Hope's POV:

The first day of classes comes quickly and soon I'm standing next to Hermione in Advanced Potions, waiting for Professor Slughorn to start the lesson. When he finally does, about a fourth of the way through the lesson, the door opens. 

We all turn to see Harry and Ron walk into the room. I thought they had a free period. Hermione and I exchange confused glances as we shrug. "Ah! Harry, my boy, I was beginning to worry. We've brought someone with us, I see." Slughorn points out. "Ron Weasley, sir." Ron introduces.

He sounds almost out of breath. The two probably sprinted here. "But I'm dead awful at Potions, a menace, actually." Ron adds. He mutters a few more things before trying to head towards the exit, but Harry is quick to stop him. 

"Nonsense, we'll sort you out. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of mine. Get your books out." Slughorn dismisses. "Uh, sorry sir. I haven't actually got my book yet, and nor has Ron." Harry explains. 

"Not to worry, get what you want from the cupboard." He tells them before continuing on the teach the class. Out of the corner of my eye I see Harry and Ron fighting over a book and smirk slightly. 

I must have zoned out because Hermione's arm shoots into the air beside me and I didn't even hear the question. "Yes, Miss...?" "Granger, sir." She introduces promptly before turning back two the potions in front of us and walking up to them. He must have asked what these are. 

"That one there is Veritaserum. It's a truth-telling serum. And that would be Polyjuice Potion. It's terribly tricky to make." She explains. I hold back yet another smile at this. She would know. We spent a month in that girl's bathroom brewing it. 

"And this is Amortentia. The most powerful love potion in the world. It's rumored to smell differently to each person, according to what attracts them. For example, I smell freshly mown grass, and new parchment, and spearmint...toothpaste." She finally finishes, hesitating slightly. 

Huh, I wonder what I would smell? I mean, Harry is my soulmate so I'd probably smell things associated with him. By this point Harry and Ron are standing to my right. I lean towards Harry. "Did you have to fight over the book so obviously?" I ask him. I can see him blush slightly. 

"This one's all worn." He says, holding up the book he's holding. Ron obviously won their fight. "But it's just a book. Both work equally well." He just shrugs and smiles down at me slightly. Hermione finally finds her place beside us once more. 

"Now, Amortentia doesn't create actual love. That would be impossible. But it does cause powerful infatuation or obsession." Slughorn explains. At this I see every other girl besides Hermione and myself walking slowly towards the cauldron. 

"And for that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." He finishes, putting a lid over the liquid. "Sir, you haven't told us what's in that one." One girl points out. I look to see a tiny vile filled with a clear liquid. Slughorn looks at it and smiles slightly. 

"Oh, yes. 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 interrupts quickly. Slughorn nods at her answer. 

"Yes, Miss Granger, Liquid luck. Desperately tricky to make, disastrous should you get it wrong. One sip and you will find that all your endeavors succeed. At least until the effects wear off." He chuckles before setting it down once more. 

"So, this is what I offer each of you today. One tiny vile of liquid luck to the student who, in the hour that remains, manages to brew an acceptable Draught of Living Death, the recipes for which can be found on page 10 of your books." He explains. Huh, interesting. 

I've always excelled at potions, purely for the fact that I was taught the right way of handling ingredients when I was really young. I just go off the ingredients list and from there I can usually assess the steps to see if they need altering. As we all flip to page 10 Slughorn speaks again.

"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. Let the brewing commence." With that everyone sets to work grabbing a cauldron and the ingredients needed for the potion.

As I stare down at the ingredients and steps I smirk. This book is weakening the quality of to potion. If I want this prize then I'll need to strength it. No wonder there's only been one person to brew it correctly. This potion, when brewed properly, is a master level potion. 

Not many students achieve this high of a title until they're much older. Whoever won had to have already been a master at 16. Luckily I am a master. As we go through the task I zone out everyone around me, though I do take the time to glance over at my friends periodically. 

Every time I do I notice a few things. One, Ron is forever confused. Two, Hermione's hair only gets frizzier and frizzier. And three, Harry seems totally at ease. Now, this is strange because Harry's kind of horrible at potions. 

Ok, not horrible, but definitely not good enough to be this care free when brewing this advanced of a potion. Then I notice my final things. It comes in the form of the beetle. He's cruising it like I am. Not many people know to do this instead of chopping the bug when doing a potion like this. 

Where did he learn that technique. I know I've never showed him that and from the way Hermione is currently chopping her beetle, she didn't either. Realizing that I might actually have some competition for this prize I start to speed up my steps as much as possible. 

Just as I finish the final steps I look up at Slughorn. "Done." But I'm not the only one speaking. Harry is finished as well. "Ah, well Harry my boy you bring your cauldron up here so I can test it. You as well Miss..." He trails off. "Mikaelson, sir." His eyes brighten at this. 

"Mikaelson! Of course, I should have realized. Dumbledores told me all about you along with Harry here." He explains, his eye twinkling with unspoken words. He knows what I am. Why would Dumbledore tell him? 

Shaking off the thought I grab my cauldron and place it next to Harry's on the front desk. At the same time he drops two leaves into mine and Harry's cauldrons. They have the same reaction. "Merlin's beard. These are perfect." Slughorn beams excitedly. 

"So perfect I daresay one drop would kill us all." At this everyone gathers back in the front of the room while Harry and I stand in front of them with Slughorn. "I'm sorry to say that I only have the one vile." He tells us. Harry and I exchange a look. 

"He can have it. I've brewed it before so I can later on." I say. Slughorn's eyes widen at this. "Really? Dear girl I would like to talk to you after class for a moment if that is possible." He says. I nod and go stand beside Hermione. 

"So here we are, then, as promised. One vile of Felix Felicis. Congratulations. Use it well." Slughorn warns while he hands the vile over to Harry. After this, class is over and everyone leaves except Slughorn, Harry, and myself. He glances back at me as he heads towards the door. 

"Could you wait for me in the corridor?" I ask him. He nods and exits the room. "What did you need to speak with me about Professor?" I ask. "Miss Mikaelson, I am so fascinated to have a sine witch here at Hogwarts. We've never had one here before." 

I hold back a sigh of relief that is the4 only thing that Dumbledore told him and not everything else. "Well, not many people here know sir. Just a few friends and Dumbledore I belleve. It's a small number." I explain. 

"Oh I completely understand. What I wanted to ask you was if you would consider being my teaching assistant for first, second, and third years. I believe that skill you bring to the table could tremendously help them improve." Huh, that's not a bad idea. 

I mean, I have a lot of free periods. I tried it once with a student of mind the first time I was here and it made a huge impact on how they learned." I smile at this. "I would be honored professor." He grins at this. 

"Perfect. You know, Lily Evens was the first person to hold me out in my class and I dare say your confidence while brewing the potion reminded me so much of her." I freeze at this. "Lily Evens?" I ask, making sure I heard him right. Harry's mom?

"Yes Miss Mikaelson. Young Harry's mother was a prized pupil of mine. I noticed that you and Mr. Potter are quite close." I blush at this. "Uh, yeah. We started dating a little under a year ago, but we've been best friends since first year." I tell him. He nods. 

"Well, I can see great things in both of your futures. You may go now. Have good day Miss Mikaelson." "You too Professor." With that I exit the classroom, grinning at the new prospect of teaching potions. I always loved helping the younger kids at the Salvatore School. 

"What's got you all happy?" Harry asks, grinning down at me and lacing my fingers through his. With that I proceed to tell him everything. Maybe, just maybe, this year won't be a total disaster. Then again, this could only be the beginning. 

A/N:

 Hello my lovely readers. Just checking in to say that now that I have a more set in stone schedule I plan on updating once a week until I am unable to. I am so sorry for the long breaks between chapters, but I'm hoping to update more consistently. The update can come any day of the week until I get a day that I find I am free to update on regularly. Hope everyone is being careful and lots of love.

~Isabell