Consequences Of The Heart.

Chapter 38: EXCITE!

It was loud in the Common Room; louder than it usually was. Everyone was hyperactive with the sugar sense of anticipation that cascaded down their veins as they shuffled around anxiously. It was both understandable and beyond my levels of comprehension. The stupid as fuck cotillion was to be held shortly after the Christmas holidays. Which is why the students went out of their way to extend their invitations to be their date to the dance. It was completely useless, I cannot wrap my head around the fact why anyone would even go to a party -with teachers- when the NEWTs were only next year. It was preposterous and positively insane. People even went as far as skipping classes just so they wouldn't feel lonely and sad because they lost their most important source of blatant validation. 

But not me, I was not going to waste my time with such antics, I was going to spend the day doing something worth my time: sleeping. As of now, it was Potions and I was sure as hell not going to miss the best lesson of the year. It was going to be be amazing. I gathered my stuff and walked down to the dungeons where I found Remus and the rest of the Marauders standing at the entrance. I was jittery with excitement for this lesson and I could not contain myself as it drew closer. "REMUS, Remus do you know what today's lesson is?!"

"Noooo? Am I supposed to?"

"It's fine, you'll find out." We entered the dungeon where a chirpy Slughorn waited to greet our arrivals. In front of him, there lay a giant cauldron of a beautiful, swirling liquid with an intriguing gas that oozed brilliantly off the surface of the glorious liquid. I had long waited for this moment and now that it was finally here, I was fulfilled just knowing how amazing today would be. I was encapsulated by the eager curiosity for myself and others and the wonders today would bring to unlock mysteries I wouldn't even know about.

"Is that everyone?" Half of the class was absent; they had no idea what they were missing out on. The blithering buffoons. "Very well then, we shall begin the lesson. For today, we will be conquering a rather difficult potion. The infamous Love Potion, Amortentia."

"Eeek." I shrieked uncontrollably, but thankfully it was too high-pitched for anyone else except Sirius to hear. Professor continued. I especially noticed that a few of the students had now showed more interest. Their ears perked up, encouraging him to go on. 

"Amortentia is the most powerful love potion in existence. It's considered to be an extremely powerful potion and is therefore highly dangerous. Despite its power however, Amortentia doesn't create actual love." A few of the students smiles dropped, but obviously love is too powerful to ever be created. "For it is of course impossible to manufacture or imitate love in any way. It only causes an incredibly strong infatuation or obsession from the drinker to the brewer. Usually, it is not the easiest potion to create or identify. However, it has one distinct characteristic that is unmistakable. The potion emits a different aroma for everyone who smells it, reminding each person of the things that they find most attractive, even if the person doesn't acknowledge or is unaware of their fondness for the object themselves." That was the true reason I was so thrilled about today's lesson. I wanted to know what it was I craved the most so I could strive to achieve it. I needed to know. Not to mention I totally had to know whether Remus smelled dog because that would be gold. "To clear any confusion, I shall give you all an example. I smell the wonderful scent of sweet honey, freshly cut lavender and delicious, delicious pineapple to name a few. Subsequently, you will all smell what you most desire." I wasn't close enough to catch a sniff of the potion yet, but I will know. "This will take at least a few days to prepare so we will not be brewing it today. We will however be examining it. So step closer." Ah, my time has come. I stepped reluctantly.

It was weird.

I had been waiting for this moment for a long while now, but as it drew closer, I didn't know whether I wanted it to happen any more. The potion would tell me what I desired. This single moment could very well extract all the surprise and joy out of my life. It could change the course of my life, and it may not be for the better. Did I want to spend my days wondering how I would finally reach my goals and waste it. But if I didn't smell it, I could very well brush past what I strived for and never achieve what I desire the most. What do I do?

"I don't care what existential crisis you're going through, you have to smell this. Like, now!" Remus snapped me out of my thoughts with the voice of reason. I nodded in response and stepped closer to the pot. 

And I was engulfed in the heavenly smells as they captured me in their delectable traps. I smelt the glorious smell of books. I was in a rustic library, lit by the dying flames of lamps, surrounded by millions of books of all kind. Their covers brought comfort and relaxation. The sight was amazing and beyond my wildest dreams. But as I jumped up and down, I fell into a snug pillow of sand. And through the haze that consumed me, I was transported to a pristine sea shore. The waves lapped over each other happily and the slight spray of water that came in short bursts of pride was a welcome change in violent nature. Then, as I turned around, a forest. The mist made it impossible to see anything, but it didn't matter, I was content with just being there letting the ways of the forest take over me. But as I tried to take a step, I slipped on the slippery mass of moss and fell. But I fell down on a soft bed of grass. Just grass for miles and miles on end and I never wanted to leave the simple and beautiful land. 

"So, what do you smell?" But I was forced to leave the heaven that was so unbelievable that is was fake.

"Books, the calm ocean, a misty forest and grass. Odd combination. I suppose they're all metaphors." I mean, it seems pretty impossible that grass and water are my life's ambition. What a bore! "You?" I asked it as discreetly as possible, but this was a big revelation. I wanted to know whether his feelings were real, or this was another long-term crush. It was essential I knew, even though it wouldn't change any circumstance around here.

"A lot of things. Mainly chocolate, coffee and chocolate coffee." He avoided my gaze and pretended to focus on the cauldron. It was obvious he smelt something more. Something he wanted to hide from me. His behaviour had been awfully secretive lately, but this was one topic he couldn't avoid. 

"And?" 

"Nothing."

"Remus, I swear to Me-"

"Fine. I smell mint, mint shampoo." Sirius' hair products. Nice, we're getting warmer, but there must be a distinct smell. There was something else, and I needed it for confirmation. I stared him straight in the eye, with an evil death stare which I hoped was enough to set him off and tell me. "And you know."

"Wet dog?" I asked with a smile, a mischievous one at that.

"Why wet? I won't even deny the dog, but it isn't wet."

"I don't know." Just then, behind us emerged James and Sirius. They probably came with the similar idea of finding out what our desires were. We told them ours, or at least I did. Remus successfully avoided an awkward situation with dire ramifications. Then, they told us theirs

"I smell Quidditch supplies, snow and blueberries. No idea why." James answered. Of course he would have something Quidditch-related. But what did catch my attention was the berries.

"Blueberries? Curious." I slapped Remus on the arm.

"Well I just smell chilli, Firewhisky, caramel and get this, books! Weird right."

Word Count:- 1400

Love, Kale.