Annabelle
We received our schedule at breakfast the next day, wondering at the number of windows between classes and naively believing how lucky we were. We never imagined that on the first day we would be asked to write a whole mountain of transfiguration scrolls and practice a new method of non-verbal spells for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Here I could breathe out calmly, because my grandmother had long ago taught me many spells that are considered dark, but have long belonged to the Black family; as well as non-verbal. Of course, I'm not good at all of them, but this is just a start. It's a matter of small.
After dinner we had a double Potions lesson. Ora and I slowly descended into the dungeon, to the class we had known for a long time, looking forward to how the lessons would be held under the guidance of Professor Slughorn, who was new to us. In pureblood wizarding circles, especially Slytherins, this man was quite famous. He helped to get a lot of wizards many important connections, so it was very prestigious to be among his favorites and get into his so-called Slug Club.
I don't know, however, whether Aurora and I will succeed, since there were rumors that the professor is extremely unfriendly towards those whose families have relatives serving the Dark Lord. Rumor has it, that's why he didn't take Nott to his club, because his father was put in Azkaban this summer. And, of course, Draco Slughorn also avoided. On the contrary, though, I'm glad. Someone has to beat the proud out of him.
We entered the classroom and were surprised by the colorful puffs of steam and the varied, sometimes even pleasant aromas that reigned there. The atmosphere had changed drastically and there was no hint that Professor Snape had previously taught here. And that's good! Maybe my grades in this subject will finally improve now!
I just had time to raise my hand when the mudblood Granger began to answer. She is always here! How can you be such a know-it-all?
"Very good, very good!" approved Slughorn. "And now this potion…" He pointed to the second cauldron, "who knows?.."
Granger was ahead of me again, which made me just burst out:
"How much more must we endure her?"
Suffocantus — flashed through my mind immediately.
Granger blushed and coughed in mid-sentence as if she had choked. Everyone fell silent in an instant, and the Gryffindors stared at me with hatred. Apparently, they did not understand that I had cast a non-verbal spell on her, and were only indignant at my remark. But the Slytherins giggled angrily, I had already tried this spell on some of ours more than once and they instantly recognized it. But that didn't bother me now.
Hell! Will I get detented on the first day? And why, actually? Because I wanted to answer while listening to the professor carefully? Unlike some, whose blond head hasn't left the table since the beginning of the lesson.
"And I suppose you want to add something?" Professor turned to me after he conjured a glass of water for Granger and she returned to normal.
I didn't quite understand what he said to me. Did he really not notice my spell or was it sarcasm? Out of harm's way, I decided to pretend like nothing happened. I also missed the Howler from my grandmother.
"Oh, no, sir, I absolutely agree with Miss Granger," I got out with a smile, hoping that I managed to portray a smile, and not a smirk, as it usually happened.
"Well, are you?.. Miss?.."
"Miss Black, sir." It seems that my completely innocent tone worked and I will be able to avoid detention.
"Mrs Malfoy!" came from the back rows of Slytherins, who burst into laughter and whistled gleefully. They often joked like that and I got used to it a long time ago.
I chuckled, since I've always been flattered by the attention to my person, and glanced at Draco, who seemed to sink even lower, hiding under the desk as if he was out of business. This provoked me and, in order to annoy him even more, I got up from my seat under the general enthusiastic exclamations, deliberately bending in a theatrical bow, and raised my hand, showing the same engagement ring.
"Well, that's enough, I, of course, congratulate you, but let's not disrupt our lesson!" The professor clapped his hands and everyone fell silent, then he continued the lecture without saying anything to me again.
"Lucky you," whispered Ora, and I chuckled triumphantly.
Slughorn talked about the other potions boiling in the cauldrons. When the turn came to the most pleasant-smelling potion - by the way, the smell for each was individual and to me it smelled like a garden filled with various types of roses - Amortentia, Aurora and I exchanged glances, smiling slyly.
The rest of the lesson was spent making the Draught of Living Death, for which Slughorn promised to give a vial of the Potion of Luck. I don't know why I needed it, but the excitement hit my head and I tried my best. It didn't go unnoticed that Draco freaked out when Potter won. What can you do, anyone here will be offended.
After potions, we were finally free and went to our living room. It was already getting dark, causing a green light to light up in round lamps that looked like a ball, turning the atmosphere of the Slytherin common room into a cozy and more familiar environment. It was reminiscent of a native estate where our ancient and noble family had long lived.
Ora and I made our way to our favorite spot, a black leather sofa located right by the big fireplace in the center of the room. Light also fell on him from huge windows, past which mermaids or other creatures of the Black Lake swam every now and then; and the sound of water calmed and relaxed after a hard day at school.
Having comfortably settled down, we decided to discuss the upcoming trip to the Forbidden Forest for ingredients.
"You will look for the necessary herbs, and I will reconnoiter the situation from the sky and, if anything, I will warn of danger. You never know, centaurs will jump out..." I offered my plan.
"It is also important not to catch anyone's eyes. Anyway, we'll go at night. We didn't have enough problems from Filch, but we don't need them," Ora noticed.
"Therefore, I will immediately turn into a bird, while still in the castle, and give you a sign when to leave. And you will follow along," I was pretty excited, "Oh, I can finally fly at that night!"
"So be it for these mudbloods!" came the exclamations of classmates who entered the living room, who, apparently, were still discussing my intemperance in Potions class. Seeing me, they playfully bowed to me, and Zabini sat down on the arm of the sofa next to me:
"Allow me to kiss your hand, my lady!" he said deliberately solemnly, and lightly touched his lips to the back of my hand. I yanked my hand away and chuckled, though I was still amused by the way I was addressed.
"What are you, Draco, silent? Don't you want to compliment your bride?" Zabini was surprised when Malfoy entered quietly.
He was silent as never before, which was strange, because before he never missed the opportunity to mock the same Granger. And even more so now, when classmates have made this theatrical worship of me, so to speak, the instigator of this celebration.
Draco sat down in the chair opposite, still ignoring the introduction, and picked up the latest issue of the Daily Prophet from the table.
"He has a crush on Granger, that's all!" I joked. "What, honey, I have to fight with her for your heart?" stretching out in an unctuous voice, I grinned, trying to hurt him.
Malfoy turned purple with rage, his brow furrowed. I leaned back enthusiastically on the back of the sofa, satisfied with my work, but soon noticed that he did not listen to us, and was about to incinerate the newspaper with his gaze.
"What is it?" Curiosity got the best of me and I got up from the couch, hovering over Draco's shoulder to read this unusual article that had so caught his attention:
"As far as we know, a secondary search of the residence of Death Eater Lucius Malfoy has not produced tangible results. Arthur Weasley of the Sector for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Protective Spells and Charms claims that information received from a private individual was the reason for the search."
"This blood traitor is quite insolent!" Zabini blurted out next to him, who was also interested in why Draco was so depressed. "Soon they will come to our bedrooms with a search!"
I did not answer, returning to Ora. It's all strange. What could be another reason for the Malfoy Manor to be searched? What can be kept there? And what is a private person?