Today is the second day of Elaines sixth year, and she's already beaming with excitement but nerves. She spoke with Snape about her new schedule, and he seemed to approve.
You see, sixth years have more free time. But this comes with responsibility. Students have the ability to choose 1-5 level N.E.W.T classes, depending on your career of interest.
These classes might seem like stress free since you have more free time, but with time, comes responsibilities. These classes are extremely hard and you have to have a huge amount of motivation to do them.
An average student, takes around 2, maybe 3 if dedicated. If you choose more than that, you're practically torturing yourself. It's also extremely hard to get into more than 2-3 classes.
However, due to Elaines career path, and her extreme determination in her studies and scores, she was able to take 4 classes. Elaine could have choose five, but with five you have to talk to someone higher in position.
Elaine settled in four classes, and she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she was determined. Elaines schedule consisted of Arthimancy, Potions, Defense Against the Dark arts, and finally, Alchemy.
Out of everything, Elaine was beyond proud to get into Alchemy. Alchemy is considered to be a very tough subject, that only 6-7 years can take. She was very excited of what she was to learn.
***
Elaines day has gone smoothly and she's finally at her last class of the day. Potions. She's excited to see how well Slughorn teaches, and because Draco is in this class.
Potions one of Elaines favorite subject. Mostly because she knows everything there is to know. I mean, how could she not..? her guardian is Snape.. But Elaine was extremely gifted in her academics, Potions was definitely higher on the list of her strong suits.
Elaine stood quietly while she looked around the potions room, it did indeed look different and how it was set up. She could already tell some of the potions set up, and she could hear Slughorn talking.
Elaine turned her head towards the door aswell as everyone. Harry and Ron walked in. Slughorn talked a bit, while Ron hesitate on staying.
Elaine couldn't hold back her giggle when Slughorn made him stay. Elaine also looked back to see them fighting over a book..?
But Elaine was snapped out of it by Slughorn asking what some potions were. Elaine wanted to make a good impression, so she participated.
"Yes.., miss??" Slughorn said as to which Elaine respond with "Snape sir" and Elaine started speaking.
"That's Veritaserum, it's a truth telling serum. The other one is Polyjuice potion, some say it's hard to make.., And this other one over here, is Amortentia, the most powerful love potion. It creates an infatuation of obsession, not real love, it can easily be mistaken. It's also rumored to smell different to each person according to what attracts them. For example, if i may say, i smell a very clean smell, a strong cologne, and a hint of vanilla sir" Elaine said smiling at Draco and going back to stand next to him.
The room went quiet for a moment before Slughorn spoke. "Well it seems you know your potions very well miss Snape, thank you for your amazing input"
A girl spoke about a potion, and Elaine could see the small vile. Elaine had a bit of an idea it was liquid luck but she wasn't sure. Either way, she would love to have that for a rainy day.
"This is Felix Felicies, most commonly known as liquid luck" Slughorn stated. Elaine could heard Slughorn talking, but wasn't focused really.
Elaines thoughts sparked when Slughorn announced the competition, for the first one to make a successful Draught of Living Death. This was Elaines opportunity. She knew exactly how to make this.
Soon enough, everyone started working, or failing perhaps. Elaines process was going smooth, and she had no doubt she would win. Slughorn kept complimenting her.
But that's when she noticed Harry besides her, not failing. He was doing good. She couldn't help but look at his notebook. That's when Elaine laughed a bit. Hermionie was stressed, as everyone else.
Hermionie looked mad that Elaine and Harry could, but why couldn't she? Elaines laughed made the trio stare at her along with Harry while she made her potion.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked. Elaine laughed a bit more and said, "Excuse me, Can i see your book?" Elaine said trying to grab the book.
Elaine laughed more when Harry pulled it away, not wanting Elaine to see his secret. "Relax, i've read that book from front to back. I practically have it memorized" Elaine spoke.
Harry looked in confusion, and saw Elaine said "I know him. The half-blood prince, he gave me that book". "Who?" Harry asked.
"Sorry. I can't tell you" Elaine said whispering in his ear. And with that, Elaine added the finishing touches to her potion. Hermionie and the rest looked at her in agony.
But Harry finished aswell. When Slughorn inspected them, He decided they both had the utterly most perfect potion. He decided on them decided who would get it.
Elaine, decided on something. She gave it to Harry. Yeah, this potion could really benefit Elaine, but it could also help Harry. Elaine would never forgive herself if something happened to Harry because she was selfish.
***
It was about 9:00 PM, Elaine was studying, for her Alchemy class, when she heard a knock on her window. She opened it to be met with an Owl.
She took the letter which the owl was holding and she couldn't help but wonder who it was from. She carefully put her quill down, and grabbed the letter into her delicate hands.
She opened the paper with ease, carefully not scraping her fingers. Once she opened the letter, she began scanning for its words.
Elaine,
I'm asking you of great importance, that you'll head to my office as soon as you read this. I have a serious matter i'll like to further discuss with you, and Mister Potter.
Please do not discuss this with anyone.
Thank You, Headmaster Dumbledore
Elaine scanned the letter again making sure she read it right, he needed her? And with Harry? Elaine sort of knew what this might be about due to the speech, and she was beyond nervous.
Elaine put on a green jumper, and grabbed her wand before heading out the dormitory. She quietly made her way through the empty Hallways, until she was eventually at the door of Dumbledores office.
Just as the right time, Harry appeared and they both looked at each other in confusion before they entered. While inside, Elaines eyes wondered at every possible wall. This place was filled with paintings.
Dumbledore said, "I see you've both got my message, How are you?"
"Fine sir" Harry and Elaine spoke at the exact same time.
"You too enjoying your classes so far? Profesor Slughorn was beyond impressed with the both of you" Dumbledore said.
"I'll like to think i'm doing good" Elaine said slightly laughing.
"I think he understamates me" Harry said also laughing.
"What about you're activities outside classroom? I've seen Elaines very close to Mister Malfoy, and you Mister Potter, spends a great deal of amount with Miss Granger.. i can't help but wonder.." Dumbledore started.
Elaine couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the situation and how ridiculous it would sounded. Harry's cheeks flushed and he said, "She's brilliant and we're friends, but no"
Dumbledore apologize and spoke again. "Enough chit chat, you must be wondering why i summoned you two here tonight. The answer lies here. What you're looking at here are memories, in this case belonging to one individual"
Dumbledore walked closer to a shelf, what seemed to be contain with viles of memories. Harry and Elaine trailed behind him with a raised brow.
"Voldemort. Or as it was known then, Tom Riddle." Dumbledore spoke with ease.
Elaines throat tightened and Her and Harry looked at each other with worry.
"This vile contains the most particular memory. Of the day i first met him. I'll like you two to see it." Dumbledore said.
He wanted Elaine too look at his memories? Elaine wondered why. Elaine had to act fast, and figure out what this was really about.
"Forgive me Professor, i understand why Harry is here, but what does this have to do with me?" Elaine said.
"Miss, i think you know exactly why you're here" Dumbledore said. He knew. Elaine knew that he knew at this, there was not point hiding it now.
"How..? how do you know?" Elaine said, Harry's face rose with worry for his friend.
"I've know for quite a while, I'm not gonna lie, you had me fool for a while. And i must say, you are a very smart witch for using Occlumency, But i've done my research, and it all leds back to you. Don't be afraid, I'm not here to hurt, but protect you. I want you to help us, in this extremely hard mission. You might just be the key. I've been observing you, I know you have no bad intentions, so i'm asking you now, Are you up for it?" Dumbledore said.
Elaines mind was i auock with this information, she couldn't help but be sort of glad. Her secret was sage with Dumbledore, and if there was anything she wanted, was to destroy the very thing that created her.
Harry grabbed the vile, and poured it. Elaine and Harry buried their head in it, and saw through the memories.
Elaine could see the terrible memories their was. In this, Elaine could see Tom for his true form. He was simply a child. Even as a child, Elaine could tell Tom had something terrible buried within him. The way he spoke, the way his charm was simply turned on.. Becoming like him was Elaines biggest fear.
Elaine was simply amazed by all of this. In the memory, Elaine could tell Tom was a troubled child. Elaine could sort of see herself in Tom, the same feeling in his eyes. Loneliness. The need of the love of a parent.
Within a flash of an eye, the memory disappeared. Harry and Elaine looked at each other with a look they could only understand.
Harry immediately started asking questions while Elaine watched.
"During Tom Riddles stay, he grew close with a particular teacher? can you guess who that teacher might be?" Dumbledore asked.
It didn't take long before Elaine answered this question. It was quite easy.
"It's Professor Slughorn isn't it? Belive it or not, i've tried to research my past before.. and correct me id i'm wrong sir, Slughorn was the potions Professor during Toms years at Hogwarts" Elaine spoke.
Dumbledore nodded, inducing Elaine was right.
"You see, Professor Slughorn possesses something i desire very dearly. But he won't give it up easily" Dumbledore said.
"You said Professor Slughorn will try collect me..? do i let him?" Harry asked in a rather knowing the answer type of way.
"Slughorn sees you two as his most valuable asset as of now. I'll like you guys to let him" Dumbledore said.
All Elaine and Harry could do now, is agree. They were going to stop Voldemort, and if they needed to do this, they would.