AN: Okay, so even though I have ELEVEN reviews now, only TWO people actually reviewed. dances Okay yea…so here's a BIG THANKS to:
InkandPaper – You reviewed EVERY chapter and helped a lot! Please keep reviewing and reading! And don't worry; I swear I'll explain everything.
Lord Leon Towasoki – Of course I'll continue writing it! I hope YOU continue to read it! lol
Now…back to our story!
Alia was released from the Hospital Wing the next morning like planned. She felt loads better and was bombarded with questions throughout that whole morning. Of course, she didn't make the team, which Ron so regretfully informed her over breakfast. Hermione, who had been becoming increasingly agitated with Ron seeing as how he and Lavender had been giving each other 'googly eyes', snapped at him with "Like she'd really care about making the team after what she went through! Honestly!" and stormed out of the Hall.
Ron merely shrugged and pretended she didn't say anything.
"So, what classes do we have today?" Alia said, hoping a change of subject would be in order.
Harry, who had been chatting happily with Ginny, turned. "Um, hold on, lemme check," he said, reaching into his bag to pull out the schedule. He'd been glad to see Alia up and about that morning, nearly jumping her to find out if she was still hurt. He groaned when he saw the classes they had. "Double potions. Slytherin." Ron equally matched his groan and a few other Gryffindors near them joined in.
Alia had already learned that Potions class was not the most favored of them all, especially with Snape teaching them. It was rumored he was being exceptionally vicious this year after once again being denied the DADA job, which was given to a ominous-looking witch named Professor Trowley. It would be their first Double Potions of the year and she was quite excited, seeing as they were paired with Slytherin. Maybe she'd get to see Malfoy again. "Maybe we ought to be going now," she suggested, rising from her seat. The boys shot her a foul look and went back to eating their breakfast. She merely laughed and when she turned to leave, almost collided into Professor McGonagall.
"S-sorry, Professor," she stammered, turning pink from embarrassment. A few people near by sniggered.
"Quite alright. Watch where you are going through next time, Miss Silversin. But actually, I had come over here to speak with you. The Headmaster would like to see you in his office, after your morning classes are done. Be sure to be there," she informed the girl curtly before walking off down the rows and back to the head table, leaving Alia staring dumbly after her.
Thousands of panicked thoughts ran through her mind as everyone began moving off to morning classes. What had she done? She'd only been back for one morning…or maybe it was about her fall! Oh, she hadn't meant to cause such a disturbance. I hope I'm not expelled. PLEASE don't let me be expelled, she thought nervously, nearly wanting to cry.
Harry noticed her face had gone pale after he bade Ginny a goodbye. He and Ron had "happened" to "over hear" the professor. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it's nothing bad. He probably just wants to make sure you're okay, for himself," Harry offered, giving her an awkward pat on the back.
Ron nodded, grabbing his issue of the Daily Prophet he'd gotten in the mail off the table as they left and flipping it open. "Harry has seen Dumbledore about a million times. Nothing to get all riled about. Oh-ho!" he exclaimed suddenly as they made the turn to go down to the dungeons. "Looky here mates. Says here, that the Ministry has found more death eaters and it's rumored that You-Know-Who is near London. Says there's loads of dark activity stirring but the Ministry can't figure out why. Came up all of the sudden," he said hurriedly, scanning the pages. Harry leaned over his shoulder to read as well, a dark look crossing his face.
As they entered the dungeons and took their seats, Ron put the paper away. He didn't want it snatched up by Snape. He and Harry began whispering amongst each other about the news when Hermione joined them, but sat down next to Alia, farthest away from Ron as she could get.
"Hi," Alia greeted her, getting out her cauldron and potion book.
Hermione returned the greeting half-heartedly. "What are the boys talking about?" she asked in a tone that made her sound as though she could have cared less.
"Some dark magic stuff, something about death eaters, and a You-Know-Who somebody or another," Alia said, barely paying attention. She was surprised when Hermione snapped to attention and leaned around her to whisper with Harry.
"What's the big deal?" she asked curiously as her friends continued talking. "What's all this about?" The Slytherins were just starting to fill in by now and class would start soon, she knew.
Harry looked at her strangely. "You don't know about Voldemort?"
Ron flinched noticeably and hissed, "Don't say his name Harry!" Hermione merely rolled her eyes and said, "Get over it Ron!"
Ignoring his two friends, he turned to Alia, "I can't believe you don't know. I thought everyone in the wizarding world knew about him."
The girl shrugged. "I'm from the Americas remember? We don't hear much that goes on over here. Is he important?"
That brought a flood of curses from Ron and a flood of excited babblings from Harry and Hermione.
"He's just the most powerful Dark Wizard around, that's all," Hermione said and preceded to fill her in on the story behind Voldemort, with Harry adding in every bit he could.
"So, wait a minute. You're saying, HARRY defeated Voldemort ((Ron gaped at her noticeably and flinched)) when he was a baby and that's why he has a scar? And he's had run-ins with him ever since? And it'll be Harry's job to stop him?" she asked in disbelief, staring at Harry. When they nodded, she let out a breath. "Whoa. That seems like an awful lot to swallow. How do you ever manage?"
Harry laughed uneasily. "It grows on you I suppose."
Ron elbowed Harry suddenly and pointed. "Better watch out. Here comes our favorite ferret and his goonies."
Alia was confused for a moment as she turned and caught sight of someone she'd been hoping to see. Malfoy had just walked in with Crabbe and Goyle tailing right behind him. They took their seats at a table across from Harry and them, amidst Malfoy's normal Slytherin admirers and friends. He seems so well liked, she thought, discouraged. She would never have a chance with a popular guy, but then again, she wasn't entirely sure she wanted a chance with anyone yet. "Who?" she asked her friends, getting back on subject.
Before Ron could answer with a comment that would have seemed ill appropriate for normal company, there was a loud bang and the sound of sweeping robes as Snape hurried to the front of the classroom.
"SILENCE!" he bellowed at once, and got exactly what he wanted. "Open your books to Chapter 21. We'll be studying Bonding Potions. Can anyone tell me what those are?"
Hermione's hand shot in the air, following by Alia's hand merely a second after. Snape would have surpassed them both, had he not noticed Alia. He paused, looking her over and his eyes narrowed. There was something strikingly similar between her and Harry. Snape disliked that. "Yes, Miss…?"
"Silversin, Professor. And the Bonding Potions come in three forms. The whole purpose of the potion period is to tie two individuals together for a certain period of time. They are tied in thoughts and emotions, as well as they share memories. In minor cases, parents use it to make siblings get along or lovers might use it to get closer. It creates the kind of bond some people already share, such as twins or psychics," she said, giving Snape a bright smile while she answered.
The Potions Master frowned. "Correct. But, what you failed to add, is that if brewed wrong, could prove fatal to both drinkers or provide a permanent bond that would one day drive both drinkers insane." Several of the worst potion students seemed to turn pale at this point. "Your assignment for today is to read about this potion and sort out your ingredients. Tomorrow, we will begin brewing. It will take use four months to brew this potion. Begin."
Everyone went to work with his or her separate readings. Hermione went straight to her ingredients, seeing as how she'd already read about the potion. Alia had as well, but she seemed to pause for a moment on moving to the next step. Instead, she let her mind and her eyes wander about the classroom. It was a nasty habit she'd yet to break. Quiet laughter broke out on the other side of the classroom, causing her to shift her attention. It seemed as though Neville had spilled firebug droppings on himself, which had in turn set his trousers on fire. The laughter had originated with the Malfoy and his group of friends.
"What a git," Ron muttered, watching the whole thing and catching Alia's attention. "Laughing at others expenses." After that, he went back to his work.
Who is he talking about, Alia wondered, as she looked over at the group of Slytherins. She frowned as she noticed Draco seemed to be in the middle of it all, like the ringleader or something. It couldn't be him, could it? He seemed so nice to me. As she mulled over her thoughts, Neville finally managed to put himself out but not after knocking over someone else's cauldron and getting yelled at by Snape, which sent the Slytherin's roaring with laughter.
Draco had been having the normal morning. He had, regrettably, lost some sleep over the past week or so. The fact it was over a girl, bothered him all the more. Sure, she had given him a little fright when she fell, but he hadn't expected to do so much. He loathed that Potter caught her before he did, but at least he got to take her to the Hospital Wing. And he hated himself for even caring that much. He didn't care. He was a Slytherin and more, he was a Malfoy. His friends had teased him over the incident, but he'd silenced that easy. He didn't care for her, he told them. He just didn't want a Gryffindor dying on them and getting the blame for not doing anything. He was believed easily.
He'd been uneasy to see they had potions together. Gryffindors and Slytherins never got a long. Draco had thought on that for a long time. Alia had seemed to have gotten close to the Golden Trio, especially Potter. He could use that, for his own purposes. He still wanted her, which confused him. Draco merely decided to put it on the fact that maybe it was only because it would hurt Potter to see her with him.
He joked with his friends the entire potions lesson and didn't even bother to suppress his laughter at Neville's mishaps. Draco enjoyed it and shared in jeering with his friends. That was, until he caught Alia's eyes and her meticulous frown. His laugh was cut short and his breath was caught for a moment. After she turned away, he scowled. What the hell is the matter with you? You shouldn't give a rat's arse if she sees you laughing at that idiot, he told himself forcefully. It was funny, after all. But he didn't laugh again. Draco merely focused on chatting with Zabini and keeping Pansy off his lap.
When the bell rang for the next class and everyone got up to leave, Draco considered making his move. He figured he would have to soon. "See you later," he told his friends, brushing them off and leaving a hurt Pansy behind. He followed Alia even after she broke off from her friends. Where is she going? He wondered. It was only a moment later that he realized they were heading for Dumbledore's office. Trying to think of a way to make himself known, the opportunity presented itself sooner than he thought.
Alia had been having fretful thoughts about the meeting soon to come and Draco's new behavior. Of course, it was only a one time thing, she thought to herself. I've never seen him act that way. Plus, I suppose it was a little funny. She tried to justify it in some way, but couldn't find many ways. Suddenly, her strap on her book carrier tore and her parchment, books, and quills came spilling out. Without a single hesitation, she let out a small swear she'd picked up from Ron and bent to gather the books. As she reached for her Potions book, her hand bumped into another hand and she looked up, only to see Draco. Her heart caught in her throat for a moment and she felt giddy, as well as immediately stupid for appearing this way. She shook off the feeling. She didn't want to be giddy. "Hi," she said lamely.
He smiled and handed her the book. "Hi," he said back. "Looks like you're having a spot of rotten luck." He glanced down the hall, toward the Headmaster's office as well as her bag.
She caught his meaning and smiled weakly. "Yea, I guess. This is so silly, I'm sorry," she said, gathering up her stuff hurriedly into her arms. "The Headmaster is expecting me soon, and then this happened. You don't have to help."
Draco gave her his signature smirk. "What kind of jerk would I be not to help?" It was a question he hoped she wouldn't retort to. Thankfully, she didn't. Muttering a charm, he repaired her bag with his wand. "There. Good as new."
Alia flushed, cursing herself for not remembering to fix it herself. She shoved her stuff in there easily and slung it on her shoulder. As they both stood, she realized they were standing extraordinarily close. He was gazing at her much too intently with those mist-gray eyes and her heart was beating a mile a minute. Oh my, was all she could think. He leaned in closer and her eyelashes fluttered. She half-closed her eyes and felt her heart catch, preparing herself for the kiss she was sure was going to come. Draco lower his head, so entranced by her soft lips and those devilishly green eyes that were now half-lidded.
A small coughing noise made them jump and split apart, with Alia looking confused and Draco looking angry. "Draco, so nice of you to escort Miss Silversin to my office. I'm sure she appreciates it, but I'm afraid it is my turn to take up some of her time," Professor Dumbledore informed him, inclining his head so he could stare at the boy over his half-moon spectacles.
Draco didn't say anything. He looked furiously defiant at the Dumbledore, as though he wanted to curse the man for interrupting his moment, but instead he turned and fled without a word to Alia. He would have his chance again soon. And next time, he thought viciously, no one will stop me.
Alia watched him go with regret but turned to the Headmaster with her head drooped. "Sorry Headmaster," she sqeaked, completely embarrassed.
Dumbledore was still smiling silently as he put a hand on her shoulder and led her to a gargoyle statue and said, "Gumdrops". The gargoyle jumped aside to reveal the staircase leading up and the Headmaster looked down at Alia, who was still staring at the ground as they ascended. "Apology accepted. But remember, my dear…always remember," he said, tipping her head up to meet his eyes. "How it felt to want forgiveness and to receive it. One day, the same might be asked of you." With that, he led her into his office.
AN: Okay, longer than I expected and not too full of details, but trust me, I needed to do all this to get to the explaining in the next chapter. PLEASE REVIEW! .