"Crabbe!" Called Zabini, rushing through the Slytherin Common Rooms, readying for potions class. Crabbe, who was rushing as well, stumbled towards Blaise. Zabini placed a firm hand on Crabbe's shoulder to steady him. "Where's Malfoy?" He asked.
"In the bedroom. Says he's not going." He informed. Zabini rolled his eyes at that.

He hustled up the stairs and into the bedroom, opening the door to a Malfoy in slacks, stood by the window, looking like he was recovering from a break up. Brooding idiot. "Why aren't you dressed yet?!" He asked irritably.

Blaise was one of the few people that knew about the quest set out for Malfoy by the Dark lord himself. Of course, he too took into consideration that it was no small thing to achieve, but it's wasn't like Draco had a choice. However, the white-head wasn't going to accomplish anything by sulking around.

"I'm not going." He replied, without even bothering to look Zabini's way.

Blaise folded his arm in an interrogating manner. "And why is that?" He questioned.
"I have more important matters to attend to." Draco explained grimly, another streak of fear stabbing at his heart like a pile of cruel needles.
"Mm. Well, last I checked, one of those matters was keeping up appearances so as not to cause suspicion." Blaise stressed seriously. Draco sighed tiredly and turned fully to the annoying Zabini.
"Why do you even care?" He asked. Zabini approached him carefully.
"Because, believe it or not, Malfoy, you're the only person in this blasted place that I don't entirely despise, and," He slapped a hand on Draco's shoulder in a friendly manner, a gesture that only confused the blonde. "I'd like to keep it that way, by making sure you stay alive." Was Blaise's best attempt at telling Malfoy that he was his friend.

But 'staying alive' wasn't something Draco was so sure of anymore, especially when it all relies on getting that cabinet working, and finding it in him to…kill.

Blaise could see that Draco had fallen back into a most probably sinister train of thoughts, one that he was certain consisted of the infamous Redwing. He sighed, letting his hand fall. Then, an idea sparked up. "Redwing'll be there." He tried, but it only seemed to intensify Draco's sorrow. "But…you don't want to see her, do you?" He asked. Draco stayed silent.

Even though he hadn't told him, and didn't even talk about her much, Blaise knew that Draco was madly in love her, so why was he suddenly pulling back? "My god! What are you so afraid of?" And the minute Blaise had said those words, was the same minute he'd regret saying them.

Draco held an intense glare with Zabini. "You, of all people, should know exactly 'what' I'm afraid of." He told, striking Blaise with a considerable amount of guilt. He washed a hand down his face, walking over to Malfoy's bed, lying down and stretching his legs before him. Draco eyed his movement with little interest, heading back to the window.

She was right, nature did have, if only a minimal, way of soothing people.

Blaise did what he did best, he observed the situation and deduced information. "You're afraid she'd look at you, and, somehow, she'd figure things out…That she'd hate you."

Draco felt tears well up in his eyes. The thought of losing her was too much for his already bruised heart to bear.

Blaise thought for a moment, then jumped out of bed. "Well, if she really is the saint you describe her to be, then, should she find out, she'd understand." He assured. Draco still had his back to him. Zabini's words did little to comfort him, but little was better than none at all. He was coming around.

"You don't know that." He fought. Blaise smirked.
"I'm rarely ever wrong, Malfoy." He told proudly. Draco rolled his eyes at his persistent friend's arrogance. But, he wasn't wrong. "Now, for the life of me! Get your butt in some descent clothing, and let's go!"

….

Zabini and Draco made their way to potions. Professor Slughorn greeted them reluctantly, clearly not a big fan of Slytherins. Draco spotted Melanie in the midst of the crowd, and eyed Blaise in hesitance. Blaise gave Malfoy a quick reassuring nod that, to others, seemed as though he didn't mind Draco ditching him.

He smiled her way. Most of the students were huddled up in a thick group, listening half-heartedly to their new professor. They noted the interaction between the two publically known lovers and didn't put in a second thought.

Melanie smiled back joyfully at his approaching figure. Even till that very day, he'd managed to make her heart jump and cheeks blush every time he'd look at her.

Hermione stood by her, smiling to herself. Witnessing the two love birds was no longer something that bothered her, but in truth, something she now longed for herself, and, nevertheless, was happy for her friend.

Draco stationed himself directly behind Melanie, still hesitant, but the feeling was slowly fading. "Hey." He greeted, his breath tingling the skin on her neck. It had been months since they had been this close, and she longed for more.
"Hey." She greeted back, grinning.

Melanie slowly and carefully reached for his hand. He took note of her action and smirked. His cold hands engulfed hers and she smiled, entwining her fingers with his longer ones, filling his hand, and heart, with an ever pleasing warmth.

Minutes later, Ron and Harry had made an appearance in the classroom. Melanie and Hermione shared a confused look. The two troublesome boys weren't supposed to be in this class. With their grades of the year before, they were far from being accepted this year, but it seemed with the change of professors came a change of heart.

The girls watched as their two friends childishly fought over the better book in the cupboard at the end of the classroom near the door. They then made their way into the crowd and near their friends, earning a smile from Melanie and an eye roll from Hermione.

Harry noted the Malfoy's presence near Melanie and did his best to keep his rage and disgust tamed. He still needed proof.

"Now, as I was saying, I've prepared some concoctions this morning." The professor continued his mostly unheard blabbering. "Any idea as to what these might be?" He asked, giving a pointed look at the several mini-cauldrons on the table before them.

Hermione hurriedly shot up her arm in compliance, which startled her brunette friend. "Yes, miss?" The professor started.
"Granger, sir." She replied, then went to answering his former question. She approached the table carefully and pointed at one of the cauldrons. "That on there is Veritaserum, it's a truth telling serum." She explained. Melanie grimaced at the potion spoken of, remembering the impeccable amount of damage professor Umbridge had managed to cause with just that one serum the previous year.

Hermione went on with the second serum, which Melanie half-knew of, then she approached the last one and hesitated. "And this, is Amortentia, the most powerful love potion in the world." She said, which shock the core of many of the present students, including the ever so different couple with hands still held. "It's rumored to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them."

"For example, I smell…" She started, then halted, realizing what she had done, but it was too late to stop. "freshly mown grass, and neat parchment and…spearmint toothpaste." And at that, she rushed back to Melanie, her heart racing, her thoughts in shambles No, it could not be.

"Are you alright?" Melanie asked her pale friend.
"Yeah…fine." She told, trying to convince herself as well. Melanie knew she was lying and decided she'd ask her about it later, when the timing was suitable.

"Now Amortentia doesn't create actual love, that would be impossible, but it does cause powerful infatuation, or obsession." Slughorn explained, slowly however, like many others, both Melanie's and Draco's nostrils began to fill up with familiar scents as well.

It didn't take long for the Malfoy to figure out who the peachy scent belonged to, and exactly what it meant. Melanie's deduction however, took a bit longer. At first, she couldn't pinpoint exactly what she smelled. It started with a strong scent of nature, combined with…alcohol? And then, it was just the one smell she couldn't put a label on. But soon she realized that it wasn't a 'what' the smell was, but a 'who'. It simply smelled like Draco. What it was exactly, she couldn't tell, but it was just…him.

Discovering this neither surprised her, nor did it scare her, it only made her smile, smile at something she already knew was true, but, for some reason, was still too hesitant to admit it to herself.

The two eyed each other simultaneously, smiling knowingly at one another. Words were not needed to express what was in their hearts and on their minds.

"…And, for that reason, it is probably the most dangerous potion in this room." The professor continued, quickly slapping the lid of that specific cauldron on as the crowd slowly began to approach it.

However, Draco slowly began to feel that same guilt and fear that punched his heart every time he thought 'what if'. What if she found out? What if she hated him for what he had no control over? What if she left him? How would he survive knowing that the one person who'd ever believed in him, would one day look at him with hurt and disappointment? How would he survive that?

"Sir," Started a student, startling Draco out of his diabolical train of thoughts. Her name was Katie Bell, a Gryffindor and a fellow Quidditch player. "you haven't told us what's in that one." She pointed at a small vile at the edge of the table.
"Ah, yes. What you see before you, ladies and gentlemen, is a curious little potion: Felix Felicis, but it is more commonly referred to as"-
"Liquid Luck." Answered Hermione in fascination. The professor smiled.
"Yes, miss Granger. Liquid Luck." He confirmed. "It's pretty tricky to make. Disastrous, should you get it wrong. One sip, and you would find that all of your endeavors succeed." He explained.

Draco hadn't entirely been listening until those few words were said. He needed that potion, badly.

"At least until the effects wear off." Slughorn chuckled, unappreciated sense of humor. "So, this is what I offer each of you today." He said, Draco feeling his hopes lift up. "One tiny vile of Liquid Luck to the student who, in the hour that remains, manages to brew an exceptional draft of Living Death, recipes to which can be found on page ten of your books." He last said, and at that, without offering attention to what he said afterwards, the students scuttled off in groups of friends in hopes of winning luck.

"I'll see you after class." Melanie informed Hermione, who understood and left with Ron and Harry. Everyone knew that Melanie and Draco worked together in potions. They were used to it and it didn't bother them anymore.

And so, every student, with their very own cauldrons, worked on getting that draught ready, some more desperately than others. Draco and Melanie worked together, like they always did, but with separate cauldrons. He was tense, he really wanted that vile, and the duo were far from accomplishing what the professor wanted, but Melanie was in such a good mood, laughing and giggling and looking as adorable as she could be, he couldn't help loosening up and, momentarily, forgetting about what he had sought to get.

This didn't go unnoticed. The Malfoy's very observant friend was watching them like a hawk. He was studying, more closely and not for the fun of it, the effect the Redwing had on Draco. It was a positive one, obviously, but Blaise was also worried she'd be a distraction.

The hour had past, most potions were disastrous indeed. Eventually, however, it was, to certain surprise that Harry, who wasn't the best at potions making, had managed to win the vile.

Draco was more than furious now, he was wrathful. That potter always got everything and was always, always, the center of attention. He'd just cost him a chance to save his skin. Draco wasn't going to forget this.

"Well, that was fun." Commented Melanie. He turned to her, still fuming, but when he saw her face, he couldn't help laughing.
"What so funny?" She asked curiously, grinning as well. Her hair was a mess, and her face was slightly blackened from the still emitting smoke of her cauldron.

She could see his eyes wondering at her head with slight humor. She looked up as well, now touching her head. She could feel that, somehow, the volume of her hair had grown quite large. Her eyes went wide and cheeks turned rose from embarrassment as she quickly patted down her hair, making him let out another hearty laugh.

He shook his head dismissively and pulled her hands down gently. He wiped at her blackened cheek with his thumb, caressing her soft skin, stopping momentarily near her lips.

"Malfoy!" Called Zabini, approaching them as the rest of the class emptied out. Draco and Melanie pulled away, an annoyed look on Malfoy's face. "Redwing." Blaise greeted.
"Blaise." She smiled, using his first name instead, a sign that she wanted their odd acquaintance to turn into a good friendship, for Draco's sake, and because she partially respected Blaise. Draco didn't mind the exchange.

Blaise turned to Draco. "Let's go. You said you'd help me after class." Zabini raised him an eyebrow, being as subtle as a human can be. Draco took the hint; it was clear now that Zabini's promise to help him get through this year was no joke.
"Right." Draco replied grimly. Being pulled back to reality wasn't something he favored these days.

Melanie noticed this and was more than confused. What did Zabini need him with? Why was Draco so upset about it? And why was it being kept secret from her? She'd have to ask him about it later.

"I'll see you around, Mel." He half-smiled. She pulled on a smile too and nodded happily as he started walking back and out the classroom with Blaise.

….