Sophia Black

Felix Felicis & The Half-Blood Prince

The next morning before breakfast, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I met in the common room and Harry told Hermione what happened with Draco.
"But obviously he was showing off for Parkinson right?" Interrupted Ron.
"Well," started Hermione uncertain, "I don't know... it would be like Malfoy to make himself seem more important than he is... but that's a big lie to tell..."
"Exactly!" Said Harry happy someone was somewhat agreeing with him.
"So did Kreacher do as you said Harry?" I asked.
"Yes, unfortunately. I don't want him." He sighed.
"Me either but you know the alternative." I told him as we walked down the stairs.
"Hold it!" Yelled Hermione throwing out her arm in front of a fourth year about to push past her. "Fanged Frisbees are band, hand it over."
The kid reluctantly handed it over then ran away.
Ron waited until the kid was out of sight and took the frisbee for himself.
"Excellent, I've always wanted one of these." Said Ron. Immediately loud giggling followed from Lavender Brown who continued to laugh at Ron's remark as she passed by us and looked at Ron over her shoulder in a flirtatious way. Ron seemed very pleased with himself.
After we got done eating we remained in our seats for professor McGonagall to give us our schedules. The process of handing out schedules was much more complicated this year because McGonagall had to make sure we had the correct O.W.Ls to pass into N.E.W.Ts.
Hermione was cleared right away for Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Potions.
"So Potter, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Transfiguration... all fine. Why haven't you applied to continue with Potions? I thought it was your ambition to become an Auror?" Said McGonagall.
"It was but you told me I had to get an 'Outstanding' in my O.W.L professor." Said Harry.
"And so you did when professor Snape was teaching. Professor Slughorn is happy to accept N.E.W.T students with 'Exceeds Expectations' in their O.W.Ls. Do you wish to proceed with Potions?" Said McGonagall.
"Yes, but I didn't buy the books or ingredients or-"
"I'm sure Professor Slughorn will lend you some. I'll clear Weasley too, he looks to be having too much fun right now." Said McGonagall who then came to me.
"Alright Black, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herbology, Transfiguration, and teaching. Think you can handle it all?" She said.
"You know me professor, I love a good challenge." I smirked.
"Good, good. We were going to continue the wand lore with you but as Mr. Olivander has gone missing we have given you an extra free period. You'll need it." McGonagall said handing.e my schedule then turning to Harry again. "Before I forget twenty hopefuls have signed up for Quidditch so far Potter. I'll give you the list so you can fix up trials at your leisure." Said McGonagall handing Harry the Quidditch captain's badge that he then put on his robes.
"Angelina told me she was going to make you captain. I'm so excited for this year," I said. "When do you think try outs will be?"
"Soph, you're already on." Said Harry.
"Oh come off it. I wanna try out for beater anyway." I said.
"Alright but you've already made the team to me. Where are you going?" Harry said.
"I have to go help teach first year Potions. I'll see you in Defense Against the Dark Arts." I said quickly making my way out of the hall.
I made my way down to the dungeons and into the potions room.
"Sorry I'm late. Professor McGonagall was handing out schedules." I said to Slughorn then realized I was in a classroom full of students.
"That's quite alright dear. You're just in time actually. I was hoping you could demonstrate how to make an antidote to common poisons and explain how it should look, the ingredients, and how it works." said Slughorn.
I set my stuff down at a nearby empty table the walked to the front of the room.
"Well, as I'm sure you can guess by the name, this potion helps cure most poisons. It's a beginner level potion so it's a good one to start off with it just takes a long time to brew. So I'm guessing you allwill be brewing this Wednesday?" I said turning to Slughorn.
"Yes, that is correct. Today is just an observation day so take notes students." said Slughorn.
"Okay. If it's alright with you professor, I'll be making two antidotes. One that is the books version and the other is one that I experimented with last year when professor Snape forced me to mix ingredients. It's similar to the books version but with just a couple different things." I said.
"That would be excellent Black! See students, this is what you should strive for! Learn about your ingredients and mix up concoctions! It's a good exercise for when you have limited ingredients but still need to make something. Proceed Miss Black."
"Thank you professor. So both potions will be a teal color. In the first cauldron I will be adding Bezar, Standard Ingredient, Unicorn hair, and Misletoe Berries. For those who don't know, Standard Ingredient is an herb with many magical applications and properties. In the second cauldron I will be replacing the Standard Ingredient for Honeywater, Mint Springs, Stewed Mandrake , and essence of Lavender. The second one is good for when you have these things in your back yard. It also will act faster than the first one since you are using more earth bound ingredients." I explained.
I then began, mixing, crushing, and cutting my ingredients. I explained everything as I went and the first years actually seemed interested. By the end of the lesson I had two cauldrons of teal colored poison antidote.
"Well done Miss Black! Would you like to give the homework since you taught the lesson?" said Slughorn.
"Sure. Don't worry it's nothing major. Just look over the poison antidote potion and write down any questions you have. Then I want you to write a quarter roll to a half roll of parchment on a potion you eventually want to brew and why. That's all." I said and excused them.
"Job well done Black. Seriously well done. You have a knack for teaching." said Slughorn.
"Thank you. It was fun. I think I'll let you take the lead in N.E.W.Ts so I can get a feel for it." I said.
"I would appreciate it if you could come by sometime during a free period before N.E.W.Ts to help me brew a few potions for the class." Slughorn said.
"I actually have a free period right before the N.E.W.Ts class. I'll come then and just stay." I told him.
"Wonderful. Off you go dear."
I quickly began walking to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I didn't want to be late for Snape's class. When I reached the room I saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione outside of it. Hermione of course was carrying an armful of books.
"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," said Hermione. "I bet Snape gives us loads."
The classroom door swung open and Snape stepped out.
"Inside." he said.
As we walked in I looked around at Snape's newly decorated room. The curtains were drawn so the room looked gloomier than normal with only candles as the light source and Snape put up many portraits of people who seemed to be in pain, sporting injuries, or had disturbing contorted body parts. The entire room was silent.
"I have not asked you to take your books out," said Snape closing the door and moving to the front of the class. "I wish to speak to you and I want your fullest attention."
Snape stared at each of us individually with his blank black eyes.
"You've had five teacher for this class so far. Naturally these teachers will all have had their own methods. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you got an O.W.L in this subject. I will be surprised if you all manage with the N.E.W.T work. The dark arts are many, varies, ever changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, each time a neck is severed, a new head even fiercer and cleverer sprouts." said Snape in a loving voice as he spoke about the dark arts. I couldn't help but be impressed by that analogy.
"Your defenses," said Snape who's voice grew louder. "Must be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These portraits," Snape then pointed to his wall of pain. "Give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance, the Cruciatus Curse, the Dementors Kiss, or provoke the aggression of the Inferius." The last portrait Snape pointed to was just a bloody mass on the ground.
"Has an Inferius been seen then? Is it definite he is using them?" asked Parvati Patil raising her hand in the air.
"The Dark Lord has used them in the past which means you would be well-advised to assume he might again. Now..." said Snape walking around the room making his black robes fly behind him. "... you are I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of nonverbal spells? Very well- Miss Granger?" said Snape as Hermione was the only one to raise her hand.
"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform which give you a split-second advantage." said Hermione.
"An answer copied almost word for word from The Standard Book of Spells Grade Six," said Snape as Draco laughed quietly in the corner. "but correct. Not all Wizards can do this of course; it is question of concentration and mind power which some lack." said Snape who's stare lingered on Harry as he said this.
"However, one student in this room has mastered this and I would like them to help me demonstrate for the rest of you." Snape continued.
"Please don't say me... please don't say me..." I whispered quietly to myself.
"Black, get up here."
I sighed and stood. I slowly walked to the front of the class knowing I looked miserable.
"Black here somehow knows nonverbal spells already, or so I'm told. Let's see if she can take what I've got in store." said Snape raising his wand. This was his payback for the other night when I talked back. Well I could play this game.
I too raised my wand and waited for Snape to strike. Within seconds a jet of yellow came from Snape's wand and I quickly blocked it and shot back. He then made a shield so my jinx would bounce off and hit me but I dissolved the jinx and shot back. It went on like that for a few more spells until Snape said enough.
"You will now divide 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, except you Black. We unfortunately have an uneven amount of students in the class and I am afraid you might send someone to the hospital wing."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head in frustration as I walked back to my seat. After a few minutes a shadow was on top of me.
"How was teaching first years potions Black?" said Snape very lazily.
"Do you actually care or are you going to insult me?" I said not looking at him.
"Oh don't start Black. If you must know, I'm generally interested. I am the one that got you this position."
I turned and looked up at him. "Well, it was actually very nice. I had a lot of fun teaching. Not going to lie I liked being in control of the class for once. I also enjoyed showing off if we are being completely honest." I said.
"Very good, I'm surprised the students listened to your uncontrollable chatter." said Snape.
"And there you go insulting me." I mumbled putting my chin in my hand as Snape walked away.
"Pathetic Weasley," said Snape. "Here let me show you..." Snape turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry's first instinct was to yell out "Protego!" His shield charm was so strong it knocked Snape off balance and he hit his desk.
"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells Potter?" scowled Snape.
"Yes." said Harry stiffly.
"Yes sir." corrected Snape.
"There's no need to call me 'sir' professor." said Harry.
Several people gasped while others had their mouths wide open in awe. Almost everyone from Gryffindor was grinning appreciatively.
"Detention Saturday night, my office. I do not take cheek from anyone Potter... not even 'the Chosen One.'" said Snape.
Snape then dismissed everyone and everyone and descended to his office.
During the lunch period all we talked about was how Harry gave Snape lip until I left to go help Slughorn.
When I entered the potions room I saw Slughorn setting up multiple cauldrons.
"Ah, Miss Black! Right on time." he said.
"Yes sir. So what am I helping you with?"
"Well, we will be brewing a few potions for the N.E.W.T level class to identify. I however cannot brew all four at once so you can take two and I will take two. You will brew the Amortentia and the Felix Felicis. I will brew the Veritaserum and the Polyjuice Potion."
I stood there looking dumbfounded. "Sir, Polyjuice potion and Veritaserum take a month to brew. Felix Felicis takes six months. How are we supposed to brew them in one hour?" I said.
Slughorn laughed a little. "Oh my dear Black. You forget who you are talking to. As you know I have connections and I have a supply of fast brewing cauldrons. I won't tell you who they're from but they are a pretty powerful individual."
"Fast brewing cauldrons? Those are very rare." I said looking at the cauldrons in front of me. Three were black with teal and pearl colored flecks in them, which I assumed to be the fast brewing cauldrons. The fourth was a gold cauldron.
"Alright Black, pick a fast brewing cauldron and my personal cauldron and lets get started."
We spent the next hour brewing vigorously and talking about my potions experience from last year. The fast brewing cauldrons were amazing. Felix Felicis usually took six months to brew but in this cauldron it only took about forty-five minutes and it came out perfectly. I soon began to smell fireworks, custard creams, and peppermint from the gold cauldron and saw the mother of pearl color and the spiraling steam emerge and I knew the Amortenia was done.
Once everything was done we had five minutes until everyone showed up and Slughorn went to his office to make sure he had everything.
I leaned against a desk and took in the scent of how the love potion smelled to me. It was hard to believe I had only seen George yesterday when it felt loner. I deeply missed him. This year was going to definitely different for sure.
The classroom door opened and my thoughts of George were pushed to the back of my head. The N.E.W.T level students began coming in and I was surprised to see that Draco had made it through. Zabini unfortunately also made it into the class and immediately tried to catch my attention. I was thankful when Harry, Ron, and Hermione came in.
"Soph, what are those really good smells?" Harry asked me after Slughorn came out and began his introduction.
"What do you smell?" I said intrigued by this. It meant that Harry liked someone even if he didn't fully know himself.
"Treacle tart, that woody smell of a broomstick handle, and something flowery I smelled at the Burrow I think." he told me.
My brain raced thinking of the possibilities when it clicked but I kept my cool and didn't show even a hint that I knew.
"You'll find out soon enough." I told him.
"Now then, scales out everyone and potion kits. Oh and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion Making." said Slughorn.
"Sir," said Harry raising his hand. "I haven't got a book or scales or anything. Neither does Ron. We didn't know we would be taking this class-"
"Ah yes," said Slughorn. "Professor McGonagall did mention this. Don't worry. You can use any ingredients from my store cupboard and there's old books there in the cupboard. Those will do until you can write to the appropriate shops. Black, please get the needed ingredients for those two."
I went and retrieved the ingredients while I watched Harry and Ron fight over the better looking book out the corner of my eye. I rolled my eyes then returned to the desks.
"Now then, a few potions have been prepared for you all to look at. These will be the kind of potions you should be able to make after completing N.E.W.Ts. Can anyone tell me what one this is?" said Slughorn pointing to the cauldron farthest away. Hermione of course had her hand up before anybody else.
"It's Veritaserum, a colorless, odorless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth." She said.
"Very good! Now how about this one? It's pretty well known." Said Slughorn pointing to the cauldron with a bubbling mud-like substance.
"Polyjuice Potion sir." Said Hermione raising her hand again.
"Excellent! And this one here now... yes dear?" Said Slughorn looking bemused as he watched Hermione's hand rise again.
"It's Amortentia!"
"Yes it is indeed! Miss Black here has brewed quite the powerful batch too. Can you tell me what it does?" Said Slughorn.
"It's the most powerful love potion in the world." Said Hermione.
"That's right. You recognized it by it's mother-of-pearl sheen I suppose?"
"Also by the steam rising in spirals. It's supposed to smell differently to everyone according to what attracts us, I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment paper and-" Hermione then stopped talking and turned pink.
I snuck a quick look at Harry and saw the perplexed look on his face from realization.
"I'm guessing you are Miss Granger. Well twenty well earned points for you." Said Slughorn. "Could you elaborate on Amortentia Black?"
"Of course," I said watching all heads turn to me. "Amortentia doesn't create real love. No love potion can do that. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love. It will simply just cause a powerful infatuation or obsession making it probably the most dangerous potion in this room as you could make the drink do whatever you please..."
I watched Draco whisper to Nott and then both had mocking smirks.
"You know very well Draco that you cannot underestimate the power of obsessive love, or are you forgetting two years ago?" I said watching Draco's smirk disappear as I referred to Alicia Spinnet giving George Amortentia.
"In some rare cases, the drinker can start to snap out of the love trance but that is only when they are destined to be with the one they love." I finished saying as I thought back to how George was able to recognize something was wrong.
"Very good Miss Black. Now it is time for us to start work." Said Slughorn.
"Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one." Said Ernie Macmillan pointing to the last pot with the gold potion.
"Oho," said Slughorn. "Yes that one is a curious little potion called Felix Felicis. I take it you know what Feliz Felicis does Miss Granger?"
Hermione looked so excited I thought she would burst into screams. "It's liquid luck. It makes you lucky!"
As expected everyone in the class seemed interested and straightened their posture after being told it would .Ame you lucky.
"Very good. Another ten points to Gryffindor. Funny potion this one is, very tricky to make and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this one has been my Miss Black, you will find that all your endeavors tend to succeed... at least until the effects wear off." Said Slughorn.
"So why don't people drink it all the time? Asked Terry Boot.
"Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence," I said. "Too much of a good thing can be highly toxic in large quantities. But if taken appropriately, it can do wonders."
"And that students is what I'm offering as a prize for the lesson today." Said Slughorn.
Everyone looked at the Felix Felicis with longing desire.
"One small bottle of Felix Felicis. Enough for twelve hour luck. However, Felix Felicis is banned in organized competitions... sporting events, examinations, or elections. The winner must use it on an ordinary day and watch it turn extraordinary!"
"Anyway," I said stepping in. "The lesson is to make the best Draught of Living Death on page ten. It's definitely more complicated than fifth year Potions and the winner gets a bottle of liquid luck. Good luck!" I finished saying.
I went and sat down at the table Harry, Hermione , and Ron were at.
"Have you ever made this Soph? It looks dreadful. I don't know why I let you talk me into this Harry." said Ron looking over the instructions.
"I have actually made this. This potion won me the unfortunate task of brewing all that Veritaserum for Umbridge last year." I said. I then looked around at the students working and saw Draco working extra hard. He must really want the extra luck.
"Sir, I think you knew my grandfather Abraxas Malfoy?" said Draco obviously sucking up to Slughorn as he walked by.
"Yes," said Slughorn not looking at him, "I was sorry to hear he had died, although of course, dragon pox at his age, it's not unexpected. Draco looked disappointed, clearly wanting to be treated how Harry, Zabini, and I were getting treated and how Snape had treated him in previous years.
I watched in delight as everyone tried cutting their Sopophorous beans which would bounce around when you tried to cut them. I laughed quietly to myself knowing that cutting them was no good.
"Can I borrow your silver knife?" Harry asked Hermione who handed it to him without taking her eyes off her potion which was a deep purple color and I knew from experience and just general knowledge of the ingredients that at this point the potion should be lilac.
Harry took the knife and crushed the bean. The bean immediately gushed juice and Harry poured it into his potion which turned it to the correct lilac color.
"Great job Harry! Sopophorous beans are tricky. Nice job crushing instead of cutting." I said. I was generally curious by Harry's brewing since he had never been all that great at potions before so I decided to watch him closely. Maybe a change in professors was all he needed.
Harry began stirring his potion and it was turning pale pink as it should.
"How are you doing that?" demanded Hermione with her hair bushier than ever from the fumes.
"Add a clockwise stir-"
"No! The book says counter-clockwise! Right Sophia?" Hermione snapped then looked at me for validation.
"Let him do what he wants. That's how you learn, but trying new things and experimenting. That's how I learned to do exactly what Harry's doing." I said.
I then looked at Hermione's potion to see it was still purple. I then looked over at Ron's to see what progress he made and saw his was a thick black ooze type.
"Ron, what did you do?" I laughed.
"I honestly have no clue." said Ron who then cursed under his breath.
"Time's up! Stop stirring please!" said Slughorn who then motioned me over.
The two of us began walking around looking at everyone's potions. When we got to Harry's, Slughorn let out a sound of delight.
"The clear winner! Excellent Harry! You clearly got your mother's talent. She was wonderful at potions. And here you go, one bottle of Felix Felicis. Use it well!" said Slughorn who gave Harry the potion then dismissed us.
Once we were at the Gryffindor table for dinner Hermione's face became like stone.
"How did you do that?" asked Ron to Harry.
Harry then told us how there were written instructions over the book instructions and that he followed them.
"I s'pose you think I cheated?" Harry said to Hermione.
"Well it wasn't exactly your own work was it?" she said stiffly.
"He just followed different directions than ours. It could have been a catastrophe. Was it your book Soph? Looks like your handwriting and like the type of thing you'd do." said Ron as we loaded our plates.
"I never even bought the book," I said laughing and then looking at the book myself. "This handwriting does look familiar but I don't know where from." I finished saying as I pushed the book away not caring.
"Hang on," said Ginny grabbing the book. "Did I hear right that you've been taking orders from a book that someone else wrote Harry?" Ginny looked angry and we knew what she was thinking.
"It's not like that. It's not like Riddle's diary. It's just an old school book someone scribbled on." said Harry.
"But you're doing what it says?" asked Ginny.
"I only tried a few tips. Ginny, there's nothing funny-"
"She's got a point." said Hermione, "We ought to check it out."
"Specialis Revelio" I thought flicking my wand but nothing happened.
"Seems fine to me," I said holding the book by the back cover when something caught my eye. "What's this?" On the back cover written in the bottom corner was more handwriting.
This Book Is The Property Of The Half-Blood Prince.

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