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Secrets, lies and love-Chapter 4-The Boggart in the wardrobe.

Draco's POV

I can't believe I did that! I feel so bad for doing that to Nicole. Okay fine, I like her more than a friend. She's beautiful, funny, brave and strong. Every time I see her my heart beats fast, I think I'm falling in love with her...Draco, stop it! I'm a Slytherin and she's a Gryffindor. But, I need to find a way to make it up to her. Potty, Weasel and Mudblood will be hanging around her for the rest of the year.

I checked my timetable; DADA with Gryffindors.

Professor Lupin wasn't there when we arrived at his first DADA lesson. I sat near the front next to Goyle and Nicole sat next to Ron on the table next to mine.

"Um, hi, Nicole," Nicole ignored me, I don't blame her she's angry at me and Potty will kill me if I go anywhere near her.

"She doesn't want anything to do with you, Malfoy," Ron snarled at me.

"No one asked you, Weasel," I sneered back at him.

Weasley gave me the death stare.

Lupin finally entered the room, "Good afternoon," he said. "Would you please put all your books back in your bag. Today's will be a practical lesson. You will only need your wands."

We all put our books back into our bags. "Right then," said Professor Lupin, when everyone in the class was ready. "if you'd follow me."

I was puzzled but not interested, I can't get Nicole out of my head. It's driving me nuts!

"I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," he said. "and I am sure he will perform it admirably."

I saw Longbottom's face go bright red. "Now then," said Professor Lupin. "There is a Boggart in there. Can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?"

"No one knows," Hermione said suddenly, hold on, when did she get here?

"When did she get here?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"Boggarts are shape-shifters, they take the shape of whatever the person fears the most that is what makes them-"

"So terrifying, yes," said Lupin. "Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a boggart. Let's practice it now. Without wands, please. After me. Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" the whole class repeated except me, Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Very good. A little louder and very clear. Listen: Riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!"

"This class is ridiculous," I sneered, Pansy sniggered before she clung onto my arm. Urgh, she won't leave me alone. I don't think Pansy has ever heard of something called personal space.

"Very good. So much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a boggart is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you find truly amusing." Lupin explained.

I didn't listen, I was busy focusing on Nicole. Pansy spent the last five minutes asking if my arm is all right, "Pansy, shut up." I whispered.

Nicole's POV

I hate him. All he for the first half of the DADA lesson was just stare at me, it was kinda weird. "This means," said Professor Lupin, choosing to ignore Malfoy's little conversation with pug-face Pansy. "that we have a huge advantage over the Boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Nicole?"

I was trying to answer the question with Hermione stood next to me she was bobbing up and down on the balls of her feet with her hand in the air, it kinda put me off a bit, but I had a go. "Er-because there are so many of us, it won't know what shape it should be?"

"Precisely," said Professor Lupin, Hermione put her hand down looking disappointed. "It's always best to have company when you're dealing with a Boggart. He becomes confused. Which should he become, a headless corpse or a flesh-eating slug. I once saw a Boggart make that mistake-tried to frighten two people at once and turned himself into half a slug. Not remotely frightening. The charm that repels a Boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind."

In the corner of my eye, Malfoy was strutting towards me. "Why hello Nicole-" Malfoy started.

"I'm not interested, Draco," I didn't look at him.

He inched closer to me, "Oh, are we on a first name basis?"

"If you ever come near me again and you'll wish you were never born," I said quickly before turning back my attention to the lesson.

"Playing that game, are we?"

"Shove off, Malfoy." Ron snarled, thank God Ron is always here to save the day.

"What's your problem, Weasley?" Malfoy asked.

"Lay another hand on her and your life won't be worth living," Malfoy looked slightly terrified at Ron and he should be.

"She's not yours, you know?" Malfoy said with his eyes narrowing.

"She's more mine than yours," Ron snarled.

"She'll never like you in that way, Weasley," Malfoy sneered. "She needs someone more like me, a gentleman."

"What makes you think I would ever fancy you, Draco?" I said.

Malfoy smirked, "Maybe because I'm good-looking unlike weasel."

I shoved him away, "You little-"

"Is there a problem over there?" Professor Lupin asked.

I shook my head, "No, sir."

"Nothing at all, Professor," Malfoy said, still looking a bit terrified of Ron.

My attention was turned back to Malfoy, "Stay away from me." I said sternly.


After the lesson, Professor Lupin asked to see me in his office. "Thank you for coming to see me, Nicole. Can I call you Nicole?"

I nodded, "Yes, you knew my parents so I don't mind."

"I wanted to know what the problem was in my lesson today involving you, Mr Malfoy and Mr Weasley. If you don't want to tell me, that's fine." Lupin said.

"Yes..." I nodded. "Malfoy fancies me and I think Ron has a crush on me because every time Malfoy flirts with me Ron manages to save the day." I felt myself blushing a tiny bit.

"I'm not being personal but do you fancy Malfoy?" he asked.

I thought about it and I do fancy him a tiny bit but he's a git. "A little bit," I muttered.

"I see," he said. "I never would have thought Malfoy taking an interest in you at all."

"I know," I muttered.

"OK, thank you, Nicole, you may go now."

I nodded before making my way out and walking back to the Gryffindor common room. Harry stopped me, "What did Lupin want with you?"

"Just wanted to talk about the incident with me, Malfoy and Ron. Don't worry." Harry nodded.

The end of the fourth chapter. What do you think? Should Nicole forgive Draco? Will Draco admit that he's fallen in love with her? Does Ron ask Nicole on a date? Find out in the next chapter. Please review. :)