05

[3houseswatson]

If I ever think about snakes again, it'll be too soon. I'm officially done with their slithery ways. They can all either grow some legs and be proper lizards or just steer clear of me. All snakes the world over are officially notified. The ball's in your court now, snakes.

I'd also like to apologize to anyone who might've got distracted from what they were doing if they caught sight of all the snogging Sherlock and I were doing in the Great Hall. And the not-as-great halls. And the courtyard. And... you know, just. Take this as a general apology.

[Filtered to Sherlock... Oh god an actual filter??? This is serious.]

We need to talk.

Comments

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

We do. Good idea, the filter.

I suppose I should say sorry.

[Filter]

[3houseswatson]

No, God, no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. With the potion, well... either one of us could've started it.

Plus, you're the one who figured out what was going on and even offered to get us treated. I should be the one apologizing.

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

No, you were fine. Everything was... fine.

[Filter]

[3houseswatson]

Yea- So you mean that all that happened... it really doesn't bother you?

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

I have data I never thought I'd want or need. I made an assumption based on less than adequate information and I've been proven wrong. Better to find out now than later. Your contribution to my studies is appreciated.

[Filter]

[3houseswatson]

Right. Science and study. You're... welcome, I suppose?

What was the assumption?

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

That I didn't like things like that.

A future version of myself was married so I suppose I was rather foolish in not amending that possibility right then and there but all previous experiences had pointed to a displeasure in so much as kissing. It still remains to be seen if such enjoyment was only by virtue of the potion but there's always time for further study.

So, yes. Thank you. Perhaps you're right after all.

[preanimator]

Have you decided to remember what privacy is, finally? Brilliant.

[3houseswatson]

Oh, can it. You heard Dumbledore's message. Most of the student body wasn't in their right mind and didn't have proper control over themselves.

[Filter]

[3houseswatson]

I nearly forgot about the you-married-in-the-future thing. Hell, all your talk about alternate futures had me nearly forgetting my own experience there, though the fact that that memory's as hazy as ever doesn't help.

The way you're talking, it sounds like you used to think you wouldn't have even been affected by a love potion.

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

I'm a sociopath. I don't feel empathy. Rather a necessary component for love, isn't it? I would have thought so, anyway. Artificial eros apparently doesn't require it.

I must say you're taking having been.. romantically interactive with another male rather well.

[Filter]

[3houseswatson]

You know, the longer I know you, the less that sociopath excuse holds any water. After all, I saw what you had on your bookshe- [He scratches that out to oblivion and charms it just to be sure. Now is not the time for that confrontation; not while they're still sorting themselves out.]

It wasn't as bad as I would've thought. I mean, you know, there's the whole potion thing. And I still like girls. But it wasn't... that is, what I think I mean to say is, it could've been worse.

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

Had you been kissing anyone but me, I probably would have quite adamantly tried to bring you to reason. Though I suppose I'll take it as a compliment that even with my lack of skill, I still could have been worse.

[preanimator]

Most of the student body was under the influence of a love potion, which does not require immediate tongue-on-tongue action in the hallways. What you chose to do with your false emotions was entirely a facet of your own personality, and some of us didn't appreciate having to see that constantly.

[3houseswatson]

Look, I already apologized, or do you just enjoy rubbing things in?

Anyway, I can't agree with all you said. The potion had to have some factor in it because... guess what? I wasn't the one to initiate the kissing. Sherlock did, and I bet if there's any one thing you and I can agree on in this world, it's that that's certainly not a "facet of his personality".

[Filter]

[3houseswatson]

Yeah, the skill-level thing... well, you certainly got a lot of practice in, at any rate.

And what do you mean by "bring me to reason"? You mean like if the potion got me fixated on someone else, but it still had you fixated on me?

[Filter]

[3potionproblem]

As I said, thank you.

Regardless of my own drugged affinities, had I seen you kissing a man, I would have put an end to it. It's almost a shame really that we were similarly affected. Though I do wonder if you would have allowed me to have carried on with anyone despite what you know of me were you not under its effects.

[arrogantalloy]

So does this mean I wont have to deal with him giggling into his journal any more?

Because really it'll make the room sound respectable again.

[3houseswatson]

I think we'll be okay and we can still be friends, but this whole thing is incredibly awkward.

I don't know what impact that'll have on his journal-giggling, though, so I can't help you there.

[arrogantalloy]

Only friends?

You can call it awkward all you like, at least you were head over heels for someone you like.

[Theres a pause.]

Try not to be too awkward though. I know for a fact his sulking is more annoying than his giggling.

[preanimator]

Of course it is. Holmes is shameless and doesn't care what most people think of him. It makes perfect sense that if he was in love with someone he'd do all sorts of inappropriate things in public, and he'd initiate them, because he goes after what he's interested in. I thought you two were mates, how can you not know that?

[Filtered private]

[preanimator]

Oh, ta for that.

[Filtered private]

[arrogantalloy]

Yeah, because we are so eager to get into each others pants without a potion being involved.

[Filtered private]

[preanimator]

You hardly had to announce it to someone from another House - it's not like anyone would have noticed. In fact, I would prefer if it never got mentioned, even obliquely, again.

[Because after all, Tony could blame it all on a potion, but Herbert was under no such influence, and he wasn't exactly constantly fighting the other boy off.]

[Filtered private]

[arrogantalloy]

It's John. He's Sherlock's

Let's go for hopeful bit on the side.

He's going to know about this already.

And hey, for the record. If it wasn't for the potion I wouldn't have done that, even I know leading people on isn't cool. Even though I technically wasn't leading you on, it was the potion. But It was still me laying it on thick for you. I'm... Well I guess I'm apologising for anything I did?