Author's note:
Was anyone else disappointed at Draco's complete lack of development in OotP? He had such a little role! But H/D sails on- after all, that's what fanfics are for. (Translation: there will be male/male relationships later on, so let's follow the don't like-don't read policy. *snickers* It's hard to believe there are still non-slashers though.) Please review after you're done and tell me what you think of my first Harry Potter fic.
Disclaimer: This piece of fanfiction is based upon characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling and her publishers. I am not making any money off this, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Ron managed to salvage an 'Acceptable' in Potions, but since Snape blatantly refused to take students who got anything other than 'Outstanding' (although I believe Dumbledore convinced him to also allow a few 'Exceeds Expectations') it was just Hermione and I hurrying into the dungeons the first day of our sixth year. Hermione considered Ron's O.W.L.s "an absolute disgrace" (to be fair to Ron, Hermione considered 99/100 "simply and utterly atrocious") but Ron pointed out that never again having to suffer through Potions with Snape and his beloved Slytherins was no major loss on his part.
As 'Mione and I walked past Malfoy, I braced myself for any and every possible malicious insult that he could possibly hurl my way. After all there are certain undeniable facts of life: Hermione's the smartest and most dedicated student of our year, Snape never misses an opportunity to take points from Gryffindor, Voldemort is evil, and Draco Malfoy goes out of his way to make my life miserable. And these facts keep the world turning, the universe in sync.
So imagine my complete shock when I was greeted only by…silence. Malfoy's intense and penetrating gaze remained focused on the entrance to the classroom; I doubt that he even registered my presence. Hermione receiving a lower grade in Charms than Ron, Snape letting me to come into class late, blow up two cauldrons, and dump a particularly nasty concoction on him all in one day without a single deduction, Voldemort handing out Christmas gifts at an Muggle orphanage dressed as jolly old Saint Nick, his outfit complete with a fake cotton beard- anything was now possible now that the forces of the universe were dangerously out of balance.
Taking my seat next to Hermione, I snuck a questioning glance in Malfoy's direction. He was surrounded by a gaggle of giggling Slytherin girls, who neatly occupied a ring of seats around him. But oddly enough the desk directly to his right was empty- it was as if he as reserving it for someone. I wracked my brain for the names of the Slytherins Malfoy usually associated with. It couldn't possibly have been Crabbe or Goyle (the thought of them receiving an 'Outstanding' on their O.W.L.s would be enough to cause Ron to laugh so hard that he'd have to be sent to the hospital wing or die from lack of oxygen). Millicent Bulstrode? No, she wasn't the brightest crayon in the box either. Pansy Parkinson? No, upon closer inspection she was part of the flock of girls surrounding Malfoy. I chewed my bottom lip thoughtfully but I couldn't think of a single possible candidate.
An ominous hush fell over the classroom as Snape walked to his desk and slowly scrutinized the students sitting before him.
"Only the very best pupils make it into my N.E.W.T. class," Snape began in his characteristically calm and quiet tone. "But this year," he continued as his gaze lingered on me briefly, "there seem to be a few… exceptions."
I felt the tips of my ears turning pink and I instinctively clenched my right hand into a fist. Hermione shot me a comforting, almost maternal, glance and I slowly relaxed my hand.
"You will be attempting prepare some of the most potent and difficult potions this year. While I am confident that you have the intelligence, talent, and competence to make them on your own, due to the increased efforts to promote the relationship between houses some assignments will involve working with a partner. The partner you will be assigned shall not be from your house."
Hermione clacked her teeth absentmindedly, a sure sign that she's annoyed or stressed, and I thanked Merlin that our class was composed of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws along with Slytherins. Although Snape seemed to enjoy partnering me with Malfoy in hopes that the git would show me up, as seen by the dueling club incident back in our first year, I don't think he'd want me to ruin his top student's marks by horribly botching every mixture we'd do. Personally, if I were Snape I'd partner Malfoy with Hermione- with his incredible potion skills (I hate to admit it, but I have to give props when props are due) and her cleverness they'd probably make a super potion that could do Merlin knows what. That, and I would take a shower.
"Since the duration for these partnerships will last for the whole school year I suggest you and your partner learn to get along," Snape finished and with a sharp flick of his wand, the arrangements appeared on the blackboard.
"Mandy Brocklehurst," Hermione said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I don't know why but for a second I had this horrible feeling, a premonition almost, that I'd be put with Malfoy."
I laughed. "And that's why you dropped Divination 'Mione."
She airily ignored my comment. "So who's your partner Harry?"
I looked at the writing on the board. "Blaise Zabini. Who's that?"
Hermione brows furrowed slightly, something she always did when she was trying to recall information that was on the tip of her tongue but was escaping her for the moment. "Blaise's a Slytherin. His twin sister Blair, she's a Ravenclaw, was in my Ancient Runes class last year. I know the Zabinis are a rich and powerful wizarding family. They can trace their family tree back to Morgan le Fey at one point, which is really noticeable since Blaise's sister bears a striking resemblance to Morgan."
I cringed because the image of Morgan le Fey in our history textbooks was of a slightly plump, middle-aged woman with gleaming, predatory eyes and a richly rouged mouth that would occasionally curve into a smug grin similar to that of a kitchen cat.
Snape flicked his wand and the blackboard was wiped clean; with another flick a list of potion names appeared. "Copy these down and research each one. I expect a five foot essay on the first potion on tomorrow: include information about how and by whom the potion was invented, ingredients, general procedure, appearance, distinguishing characteristics, and its significance."
The silence that followed Snape's speech was interrupted only by the subtle scratching sound of quills on parchment. Suddenly, the door to the classroom opened and the scratching sounds ceased abruptly. A blanket of silence settled over the room as everyone turned to see the person with enough nerve to be late to Potions.
In strolled a gorgeous demi-god. His fine, almost delicate, features were finely carved; the master hand that sculpted him did not make a single error. His smooth, sable hair was the warm shade of milk chocolate. Incredibly dark lashes framed his enchanting, shadowy eyes. Sudden surges of possessiveness bubbled as I noticed that every person in the room (excluding Snape but including Hermione, though she was attempting to be discrete) was eyeing his lean yet slightly muscular frame that could make the straightest man alive reconsider. He possessed the notorious Slytherin air of grace, confidence, and predation- but to a lesser degree than Malfoy and the other Slytherins. Perhaps what made him really stand out, however, was that he seemed to radiate a subtle, starlight-like glow.
"You're late," Malfoy growled as the demi-god sat down besides him.
The brunette purred in response, and laughed as a faint tinge of pink began to spread across Malfoy's face.
"Mr. Zabini," Snape snapped coolly, though nowhere near as frigidly as the tone he takes when speaking to me. "Thank you for gracing us with your presence, but would you care to elaborate on why you are late?"
"I was promoting inter-house relations," was the calm and nonchalant reply.
Snape arched an eyebrow. "And exactly how were you accomplishing said task?"
Blaise grinned. "I was helping a Ravenclaw find her way to my dorm."
Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust and Malfoy looked equally displeased.
"Do you think Snape will actually give one of his precious Slytherins detention?" I whispered to Hermione.
"I don't see how he could simply write-off Blaise's flagrant disobeying of school policy," Hermione whispered back.
Snape's eyes glinted maliciously. "I did not give you permission to talk Mr. Potter and Miss Granger- 10 points from Gryffindor. Now get back to work." The scribbling of quills commenced as Snape turned his attention back to Blaise. I pretended to write as I avidly viewed the scene out of the corner of my eye, hoping that Hermione was in a generous mood and would let me copy her notes after class. "And although your effort to 'promoting inter-house relations' and unify the students of Hogwarts is noble, Mr. Zabini, I am afraid I will have to give you detention," Snape stated, a sour expression on his face, as if punishing a member of his house left a foul tasting residue in his mouth. "Mr. Malfoy, you may inform Mr. Zabini of what he has missed."
"I thought Ravenclaws were suppose to be smart. You think they'd learn to stay away from you by now," Malfoy hissed to Blaise quietly.
"The first years don't know yet," Blaise countered, and smiled sardonically as Malfoy's scowl deepened.
"I though you had 'morals'."
Blaise's eyes narrowed. "I do, and I have standards too. Anyways calm down, I was just joshing you."
"So what, or who, where you really doing?"
Blaise shrugged indifferently. "So what did Professor Snape want you to fill me in on?"
Malfoy looked reluctant to change the subject but answered Blaise's question, nonetheless. "He's assigned us partners from other houses. You're with Potter."
Blaise looked amused. "And who gets the privilege of working with you?"
"Some stupid Hufflepuff." (Hufflepuff was uttered like a curse word) "Anyways, Professor Snape wants you to copy down the list of potions on the board and write a three foot long composition about the first one's origin, ingredients, procedure…"
His name repeats through my head like a mantra. Blaise Zabini, Blaise Zabini, Blaise… I bet he loves blueberries, and strawberries covered with chocolate and whipped cream. I bet he has a weakness for blue eyes. I bet he loves Italian food. I bet he dominates at chess, but doesn't even know how to play checkers…
"Stop it," Hermione hisses quietly. "You hate how everyone has their misconceptions about you, and here you are blithely creating your own about him."
I grunted. It's scary, sometimes, how perceptive that girl can be.
"Not so blithely," I returned. "I bet he hates eggplant."
~ * ~
I heard my name being called as Hermione and I walked out of Potions class. The voice was enchanting and hypnotizing: smooth and golden, like honey, but also as cool and refreshing as ocean foam. Quickly turning around, I came face to face with no other than the gorgeous deity whose very name had been replaying in my head like a broken record.
"Meet me in the library after dinner, Potter," Blaise whispered in my ear, sending delicious shivers down my spine. "Might I suggest you take a nap, because it'll be an all-nighter."
And with an elegant swish of his robes, Blaise walked off to join Malfoy (who was eyeing me carefully).
"Be careful Harry," Hermione cautioned as we watched the retreating figures of the two Slytherins.
"I will," I replied automatically.
So whatcha think? Like I said, please review (but don't flame). Later days, lol.
