The Legacy • Sebastian Sallow

CHAPTER 6 - Armortentia

I take my seat in Professor Sharps class and await as the room fills with other students. Poppy joins me at the table, giving me a warm welcome and asking me how my first night back was.
"It was good" I say, "Participated in the Slytherin tradition of pranking the first years and went to sleep. A fun night indeed"
Poppy laughed at my comment before her attention was reverted to Sharp storming through the classroom door.

"Take your seats please" he says as he stands infront of his desk, leaning back on the hard surface.
"I'm sure youre all exhilarated to be back at Hogwarts another year and I can see many eager face's wanting to catch up with their peers and discuss their adventures that occurred over the break. However." He stands up, beginning to stride around the room. "Need I remind you that this class is not an opportunity to diddly daddle with one another. This class is strictly to learn how to perfect potions which may come of great use to you one day. We are here to learn, create and perfect. I do not have time for students who do not take this class seriously". "Do you understand"
"Yes Professor" the class says in sync.
"Very well then, lets get started." He says, moving towards the potion stand brewing before him.

The potion is pouring out a pink, thick smoke and smells absolutely delightful. "Turn to page 361" he says. As the students begin to open their textbooks, I cannot help but be mesmerised by the smell brewing from the potion. It smells blissful. Like being in the Forbidden Forest on a rainy day. I can smell the rain dropping from the crisp, fresh leaves. The smell of pine radiating from the trees and a hint of... spearmint? What a peculiar potion.
"Oh this is positively amazing!" Poppy whispers, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Its Amortentia! The love potion!"
"Amor who?" I say in response.
"Amortentia. Its an extremely strong love potion. Apparently, it smells different for each person, its a reminder of the things they find the most attractive."
"They find most attractive? So you're telling me I find mint attractive?"
"Perhaps you love a boy who brushes their teeth?" She says, shrugging her shoulders.
"Oh that really narrows it down then" I say shaking my head with a laugh.

"For those of you who don't know, Amortentia causes a powerful infatuation or obsession from the drinker. It is an extremely dangerous potion and hence, we will not be creating it today, however, learning about the way in which it is altered for each individual." Professor Sharp says, moving towards the potion. "Miss Sweeting, if you will." He says, using his hand to motion Poppy to the front of the room. She hesitantly rises, making her way to the potion before inhaling its scent. "I smell... musk... and coconut. And perhaps a hint of cologne". She says.
"Very well Miss Sweeting, you may return to your seat. Mister Sallow, perhaps you would like a turn." He says, motioning for Sebastian to join him infront of the class.
Sebastian strides to the front of the room. "My pleasure Professor" he says, leaning down and taking a whiff of the potion.

Sebastian furrows his eyebrows in confusion before he takes a sniff of the potion once more. "That's strange." He says. "I smell... i think strawberry? And maybe a hint of vanilla? It smells like one of my sisters candles... I think I can smell... perhaps the forest too?". "Ah yes, very interesting Mister Sallow". He looks at Ominis who is grinning like a Cheshire Cat, shooting him a michevious glare. Sebastian uncomfortably walks back to his seat, nudging Ominis on his shoulder as he sits back down.

What was that all about?

Poppy leans in to my shoulder, "Rosie... don't freak out but... you smell like strawberries and vanilla..."
"Well I mean I did wash my hair this morning with my strawberry shampoo and I did use perfume this morning. Im going to have to cast a charm on it to prevent Imelda from usin-"
I stop my sentence as the realisation hits me like a brick.
"You don't think-"
"Actually, I do think" she replies, smiling as she shifts her eyes in Sebastians direction.
"Oh come on Poppy, do you know how many girls probably have strawberry shampoo and perfume that smells like vanilla. Sebastian said it smelt like a candle too. Plenty of girls have candles and considering the popularity of a vanillia scented candle, I doubt it." I say as i fidget with my quill pen.
"Rosie. The forest. Youre always in the forbidden forest. Think of how many times you've been there on adventures, assignments and quests. Dont be daft." She says before Professor Sharp clears his throat. "Alright everyone that's all we have time for today. Do remember your homework will be due next class, no excuses. You are dismissed."

As I stand from my seat, I watch as Sebastian jets out of the room, Ominis laughing behind him. I approach Ominis, eager to figure out what's got Sebastian in a rutt. "What's his deal?" I ask.
"It seems Sebastian has finally had to face the reality of a situation I have been declaring for a year." He says, proud of the aftermath of todays class. "See you in Flying class". And with that, he swiftly exits the room, leaving me in nothing but utter confusion.