Engraved Love | J. POTTER

5 | amortentia and late replies

J A M E S P O T T E R

"What are you doing?" Ophelia asked once she had looked over at him. He grew amused at the expression on her face. He had never seen her look more confused and she looked cute. No, he shook his head. Not cute. Despite his internal protest, he knew there was truthfully no use in denying it. She was adorable. That didn't mean anything though.

"I'm sitting next to you," he pointed out. He pulled his potions book from his bag and placed it on the desk.

She narrowed her eyes at the boy, "Why?"

"Because I can," he replied with a shrug. She watched him warily as she set up her station.

"We're sitting here today," Sirius observed as he took a seat next to James. He glanced over at Ophelia before looking back at the boy, "Why is that, exactly?"

James opened his mouth to reply but Ophelia beat him to it, "Apparently it's because you can." She opened her textbook to the page Slughorn had written on the board. Remus entered the room a moment later and took a seat next to Ophelia.

"I thought you were-" Sirius began but he cut himself off with a shake of his head as he looked over at Ophelia for a moment. "I thought you weren't coming to class today."

"I didn't realize I had to tell you everything I do," Remus announced and Ophelia's eyes widened at this. The pair usually seemed like a happy couple, fighting on occasion. She may not have known them but she was certain they had never fought this badly before.

Ophelia turned to James in alarm and was about to ask him what was happening when she realized he appeared just as confused as she did, if not, more so. She was more than grateful when Professor Slughorn stood up and began to explain what they would be doing in class.

Apparently they would be attempting to create Amortentia, a very powerful love potion that releases a different smell for everyone based off of what brings them comfort and what their preferences are.

"Pair off and get to work," Slughorn told them. James perked up at this. He could ask Ophelia and they-

"Moony, can we-" Sirius had tried but Remus cut him off.

"I'm working with Ophelia," he stated simply. He began to sort through the ingredients.

Both James and Ophelia turned to look at him in confusion, replying in unison, "You are?" The pair turned to look at each other and then quickly looked away. Ophelia cleared her throat, "We are working together."

The words had seemed more forced than she intended. She was just surprised he had requested to work with her. She was certain it had more to do with whatever was going on between him and Sirius and less to do with her though.

James turned to face Sirius who had a very prominent frown plastered on his face as he watched Remus work with Ophelia. He glanced back at the pair before facing his friend, "Okay, let's do this."

The pair went to work on setting up their potion. There were a good fifteen minutes left of class when he and Sirius had finished.

The Professor nodded approvingly, "Looking good." James smiled at this. "What is it you smell, Mr. Potter?" Slughorn inquired and the boy wafted the potion.

"Um," he began, sniffing the air. "Lavender, I think? Vanilla maybe?" He shrugged, "I'm really not sure."

Slughorn nodded before moving over to Remus' and Ophelia's potion. James looked up at Sirius who was watching him with a raised eyebrow, "What is it?"

"Oh, nothing," the boy shook his head as he put his textbook into his bag. "I just figured you would have smelled lilies or some shit like that."

James grew confused at this as Slughorn asked the pair next to them, "And what do you smell, Ms. Lovegood?"