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<div class="chap-title">
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1. Chapter 1
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</div>
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>Thanks to everyone who stuck with me through TPA and TPJ. Now prepare for
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TPM!</em></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>The Potions Master</strong></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 1</strong></p>
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<p>"So let's establish some ground rules," Snape said as he allowed his gaze to meet
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each and every child now present in the sitting room. "You will all go to bed at a
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decent hour, namely midnight at the latest. I will not have anyone running around
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past that time or there will be severe consequences."</p>
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<p>Snape was glad to see that he still instilled fear in at least some of Harry's
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cohorts. Perhaps they would be able to keep the rest of the miscreants in line.</p>
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<p>"Ms Granger, Ms Lovegood and Ms Weasley will be sleeping in the guest room at the
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end of the hall. Under no circumstances are you allowed to mingle with the boys after
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midnight. Break this rule and I will send you straight home, even if it is the middle
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of the night. Your door must always be open –"</p>
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<p>Harry groaned loudly and he let his head fall back in exasperation.</p>
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<p>" – And the lights must be on for as long as you're awake," Snape said, glaring at
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his defiant son. "I will tolerate no funny business whatsoever."</p>
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<p>"Severuuuus," Harry whined, clearly annoyed with Snape's spiel.</p>
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<p>Snape narrowed his eyes and glared menacingly before speaking in a tone of voice
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that many people who didn't know Snape all that well would consider dangerous. "Your
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parents have entrusted all of you into my care," he said softly, "And I will make
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sure that they do not have to regret that decision. I am well aware of what goes on
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in the teenage mind –"</p>
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<p>"Merlin, that's enough!" Harry interrupted, hastily jumping to his feet. Hermione
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was stifling her laughter, covering her mouth with her right hand. Draco wasn't even
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trying to cover up. He simply chuckled in amusement.</p>
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<p>For Harry's birthday party, Snape had agreed that he would be allowed having
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people over for a slumber party. The number of people he was allowed to ask had been
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limited but already, Snape was wondering if he had allowed just a tad too much. All
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in all, there were six people present which didn't seem like a whole lot but if you
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considered them to be young adults, it put everything in perspective.</p>
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<p>The fact that Harry would invite Ms Granger had been a given. The fact that he had
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invited Ms Weasley had been nothing short of surprising. Subsequently, the redheaded
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girl had apparently bothered Harry about inviting Ms Lovegood as well which Harry had
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not refused for whatever reason. The youngest Weasley boy had also been a given but
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Draco had been somewhat less obvious.</p>
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<p>While the boy had become a good friend in Harry's sixth year, there had been the
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most unfortunate events that had befallen the blonde and Snape hadn't been entirely
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sure if Draco had recovered enough on an emotional level to be a part of such an
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energetic occasion as this one. And yet, the boy had jumped on the opportunity and
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was among the first to confirm.</p>
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<p>"Have I made myself clear or need I repeat myself?" Snape asked, crossing his
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arms.</p>
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<p>"Yeah, we get it already," Harry replied, clearly wanting to escape this awkward
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situation as fast as he could. Snape redirected his glare toward the other
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children.</p>
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<p>"Don't worry, Professor," Luna said dreamily, "I'm sure everyone understood.
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Harry's just a bit shy, that's all."</p>
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<p>"Very well," Snape nodded, "Then I permit you to go to your room and do whatever
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it is that children to during a slumber party."</p>
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<p>Not having to be told that they were free for a second time, the kids bolted
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upstairs to Harry's room, nearly tripping over each other in their haste. Only Luna
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had the common sense to walk like a normal person, waiting patiently for the pile of
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people in front of her to clear up before ascending the stairs as well, but not
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before waving goodbye to Snape with a somewhat disconcerting smile curling her
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lips.</p>
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<p>When all children had disappeared from sight, Snape sighed deeply and sunk into
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one of his chairs. This was going to be a long night.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>"Muffliato," Harry mumbled as he pointed his wand. Now that he had finally turned
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seventeen, he was legally allowed to use magic without any repercussions. And it's
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not as if Snape had told him that he wasn't allowed to. Harry passed around glasses
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of juice and chocolate biscuits as everyone either took a seat or laid down on the
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floor.</p>
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<p>"What does he even think we'll get ourselves into?" Draco asked incredulously.</p>
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<p>"Sex, I assume," Luna said matter-of-factly.</p>
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<p>It came so out of the blue that Hermione sputtered helplessly into her juice while
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Ron all but choked on the biscuits he had already shoved in his mouth.</p>
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<p>"Luna, that's mental!" Harry exclaimed, "There's six of us here! I doubt he would
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think any one of us would try anything like that with an audience."</p>
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<p>"Unless he expects an orgy," Draco offered.</p>
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<p>Ginny frowned in disgust. "That's going a bit far, don't you think? Let's just
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agree he has nothing to worry about."</p>
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<p>"Naturally," Draco replied evenly, "The logistics simply wouldn't work."</p>
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<p>"Yeah, <em>that's</em> the problem," Hermione replied sardonically,
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"Logistics."</p>
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<p>"So, who's up for a game!" Ron interrupted, his face still red and tearstained
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from choking on the biscuits.</p>
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<p>"A game sounds absolutely wonderful," Luna said airily. She leaned back and rested
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her weight on her arms, sitting cross-legged on the floor.</p>
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<p>"Got anything in mind, Weasley?" Draco asked, gesturing for him to go right
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ahead.</p>
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<p>"How about 'Never have I ever'?" Ron suggested.</p>
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<p>"Do you even know the rules to that game?" Draco replied, "You're supposed to
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drink if you've done what is suggested. We have no booze up here."</p>
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<p>"We have pumpkin juice," Harry suggested.</p>
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<p>"I believe that the joy of the game lies in getting to know each other better
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rather than drinking ourselves into a stupor," Luna said happily.</p>
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<p>Draco rolled his eyes at the airheaded Ravenclaw but she didn't seem to take
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notice. Either that or she didn't really mind.</p>
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<p>"I think it sounds like fun," Hermione said, "Let's try it!"</p>
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<p>"It's your birthday, Harry, so you should probably go first," Ginny offered.</p>
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<p>"Well okay," Harry said. He lay flat on his stomach in his bed, his head propped
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up on his arms as he gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling.</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever worn a dress," he said.</p>
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<p>"Lame!" Ginny shouted but she took a sip anyway. So did Hermione and Luna.</p>
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<p>"Okay, my turn," Ron said since he was sitting to Harry's left. "Never have I
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ever… seen a live Snallygaster."</p>
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<p>"That's even lamer," Harry commented but he drank. So did Draco and Luna. Harry
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blinked. He knew that Draco probably had to drink but Luna as well?</p>
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<p>"My mother used to be friends with one," Luna said happily, "Though she turned
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invisible when someone unfamiliar approached, she always showed herself for me."</p>
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<p>"Sure…" Draco said, "If you say so. You're up Lovegood."</p>
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<p>"Well, never have I ever kissed someone in a romantic sort of way."</p>
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<p>Instantly, four faces became bright red as all five of the others sipped their
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juice.</p>
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<p>"What?" Ron all but shouted, "Ginny, you kissed some bloke? Who was it?"</p>
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<p>"And you kissed someone as well!" Ginny retorted, "Care to elaborate on
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<em>that</em>?"</p>
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<p>"Way to go, Potter," Draco chuckled as he slapped Harry on the back, "Didn't know
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you had it in you. When was this?"</p>
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<p>"Hey, don't look at me!" Harry exclaimed, "Hermione also drank. Why don't you
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harass <em>her</em> about it?"</p>
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<p>"Oh, leave her alone, will you?" Ron said, "There's no need for this. We're all
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grown up here. Well –" he eyed Ginny disapprovingly "- <em>Almost</em> all of us
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are."</p>
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<p>"There's only a year's difference between us," Ginny said haughtily, "It's not my
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fault that you're a late bloomer."</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever," Draco jumped in, "Fallen in love." He grinned as if that was
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a good thing.</p>
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<p>Once again, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione all drank. Luna didn't but seemed quite
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happy about that. From the corner of his eye, Harry tried to gauge Ginny's reaction
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but didn't seem very able to place it. She was just blushing fervently but that could
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be because of a number of reasons. He was so caught up in staring at her that the
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didn't notice the awkwardness between Ron and Hermione.</p>
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<p>When Ginny gathered her senses, she thought of her own question twirling her hair
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around her index finger as she did. Her beautiful red hair that gleamed like a
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summer's sunset, cascading down her slender neck.</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever had a crush on a teacher," Ginny said. She grinned from ear to
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ear as she looked at Hermione, wiggling her eyebrows. Ducking somewhat, Hermione
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sipped her juice.</p>
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<p>"What?" Ron exclaimed loudly, "Who?"</p>
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<p>"Lockhart," Hermione admitted, "But that was before we found out he was a
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fraud."</p>
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<p>"Anyone else?" Ron asked, looking around the room, "No crushes on Snape or
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McGonagall? Alright then, Hermione. You're up!"</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever gone commando," Hermione said. The purebloods of the party
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frowned.</p>
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<p>"What's commando?" Ron asked curiously.</p>
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<p>"Not wearing any underwear underneath your clothes," Harry supplied.</p>
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<p>No one had to take a sip, that time.</p>
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<p>"Good to know," Luna said, smiling tenderly.</p>
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<p>Harry scratched his hand absentmindedly, thinking of a new question.</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever…" he stalled, "received an allowance."</p>
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<p>Everyone took a sip, even Ron and Harry grinned victoriously. "Ah, see? I suppose
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I should be more Slytherin about this if I want to win."</p>
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<p>"Is anyone even keeping score?" Hermione chuckled.</p>
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<p>"I am," Draco said, "And I am winning."</p>
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<p>"Oh, pish-posh," Ron said, punching Draco playfully in the shoulder. "Let's see.
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Never have I ever used Snape's given name."</p>
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<p>Draco and Harry shrugged at each other before drinking.</p>
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<p>It was Luna's turn again, "Never have I ever almost died twice in a year's
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time."</p>
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<p>"Hold up," Draco said, "What qualifies as almost?"</p>
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<p>"Be honest with yourself," Luna said, "If you feel you were in mortal peril at
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some point, you probably were."</p>
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<p>All five of Luna's friends took a sip.</p>
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<p>"You know, it would appear I'm rather good at this," Luna chuckled.</p>
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<p>"You definitely know how to get to us," Ron agreed, "It's a good thing this stuff
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isn't fire whiskey or we would all be wasted already."</p>
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<p>"We could always sneak a bottle from Severus' stash if you want to up the ante,"
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Draco suggested slyly.</p>
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<p>"Absolutely not," Harry objected, "Severus would throw a major fit if he found
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out."</p>
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<p>"He won't," Draco said, "I'm a Slytherin."</p>
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<p>"Well, he's the master of all things Slytherin," Harry countered, "He would know
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what you're trying to pull within minutes."</p>
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<p>"Ugh, fine!" Draco said exasperatedly, "You're all acting like a bunch of
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Gryffindors!"</p>
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<p>"Thanks!" replied the golden trio in unison.</p>
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<p>"Which reminds me," Draco said, "Never have I ever been sorted into
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Gryffindor."</p>
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<p>Four collective groans sounded before four outwitted Gryffindors took their
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mandatory sip of pumpkin juice.</p>
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<p>"I wonder if the sorting hat would still put us in our respective houses if it
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needed to choose again," Ginny said.</p>
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<p>"Oh, I will always be a Slytherin," Draco said proudly.</p>
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<p>"I don't know," Luna said smiling brightly, "You can be very brave Draco. I've
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seen it! You might do well in Gryffindor."</p>
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<p>Draco made a face in disgust. "Don't say that, Loonie! He groaned.</p>
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<p>"Don't call her that!" Ginny shouted all of a sudden.</p>
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<p>"Yeah," Harry agreed, "That's not nice."</p>
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<p>"Oh, it's quite alright," Luna said happily, "Isn't giving each other nicknames
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something friends do?"</p>
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<p>"Not those kinds of nicknames," Ginny grumbled, "Take it back, Malfoy!"</p>
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<p>"Yeesh, fine!" Draco said, raising his hands in defence, "Sorry, Lovegood. I
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didn't mean that. Just don't sort me into Gryffindor."</p>
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<p>"Oh, I could never," Luna said dreamily, "Only the sorting hat can do that."</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever called anyone a mudblood," Ginny said haughtily. Draco flushed
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a bit but sipped his juice as he glared at the redheaded Weasley girl.</p>
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<p>"Somewhat below the belt, don't you think?" He commented, "Perhaps you would do
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well in Slytherin."</p>
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<p>Ginny huffed but said nothing.</p>
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<p>"Never have I ever handed in an assignment too late," Hermione said cheerfully.
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The others groaned loudly and finished their drink.</p>
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<p>"I've had quite enough of this," Ron said, "What about you, mate?"</p>
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<p>Harry thought that the game might end up causing a fight between Draco and Ginny
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sooner or later and would rather prevent that. Naturally, he would need to pick
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Ginny's side and that would make Draco feel even more left out than he already was.
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No, better to call it quits now.</p>
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<p>"Yeah, I guess," Harry agreed, "Any other suggestions?"</p>
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<p>"Truth or dare is a classic," Ginny suggested, "I hear even muggles play it."</p>
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<p>"Isn't that a bit cliché?" Draco drawled.</p>
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<p>"Well, what would <em>you</em> suggest?" Ginny snapped, "Hide and go seek?"</p>
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<p>"With Potter and his invisibility cloak?" Draco huffed, "Never!"</p>
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<p>"Okay, Harry," Luna said, "Truth or dare?"</p>
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<p>"I would go with truth," Harry said since he did not feel up to doing much of
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anything.</p>
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<p>"Okay, Harry. What would you like to do once we're done with Hogwarts?"</p>
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<p>"Luna!" Ron said, "What a waste! We all know he wants to be an Auror."</p>
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<p>"I don't think that's true," Luna smiled.</p>
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<p>Harry cleared his throat uncomfortably, swishing his glass of juice. It's true
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that for a year now, he thought that becoming an Auror was no longer what he wanted.
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He had faced enough dark wizards and creatures in mortal combat to last him a
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lifetime. And even though many people would argue that he was particularly good at
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duelling, he didn't think he wanted to make a living out of it anymore.</p>
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<p>It was all well and good when there was still a very real chance that Voldemort –
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and after that, Lucius – were going to kill him. For a long time, Harry thought he
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wasn't even going to make it into adulthood. That made the statement that he wanted
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to become an Auror all the more frivolous and easy to say. It was – in his mind
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anyway – no more than wishful thinking.</p>
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<p>But no. What he wanted now was a life of peace and quiet. He didn't want to
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endanger himself anymore and what's more, he didn't want to endanger the people
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closest to him.</p>
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<p>When Harry noticed everyone was staring at him, he couldn't help but chuckle
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helplessly.</p>
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<p>"I'm sorry guys," he said, "I guess I don't want to be an Auror. I've kind of had
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enough of that kind of thing, you know?"</p>
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<p>"Of course, Harry," Hermione said, quick to understand. Harry was almost certain
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that he saw a flash of relief in her eyes.</p>
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<p>"Then what do you want to be?" Luna urged, "Or haven't you thought about it
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yet?"</p>
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<p>"I honestly have no idea," Harry said, "Is professional Quidditch player still an
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option?" Harry laughed at his own joke but was somewhat annoyed with his
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indecisiveness.</p>
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<p>"I'm sure any team would be happy to have Harry Potter as their seeker," Ron
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shrugged, "Why not? Go for it!"</p>
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<p>"You'll know when you know," Luna said, patting Harry gently on his knee. Harry
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glanced at Ginny who was looking at Luna with slightly narrowed eyes but not another
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word was said.</p>
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<p>"I guess that makes it my turn," Harry said, "Er… Hermione, truth or dare."</p>
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<p>"Truth," Hermione said predictably.</p>
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<p>Harry was already smirking in triumph, "Well then. Earlier, it was implied that
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you had already kissed someone. Who was it?"</p>
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<p>Hermione's eyes widened and her face went scarlet. Surprisingly enough, so did
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Ron's.</p>
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<p>"Wait," Harry gasped in realisation, "No way! You didn't!'</p>
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<p>"It's true," Hermione admitted, "It was Ron."</p>
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<p>For a few seconds, no one said anything but then Harry couldn't help but laugh and
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soon, his friends joined in.</p>
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<p>"Hold up," he said in between chuckles, "Was it a spur of the moment thing or is
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there more going on?"</p>
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<p>"You could say we're sort of… dating," Hermione said as she looked shyly at
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Ron.</p>
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<p>"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked, "Did you think I would be mad?"</p>
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<p>"You had other things to worry about," Ron said easily, "For an entire year, some
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crazy murderer was after you – no offence, Draco – and the year before that was no
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picknick either."</p>
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<p>"You've been together that long already?" Harry asked in disbelief, "How didn't I
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notice that?"</p>
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<p>"You were preoccupied," Hermione shrugged.</p>
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<p>"You're okay with it though, right?" Ron asked eagerly.</p>
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<p>Harry thought about that for a moment. It was not as if he ever had those kinds of
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feelings for Hermione so it's not as if he was jealous. And even if he thought there
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might be a chance that their relationship could endanger their general friendship, he
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couldn't help but consider that they had apparently been going out for over a year
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already and Harry hadn't even noticed. If nothing changed for him, why would he be
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upset?</p>
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<p>"Of course I am," Harry replied, "Just try not to get too affectionate in my
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presence, okay?"</p>
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<p>"Deal," Hermione agreed easily. She looked around the room to decide on her next
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target.</p>
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<p>"Okay, Ron," She said slyly, "Truth or dare?"</p>
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<p>Ron regarded her with a calculating look before deciding. "Dare."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Snape had reread that same paragraph three times already and not a single word had
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registered. It was far too quiet in the house, even though he had asked the rowdy
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teenagers to keep the door slightly ajar. And they had done that. Snape had made
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sure.</p>
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<p>He was no fool. He knew very well what it meant that he heard nothing but murmurs
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whenever he came close to Harry's room. He knew why he couldn't listen in to their
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conversation. The spell Harry had no doubt used was one of his own creations, of
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course.</p>
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<p>Snape growled at no one in particular and took another sip of his fire
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whiskey.</p>
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<p>It's not as if he wanted to listen in to Harry's conversations. He had no desire
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to be informed of which student dated which and in what way the teachers ranked from
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most handsome to ugliest. He did not care a bit about teenage angst.</p>
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<p>But the fact that Harry had felt the need to keep his discussion private was
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precisely Snape's problem. What could possibly be important enough to keep hidden? If
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the things discussed were indeed harmless, why bother covering up?</p>
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<p>Snape groaned. He had forgotten what it was like to be a teenager. Had he ever
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truly been one? He chuckled softly to himself and realized that whatever he thought
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unimportant might still mean the world to those inexperienced youngsters.</p>
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<p>He was just about to resume his reading when he heard something. The rustling of
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robes. He sighed to himself but did not turn around. Whichever miscreant was sneaking
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about – clearly up to no good – would not be getting off easy. As he pretended to
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read, he could clearly pick up the sound of shuffling feet heading towards his lab.
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Oh, whoever it was, was in big trouble.</p>
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<p>The door opened and the teenager in question disappeared. Snape put down his book,
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cast a disillusionment charm on himself and crept down the stairs. Down there, he
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came across a certain familiar redhead that had clearly not been spooked enough last
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Christmas. He was searching for something on the shelves, muttering under his breath
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as he read the labels.</p>
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<p>Snape went to stand right behind him and cancelled his charm. Ron still had no
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clue though, so Snape crossed his arms and waited.</p>
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<p>And he waited.</p>
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<p>And he waited some more.</p>
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<p>Eventually, Ron's reading skills alerted him to the potion he had been looking for
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which was an ageing potion for some reason. He took the vial from the shelf and
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turned around only to be met with the admittedly fearsome sight of the potion master
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looming over him, arms crossed and a scowl on his face.</p>
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<p>Ron yelled loudly in response and dropped the vial. Snape -who was entirely
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prepared for that possibility – caught the potion and returned it to the shelf by
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slowly reaching across Ron. The boy didn't dare move a muscle.</p>
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<p>"Mr Weasley," Snape said silkily, "You must have an excellent reason to break into
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my lab and steal an ageing potion."</p>
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<p>Ron didn't say a word. He was leaning against the shelf and away from Snape as he
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trembled in terror.</p>
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<p>"I'm waiting," Snape said coldly, "Or would you rather I feed you a few drops of
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veritaserum. I'm sure I have some lying about here somewhere."</p>
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<p>"It was a dare, sir," Ron squeaked.</p>
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<p>"Is that so?" Snape asked icily, "And who dared you to come here?"</p>
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<p>Ron shrugged and stared back at Snape. For the first time, Snape saw defiance in
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the boy's eyes.</p>
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<p>"Covering for your friends, are you?" Snape said, "Very noble indeed. But it's of
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no matter really, since you are the one who actually went where he doesn't belong. It
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would be best if I –" Snape paused for effect " – made an example out of you."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>"You know, you could've been easier on Ron," Harry said at lunch. His friends had
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|
already gone home after a birthday party well celebrated, "It was just for a game of
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truth and dare."</p>
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<p>"Are you suggesting that I let you miscreants do whatever you please simply
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|
because someone dared you to?" Snape asked incredulously, "I think not."</p>
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<p>"I can't believe you fed him that potion, though," Harry chuckled, "Is there an
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antidote?"</p>
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|
<p>"There is not," Snape confessed, "But it will wear off in a couple of weeks, I
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|
imagine."</p>
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|
<p>Harry broke into laughter as he thought about Ron coming back from his
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|
unsuccessful mission. His hair had been tinted in every colour of the rainbow,
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|
changing colour at random. Depending on what, no one could figure out. Not only that,
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|
but Ron had only been able to speak in Limericks.</p>
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|
<p>He had come up with the gem:</p>
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|
<p>When I went downstairs for the potion<br/>
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Of Snape's sense of mind had no notion<br/>
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|
Was caught by the bat<br/>
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|
And that friends was that<br/>
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|
And what rhymes with potion is motion</p>
|
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|
<p>Naturally, they all had been in stitches and everyone had done their best to
|
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|
strike up a conversation with Ron but he refused to say all that much for the rest of
|
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|
the evening.</p>
|
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|
<p>"I'm sure Fred and George will love spending time with him now," Harry
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|
chuckled.</p>
|
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|
<p>"I'm sure he will have learned his lesson after the potion wears off," Snape said,
|
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|
"And if not, I always have more."</p>
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|
<p>"Please give me some to take to Hogwarts," Harry chuckled.</p>
|
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|
<p>"And have you create a bunch of poetically challenged troublemakers?" Snape
|
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|
replied, "I think not."</p>
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|
<p>"Suit yourself," Harry shrugged, "I can probably create something like it if I
|
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|
want."</p>
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|
<p>"You should focus on your studies," Snape urged, "Not go about creating silly
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|
potions. Being an Auror is hard work and becoming one is no picknick either."</p>
|
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|
<p>"Yeah, about that…" Harry said sheepishly, "I don't think I want to be an Auror
|
|
|
anymore."</p>
|
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|
<p>Snape raised a curious eyebrow. "Is that right? I have to admit that that's quite
|
|
|
a relief to hear. Why not though? If you're insecure about your abilities –"</p>
|
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|
<p>"It's nothing like that," Harry interjected, "I'm just tired of fighting. That's
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|
all."</p>
|
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|
<p>"Yes, I would imagine so," Snape said thoughtfully, "Do you have any idea what it
|
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|
is you would like to be instead?"</p>
|
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|
<p>"Maybe," Harry said hesitantly, "Could you perhaps tell me what it takes to become
|
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|
a potions master?"</p>
|
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|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p><em>And that is chapter 1 for you. We're off to a new start and are heading into a
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new adventure. I hope you will all share it with me.</em></p>
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<p><em>Please review!</em></p>
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