It Takes Every Flavor

It Takes Every Flavor

By Maggie Fields

"Harry, I can't believe you would do something so stupid! I mean, you KNOW that Bludgers are dangerous." Hermione's scolding was almost--but not quite--loud enough to echo off the infirmary walls. Ron shot her an annoyed glare.

"Oh, give it a break. Don't you think a broken leg is lesson enough for him?" Harry grinned slightly at his redheaded friend, wiping it off his face immediately as Hermione turned to roll her eyes at them both. After a moment, Hermione grinned despite herself and passed the bag of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans to the two boys, who dug in immediately.

"Yuck! I think that was dirt!"

"Strawberry shortcake. Delicious."

"...Do they make ones that are actually flavored like paint chips? I think this one might just be..."

It wasn't until about the fifth round of beans that things got really interesting. Harry picked up a milky-colored bean, flecked with white. "I bet this one is pina colada." He placed it quickly in his mouth before Hermione could snatch it out of his hand. His face immediately turned a very curious shade, as if it couldn't decide whether to be scarlet, purple, or completely pale.

Hermione, ever the mother hen, immediately placed a hand on his arm. "You're not choking are you? Should I go get Madame Pomfrey?"

If possible, Harry's face changed color even more. The bean still in his mouth, he muttered just loud enough to be heard. "No, I'm fine. It just...surprised me. I didn't know they made them in this flavor." His face continued to shift colors like a confused chameleon.

Hermione opened her mouth. "What flavor is it? They make them in every flavor you know...it's on the package, silly." She did not appear to believe they would have left any flavor at all out. Harry wondered if she also believed all the commercials she saw on t.v. too. He opened his mouth to reply, although he had no idea what he was going to say.

"It tastes like--" the door at the other end of the hall flew open, and several members of the Slytherin Quidditch team stormed in, loudly, calling for Madam Pomfrey. The two beaters were carrying a body slung between them. In a moment, it became obvious that it was none other than the Slytherin Seeker. Draco's pale hair was matted with blood, and he was staring around rather blankly. Harry assumed that the injury must be quite severe for the normally attention-demanding boy to be silent. Harry's eyes flickered briefly in what--had either of his best friends been watching--could be interpreted as concern. Their eyes met, briefly, and Harry swallowed reflexively.

Hermione turned away from the spectacle at the other end of the hall and prompted Harry to continue. She had no time for Slytherin antics. "It tasted like...?"

Harry was still staring down at the other end of the hall. "Like cum--cucumbers, I mean. Cucumbers." His face, which had been returning to approximately normal shades, immediately resumed its impression of Neville's latest potions creation. Hermione's cheeks flushed a bit moments later. She didn't say anything though. She looked very thoughtful, as if she had just found a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle. Ron appeared to have missed the entire conversation.

At the other end of the hall, the Slytherin beaters, at Madam Pomfrey's direction, placed the now unconscious Seeker on the cot nearest the door. She glanced down at the Gryffindors. "You two, out. Visiting hours are up. Patients only for the rest of the evening." Ron and Hermione grumbled, but picked up their books and got up to leave. Hermione rested her hand on Harry's shoulder and gave him what she intended to be a glare of significance. In his exhausted state, though, it appeared to him as a simple glare. She muttered a quick goodbye and left, bumping into Madam Pomfrey as they left. She went to her office to prepare a potion for the bleeding Slytherin, leaving the two injured boys alone in the room, one immobile and one comatose. Harry closed his eyes and fell into an uneasy sleep.