This is my second short story. I hope all of you enjoy reading this! Feedback is appreciated :) All Harry Potter rights go to JK Rowling.

Draco stared at the partners list on the blackboard before him, reading past all the names until he came across his own:

Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger.

"Of all people, I get stuck with Granger as my potions partner," Draco muttered to himself, shaking his head while taking his seat in class.

His Gryffindor partner overheard his comment and rolled her eyes. "None of us exactly fancy it, Malfoy. Let's just do our part so we can graduate," Hermione replied.

Draco gave Hermione a long, searching look, as though looking for an insult to throw at her.

Professor Slughorn, who graciously decided to come back to Hogwarts to teach Potions, started to give out instructions on how to make Amortentia.

"Your perfume's too strong."

"Nice comeback."

- two hours later -

Professor Slughorn peered into Draco and Hermione's cauldron. He noted the liquid's mother-of-pearl sheen and the spiralling steam that emitted from it. Smiling at their success in making such a highly advanced potion, he asked the two to go ahead and take a whiff of it first before he dismissed them.

Hermione went first, stepping forward to take a small sniff. Her whole face turned pink as she answered, "I smell hair gel, and a sort of woodsy men's cologne…"

Draco frowned slightly. What Hermione smelled was impossible…he was the only one around who actually uses hair gel and wears cologne. Surely, he could not be who she's attracted to...

"Is the smell something you recognised?" Professor Slughorn asked, noticing Hermione's reaction.

"…yes," Hermione admitted reluctantly, not daring to look at Draco in the eye.

Draco smiled to himself.

Professor Slughorn could see that Hermione looked uncomfortable, so he decided not to ask further questions.

"Alright, thank you Miss Granger. Mr Malfoy, it is your turn," he said as he gestured to the cauldron.

Draco took a step forward to smell the potion. The blonde Slytherin raised an eyebrow.

"Well? Mr Malfoy?" probed Professor Slughorn.

Draco slung his bag over his shoulder.

"Granger, your perfume's too strong," he said, then walked away.