Disclaimer: Insert standard disclaimer here that states what everyone knows. J. K. Rowling is the genius behind the Harry Potter series; I'm just a shmo.
Update info for 3/8/04 ----- Hello everyone and thank you for your kind reviews! I want to try and explain why errors went unfixed and why no updates have been posted. When I first uploaded the 3 chapters, it wasn't long before mysteriously my connection wouldn't work in I tried to reload the site and relogin but it told me the login had been disabled for a few hours, and to come back in a little bit. This went on for roughly 36 hours or so, depite having already fixed most of the errors throughout the 3 chapters. Then it came time for me to leave on a 3 day trip to megacon in florida, so I've been gone and away from my PC for the past 3 days. I'm sorry for the lateness of the updates and corrections, however I did try to explain my problem in the reviews section, though I think by in large most people missed it. / Oh well, please enjoy the corrections, and the updates.
Adam
Author's note: This story takes place around the middle of Harry's last term of his 5th year. I'm tempted at the end of this to begin a "sixth book" since my love of the Harry Potter series is in rabid anticipation for the final two installments, but I can't see myself work too hard to try and match Rowling's ability for mystery and intrigue since it would be a losing battle.
Harry wrinkled his nose in distaste as he followed the corridors to Snape's classroom to partake in his least of favorite subjects: Potions. Hermione and Ron walked with him oblivious to his apparent displeasure with their next class, as they were busy with what Harry could only assume was considering their own displeasure's with various degrees of foreboding. Snape had announced rather abruptly at the conclusion of their last meeting that their next class would be a midterms exam. The focus of this exam is what made Harry feel all the more dread: Individual projects.
They were assigned to bring the required ingredients of a potion of their choosing and be graded on the level of difficulty and success of their choice. Harry could already see how the test would be overly biased, as Crabbe and Goyle could sooner paint the Mona Lisa, as bake a mud pie, yet he was sure they would pass. He, on the other hand as Snape's personal whipping boy, was doomed before he began.
Harry let a long-winded sigh, which seemed to finally catch Hermione's attention and she gave a reproachful look. "Oh, it's not that bad, Harry! Just go in there and make your potion. I'm sure you'll do fine! Snape can't flunk you if your potion is at least correct."
"Wanna bet?" Harry quipped.
"What's with the rat, Hermione?" Ron asked, not particularly fond of rodents anymore.
"It has to do with testing the results of my potion, so you'll see."
Ron gave a meaningful glance at Harry.
They rounded the corner to Snape's classroom to catch sight of Harry's most favorite of people. "Well well, if it isn't Potter and his faithful companions."
"Well well, if it isn't Malfoy delivering yet another redundant greeting," Hermione retorted. "You need a new line, Draco."
"Nobody asked your opinion, mudblood," Malfoy sneered.
Harry noticed Ron ball his fist and gave a warning squeeze to his shoulder. "Stuff it Malfoy," he began, but noticed Snape emerge from his office and without another word pulled Ron after him into the classroom, with Hermione following after.
Snape called for quiet, which as usual was unnecessary, as each student was seated and perfectly still, and began to review the requirements of their exam.
"As you all well know, today is your midterm exam. You were to prepare the ingredients necessary prior to this class and have them on hand to create a potion of your choosing. You will be graded on the level of difficulty of your potion and your results. Now..." Snape paused to give a sweeping look about the class. "Let us see if you've learned anything." He gave a final glance at Harry at these words. "You may begin."
The class began to dig into their bags and extract the ingredients for each of their chosen projects. Harry had decided to keep the difficulty level of his to an average level to make sure he could pull it off perfect. It was a potion Snape had shown them only a semester before to cure Bungadill hives. It wasn't Harry's idea of a picnic as this meant he had to bring a tonic to produce bungadill hives, but it had been one of the better potions he could be sure to concoct.
He gave side-glances to Ron and Hermione, as they began to empty the ingredients into their cauldrons. Ron had informed him that he was going to attempt a hair growth tonic, which was supposed to make the hair on your head grow long. While the difficulty level was somewhat lower than Harry's, he was sure to get it right. Hermione on the other hand had said her potion was a secret and would offer nothing more to their inquiries.
As Harry continued to add the ingredients to his potion in the specified order, he kept finding himself distracted as Malfoy would continuously snicker and whisper between Crabbe and Goyle. It didn't take long to locate the source of their glee as he caught sight of Neville's potion. Harry couldn't begin to speculate on what it was supposed to be, but judging by it's appearance and the look of doom Neville seemed to radiate, he could be sure it wasn't coming along well. Neville appeared to sense that it was him, Malfoy was laughing at and apparently was making it more difficult for him to continue.
"Why don't you shut it, Malfoy." Harry whispered flatly, trying to make sure his voice didn't carry to Snape.
"Mind your own business Potter," Malfoy drawled. "I wouldn't want to see you get distracted and ruin your precious potion. What exactly is it anyway, something to perhaps shrink your over-sized head?" Crabbe and Goyle guffawed at Malfoy's insult.
"Actually I was working on weasel repellent, but since your still here, I must not be finished."
Malfoy glared daggers at Harry, and Harry was quick to return the gesture.
"Ignore them Harry." Harry heard Hermione whisper.
"I know, I know," he acknowledged, deflated.
"Neville, don't add that yet, add the suffragia pepper first." Hermione called out of the corner of her mouth. Harry felt a bit amazed that she had figured out what it was he was trying to make.
"Uh... Right." Neville answered. Malfoy and his two goons crowed louder at Neville's apparent confusion.
"Leave him alone," Harry snapped sharply in a harsh whisper at Malfoy.
"And whose going to make me?" Malfoy asked slyly. "You?"
"Harry don't," Ron warned.
"Yes Potter, you wouldn't want to get hurt. Why try anything rash and you might just trip over your fat-head."
Ron noticed Harry's face grow red.
"Neville," Malfoy called in mock concern. "I think you dropped your sheep's tongue in the floor." Neville turned to look, giving Crabbe just enough time to switch one of Neville's ingredients with something that looked similar.
Hermione gasped when she saw what it was and tried to warn Neville, but he didn't seem to hear as he reached for it and began to drop it in.
"Neville don't!" Harry cried out and bolted from behind his desk to Neville's side, but was too late. Neville dropped in the ingredient, which caused his potion to blow outward knocking Harry back into Hermione's desk bringing her concoction down on top of him, her cauldron striking him in the head. A small whiz of something created from Neville's potion flew through the air knocking into Ron's cauldron sending it splashing to the floor and onto Harry. Harry blacked out.
That's chapter one! For now the chapters are pretty short, but they may get longer as I see fit.
Adam