Classes for the next few days proceeded much as usual, with the exception of Draco Malfoy's remarkable--according to Ron anyway--change of character. Rather than dropping snide comments in the halls when they crossed paths, Malfoy had taken to simply nodding an acknowledgement to Ron or Hermione, and snatching a few seconds conversation with Grace when he could. This behavior only gave strength to the rumor mill surrounding both Grace and Draco, and Lavender was looking so smug that Grace wanted nothing more than an opportunity to take her down a few pegs.
And then came her first day of Advanced Potions. She'd been dreading the trek down to the dungeons, it always took her a good month's worth of classes to adjust herself to Snape's particular brand of abuse. It didn't help any that the deepest of her bruises were only now starting to turn that wonderful sickly green color that meant they were healing, and the resulting riot of color across her face only added to the attention she normally received from the rest of the student body.
"Take your seats, two at a table," Snape's voice said from the vicinity of the blackboard. "Potter, you're not to sit with either Weasley or Granger."
Grace had anticipated that, and had headed towards the far side of the dungeon. There were only a handful of seats open on this side, seeing as the Slytherins had a tendency to claim it as theirs, and the few that were open filled up within seconds of her aiming for an empty seat. Finally, the only one that was available was opposite Blaise Zabini. Resigning herself to a term's worth of failing grades and ridicule, Grace went to sit down.
"Blaise, switch me," Draco said from behind her. "Pansy would be better off with you anyway." Zabini glared at Draco, but switched tables without comment.
"You didn't have to do that," Grace murmured as Snape issued the prerequisite you're-sitting-with-your-tablemate-for-the-term announcement and began to wax eloquent about the day's potion.
"No, but I wanted to, and we'll both have a hope of passing now," he responded, and gestured at the blackboard. With a wisp of a smile on her face, Grace set to work.
Two hours later, the Dreamless Sleep potion they were working on was ready for its first bottling. Grace was filling the last flask from the cauldron as the bell tolled across the grounds signaling the lunch hour. Snape didn't release the class immediately, instead swooping around the classroom inspecting people's flasks of potion.
"Unsurprising, Weasley, that yours may be salvageable only by the facts that it has to sit for a week, and that Miss Granger has no doubt been hissing you instructions," Snape oozed, and Grace watched Ron's face flame red enough to match his hair. He opened his mouth to respond with something that would likely land him a detention, and Grace shook her head at him from across the room. For once, he wisely heeded her advice.
Snape billowed through the rest of the class, leaving downcast eyes and smug faces behind him. Finally, he got to Grace and Draco, with what seemed to be a particularly vile look on his face. "Well now," he hissed, stopping directly behind Grace. "How is it, Potter, that you managed to decant a perfect stage one potion?" He reached over her shoulder and plucked a flask from the table. Grace stiffened, keeping her eyes on the edge of the table. Snape always did this, always crowded into her space. It was his way of telling her that there wasn't anything she could do about him, because he was a teacher. If he knew that it reminded her of how Dudley invaded her space, she was sure he would only see that as an added benefit.
"A response is required, Potter."
"Its not any more difficult than cooking, Professor," she said softly, eyes still on the table. "I simply followed the instructions you wrote on the board." It was tempting to tell him that she'd also improvised a couple of steps when it had become clear that she and Draco had missed a critical juncture in the recipe, but the fact that she could feel his glare on the back of her neck kept her silent.
"Class dismissed."