The uneasiness had followed Harry's stomach around like an anchor, on and off, on and off. But he had pushed that to the back of his mind, all he cared about was that he had to do even more potions this year, sure he had passed the exam and did well but apparently he needed to do this.

He wasn't alone though, Ron had been forced back... Or as teachers put it persuaded back. They had walked in late and found the new professor standing there. He was a plump little man who always started a bit too much for Harry's liking.
"Ah boys you've joined us, get some books from the cupboard and stand over here"
They both moved over to the cupboard and found two textbooks, one old one and one new one. They made eye contact for a second and then both scrambled for the new one but Ron was faster and closer so Harry, while pouting at Ron, picked up the old book.

"Today we're going to be making the ammonia potion or also known as the..?"
"Love potion Sir" Hermionie piped in.
Harry looked at her and then back at Ron.
"Why is she doing this she got full marks in the exam" Harry hissed as Slughorn started to drone on about ingredients.
"Some sort of elective for extra marks"
"She's going to become the minister some day"
"Wouldn't be surprised mate" Ron replied looking back at her and smiling when she blew some stray curly hair off her forehead and it fell back down.
Harry quirked an eyebrow at Ron who just shook it off at nothing.
"Turn to page 56 and start making your potion, the best potion will win the potion of luck"

Harry opened the old book and turned to page 56 to find black scribbled writing on. Oh typical. Some idiots written all over this. He looked at the instructions 'cut three beetles using the knife' but beside it was the black ink that spelled out 'crush' which was underlined twice for emphasis. Harry brushed it off and tried to cut the beetle but it just slipped out from under his knife and under a table.
May as well try it. So he did. He used the side of his knife and squashed the poor beetle and long and behold the green icky juices came out. So Harry followed the rest of the instructions and somehow the potion was the exact colour it was supposed to be and it smelled....like vanilla and the overwhelming scent of a certain someone.
"Ah perfect potion Mr Potter! You really have excelled yourself. Twenty points to Slytherin and here is your prize...use it well"

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"Hey Draco" Harry asked, looking at him from across the bed.
Draco didn't look up from his book but mummerd in reply.
"I got a potion perfect today"
Draco looked up and stared at him. "Like perfect perfect?"
"Yup"
Draco stared a bit more before saying.
"I'm sure you're capable of it but it's just you're concentration can sort of...not be one hundred percent"
"Yeah I know which is why it's weird. Do you think it could be the...?" Harry asked.
"I would severely doubt that that would make you immediately fantastic at potions, did you get help with it?"
"Well the book had writing in it" Harry confessed.
"Someone dared to write inside a book? Oh my right well show me it"
Harry pulled the book out of his bag and gave it to Draco.
Draco flipped through it and then flipped back to the inside page and then back through the book.
"It says it belongs to the Half Blood Prince but I don't know this writing seems really familiar."
Harry frowned "who's the half blood prince?"
"Darling I might be a book expert but I don't know everything"
"More like a nerd" Harry said under his breath.
Draco's head shot up and he glared at Harry. "What did you say?"
Harry looked up and smiled at Draco "just said how amazing you are"
"You're going down Potter" Draco threatened before discarding the book and crawling like a cat over to Harry.
Harry's eyes widened and he gulped but held his ground.
"This calls for drastic measures Potter....a tickle fight!" And then he pounced on Harry who started struggling.
Draco dug his fingers into Harry's side and Harry burst out laughing, trying in vain to wriggle free.
"Stop it! Dddraco please I didn't mean it!" Draco stopped and Harry stared at him breathless.
"Oh you didn't mean it, well then I suppose this won't bother you"
Harry tensed for the attack and Draco went for his neck making Harry scrunch up his neck and use his hands to try to either protect himself or push Draco away.
"Sstop it Draco please noo not theere!"
"Apologise then no one calls Draco Malfoy a nerd without getting attacked for it"
"Nooho never!!"
"Well what if I attacked you in that spot?"
"You wouldn't dare"
"Oh honey I don't think you know me" Draco sniped back before grabbing Harry's knee and tickling the underside of it. Harry squirmed even more and started laughing even more.
"Nooo ppllease I'm sohorry!"
Then Draco let him go and smirked at him.
"That's also for following some random instructions from a book rather than the real ones"
"You're so mean" Harry breathed still panting while lying on his back.
"Shush I'm a very good boyfriend"
"This is abuse" Harry said pouting.
"I bought you chocolate the other day"
"You are half of it yourself!"
"I did say you could eat me out but I distinctly remember you going very red...really was a generous offer"
"Draco!" Harry yelled hiding his face.
"What?" Draco asked pretending innocence.
"We're not even legal yet you can't say things like that!"
Draco rolled his eyes and then picked up the book again.
"You know what Malfoy I think you're the one going down" Harry said suddenly. And that's what caused a breathless Malfoy to plead for mercy and ''promise'' to not say things like that again. As if.

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But alone in the room of requirement a lone figure stood in front of a large dark oak closet muttering the words Harmonia Nectere Passus. They stood with their back tall and their eyes shut as they concentrated. Then when they opened their eyes they stepped forward pulled open the door and looked on the bottom of the closet. On the bottom of the closet lay a dead bird.