Lily Potter and the Potions Professor

Chapter 4: Working Late in the Library

The rest of Lily's first couple of weeks of school were relatively uneventful aside from the fact that she'd already been given a mountain of homework from each of her teachers. Along with her fellow fifth years she was receiving lectures in every class about the importance of their OWLs, almost to the extent that Lily didn't really care anymore. Uneventful her year was turning out to be, that was at least until one night when she ran into someone unexpectedly in the library...

Lily scribbled on a scrap of parchment as she tried to write her Defence Against the Darks Arts essay. It should have been easy for her but somehow the fact that her father had defeated the single most powerful dark wizard of all time and in doing so saved both the wizarding and muggle worlds made it even harder. She tilted her head to the side and smiled as she wrote the name Draco, tracing over the letters several times. A noise caught her attention and she looked up from her musings.

The library had gotten quite dark without her realising it. A tall figure was standing by the bookshelves near where she sat; it leaned towards the shelf and she saw the person's arm reach out for a book. When they came into view she saw that it was Professor Malfoy and she gave a small gasp as she hurriedly scrunched up the piece of parchment. Apparently, he had not seen her sitting there and stopped mid action with his hand still outstretched. They caught each other's gaze and held it; a little too long. Lily broke the stare and glanced to his left forearm which had become exposed when he'd reached up. She caught a glimpse of what she knew would be the Dark Mark, his constant reminder of his past. She quickly looked away and let her hair fall to cover her reddening face.

"What're you still doing here Potter?" asked Malfoy, as he lowered his hand and pulled his sleeve down.

"I..." Lily started.

"You had better get back to your dormitory, it's almost past curfew," he spoke in a steely tone but Lily sensed no anger or contempt.

"Of course, professor," she answered quietly as she started to pack her books into her bag.

As she got up and walked past him their robes brushed against each other and Lily blushed as her heart began to race. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, but not roughly. She looked up into his eyes and thanked God that it was too dark for him to see her face properly.

"I know what you saw," he said quietly.

Lily's heart was almost beating out of her chest now and she knew that he would have to be able to feel her pulse throbbing on her wrist which he still held.

"I didn't see anything," she breathed.

"Very good, Potter," he replied letting go of her.

She nodded and hurried off feeling his watchful eyes upon her until she got to the library exit.