Lily Potter and Potions Professor

AN: Sorry it's taken me longer than usual to update and sorry this chapter is a bit short but I've already written most of the next chapter and I promise that it's going to be the longest one yet. Enjoy.

Chapter 12: Reassured

Once again Lily sat at the back of the potions dungeon. This time she looked nervously at the door, waiting in anticipation for her Potions Professor to arrive; waiting for Draco Malfoy to arrive.

He finally walked through the door and made his way to the front of the room, his eyes looking dead ahead. Lily watched him eagerly but he did not look her way. She hadn't seen him since their encounter two nights ago and she wasn't sure how he would feel about it. He slipped in and out of confidence with her so much that she didn't know if he would have regressed to his former hesitant state or not.

"Please take out your cauldrons and ingredients," said Malfoy quietly with his head down.

The class obeyed and Lily followed suit.

"Turn your books to page 139 and attempt to brew the Elixir of Youth," said Malfoy looking up at last. He was looking at the class but his eyes did not focus on anyone in particular, much to Lily's disappointment.

The class chattered excitedly.

"Don't get too excited," called Malfoy over the babble. "The name is merely to make it sound impressive, the potion itself only has a cosmetic effect and no lasting result."

There was a collective sigh of disappointment from the class but they began their work anyway albeit with less enthusiasm.

Lily was the most disappointed of all but it wasn't because she'd just been told that the potion she was going to make would not make her indefinitely youthful. She was beginning to think that her fears had indeed been realised.

She pulled her potions book closer to her and examined the instructions. She was focused on this when she sensed a presence near her table. Trying to be as discreet as possible so she did not arouse any suspicion in Anthony McLaggen, who was working beside her, Lily looked sideways out of the corner of her eye. She saw Malfoy standing not far from McLaggen and noticed him tucking his wand back into the inside of his robes. She had no time to ponder this action because the cauldron next to hers suddenly started spewing a large amount of purple smoke. Only seconds later a loud blast erupted along with a wave of heat. Lily jumped and took a few steps back in shock. The rest of the class stared in the direction of the explosion.

"McLaggen!" came Malfoy's voice from somewhere in the purple haze.

Lily heard McLaggen gulp.

As the smoke began to clear he came into view and Lily had to fight back a giggle. He looked quite similar to one of the unfortunate characters on a Muggle cartoon show who receives a present that turns out to be dynamite. His face was blackened and his hair was sticking straight up. Lily could've sworn the impact had sent his eyebrows up an inch higher than where they would've usually rested.

"You're supposed to stir after you add the newt's tail," said Malfoy sternly. "You there, Smith, take McLaggen to the hospital wing and get him checked out by the nurse." He indicated to the student on the other side of Lily who at once went to McLaggen's side and started helping him out of the dungeon.

Once they had exited and the class had resumed their work, Malfoy moved to the spot where the mishap had taken place and began to clean up the mess. Lily suddenly became very nervous with Malfoy so close; they had not been this close to one another since their kiss. She stole a glance at him and noticed that he wore an amused smile.

"You did that," she said quietly as she continued to chop up a strange looking mushroom-like ingredient.

"Is that an accusation, Potter?" replied Malfoy, who also kept his eyes on the task in front of him.

She couldn't tell if he was joking or not and had to look at him in order to make sure that he was still smiling, which he was. Relief swept through her.

"Maybe, why?" she replied.

"Because if it was I may have to see you after class about it," he whispered.

"Well in that case," she said pausing playfully and with sudden confidence. "I think it was an accusation."

He chuckled silently and Lily beamed within. She hadn't felt this good all year and it was because of him, he'd finally accepted their relationship. Is that what it was now? A relationship? More than just a student and teacher relationship? The thought of it appealed to her, to have a secret and forbidden relationship with him, Draco Malfoy.

"Sir, I need help!" bellowed one of the other students suddenly.

Malfoy, who was still busy cleaning up McLaggen's mess, let out an annoyed sigh.

"Duty calls," he said as he winked at Lily and made his way over to the student who had summoned him.

She watched him leave but still smiled, just watching him was sometimes enough for her.

AN: Like it? Hate it? Review it! Please. :)