Disclaimer – I don't own Harry Potter. It belongs to J.K Rowling
When Harry arrived in front of the Potions room, the watch disappeared with a poof. Grumbling, Harry straightened his robes and his tousled hair and hurried into the room. The class was just starting.
"How kind of you to join us, Mr. Potter." Snape sneered from where he was perched on the edge of his desk Determined not to get into trouble, Harry just nodded and took his seat. "It doesn't do to be late for my class." Snape continued lazily.
"Sorry, Professor." Harry said stubbornly, refusing to take the bait.
"Potter is always getting special treatment." Malfoy drawled from his own seat. Harry whipped around in his chair to glare at him. Malfoy smirked.
"How's your dad liking Azkaban?" Harry asked casually. The smirk was gone from Malfoy's face, and a glow of hatred rekindled in Draco's eyes.
"Careful Potter, it's only a matter of time." Malfoy sneered, the threat uttered in a low voice.
"As I had been explaining before we were interrupted, there is to be a project in this class. I'll assign the partners." Snape said icily from the front of the room. Harry's heart sank and he glanced hopefully at Ron and Hermione, who both shook their heads sadly, signaling no hope. Harry, trying to use reverse psychology, got up and sat next to Malfoy. When Snape stopped in front of their table, one eyebrow lifted and a slow smile passed over his face.
"Well, Professor?" Harry asked. Malfoy snickered and rolled his eyes.
"Excellent Mr. Potter. I see you've already chosen a suitable partner. I approve." Still smirking, Snape glided off. Harry's jaw dropped and Malfoy's smirk broadened.
"It was never going to work, Potter."
"Shut up, Malfoy."
Sirius wandered lazily throughout the grounds, disguised as a black dog. The sun was out, and the dog flopped onto a sun warmed rock.
"Look Lily, it's Snuffles!" James crowed. The dog's head perked up and turned, catching on a tall, cocky male walking down the path, hand in hand with his wife. Sirius growled so low and deep it made his throat reverberate.
"Aw, how cute!" Lily teased, playing along.
"Would you like a pink ribbon, Snuffles?" James asked teasingly. Sirius growled but lay his head on his great paws until the couple passed, still laughing. Then, with a ferocious bark, he rose off his haunches and chased after them. Lily shrieked and moved off the path but James just laughed and started running. Sirius chased James until James, from a combination of laughing and weakening, slowed. Sirius leapt through the air and whacked James in the back. James stumbled to the ground, falling to his hands and knees. The hound took his neck in it's huge jaws and began to close them slowly. Suddenly, the neck was getting bigger! The dog yelped frantically, his jaws feeling as if they would break. He danced backwards, wrenching his jaw off James's neck. But the human being James no longer stood there, instead a fully grown buck stood in his place. Prongs did indeed ride again. Lily watched in amusement as the large dog and buck played, with the dog finally pretending to succumb to his wounds. The three of them walked a ways into the Forbidden Forest, out of sight from prying eyes, and James and Sirius transformed back.
"I hate to spoil the fun," Lily said hesitantly, "but what are we going to do? Voldemort's back, and now he's after all four of us." she sighed. The three of them sat blankly, suddenly weary, staring with trouble eyes at nothing.
"Let's just get this project done with." Harry snapped, pacing. Malfoy smirked. He was reclining in one of the wooden chairs, his feet up on the desk. They were in the library, and Harry was feeling annoyed. They had to research a potion and then make it. Snape was not going easy on them. Harry wondered if Snape would grade him better because of Malfoy, or find a way to give Malfoy a better grade. He highly doubted Snape would be fair, especially after this afternoon.
"So Harry, let's get started." Malfoy using his name startled him and he turned and scrutinized him.
"Why are you being so friendly?" he asked shrewdly. Draco laughed and the two legs of the chair, which had previously been up off the ground, came crashing back down. Malfoy got up and stretched, then leaned against a bookshelf.
"I know what you're thinking. You're wondering how Snape will grade."
"That doesn't account for why you're being nice." Harry pointed out. Malfoy rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I was trying to be civil, Potter. If we have to work together, I may as well try."
"Oh, I see. You need to work for your grades now that your father can't bully everyone around to just giving things to you." Harry assessed. With more speed and strength than Harry thought Malfoy possessed, Draco grabbed his collar with two hands and shoved him up against a bookcase. Harry fought momentarily to get free, but the force Draco had in his arms wouldn't allow Harry freedom. Malfoy put his face inches from Harry's. His cold gray eyes were like bars of frozen steel and Harry just stared, a bit alarmed.
"You leave my father out of it, Potter. You say anything you want about me or my friends, you can curse my House if you want, but don't you dare say anything, anything, about my family!" Malfoy hissed. Harry swallowed nervously.
"Fine." he said, with confidence he didn't feel. Malfoy gave one more shove and then release Harry. He vaulted backwards onto one of the tables and regarded Harry.
"Glad we had this chat. Now let's get to work."
Sorry it's been awhile! I'm trying to balance everything, so my stories have been under some neglect. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review with any comments/criticism!