Harry Potter and the Secret Potion

Seventeen-year-old Harry Potter came inside the Gryffindor dormitory - drenched in water from the rain that had been pouring all over England. He was carrying his beloved Firebolt broomstick.

The common room was practically empty except for Harry's two best friends - Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger - as well as a few fifth year Hogwarts students. Ron and Hermione were sitting by the fireplace talking when they looked up and saw Harry.

"Hey, Harry - how was Quidditch practice?" Ron asked him.

Harry groaned. "Awful. It was so dark that we could hardly see anything!"

Hermione shrugged. "Hey, you were the one who scheduled the practice for today. You are captain for the Gryffindor House team after all."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but I didn't realize that it would rain until it started right in the middle of our practice. And we really needed to practice for tomorrow's game against Slytherin House so I couldn't call it off until we were finished."

"Do you think Malfoy's still pissed at you for Gryffindor winning last year's House Cup?" Ron asked. "I mean, he's been acting worse towards you than ever before. You gotta be careful around him at tomorrow's game. Just don't let Malfoy get the Snitch!"

"I think Malfoy would be pissed at me even if neither of us had made the House teams," Harry replied. "I still can't believe he was voted captain for Slytherin last year...Malfoy really sucks at Quidditch. The only reason why he even made the team to begin with is because he had bought his way onto the team."

This time Hermione rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it," she said.

Ron smirked. "C'mon, Hermione...you think he's cute, don't you?" Ron paused. "After all, all of the girls at Hogwarts think Malfoy's cute. Right, Harry?"

Harry groaned again. "Unfortunately," he muttered. Harry threw down his Firebolt and sat in an armchair next to the fireplace, trying to get warm and dry. It wasn't as though Harry was bad-looking. With his jet-black hair (always messy, of course, no matter how many times he tried to fix it), bright green eyes, tall slim figure, Harry was good-looking indeed. The only thing that turned off most girls was the unique, lightning bolt scar right in the middle of his forehead.

It was this scar that made Harry Potter one of the most famous wizards in the world. But compared to Harry's archrival, Draco Malfoy, he unfortunately felt rejected. Malfoy had blonde hair and bright blue eyes but always had a sneer on his face, especially whenever he was around Harry.

Still, the girls always seemed to go for Malfoy instead of Harry. He couldn't believe that even his best friend, smart, intelligent, Hermione thought Malfoy was hot. Earlier that school year, there had been a rumor going around saying that Harry's long-time crush, Cho Chang (who'd graduated from Hogwarts the year before), was dating Malfoy. He knew the Slytherins had probably started it because everyone at school knew that Harry liked Cho, and they probably thought it would be a great way to get Harry upset.

Harry tried not to take the rumor too seriously, but he still wondered if it were really true or not. Malfoy could probably get any girl he wanted, no matter what...

"So what do you think, Harry?" Hermione demanded, interrupting Harry's thoughts. She was glaring at him, because she knew he had not been paying attention to her.

"Oh, sorry...what was that you just said?" Harry asked quickly, feeling a little dazed.

Hermione sighed. "I think you're tired, Harry. You did spend all day out on the Quidditch field. Maybe you should get some rest."

"No, I'm fine...really what were you saying?"

"He's fine, Hermione...besides, I'll bet he's hungry. Dinner will be ready soon," Ron protested.

Hermione rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Boys." She paused and stood up. "Well, I'm heading off to the library...I've got a lot of studying to do. I'll meet you in the Great Hall when it's time for dinner."

Ron and Harry watched Hermione leave the Gryffindor dormitory. They looked at each other when she left.

"Typical Hermione," Ron announced. "Always going off to the library."

"I think she's been spending even more time there ever since she was announced a prefect," Harry said. "Probably trying to prove how smart she really is."

Ron chuckled. "Yeah. Not that she really needs to...everyone already knows she's the smartest student at Hogwarts!"

Harry's stomach started growling. Ron was probably right - Harry was hungry. He hadn't eaten all day because of Quidditch practice. They both fell silent. Harry stared into the fire...that was when his scar started to burn.