Lily Potter and the Potions Professor
AN: As always I hope you enjoy this.
Chapter 14: Quidditch Detour
Lily dawdled down the fifth floor corridor as excited Gryffindors raced past her and out of sight. They were all eagerly heading for the Quidditch pitch for a Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw match. Lily had never taken much interest in Quidditch which she was actually a little ashamed about considering the rest of her family were such avid fans. Because of this she'd tried to make it to at least one match a season to keep up appearances.
She was quite alone by the time she reached the fourth floor and was still making no hurry when someone grabbed her and pulled her in behind an extremely large statue of a Hippogriff.
"Hi Lily," said Malfoy smiling as he released his hand from her mouth which he'd put there to stop her crying out.
"What're you doing?" she giggled as she peered back over her shoulder to check if anyone else was in the corridor. "We could get caught."
"Right now, I wouldn't care if we did," he said as he pushed some of her hair away from her face and looked at her thoughtfully.
She blushed under his gaze and looked nervously out into the corridor again.
"Relax," said Malfoy and Lily fought the urge to tell him that maybe he should try relaxing a bit more himself.
When she turned back to him he was closer to her and she stepped back reflexively and was stopped by the back of the statue behind her. Malfoy put his arm up and rested it on the statue as well, leaning over her, still smiling.
Once again Lily's breath caught as he leaned down to kiss her. When their lips touched it was like he was giving her a kiss of life and she could suddenly breath again. And once again they were interrupted by a tapping sound. This time, however, it wasn't knocking; it was footsteps.
Lily suddenly pushed Malfoy away from her and stepped out into the corridor, leaving him behind the statue. She motioned for him the remain there but he followed her with an amused look on his face just as Neville Longbottom rounded the corner and stopped at the sight of them.
Lily gulped and looked up to Malfoy for help.
"And ten points from Gryffindor for back chat," he said in a stern tone but he looked like he was ready to burst into laughter.
Lily glared at him; she'd never been in trouble before and now here he was punishing her in front of one of her parents' oldest and best friends.
"Is everything ok here?" asked Neville as his gaze shifted from Malfoy to Lily and back to Malfoy.
"Of course, Professor," said Malfoy and Lily noticed that he no longer had a smile on his face and his tone was genuinely cold. "Miss Potter here has just been giving me a piece of her mind, and it's not a particularly nice piece."
Lily watched on as Malfoy's fabrication played out with perfect effect.
"Lily," said Neville looking at her incredulously.
"I know you may find it hard to believe Longbottom," Malfoy said severely. "But Potter isn't quite so delightful to all of her professors as she is to you."
Lily watched Malfoy still astounded by the venom in his voice. He was only acting, wasn't he?
Before Neville, who himself had an astounded look on his face, could say anything more, Malfoy put his hand on Lily's shoulder.
"I was just going to take Miss Potter to my office for the detention that she so cunningly tried to avoid," he said, still staring maliciously at Neville. "If you'll excuse us?"
Neville said nothing as Malfoy steered Lily away, who could only give him an apolegetic look, which judging from his expression only confused him more.
The two walk on in silence until they were another two floors down. By this time Malfoy was smiling again, almost chuckling to himself, a triumphant look upon his usually defeated face.
"What was that all about?" asked Lily, trying unsuccessfully to hide an accusatory tone.
"What'd you mean?" asked Malfoy with a look of genuine surprise.
"You didn't have to be so mean. Nev... I mean Professor Longbottom's my friend," said Lily casting a sidelong glance at Malfoy who stopped in his tracks.
"I was only trying to make it believable," said Malfoy, again the smile wiped from his face.
Lily said nothing and looked away.
"I could hardly have said; 'Hello Neville, how are you, old boy?' That would've just made him more suspicious."
"There's no need to mock," said Lily.
"Sorry," said Malfoy softening his tone. "We just can't risk anyone finding out, I was only acting, I meant nothing by it."
"Alright," said Lily brightening a little.
He moved closer to her and put his hand on her cheek; "Is it really all right?"
She couldn't help but believe him and she couldn't help but smile when he looked at her like that.
"Yes," she said confidently. "Now what were you saying about your office, and detention?"
He smiled playfully; "This way Miss Potter."
AN: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.