…Improper ingredients that could be added without changing the color were never a good thing. Unfortunately, Snape was busy yelling at Longbottom, Pansy was talking, and Blaise was watching Potter, so no-one noticed.
Draco was enjoying this unexpected opportunity to watch Hermione. The potion was a complicated one, so they didn't have much spare time for talking or such, but it did afford him to chance to watch her, with no-one the wiser.
She, as usual, was concentrating on the potion so intently that he doubted she was still aware of him sitting there. He loved the way she started to chew her lip when she was focusing on her work.
The cinnamon colored eyes noted every minute detail, and he could practically see the proverbial wheels turning in her head. She must have memorized the instructions and was continuously running them through her mind. Once he'd sliced, diced, crushed, ECT all the ingredients she'd handed him, she'd then turned to other matters and he was all but forgotten.
For right now that was perfectly fine with him. The steam must have been bothering her lips, because she licked them. They must not have tasted good because she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
If you don't like the way that tastes, I have other things you can lick! That unexpected thought hadDraco shifting in his seat and squeezing his legs together. Hold it! Now is NOT the time for a fantasy. Especially if you're going to get physical demonstrative. Good Lord, we have to stand up and walk around in just a few minutes.
It was no use. Arguing with his body had seldom helped in the past, and it seemed to have no better effects right now. His eyes lovingly watched as her hands skimmed the spoon, almost like she was stroking it. Damnit, I can't believe this is happening right now!
In a desperate attempt to change the direction of his thoughts, Draco tore his gaze from her, and let it wander the room. Think un-sexy thoughts. Ah, Weasley: he should do. The only way I could dream of touching him is by having my hands wrapped around his throat.
Draco was so absorbed picturing the redhead's face matching his hair that he nearly jumped out of his skin when a slender hand grabbed his arm.
"Draco?"
"What?"
She cringed slightly at his harsh tone. "Sorry. I was asking if you could help me stir, please. I have a few last minute things to add and I need both hands."
"Sure."
He wanted to suggest she use the stirring charm, as most Potions Masters did, but he knew he hadn't been much help so far, so he kept that comment to himself.
Hermione removed her hand from his body, and he found himself missing its warmth. He had the insane urge to grab it and put it back, but he managed to resist.
This should be fine. Stirring the potion will give me something to do with my hands, at least, and should keep my mind occupied.
It was a good plan. Simple: but good. Only one problem. In order to reach the cauldron properly, Hermione was all but sitting in his lap, so every time she moved to put in an ingredient, her hands inevitably brushed against his. Shit, well, there goes that plan.
With an inward shrug, Draco surrendered to the inevitable and allowed his mind to run rampant. If I'm going to daydream, it might as well be a good one!
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Harry was having the devil's own time not giving away his secret. Part of his brain was arguing that he should feel bad for what he was planning to do, and to his best friend, too! But the louder part of his brain argued that Ron deserved this and more.
Using a variation of a spell Hermione had used in their fifth year, Harry had put a hex on the potion, so that all who drank it would break out in spots. Only it didn't spell out the word 'sneak'.
He only hoped it would work. Out of all their teachers, Snape was the most likely to turn a blind eye to this, especially if he knew Draco and Blaise were involved. Harry's only worry was how many house points would be lost. Snape had made it clear he had no use for Gryffindors in general, and Harry in particular.
At last the time came for them to sample all their potions. Snape decided that each table would sample their own before the class, then they could circle the room and sample all the others.
The first few potions went uneventfully. When it was Longbottom and his partner's turn, their potions was botched so badly Snape made them throw it out. With a long suffering sigh, he summoned some from his own cupboards and informed the class that they may use that instead. "I fear letting you sample the one your classmate made, as I worry it may poison you all."
Neville's face was red with embarrassment, and he let out a squeak of dismay, but other than that didn't respond.
Finally, it was Harry and Ron's turn. They hadn't spoken a word the whole time they'd worked together. Professor Snape looked at them with loathing. "Well Mr. Weasley, since you decided to sit there and scowl, while Mr. Potter struggled through the work, I think it would be in order for you to sample first.
Ron looked indignant, but for once he didn't argue, merely stood and grabbed a small vial full. With a defiant glare on his face he tilted his head back and swallowed it in one gulp.
The effect was almost instantaneous. Before his classmates fascinated eyes, Ron's face began to sprout red dots. At first there seemed to be no pattern to them, but it wasn't long before four small letters appeared. P.R.A.T.
No one was sure how to respond at first. They were too astonished to laugh. Many blinked several times, as though doubting what they saw. Even Professor Snape seemed surprised.
The way people were staring must have alerted the Gryffindor that something was wrong, because he began looking at them, and asking in a very angry tone of voice. "What? What are you staring at?"
Draco once again struggled to suppress his laughter. Yes! It worked perfectly. If all went right, it should take several days for the effects to wear off. Maybe by then, Weasley will have learned a little humility.
Draco was quite proud to note that even his unshakable god father seemed to be speechless. Well, temporarily speechless, he thought as he noticed the thunderous expression.
Knowing that he shouldn't let Potter take the blame for something that he himself had instigated, Draco leaned forward, and when he was sure Snape could see him, he shook his head before pointing at himself and mouthing 'my plan'.
Snape nodded briefly before addressing the mess before him. Students had slowly gotten over their shock and were beginning to laugh quite loudly. Ron still had no idea what had happened, so naturally he was quite frustrated. In a loud shout he demanded to know what everyone was laughing at.
"Mr. Weasley," Snape had to raise his voice slightly to capture everyone's attention. "If you would be so kind as to calm yourself. Now, I don't appreciate you disrupting my class in this manner. You will report back here for detention tonight at 8:00. I suggest you go to the hospital wing immediately before I change my mind and start deducting points."
Still unsure about what exactly was wrong with him; Ron cast one last furious glance around the room before he stormed out.
Professor Snape turned to face Harry, and everyone got real quiet.
"Mr. Potter." Snape's voice was filled with venom and sarcasm. "I feel congratulations are in order. You have proven me wrong."
"Sir?"
"Yes indeed, I truly believed that no one could botch a potion worse than Mr. Longbottom. Yet you have managed to succeed admirably. Five points to Gryffindor."
Without another word he banished the potion in front of Harry and replaced it with yet another bottle from his personal storage.
The students began muttering to each other. Did that really just happen? Did I hear Snape give points to Gryffindor, and Harry at that? Was he serious? The problem was, that the teacher had spoken in such sarcastic manner that no-one was sure whether he'd truly meant that or not.
After that brief, but amusing, display, Snape ordered them to continue. Hermione offered to test their potion, but Draco refused. It being such a complex potion, Draco didn't want to chance anything being wrong with it. Plus, he knew that his godfather might well let her drink something made incorrectly, as long as it wasn't dangerous, but he would stop Draco.
Glancing over at the Potions Master, Draco received a brief nod for courage before he took a tiny sip. Almost immediately, a peaceful feeling spread through him. A silly smile, nothing like his usual smirk, now graced his lips, and he found himself thinking happily how wonderful life could be.
Professor Snape was once again speaking to the class. "This potion is very difficult to make. Miss Granger, can you please tell us which ingredients were used?"
"Yes, sir. " Quickly, Hermione stood and recited the list.
"Thank you. Now, can anyone, from hearing the list of ingredients, as well as seeing Mr. Malfoy's reaction, tell me which potion they have made?"
No one raised their hand. Hermione probably would have, had she not been one of the people involved in making the concoction.
"No-one. How disappointing." Snape frowned. "Then please make note: Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy have managed to successfully complete a very difficult potion: the 'Draught of Peace'. "
Neville let out a surprised gasp.
"Sir, isn't that potion dangerous if not made, or taken correctly?"
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom, it is indeed. If made incorrectly, or taken in inappropriate amounts, this potion can relax a person too much. In fact, it may relax them enough to cause them to go into a deep, irreversible sleep, much like the Draught of Living Death."
Several students looked nervous, so Snape added. "For that reason, each of you may taste a small sip of this potion, and no more."
Once he was sure they all understood the seriousness of his commands, Snape turned to Blaise. "We have one last group to go. Mr. Zabini, Miss Parkinson, if you will."
Blaise nodded to Pansy who smiled and stood before the class. "Okay, we had to make the 'Forgetfulness Potion'."
Pansy took a deep sip, nearly gagging on the strong taste. She sat, listening to Snape instruct the class on where to go next, when suddenly pictures started flashing through her head. Draco…me…we were not dressed…
They stopped as suddenly as they had started, leaving her in a state of confusion. Wow! That was weird. I wonder what that was all about.
She didn't have to time continue thinking on it, because other students were already at her station, waiting patiently for her to move.
Blaise grabbed her arm and steered her towards their next table. "Come on, Pansy! I want to taste that peace draught stuff!"
Pansy followed, but much slower. She felt very confused, and kept seeing flashes of herself and Draco kissing and undressing each other. That in itself wasn't too unusual, seeing as how she used to sleep with him on a regular basis, though they'd stopped several months ago. No, what struck her as odd was the way she kept seeing herself standing in the hall, half-dressed and glaring at Draco who was pointing his wand in her face.
All of a sudden, Pansy was glad it was the last class of the day because she was feeling very sleepy.
What is happening to me? Where did these images come from and what do they mean? Are they real?
That was her last conscious thought before the floor rushed up to meet her.
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A/N: Once again, I wish to give credit where it is due: I got the information of different potions (such as their names and basic functions) off the website...sorry took so long, I had this done a few days ago, but left it on some-one else's computer.