That Bowl Will Forever Be Empty, Forever

Unlike in the films, where drinking Liquid Luck made him look as though he had downed bad liquor, Harry felt that he had already found a way to obtain that memory, and he was confident that his method would succeed.

After the funeral, Harry, Hagrid, and Slughorn returned to Hagrid's Hut. Hagrid and Slughorn drank together, while Harry sat nearby, quietly watching it all.

Before long, both Hagrid and Slughorn were drunk. Hagrid even collapsed onto the wooden table, letting out thunderous snores.

Harry finally rose to his feet. He walked over and sat down in front of Slughorn.

Slughorn looked thoroughly drunk. Gazing into Harry's emerald-green eyes, he seemed to see another young girl through him. He said softly, "You know, Harry? I once kept a fish named Francis. It was precious to me, very precious..."

"But one day, when I went downstairs, I found that it had disappeared. Gone... Strange, isn't it? But I suppose that's life... You're living well enough... then suddenly... you're gone... gone... gone..."

Slughorn spoke in a low voice, and Harry saw a glimmer of tears in his eyes.

Although Slughorn had not said it outright, Harry could guess that this fish was connected to him—no, rather, to his mother.

Harry said nothing. He simply continued to gaze at Slughorn before him with those emerald-green eyes.

Carried along by the alcohol, Slughorn continued, "Francis was a gift from a student. It was spring. That afternoon, I found an extra bowl on my desk. The water in it was shallow, only a few inches deep, and a flower petal floated on top..."

"I had barely looked at it twice when the petal began to sink... Just as it was about to reach the bottom, it suddenly changed... into a little fish. Such wonderful magic... truly