Canon Secrets (A Dramione Story)

Half-Blood Prince Pt. 2: Love

Hermione Pov

Once Hermione entered Slughorn's classroom, she sucked in her breath quickly at the sight of Draco in the corner. Yesterday had been the first day of school, and while she had Care of Magical Creatures (which she knew he dropped after their third-year fiasco), she had hoped to see him in Charms. When he hadn't been there, but Blaise was, she took a seat next to him. She asked him if he knew what was going on with Draco, but Blaise just shrugged and leaned over to find something in his bag.

Seeing Draco today was a relief, but also a reminder of how different he looked and brought the question back of why he had been avoiding her. She tried to catch his eye but he was determinedly staring at the ground with his arms crossed. She crossed the classroom and just as she was about to reach him, Slughorn entered with a few more students coming in right behind him. Pansy, Katie, Lavender, and Romilda pushed their way to the front and came to a stop between Hermione and Draco.

Looking around, Hermione was relieved to see that Harry and Ron weren't in this class as this would enable Draco and her to be a little less sneaky. When Slughorn reached the front of the classroom, the class quieted down and Slughorn started speaking. "Welcome, class! Since you all have been through the first few days of school many times before, we'll just jump right to the learning. Today we will be making the Draught of Living Death and we'll do it as a little competition. For the Draught of Living Death attention to detail in the preparation is the prerequisite of all planning."

When Slughorn paused, the whole class could hear the footfalls of two students in the hallway. As the footsteps finally reached the classroom, Harry and Ron walked through the open door. Slughorn turned around and saw them. "Harry, my boy, I was beginning to worry. You brought someone to us, I see."

"Ron Weasley, sir," Ron introduced himself. Hermione glanced over at Lavender when she sighed. Lavender never had been good at hiding her feelings, especially when it came to crushes. First, there was Seamus, then Ernie, then Cedric, and finally Ron. Honestly, Hermione wanted them to get together so Ron would stop flirting and move on with his life. "But I'm dead awful at Potions; a menace, actually, so I'm just gonna..."

Ron made a run for the door but was stopped by Harry. "Nonsense, we'll sort you out. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine," said Slughorn. "Get your books out."

"Uh, sorry, sir, I haven't actually got my book, and nor does Ron." Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes at her friends' utter lack of preparation for any classes, even ones they weren't planning to take.

"Not to worry, get what you want from the cupboard. Now, as I was saying, I've prepared some concoctions this morning. Any ideas what these might be?" Hermione had been observing the three cauldrons since she came in and her hand shot up. "Yes, Miss..."

"Granger," Hermione filled in helpfully. She noticed in her peripheral vision that Draco's gaze immediately shot over to her when he heard her voice, and she smiled. "That one there is Veritaserum; it's a truth-telling serum. And that one is Polyjuice Potion which can change your appearance and is terribly tricky to make. Then this last one is Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell different to each person depending on what attracts them." Hermione swallowed nervously as the scent started seeping into her nose. "For example, I smell..." She paused, inhaling. The smell was one of the best things she had ever smelled; like home. It took her a moment to pick out the three different scents and she immediately knew she would have to lie because the smell was so distinctive. She quickly came up with three random smells and spit them out without a second thought. "Freshly mown grass, new parchment, and spearmint toothpaste."

Once Hermione finished she quickly walked back to where she was standing before, glancing over at Draco just to find he was staring at the ground again. "Now, Amortentia doesn't create actual love -- that would be impossible -- but it does cause powerful infatuation or obsession. For that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." Slughorn set the cauldron lid back on with a clang, breaking Pansy, Lavender, Katie, and Romilda out of their "trance". Hermione had no need for a love potion since she was already taken, but Amortentia was interesting and she would have to study up on it.

"Sir, you haven't told us what's in that one." Katie nodded towards the small glass vial which was placed in its holder.

"Ah, yes." Slughorn reached over and screwed out the vial. "What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen is a curious little potion known as Felix Felicis but it is more commonly referred to as..."

"Liquid Luck," Hermione couldn't help but cut in.

"Yes, Ms. Granger. Liquid Luck," Slughorn said slowly, reiterating. "Desperately tricky to make; disastrous should you get it wrong. One sip and you shall find that all of your endeavors should succeed. At least until the effects wear off." Slughorn chuckled and put the vial back in its holder. "So, this is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vial of Liquid Luck for the student who in the hour that remains, manages to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death. The recipe for which should be found on page ten of your books. I should point out, however, only once did a student manage to brew a potion of sufficient quality to claim this prize. Nevertheless, good luck to you all, and let the brewing commence."

###

"What a letdown!" Parvati exclaimed as the girls left the Potions class.

"I know! Since when did Harry get so good at Potions?! He didn't even get an "O" on his OWLs last year!" Padma agreed with her twin.

"Well, I think he deserved it," Romilda defended. Hermione just rolled her eyes and continued walking silently between Lavender and Katie. The five other girls were still arguing over who really deserved the Liquid Luck when a hand reached out from a broom closet and pulled her in. Her shriek was muffled by the pale hand clamping over her mouth and she could see through the crack in the door the other girls continuing on their route.

The familiar smell that had just shown up in the Amortentia surrounded her and she relaxed against Draco's body. "What did you smell?" Draco asked into her ear.

"Hmm?" she asked contentedly, glad to be back in his warm embrace.

"What did you smell in the Amortentia?"

She twisted in his arms so her head was resting on his shoulder and told him. "I smelled you. I smelled your cologne, green apples, and the spearmint toothpaste part was true. How did you know I was lying?"

"The steam turned red when usually it's green."

"See, you could have easily won that Liquid Luck!" Hermione pulled away to make eye contact. "Why didn't you?"

"I wasn't focused," he stated simply.

"And why?" she asked, pushing. "Why weren't you focused? Draco, you didn't respond to my messages all summer! I know something is going on and if you would just tell me, I could help."

Draco just shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, a tell Hermione had picked up on through the years that indicated he was nervous. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I can't tell you. We have to go so we don't miss our next class." He reached for the door and even though she knew he was right, she didn't want to leave him.

"Draco." She reached out and grabbed his sleeve, stopping him, "It was nice seeing you again."

He gave her a faint smile and leaned down to kiss her lightly, his hands holding on to her arms. "You, too, Hermione. You too," he murmured against her lips before backing away and ducking out of the closet.

Hermione closed the door behind him, planning to wait a few minutes, so as not to look suspicious, and slid down the wall so she was sitting on the floor. She rested her head against her knees and felt a tear slide down her face. She hastily wiped it away, but the sadness lingered. The despair over how heartbroken Draco looked, how he was obviously going through so much but refused to tell her, and the pain over the way she couldn't help but feel he didn't want her anymore. She let a few more tears slide down her face before steeling herself and entering the real world again.

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-Ms. Scarlet