I went into potions class and took a seat at the back of the class, wanting to remain inconspicuous. Draco Malfoy was teaching the class, and while I expected it to be better than Snape's class, I didn't get my hopes up on an enjoyable class. My father had written to Dumbledore about a "specialized" curriculum for me after I had taken my O.W.L.s. My father wanted me to take potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration only. I convinced him to let me take Care of Magical Creatures, too. I wanted to become a Dragon handler. My father wanted me to become a Death Eater. Good luck with getting me to do that.
James took a seat next to me. "Any idea how nice this one is?" James whispered.
"Good luck to the soul who is Harry Potter's son," I muttered back. James gave me an odd look but left it at that.
The rest of the class took their seats. It was a small class. The bell rang, and all talking stopped. "Good morning, class," Draco said. "I am Draco Malfoy, and I will be replacing Professor Snape after his unfortunate…accident this summer. Today, we will be making the Polyjuice Potion. Instructions are on the board, and ingredients are in the cupboard. It will take about a month for this potion to be complete. You may begin." Draco flicked his wand at the Potion cupboard and sat at his desk. I looked at the instructions on the board and got out my quill.
"What are you doing?" James asked. He had gone to get his supplies.
"I always copy down the instructions before the classroom gets too smoke-filled to see the board." I finished off the instructions and went to get my ingredients. All I needed for today was lacewings and Boomslang skin.
I went back to my desk and found Draco standing over James. James's cauldron was smoking a bright purple. "You tried to stew the Boomslang skin too soon, didn't you? I clearly wrote on the board to add the Boomslang skin after the potion had boiled for at least 15 minutes!" Draco seemed to enjoy berating James.
"Evanesco!" I said, and the potion disappeared. "It is my fault that James added the Boomslang skin too soon. I told him when to add it." Draco lost some of his sneer. "James could not see the board clearly because he broke his glasses this morning at breakfast." Draco turned so that he was standing straight in front of me.
"It is not your fault he could not see the board," Draco said.
"It is not James's fault either." I stood staring at Draco, until finally he backed down. I let out the breath I had been holding and sat down at my desk.
"How did you do that? Draco is no pushover. My Aunt Mione told me that." I smiled at James.
"Depends on who you are," I told him, "Depends on who you are."
At the end of class, Draco called her up to his desk. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't challenge me when I am trying to teach," Draco told her.
"And I would appreciate it if you wouldn't berate my assignment." I told Draco sharply.
"Your assignment?" Draco said, shocked.
"It is my job to get information about Harry Potter. I am doing that the only way I know how, by getting the trust of his son." I turned and left the dungeon, without waiting to be dismissed.
"What was that about? "James asked.
"Nothing. Nothing at all."