Welcome Back

Given the method he had used to fall asleep, it was no wonder that Y/N woke up with his mind on the tomb. Or more specifically, on who had been in the tomb.

Snow had proven to be such an enigma for so long that the way it had ended just felt so... simple. There had to be something else at that tomb. There had to be. Things were just tying themselves up too well, it couldn't be this easy.

And besides, he'd seen three different passageways behind Snow that led deeper into the tomb. Perhaps they would be nothing, but he couldn't believe that. He had to know.

Y/N was snapped out of his musings as the figure draped over him made a couple of gentle little murmuring noises and pulled herself in closer towards him. He wrapped an arm tightly around her and squeezed.

Y/N missed the light-hearted nature he'd been able to take a few years back. Poking fun at his friends and making them laugh as practically a full-time job. Ever since his appointment to the Order, it had felt a lot less relaxed. A lot more constant and tense. Especially with how Harry had been acting last year. Storming off at every turn or arguing with them over anything. Maybe this year could be different? He wouldn't be holding his breath, however.

Lying in bed wasn't good for his mentality. Giving Hermione one last squeeze and planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, he heaved himself out of bed and changed. He wrote a note in his journal, informing Hermione that he'd be down in the grounds and made his departure.

A soft frost had coated the grass and grounds as he trudged along them. A gentle crunch rang out with every footstep. The wind battered against him, but his robes and the leftover heat from the castle warded it off.

He made his way down to the edge of the Black Lake and stared out across it, waving his hand idly, causing the water and waves to move and reshape.

He stayed there for a long while, simply watching. Letting the sounds of life, quiet as they were, echo around him. At one point, he could have sworn he saw a loose tentacle float beneath the water, but the Giant Squid did not come to say hello. And the area remained quiet. That was, until.

'Y/N?'

Glancing over his shoulder, Y/N was met with the last person he'd expected to see.

Lavender Brown

'Morning Lavender,' he said as she wandered up next to him and joined him in staring out across the water. 'What brings you out here?'

'Just... thinking, I was hoping I'd get a chance to speak to one of you guys to be honest. It's about Ron before you say anything, I don't care about the Ministry. Well I do, but you know-'

'It's alright Lavender,' interrupted Y/N. 'Deep breath, what's up?'

Lavender did as he said, then asked quietly.

'Do you think he likes me?'

'Yes', said Y/N simply. 'Why, do you not?'

'Well... I don't know. He was hinting yesterday at us maybe going to Hogsmeade together as a date thing but then sort of backpedalled and said we could both bring someone and I just... I can't get a read on it.'

'That's because he's denser than a bag of bricks. Look, I've known him for years, and I know that he doesn't quite understand why you still talk to him, or why you ever did in the first place. But I also know that he likes it and doesn't want it to stop. If you want something to happen with him, you'll need to take initiative. You should know that from the Yule Ball.'

'That felt... different. I knew what he wanted to ask me there, he wasn't hiding it. But with this-'

'He's just hiding it better,' said Y/N. 'He cares, Lavender, believe me. Just take initiative, stop letting him back down or plan, otherwise he'll keep changing his mind. Tell him you're going on a date and that's it, get his stuff together. He won't say no.'

Lavender took another deep breath.

'Okay, I will, thank you. Sorry to just unload all of that onto you this early.'

'I wasn't exactly doing much else,' laughed Y/N.

'Speaking of, what are you doing out here?' she asked, 'bit early for a morning stroll.'

'Says the girl who did the same thing.'

'You've got me there I suppose, but I had something on my mind, so I assume you do as well.'

'Deductive reasoning,' said Y/N, 'but it's got about two years' worth of a backstory behind it, I'm afraid.'

'Well, for what it's worth, I hope whatever it is goes well. I won't disturb you anymore, thanks again.'

Y/N nodded and waved as she made her way off across the grounds.

He'd never properly spoken with Lavender before. Bits and pieces here and there, throughout the years or during the D.A. meetings, but not really more than that. It felt odd knowing how close she was to Ron.

But then again, Y/N wasn't exactly that close with Ron.

And yet, she'd come to him for advice. Maybe it was just because he was the first one she'd found, but she'd seemed almost relieved that it had been him.

'They respect you,' said a voice in the back of his head. 'You taught them, they respect you.'

Y/N shook it off.

()()()()()()

The quartet ate their breakfast and then remained seated at the Gryffindor table awaiting Professor McGonagall's descent from the staff table. The distribution of class schedules was more complicated than usual this year, for Professor McGonagall needed first to confirm that everybody had achieved the necessary O.W.L. grades to continue with their chosen N.E.W.T.s.

Hermione was immediately cleared to continue with Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Potions, and shot off to a first-period Ancient Runes class with a quick kiss goodbye to Y/N.

Neville took a little longer to sort out; his round face was anxious as Professor McGonagall looked down his application and then consulted his O.W.L. results.

'Herbology, fine,' she said. 'Professor Sprout will be delighted to see you back with an 'Outstanding' O.W.L., and you qualify for Defence Against the Dark Arts with 'Exceeds Expectations', but the problem is Transfiguration. I'm sorry, Longbottom, but an 'Acceptable' really isn't good enough to continue to N.E.W.T level. I just don't think you'd be able to cope with the coursework.'

Neville hung his head. Professor McGonagall peered at him through her square spectacles.

'Why do you want to continue with Transfiguration, anyway? I've never had the impression that you particularly enjoyed it.'

Neville looked miserable and muttered something about 'my grandmother wants.'

'Hmph,' snorted Professor McGonagall. 'It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than the one she thinks she ought to have, particularly after what happened at the Ministry.'

Neville turned very pink and blinked confusedly; Professor McGonagall had never paid him a compliment before.

'I'm sorry, Longbottom, but I cannot let you into my N.E.W.T. class. I see that you have an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Charms, however, why not try for a N.E.W.T. in Charms?'

'My grandmother thinks Charms is a soft option,' mumbled Neville.

'Take Charms,' said Professor McGonagall, 'and I shall drop Augusta a line reminding her that just because she failed her Charms O.W.L., the subject is not necessarily worthless.' Smiling slightly at the look of delighted incredulity on Neville's face, Professor McGonagall tapped a blank schedule with the tip of her wand and handed it, now carrying details of his new classes to Neville.

Professor McGonagall turned next to Parvati Patil, whose first question was whether Firenze, the handsome centaur, was still teaching Divination.

'He and Professor Trelawney are dividing classes between them this year,' said Professor McGonagall, a hint of disapproval in her voice. 'The sixth year is being taken by Professor Trelawney.'

Parvati set off for Divination five minutes later looking slightly crestfallen.

Next, she turned to Y/N.

'Nice and quick,' she said happily towards him, 'And congratulations of course on your incredible results, not that I expected anything less. Defence, Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, all clear. Off you go.'

She tapped a blank timetable and passed it to him. Y/N glanced down at it, only to see that he had a free period first. While these were normally used for studying and revision to prepare for exams, he didn't exactly have any work first thing on the first day, so he sat and waited for the other two.

'So, Potter, Potter,' said Professor McGonagall, consulting her notes as she turned to Harry. 'Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration, all fine. I must say, I was pleased with your Transfiguration mark, Potter, very pleased. Now, why haven't you applied to continue with Potions? I thought it was your ambition to become an Auror?'

'It was, but you told me I had to get an 'Outstanding' in my O.W.L., Professor.'

'And so you did when Professor Snape was teaching the subject. Professor Slughorn, however, is perfectly happy to accept N.E.W.T students with 'Exceeds Expectations' at O.W.L. Do you wish to proceed with Potions?'

'Yes,' said Harry, 'but I didn't buy the books or any ingredients or anything-'

'I'm sure Professor Slughorn will be able to lend you some,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Very well, Potter here is your schedule. Oh, by the way, twenty hopefuls have already put down their names for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I shall pass the list to you in due course, and you can fix up trials at your leisure.'

'Put me on that list as well,' said Y/N. 'I should probably try-out again.'

'Don't be daft-' began Harry, but Y/N shook his head.

'We lost most of the team coming into this year, there may well be better amongst those wanting to play. Don't count me in just yet. Katie will probably tell you the same.'

A few minutes later, Ron was cleared to do the same subjects as Harry, and the three of them left the table together.

'Look,' said Ron delightedly, gazing at his schedule, 'we've got a free period now, and a free period after break, and after lunch excellent!'

'Only the one now for me,' said Y/N. 'Arithmancy after break and Care after lunch.'

They returned to the common room, which was empty apart from a half dozen seventh years, including Katie Bell.

'I thought you'd get that, well done,' she called over, pointing at the Captain's badge on Harry's chest. 'Tell me when you call trials!'

'Don't be stupid,' said Harry, 'you don't need to try out, I've watched you play for five years.'

'You mustn't start off like that,' she said warningly. 'For all you know, there's someone much better than me out there. Good teams have been ruined before now because Captains just kept playing the old faces or letting in their friends.'

'Told you,' said Y/N.

The time of quiet and peace didn't last long, and within an hour, they were leaving the warm and comfortable common room to head over towards the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Hermione was already queuing outside, carrying an armful of heavy books and looking put-upon. Y/N moved over and scooped half of the pile out of her arms with one hand, pulling her into a hug with the other.

'We got so much homework for Runes,' she said anxiously. 'A fifteen-inch essay, two translations, and I've got to read these by Wednesday!'

'Shame,' yawned Ron.

'You wait,' she said resentfully. 'I bet Snape gives us loads.'

The classroom door opened as she spoke, and Snape stepped into the corridor, his sallow face framed as ever by two curtains of greasy black hair. Silence fell over the queue immediately.

'Inside,' he said.

Y/N looked around as they entered. Snape had imposed his personality upon the room already; it was gloomier than usual, as curtains had been drawn over the windows and was lit by candlelight.

New pictures adorned the walls, many of them showing people who appeared to be in pain, sporting grisly injuries or strangely contorted body parts. Nobody spoke as they settled down, looking around at the shadowy, gruesome pictures.

'I have not asked you to take out your books,' said Snape, closing the door and moving to face the class from behind his desk; Hermione hastily dropped her copy of Confronting the Faceless back into her bag and stowed it under her chair. 'I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention.'

His black eyes roved over their upturned faces.

'You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe. Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion, I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be much more advanced.'

Snape set off around the edge of the room, speaking now in a lower voice; the class craned their necks to keep him in view.

'The Dark Arts,' said Snape, 'are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible.'

The way Snape spoke about this was odd, almost as though he were describing something intimate, something he loved. And yet despite this, the words bore warning, and danger.

'Your defences,' said Snape, a little louder, 'must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures' -he indicated a few of them as he swept past- 'give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse'.

He waved a hand toward a witch who was clearly shrieking in agony.

'Feel the Dementor's Kiss'

A wizard lying huddled and blank-eyed, slumped against a wall.

'Or provoke the aggression of the Inferius'.

A bloody mass upon the ground.

'Has an Inferius been seen, then?' said Parvati Patil in a high-pitched voice. 'Is it definite, is he using them?'

'The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past,' said Snape, 'which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now.'

He set off again around the other side of the classroom toward his desk, and again, they watched him as he walked, his dark robes billowing behind him.

'Most of you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?'

Hermione and Y/N's hand shot into the air. Snape took his time looking around at everybody else, making sure he had no choice, before saying curtly, 'Very well, Miss Granger?'

'Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform,' said Hermione, 'which gives you a split-second advantage.'

'An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six,' said Snape dismissively, 'but correct in essentials. Yes, those who progress to using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spellcasting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some.'

His gaze lingered maliciously upon Harry.

'Lack.'

'You will now divide,' Snape went on, 'into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on.'

Whilst most of the class knew shield charms from Y/Ns teaching the previous year, he had never managed to teach any of them non-verbal magic. Something he himself had only recently gotten the hang of.

Though he should have known that wouldn't stop his partner.

He successfully repelled and cast spells non-verbally on every attempt. Hermione successfully managed to repel it after only ten minutes. And whilst Snape swept past without comment, Y/N made sure to quietly praise her for her fantastic work.

The rest of the class was not proving as successful.

Most were simply muttering the charm under their breath, acting as though they were definitely doing it. Ron, however, was purple in the face, his lips tightly compressed to save himself from the temptation of muttering the incantation. Harry had his wand raised, evidently waiting on tenterhooks to repel a jinx that seemed unlikely ever to come.

'Pathetic, Weasley,' said Snape, after a while. 'Here, let me show you-'

He turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry reacted instinctively; he yelled, 'Protego!'

His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off-balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked around and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling.

'Do you remember me telling you we are practising nonverbal spells, Potter?'

'Yes,' said Harry stiffly.

'Yes, sir.'

'There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor.'

Y/N snorted with laughter and quickly tried to muffle it into a cough. Hermione gasped, looking between Harry and Y/N reproachfully. It was all Y/N could do to not burst out laughing.

'Detention, Saturday night, my office,' said Snape. 'I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter, not even "the Chosen One." And you,' he added, spinning to face Y/N, 'if you find it so funny.'

His spell shot across the classroom towards Y/N.

Y/N did not move. He held Snape's gaze, not even moving his wand, and the shield charm sprang up before him, sending the spell colliding with a nearby wall.

'Well,' said Snape after a brief silence. 'At least you have the capability to back up your attitude.'

'That was brilliant, Harry!' chortled Ron, once they were safely on their way to break a short while later.

'I was almost crying I won't lie,' said Y/N. 'I'm surprised I even blocked his spell after that.'

'What made you say it?' asked Hermione.

'He tried to jinx me; in case you didn't notice!' fumed Harry. 'I had enough of that during those Occlumency lessons! Why doesn't he use another guinea pig for a change? What's Dumbledore playing at, anyway, letting him teach Defence? Did you hear him talking about the Dark Arts? He loves them! All that unfixed, indestructible stuff'.

'It was a bit strange,' said Y/N. 'The message was right; the stuff is dangerous, but he spoke about it as though we should admire and respect it as an opponent. An odd outlook to have to say the least.'

Just as the four of them were heading up towards the Common Room, they heard a voice behind them.

'Harry! Hey, Harry!'

They looked around; Jack Sloper, one of the Beaters on last year's Gryffindor Quidditch team, was hurrying toward them holding a roll of parchment.

'For you,' panted Sloper. 'Listen, I heard you're the new Captain. When're you holding trials?'

'I'm not sure yet,' said Harry. Y/N was praying internally that Sloper wouldn't be their option this year. 'I'll let you know.'

'Oh, right. I was hoping it'd be this weekend-'

But Harry was evidently not listening; he had just glanced down at the parchment. And leaving Sloper in mid-sentence, he hurried away the other three moving to catch up, unrolling the parchment as he went.

'I like this new Harry!' said Y/N brightly. 'Insulting Snape, interrupting Sloper, this is great.'

Harry, read the parchment aloud.

Dear Harry,

I would like to start our private lessons this Saturday.

Kindly come along to my office at 8 P.M. I hope you are enjoying your first day back at school.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. I enjoy Acid Pops.

'Is that his password?' asked Ron, 'he did similar for Y/N a few years back, didn't he?'

'Yeah, it will be,' said Harry. 'Snape's not going to be pleased. I won't be able to do his detention!'

Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent the whole of break speculating on what Dumbledore would teach Harry. Y/N avoided contributing unless directly asked. He didn't want to reveal that he already knew.

Ron thought it most likely to be spectacular jinxes and hexes of the type the Death Eaters would not know. Hermione said such things were illegal and thought it much more likely that Dumbledore wanted to teach Harry advanced Defensive magic.

After the break, she and Y/N went off to Arithmancy which, whilst as taxing as ever, thankfully ended with no homework being given to them. They quickly ate lunch, and then Hermione went back up to the Common Room whilst Y/N took his second trip across the grounds for that day, noticing as he did so, that he was quite alone.

'Y/N! A pleasure ter see ye!' boomed Hagrid as he approached. 'The other three on their way?'

Y/N waved happily as he approached and once he was in earshot, sadly, shook his head.

'I'm sorry Hagrid, but they just couldn't fit it in around what they already had. They're busy enough sorting out their current classes, Hermione is already bogged down in work.'

Hagrid looked rather upset at this, his face fell but after a few moments, he seemed to recover himself.

'Ah well, should've known they wouldn' be able ter fit me in on their timetable. Glad ter see yeh here though! Got summat really special fer yeh today. We'll jus wait ter see if anyone else shows up.'

Unfortunately, no one else did, but Hagrid seemed to take this in his stride. Settling himself down across from Y/N on the patchy grass outside his hut, he brought out that lesson's creature.

It was a rather round blue-ish bird, with quite a long neck and rather short legs. Y/N recognised it at once.

'This here is a Diricrawl. Muggles think they're extinct but in actuality we jus' needed ter protect 'em because muggles kept hunting 'em. Don' suppose yeh know much abou' 'em?'

'I do!' said Y/N brightly. 'They can disappear and reappear can't they? Almost like they can apparate.'

Almost as though in demonstration, the Diricrawl gave a light chirp and then vanished from Hagrid's hands, appearing in Y/N's lap instead.

'Righ' yeh are! 10 points ter Gryffindor. Jus' give me a sketch o' it fer now, see if yeh can label some o' the characteristics an' we'll see how yeh do.'

It was one of the best Care of Magical Creatures lessons he had ever had. The Diricrawl seemed to love Y/N and several times almost moved as though posing for him, revealing the underside of its wing or lifting a leg. And the entire time, Y/N frantically scribbled away.

Once Hagrid had sung his sketches praise, he leant in.

'I was goin' ter have yeh look after 'im but we've on'y got ten minutes left an' i uh... wanted ter pick your brain.'

'Okay?' said Y/N a bit confused. 'Shoot.'

'How much d'you know 'bout Acromantula?'

'Not an incredibly large amount,' said Y/N. 'The last one I met was Aragog and he tried to kill me so that left a sour taste.'

'Yeah well, 's abou' Aragog. He got ill over the summer an' he don' seem ter be gettin' better. An' the worse he gets, the more aggressive the others are becoming. They're not really letting me get near 'im anymore so i can' tell if i can help.'

Y/N knew exactly what this sounded like.

'Hagrid, how old is Aragog?'

'Abou'... 56?' said Hagrid.

'I... I'm sorry Hagrid. I think it might just be age.'

'I was thinking tha'. I was really hoping yeh weren' goin' ter agree. Maybe there was summat i hadn' thought o', or maybe, y'know some secret cure, or-'

Hagrid's speaking was getting quicker, his voice thicker. Y/N moved over and hugged the Gamekeeper. He returned it, and Y/N felt a few tears land on his back.

'I'm sorry Hagrid, I know he means a lot to you.'

'Bin with me through everything. Thanks fer trying ter help though Y/N, an' thanks fer taking me lessons an' all. Means a lot. Tell the others i understand, knew it'd be a long shot anyway. But come an' visit with 'em yeh hear? Didn' see enough o' yeh lot las year.'

Y/N nodded and with a final hug and a wave, moved his way back off towards the castle for double potions.

When he arrived in the corridor, he saw that there were only a dozen people progressing to N.E.W.T. level. Crabbe and Goyle had evidently failed to achieve the required O.W.L. grade, but four Slytherins had made it through, including Malfoy. Three Ravenclaws were there, and one Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan.

'Y/N,' Ernie said portentously, holding out his hand as Y/N approached, 'didn't get a chance to speak in Defence Against the Dark Arts this morning. Good lesson, I thought, but Shield Charms are old hat, of course, for us old D.A. lags.'

'Not non-verbal ones though,' said Y/N pointedly. 'Need to work on those Ernie, before I need to step in again. Snape wasn't wrong, that half-a-second advantage could save your life. It has already with me.'

Before Ernie could reply, the trio appeared.

'How's Hagrid?' asked Hermione worriedly.

But before Y/N could say more than 'fine,' the dungeon door opened and Slughorn's belly preceded him out of the door.

As they filed into the room, his great walrus moustache curved above his beaming mouth, and he greeted Harry and Zabini with particular enthusiasm before turning to Y/N.

'And you! You must be the reputable Mr L/N!' he called jovially.

'I am indeed, a pleasure to meet you Professor,' said Y/N, shaking his hand. 'So sorry I couldn't accept your invitation on the train, prior engagement, you know.'

'Oh but of course my dear boy! I would never dream of dragging you away from your duty to the school. But you must come to my next gathering. No day set yet but when it is I insist you tag along. I would be delighted to get to know you more.'

'It would be my pleasure Professor,' said Y/N.

Slughorn moved off happily and Y/N rolled his eyes at Hermione who giggled.

The dungeon was, most unusually, already full of vapours and odd smells. The quartet sniffed interestedly as they passed large, bubbling cauldrons. The four Slytherins took a table together, as did the three Ravenclaws and Ernie. This left Harry, Ron, Hermione and Y/N to share.

They chose the one nearest a gold-coloured cauldron that was emitting a spell that Y/N vaguely recognised. The untouched air of snow on the ground, fresh parchment, and Hermione's perfume. He knew exactly what that potion was.

'Now then, now then, now then,' said Slughorn, whose massive outline was quivering through the many shimmering vapours. 'Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making.'

Y/N and Hermione did as they were told, Hermione giving Y/N a very gentle smile though there was an air behind her eyes that Y/N associated with the times she'd surprised him with wearing less clothing than he expected. The reason was no doubt the cauldron softly bubbling a few feet away.

'Sir?' said Harry, raising his hand.

'Harry, m'boy?'

'I haven't got a book or scales or anything, nor's Ron, we didn't realize we'd be able to do the N.E.W.T., you see-'

'Ah, yes, Professor McGonagall did mention. Not to worry, my dear boy, not to worry at all. You can use ingredients from the store cupboard today, and I'm sure we can lend you some scales, and we've got a small stock of old books here, they'll do until you can write to Flourish and Blotts.'

Slughorn strode over to a corner cupboard and, after a moment's foraging, emerged with two very battered-looking copies of Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, which he gave to Harry and Ron along with two sets of tarnished scales.

'Now then,' said Slughorn, returning to the front of the class and inflating his already bulging chest so that the buttons on his waistcoat threatened to burst off, 'I've prepared a few potions for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know. These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of 'em, even if you haven't made 'em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?'

He indicated the cauldron nearest the Slytherin table. Y/N raised himself slightly in his seat and saw what looked like plain water boiling away inside it.

Hermione's well-practiced hand hit the air before anybody else's; Slughorn pointed at her.

'It's Veritaserum, a colourless, odourless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth,' said Hermione.

'Very good, very good!' said Slughorn happily. 'Now,' he continued, pointing at the cauldron nearest the Ravenclaw table, 'this one here is pretty well known. Featured in a few Ministry leaflets lately too. Who can-'

Hermione's hand was shot up once more. Whilst Y/N had also recognised both he was keen to let Hermione show off. Slughorn already wanted his attention. Perhaps Hermione could garner it too, then he wouldn't be alone at the meetings.

'It's Polyjuice Potion, sir,' she said.

'Excellent, excellent! Now, this one here, yes, my dear?' said Slughorn, now looking slightly bemused, as Hermione's hand punched the air again.

'It's Amortentia!'

'It is indeed. It seems almost foolish to ask,' said Slughorn, who was looking mightily impressed, 'but I assume you know what it does?'

'It's the most powerful love potion in the world!' said Hermione.

'Quite right! You recognized it, I suppose, by its distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen?'

'And the steam rising in characteristic spirals,' said Hermione enthusiastically, 'and it's supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and... well... Y/N.'

'Ah, and I suppose you two are...?' he added inquisitively looking between Y/N and Hermione. Y/N nodded as Hermione grew redder.

'May I ask your name, my dear?' said Slughorn, ignoring Hermione's embarrassment.

'Hermione Granger, sir.'

'Granger? Granger? Can you possibly be related to Hector Dagworth-Granger, who founded the Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers?'

'No, I don't think so, sir. I'm muggle-born, you see.'

Slughorn beamed and looked from Hermione to Harry, who was sitting next to her.

'Oho! "One of my best friends is muggle-born, and she and Y/N are the best in our year!" I'm assuming this is the very friend of whom you spoke, Harry?'

'Yes, sir,' said Harry.

'How wonderful that the two of you found each other. Well, well, take twenty well-earned points for Gryffindor, Miss Granger,' said Slughorn genially.

Hermione and Y/N turned to Harry, Hermione looking delighted. Y/N, slightly confused.

'Did you really tell him we're the best in the year? Oh, Harry!'

'I will admit, I appreciate it more than I thought I would,' said Y/N. 'Thanks mate.'

Harry shrugged.

'Just told him the truth.'

Hermione beamed at Y/N but shushed him as Slughorn, continued speaking.

'Amortentia doesn't really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion in this room, oh yes,' he said, nodding gravely at Malfoy and Nott, both of whom were smirking skeptically.

'When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love. And now,' said Slughorn, 'it is time for us to start work.'

'Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one,' said Ernie Macmillan, pointing at a small black cauldron standing on Slughorn's desk. The potion within was splashing about merrily; it was the colour of molten gold, and large drops were leaping like goldfish above the surface, though not a particle had spilled.

'Oho,' said Slughorn again. Y/N was sure that Slughorn had not forgotten the potion at all, but had waited to be asked for dramatic effect. 'Yes. That. Well, that one, ladies and gentlemen, is a most curious little potion called Felix Felicis. I take it,' he turned, smiling, to look at Y/N, who had let out an impressed whistle, 'that you know what Felix Felicis does, Mr L/N?'

'It's liquid luck,' said Y/N, unable to keep the twinge of amazement out of his voice. 'It makes you lucky!'

The whole class seemed to sit up a little straighter.

'Quite right, take another ten points for Gryffindor. Yes, it's a funny little potion, Felix Felicis,' said Slughorn. 'Desperately tricky to make, and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this has been, you will find that all your endeavours tend to succeed, at least until the effects wear off.'

'Why don't people drink it all the time, sir?' said Terry Boot eagerly.

'Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence,' said Slughorn. 'Too much of a good thing, you know, highly toxic in large quantities. But taken sparingly, and very occasionally...'

'Have you ever taken it, sir?' asked Michael Corner with great interest.

'Twice in my life,' said Slughorn. 'Once when I was twenty-four, once when I was fifty-seven. Two tablespoonfuls taken with breakfast. Two perfect days.'

He gazed dreamily into the distance. He was a showman, that was for sure, and Y/N had to respect it.

'And that,' said Slughorn, apparently coming back to earth, 'is what I shall be offering as a prize in this lesson.'

There was silence in which every bubble and gurgle of the surrounding potions seemed magnified tenfold.

'One tiny bottle of Felix Felicis,' said Slughorn, taking a minuscule glass bottle with a cork in it out of his pocket and showing it to them all. 'Enough for twelve hours' luck. From dawn till dusk, you will be lucky in everything you attempt.'

'Now, I must give you warning that Felix Felicis is a banned substance in organized competitions, sporting events for instance, examinations, or elections. So, the winner is to use it on an ordinary day only and watch how that ordinary day becomes extraordinary!'

'So,' said Slughorn, suddenly brisk, 'how are you to win my fabulous prize? Well, by turning to page ten of Advanced Potion-Making. We have a little over an hour left to us, which should be time for you to make a decent attempt at the Draught of Living Death. I know it is more complex than anything you have attempted before, and I do not expect a perfect potion from anybody. The person who does best, however, will win little Felix here. Off you go!'

There was a scraping as everyone drew their cauldrons toward them and some loud clunks as people began adding weights to their scales, but nobody spoke. The concentration within the room was almost tangible.

Y/N didn't really care much for the idea of the potion. Whilst good in theory, it was most likely going to end up going to him or Hermione anyway. And even if it didn't, he didn't exactly feel the need for luck at the moment. Things seemed mostly under or control. And those that weren't wouldn't be fixed in just twelve hours.

Y/N powered on, working his way steadily through the instructions, occasionally leaning over to whisper hurriedly with Hermione. Slughorn moved steadily around the class and beamed happily at the couple as he glanced into each of their cauldrons. Both now supporting the "smooth, black currant-coloured liquid" mentioned as the ideal halfway stage.

'I have two little prodigies here, don't I?' he said happily. 'Danger couple of Hogwarts, I'll need to watch out for both of you.'

A short while later, they heard Malfoy's voice speak up. Perhaps attempting to get his own leg up in the competition, or simply annoyed that Slughorn was paying more attention to Harry, Hermione and Y/N.

'Sir, I think you knew my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy?'

Slughorn was just passing the Slytherin table.

'Yes,' said Slughorn, without looking at Malfoy, 'I was sorry to hear he had died, although of course it wasn't unexpected, dragon pox at his age.'

And he walked away. Malfoy, evidently not used to being treated like this, glared at the man's back before leaning back over his cauldron.

Y/N's had now changed into the lilac colour that the book stated it should be, Hermione however, seemed to be having trouble getting her sopophorous bean to cut. As Y/N was showing her how, Harry whispered:

'Can I borrow your silver knife?'

Hermione nodded impatiently, staring at the way Y/N was demonstrating, and out of the corner of his eye Y/N watched Harry crush his bean with the flat side of the dagger.

To his astonishment, it immediately exuded so much juice he was amazed the shrivelled bean could have held it all. Hastily scooping it all into the cauldron, Harry's potion immediately turned exactly the shade of lilac described by the textbook.

Y/N leant over, took the knife back, and copied. Much as Harry's had, the bean let out a steady stream of juice that seemed impossible to be contained within it.

'How did you-' began Hermione.

'Dunno, watched Harry do it. Continue from there,' said Y/N, pointing to the instructions then turning back to his own potion.

Y/N continued his work, his potion steadily creeping into the pink that it should be, before glancing over at Harry's. But once more, Harry had overtaken him. His potion was now the bright pink that it was meant to be.

'How are you doing that?' demanded Hermione, who had also spotted the lead Harry had apparently taken.

'Add a clockwise stir after every seventh.'

'No, no, the book says counterclockwise!' she snapped.

Harry shrugged and continued what he was doing. But Y/N couldn't resist trying. 7 counterclockwise, one clockwise. The potion changed to pink.

Y/N wasn't sure which he was more confused at. The fact that it had worked, or the fact that Harry had been the one to tell him.

A quick glance around told him that Harry had shot far into the lead, and having listened to the instructions, Y/N was a close second. He probably could win this... But maybe, for once, it was okay to let someone else have the spotlight.

'And time's up!' called Slughorn. 'Stop stirring, please!'

Slughorn moved slowly among the tables, peering into cauldrons. He made no comment, but occasionally gave the potions a stir or a sniff. At last, he reached the table where the quartet were sitting.

He smiled ruefully at the tarlike substance in Ron's cauldron. Hermione's potion he gave an approving nod. He gasped loudly and gave Y/N a pat on the back when he saw his. Then he saw Harry's, and a look of incredulous delight spread over his face.

'The winner!' he cried to the dungeon. 'Excellent, excellent, Harry! It was a close-run thing Y/N, don't feel too bad. Good lord, it's clear you've inherited your mother's talent. She was a dab hand at Potions, Lily was! Here you are, then, here you are, one bottle of Felix Felicis, as promised, and use it well!'

Harry slipped the tiny bottle of golden liquid into his inner pocket. Ron looked simply dumbfounded.

'How did you do that?' he whispered to Harry as they left the dungeon.

'Got lucky, I suppose,' said Harry, his eyes on Malfoy.

Once they were securely ensconced at the Gryffindor table for dinner, however, he lowered his voice and told them.

The potion's book that Slughorn had given him, had instructions scrawled within the margins. Instructions such as "add a clockwise stir" or "crush with the flat side of the knife" all the steps that Harry had used to overtake them.

Hermione's face became stonier with every word he uttered.

'I s'pose you think I cheated?' he finished, looking at her.

'Well, it wasn't exactly your own work, was it?' she said stiffly.

'I personally don't have an issue with it,' said Y/N. 'His instructions were good. It may not have been his own work, but if there's a better way of making the potions, why shouldn't he listen to it?'

'He only followed different instructions to ours,' said Ron. 'Could've been a catastrophe, couldn't it? But he took a risk, and it paid off.'

'Hang on,' said a voice. Y/N looked up and saw that Ginny had joined them. 'Did I hear right? You've been taking orders from something someone wrote in a book, Harry?'

She looked alarmed and angry. Y/N knew what was on her mind at once and apparently so did Harry.

'It's nothing,' he said reassuringly, lowering his voice. 'It's not like, you know, Riddle's diary. It's just an old textbook someone's scribbled on.'

'But you're doing what it says?'

'I just tried a few of the tips written in the margins, honestly, Ginny, there's nothing funny-'

'Ginny's got a point,' said Hermione, perking up at once. 'We ought to check that there's nothing odd about it.'

'Why don't you let Y/N take a look?' said Ginny.

Harry looked to Y/N who shrugged and took the textbook that was passed to him. He closed his eyes, feeling forwards.

'It seems all right,' said Y/N, passing the book back. 'It really does seem to be just a textbook.'

'Good. Then I'll have it back, said Harry, taking it back off the table.

'You don't think it's even a little bit suspicious?' Hermione whispered ten minutes later, when Harry and Ron had already departed.

'Not really, love,' said Y/N. 'I mean sure, it's a bit weird. But they're publicly available textbooks, it stands to reason that someone wrote in them. I mean Ron's probably had markings or scrawlings on it. It just so happened that Harry's has new instructions. As Ron said, it could have gone wrong, his cauldron could have exploded. It didn't. Clearly the editor just knew what they were doing.'

Hermione sighed.

'Sorry, just... not used to him beating us like that.'

'Me neither, but did you actually need the Felix Felicis for anything? Because I certainly didn't, I've already got you. And we know what he's going to be doing this year. It could help him.'

'I wanted it for you!' said Hermione. 'You could take it when you investigate the tomb!'

'Only technically once to be safe,' said Y/N. 'You heard Slughorn, he left over thirty years between his uses because it can be toxic. And besides, that tomb is going to take longer than 12 hours. Let him be Slughorn's favourite. He'll need every advantage he can get.'

'Why do you say that?' asked Hermione.

'Just, something Dumbledore told me over the summer. Harry will tell us all eventually, I don't want to say too much before then. But he's going to need to get some information out of Slughorn, and the more Slughorn loves the boy, the easier his job will be. Let Harry be his favourite for now. It'll help us all in the long run.'

'So long as you're sure,' said Hermione. 'You coming up?'

'Yeah,' said Y/N slowly, his eyes locking with Dumbledore up at the staff table, who gave him a small nod. 'But not for homework. I think it's time I took my first trip to that tomb.'