The Potion of True Love

At Eldridge Academy, a school known for its strange blend of magic and mundane education, students attended classes on everything from potion brewing to wand technique. But for Emma, a practical girl who preferred studying the periodic table to casting spells, the academy was less of a dream and more of a headache.

Emma’s least favorite class? **"Potion Making for the Love-struck"**, taught by the eccentric Professor Myrtle. The class was famous for its rather… unusual curriculum. Instead of learning how to brew potions to cure wounds or turn objects invisible, students were asked to concoct potions for romantic success. Emma found the entire concept ridiculous, especially since she had no interest in the love potion nonsense. Besides, her best friend Liam had made it clear that romance was the last thing on his mind.

Liam, who had been Emma’s neighbor since childhood, was the only thing that made her bear the magical mayhem at Eldridge. He is tall, with messy brown hair that always seemed to fall into his eyes, and a smile that made Emma's heart skip a beat every time he showed up at her dorm room to study together.

But Liam had a habit of treating her like one of the guys. He’d never noticed the way her stomach did flip-flops when they were near each other, or how her heart would race when he’d laugh at one of her jokes. To him, she was just Emma, the practical, sensible, slightly sarcastic best friend.

One fateful Tuesday, in the middle of a disastrous potion brewing session, Emma was trying to stop a batch of "Infatuation Elixir" from bubbling over when Professor Myrtle approached her table.

"Ah, Miss Emma!" Myrtle said, her long, silver hair floating behind her like some magical cloud. "I see you're struggling with the elixir of love. I believe you might have used too much honeydew extract."

"Love potions are ridiculous," Emma muttered, trying to control the bubbling cauldron before it exploded.

Myrtle’s eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, but you see, Miss Emma, love is the strongest magic of all. If you can brew a potion that makes someone fall in love, well, you have quite the power." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "And power, my dear, is what every great witch needs."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I think I’ll pass on the ‘power’ of love potions, thanks."

Professor Myrtle’s smile widened. "Well, if you change your mind… the potion ingredients are right here."

And that’s when it happened. A tiny vial of sparkling pink liquid appeared before Emma. Professor Myrtle handed it to her with a wink. "The Potion of True Love," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "One drop, and you’ll see who truly has feelings for you."

Emma hesitated. She had no intentions of falling for any of this potion nonsense, but curiosity got the better of her. She pocketed the vial, fully intending to ignore it.

That afternoon, Liam came over to study, as usual. The moment he walked into her room, Emma had an odd, impulsive thought. *What if I used just a drop of the potion? What could it hurt?*

But the idea felt silly. It was a potion! A fake, ridiculous potion! Emma shook her head, pushing the thought aside.

Except, a mischievous part of her thought otherwise.

As Liam flipped through his notes, Emma couldn't resist. She unscrewed the vial and, without thinking too much, dropped a single, sparkling droplet into his glass of water. She instantly regretted it.

"Oops, I hope I didn’t accidentally poison you with some weird potion," Emma said, trying to act nonchalant. "That would be just my luck."

Liam laughed. "Don’t worry, I think I’ll survive." He took a sip, and his face froze for a moment, his eyes wide.

"Are you okay?" Emma asked, her heart suddenly racing.

Liam blinked rapidly. Then he stared at her with an intensity she had never seen before. "Emma… you look incredible today. Like, really incredible." He stood up and walked toward her, his usual goofy smile replaced by something else entirely.

Emma’s stomach twisted into knots. *Wait—did it actually work?*

"Liam, are you—"

Before she could finish, Liam leaned in, his lips brushing hers. Her heart skipped a beat. It was electric—like a spark igniting something deep inside her. It was nothing like the awkward pecks she’d seen in movies. This was… real.

When he pulled away, he seemed dazed, blinking rapidly again. "I… I’m sorry, Emma. That was weird. I didn’t mean to—"

Emma laughed nervously, still trying to process what had just happened. "It’s okay. I, um, didn’t expect you to say that."

Liam’s face flushed a deep red. "I think I’ve always felt that way, just didn’t know how to say it," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

Emma blinked in disbelief. Was he being real? Was this potion actually… working?

"Are you saying… you like me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam grinned sheepishly. "Yeah. I think I have for a long time. I guess I just needed a little push."

Emma grinned too, feeling the rush of emotions flood her chest. "Well, I’m glad the potion worked. I think I’ve been waiting for you to figure it out."

As the realization hit her, she couldn’t help but laugh. "Though, I think next time, we should just talk instead of relying on weird potions."

Liam chuckled. "Agreed. But I’m glad it worked this time."

And from that day forward, Emma and Liam found themselves in the most magical kind of love: the kind where no potion was needed at all.