Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it all belongs to JK Rowling…I'm merely an obsessed fan with ideas stuck in my head.
… … … … … …
The first week of school moved-on intolerably slow. Leila was disgruntled because she already had a massive amount of homework and it was still only the first week of term. N.E.W.T. classes were designed to be painstakingly intense, but Leila wasn't one for the pressure. She preferred to only study when she had to; and the week was unbearable because she was actually forced to study. In the little free time she had, Draco Malfoy still managed to evade her and Leila found life at Hogwarts to be quite odd without Malfoy as her unwanted constant companion. She could somewhat understand his issue with her; but he completely ignored her. He still managed to make fun of Harry, Ron, or Granger more times than he even stole a glance in her direction. Not only was homework with a significant lack of Malfoy part of her hectic week, but the Slytherin Quidditch trials were held during the evenings.
Slytherin's new Quidditch captain, Urquhart, insisted on holding trials earlier than normal in hopes of gaining an advantage on winning the Quidditch Cup this year. Of course Professor Snape was pleased with Urquhart's strategy because he wanted nothing more than to annihilate the Gryffindor Quidditch team; something which Leila wasn't partial to. Slytherin and Gryffindor had an intense rivalry and dislike for each other, especially on the Quidditch pitch; but Leila's brother and friends Ron and Ginny were on the team so she wasn't as nasty. Leila was an excellent chaser, like her father; but she didn't let her relationships get in the way on the Quidditch pitch. She still remained friendly, but was an aggressive and intense chaser.
After dinner on Friday, Leila walked down to the pitch with her Firebolt in hand. Like Harry, Leila too had received a Firebolt from Sirius in her third year. She treasured the broom, not only because it was a gift from the now deceased Sirius Black but also because it meant that she didn't have to use the Nimbus 2001 she received when she made the Slytherin team her second year. She and Draco Malfoy had both been added to Slytherin's roster that year and Malfoy's father had made a generous contribution to the team. Leila was glad to know that broom was rotting in the Weasley's broom shed. As she slowly wandered down to the pitch, she thought of the empty roster opening. Leila knew that she would make the team again and not because of her superior chasing skills, but because she regularly played against Ginny Weasley, Gryffindor's best chaser.
Leila slowly walked onto the pitch where Urquhart was already dividing the Slytherins into lines for each position. There were always trials for every position; but there was really only one spot left to fill. Urquhart would have to be out of his damn mind to replace those who played for Slytherin last year. Leila looked to her teammates: Bletchley played Keeper, Crabbe and Goyle were Beaters, Malfoy was the Seeker, and she along with Urquhart played in the Chaser position. The returning players were slow to move to the lines while Urquhart belted out orders to the recruits. There were three boys trying out for Beater, five people for Seeker, five for Keeper, and at least twenty for Chaser. Leila attempted to stand unnoticed at the end of the Chaser's line; but Urquhart instantly spotted her.
"Potter, you're up first," Urquhart called.
Leila rolled her eyes and grudgingly walked to the front of the line. Leila was about to mount her broom when Urquhart grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear.
"Show them how it's done,"
Leila nodded and flipped her ponytail before she kicked off into the air. Leila easily tossed the Quaffle around in her hands as she hovered in the air as she attempted to psych-out Bletchley. With her first throw, the Quaffle soared through the hoop on the left. She chuckled to herself as Bletchley muttered some obscenity. After Leila's fifth attempt and fifth goal, Urquhart called for her to return to the ground. Before obeying Urquhart's order, Leila turned back to Bletchley.
"Someone's a little rusty this year, Bletchley," Leila yelled.
"Sod off, Potter," Bletchley yelled back.
With a wink in Bletchley's direction, Leila slowly descended to the ground. She was almost to the ground when Theodore Nott kicked off the ground for his attempt. Leila looked back to him as he flashed her a nervous smile as she landed. Leila flipped her ponytail once more as she surveyed the line of Chasers, which happened to include Millicent Bulstrode. Leila snickered in disbelief. Bulstrode would never make the House team; her flying was comparable to that of Hermione Granger's, perhaps even worse. Leila still had the memory of Bulstrode and their first year flying lessons engrained in her head. Millicent had fallen from her broom, which was barely hovering above the ground, their second lesson and had embarrassingly shown her knickers to the entire class. While Leila continued to laugh at Bulstrode's expense, not looking where she was walking, she ran right into Malfoy.
"Watch where you're going Potter," Draco sneered.
Leila thought of apologizing to him; but she was quickly distracted and froze in place. She stood right before him as he sneered at her to move. Leila inhaled deeply and looked at Malfoy quizzically. That scent, she had smelled it before, but where? She quickly tried to process her thoughts. Obviously, she had never given much thought to what Malfoy had smelled like before but something about it stirred within her. Suddenly, Leila's eyes opened wide in shock: the Amortentia! This was the third smell that she hadn't been given time to recognize. The third smell had something to do with Malfoy? Leila's gasped as her hand flew to her mouth in attempts to cover her shock and the blush creeping up onto her cheeks. This wasn't possible; she couldn't possibly be attracted to Draco Malfoy!
"Move Potter," Malfoy drawled.
"Sorry," Leila whispered.
She quickly turned away as the blush intensified on her cheeks. The burn of the blush warmed her hands which she placed on her cheeks to stop the blush from spreading. Why was Draco Malfoy making her blush all of a sudden? Leila glanced back at Malfoy as he stood to talk with Blaise Zabini. She briefly made eye-contact with Draco, who sneered at her in disgust. But before Leila could dwell anymore on the matter of Malfoy, Theo landed before her as his trial had ended.
"Blushing for me?" Theo asked.
"Of course not," Leila rushed.
"So how do you think I did?" Theo questioned.
"Erm, sorry, I was too busy reminiscing of Bulstrode's blunder first year," Leila said uneasily.
"I suppose you don't have worry about Urquhart removing you from the roster, so you can afford to do as you please," Theo said sternly.
"So, do you think you're going to make it this year?" Leila asked in attempts to change the subject.
"More than likely; there aren't many promising looking prospects. I like my chances," Theo said.
"I don't know, Bulstrode looks promising," Leila joked.
"Only if you want to make a mockery of Slytherin," Theo stated.
"I'm only joking," Leila added.
"Good, I'd hate to think that you'd like Bulstrode beat me out of the open Chaser position," Theo responded.
Leila nodded in unease as she wrapped her arms tighter around her broom. Theo took another step side-ways so that he was closer to Leila, causing her to slightly cringe. She didn't want to make the wrong impression on him. Theo was a decent Housemate, but she would never date him again. Besides, it hadn't really been dating; it was more just heated snogging. Leila only hoped that Daphne never took notice to Theo's advances on her. Leila once more glanced at Malfoy, to find him watching her with a slight scowl on his face. She looked at him confusedly, but Theo interrupted her thoughts.
"So, who do you really think is going to make it?" Theo asked.
"As long as whoever makes it can keep up with me; I don't really care," Leila said.
"Nott, Potter, stop flirting and pay attention," Urquhart yelled.
Leila shook her head and rolled her eyes at Urquhart before glancing back over to Malfoy, who was still engrossed in a discussion with Zabini. She turned her attention to the dwindling line of chaser-hopefuls, watching as they each mounted their brooms in attempts to fill the last roster spot. Leila tried to stifle her giggles as Millicent Bulstrode mounted her broom. The girl could hardly even stay on her broom let alone even hold the Quaffle. Bulstrode fumbled with the Quaffle in her hand and dropped it before she even attempted to aim for the hoop. The Quaffle went falling to the ground but Urquhart caught it and tossed it back to her; but she couldn't catch it.
"That's enough, Bulstrode," Urquhart called.
"But Potter's messing me up!" Bulstrode yelled.
"Potter!" Urquhart yelled.
Leila looked to Urquhart in disbelief. It wasn't even a possibility that she could have messed Bulstrode up because her wand was back in the changing room. Urquhart narrowed his eyes at Leila; and Leila saw a smug smile slowly spread over Millicent's face. Of course she's enjoying this Leila thought.
"I didn't do anything; Bulstrode's just really that bad. Do I really need to retell the tale from our flying lessons first year?" Leila quipped.
The sixth year Slytherins present snickered. Leila could have sworn that she saw a smile on Malfoy's face but he quickly covered it up with a fake cough. Leila had to admit that the boy looked rather handsome when he actually smiled; not a smirk, but a smile. Leila quickly reprimanded herself for thinking such thoughts about Draco Malfoy. It wasn't natural for her to be thinking about him in that way. Leila Potter did not think about Draco Malfoy that way! Soon the rest of the Slytherin House began to laugh as Bulstrode's story spread through whispers throughout the tryouts. When Bulstrode landed she marched over to Leila with an angry expression on her face; while the tryouts continued.
"You'd better watch yourself, Potter," Millicent hissed.
"For you?" Leila scoffed.
Bulstrode reached into her robes and drew her wand. She aimed it directly at Leila's face, which caused Leila to take a step backwards because she had nothing which she could use to defend herself. A hex seemed on the tip of Bulstrode's tongue when a glazed look covered her eyes and she slowly lowered her wand. Millicent looked at Leila in confusion.
"Huh?" Millicent said.
"You were saying how I should watch myself," Leila commented.
"That's right," Millicent said.
She once again raised her wand at Leila when suddenly, Millicent crashed to the grass. She was screaming on the grass doubled over in pain and Leila took another step backward with her hands raised in defense. All the Slytherins' eyes were on her and Bulstrode. The scene even caused Bletchley to miss a goal because he was watching them. Bletchley narrowed his eyes and angrily yelled back at Leila.
"Potter, what did you do now?"
"I don't even have my wand!" Leila yelled.
Leila's eyes quickly scanned her fellow Slytherins but she was quickly diverted to Malfoy. Malfoy wasn't watching her, instead, he was stowing his wand back in his robes. She watched the rest of the Slytherins with their eyes on a wailing Bulstrode. No one else made any motion for a wand. Had Malfoy hexed Bulstrode? Leila bit her lip in frustration until Malfoy noticed her watching him. He scowled at her causing her to blush and quickly turn her attention elsewhere. As Bulstrode still wailed on the grass Urquhart called Pansy Parkinson down from the spectator stand to come get Bulstrode of the pitch. Parkinson and Davis rushed down from the stands where they were seated with Daphne. Parkinson purposely ran into Leila as she walked over to Millicent. Davis and Parkinson helped Bulstrode to her feet and escorted her off the Quidditch pitch. Leila ignored the snarky remarks from Parkinson and shook her head before waiting for the rest of the Chaser tryouts to finish. When the Chasers were done, Urquhart moved on to testing the Keepers.
"Potter, Nott, and Zabini mount your brooms," Urquhart yelled.
"Someone's cranky," Leila whispered.
Potter, Nott, and Zabini took to the air passing the Quaffle around. Bletchley was the first one up. Nott held tightly onto the Quaffle before doing a reverse pass over her shoulder to Leila who threw the Quaffle and it soared through the left goal post. The other four attempts were thrown between Zabini and Nott, neither scored on Bletchley. They tested the other four Keeper hopefuls; but, sadly, Bletchley was the best Keeper in the Slytherin House. When the Keeper tryouts were over, Urquhart dismissed everyone except for those hoping to make Seeker.
"All right everyone except those trying-out for Seeker can leave," Urquhart said.
Leila quickly walked back to the changing room to change back into her jeans and sweater. She hastily threw her Quidditch robes into her bag so she didn't notice her wand fall out of her bag and onto the floor. For reasons unknown to her, she was interested in the Seeker tryouts so she peeked down on the tryouts from the stands. Leila opened a book to make it look less suspicious, but her eyes instantly flew to Malfoy who had an expression of boredom on his face as he casually leaned against his broom.
"Who are we watching?" Daphne whispered.
"Merlin, Daphne. You scared me!" Leila said breathlessly.
Daphne smiled and shook her head as her blonde locks fell in her face. She quickly pushed her hair behind her ears and sat next to Leila.
"So which one are you watching?" Daphne asked.
"I just want to make sure Urquhart is doing this fairly," Leila lied.
"If that's what you say," Daphne smiled.
"It is," Leila said.
Daphne smirked at her best friend and grabbed the book from Leila's hands. Daphne questioned how Leila could even think about doing homework now; but really Leila hadn't even read more than a few sentences because she had been watching the Seekers. Once more, Leila's eyes instantly went to Malfoy. After further examination, she realized that he looked tired, more than he normally did; but Leila knew that Malfoy would make the team again. Even though he always lost to her brother, Malfoy was still a great Seeker. Harry was the only person whom beat Draco to the Snitch.
"So, Malfoy's looking good this year," Daphne said.
"Yeah, sure," Leila said.
Leila could feel her face becoming flushed and heated.
"Are you blushing?" Daphne teased.
"No," Leila rushed.
Leila's face became ever redder as she attempted to ignore Daphne's curious eyes. She instead averted her attention to watching Draco kick-off the ground with his broom and race after the Snitch. Draco easily caught the Snitch in no more than a few minutes. So far, he had caught the Snitch the fastest and the easiest. When he landed he roughly ran his fingers though his hair, slightly messing it up. He attempted to blow the hair away from his face; but he then brushed it back into place with his fingers. Leila bit her lip watching as he fixed his hair.
"It looks like someone is a bit distracted," Daphne teased.
"I am not. I already told you that I was watching to make sure Urquhart runs this fairly," Leila huffed.
Daphne chuckled at Leila's expense; but Leila focused on the next Slytherin to take to the air in attempt to find the Snitch. Leila could instantly tell that the fourth year trying out was not as talented a Seeker as Draco.
"This is so boring," Daphne commented.
"No one's making you stay," Leila said.
"And leave you to watch Malfoy by yourself, I don't think so," Daphne said.
"I'm not watching Malfoy," Leila hissed.
"But I thought you were watching to make sure this is done fairly," Daphne argued.
"I am; but I'm not watching Malfoy for the reasons I'm sure that you are thinking I am," Leila groaned.
Daphne's eyes fell on Theodore Nott, who was also trying out for Seeker.
"As long as you keep your eyes off Theo," Daphne commented.
"I make no promises," Leila smirked.
"Leila Potter, you know that I like him," Daphne hissed.
"So I do, doesn't mean that I can't watch. I just won't touch, for your sake. Besides, I'm only watching…" Leila said.
"Please don't explain again. By the way you're so mean," Daphne said.
"And you're the one that's friends with me," Leila smiled.
"I'm going to get going. Parkinson is probably wondering why I'm not checking on Bulstrode," Daphne said.
"I swear I didn't touch her," Leila said defensively.
"I know that; but Bulstrode doesn't like you so you're an easy target," Daphne said.
"She only doesn't like me because she's best friends with Parkinson who thinks I tried to steal Malfoy from her," Leila groaned.
"Well, you did kiss him," Daphne smirked.
"Don't remind me," Leila said rolling her eyes.
Daphne walked away laughing leaving Leila alone to watch the end of the tryouts. Leila's thoughts turned back to the Amortentia she had smelled in Potions; and was reminded of on the Quidditch pitch. What did it mean? Apples, dress-robes, and Draco Malfoy what did it mean? She couldn't possibly be attracted to the prat, could she? She tried to think of another explanation for the apples. Plenty of people ate apples, even if Malfoy did regularly eat them. Dress-robes, could possibly mean anyone who was at the Yule Ball that night, couldn't it? Except when she thought back on the Yule Ball, most of her memories involved Malfoy or Cedric; but Cedric was dead. So then it had to be Malfoy. At the Yule Ball they had their first dance and as Daphne had pointed out, their first kiss…
Flashback of Yule Ball
Leila walked out into the deserted courtyard as the snow began to lightly fall. The wind whipped lightly causing Leila to reach for her arms. She wished that she had thought to bring her cloak with her; but there was no point in getting it now. She carefully maneuvered onto one of the stone ledges in the courtyard. She sat there freezing watching the snow fall; but in her mind freezing was better than any more awkward moments with Cedric and Cho. Leila shivered once more but soon felt warmth covering her arms. She turned behind her to find Draco Malfoy placing his coat on her.
"I don't want it," Leila said stubbornly taking his coat off.
"You're freezing; just take it for a few minutes," Draco said gently.
"Fine," Leila muttered.
Leila rolled her eyes and reluctantly pulled his coat back on, only because she was cold. Not because she wanted anything to do with him. Draco gently scooted her over so that he could jump up onto the ledge and have a seat beside her. Leila originally thought to scoot further away, but the heat given off by his body made her sit still.
"Where's Parkinson?" Leila asked.
"Off with Davis and Bulstrode, I believe," Draco shrugged.
"Probably plotting my untimely death, no doubt," Leila muttered.
"More than likely," Draco chuckled.
"And why aren't you waiting for her?" Leila asked.
"Draco Malfoy waits for no one," Draco drawled.
"Except for the day we'll actually be friends," Leila teased.
"Or more," Draco smirked.
"Ew, disgusting," Leila said.
"You just wait, Leila, that day will come," Draco said.
"You're sadly mistaken, Malfoy," Leila said.
"You'll see. There will come a day when you realize what you're missing and I'll be there waiting for you," Draco said.
"But then you'd be making an exception to your rule," Leila commented.
"I suppose I would be; but only for you," Draco winked.
"And I believe that's enough of you for one evening," Leila retorted.
Leila quickly jumped off the ledge into a pile of lightly fluffy snow. She ignored her cold feet and handed Malfoy back his coat. She turned to walk away when Draco called her name. Leila rolled her eyes and turned back to find that he too jumped off the ledge. She shook her head and turned away once more.
"Diggory doesn't know what he's missing," Draco shouted.
"What?" Leila gasped.
This time Leila stopped where she was and turned around toward Draco. She glared at him. He had no right to bring up Cedric.
"You like Diggory, don't you?" Draco asked gently.
"It shouldn't matter to you," Leila said.
"But it matters to you," Draco furthered.
"I don't see how this is any of your concern," Leila said.
"You look beautiful tonight, Leila," Draco said sincerely.
"Thanks," Leila blushed.
Leila turned again to leave Draco but he spoke once more.
"Diggory's an idiot," Draco sighed.
"And why is that?" Leila questioned.
"Anyone who chooses Chang over you is an idiot," Draco said.
"Why do you even care?" Leila asked.
"Does it matter?" Draco responded.
Leila sighed and with determination decided to leave Malfoy for the night. She didn't get very far when Draco's hand grabbed her arm. She turned back around to yell at him to leave her alone; but that never happened. Instead, Draco quickly pressed his lips against hers, silencing her with a kiss. Her first kiss and from Draco Malfoy of all people. Surprisingly, the kiss was very sweet, better than she had expected, and her lips responded when he kissed her once more. But soon Leila's senses overtook her and she pushed him away. Her hand instantly flew to her lips.
"What was that for, Malfoy?" Leila hissed.
"It doesn't matter…but Diggory was watching. He's watching us now," Draco whispered into Leila's ear.
The warmth from Draco's breath on her ear made her shiver; but she turned around to find Draco to be telling the truth. Cedric's eyes were glued to her and Malfoy. Leila looked back to Malfoy, only to receive a wink and to have him walk away from her. She was almost certain he was off to find Pansy. Leila, slightly embarrassed by Cedric still watching her made her way back inside. Her head was swimming, why would Malfoy do that?
End Flashback of Yule Ball
Leila broke out of her reverie and looked to the Quidditch pitch only to find the final few players walking to the changing rooms. Darkness was overtaking the sky, so Leila reached for her wand; but it was no longer in her bag where she had left it. She dug through her bag and all her pockets but didn't find her wand. A low groan escaped Leila's lips as she realized that she had to go back to the changing rooms to retrieve her wand. Leila was just outside the open door to the changing room when she could hear Malfoy and Zabini talking.
"Then why'd you do it?" Zabini asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Zabini," Malfoy hissed.
"You hexed Bulstrode and don't tell me you didn't because I watched you do it," Zabini said.
"What's it to you?" Malfoy questioned.
"It's because of Potter isn't it? I thought you said you were over her. I thought you wanted her to stay away from you," Zabini said.
"It may have been because of Potter, but it was because if Bulstode hexed her we'd be down a Chaser; and having her as Chaser makes my job a lot easier, Zabini," Malfoy said.
"It seems a bit more than that to me," Zabini retorted.
Malfoy grumbled something to Zabini that Leila couldn't understand as she walked into the changing room. Zabini produced a fake cough which caused Malfoy to look at Leila. Leila tried to avoid eye contact with both boys and instead focused her gaze on the floor looking for her wand.
"How much of that did you hear?" Malfoy sneered.
"You should know by now that I don't listen when I hear your voice," Leila retorted.
"I thought that I told you to leave me alone," Malfoy growled.
"Contrary to what you may think I'm not here for you, I misplaced my wand," Leila rolled her eyes.
Malfoy glanced around the room and found Leila's wand carelessly strewn on the floor. He quickly grabbed it before Leila could reach it. Leila huffed and folded her arms across her chest as Malfoy toyed with Leila's wand in his hand.
"You really shouldn't be without your wand," Draco commented.
"I'm not an idiot Malfoy, it was an accident," Leila spat.
"You never know what could happen," Draco said.
"Why are you going to be the one to hex me?" Leila questioned.
He scowled at her as she snatched back her wand from Malfoy's grasp and stormed out of the changing room. Leila headed back for the castle alone under the night's twinkling sky and made her way to the Slytherin dungeons. She spent the rest of her evening in a game of Exploding Snap with Theo, Daphne, and Hestia Carrow. The night went by smoothly with Pansy in the hospital wing with Millicent and Malfoy was nowhere to be seen. When Leila became too sleepy, she retired to her bed and slept through the night. In the morning after she was dressed for the day, Leila left her dormitory with Daphne. They walked into the common room and found many half-sleeping Slytherins gathered around the notice board. The roster for this year's Quidditch team must have been posted. Leila bypassed the notice board but Daphne left her to go hang on Theo by list. What caught Leila's eye was Draco Malfoy attempting to sneak out of the common room undetected. He kept looking over his shoulder to see if anyone noticed him; but he didn't notice Leila's watchful eyes. Leila was curious, so she decided to follow him. She attempted to keep a safe distance behind Malfoy; but he only led her up to the Great Hall. Leila walked into the Great Hall where Ginny immediately waved her down to the Gryffindor table, so Leila obliged and slowly walked over to her red-headed friend.
"I suppose a congratulations is in order for making the Slytherin Quidditch team again," Ginny smiled.
"Thanks, I guess; I didn't even look at the roster," Leila said
"Well, it's the same team as last year except you guys added Zabini as a chaser," Ginny said.
"That's interesting," Leila said.
"What is?" Ginny asked.
"The fact that you know more about my team than I do. Has Harry even had trials yet?" Leila asked.
"No, they should be soon though," Ginny said.
"What about me?" Harry asked.
"I just asked if you held your Quidditch trials yet," Leila commented.
"Seeing as Slytherin booked the pitch all week there wasn't a good opportunity to do so," Harry said.
Harry smirked at his sister and sat down across from Ginny. He grabbed the box of Cheeri Owls and poured the cereal into a bowl. Leila shook her head at her brother. Boys, always seem to have food on the brain.
"Leila, you can sit down," Ginny said.
"I don't know…" Leila began.
"Luna sits here quite often," Ginny shrugged.
"Well, Luna's a Ravenclaw," Leila argued.
"Just tell your friends that I had to talk to you, if you're so worried about them," Harry added.
Leila looked over her back to the Slytherin table nervously; but Ginny grasped her arm and forced her to sit at the Gryffindor table. Leila sighed and looked back once more to the Slytherin table and Malfoy was nowhere to be seen. Hadn't she followed him into the Great Hall? So he should be at the Slytherin table. She scanned the table once more but still no sight of Malfoy.
"Who are you looking for?" Ginny asked.
"No one," Leila muttered.
Leila spun back around on the bench and reached for the Pixie Puffs cereal box. She poured herself a bowl and ate her cereal while she conversed with Ginny and Harry. When they were finished eating, Leila headed to the library. She went to the library because she knew that Millicent Bulstrode was released from the hospital wing this morning and was bound to be in the Slytherin common room. The table in the back of the library nearest to the Restricted Section is where Leila placed belongings. She sat down and opened her books in attempts to study. She had a hard time concentrating on her studies; but she was almost finished with her Arithmancy essay when Hermione Granger walked up to Leila's table.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, I do actually, Granger," Leila said coldly.
"Look, Leila, I understand that you don't like me but I'd really appreciate it if you could look over my Arithmancy essay," Hermione said.
"Why me?" Leila asked.
"Because you're the only one who's at my level in that class," Hermione said.
"Is that supposed to be an insult or compliment?" Leila questioned.
"Please?" Hermione asked.
"Fine, hand it over," Leila sighed.
"Really?" Hermione responded.
"It just gives me an excuse to stay in the library and avoid Bulstrode in my common room; nothing else," Leila said.
Hermione quickly handed over her essay to Leila which was nearly double the amount Professor Vector had wanted. Leila unrolled the parchment and shook her head at its length, wondering what she got herself into.
"Merlin Granger, is it long enough?" Leila asked.
"I'm never sure if I get everything that I need in my essays," Hermione said.
Leila rolled her eyes and grabbed her quill from the table and began to correct Granger's essay. Granger was a good writer; but she was very repetitive, so basically the only editing Leila did was taking out the sentences where she repeated herself. Leila was thankful that the writing was at least easy to follow; because she had tutored students whose essays had absolutely no thesis or flow to them. At least Granger knew what she was doing when it came to school. Leila scribbled over one of Hermione's repeated sentences.
"Why are you taking that out?" Hermione asked.
"It's getting wordy, besides you had almost the same sentence two sentences ago. See?"
"I guess but…" Hermione said.
"Do you want me to do this or not?" Leila asked.
"You're taking out half my essay!" Hermione exclaimed.
"This is only the second sentence I've taken out. But I guess by the way you write sentences it is half your essay," Leila said.
Granger huffed and folded her arms across her chest as Leila continued to edit the essay. Leila didn't like feeling Granger watch her every move, so she reluctantly handed Granger her own essay to keep the girl occupied. The girls finished editing each other's essays and Leila immediately escaped the library because she didn't know how much more of Granger's company she could withstand. For the most part, Leila stayed clear of the Slytherin common room to avoid Bulstrode so she occupied her time with a visit to Hagrid and reading by the lake. Sunday evening was soon upon them and Urquhart called for a Quidditch practice. Leila walked down to the pitch to find everyone else was already there, except for Malfoy. Urquhart walked right up to her with his broom in hand.
"Where's Malfoy?" Urquhart asked.
"I dunno. Why don't you ask his girlfriends?" Leila quipped.
"Crabbe, Goyle, where's Malfoy?" Urquhart asked.
Crabbe and Goyle looked to each other in confusion. Urquhart groaned at their idiotic response but Leila spotted Malfoy swaggering onto the pitch with his broom in hand and a scowl on his face. Urquhart turned to see as Malfoy walked closer to the team.
"You're late, Malfoy." Urquhart hissed.
"Bugger off, Urquhart." Malfoy drawled.
"If you're continually late for practice I will have Harper start," Urquhart said.
Draco narrowed his eyes and kicked off on his broom into the air. Leila could hear Draco muttering something to himself but she didn't hear what exactly because he flew higher into the air. Leila soon took to the air on her Firebolt and zoomed around the pitch. The practice was to work with the Chasers so that Zabini could get used to working with Potter and Urquhart. They seemed to do fine and work together pretty well, but there was definitely room for improvement. When practice was over, Leila walked back to the common room and immediately went to sleep in her bed. She was worn out from the weekend and realized that this year; she definitely had her work cut out for her.
The next morning Leila slowly rolled out of bed for classes. She wished she hadn't taken Ancient Runes so that she could get more sleep; but the study of Ancient Runes was interesting. Leila eventually made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast and took her spot at the Slytherin table. Leila sat with Theo during breakfast because most other Slytherins were still sleeping because they didn't have the early class that was Ancient Runes. Leila dished herself some toast and eggs and made small talk with Theo. He expressed his disappointment over not making the Slytherin team; but he was on the reserve list for Chasers. Leila and Theo walked to Ancient Runes together and she took her chances and sat next to him over sitting next to Granger. She was never forced to give up the seat because Draco never made it to class. Leila wondered if he had overslept but didn't voice her concern. Leila tried to pay attention to Professor Babberty; but she kept turning around to see if Malfoy had made it to class, which he never did. Why did she care that he wasn't in class? It was his problem, not hers. Professor Babberty called on her to answer a question but she didn't notice until Theo elbowed her in the ribs. Leila coughed and attempted to answer Professor Babberty; but she had no clue what her teacher was talking about. Babberty shot her a look of disappointment and continued to teach. When class ended, Leila was about to walk with Theo to Defence, when Professor Babberty held her after class.
"Miss Potter, you seemed a bit distracted this morning in class," Professor Babberty said.
"Sorry about that," Leila mumbled.
"Leila you're a talented young witch, I think you could excel far but that means paying attention," Professor Babberty reprimanded.
"It won't happen again," Leila said.
Professor Babberty nodded and Leila quickly ran from the classroom and hurried for the Defence classroom. She knew that Snape would probably kill her if she was late and that wasn't even much of an exaggeration. She ran all the way to the dungeons and walked in the door right as Snape was about to begin class. He narrowed his eyes at her and Leila glanced around for a place to sit and found the only open desk, which had two empty seats. She had originally planned on sitting with Daphne; but Daphne was seated with Pansy. Daphne looked back to Leila sympathetically as Leila slid into the empty seat. She was grateful that she got the desk to herself; but no sooner than she let that sentiment overtake her thoughts the door flung open. Malfoy ran into the classroom with his hair slightly disheveled and his eyes slightly wild. He too surveyed the room to find the only open seat next to Leila. He sneered and narrowed his eyes before reluctantly sliding into the seat beside Leila. He sat rigidly at the edge of the seat as far as he could get away from her. Malfoy opened his Defence book; but Leila could tell that he wasn't paying Snape any attention and her curiosity got the best of her.
"Why weren't you in Ancient Runes?" Leila asked.
"Leave me alone," Draco hissed.
"Why should I even try? You've done a fairly good job of avoiding me for the past week," Leila said.
"It's because you won't leave me alone," Draco muttered.
"It's not like I enjoy your company," Leila scoffed.
"How the bloody hell did I get stuck sitting next to you?" Draco sneered.
"It's not my problem that Parkinson couldn't wait for you," Leila countered.
"No, but it will be your problem if you don't shut up," Draco hissed.
"And what are you going to do about it, tell your daddy?" Leila smirked.
"At least my father's alive, can't say that about yours can you?" Draco hissed.
Leila's face contorted with rage as she slapped Draco hard in the face. He had never played the dead parents card with her before. He had used it countless times on Harry; but had always refrained from it with her. Maybe things really had changed between the two of them. Draco's hand instantly flew the cheek where Leila's hand had made contact and his face turned into a scowl. Malfoy thought for a second before going through with his counteract which was to push Leila's books off the table and then push Leila herself off the bench. Leila' screamed as her bottom fell hard onto the stone floor.
"You prat," Leila hissed.
The entire Defence class turned to watch the continuation of the fight, including a Professor Snape. Leila couldn't force herself to look at Harry; whom she couldn't imagine being upset at her for fighting with Malfoy. Malfoy rolled his as at Leila while she sat on the hard stone floor; but she quickly got up and lunged at Malfoy. Professor Snape intervened and cast a spell at Leila causing her to hover in mid-air.
"Mister Malfoy, Miss Potter detention tonight! See me after class!" Snape shouted.
Snape released Leila from his spell and she grudgingly took her seat again next to Draco. They both glared at each other furiously and Leila remained furious with him for the rest of the class period. Leila could hardly pay attention to Professor Snape's lecture she was so upset. She glared at Draco and sent him dirty looks in attempts to get the message across of how pissed she was at him; but Malfoy kept his jaw firmly set and his attention focused on the front of the room. The never-ending class period finally ended and everyone but Leila and Draco filed out of the classroom. Harry nodded in her direction as he walked out and Ron mouthed "good luck" but her thoughts were too clouded to even respond. When the classroom was empty Professor Snape motioned for the pair to walk to the front of the classroom. Both of them slowly walked to meet Professor Snape; but Leila made sure to roughly shove Malfoy as they walked.
"This is all of your fault Malfoy," Leila hissed.
"Shut up, Potter." Draco hissed back.
Professor Snape glared at Potter and Malfoy as they finished their walk to the front of the room. Malfoy stood at one corner of his desk while Potter stood at the other; but both teenagers folded their arms across their chest defensively. Snape eyed both teenagers in anger before speaking.
"I expected much better from the two of you. You couldn't even make it a whole week without fighting? So you leave me no choice but to give you detention," Professor Snape seethed.
"For how long?" Draco asked.
"Until you two learn how to get along," Snape said.
"And that would exactly how long?" Leila asked.
"Until further notice. I will see you both after dinner in my office," Snape said leaving the room.
Draco was about ready to argue with Snape; but the professor quickly billowed away out of the classroom leaving the two teenagers alone. Malfoy kicked the table leg in disgust before sneered at Leila. Leila narrowed her eyes back at the boy before quickly turning and walking away from Malfoy. She stormed as fast as she could and he followed after her because he had some choice words he needed to voice to Leila Potter.
"Now look what you've done," Draco yelled.
"Me? This is your fault," Leila hissed.
"How is this my fault? I've been avoiding you, remember?" Draco sneered.
"I can't help it you no longer enjoy my company," Leila said sarcastically.
"Why can't you just listen to me, when I say to stay away from me?" Draco shouted.
"Now where would the fun be in that?" Leila asked.
Draco grabbed Leila by the arm causing her to jerk back and stop. He then roughly pushed her up against the wall and placed both of his hands on the stone wall on either side of her head, attempting to make her feel trapped. He looked at her coldly in attempts to intimidate her; but she didn't back down.
"I'm not scared of you," Leila said.
"You should be," Draco hissed.
Leila roughly grabbed Malfoy by his Slytherin tie and glared at him. As she looked into his icy eyes she was surprised by what she saw. His expression wasn't the cold façade that he had been trying so hard to convince her of; instead, she saw that same look she saw the night of the Yule Ball right before he had kissed her. She saw some glimmer of hope there and it made her heart unexpectedly flutter. Her heart took over her senses and she couldn't logically explain what happened next. With her hands still wrapped around his tie, she pulled herself up with it onto her tip-toes and pressed her lips on his. She kissed Draco Malfoy! It took a moment for him to understand what was happening; but his lips quickly and eagerly responded. After several heated kisses, where both teenagers fought for dominance, they broke apart and Leila again looked into his icy eyes. Only this time, Leila saw something more in his eyes and whether he wanted to admit it or not: Draco Malfoy still cared about Leila Potter. Emerald eyes stayed locked on icy eyes in silence until Leila broke it.
"Draco," Leila whispered.
The somewhat wistful expression on Draco's face quickly changed into a scowl after Leila whispered his name. He tried to keep his emotions in check; but he pounded his fists into the wall behind Leila. He then ran from the classroom leaving as Leila gently pressed her fingertips to her slightly swollen lips. She was now alone in the classroom and more confused about Draco Malfoy than ever before.