CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Should I be worried" Cedric asks.
"Yes" I nod, "Josh is going to be a real looker someday"
Cedric laughs and puts an arm on my shoulder.
"This was a good date right?" he asks.
"The best this is the new standard"
"I look forward to beating it" he says.
"See you later" he says he kisses my forehead before he goes.
"Someone's in love"
"See you later" Malfoy says mimicking Cedric.
"What do you want Malfoy?" I ask annoyed
'I'm sorry about today, ok'
'No you are not' I say irritated
'Ok I am not but it is not my fault that your boyfriend is poor' he snaps
'Life is not all about money, you know'
'Said no poor person ever' he responds
'Once again, I ask, what do you want?'
'To talk about my date' he says
I bite, 'why, what happened?'
"Let's just say Pansy and I booked a room and we got a lot of complaints"
"Eww I wish I could burn that from my memory"
"I can give you a play by play if you want"
"Please don't"
"I'd ask but I already know how your night went"
"Some polite hand holding, long walks and stolen pecks"
"It's like you were there with us" I say sarcastically.
"A lot more happened than that" I say annoyed.
"Please I know Diggory hasn't even gotten to second base"
"There's a lot more to our relationship than the physical stuff. Unlike you and Pansy we can actually hold a conversation"
"Who said we can't? We just prefer to do other stuff" he says rebuffing me
"But you're waiting till marriage so you'll have to wait to find out" he says.
"One there's nothing wrong with waiting till marriage and no I'm not I just want to be in love with the guy I do it with. Not that it's any of your business"
"I respect that. It's actually better when you're in love. I remember my first time with Pansy it was epic.
I am taken aback, "that sounds sweet"
"Plus she did this awesome thing with-
I put my hand over his mouth, "you can stop there"
He laughs under my hand.
"I'll remove it if you promise not to talk about your sex life anymore"
He nods.
"Her legs" he finishes.
"Her legs?"
"I knew you'd be interested you pervert"
"I'm not interested I just didn't know that was possible"
He gives me a devious smile.
"Is sex all that you think about?" I say exasperated.
"No" he says, "I think about Quidditch too"
I laugh, "Someone we have in common"
"This year we're winning the cup I'm sick of losing to Potter"
"What's your beef with him anyways?" I ask.
"Too complicated" he says.
"That's guy speak for I don't know" I translate.
"And you and Pansy"
"I honestly don't remember we've been enemies forever" I say.
'And you and me?' I ask curiously
"Don't you remember? We were eleven and at my dad's house and you broke his priceless vase and he couldn't do anything about it because of who your father is. So he punished me for it instead and we got back to school you didn't say anything you just pretended it didn't happen"
Wait what? Then it hits me.
"I remember that Draco that wasn't me."
He looks sceptical.
"I promise my brothers were goofing around and ending up smashing it and I took the blame because I knew my dad wouldn't punish me"
"I'm so sorry" I apologize.
"You must've gotten one hell of a punishment if it was worth not talking to me for four years" I say smiling.
"I don't want to talk about it" he says darkly.
"Draco what's wrong?" I say worried.
"Did he hit you?" I ask.
"Harris I said I didn't want to talk about it" he says angrily.
"Ok" I say not pressing on.
"Whatever you want" I back off.
He breathes heavily, "I have to go"
"Please don't at least not like this" I beg.
"I promise I'll stop talking" I make a zipping gesture.
He doesn't say anything but he stops trying to overtake me.
Lunch
12:00pm
"So I've been thinking about it and I think we should throw a party" I whisper.
"Why are you whispering?" Edem asks whispering.
"The walls have ears" I answer.
"What kind of party?" Lee asks.
"Halloween is coming up" I say.
"Coming up its next week" Anaya says.
"So we have to get to work" I say.
"One problem with that" Noah says.
"We don't have food, costumes or anything really" he continues.
"That's what the room of requirement is for" I say.
They think about what I have just said.
"You're a genius" Lee says excitedly.
"Our real problem is making sure the wrong people don't find out" I say.
"The wrong people?" Edem asks.
"My brothers and their annoying nosy friends" I say nodding.
"Plus Draco and gang" Noah says.
"Draco's not bad" Anaya says.
Everyone looks at her.
"He isn't" she says shrugging "is it really that shocking"
'Why do you always defend him?' Lee asks
'I guess I have just seen the softer side of him' she says
Noah scoffs
I think about the balcony. He was sweet, kind and even sort of funny but that did not last long at all.
'Are you sure he was not just manipulating you?' Noah asks
'What could I possibly give him? He is smarter than me and my parents are muggles' Anaya says.
We all consider this. Anaya had a way of bringing out the best in people. If there really was a softer side to Draco it would make sense that she was the one to see it.
"I'll catch up with you later guys I have to meet up with Cedric" I say getting up from the table.
I go to our spot by the Whispering tree.
"I'm sorry am I late"
"Yeah you are but it's what I've come to expect" he says looking up at me. Eyes shining I thought by now I would've gotten used to how beautiful they are but no.
I lie with him on the blanket.
"What's on your mind? You've got that mischievous grin on your face"
"I'm throwing a Halloween party next week. But it's still a secret so keep it hush hush. You and your coolest friends are invited"
"Are you sure that's a good idea? If Snape and McGonagall find out you're dead."
"I'm doing it because it's a bad idea and two they're not going to find out. I am only inviting cool people"
"So please come my costume won't make sense if you don't come" I say.
"What's your costume?" he asks smiling.
"Lady Deadpool" I say.
"That sounds hot" he says grabbing my waist. My stomach twists excitedly. This is another thing I should've gotten used to be now.
"It will be" I promise
"I'll definitely be coming then"
"In costume?" I ask.
"In costume" he promises.
"Now back to our main reason for meeting" I bring us back on track
"What's that?" he asks.
I kiss him.
Cedric laughs, "I'm starting to think you're only using me for my body"
"I am. Now stop talking" I say shushing him.
He puts his book down and pulls me closer.
Potions
1:30 pm
"Take your seats children"
"I have grouped you in three's. You will be making a beauty potion. This one is twice as hard to make as the aging potion so pay close attention"
He then demonstrates it in front of the class. The potion is dark blue colour. It is so potent that just the fumes start to transform Snape's face. He starts to look younger and his hair is no longer greasy.
"Your turn" he says.
"Looking good sir" Lee says whistling.
He ignores her.
He waves his wand and the group pairings appear in front of us.
Lee, Pansy and Zayaah
"At least we have each other" I say leaning onto her.
"It isn't enough" Lee sighs into my hair
"I don't want to be stuck with you lesbians either" Pansy says settling down next to us.
"You're just jealous that neither of us would go for you" I say.
She rolls her eyes.
"Some of us need this potion more than others" Pansy says looking at me.
"Are you looking for a mirror?" Lee asks.
Pansy leaves to get the cauldron.
Lee boils the apple juice while I dice the onions. I try my best but my eyes are watering.
"Can you go a day without crying Harris?" he says over my shoulder
"Can you go a day without invading my personal space?"
"You're supposed to put a spoon between your teeth it helps"
"Okay Gordon Ramsey but I do not remember ever seeing you cook"
'Who's that?' he asks confused
'He's never mind' I say shaking my hand.
He takes the knife from hand and dices the onions perfectly.
'How did you?' I ask shocked.
'Missy taught me' he says with a smile, 'she was my house elf. She taught me how to do everything really how to cook, clean play chess'
When he smiles he looks kinder. It is moments like this that I believe Anaya.
'What happened to her?' I ask
'My dad sacked her when he saw how close we had gotten. 'Pure bloods do not associate with the help''
'Stop it Harris you know I hate that' he says frowning.
'I am sorry. That was sad. Do you want a hug?'
He looks at me disgustedly, 'No' he says walking away.
I put a spoon in my mouth and continue to chop the onions. Admittedly Draco's tip is helpful I look around to thank him but he's determinedly staring into his potion. I decide it will be best to leave him be; when he is in that zone no one call pull him out.
So who's going to get the goblins tongue?" I ask.
"Not it" I say
"Not it" Pansy follows.
"You guys are immature" Lee complains.
"You were just too slow" Pansy says smiling.
"It's not fair" Lee complains.
Once Lee is gone the nice moment Pansy and I shared disappears. She gives me her signature frown. I sigh. Some things never change.
The tongue is in a pickle jar swimming in a suspicious yellow liquid. Lee opens it.
"Ugh it smells like urine" Pansy says.
Lee and I nod our heads.
"That's because it is urine" Snape informs us.
I pick up tongs and carefully drop the tongue in the concoction is turns a sickly green.
"What's the next ingredient?" Lee asks covering her nose.
"Human toe nails" Pansy says disgusted.
"Too bad ladies" Crabbe says, "We just grabbed the last one" he says holding a bottle of nails
"I'm not cutting my toes" Pansy says, "I just got a pedicure"
Lee and I both look at each other.
"Together" Lee says.
"Together" I agree.
I take the nail clippers from the cupboard they're old and rusty.
"At least we'll die of tetanus together" I say.
"I'll go first" Lee says.
I quickly chop off her big toe nail.
"That wasn't so bad" she says.
"My turn"
She clips it off.
"Ow" I say, "that hurt a lot more than you let on"
"I know but if I told you then you wouldn't have done it"
She picks up her toenail and throws it in and I do the same.
"Come on Pansy join us you know want to" I coax.
"Let's be toenail sisters" Lee says.
"You guys are weird" Pansy says but she's taking off her shoes.
"This will be quick but very painful" I say truthfully.
"Just get it over with" Pansy says.
I clamp it off.
"Ow you weren't exaggerating" she says rubbing her foot.
"Have I ever?" I ask.
"Like all the time" she says smiling.
She throws her toenail and the potion turns golden. It smells like porridge.
"Something is missing" Snape corrects.
I look at the board confused I swear we put everything in.
"Parsley" Pansy shouts out.
"That's why he asked us to pay attention he added something he didn't put in the potion"
"Are you sure?" Lee says suspiciously.
"What have we got to lose let's just listen to Pansy" I say.
She throws some Parsley in and the mixture turns dark blue.
"Well done girls"
"Thanks Zayaah. I still hate you but thanks" she says sauntering away from us and back to her friends.
"Her loss" Lee says.
"Yeah we're awesome" I say.
Quidditch practice
4pm
"Good practice guys this year I am sure we'll win the Quidditch cup. Gryffindor has held it for too long"
The members of the team nod their heads in agreement.
"Now head to the showers you stink" I say. Noah rubs his sweaty blonde head all over me.
"Why are you like this?" I ask.
He laughs.
"Zayaah could you please stay behind there's something important I want to show you" Draco asks.
"I'll catch up with you guys later" I say to Anaya and Noah.
"What is it?" I ask.
"There's this new play I've been thinking of doing but I want the two of us to test it out before showing the rest of the team"
"Makes sense" I say nodding.
"So show me" I say.
"You'd have to see for yourself I cannot exactly explain it"
"You want me to board your broom with you?" I ask.
"Why are you scared? Are you that heavy?"
I smack him, "you don't say that to a lady"
"I wasn't aware I was in the presence of a lady" Draco smirks.
"But all jokes aside I'm not going to hurt you Harris trust me"
He climbs onto his broom and looks at me expectantly.
"If I die you're paying for my funeral and it's going to be a fancy one" I threatens, 'with that Malfoy money my coffin will be gold'
He laughs, "I have no doubt about that Harris, but if you'll just hold on tight nothing will happen"
"Fine" I say getting onto the broom.
"Woah did you feel that shift?" Draco asks. I smack him upside the head.
"Make one more joke I dare you"
"I'll stop" he says.
I wrap my arms around him.
"Jesus Harris I cannot breathe"
"You said tightly"
"And now you're suffocating me"
I relax a bit.
"You ready?" he asks.
We take off. Draco doesn't go easy on me at all we are already zooming around the pitch. The wind roars in my ears. Draco flips the broom upside down if I wasn't holding him; I would've fallen down and cracked my head.
We're back on the ground.
"Ok let's try that but with a quaffle this time."
"I cannot hold on to you and the quaffle at the same time"
"Yeah you'll let go of me when you reach the hoop and throw the quaffle in"
I laugh.
"Are you crazy? Did you honestly just suggest that I die for practice?"
"No Zayaah I'll catch you"
"With what experience" I say doubtfully.
He has no answer.
"Please" he begs.
"Fine but if I go down you're going down too" I say.
"Seems fair"
This time only one of my arms is around him and the other one is on the quaffle. As soon as we are airborne the quaffle tries to escape my grasp but I hold on tightly. We are now on top of the hoop. I let go of Draco, and allow myself to fall I throw the quaffle onto the ground as I go. I see Draco racing to get to the ground before I land. He gets there in a nick of time. I am only a hairs breath away from the ground.
"That was way too close for comfort" I say.
"Can you just be happy about our victory?" he says annoyed.
"Well we did kind of do something awesome back there"
"Kind of we were magic back there. I have to say Harris you and I make an amazing team"
"Who would've thought" I say smiling.
Why is so different when we're alone?
"While we're on a good note I'm throwing a Halloween party next week Friday"
"But only tell your closest friends. I don't need the wrong people finding out"
"You mean your brothers"
I nod.