"Miss Granger, excellent as always" said Professor Slughorn while checking my potion.
"Thank You sir" I reply with a slight nod.
Harry and Ron are, as usual, not impressed by me. I have been top of the class for five years straight, there is no chance anyone can beat me in anything. The professor checks the rest of the potions with an unsatisfied look and reaches the last student.
Draco Malfoy is as arrogant as always. He has grown a bit over the summer, his figure's better defined with a perfect cheek bone and his eyes are greyer than they ever were. He gives a last glance at what he brewed and slides it over to Slughorn.
"Mr Malfoy, this is perfect. You managed to put the exact doses of all the ingredients with such accuracy. I am very impressed." Says the professore. He pauses to think about all the potions and then states "Today, the best potion was made by Draco. As promised he will have a higher mark in the next essay that I will assign. Congratulations."
At the back of the room some Slytherins start clapping and cheering but the rest of the class stays silent. I am mad and embarrassed. I can feel the heat rising on my cheeks. If it were possible, I think by now my hair would be on fire and fume would be spitting out of my ears and nose.
As soon as class is dismissed I start running to the common room. Without even pausing to catch my breath, I take out my quill and a rather long roll of parchment. It's already the second time in a row that the bloody ferret get's higher marks than me this year. It's already happened before but just because I mixed vinegar with lemon juice by mistake.
Without wasting time I start scribbling the beginning of the potions essay. It will be the best essay that any professor has ever seen. Malfoy will just wish he does half as good as me. After some time I look up and stare at the clock above my head. It's 6.30, almost time for dinner.
I pack my bag and roll neatly my finished essay. I drop everything off in my room and head for the great hall. Harry and Ron are already there, waiting for me. I sit in front of them, next to Ginny.
"Where have you been 'mione? You were supposed to come see the Quidditch practice."
"I'm sorry Ron, I was doing my homework. I really want to beat Malfoy next time." Ron and Harry exchange looks and return to eating.
"What is it?" They just wave me off. I start getting mad at them. "Come on guys." I say again.
"It's just that since Malfoy has been better at you in potions all you do is study and do homework" says Harry.
I think about it and say "Isn't that what I've always done. I mean, essays and reading?".
I have always been like this, I wonder why they find it annoying just now, after five years.
"Yes, this is typical you...except that the other years you always found some time for us. Now we barely ever hang out together, other than lunch and class." Ron doesn't sound like he's trying to hurt me but what he says really angers me.
"Well, I'm sorry for caring about my grades and being myself. I should just fuck up all the essays and tests to find time for my friends then" I say in a sarcastic tone, almost screaming.
I get up and head out of the hall. I'm not hungry anyways. On my way out at least half of the students stare at me but right now I really don't care. I walk into my room and throw myself on my four poster. The window is open and a soft breeze comes in.
I let myself relax to the sound of water coming from the Black lake and wait for my breath to become even again.
I can't stop thinking of how Malfoy's potion was so perfect, at the way he looked so pleased to have done better than me. When he smiled because of his friends' cheering. Oh, I can't wait to see Draco's face when I beat him next time. Crap! Now I'm calling him by his name and he's invading all of my thoughts. What is happening to me?!