"Welcome to Advanced Potion Making. You have been selected based on your previous scores. As I'm sure you all know, this is a sixth year level course and will be quite challenging. If at any point you would like to be placed into the fifth year level, you are more than welcome to come talk to me, although from my experience you are all prepared for this course." Professor Slughorn smiles. "Now can anyone tell me what this little potion is?" He asks, holding up a small vile of a sparkling silver-white colored potion. Immediately I raise my hand, along with Scorpius. "Ah, so I see our most advanced students are following the legacy of their parents." He chuckles. "Ms. Weasley."
"The potion is felix felicis. Also known as liquid luck." I answer.
"Very good Ms. Weasley. Five points to Gryffindor." Professor Slughorn awards. "And how long does it take to brew said potion?" Once again Scorpius' and my hands are the first ones up. "Ah, Mr. Malfoy." I can feel Scorpius cringe from his last name. Too many people judge him for his Family's past. Taking a deep breath he answers,
"Felix felicis can take six months or longer to brew." Scorpius answers, relaxing when everyone's attention isn't on him.
"Correct my boy. Five more points to Gryffindor. Now everyone go to a work station with a partner. And a heads up, the person you choose will be your partner for the rest of the year. Unless I feel I need to make changes. Go ahead." I grab Scorpius' hand and drag him to a station near the back of the classroom. "Open your textbook. You will be preparing the Draught of Living Death. Begin."
"Hello partner. How has your day been so far?" Scorpius asks me as I research the ingredients.
Looking up I say, "Well you see, this really annoying boy has been in all of my classes and is competing with my chances to answer questions." Scorpius mocks being hurt.
"Ouch Li-"I glare at him and he changes the name. "Ouch Thorn. You hurt my ego." I roll my eyes and mutter-
"Add infusion of Wormwood. Add powdered root of asphodel. Stir clockwise twice. Add the sloth brain. Add the juice of the Sopophorous beans. Stir seven times counter-clockwise." Under my breath. Scorpius looks at me.
"Would you like me to grab the ingredients Pricker?" Scorpius asks, trying not to laugh at my mumbling.
"Sure." And with that Scorpius walks to the front of the classroom.
"I didn't know you're a Weasley Rose." I turn around and find Travis.
"And that's why you're a Slytherin and not a Hufflepuff." I retort. Travis laughs and puts his hands up in mock surrender. His partner nudges him and he turns his attention back to the potion.
"Hey I grabbed the stuff." Scorpius says, coming to our table and setting the ingredients down. "Let's get started."
.....................
"Good job Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Weasley. Ten points to Gryffindor for a perfect potion." Professor Slughorn turns to face the class. "When you finish your potion and I check it clean your cauldron. Then you may work on your other homework or quietly talk to your partner. I do not want to hear any yelling." Mr. Slughorn then walks back to his desk and sits down to observe the class.
"So Scorpius, what are you going to buy?" I question for the seventh time today.
"Why Rouge, why the hurry. You know I won't give in. You will find out sometime during the year. As for now, we both have bigger things to worry about." I swear Scorpius looks at Travis out of the corner of his eye. I raise an eyebrow but don't say anything about it.
"Come on Scorp. Please?" I beg. I don't like surprises and this one is killing me.
Scorpius pops an eyebrow at his nickname. "Rose, you're not part veela. I won't give in that easily." He smirks at the look on my face. I huff and tuck my hair behind my ear.
"Curse my mom's frizzy hair." I mutter as I dig for a hair tie in my bag.
"I don't see it. I like your hair." Scorpius says flatly, like he is stating a fact.
Surprised I look at him. "Seriously, you like my hair? Well that makes one of us." He sighs and replies with,
"Serious as black. I don't think there's anything wrong with it but yet again I'm not a girl and I don't understand all that hair and beauty stuff." I laugh at him. "What?" He whines.
"You're just funny is all." As I say that Scorpius starts making faces at me making me laugh even harder. Then the bell rings.
"Your homework for tonight is an essay on the properties of a bezoar and it will be due Friday. And you will also have a quiz on Friday about the different types of poisons and their antidotes. Class dismissed." Professor Slughorn announces. I groan.
"Study buddies?" Scorpius asks.
"Study buddies." I agree.
