Chapter three

Sep. 3rd 1996

I won over that pathetic loser. It felt so great. But still, I'm quite surprised I managed to get my wand back. It went easily. I just told him to give it back, and then I got it. Ha, he probably thought I'd just walk away after that.

But no, I actually used my wand. Silly idiot. Well, I've got to go now; we've got Potions. Can't wait to see Potter ...

Draco closed his diary and put it away. He hid it in his trunk and locked it thoroughly.

As he walked to his favourite class with his favourite teacher Professor Snape, he remembered that they were starting on a lot more difficult potions this year; he looked forward to it.

'I just hope that he won't make us work with Gryffindor,' he muttered to himself. Not only had Professor Snape told them about the difficult potions; he had threatened to mixture the Slytherins and the Gryffindors so that they actually had to work with each other. I'm not sure I can forgive him if I'll have to work with that Potter, Draco thought.

As he entered the classroom he noticed he was the only one there; it was only five past nine and the lesson didn't start until nine fifteen.

Draco sighed and sat down on a seat. Lately, he'd been more alone than ever. He always used to hang out with Crabbe and Goyle, not that they were much company, but now he just wanted to be left alone. It suited him just fine.

And all of a sudden, somebody came in. Potter.

As Draco looked up and Harry noticed him, he froze.

'What the fuck are you doing here?' Harry asked suspiciously.

'I'm having Potions, you idiot,' Draco replied irritably. 'Slept well tonight? Or did you have nightmares? It must've been really traumatic having me sneaking up behind you ...' Draco smirked.

'You just shut up.' Harry felt his anger rising within him. 'You know that if I hadn't given your fucking wand back, you wouldn't have won!' Draco was just about to answer this when Snape came inside.

'Already here, Draco?' he said softly and smiled at the Slytherin. When turning to Harry, his smile faded and turned into a grimace. 'And Potter. How nice.' Harry knew better than to say anything rude to Professor Snape so he just stayed quiet and went to his own seat. Soon, the whole classroom was filled with students from both Slytherin and Gryffindor, and the lesson continued like usual. Snape talked about some potion and said to read the instructions carefully, otherwise you might get swollen, lose a finger or something else. Harry tried his best and the potion looked absolutely fine as he bottled it and gave it to Professor Snape, who inspected it and then, to Harry's great surprise, didn't say anything. Harry assumed this meant he had nothing bad to say about it so he just went back to his seat and waited till everyone else was done.

'Students,' Professor Snape said as he had taken a look at everyone's potions and the pupils were seated. 'I must admit that this class went on very well, and that almost everyone,' he glanced at Neville who looked nervous, 'managed to make their potions without spilling anything or adding the wrong ingredients.' He paused, looked around at the class and continued, 'Of course, I don't expect this to happen every time because you are all a bunch of know-nothing idiots,' he meant the Gryffindors, 'but I can always hope. Class dismissed.'

Harry sighed with relief and he, Ron and Hermione got up and walked out the door.

'What did he say about your potions?' Hermione asked, clearly wanting to tell them what he'd said about hers, but found it more polite to ask them first.

'Nothing,' said Harry truthfully. 'I guess that meant it was okay.' Ron looked gloomy.

'He said that my potion reminded him of some other potion which gives you big blisters all over your body, and that maybe he should try it on me just to see if I had accidentally made that one instead of the one we were supposed to make,' he said and took a deep breath when finished. Hermione looked like she was about to burst when she said, 'Well, I don't know about you guys, but that seems quite friendly coming from old Snape.'

'Yes,' said Harry, 'so, what did he say about yours?' Hermione looked extraordinary pleased with herself as she told them.

'He said that, although very reluctantly, he had to admit I was one of his best students, despite the fact that I am a Gryffindor. So he asked me if I had any plans continuing with Potions after Hogwarts, and if I did, he would support me whole-heartedly!' Hermione beamed at them and Harry and Ron grinned at her.

'Wow,' Ron said. 'So now I assume we can't say anything bad about him just because he likes what you do!'

'Don't be silly, Ron,' Hermione said but couldn't help but smile. 'Just because I'm one of his best students doesn't mean I like the git.' But as she, Harry and Ron walked up to the Gryffindor tower, both Harry and Ron knew that wasn't true.