Amortension

The lunch in the large hall, in which the long tables of the four faculties were covered with hearty dishes, was held in turmoil. Each of the students discussed with their fellow students either their studies or personal topics. Turning over the pages of the Transfiguration textbook, Harry only sighed heavily, writing something down on a piece of parchment at the same time. Well, but the two-bar essay didn't really appeal to him. Why does he have to write something if he came to study magic here, and not write mountains of essays. Ron had a quiet lunch, because, according to him, he managed to copy this essay from his classmate, who gladly gave him her essay. "Someone's lucky", — suddenly flashed through his head and from time to time he glanced in the direction of the carefree Ron. — Ron, you know Professor McGonagall can't be fooled, right? — Hermione tried to reason with her careless red–haired friend, glaring menacingly in his direction, which he only waved away. — If you don't tell her that I copied from someone, then there won't be any problems, — he replied stubbornly, and with obvious displeasure, sipping pumpkin juice. — She'll find out without my help,— Hermione said, tucking a lock of brown hair behind her ear, — When will you start studying? — Leave me alone, — Ron replied, waving his hand at her, — I get tired of writing endless essays all the time. This already knocks out any motivation to study. — Ron, you... — Hermione was about to get indignant, but Harry stepped between the raging friends in time, looking up at them: — About studying. What is our lesson now? — Potions,— Ron and Hermione answered in unison, clearly not with much enthusiasm, burying themselves in their plates without saying a word. — We're going to study with the Slytherins again, —Harry said in a gloomy tone, adjusting his glasses, which had slipped back onto his nose. — Similarly. It's a pity we can't skip this subject,— Ron could only add. — Calm down, both of you. We have been studying with them for so many years on a single subject. They should have gotten used to it, — Hermione said sharply, which made her friends look at her in amazement, but after a couple of minutes they nodded positively. She's right, but I don't really want to endure the constant mockery of Slytherins. By the end of lunch, all the students from different faculties immediately left the great hall in turn, going to different offices. Going down the long stairs leading to the dungeon, the three friends, merging into the crowd of Gryffindor students, whispered about something from time to time, lifting the skirts of their black robes so as not to accidentally step on them and fly down these stairs. Of course, this is the fastest, but still the most painful way to get to the sinister potions room. A few minutes later, once at the coveted door, Ron was about to open the heavy door, but he was immediately beaten by one of Malfoy's gang, Gregory Goyle, who pushed the door slightly. As soon as the door opened with a slight creak, a group of Slytherins entered the office with quick steps, slightly shoving Gryffindor students who tried to enter the office, squeezing between them, but they did not allow it. — I can't stand another lesson with the Slytherins,— Ron said irritably, and as soon as the last of the Slytherin students disappeared through the doors, he immediately followed into the office, sitting down at an empty seat. A few minutes later, Harry took the seat next to him. Hermione, on the other hand, took an empty desk in front of them. A moment later, the doors to the classroom opened and Professor Snape walked in with a firm gait, swinging his black robe as he walked. Gryffindors shuddered at the sight of him. Especially Neville, who managed to spoil potions from the first year and earned penalty points on it, and of course, Seamus and Harry did not lag behind him. Not everyone can learn this subtle and precise science, Harry realized this during his four and a half years of studying at Hogwarts. On the surface, this area of magic seemed easy, but as soon as practice began, everyone had a hard time, especially the students of the Gryffindor faculty. Snape, of course, encourages Slytherins, because he is their dean, so his faculty has not been severely criticized. Once at his desk, he first looked around the entire class before starting the lesson. — So, dear fifth-year students, before I explain what potion we are going to prepare today, I will ask you to open page two hundred and thirty-four. After his words, the class immediately rustled the pages of the textbook and this noise was interrupted from time to time by the surprised exclamations of the students who had just read the name of the potion. And it is not known what they meant: joy or fear. — Today we are going to prepare, as you understood from the textbooks, Amortensia. This potion is dangerous because it has a strong effect on the human psyche. This potion causes a person who has drunk such a composition to be attracted to the one who prepared it. Because of the effect of this potion, a person does not realize for some time what he is doing, therefore it is highly discouraged to use it for any purpose. She still won't create love, only suffering for the one who drank it. So, does everyone have the necessary ingredients? Instead of answering, the class showed the teacher the right ingredients. Snape nodded positively and motioned for the students to get to work. — Won't it create love? — Ron muttered in amazement, pouring prepared spring water into an aluminum cauldron, while Harry cut the mandrake root into small pieces. — What kind of potion is this? — Love potion, Ron,— said Hermione's displeased voice ahead, who had already boiled water during this time and was adding three small drops of red wine to it, leaving the potion to boil. — A love letter? — Ron said, exchanging glances with Harry, — And is it dangerous? — Will you ever listen to a teacher? Hermione said with slight irritation, not looking up from her potion, gradually losing her temper. — It is dangerous because it has a strong effect on the psyche. One more stupid question and I swear I'll bury you someday. — She knows everything,— Ron whispered, shrugging his shoulders, adding three drops of wine to the boiling water. — You better not get distracted, Ron," Harry warned in a whisper, pointing his gaze in the direction of Professor Snape, who was staring at them. — If you don't want any problems. Ron just nodded positively and they continued to prepare the potion, each doing their own thing to finish it faster.Now the sound of potions bubbling in cauldrons, simmering over low heat, and knives cutting ingredients could be heard in the office. Half an hour later, the door to the classroom suddenly opened and, to everyone's amazement, there stood a breathless Draco, whose usually neatly tidied platinum hair was disheveled in different directions and the bag slid off his shoulder. — Sorry I'm late, Professor. — And what's the excuse this time? — Turning at his voice, Snape said with displeasure, glaring at him with a killing look. — I got the schedule mixed up,— Draco replied in a confused voice, adjusting his robe that had slipped off his shoulder. — Can I come through? — Come on in,— Severus exhaled, — but your seat is already taken. Therefore, I suggest...— He looked around the classroom briefly, looking for an empty seat, before returning his gaze to the late student, —sit next to Miss Granger,— he pointed with his gaze towards the empty seat next to her. — What?! — a couple of minutes after realizing what he had said, he exclaimed, turning his gaze towards Hermione, whose dumbfounded look indicated her disagreement with such a statement. At least he agreed with her on something. — But the professor... He wanted to object, but was immediately interrupted by the teacher's irritated voice: — No Buts, Draco. Go and sit down. Without any bickering, unless, of course, you want to work off your lateness after class. Arguing with this man was pointless, so I had to obey. With a dissatisfied hiss and a deep sigh, he headed towards the desk where Hermione was sitting, slicing the mandrake root into small pieces with a knife blade, sinking into an empty chair, throwing off his shoulder bag, taking out only a pre-prepared carving knife and a textbook. — Open the textbook to page two hundred and thirty–five. The composition is written there, — the girl said without looking up from her occupation, stirring the boiling potion from time to time so that it does not turn brownish, otherwise it may spoil. Without any objections, he flipped through the pages of the textbook to the right page, reading the written composition. It's too simple, as it seems at first glance, but knowing the composition of any of the potions, no one would think that way. This is a painstaking and long work, and it is better to start it now. Studying the composition of the potion under study, he did not immediately notice how the girl pushed the remaining ingredients to him, simultaneously crushing the rose petals, adding the squeezed juice straight into the cauldron. — If you're too late, then please help me with the preparation of the potion. — I'd love to help you, Granger,— Draco said, unable to contain a sarcastic grin, fixing a sly look at the girl, in which an evil light shone, — but I missed most of the lesson, so I'm not going to help." He cautiously pushed the ingredients away from him, watching with interest the anger that flared up on the girl's face. It's worth it. — Anyway,— the girl said calmly, somehow controlling her emotions, — But since you still came. Be kind and work.— she gave him an evil look, — In your case, just cut. — To be commanded by a girl... – Shut up and work! — Hermione exclaimed, unable to stand it. — Okay, okay, — the guy still gave up, pushing the ingredients towards him and armed with a small knife, began to wield it, cutting them into pieces. Silence finally fell between them and each of them was doing their own thing. After a while, when the ingredients were chopped, he carefully lowered them into a boiling cauldron while Hermione constantly stirred the bubbling potion, whose intoxicating smell spread through the potions room. — Hey, Granger, this potion smells like your disgusting perfume that you use every day! I advise you to change them. — Shut up, Malfoy! — The girl exclaimed sharply, immediately putting aside all the ingredients. From such a "confession", her cheeks suddenly turned bright red and the girl immediately turned away, just not to see this look. Snape, who was watching the pair work too hard, finally couldn't stand it and took a deep breath and slapped his forehead. — Can someone remind me what kind of potion this is? — in response to his question, among the Slytherins present, a hand instantly shot up, — I'm listening, Nott. — This potion is an Amortization, sir, — getting up from his desk, the young man calmly replied, pushing the fallen strands of blue-black hair into his eyes. Shifting his gaze towards Draco, he continued, — Or a love potion. It smells different to everyone. Depending on what you like. And yes, Draco...— A grin blossomed on his lips. – We all heard your comment. From such a loud statement from his classmate, Draco's face instantly turned purple. — Damn Theo, — Draco exclaimed rudely, glaring at him, at which Theodore let out a mocking laugh, and mischievous lights danced in his dark eyes. — And you don't have to be late for potions lessons, Draco, — he replied casually, sitting back down at his desk. — This will be a lesson for you.