for him.

Ashley nudged James' arm with her elbow. "C'mon," she said, "let's get the ingredients for the potion."

James and Ashley gathered their supplies and set them down at a work station. Together, they began concocting the amortentia. Thirty minutes later, pink fumes were rising from their cauldron.

"Well done, Potter. Congratulations, Cummings," said Professor Hornmackle, "Now tell me, what do you smell?"

James and Ashley both leaned in and took a whiff of their potion.

"I smell," Ashley began quietly, "old books, fresh rain, and. . ." Ashley took another whiff, "sealing wax?"

"Excellent, and you, Mr. Potter?" said Hornmackle.

"Umm, I smell..." James said, "the morning scent of the Quidditch pitch, pumpkin pasties and... scrambled eggs?"

"Very good, very good," their teacher said, "10 points will be added to Gryffindor and Hufflepuff."

~~~

After class, James and Ashley agreed to meet at their Nest on Friday night.

"Why Friday?" Ashley had asked.

"It's a surprise," James had responded. And the two parted ways, James to Charms class and Ashley to History of Magic.