As I expected, Herbology was the least interesting class of mine. However, it was pretty important if I wanted to become a Mediwitch.

Neville Longbottom was the star of the class, a few of the Gryffindors kept asking him how he made Harry Potter so triumphant in the Triwizard Tournament. I scoffed.

The lesson was over fast and I was heading to my dorm for my free period. When I got there, my owl, Amare, was perched on my bed.

The owl was beautiful, and named after 'love' in Latin. She was all I had since my parents died. She was tiny, with her breed being the Elf Owl. I stroked her softly as I picked the letter she was holding out of her mouth.

My name was written on the front in fancy, cursive writing, and I instantly knew what someone with such neat handwriting must be from Beauxbatons.

I opened it and read to myself:

Verita,

I am surprised to say that it's gotten harder than I thought it would be without you. I think I am more alone than ever. The girls here always speak about you now, as if you only exist now that you are gone.

How is your new school? Your professors? I know I was a horrible friend when you were here, and I didn't realise that until now. I miss you being here, Verita. Let me know how you're doing.

Sarah.

I hummed a tune my mother used to sing to me when I was a baby as I wrote back quickly, my handwriting messy compared to hers.

Sarah,

Although I'm not finding it too hard here, I miss your company too. I only really have one friend, and he's merely a lesson partner. His name is Draco Malfoy.

I'm doing well. Professors are another story, I suppose. This one, Severus Snape, despises my company. I hope you aren't having too much of a hard time back in Beauxbatons.

Verita.

I folded it into an envelope and passed it back to Amare, who flew out swiftly. She was quick due her small yet delicate frame.

I headed to Potions, keeping my wishful thinking that Harry Potter would have spontaneously disappeared to myself. I spotted Draco, and smiled as I sat by him.

Although he didn't look up. I craned my head to find out that he was asleep on the desk.

I panicked a little. Did I wake him? Did I leave him to rest?

Slughorn walked into the room with a handful of students behind him, including Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and the git himself, Harry Potter - the Golden Trio, as Draco informed me that they were known as last lesson. I nudged Draco and he gave me a thankful smirk as he turned to watch the class.

"Today we will be making the Veritaserum," Slughorn said, a sloppy smile plastered on his face, "Can anybody tell me what this is used for?"

My hand shot up the same time as Hermione's, and Professor Slughorn looked between us in a moment of confusion. It wasn't often I put my hand up, but why the hell not if it was about my namesake?

"Verita," Slughorn called, "I suppose you should answer this, considering the circumstances."

"Veritaserum is a truth serum," I spoke, "It can be used to make even the most secretive of people reveal their deepest, darkest secrets."

"Correct. 20 points to Slytherin."

I heard Harry Potter and his Gryffindor posse groan, earning a glare from Draco and I. Why people made out that Slytherins were the bad guys when these twits couldn't even accept another house getting points, I didn't know.

"You will be making this in small doses," Slughorn announced, "Work in pairs. It will be sent to the Ministry for... interrogations."

Draco and I immediately got to work. Of course I'd made this potion before, so we were swift with the help of the Advanced Potions book along our journey. Draco put his hand up exactly the same time as Ron Weasley and Harry Potter himself did.

Slughorn stumbled over to us first, analysing the potion with such focus and precision that I didn't often see in teachers. He then headed to Harry Potter's table, doing the same.

"Although this potion takes about twenty eight days to brew," Slughorn started, a smile appearing on his face, "I believe Miss Winters and Mr Malfoy's serum is a little more clear."

"Is it supposed to be clear?" Ron argued, disapproval clear on his features.

"Yes, Mr Weasley. It is supposed to have the same properties as water, clear and odourless."

Draco and I high-fived, then he pulled me into an awkward side hug.

Exactly the same time that Professor Snape walked into the classroom.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to see-" Snape's eyes trailed around the room, landing on me. They flicked to Draco's arm on my shoulder, before commenting, "Miss Winters. Immediately."

"The lesson was about to end," Slughorn replied, "Miss Winters and Mr Malfoy made a very impressive dosage of Veritaserum."

Professor Snape looked over our potion before nodding, "Indeed they did."

As I collected my books and followed Snape out of the room, I heard Ron mutter to Harry, "How can she make a better bloody potion to the Half-Blood Prince? You saw that! Malfoy wasn't helping."

I was about to turn to defend Draco, but saw Snape looking at me expectantly. I followed after him quietly.

After a few minutes of walking to Dumbledore's office, I questioned,

"Professor, who's the Half-Blood Prince?"