The Beauty of First, Er, Second Love

The Beauty of, First, Er, Second Love

Chapter 2

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to Snape's class, talking about the letter and who could have sent it. Ron himself was absolutely befuddled as to who would write him a love letter and then include a poem on top of it. He ran through a list of possible people.

To Ron's way of thinking, it was probably a Gryffindor, but he wouldn't rule out any House, to be on the safe side. Well, except Slytherin for obvious reasons. Now, who had been acting strange around him lately?

Parvati Patil! She had most certainly been a basket case whenever Ron came around, always blushing and making excuses as to why she had some emergency or other. Now that he thought about it, Lavender had been doing the same thing. Last Hogsmeade weekend, the two of them had followed Harry, Ron, and Hermione around, showing up in the same places and finally annoying Hermione so much that she had asked them if they had an Insectationis Charm [1] on them. Embarrassed, they had fled, Hermione sniffing contemptuously as they went. They had avoided the three for a week after that, until Hermione made amends with them.

Okay, so Parvati and Lavender were definite possibilities. But who else? Ron wracked his brains, thinking back the past week or so.

Luna! Maybe she had made up the whole elaborate pen pal plan to get him to notice her. But wait. He frowned. Luna always acted a bit off. It was just a part of her wacky personality. Okay, maybe not Luna, but he wouldn't scratch her off the list until he was positive she wasn't a possibility.

Coming out of his thoughts, he realized they had reached the Potions classroom. The three hurried in and quickly sat down. To his chagrin, Lavender and Parvati sat directly in front of them, giggling and shooting glances at them out of the corners of their eyes.

He sighed. Hogwarts' Resident Airheads, as he'd privately come to call them, were really getting bothersome.

He drew his attention to the front of the room, where Professor Snape had entered in that sinister, bat like fashion he had perfected. Ron actually did entertain thoughts that Snape was quite possibly a vampire. He certainly had the look and personality down.

After looking disdainfully around at the Gryffindors, Harry in particular, Snape began to speak. He hadn't been too happy that several of the sixth year Gryffindors had managed to get in his N.E.W.T. Potions class, Neville in particular. But against all odds, Neville had succeeded. It turned out Neville had high hopes of being an Auror as well as Harry and Ron.

"Today, we will be brewing the Mendacium Potion. Can anyone tell me what this potion does?"

Hermione immediately raised her hand, but Snape ignored her in favor of Draco Malfoy. He nodded at Malfoy who immediately launched into a description of the potion.

"The Mendacium Potion enables a witch or wizard to lie. They can fabricate tales of any kind because this potion has no restrictions. It was developed in 1568 by Jegos Ubdejsov, a wizard of Russian and German descent. He frequently used this potion when hiding untruths from his wife. It was also thought to have been used by Death Eaters who wished to remain in hiding. Furthermore, the potion only lasts about 30 minutes after you swallow it."

There was silence as Malfoy smirked around the room at Harry and Ron. Ron felt his blood boil.

I bet his dear Daddy used that to make the Ministry think he was innocent! Ron fumed at the possibility, but refrained from dwelling on it as Snape spoke again.

"Correct, Mr. Malfoy. Twenty points to Slytherin. Now, the instructions are on the board," Snape flicked his wand, "and the ingredients are in the storeroom. When you are finished, put a sample in a flask and bring it to me for testing. And mind that you follow the instructions to the letter; the last thing we need is some dunce being poisoned."

Snape was glaring at Neville in particular as he said this. Neville, who once would have squeaked and began stammering at this look, now only turned slightly pink, but glared back at Snape nonetheless, who seemed shocked that Neville had it in him.

Turning away, Snape stalked back to his desk as the students moved to get up and get their ingredients.

Ron, feeling immensely pleased that Neville had finally quit bowing to Snape, gathered his ingredients and returned to his desk.

As he sat back down, he whispered his suspicions about Lucius Malfoy to Harry and Hermione. Harry appeared to be thinking it over, and presently said, "You know, that would make sense. I mean, we all know the Malfoys are evil enough to do it. But I wonder where he would have gotten it? Is that considered a Dark potion?"

"Well...not exactly," said Hermione.

"What do you mean, not exactly, Herm? If it enables you to tell whatever lies you want, it must be Dark!" Ron seemed as sure of this as he was of his hatred for all things Malfoy.

"It depends on the intent of the Potion. If you were using it to do wrong, then yes, but if it was for a good cause, then no." Hermione calmly began shredding her mugwort as she said this.

Ron looked at her as though he thought she had quite lost her head. Harry appeared to be thinking about her words as he set up his cauldron and began slicing his caterpillars.

"Excuse me, Hermione, but I've never yet known there to be a 'good' lie. If it's a lie, it's dishonest, right?" Ron was furiously chopping his own caterpillars as he waited for her answer.

"It depends," said Hermione, but before she could go on, Harry interrupted.

"I get it, Herm! Like if you deliberately kept something with the intention to cause pain or harm, it's bad. But if you do it to prevent hurt or pain, it's good, yeah?"

"You could say that," Hermione said thoughtfully, now adding a single unicorn tail hair to her potion. "I mean, it might not be for a good cause, but the intention is good. Maybe if Lucius Malfoy did use the potion, it was to prevent hurting Draco or his wife. We'll probably never know. But just so you know, Ron, I do think he did it to keep his Death Eater status hidden, not for a good reason."

Ron appeared satisfied with this answer, and they worked in silence until Snape finally called, "You should be done with your potions by now. Gather a sample and we'll test it out."

Snape waited until all the flasks of potion were before him, then selected one out of the bunch. Peering at the name on it, he looked at the class and said, "We will be testing Mr. Malfoy's potion. So... Potter, come up here. Now," he growled, when Harry made no move to get up.

Glaring at Snape, Harry walked to the front of the room and waited. Snape took a dropper and instructed Harry to stick out his tongue to receive the potion.

"If Mr. Malfoy has correctly produced a Mendacium potion, Potter will lie about anything we ask. Not that it would be a change from his usual person..."

Here, the Slytherins laughed, but Ron hissed under his breath. Git, he thought. Wonder what Snape would say if we fed the potion to him. Ron grinned maliciously as this thought entered his head, then turned back to the front of the room, where Snape was saying, "If the potion was incorrectly brewed, it is certain Potter will be poisoned." He almost seemed eager at this.

Harry swallowed nervously, but allowed Snape to dribble the potion on his tongue. He swallowed, grimacing at the taste, then looked up at Snape expectantly.

"So, Potter," Snape said, smirking. "How do you feel?"

"Fine," said Harry, looking surprised at this question. His eyes widened as he went on to say, "Except that Malfoy is looking very handsome today. Almost makes me want to snog him." A blush quickly flamed on Harry's face at these words.

Malfoy looked disgusted and said, "He's lying, right, Professor?"

Snape looked pleased as he said, "Yes, I believe so. Unless Potter has developed an attraction to you...have you, Potter?"

"Yes," Harry said, looking horrified.

The class laughed, but Hermione said, "He's lying, remember? The potion is working!"

"Well, then...Potter, when you came to Hogwarts, what did you think of Weasley?" Ron stared hard at Harry as he waited for his answer.

"Ron? Well, to be honest, I thought he was a right prat. I still don't like him, really." Harry looked mortified.

Ron grinned at this, and called, "A prat, huh? What did you think of Malfoy when you saw him on the train?"

The class looked at Harry, who responded, "I thought he was great! Who wouldn't want to be his friend?"

Laughter burst from all the Gryffindors; Harry himself was grinning at his words.

Malfoy looked furious, then spat, "Potter, I've got a question for you. You never answered when I asked last year how it felt coming in second to Weasley for Prefect. So, I'm asking again. How does it feel?"

"Well, obviously I'm very glad I lost out on it. Later, when I really thought about it, I realized I was furious that Dumbledore hadn't chosen me. So I guess you could say I was glad at first, then later I was angry."

Harry avoided looking at Ron as he said it, knowing he was furious. He couldn't really blame him after the drabble he'd spouted.

Ron was shocked, to say the least. Harry had been jealous of him? Usually it was the other way around, but here Harry was, admitting he had been upset he hadn't got Prefect. Of course, he'd also admitted he'd been happy for Ron later, which he appreciated. A warm glow spread through Ron at these words, while Malfoy looked disappointed.

"Thanks, mate," he called. "I've got another question for you. Are you glad you got into Gryffindor? Or would you rather have been put into another House?"

"I hate being a Gryffindor," Harry said sincerely. "It's the worst House of the lot! And I'm very upset I didn't get into Slytherin, it was the House I was hoping for and all. When I first heard about it, I remember thinking how much I wanted to be a Slytherin, especially after the great things I heard about the witches and wizards there." Harry looked grim as he said this last bit.

"So what House did you expect to get into?" Hermione had called this out, looking curious.

"Hufflepuff," and here Harry looked surprised, because it was the truth. "Professor, I think the potion is wearing off. That last bit is true."

The class chuckled, and a fair few looked surprised that Harry expected to be in Hufflepuff.

"Very well, Potter. Twenty- five points to Slytherin for a perfect Mendacium Potion, and twenty points from Gryffindor for that bit about my House, Potter. Class dismissed." Snape swept from the room, his cloak billowing out behind him.

"Wow, Harry, I never knew you thought you'd be a Hufflepuff!" said Hermione, looking shocked.

"Yeah, well, it was when I first heard about the Houses. All I knew for sure was I didn't want to be a Slytherin," Harry replied, not mentioning he almost had ended up there.

"Don't blame you, mate. I'd jump off the Astronomy Tower if I ended up in Slytherin. Mind you, I'd have to do it before Mum and Dad found out; they'd go round the bend for sure!"

Ron was piling a mound of mashed potatoes on his plate as he said this. The Gryffindors had come from the dungeons to eat lunch, then it was off to Transfiguration.

"I can't believe Snape took points just because you said you were glad you didn't get into Slytherin! What a --!" (Here Ron used a VERY bad word indeed.)

"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "You shouldn't talk about a professor that way! What if he heard you?"

Ron opened his mouth, probably to say where Snape could stick it, but before he could say anything, a barn owl swooped down and dropped a letter on his plate. On the front it said in curly script, as before:

Ron Weasley

Gryffindor Table

Great Hall

Hogwarts

"Not another one!" Ron groaned, banging his head on the table a few times. "Luna said it wouldn't be here till breakfast tomorrow!"

Harry was snickering into his roast beef; Hermione had seized the letter and proceeded to open it.

She glanced at it, then gave it to Ron, saying, "It's only telling you some of the things she likes, really. Here, read it."

She shoved the letter under Ron's nose. He took it as though waiting for it to bite, and unfolded it, to see what his Pen Pal had written.

Dear Ron,

I hope Potions wasn't too horrible for you. Snape really isn't fair to take points from all Houses except Slytherin.

I know I said I would write you tomorrow, but I couldn't wait. I had this all written and ready to send, so I thought, Well, why not send it now? I hope you don't mind.

Since I can't really tell you what House I'm in, I thought I might tell you some interests I have. I'd like it if you could do the same when you write me back, please.

Okay, well, my favorite color is purple. My dorm mates can't stand the fact that I have my side of the room in purple. It kind of clashes a bit. I also like blue and green as well.

I love reading, although I don't do it as much as Hermione Granger. I can't stand homework or exams. My favorite classes are Charms and Astronomy, and my favorite professor is Professor Sinistra.

I love Quidditch; my favorite team is the Montrose Magpies. I hear you like the Chudley Cannons? Well, they're all right, I suppose.

I also like unicorns, dragons and mermaids. Not the ones here, of course, I mean the ones in tropical areas. They are so lovely!

I suppose that's all I can tell you. If you were wondering, I'm a half blood. I trust this won't be a problem? From what I know of your family, I shouldn't think so.

I should go now; I have class in twenty minutes, and I'll be late if I don't go now. Please write me back soon, Ron!

Your Pen Pal

Ron read this through quickly, the points his pen pal had given stacking in his head.

An idea bulb flashed in Ron's mind, and he dug out a spare scrap of parchment. He quickly wrote down all the things the girl in his letter said she liked, taking particular note of her favorite colors and the fact that purple clashed in her dorm a bit.

Hermione watched, smiling, and said, "Do you plan on finding out who it is by taking down notes on her? Because if you do, I can help you."

Ron looked surprised at this offer, then nodded. "Yeah, okay, Herm. You have neater handwriting than me anyway."

He pushed the notes over to Hermione, who copied them down neatly on another piece of parchment.

After doing this, she took out another bit and said, "Ok, let's write your answer now."

Ron looked overjoyed, at least until Hermione said, "No, I'm not writing that. You are. I'm just lending you the parchment, since all yours is ruined. Go on, then, write her back."

Grumbling, Ron took the parchment. He ran through a list in his head of possible things to write, and finally settled upon this:

Dear Pen Pal,

I completely understand about Snape. My guess is you aren't in Slytherin since you said that. Ha!

I like lots of things. You are right about the Cannons, I've supported them since I was eight. The Magpies are all right as well.

My favorite color is blue. I hate all kinds of schoolwork. I don't have a favorite professor, but I can say that I hate Snape! I don't have a favorite class, unless you count meals. As for animals, I hate snakes and spiders, but I like dragons all right.

As for your blood, I'm not Malfoy. My best friends are a Muggleborn and a half blood, so it wouldn't make sense if I had a problem with your blood.

I should go now as well; Transfiguration is in half an hour. Ummm...have a nice day? Have fun in your classes? I'm really nothing but bollocks at letter writing, you know.

Ron

Hermione sighed as she read over Ron's shoulder. "Well, I suppose that will have to do. You should go give it to Luna now so she can give it to your pen pal. Hurry, we'll be late if we don't leave now."

Ron went over to the Ravenclaw table and tapped Luna on the shoulder. She turned, her protuberant eyes widening as she saw the letter in his hand. It made her look like an owl.

"Thank you, Ron! My friend will appreciate this so much!"

Ron blushed, mumbling, "It was nothing, really. Erm, I have to go. Transfiguration and Hermione waiting and...er... well, I have to go. Bye!"

Ron turned and ran out of the Great Hall.

Luna looked up and winked at a certain face at a certain table, holding up the letter. The person blushed and nodded, signaling for Luna to bring it over.

She rose and hurried over, putting the letter in front of her friend.

"Wow, he wrote back already! I wasn't expecting this until breakfast or lunch tomorrow!" The girl swept her hair off her face as she examined Ron's looping scrawl.

"I know. But the point is, he wrote back! So when are you planning on telling him who you are?"

"I really don't know. Let's see how it goes with writing letters first. If he asks to meet me, we can set something up. If not, well..." She sighed as this thought entered her mind. What if Ron found out who she was and didn't like her?

She shook her head and thought, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. "Well, I really should go, Luna. I have to get to Charms now. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay. Bye!" Luna hurried to her seat and collected her bag. She hoped Ron wasn't going to hurt her friend. She had fancied him for ages, but never had the nerve to do anything about it.

If he hurts her... Luna swept this thought away. Ron could be tactless, but he wasn't a jerk. Well, here's to Ron! She proceeded to cross her eyes, snarl and clap her hands three times. Thank goodness Dad wrote that article on Iceland's lucky symbolic movements, otherwise Ron would really be in trouble!

And humming to herself, she made her way to the grounds for Care of Magical Creatures.