It seemed too soon when we heard the heavy footfalls of the students approaching us. We scrambled out of our position and stood up; we quickly arranged our robes so that it didn't look so rumpled. She smiled and looked up at me. For once in my life, I didn't care for my reputation. I put my arms around her and hugged her; Holding her delicate small body. At first her body tensed then relaxed. She hugged me back, pressing her body close to mine, hugging me as tight as she could. I squeezed her tightly, wishing I could hug her forever. I grabbed her chin and lifted her face delicately so that we could look in each other's eyes. I leaned in turned my face slightly and I saw her close her eyes, her long eyelashes brushing against her cheek. I leaned in closer, so did she... the stomping became louder and we both pulled away.
"Thanks for the... uh... comfort, support," she said, blushing, trying to find the right word.
"No problem, Princess," I said, using the short term for her title here at Gryffindor.
Students rushed in and saw us together, closely talking. SHIT. My expression mimicked hers.
"You think you own the world, Draco Malfoy!" she shouted, her face masked with anger. "But you don't!"
I jumped right in, I laughed cruelly, "Yeah, well at least I'm not related Pothead!" I said.
"MY BROTHER DOES NOT SMOKE THAT MUGGLE DRUG!" she shrieked. People continued to walk around us, nothing out of the usual they must've thought, only Potterette and Malfoy fighting, as usual. "Well, I for one do not want to be late for class, because of some stupid scum off my shoe!" she shouted before winking and turning away.
"Better to be scum than to be a stupid Gryffindor goody two shoes bitch!" I shouted before stalking off.
Nope, no feelings... just... oh, hell even I don't know!
I walked into Potions and took my usual seat next to Blaise. "What's up, Blaise?" I said as I took out my Potions textbook.
"Nothing much," shrugged Blaise. "Where'd you run off to at lunch?"
"Oh, no where in particular," I said.
Blaise and I talked. We talked about Quidditch, our morning classes, and soon enough girls. "Have you seen Faith Potter?" said Blaise shaking his head. I froze. "She's bloody hot! I also heard that she's on the market again. I might tap that. You know, now that Weasel doesn't have a steel grip on her,"
I clenched my jaw. "Yeah," I said, trying to formulate a coherent word in my head before saying something, unfortunately I couldn't manage.
Blaise turned toward the door. Faith, Hermione and Danica walked in. Danica and Hermione were frowning and trying to console them. Faith was looking slightly annoyed and happy. She waved to me. I didn't respond at all, just looked at her bored. "Bloody Hell, Malfoy. Did she just wave at you?" said Blaise bewildered. "I would think that she would avoid you, you know knowing you'd been a huge bitch to her for 7 years!" Faith pouted.
She sat down next to Danica and Hermione. They all chatted amicably. Faith would sometime sneak glances at me I would ignore her. Every time Blaise would catch her looking at me, he's point it out dramatically. "There she goes again!" he had whispered loudly.
It was quite irritating. "She's probably looking at you, Blaise" I lied.
"Who wouldn't?" smirked Blaise. I rolled my eyes.
At that precise moment, Professor Slughorn walked in. "Greeting students," he smiled. The walrus looking man waddled up to his desk and sat down. "As some of you may know me, I am Professor Slughorn. I am going to be teaching you so that you can pass your N.E.W.T.s. Can somebody tell me what Potion making is?" As expected Hermione's arm shot up, followed by Faith's, this was quickly pulled down by Danica. I laughed. I remember overhearing them talking once, Danica was telling Faith that she mustn't raise her to give a chance at the stupid people to answer. Faith had sighed then. "Yes, miss Granger?"
"Potion making is brewing ingredients together to create a desired magical result," said Hermione as a matter factly.
"Very good, Miss Granger, 10 points to Gryffindor," Professor Slughorn said. "In this class, you have to pay attention to all the finer details if not all these future potions that we will be brewing this year, will have plenty of consequences when not properly brewed. Now when – Miss Potter, Miss Brockwell and Miss Granger no talking in the class!" he scowled looking over at the now silent, innocent looking girls. "Good, now as I was saying, the Potion we will be brewing today, will be a very difficult potion to brew, and will be, as the Muggles say, just the tip of the iceberg. Pay attention to squeeze the exact amount of juice out of the – Miss Potter, Miss Granger and Miss Brockwell, I have already had to warn you. Now, to ward off future disturbances in this classroom I'm going to ask one of you to go sit by..." Professor Slughorn searched for a face in the classroom, "by... Mister Zabini!" When they had a silent conversation with their eyes... which was brutally interrupted by Professor clearing his throat loudly. "Now, girls, you're not going to make me pick, are you?" They shook their heads in unison. Several short whispered disputes followed by Danica pushing Faith into the aisle. "Alright, Miss Potter it is." Faith stood up proudly and gathered her book bag and the materiel she had previously laid on her desk. She strode down the aisle towards Blaise and me, and sat next to Blaise.
"Hi," Blaise whispered.
She turned her head away from the Professor and towards us. "Hi," she said.
"You'll probably find it easier to talk back here," joked Blaise.
She giggled silently. "Yeah, probably,"
They talked the rest of the class, even while brewing the potion. The potion had turned out to be a success. The only part of this class that I didn't favour was the one where she didn't pay attention to me and talked to Blaise... which was all of the class.
"So, we have a upcoming Hogsmeade weekend coming up," said Blaise. Uh – oh. "Do you have anything planned?"
She looked him dead center in the eyes. "Not anymore," she giggled, Blaise laughed along.
"So , seeing that neither of us have anything to do at Hogsmeade, why don't we spend it together at the Three Broomsticks," he asked before adding smoothly, "Just the two of us,"
She blushed and sneaked a small glance at me, which went unnoticed by Blaise. I had frozen, wanting to hear her reply. Would she ignore the kiss and the time we had shared today? And why do I care? "Sure," Oh and another thing... Why am I so fucking disappointed? And angry? And hurt? These feelings feel all too familiar. I thought back at the time my father had Crucio me when he had discovered the Muggle book I had kept under my mattress, and the time he had threw me against the wall when I had asked him what was so wrong with Muggle-Borns. I shoke my head. Clenched my eyes shut and took a few deep breaths. Professor Slughorn dismissed the class. Faith had waved goodbye to Blaise and me, pausing at me for a brief period before running off to her best friends.
Fuck. The girl that I declared mine a few hours ago now had a bloody date with my best friend.
Fuck.