Disclaimer: Original Characters written by J.K. Rowling. Character Ideas from the Harry Potter Novels. All creations/alterations of this fic, come from JK Rowling's Harry Potter Series. Don't sue us... we don't have money anyways.
Chapter One: Potions
The curling lip and sneering smile coming from the greasy haired teacher standing in front of the class, made more then half of the room shrink back into their seats. "Pair up." It wasn't a request. It was a command. He stood, arms crossed, observing the class; Griffindor seventh years to the right and Slytherin seventh years to the left. "Now."
The din of chairs scraping the stone floor echoed around the dungeon classroom as the students quickly searched for friends in their houses to cling to. "Those of you that have found an accomplice...sit. Those of you that are too dim-witted to have found a partner stay standing," Snape drawled, and smirk toying on his face. Pairs of students moved quickly to sit at benches together. When the room quieted down, only two students were left standing. Draco Malfoy. And Harry Potter.
Harry's green eyes flickered over to Malfoy's cool, ice ones. He looked back in horror at Snape who's lip was once again curled into a smile. "Well?" He sneered turning away from the class and moving to the chalk board. Harry glanced quickly at Hermione who was clutching onto Ron's arm. She looked apologetically at him and Ron just looked down. He couldn't blame them... not really. With a sigh he grabbed his book and took a step over to Malfoy's empty table. Staring at him, he dropped his books and sat down, trying not to catch his robes on the chair.
Draco glared at Crabbe and Goyle, who stared stupidly back at him. He glanced at Snape briefly, then slammed his books on the table and sat haughtily in his chair. "Do be careful Mr. Malfoy..." Snape murmured. "Those benches are not as strong as they once were..." Turning back he flicked his wand in the direction of the wall and instructions for their lesson appeared in his untidy script on the blackboard. "The Truth Serum is a very potent and powerful substance, designed so that those who use it are in complete...and utter...control of another person. When brewed properly, this potion can be VERY VERY dangerous...with that said...you have until the bell to complete the instructions on the board."
Harry sighed to himself and shook his head as he pulled his book to him. He refused to look at Malfoy or at Snape. The sooner they finished this, the sooner they could go. "Potter, Malfoy." Snape said coldly as he walked over to their desk and leaned over it. Harry stared at Snape's hand, pushing against the corner of the desk. He wanted more then anything to hit it with his book... Pulling his eyes away he glared at Snape. "I trust, you both being of your 7th year, capable of being able to make a potion of this standard. I trust, you will be able to complete it, with out any mishaps." Snape said glaring right back at Harry. "I know... how hard it is to follow directions sometimes."
"Well be fine professor. The sooner we get this over, the better." Harry replied, a tight line smile on his face. Snape chuckled softly and leaned closer to the both of them.
"Look, at the last line Potter."
Harry glared at him and looked around his shoulder. Potion will take approximately 3 months to complete correctly. Bring all ingredients to class, every class.
Draco smirked at the expression on Harry's face. "What's the matter Potter? Three months too long?" He flipped his hair out of his face and grabbed his book. With the air of royalty, he rose from his seat and walked to the store cabinet to gather the materials required. He brought them back to the bench and began work, making no move to include Harry.
"Push over Malfoy." Harry demanded pushing his book out of the way and rolling up his sleeves. "I am not going to get a failing mark because I am forced to be paired with you." He reached over to grab a root and a knife. "And, if you read... you are supposed to use a bezoar, not a black eyed beetle."
Draco gave him a venomous look to match Snape's.
"Well, Potter, I wouldn't expect you to understand, but I am using my father's old potions textbook. A textbook that has notes in it by Slughorn himself when he taught here. And if you read," he pushed his book in front of Harry's face. "It says "to speed up the process substitute black eyed beetle for Bezor". Or can you not read that either, Potter?" He smirked and continued preparing the insect, turning his body towards the cauldron and away from Harry.
"Fine, we'll use your book. But, you are not doing this alone Malfoy. You will receive a small mark off for not cooperating and that wouldn't go over too well with Daddy would it?" Harry hissed at him taking Malfoy's text book and placing it in front of them both. "We both don't want to do this. But we both have to. Do you honestly want to have a war through the next three months!" Harry glared at his back and shook his head fiercely. He snapped his attention over to Hermionie and Ron who looked apologetic.
"Just try Harry." Hermionie mouthed to him.
"Miss Granger!" Snape roared making everyone's attention snap upwards. "Eyes, on your own." Hermionie flushed deep red and she pressed herself against Ron. Ron kissed her forehead comfortingly as he pulled the book towards them. Sighing, Harry turned back to meet Malfoy's eyes.
"Potter, just because we're stuck together doesn't mean we're going to get all chummy. Though I'm sure you would love to be part of the elite... nothing is going to change. I still loath you with a passion. Always have. Always will." He pulled his book back closer to his side of the table and continued to prepare ingredients. In front of them Crabbe dropped a beaker filled with a black, tar-like substance that was no doubt not included in the directions. When it hit the floor it immeadiately exploded, leaving a blackened, but unharmed Crabbe, looking slightly confused, as always.
"Crabbe you bloody prat! Can your pea-sized brain even manage to read? You will stay after class to clean up the mess you have created," shouted Snape. He turned on his heel and returned to his desk.
"It's already too much just standing next you." Harry muttered, deciding it wasn't worth it to continue arguing. He took the next step and reached across Malfoy to grab the cutting board. Without saying another word to his, 'partner', he began to chop up the root as it was diagramed in Malfoy's book.
For the rest of class Draco and Harry didn't communicate any more than necessary, and their conversations went no further than "Pass the cutting knife" or "I add, you stir". After minute after excruciating minute, Snape finally ordered the class to pack up their things.
"You will leave your potions here, as they must mature for at least 24 hours. You are dismissed when the bell rings."
Walking back, he swiped his books quickly from his desk and hurried over to Hermionie and Ron. "I'm going to die." He said shaking his head. "I need potions this year Hermionie!" He said looking at her, pleading with her for any sort of help. "If I want to be an Auror, I need to get this, and Snape knows that. He doesn't want me to do anything... that's why he paired us." Harry said glancing over at Draco who was muttering to Crabbe and Goyle. "I'm not going to let them win."
Draco glared at Harry out of the corner of his eye as he muttered to Crabbe and Goyle, "Ugh. Potter. Of course, I'd get stuck with the wizarding world's "savior".
"Huh, huh," guffawed Goyle. "Maybe you can...you know...spy on him or something for You-Know-Who..." Draco's eyes filled with fear for a moment, but it was gone as soon as it had come and they reverted to their ice blue state.
"Perhaps, Goyle. We will see," he replied vaguely. In all honesty, he wouldn't wish the Dark Lord's wrath on anyone. Not even Harry.
"It's Malfoy. Malfoy! It figures." Harry sighed. The bell rang above them and they all hurried out of the class room. Harry walked beside Ron who was holding Hermione's hand. He was glad they were together, but a small part of him wished that he was still paired with Ron. Malfoy wasn't the nicest person to Hermionie but, he wouldn't do anything to her while they were working. She was the one who would get them both an A. He and Ron would've struggled, but they could've gotten her to help them catch up later on. Looking down he regretted the thought. He shouldn't be putting anyone else in his place. This is where he was.
"Well, maybe you can spy on Malfoy." Ron said looking at him. "I mean, we read a little in the book... and there is a lot of out of class things. You could get him to spill about some things, use the potion against him."
"Ron, Snape will probably be riding up our arses the whole time." Harry said shaking his head. "And knowing him, that's probably what he is going to try to do to me."
Draco immediately headed for his commons, followed by Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson.
"Oh, Draco," she simpered. "It's so terrible that you have to be paired with the Potter twit." She patted his shoulder sympathetically. "If you need someone to talk to or something." She let out a girly giggle. "I'm always here." Draco charmed her with a dark smile. Pansy was attractive, sure, and an excellent person to fool around with...but she was...well, a pansy. Draco preferred someone with more daring and bravery. Someone who wasn't afraid of the unknown...let alone spiders or shadows, as most of the Slytherin girls he knew were.
Not to mention he hated the type of girl that was clingy. He was a Malfoy man. He enjoyed the chase. There was nothing better than a girl that knew how to i act like she wasn't interested.
