The Key (A Draco Malfoy Love Story)

Chapter 18: Attempt Number One

Amelia's P.O.V
I still have no idea how we are going to even get close to finding the real memory, Harry says he has an idea though, it better be good. Like Dumbledore said, we can't fail. No pressure at all. We're going to talk to Slughorn after his last potions lesson today, I really hope it works, because who knows how many times we'll be trying to pry this memory out of him. Ron and Hermione have tried to help us, but even they can't come up with anything, well, as they say, every little helps. But we'll need A LOT of little helpings if we are going to succeed in this task, no-one said it was going to be easy, nor did they say it would be this hard either. It must be important, though, otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't ask, he would just do it for himself, since he can't we need to buck up our ideas and get a plan going, if not then we're doomed. And being doomed isn't the way to go at a time like this, at a time when Dumbledore is in great need of whatever this memory beholds.

After the long day of classes that passes slowly away we were finally free from our last lesson, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Now was the time Harry and I were going to question Slughorn, and hopefully get something out of him, but this is only our first try, if we don't get it now we can try again, and again, and again until we get the damned memory! Harry and I pushed through the crowded corridors of the school which were jam packed full of rambling students trying to get back to their dorms or wherever they wanted to go. I swear my shoulders are going to have massive bruises from all the times people keep on bashing them because the hallways are full to bursting, which really isn't fun. Harry pulled me through to Slughorn's classroom where his lesson was just finishing. We entered the now empty room where Slughorn bustled over his cauldron, throwing random ingredients into the bubbling water. Harry cleared his throat loudly and the Professor turned to look at us, a smile appearing on his face.

"Why if it isn't the prince and princess of potions! What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Slughorn greeted.

"Well, sir, we wondered if we could ask you a question?" I started, trying not to seem suspicious in the slightest.

"Ask away. my dears, ask away." He answered, carrying on with his potions as we spoke.

"You see, we were in the library the other morning, in the restricted section to be exact..." Harry trailed off a bit.

"And we found something quite unusual about a very rare piece of magic." I finished for him.

"And what was this piece of rare magic?" Slughorn urged us and I looked at Harry for help.

"Neither of us can remember the name exactly. So we were wondering, are there some types of magic you aren't allowed to teach us?" Harry asked curiously.

"I'm a potions master, Harry. You question would be more suited for Professor Snape." He told us, collecting some of his things and placing them into a brief case.

"Harry and Professor Snape don't really see eye to eye, sir. In other words, you're not like him. He might misunderstand." I explained, usuing Tom's words from the memory, thinking maybe he would catch on a bit, but that did not happen, he was totally clueless.

"I guess, there is no light without a dark. And it is exactly the same with magic, but I prefer to live in the light. I suggest that you do the same." Slughorn agreed but didn't read in between the words.

"Is that what you told Tom Riddle when he started asking questions?" Harry asked bluntly and Slughorn stared at him, wide eyed.

"Dumbledore put you up to this didn't he? Didn't he?!" Slughorn looked at us one more time before leaving us standing there.

"That went well." I concluded sarcastically, throwing my bag back over my shoulder.

"I'll try later on tonight, he's got to tell me something." Harry sighed in frustration.

"We'll get it sooner or later, he can't keep it a secret forever, can he?" I tried to reasure both him and myself.

"But I'd rather it be sooner." Harry mumbled and we left the classroom empty handed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later that Evening

I was sat on Hermione's bed while I was helping her study because she really wanted me to. We were studying History of Magic, a subject that greatly bores every person in existance... exept Hermione.

"Ok, I think we get it! Goblins make bad life decisions... woopdedoo." I moaned sarcastically, throwing the book on the bed. I leaned back against the back of the bed.

"I don't get why you're studying anyway, we don't have any tests or exams coming up." I said and Hermione rolled her eyes at me.

"We have a test tomorrow..." She trailed off, smirking slightly.

"What?! Why didn't you tell me about this?!" I exclaimed, jumping off the bed.

"You would have known if you weren't passing notes with Malfoy all lesson." She told me and I smiled at the memory.

"Oh well, I'll just wing it." I relaxed back onto the mattress when Harry burst in.

"Ron's been poisoned!" He yelled and our eyes widened.

"What?!" Both of us screamed in unison.