Heir Of Gryffindor

Chapter Five

"Miss Potter, what do you know about amortentia?" Professor Slughorn asked, waking me from my daydreams.

I smiled at him and Hermione sighed loudly beside me, making me laugh to myself. Potions was my best subject and it always had been, even when Professor Snape had taught it. This year however, Snape was our DADA professor.

"Well sir, amortentia is the most powerful love potion in the entire world. It causes a powerful infatuation or obsession in the drinker. It has a distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from it in characteristic spirals. It has different aromas for everyone who smells it, reminding each person of the things that they find most attractive, even if the person themselves doesn't acknowledge or is unaware of their fondness for the object of their affection. The effects of the potion on a person are described to be near instantaneous; with the person who drank the potion appearing 'pale and sickly' and becoming obsessed with the object of their affections, speaking of them as though 'hit by a ray of purest sunlight' and becoming excited or dangerously unstable towards others. The potion must be administered continuously to maintain the false love in the drinker. Otherwise, the effects will wear off and the victim would regain their own free will."

"Very good Miss Potter. Everything she stated is correct. Amortentia is a very advanced potion, and is one of the many potions we will be learning about this year. Today, we are going to make a calming draught. It's a very simple potion, and if you turn your books to page 40, you will see all the ingredients you'll need to make it."

I sighed and went to grab all the ingredients for Hermione and myself. I was still extremely upset and confused with the whole Fred issue. I had stayed awake all night, trying to figure out what to do about it. Fred was avoiding me and that frustrated me even further. Then there was Malfoy's commentary that kept cycling through my mind, making me go insane, and of course Pugface had to make things worse.

Flashback to breakfast

Bian walked in between Ginny and I as we made our way to the great hall. She was talking about her classes, but I was too upset to really listen. I saw Fred and George and quickly ran towards them.

"Fred, can we please talk?"

He looked at me with sad eyes, and before I could say another word, he quickly shook his head no and began to run the other way. I let out another sigh and George hugged me tightly.

"He thinks you'll hate him if he talks to you. Just give him a few days Harley. If I don't kill him before then."

I nodded my head okay and followed George and the girls into the great hall. Everyone was chatting excitedly and I just wanted to run back inside and cry myself back to sleep. I was overly emotional and what was supposed to be a good year seemed to be taking a turn for the worst. Harry and Ron were arguing about something, but got quiet as we sat down. Ron began joking around with Hermione, but Harry looked like crap.

"Harry, are you okay?" I asked, genuinely worried about my brother.

He glared at me, muttered something I couldn't quite hear, and stomped away from the table.

"Don't worry Harley, he's had a stick up his arse since last night," Ron said, hoping to make me feel better.

I nodded slowly and began to nibble on my food. Bian was socializing with some of the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff first years, which made me smile. I felt someone tap my shoulder, so I turned around. Pansy and two other Slytherin girls were standing behind me.

"What do you want Pugface?" I asked half-heartedly, not really caring what she had to say.

She glared at me when I called her Pugface, but a devious smile crossed her face.

"Oh, just wanted to rub a few things in your face Potter. Like the fact your boyfriend just so happened to sleep with my cousin. Even the biggest blood traitors don't want to deal with your pathetic self."

Everyone in the great hall quieted down at her comment. I hated Malfoy more than words could describe, but Pansy annoyed me on a whole different level. I stood up slowly and turned to face her.

"Listen up Parkinson-"

Before I could say another word, Pansy fell to the ground. Her eyes went wide, but she couldn't move.

"Bian Noelle! What did I tell you about using magic on other students?"

I turned around, and saw Bian looking up innocently at Professor Snape.

"But dad, I was only practicing petrificus totalus. Plus, you've got to admit, Parkinson is sort of like a parrot. She never shuts up."

The hall started laughing, Snape even cracked a small smile before unbinding Pugface.

I crashed into someone, knocking me from my flashback, and fell back on my bum, as the other person fell on top of me. I groaned and looked up, shocked at the person on me. Malfoy grinned down at me, smugly, making me want to punch him again.

"Harry, Malfoy's falling for Harley. You don't mind having him as a brother in law, do you?"

I glared at Ron, as the class began to laugh. Harry hit Ron in the back of the head as Malfoy quickly got off me, and I grumbled all the way back to my seat.

"Oh, stop being grumpy Harley, you'll get wrinkles sooner!" Hermione laughed at me.

I threw a piece of paper at her and she just chuckled.

"Mione, I'll stop worrying as soon as good ole' Voldy is six feet under and I am no longer some famous freak that can't even keep a boyfriend."

Her face got sympathetic as she brought me into her and hugged me tightly. She knew I didn't want to talk, but I appreciated her hug beyond belief. As we began to make our calming draught, I felt eyes on me and refused to turn around, already knowing whom they belonged to and not wanting to deal with the look that was bound to be on his face.