Susan and Hannah gasped, the Slytherins frowned before smirking, and Neville looked confused. Luna, however, looked slightly green. They had each realised now why Harry had let Ron eat one and, although none of them objected, their own personalities still came into play through their reactions. Neville took the longest to catch on but he soon joined the Slytherins with a matching smirk.
"You let Ron eat one?" Susan asked.
Harry shrugged. "He wanted one and I don't know for certain," he said.
Susan frowned before nodding. "Well, that's true, and anyway it's not your fault somebody wants to poison you." "That's right. I wonder who would do such a thing?" Hannah said, frowning.
Draco laughed then. "Merlin! Imagine if it's the weaslette."
Luna just nodded. "Please don't, it's not a pretty picture."
Harry just smirked again. "That's why people shouldn't play around with love potions," he said, practically biting his tongue to hold back the manic giggle that wanted to escape.
"Love potions?"
The rest of the group looked up at the repeated phrase and all took a step back when they saw Severus appear, even the Slytherins.
"Yes, sir," Harry said, taking a step forward. He had been leading the group towards Severus' office to have the man check for love potions.
"What's this about love potions? Surely you're not brewing them, Mr. Potter. Although I doubt even Amortentia is beyond your ability, I had thought you had slightly more common sense. Perhaps I was mistaken?"
Harry smirked at the backhanded compliment. "Like always sir, you're correct. I've not been brewing love potions; however, I think somebody has. I was sent these and I noticed something was, well, off about them. Could you perhaps check them for me?" Harry asked, offering the box.
Severus took the box and noticed the missing chocolate. Raising an eyebrow in question, he held back his snort when he got a smirk back. He was coming to recognise that expression as being Harry's face for whenever he had done something devious and slightly amoral.
"Did you notice this... off feeling after consuming one yourself?" Severus asked just to check if the boy had been stupid enough to do such a thing.
"No, before," Harry said. "Oh?"
"Well, Ronald Weasley thought I was being unfair to put away an entire box of chocolates. He clearly wanted one and, as I didn't know if my feeling would be correct as I am not a Potions Master, I had no reason to deny him," Harry said.
Severus, who like many of the teachers, had noticed the youngest Weasley's obsession with the Potter-Black Heir and immediately realised the potential backlash. It was only his years of training that made it so his face remained impassive when he realised the situation.
"I see," he said, making sure to sound monotone. Harry and recognised smirks.
the the
Slytherins, however, tone and all shared
"I will let you know the outcome of the tests. If a love potion is found, then I will of course notify your Head of House and guardians. Love potions are highly illegal," he said.
Harry nodded. "Thank you, professor," he said.
Severus nodded and turned, taking the box with him. It was only when he closed the portrait behind himself that he allowed his laughter free, snickering until his eyes watered and sides ached. He hoped the female Weasley had been stupid enough to attempt to use a love potion - the pure horror on her face and that of her overly sanctimonious mother would make his year.
16th November 1992, the Great Hall, Hogwarts
It was a few days later, when Harry saw Flitwick walking towards him looking furious, that Harry found out the reaction to the chocolates.
It was dinner time and Harry and Luna were sitting at the Ravenclaw table alone for once. The rest of the group hadn't made it to dinner yet.
"Harry, I know you have not eaten yet, however an urgent matter has come to my attention and our presence is required in the headmaster's office," the part-goblin said.
Harry nodded and spared Luna a glance. "Will you be okay here alone, Little Moon?" he asked.
Luna nodded. "Yes. The nargles are not as bothersome this time around, my Lord," she said.
Harry nodded and stood, picking up his bag. "I'll see you later then, Luna," he said.
Following his Head of House out of the Great Hall, Harry saw how agitated he was. "Is everything alright, sir?" he asked.
Filius sighed. He was furious, angry, confused, and concerned. Ever since last year he had been questioning the people and things around him and, although he didn't blame Harry in any way, he did recognise that it all started when he re-entered the magical world.
"No, Harry," he said. "It seems that the chocolates that you received really were doped with a love potion."
Harry nodded sagely and used his occlumency shields to hide his mirth. "I see."
"This is obviously a serious matter as love potions are illegal. However, the use of them are not altogether unheard of; we do sometimes get a few cases of young witches and wizards brewing them, usually unsuccessfully. However, that is not the reason for this meeting. Your situation is more complex."
Harry sent the man a look. "Isn't it always?" he asked.
Filius shared a sad smile. "It would appear that the potion was keyed to the youngest Weasley child and, when her brother ate one of the chocolates, the artificial feelings attached themselves to him."
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