Chapter 12
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.
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Twenty minutes into the scheduled detention, Professor Snape walked into the classroom. If he was surprised to see Draco and Leila sitting there and not talking, he didn't show it. Instead he walked up to the front of the classroom and sat at his desk to begin correcting essays. When an hour was up Snape dismissed his prefects from their detention. Leila sighed and slung her bag over her shoulder before walking out of the room. Draco watched her leave the classroom before he followed her out.
"Is this really how things are going to be between us, Leila?" Draco called after her.
"That's up to you," Leila said.
"Leila," Draco groaned.
"Good night, Draco," Leila sighed.
Leila turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Draco standing there watching her. He couldn't exactly say that he was surprised by her behavior; but this wasn't how he wanted things to be. When Leila disappeared from the corridor, Draco headed for the Room of Requirement to release his frustrations. Why couldn't he have it all? His father had always that him that he could have anything he wanted. It looked like his father might be wrong. Succeeding in his mission for the Dark Lord and winning the heart of Leila Potter just could not be done simultaneously. Draco took a deep breath and grazed his hand over the Vanishing Cabinet. He had a few ideas on to fix the thing, but it would require time. In frustration he rolled up his long black sleeves; allowing his Dark Mark to be exposed. Truth was he was somewhat proud of the brand on his arm. It was the life he was chosen for, the life he had wanted since he was young. But it was also a life he knew that Leila would refuse to play a part in and with the way things were going Leila wouldn't want to be anywhere near his life.
Draco knew that he had officially messed things up where Leila Potter was concerned. Since he arrived at Hogwarts first year, Leila would hardly give him the time of day no matter how hard he tried. Then, when Leila finally began to reciprocate those feelings he did something stupid. But why had she finally given in to him? This made his slightly suspicious of Leila. Could she be using him for something? Maybe Dumbledore was using her to get to him. Maybe the old man already knew what he was planning and Leila was a pawn in his game. But his thoughts became too complicated the more he thought about it. Besides, if he knew anything about Leila it was that she was not a malicious person. He of all people should know this. She may be in Slytherin House, but Leila cared too much. Cared too much, was exactly how Draco felt about his feelings on the situation. She was no doubt a weakness of his. He shouldn't care for her as he did instead he should be focusing on his missing; the daunting task the Dark Lord required of him. But that was easier said than done. Leila's words ran through his head Show me. Fix it. Draco had no idea what he was going to do because he felt torn in two directions.
Leila wandered the corridors trying to avoid the Slytherin common room. On third floor, she rounded a corner only to run into someone. She literally ran into someone which caused her to fall to the floor. She looked up to find that the person she had run into was her brother. Leila groaned as Harry began to laugh.
"This isn't funny, Harry," Leila growled.
"How is this not funny, Leila?" Harry chuckled.
"Harry," Leila groaned.
"Sorry," Harry said staid attempting to stifle his laughter
"Oh, just help me up already," Leila furthered.
Leila thrust her hand in the air for her brother grab. He covered his mouth with his hand trying to stop laughing before he offered Leila's his hand to help her off the floor. When Leila was standing, she dusted her robes off before she started to walk away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Harry asked.
"Dunno yet. Anywhere but my common room," Leila shrugged.
"Why is that?" Harry questioned.
"I'm avoiding Dr—erm, Malfoy," Leila stumbled on her words.
"I thought you were keeping an eye on him," Harry said.
"I—erm—I was, but I think he might be getting suspicious," Leila lied.
"I told you…" Harry began.
"Fine, you were right about him. But what I want to know is what are you doing out?" Leila interrupted.
"I had to talk to Dumbledore about something," Harry answered.
"About?" Leila asked.
Harry looked at his sister hesitantly which caused her to roll her eyes.
"I know you tell Ron and Granger; but you can't even tell your own sister?" Leila hissed.
"That's not it, Leila," Harry argued.
"Then what is it?" Leila questioned.
"Here isn't exactly a good place to tell you. If I'm going to tell you it has to be someplace safe," Harry said.
"Fine, let's go to the Room of Requirement," Leila suggested.
Harry nodded in agreement and the Potter twins headed for the Room of Requirement in silence. They weren't exactly supposed to be wandering the corridors at this time, so they had to be quiet so Filch wouldn't catch them. Once they reached the seventh floor corridor, Harry paced in front of the wall three times, but nothing happened. He tried once more, but still no door appeared. Leila rolled her eyes and pushed her brother aside before trying to get in herself; but no door appeared for her.
"That's odd," Leila said.
"Someone else is in there," Harry responded.
"Enough people know about the room, so I suppose it isn't that surprising," Leila shrugged.
"I'd bet a Galleon that Malfoy is in there," Harry said.
"It's probably just someone from last year's D.A. looking for a safe place to snog," Leila groaned.
"I don't know, Malfoy's been acting suspicious lately," Harry argued.
"Drop the Malfoy thing, will you? We'll just find someplace else to talk," Leila said.
"Fine, we'll go to Gryffindor Tower. We're already on the seventh floor anyways," Harry said.
"There's one problem to your plan, Mr. Chosen One, I'm not a Gryffindor," Leila quipped.
"I've already gotten that part figured out; I'll just sneak you in," Harry shrugged.
"How?" Leila questioned.
"Stop asking questions and just trust me," Harry groaned.
"When I snuck you and Ron into the Slytherin common room Polyjuice Potion was involved; and unless you have a supply I don't know about…" Leila began.
"Why do you doubt me?" Harry asked.
"Harry, your plans never work. Do I really need a better reason?" Leila teased.
Harry rolled his eyes in response to his sister's teasing before he turned to walk down the corridor. Leila quickly caught up to her brother as they walked the corridors on the seventh floor which eventually led them to the portrait of the Fat Lady, which guarded the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. When they reached the Fat Lady, Leila waited for Harry to distract the portrait or something, but instead he told her to wait outside. Leila groaned in frustration as she watched Harry slip past the portrait. The Fat Lady looked at her with a smug look on her face, to which Leila rolled her eyes. Younger Gryffindor students walked by giving her strange looks. It wasn't a common sight to find a Slytherin waiting outside the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. Minutes had passed, leaving Leila to guess that Harry wasn't coming to get her so she turned to walk away. She walked no more than a few feet when Harry shouted after her.
"Where are you going?" Harry called.
"I thought you had forgotten about me," Leila said.
"You're my sister. I couldn't forget about you even if I tried," Harry said.
"Good to know, so what's this brilliant plan?" Leila asked.
Harry pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his back pocket and handed it to his sister. Leila took the cloak and untied the strings, examining the cloak as she unrolled it. This cloak had once belonged to their father. Somehow Harry had inherited the cloak. At first, Leila had been jealous that her brother had received it, but he shared the cloak with her enough so it practically belonged to the both of them anyways.
"So, I'll say the password and you go in first. Walk for the staircase and try not to run into anyone," Harry said.
"Why do you assume I'd run into someone?" Leila questioned.
"Leila, I've known you my entire life. You're one of the clumsiest people I know, except maybe Tonks," Harry answered.
"Some brother you are," Leila muttered.
"Just put the cloak on," Harry groaned.
Leila obeyed her brother's instructions and swung the cloak over her body. She didn't even hear Harry say the password, but the portrait suddenly swung open. Harry motioned for her to go in first, so she did and walked into the Gryffindor common room. This wasn't the first time she had been in the Gryffindor common room, but she had always liked this room. The place was much homier than the Slytherin common room. The place somewhat reminded her of the Burrow, a place she felt more at home than almost any other place. As Leila examined the common room she forgot Harry's warning to look out for people, which caused her to run right into Granger.
"Ouch," Hermione hissed.
"Damnit," Leila muttered.
Hermione looked in her direction oddly for a moment. Leila assumed that Harry hadn't mentioned that he was sneaking her in. Granger was about to reach a hand out to grab the Invisibility Cloak, so Leila dodged her. Covering her mouth with her hand, Leila quickly tip-toed past Hermione and almost reached the stairs.
"Leila, stop," Granger commanded.
"Hermione," Harry growled.
"I'm prefect and it's my duty…" Hermione began.
"Hermione, please?" Harry asked.
"Harry, I…" Hermione began again.
"I need to talk to her about you know what," Harry whispered.
"I suppose I could ignore this utter violation of the rules this once," Hermione sighed.
"Thanks, Hermione. You can come if you want," Harry smiled.
Granger sighed once more before she followed Harry up to the sixth year Gryffindor boys' dormitory with Leila. Harry opened the door for the girls to go in and closed the door behind himself. Leila immediately ripped the cloak and sat down on a bed. Harry sat down on his bed while Hermione opted to stand beside Harry's bed. Leila flopped back onto the pillow of the bed and sprawled her small body out.
"So who will have the pleasure of me gracing his bed?" Leila questioned.
"Neville," Harry chuckled.
"Let's keep it between us. I don't think his Gran would approve." Leila joked.
Harry roared with laughter while Hermione even managed a chuckle.
"So, Harry, are you going to tell me?" Leila asked.
"I still don't understand why you have to talk here," Hermione responded.
"I didn't ask you," Leila hissed.
"We tried the Room of Requirement, but it was occupied," Harry groaned.
"As I prefect, I really shouldn't approve of you sneaking people into our common room," Hermione argued.
"It's not like I haven't been in here before," Leila furthered.
"Harry," Hermione reprimanded.
"Get off your pedestal Granger, if I recall correctly you were also a part of the plan to get into the Slytherin common room," Leila shot back.
"Will the two of you ever stop fighting?" Ron asked.
Leila looked to the doorway of the dormitory to find Ron walking over the threshold. Seamus and Neville followed Ron inside. When Neville looked to his bed and found Leila, his eyes widened and a blush crept onto his cheeks. Leila sat-up on his bed while Neville's gaze turned to the ground. Seamus walked over and dug for something in his trunk before walking back to the door. He turned back around once he reached the door.
"Hey Leila?" Seamus asked.
"Yeah?" Leila answered.
"Hurry it up, will ya? I'd like to get some sleep," Seamus said.
"It won't be like last time, I promise," Leila smiled.
She made sure to look at Granger, who rolled her eyes at Leila. Seamus walked out the door, but Neville stood there with his gaze at the floor. Seamus walked back inside and grabbed Neville's arm to drag him out of the dormitory. Neville apologized as he walked out of the room behind Seamus and Ron shut the door behind them. Ron turned back around and shook his head.
"Poor Neville," Leila chuckled.
"Poor Neville might just become the most envied bloke in school," Ron laughed.
"Shut it, Ron," Leila muttered.
"What are you doing up here anyways?" Ron asked.
"I'm waiting for Harry to tell me whatever it is he isn't telling me," Leila answered.
Ron sat down on his bed and Hermione awkwardly took a seat on his bed as well. Leila took notice of the two of them. Ron was completely oblivious to the fact that one of his best friends was crushing on him. That best friend wasn't her, it was Granger. Granger was completely obvious, well at least to a girl. Guys usually didn't notice these things because they're rather thick.
"Leila, do you want me to tell you or not?" Harry asked.
"I'd prefer you did so I don't have to prolong my time with Granger," Leila quipped.
"What did I do?" Hermione snapped.
"Lose the attitude," Harry reprimanded.
"Fine, so what's this secret you couldn't tell me?" Leila sighed.
"I've been meeting with Dumbledore," Harry began.
"I assumed as much since I found you coming from his office," Leila said.
"This is a serious issue, Leila," Harry argued.
"So what do you talk about?" Leila asked.
Harry explained how Dumbledore was having him view memories of Voldemort. He knew these memories were to help him figure out something, but he wasn't exactly sure what and on top of it he even got to miss Snape's detention because of his meeting with Dumbledore.
"Bet ol' Snape wasn't too happy about that," Ron chuckled.
"So let me get this straight; Snape let you miss detention?" Leila asked.
"You've completely missed the point," Hermione muttered.
"Shut it, will you Granger? I understand what Harry's doing. I'm just looking for a way to get out of detention tonight," Leila said.
"What do you have detention for?" Ron asked.
"Snape's threatening to keep giving Malfoy and I detentions until we get along," Leila answered.
"You'll be in detention for the next century at least," Ron joked.
"You could always just get along with him,' Granger suggested.
"Leila and Malfoy? I think the world would come to an end first," Ron said.
"It hasn't ended yet," Leila muttered under her breath.
"That's the last thing I'd want is my sister getting along with the bloke," Harry said.
Was she being too generous giving Draco a chance to redeem himself? Granted, it was a long shot, but should she still do it? Stupid Amortentia. If only she wouldn't have recognized the scents, she wouldn't be in this situation. What was so different about now? Why should she care? For all she knew Harry's theory about him being a Death Eater could be right. Yet she was willing to drop almost everything for him. What was wrong with her? Leila sighed and found Ron watching her.
"Leila, are you all right?" Ron asked.
"I'm fine," Leila said.
"Yeah and I'm captain of the Chudley Cannons," Ron joked.
"Really Ron, I'm fine. I was only thinking," Leila said.
Leila looked at Ron, who simply nodded at her. Granger was still sitting on Ron's bed, but she was gazing at the floor while Harry was flipping through the pages of a book. She found it odd to find her brother so attached to a book. Never had she known Harry to be such an avid reader.
"What are you reading?" Leila asked.
"More than likely his Potions book," Ron said.
'Does he ever let that thing out of his sight?" Leila chuckled.
"No he doesn't and I don't that it's right that he has that book," Hermione said.
"You're just jealous," Leila scoffed.
"He's cheating, something I don't approve of," Hermione said pointedly.
"What are you trying to get at?" Leila questioned.
Hermione shook her head and stood up.
"I'd suggest you head back to your own common room," Hermione said.
"Or what, Granger?" Leila questioned.
"Just c'mon, Leila. I'll walk you back," Ron said.
"Fine. I don't want to be around Granger for another minute anyways," Leila said.
Leila stood up and grabbed Harry's Invisibility Cloak, which was next to Granger who was standing with her arms folded across her chest. Leila rolled her eyes at Granger and threw the Invisibility Cloak over herself and carefully followed Ron out of Gryffindor tower. Once they were down the corridor and out of sight of the Fat Lady, Leila took the cloak off and handed it to Ron.
"You could be a bit nicer to her you know," Ron sighed.
"Who?" Leila asked.
"Hermione. Who else would I be talking about?" Ron said.
"Coming from the boy who called her mental," Leila retorted.
"That was first year. She's changed since then; a lot has changed since then," Ron furthered.
"Sounds like you have a thing for Granger," Leila suggested.
"I do not. You're being ridiculous," Ron spluttered.
"Am I?" Leila asked.
"Just lay-off a little, please? I just don't want you getting into trouble, Leila; well, no more than you already are," Ron said.
"Awww, Ronniekins," Leila teased.
"Don't call me that," Ron groaned.
"If Fred can call you that, so can I," Leila smirked.
"I'm going to have to talk with him about that," Ron muttered.
Leila chuckled as Ron shoved his hands into his pockets. He walked her through the dungeons and they stopped in front of the wall which led to the Slytherin common room.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow then?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, good night Ron," Leila smiled.
"Good night, Leila," Ron smiled.
"This is for putting up with me and being like another brother," Leila chuckled.
Leila wrapped her arms around Ron, to which he responded by awkwardly patting Leila's back. Just as they embraced, Daphne walked out of the common room with Flora and Hestia Carrow. Leila and Ron quickly broke away, causing the other Slytherin girls to giggle and Ron's face to turn bright pink.
"That wasn't what it looked like," Ron muttered.
"Likely story, Weasley," Daphne smirked.
"And—erm—I—uh, was just going," Ron said stumbling on his words.
Ron quickly walked away down the corridor as Daphne, Flora, and Hestia giggled at him.
"So you and Weasley?" Daphne asked.
"No was in hell. He's practically my brother," Leila argued.
"Not really. I mean maybe the Weasley and Potter bloodlines cross somewhere, but it's not significant enough to matter," Flora said.
"Relations marry all the time in the Wizarding world," Hestia furthered.
"I'm not discussing this," Leila hissed.
Leila marched into the common room, leaving a stunned Daphne, Flora, and Hestia standing out in the corridor. When Leila reached the common room she found Draco lounging in an arm chair, while Pansy, Tracey, Crabbe, and Goyle were seated on the couches surrounding him. She groaned when she saw them and turned to head for her dormitory, but a hand reached out and grabbed her. Leila turned to find the hand belonged to Daphne.
"Leila, we were only joking," Daphne pleaded.
"You know how I feel about Ron," Leila argued.
"I'm sorry. I'll try to make it up to you, I promise," Daphne pleaded.
"I forgive you," Leila muttered.
"How about a game of Exploding Snap? That's why we were looking for you to begin with," Daphne asked.
Leila nodded and she walked back to her dormitory with Daphne, Flora, and Hestia. They found Millicent Bulstrode already sleeping when they got there. Leila chuckled at the sight of Bulstrode sleeping because she didn't think that beauty rest would help the girl any.
"What's so funny?" Hestia asked.
"I was just thinking that all the sleep in the world couldn't help Bulstrode," Leila said.
"I don't think it can hurt any," Flora chuckled.
"Besides, she wants to look her best for Urquhart," Hestia added.
"Seriously? She has a thing for him? Wait a minute, is that why she tried out for Quidditch?" Leila questioned.
"You didn't hear anything from me," Hestia smirked.
The girls chuckled and sat on the floor to play a game of Exploding Snap. By the time the game ended, the girls were giggly and over-tired. Flora ended up winning and they decided it was time for bed. Leila changed into her pajamas and fell fast asleep after a good night with her friends; only to her have dreams plagued by that familiar nightmare.
A week went by and classes seemed to drag. By the time Thursday rolled around, Leila was surprised that Draco hadn't come anywhere near her; just as she had asked him. He had even skipped History of Magic all week, so she really hadn't had any time alone with him. Her feelings confused her. Part of her was glad that he was finally leaving her alone; but part of her was upset that he wasn't fighting for a way to fix them. If he truly had liked her as long as he said he did, then why was he nowhere to be seen? She couldn't understand why Draco was so confusing to her. She tried not to let thoughts of him cross her mind, but it was hard when the boy sat right in front of her in Charms class. He had been regularly attending the other classes he had with her, just not History of Magic.
Professor Flitwick had asked Leila a question, but she had been too focused on the back of Draco's head to notice. She wouldn't have even noticed if Draco hadn't turned around and looked at her. Leila's face instantly fired up in a blush as Daphne whispered what had happened into her ear. Leila stuttered for Professor Flitwick to repeat the question and the short professor repeated the question. The answer was one she already knew, so she answered correctly. Professor Flitwick nodded and continued on with the lesson as if nothing had happened. She looked across the room to find Harry looking at her, but Daphne demanded he attention.
"What was that?" Daphne asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Leila shrugged.
"You were staring at Malfoy's head," Daphne furthered.
"I was not," Leila argued.
"Yes, you were," Daphne said.
"I was thinking and I happened to facing Malfoy's general direction," Leila said.
"Merlin, I give up with you," Daphne sighed.
When Charms finished, Leila walked with Daphne to Transfiguration. As soon as she entered the classroom, Professor McGonagall called Leila to the front of the classroom. Leila quickly walked to the front of the classroom, not even thinking to set her things down on a desk. Granger looked at her curiously, but Leila simply rolled her eyes at the other girl. When Leila reached the front of the classroom Professor McGonagall was seated at her desk. Leila faintly smiled, but she had no idea why she was being called to the front. She hoped that whatever the reason was wouldn't get her another detention.
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to give this to you," Professor McGonagall said.
Professor McGonagall then handed her a letter. Leila was about to open it when McGonagall dismissed her to find a seat. She turned around to find that the class had filled up fast. So fast that the only available seat was next to Draco Malfoy.
"I hate karma," Leila mumbled.
Leila grudgingly took the seat beside Draco, who didn't even speak to her. Maybe this wasn't going to be so hard. While facing the front, she glanced over at him through her hair. He appeared a bit paler than usual, but other than that he looked like the same old, arrogant Draco Malfoy. She quickly turned to the front as McGonagall began to lecture when she remembered that she had yet to open the letter from Dumbledore. Leila sighed and made sure McGonagall wasn't watching her, before she opened the letter.
Miss Potter,
If you could please meet me in my office at 7p.m. tonight, it would be much appreciated.
Professor Dumbledore
P.S. I have a fondness for Acid Pops.
Leila sat staring at the letter with a puzzled look on her face. Why would Professor Dumbledore want to meet with her? Did he know that the nightmare she had been having since the summer was still occurring? But he had said unless it was something new they needn't worry about it. Maybe Dumbledore had told Harry not to tell her about their meetings and since Harry had told her they were both in trouble. She turned to find her brother. He was sitting to her left and three rows up, beside Ron; but he didn't appear to have a letter.
"Snape will never let you miss detention," Draco whispered.
Her head instantly snapped toward Draco. In frustration, with a scowl on her face, she crumpled the letter so that he couldn't read it anymore.
"I thought I told you not to talk to me," Leila hissed.
"So you did, but you know as well as I do that Snape won't let you skip," Draco shrugged.
"This letter was none of your damn business, Malfoy. There's a thing called privacy," Leila said.
"I couldn't help it that you gave me a perfect view of the letter," Draco said.
"I did no such thing!" Leila hissed.
"How else do you explain me being able to read it?" Draco questioned.
"It wasn't yours to read! Besides, if anyone can get me out of detention Dumbledore can," Leila said heatedly.
Draco appeared thoughtful at her statement, but he didn't say anymore. Instead he turned his attention back to Professor McGonagall's lecture. Leila sighed, hoping for class to finish quickly. But no such luck. Honestly, how much time can one person lecture on Self-Transfiguration? Apparently, Professor McGonagall was very passionate about the subject and she could go for years. Of course Professor McGonagall was an Animagus, so that might explain some of the obsession. When class finally ended, she left the classroom as fast as she could, waiting for no one. She walked by herself down to the Great Hall for lunch. She took a random seat at the Slytherin table, hoping that no one would sit by her. She just wanted time to think, but much to her dismay Blaise Zabini sat across from her.
"What's this I hear about you in Longbottom's bed?" Zabini asked.
"Bloody hell," Leila groaned.
"Tell me it's not true," Zabini said.
"Just leave me alone, Zabini," Leila hissed.
"Potter, I thought we were closer than that," Zabini smirked.
"Maybe in your dreams," Leila muttered.
"Or Longbottom's," Zabini laughed.
"You're a prat, you know that?" Leila
Zabini smirked, but his smirk stopped when he saw Malfoy standing behind Leila.
"Zabini," Malfoy drawled.
Blaise nodded his head as Draco motioned for him to follow him out of the Great Hall. Draco walked away to where Crabbe and Goyle were waiting by the doors.
"My Hogsmeade offer still applies, you know," Zabini smiled.
"And my answer still applies. And if you need me to translate into idiot, the answer is no," Leila said.
"Ouch, that hurts," Zabini said covering his heart.
"That was the point," Leila said.
Zabini smirked once more before he left the table to meet up with Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Leila wondered what the four of them were up to; but she didn't care enough to follow them. They were probably up to stupid guy stuff. She decided that she would much rather be alone somewhere else, so she headed for the greenhouses early. When she got there she found no one else there, so she sat on one of the stools in the greenhouse reading her Herbology book until people began to show up. Neville showed-up for class early and his face instantly reddened when he saw Leila. He sat down at a stool nowhere near Leila and opened his Herbology book. Leila groaned. If Zabini heard about her in Neville's bed, all of Hogwarts probably knew by now. She didn't want to situation to continue to be awkward so Leila moved to sit by Neville. He looked to her hesitantly, but she calmly smiled.
"I'm sorry if you're getting grief over what happened the other night," Leila said.
"It's actually you I was worried about," Neville muttered.
"That's sweet, Neville; but really I'm fine. So can we go back to normal?" Leila asked.
"That'd be great," Neville sighed.
Leila chuckled as Professor Sprout walked into the room. The look on her face showed that she was surprised to find Leila and Neville in the greenhouse. Hopefully she hadn't heard the Hogwarts gossip and was jumping to conclusions. The other students began to slowly pour into the greenhouse and soon it was time for class to begin. Leila took notice that Draco was absent from Herbology; but she could overhear Pansy telling Professor Sprout that she would catch Draco up. Leila chuckled. If anything Pansy would drive him insane, forcing him to come to her for help. She remembered third year when he had missed classes, because of his injured arm.
~*Flashback to 3rd year*~
Leila was sitting in the library working on her Defense Against the Dark Arts Essay for Professor Lupin. She had been sitting at a table with Cedric, but he had just left her for a study session with other fifth years on OWL material. She dipped her quill in the inkwell and moved it to the parchment when she noticed that her light was being blocked. She looked up to find Draco Malfoy with his supposedly injured arm in a sling, standing in her way.
"You're in my light," Leila said.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Draco asked.
"Hmm…I think you're a bit confused. You see, the loser, crybaby table is over there," Leila said.
Leila pointed to an empty table in the library near several first years. Draco looked to where she pointed and looked back at her.
"So I take it that you're mad at me," Draco drawled.
"No, I just don't feel like putting up with your crap right now," Leila said.
"Please? Pansy's driving me crazy," Draco whispered.
Leila rolled her eyes and looked up at him.
"Really? You're sick of all the fawning? I find that hard to believe," Leila said.
"She won't leave me alone," Draco whispered.
"And whose fault is that?" Leila hissed.
"Well, if that oaf wouldn't have had such a stupid animal…" Draco began.
"You know what? You can sit here because I was just leaving," Leila groaned.
She stood up and began packing her things into her bag.
"Wait!" Draco said.
"Why?" Leila asked.
"Because Pansy's supposed to catch me up with my classes; but we both know that she's an idiot when it comes to this stuff," Draco said.
"And your point is what?" Leila asked.
"You're smarter than Pansy," Draco said.
"Anyone with a brain could figure that out," Leila said sarcastically.
"Well, that means you should help me," Draco commented.
"Is Draco Malfoy asking for my help?" Leila asked.
"No, I don't ask for help. You'll just be doing me a favor," Draco smirked.
"Say I do, what's in it for me?" Leila asked.
"You get to spend some quality time with me," Draco said.
"You're an arrogant jerk, you know that?" Leila said.
"So you won't catch me up?" Draco asked.
"I didn't say that. I just wanted to let you know you're an arrogant jerk. Besides, maybe if I help you now, somewhere way down the road this karma thing will work itself out," Leila said.
Draco smirked and set his books down as he sat beside Leila. He took out his parchment and Leila began going over the lessons he missed, starting with Herbology.
~*End Flashback*~
Professor Sprout assigned the class another section of Flesh-Eating Trees of the World and dismissed them. Leila walked back into the castle with Flora Carrow when on their way to the common room they ran into Professor Snape.
"Miss Potter a word," Snape drawled.
"Professor, Flora and I are heading back to the common room," Leila responded.
"I'm sure Miss Carrow can manage without you for a moment," Snape said.
Flora nodded and walked away leaving Leila with Professor Snape.
"Yes, Professor?" Leila asked innocently.
"Professor Dumbledore informs me that you will be missing my detention tonight. I wanted to tell you that I have rescheduled your detention with Mister Malfoy for tomorrow evening," Professor Snape said.
"But Professor," Leila began.
"That will be another one, Miss Potter. Haven't you learned not to question me?" Snape furthered.
"But Professor, all I wanted to tell you was that I already have detention tomorrow," Leila rushed.
Professor Snape didn't say anything, so Leila felt the need to explain herself.
"I didn't set my alarm so I woke up late and I was late for Ancient Runes again. So Professor Babbling gave me detention," Leila said.
Professor Snape turned on his heel and walked away.
"Does this mean I don't have detention anymore?" Leila called after him.
Snape didn't respond to her. That probably meant that was a stupid question. Leila shrugged her shoulders and headed on her way to the common room. She didn't feel like going to dinner, so she stayed in the common room until it was time for her meeting with Professor Dumbledore. When it was almost 7 o'clock, she began her walk to Professor Dumbledore's office. She said the password to the gargoyle and headed up the stairs to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Miss Potter, how lovely to see you," Professor Dumbledore said.
"It's nice to see you too, Professor Dumbledore," Leila said.
"I suppose you're wondering why I wanted to meet with you," Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, sir," Leila said.
"You probably know that I've been meeting with your brother. I just would like to keep you in the loop, so to speak," Professor Dumbledore said.
Leila nodded as Professor Dumbledore beckoned her to the pensive. They entered the pensive. Leila was surprised to see what the Gaunt family actually looked like. Being a Slytherin, she had known of the pureblood families, but she had never met someone of that name before. Everything was almost exactly like Harry had described. When they emerged from the pensive, she looked at Professor Dumbledore.
"It's odd to think of Voldemort having a family," Leila said.
"Everyone has a family; but sometimes we aren't given the chance to know them," Dumbledore said.
"Do you think if he knew his family he might have turned out different?" Leila asked.
"That's a question I cannot answer, Miss Potter," Professor Dumbledore said.
As Professor Dumbledore emptied the pensive, Leila wondered what it would have been like if she and Harry had been raised by their parents. Would they have siblings? Would they be loved? How different would things be? But Leila's reverie was interrupted when Professor Snape walked into the office.
"Headmaster," Professor Snape said.
"Professor Snape, how may I help you?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
Professor Snape looked at Leila.
"And that's my cue to leave," Leila said.
Leila walked down the stairs and headed back for the Slytherin common room. She was about to round a corner when a pair of arms suddenly reached out and pulled her back. She was about to scream when a hand flew over her mouth. Leila fought enough to look at who was holding her: it was Draco.