Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters.
Lilika Greyrose was now officially late for class. Never a day before in her six years at Hogwarts' Witchcraft and Wizardry had she been late. If only she had grew a backbone and declined the request to sit down and 'talk' to someone who she barely even knew. But being a sap for a pouty face and tear-filled eyes, she ended up staying up all night talking out how some jerk could rip out this innocent girl's heart. Honestly she didn't even know the guy. The sobbing, whimpering girl just kept saying 'him'. She wondered why people always felt the urge to open up to her and tell her their deepest, darkest, most intimate thoughts. Then again she did start most of the conversations by running to the aid of every fallen victim she came across. Now she was never going to make it to her Double Potions class on time. She was silently thankful that Professor Snape was no longer her teacher for that class, though she didn't appreciate Professor Slughorn much either. He was always after her to join that ridiculous club of his, but she knew she couldn't. She was a person who believed in equal opportunity and thought it was unfair that a Professor made a club for only those he dubbed qualified.
She turned the corner, now seeing the classroom in plain view. She just had to run a little faster and she could make it. Just as she reached the door and pulled it open, someone knocked her down, causing her books to shatter everywhere. The last bell rang and she was technically halfway in the class so she wasn't late. She grabbed everything in a disorderly pile and pulled herself off the floor. She walked in closing the door behind her. Lilika strolled over to her friends over by the window. This class was mixed with Slytherins, Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and a few Hufflepuffs. Each house sat by people in their own house and didn't wonder. Lilika was no different. Though she talked to and tolerated people who were in different houses, she didn't make a point to mingle outside her Ravenclaw house. Slughorn had instructed that the class quiet and pull out their books. Everyone did as they were told, though the Slytherins did groan a little. Honestly, it is as if they expected to learn nothing all day.
"Now I want you all to partner up with someone and complete the potion written on the black board by the end of class. You may begin." Then he returned to his desk to grade some paperwork he assigned earlier into the week. Jasmine, Lilika's closest and most trusted friend, immediately stood to get the ingredients while Lilika wrote out the directions for both of them, trying to memorize the steps so she didn't have to keep looking down at her paper while she was making it. When Jasmine got back, Lilika was complete with copying the notes and started setting up the cauldron.
"Okay, first put in three drops of the Bundimun secretion, then stir counterclockwise five times." Lilika instructed. Jasmine did as she was told, then turned to Lilika again. "Now put a few shreds of fluxweed in and let it simmer for a while."
"So whose sob story did you listen to last night?" Jasmine questioned knowing Lilika all too well.
"Some fourth year. Hufflepuff. Boy problems." Lilika said. Jasmine knew all about the people who thought she was some kind of miracle worker who could make their problems disappear.
"Here is a new concept. How about saying no once in awhile? Hey, pass me the nettles."
"I did, but you should have seen her. She was balling and she was also alone. I felt bad to just leave her."
"Damn Hufflepuffs. They need to toughen up or they are going to get killed in the real world. They almost made you late for- Look alive, the Professor's coming our way." Lilika looked at the cauldron to see that their potion was nearly complete. Professor Slughorn would be most impressed with their work and perhaps give them some house points.
"Well, looks good girls. I can see why you were put in Ravenclaw. Miss. Greyrose, I can tell you put a lot of work into this potion. It is near perfect. Congratulations. 10 points each." Slughorn said with a small smile on his face.
"Thank you, Professor." Both girls sang. He nodded and made his way over to Potter and Weasley.
"Miss. Greyrose, I can tell you put a lot of work into this potion. Oh yes. Excellent." Jasmine mimicked as he walked out of ear shot. "I swear he acts like he can't even see me. I desperately want to join his Slug Club. Do you know he invited Granger to join? God, I swear. I'm just as smart as her but just because I was born with magical parents knowing everything about magic is 'excepted'. My life is so easy." She continued to complain about her good luck in life. Just as Lilika was about to point out all the horrible luck Jasmine has had over the years, she was interrupted by the gushing sounds of Slughorn.
"Oh, Mr. Potter. My boy, this is the best potion I have ever seen in a classroom. It is perfect. Never has a student done so well. 50 points to Gryffindor." Slughorn declared. Lilika could feel the envy and humiliation wash over her. How could she not have been best? She always was the best in Potions. It was her ace class. And now to be beat out by Potter. No! This was not acceptable. She had no choice. It was time to pull out the big guns to out shine Potter in the next class, Lilika realized as she listened to Slughorn continued to praise a now blushing Potter.
Lilika skipped lunch to go down to the library. She went to the spot that she needed, knowing this library like the back of her hand. She found Potions 101 looking ashamed to even think about using it. But hey she had to start somewhere right? Making her way to her favorite chair, Lilika froze seeing someone had already taken it. Even from the back she could tell who it was. There were very few boys who had pale skin and blonde hair in this school. Oddly, he was one of the main people who cause countless people, boys and girls, to come crying to her about one thing or another. Debating whether or not she should ask him to move, Malfoy left the chair taking his books and bag with him. Thinking that was rather easy, Lilika eased into the chair opening the book. After a few minutes of reading the introduction, she decided to skip to perfecting potions.
"Oi! That's my seat." She looked up to see a ragged Draco Malfoy standing in front of her with a look of clear disdain on his face.
"I'm sorry. I didn't see any books or stuff here so I assumed it was empty." Lilika explained, however, she didn't get up.
"Now you do. Move, Ravenclaw." He ordered with his signature snarl on.
"Alright, Slytherin. Honestly you act as if we haven't had classes together before." She mumbled under her breath picking up her belongings. She moved to the chair across from his. He eyed her wearily as wondering whether to tell her to move to a farther distance or not. Apparently he decided against since he just threw his stuff down and took a seat. Another thirty minutes passed in silence before Malfoy let out a troubled sigh. Lilika looked up from her book at him. She hadn't notice how troubled he looked before. He certainly looked a lot paler from the beginning of the year and he had dark bags under his ice blue eyes. Knowing that is was what always got her in trouble, she stood from her chair and squatted in front of Malfoy. It took him a few seconds to realize she was in front of him.
"Hmmm…Hey! Are you okay? You seem kind of distracted." Lilika asked politely concern slipping into her voice. The moment she made eye contact with him she knew she made a mistake coming over here.
"How about you go over there and read a book about a subject you don't need to study and leave me the fck alone?" Anger slipping into his voice with every word he spoke.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what came ove-" she started but was cut off rudely,
"I'll tell you what came over you. You're filthy behavior to try and solve everyone's problem to fill your empty, pathetic life." He snarled, grabbing his things and leaving. She was horror-filled. No one ever talked like that. They were always sweet and polite with her as if she would break with the first harsh word. A shudder went through her whole body thinking about what he said again. She would make a point to talk to that boy more often. It was at that moment that Harry Potter himself graced her with his presence.