Taboo

After lunch, the three of them headed down to Potions. There, they saw that not many students had made it to N.E.W.T. level. Among the dozen people in the room were Malfoy and Ernie Macmillan.

"Wonder what Slughorn's like," said Ron, sitting next to Ernie. Harry took the seat across from him.

"Anyone's better than Snape," said Harry as Slughorn entered the room.

"Welcome, welcome," said Slughorn, beaming at everyone. "I congratulate you all for making it to N.E.W.T. level." He followed with a short lecture and asked a few questions, all of which Hermione answered. "Now, please open your books to page ten. I would like you to attempt to make the Draught of Living Death. The person who does the best will win this bottle of Felix Felicis! You may begin."

Harry called Professor Sughorn over to explain his situation.

"Ah, no mater, m'boy," he said amiably. "I have ingredients in the store cupboard and I have some old books you may borrow for the time being." He thanked Slughorn and went to retrieve a book and ingredients.

During the lesson, Malfoy couldn't resist looking over at Hermione. Her face only showed concentration; she gave no indication that she had receive an anonymous note, his anonymous note. Unexpectedly, she looked straight at him, and they locked eyes for a split second. She quickly averted her eyes.

"Hermione," said Harry from her left. "Can I use your silver knife?" She nodded her consent. She stirred her cauldron, trying to concentrate, but failing, as she kept thinking about Malfoy's strange behavior yesterday.

"Hermione," said Ron, as he passed her on his way back from the store cupboard. "Why is Malfoy staring at you?"

"What?" she said, coming out of her reverie.

"Malfoy," repeated Ron. "He's staring at you."

"I don't think so, Ron," she said, shaking her head. "He's probably staring at Harry."

"Yeah, probably deciding which curse to use on me once I've got my back turned," muttered Harry, joining the conversation.

"Time's up!" called Slughorn, at the end of an hour. He wove his way between the tables to inspect their potions. For once, Hermione had not managed to brew a perfect potion; however, Harry had. Slughorn praised him, saying that he had his mother's talent. "Well, off you go then," he said, giving Harry the tiny bottle of lucky potion.

"Watch your back," said Ron out of the corner of his mouth as they exited the dungeons, Harry clutching his bottle of Felix Felicis.

"How did you do that, Harry?" asked Hermione, annoyed with herself for not focusing on her potion.

"Got lucky, I suppose," he said, shrugging. Malfoy was behind them, listening intently. He would tell Ron and Hermione what had really happened when they got into the common room.

---

After dinner that night, Harry received a message from Professor Dumbledore.

"He wants me to meet him in his office at eight tonight," said Harry, while Ron and Hermione read over his shoulder. "He wants to start private lessons right away."

"Then you'd better leave in a bit," said Hermione, checking the time. "You don't want to be late."

Harry sat down next to Ron and they began to work on Snape's essay. An hour later, Harry got up and stretched.

"Well, I've got to go," he said, heading for the portrait hole.

"Good lucky, Harry!" they called to him. He grinned and climbed out of the portrait hole. A few minutes later, Hermione shut her Ancient Runes book and told Ron that she had to leave too.

"What?" he said disbelievingly. "Where are you going?"

"Um, I have an appointment ...with my Ancient Runes professor," she lied, feeling guilty already.

"Great," said Ron gloomily. "Now I have to do Snape's essay by myself."

"I'll help you with it tomorrow," offered Hermione, trying to compensate.

"Fine then, he said, looking slightly happier as she left the common room.