Lily Potter and the Potions Professor
AN: Hi again. So based on your reviews (thanks by the way) I'll be updating twice a week. I think I'll try to do it on Wednesdays and Saturdays but I'll see how I go. Anyway happy reading.
Chapter 24: Hungry Hungry Hippogriffs
Malfoy had not been himself since he'd spoken to Scorpius. What exactly had passed between the two of them, Lily still didn't know. It wasn't that Malfoy was angry or worried; she didn't know what it was but he seemed different.
She knew that he was there before she heard the small cough that he issued to announce his arrival. She could sense his presence now. She turned around and saw him standing quite a distance from her. He looked like the lone figure he was standing in the grounds of Hogwarts with his robes swaying in the gentle breeze. She waved before she thought and he shot her a look of annoyance before turning away from her.
She gave the Hippogriff she'd been feeding the last of the dead rats and washed her hands in a bucket of water. Wiping her hands on her robes to dry them, she approached Malfoy and looked up into his face. She was relieved to see that he returned her gaze and even offered a smile.
"Why didn't you come over?" she asked looking back at the three Hippogriffs enclosed in a small yard not far from Hagrid's hut.
"I didn't want to get too close," he muttered looking a little annoyed again.
"Sorry," mumbled Lily as they began to walk unconsciously towards the lake although she didn't really know what she was apologising for.
Malfoy had been acting quite weird lately and Lily couldn't figure out what it was. She didn't think it was about Scorpius. Did he know that she'd been in his bedroom? And that she'd taken his Hand of Glory? Or did he know that she'd seen the photo of Astoria?
"So what's the excuse this time, do I have detention?" asked Lily grinning, trying to ease the tension.
Malfoy couldn't help but smirk. While this was comforting, Lily still noticed that he had momentarily attempted to hold his stony expression.
"Are you ok about Scorpius?" asked Malfoy suddenly.
Lily stopped and gaped at him. Did he really just ask her about his son?
Malfoy continued to walk but stopped when he realised that she was no longer in step with him.
"I just mean..." he began but was cut off as Lily suddenly threw herself at him, putting both her arms around him and clinging on tight.
She realised what she'd done a little too late, Malfoy was already trying to prise her from him when she let go.
"Are you mad?" he hissed, patting down his dishevelled robes into some sense of order.
"Sorry," Lily said as she looked up at him. "It's just nice to know you care."
He glanced around them and finding no one else in sight, looked back at her smiling.
They resumed their walk, which, to Lily now felt like it was taking place in the clouds.
x
They had passed the lake and were back to the Hippogriff pen by the time the sun was beginning to set. Malfoy hesitated as they neared the large, beaked creatures whose fierce eyes watched the two smaller beings carefully.
"What's the matter?" asked Lily, frowning.
"N-nothing," replied Malfoy a little unsteadily.
"Then why'd you stop walking?" she asked, still unable to figure out why he was acting this way.
"Can't we go this way?" Malfoy asked avoiding her questions and gesturing a path in the opposite direction.
"Are you afraid of them?" enquired Lily, finally realising what was stopping him. She could see it in his eyes now.
"No," he said defensively. "I just don't..." but he didn't seem to have any other explanation.
Lily approached the nearest of the Hippogriffs. It was a small female one with golden feathers and pale blue eyes. She noticed Malfoy flinch as it snapped its beak impatiently for another dead rodent.
Lily's bright blue eyes connected with the creatures paler ones and she bowed low. After a short pause the Hippogriff returned the bow and continued to snap its beak while eyeing the empty bucket which had held food earlier.
"You couldn't possibly still be hungry," said Lily as she reached up to pat the shiny beak.
Malfoy let out a strange noise and Lily turned to see him, paler than usual, watching them anxiously.
"Come over here," she called to him but he didn't budge.
She turned back to the Hippogriff and said quietly; "Behave."
She then went over to where Malfoy stood and took his hand. This time he did not fight her off but held her hand tightly as she led him back to the fence where the golden Hippogriff still stood, now quietly awaiting them.
"Look her in the eye," said Lily quietly as Malfoy's terrified grey eyes darted up to look the great beast in the face.
Lily smiled to herself.
"Now bow," she said and they both bent their knees in a low bow.
Once again the Hippogriff bowed, almost lazily this time.
"Great," encouraged Lily, beaming as a small, uncertain smile formed on Malfoy's face.
"You can touch her now if you want," said Lily hopefully.
"No thanks, not just yet," said Malfoy. "I think I'd rather just look at them."
"That's fine," said Lily although she was a little disappointed.
"You have a way with them," commented Malfoy and Lily's chest swelled with pride and joy.
"They're very gentle creatures, once you get to know them," she said ruffling the feathers on the neck.
She glanced at Malfoy to find him looking at her rather than the creature that she could tell he was still slightly wary of. She offered him a smile and he returned it with one of his own.
Lily knew at that moment, without a doubt, that she was indeed in love with Draco Malfoy. Nothing could convince her otherwise anymore. She loved him like she had never loved anyone before in her life and it didn't matter what he'd done or who he'd been because she loved him unconditionally. She also knew that when he stood beside her and put his arm around her without hesitation this time that even if he didn't love her as much as she loved him, he still cared, cared a lot more than any teacher should and for now that was enough.
AN: Don't forget to review because I really love hearing what you think. :D