Chapter Eighteen

Malfoy's Suspicious Interest

Malfoy came to sit beside me a few minutes later.

"You wanted to know what happened to Crabbe and Goyle." He said, regarding me with care. I nodded my mouth.

"There's not much to tell, really. How did you learn how to do that blinding curse, it was brilliant!" I knew he wouldn't be able to keep off the subject.

"Probably inspired by the potion we were doing in class the other day, improvement of impaired eyesight." I told him. Snape's warning about giving too much away still rang crystal clear in my head.

"Listen, is there anywhere we can talk… alone?" Draco had lowered his voice so as not to be overheard by Kerry.

"Let me finish my lunch and we'll find an empty classroom." I whispered back.

"Why not come now?"

"Let a girl finish her lunch!" I exclaimed, and then glanced up the table to see that few people were still seated.

"Okay, I'll wait." Malfoy compromised.

The empty classroom ended up being a potion lab that I'd only been taught in once. It looked like it was for studies combining herbology and potions as one end had a glass roof and many magical plants grew beneath it. I noticed the books were piled on shelves around the classroom in the style of Professor Sprout, but the fireplace was also full of books, which I would associate more with Snape.

"What do you want?" I asked. Malfoy seemed slightly nervous at asking.

"I want to know if there's anything going for us." I gave an odd look.

"Going for us? Is that your way of asking if I like you?" Draco looked embarrassed.

"I suppose." I gave a smile.

"I'm not sure. I can't see it lasting long." He looked up. "I'm not that sort of person." I told him. Draco looked disappointed. I wondered if Snape was really right about Draco for a second.

"Is it me?" He asked. I sighed and leant against one of the benches.

"No, well… It just doesn't feel right Draco. I've got a lot on my mind at the moment. Perhaps you're better just being my friend for a bit." I suggested. Malfoy nodded. He stepped forwards and narrowed his eyes.

"Is that a necklace?" He asked. I put my hand to my neck quickly.

"Yeah, I bought it in Diagon Alley ages ago. I'd forgotten about it until I found it a few days ago." I made a quick movement to make sure it was hidden again. It seemed Malfoy knew more about it that I liked to think.

Eight o'clock came far too quickly. I didn't want to think much about what Snape could be having me do for my detention. Suggestions had been cleaning potion cauldrons full of slime by hand and other less appetising thoughts over dinner. Together, I wasn't particularly hungry. I walked down alone, rolling my sleeves up as I neared the office door. I knocked on the door and waited.

"Enter." I opened the door. Snape was standing by the fireplace, a fire going beneath a large cauldron. He was bent over, peering in, looking thoughtful.

"Fetch me some asphodel from the shelves." Snape ordered. I hurried to oblige, trying to soften what I could. Snape added what he wanted, and handed the jar back to me.

"That will be all with the asphodel." He said. I replaced the jar and turned back.

"Sit down by the desk." I glanced towards Snape's desk and saw a chair appear beside the one already there. I paused before walking over and sitting down cautiously. Snape turned a silhouette against the flames.

"Did you not learn anything from what I told you?" He asked, tone angry. I swallowed.

"Professor, I know I'm a stupid girl who thinks she can sort anyone out her own way, and often runs into things blindly just like my father. I know... I know that…" Snape's eyes seemed to glint.

"I didn't ever say I didn't admire your father." He told me. I blinked slowly.

"I wasn't implying you had to be honest Sir." Snape walked towards me and asked to see the necklace. I paused before taking it off and placing it in his hand. He walked round the back of me and sat down beside me, before his desk, and put the necklace down. I watched as he studied the shape of the crescent moon and star entwined with a snake and dragon.

"Is it that which is causing all the changes in power?" I asked cautiously. Snape blinked, as if he was slightly annoyed at my question interrupting his concentration. He glanced back at me without moving his head.

"I think it could be Elixa." He told me, opening a drawer and pulling out an aged piece of parchment. Snape laid it out on the table, and I recognised the handwriting as my mothers.