"Draco you know that's not allowed right?!" I scolded him softly. He just laughed and scanned the shelves for some potion book.
"Goody two shoes." he teased. "Found it!"
He pulled out a ratty old potions textbook with scrawly writing on the cover. The cover page itself was peeling and stained yellow and a tad bit of burnt marks.
Property of the Half Blood Prince
"This is Harry's book!" I said in a hushed whisper. I know it was Harry's because there was one day he and Ron came in late and Slughorn sent them to collect the remaining books. I'm surprised that he could be this clumsy to leave such a book behind, or maybe this was a fake.
"So?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Let's do it." I said, proving myself to Draco that I wasn't a goody two shoes. He smirked at me before commanding me to fetch some ingredients. Oh Snape and Slughorn will kill us if one of them finds us brewing this potion.
"Ashwinder eggs, rose thorns and um, peppermint." Draco commanded. I stalked off to the ingredients cupboard and luckily, I managed to gather all the ingredients.
We spent the next hour cutting, chopping and stirring the cauldron. Draco seemed scarily serious on this potion making. I wonder why.
"Why are we making Amortentia anyways?" I asked, stirring my cauldron. We were making two batches, but I don't intend to use mine.
"Because Slughorn told us not to." he stuck out his tongue at me.
"You do know that we have to come up with a creative excuse if we are caught making this right?" I said pouring the finished potion into a tiny vial.
"Indeed you do." a stern voice came behind us. Both of us spun around and saw Professor Slughorn frowning at us from the doorway of the potions classroom. Oh crap. We are in some deep trouble.
"Hi Professor." Draco said calmly.
"Do realised how many rules you have broke since you two decided to carry out this 'extra tutoring' lesson?!" Slughorn shouted at us. We sat in a hard lumpy armchair in Slughorn's office with his screaming at us.
"Um two?" I suggested. He glared at me before smoothing his brown robes.
"That isn't the point. Is that you both aren't supposed to be brewing Amortentia after I specifically told you not to!" he sent a spine chilling glare.
"But Professor-" Draco began but he was cut off.
"Enough Malfoy." Slughorn said, holding up his hand. "Although I want to compliment you both for brewing a perfect Amortentia, I'm afraid I have to confiscate your makings and give you two detention."
I glumly handed my bottle of Amortentia over to Slughorn. What he doesn't know is that Draco still has a bottle of the love potion.
"I expect to see you both tomorrow in my office." Slughorn said before sending us off.
Once we were outside, we couldn't help but burst in laughter.
"Still got the bottle?" I asked, clutching my side.
"Here." he said, pointing to his left pocket. He pulled out the vial of transparent liquid.
"Who shall be an unfortunate victim?" I asked. "This would make the perfect prank for someone in Slytherin because no one would suspect us."
"One of the girls." he said.
"You better not slip this into my drink or I will kill you." I threatened.
"Sure…" he drawled playfully. I whacked his head. "Alright! Not you." I smiled happily and skipped.
"Also, I'm on the Quidditch team!" I told him.
"Yeah, I've heard. Our next game is next week against Ravenclaw." Draco replied.
"You brewed what?!" Pansy exclaimed.
"Hush." I pressed a finger on her lips. "No one is suppose to know."
"My lips are sealed." Pansy said. We walked to the Great Hall for dinner, with me and Draco scoping out victims. Those poor students.
I sent a wink in Draco's direction. He smirked and held up an empty bottle. He did it without me?!
"You didn't invite me?!" I hissed at him as I slid into my seat.
"I've got a bit left, all yours to try on." he passed me the vial.
"Thank you." I said sarcastically. I know the right person to drop this in. As tempting it was to drop it into Pansy's drink to watch her obsess over her crush, I didn't. I scoped the sea of students chattering away. The pressure was too intense. "You know what, you do it." I said passing the vial hurriedly to Draco.
"Wimp." he teased. I raised my goblet of water to splash him and he ducked, before I could pour out a drip. My water glimmered a bit more than usual but I ignore it, it was due to the bright candles from the chandelier.
I helped myself to some slices of ham and potatoes, occasionally joining in the chatter. I lifted my goblet up to my lips and took a big drink from it. Strange, this didn't taste like water. Draco Lucius Malfoy I'm going to kill you. That little bastard slipped in the Amortentia into my drink. Suddenly, I felt dizzy and I wanted Draco. I need Draco.
After taking a sip from the goblet, Amelie had a look of pure confusion at first, but then a face of love.
"Draco!" she gushed. Everyone at the table snickered, and so did Draco.
"Effects of Amortentia. I can say I brewed it perfectly." Draco said proudly. But he looked shocked as well. Amelie had a liking for him? It was not suppose to happen. She was supposed to be in love with Harry or Ron. Or some other boy. She can't fall for him.
Draco laughed along with the crowd and Amelie's lovestruck habits.
"Draco, you better brew an antidote." Pansy said, in between laughs. From the corner, nobody noticed Professor Slughorn walking over to the Slytherin table, face bubbling with rage and frustration.
"Amelie Darling and Draco Malfoy!" he scolded them. "My office now!"
Amelie clung onto Draco, effects of the Amortentia, causing an individual to be obsessed over another, as they walked to Professor Slughorn's office. The already retired professor scrambled about his rather large office looking for an antidote.
It was already nightfall and dinner was over. Most students have already returned to their classes. Suddenly, Harry and Ron scrambled in.
"Professor! Ron has consumed some chocolates that were meant for me!" Harry panted.
"What's the matter Potter? Wanted all the chocolates for yourself?" Draco mocked.
"Shut it Malfoy." he shrugged. "Ron has ate the chocolates enchanted with a love potion."
Draco couldn't help but hold back a smirk. The chocolates weren't his doing but Amelie was intended. He just wanted to know who Amelie liked. Nothing more but a mere prank.
"It's not even Valentine's Day and I already have two cases of Amortentia." Professor Slughorn said in a strained voice. "Aha! The antidote!"
Professor Slughorn poured some silvery liquid into two cups, one for Ron and the other for Amelie. Harry forcefully poured the antidote down Ron's throat but Draco poured it gently for Amelie, holding her head up gently on the couch, since he was the one which spiked it.
The lovestruck duo soon fell out of their spell.
"You git!" I shrieked whacking Draco on his head. He winced but laughed a little.
"Worth it." he smirked. I was about to hit him again but stopped.
"Thank goodness for the antidote." I said loudly. I pulled Draco down so that I could whisper into his ear. "At least we know now how to brew the perfect Amortentia."
Draco sent a smirk in my direction and nodded, leaving Ron and Harry clueless. Professor Slughorn appeared again with a bottle.
"Well this was supposed to be a gift for Dumbledore, but I guess it can't hurt to try." he said. I swear he was one of the most irresponsible teacher, yet most fun. He poured the drink into four glasses and both Ron and I were extremely thirsty, we grabbed the cups from professor and gulped the contents down.
"Amelie no!" Draco called out. Harry raised an eyebrow and set his cup down. My vision was blurring and spinning. Suddenly, everything blacked out.
"Amelie! Wake up!" someone was shaking me violently. Madam Pomfrey tutted from the corner of my bed, tending to Ron as well.
"What happened?" I asked groggily.
"The drink was poisoned. Thank goodness you two didn't consume too much." Madam Pomfrey said. "And you seem to be a frequent visitor to the hospital. I hope to not see you as often when you play during the next Quidditch match."
"You're in the Slytherin team?!" spluttered Ron from the next bed.
"Mhm." I nodded smilingly.
"C'mon Amelie. Let's go." Draco said pulling my arm.
"Bye guys!" I said waving. We walked to the common room, me shivering a little. Draco took off his cloak and draped it around me. "Hey, it's okay." I said pushing it back.
"The least I can do after everything." he shrugged. I smiled graciously and accepted.
"So, the Yule Ball is coming up…" Draco said nervously.
"It's a big thing right? Like Prom or Homecoming?" I asked.
"Whatever the muggles call it. It's like a big dance. So uhm…" Draco replied. "Would you go to the ball with me?"
I laughed. "We're you going to make me drink the Amortentia so that you can get me to go to the dance?"
"Maybe…" he drawled. "Yes or No?"
"I would love to." I said.
"Don't bother with any jewelry though." he added. Now why should I listen to what he says?
Apparently the Yule Ball was something really big. And it was just a two weeks before our exams before we go off for our term break. Speaking of term breaks, my foster family written to me telling me to never return to their house and stay in Hogwarts. Way to feel loved.
Pansy still wasn't telling me who she was going to the ball with. No matter how hard I tried. We decided to plan a shopping trip to London, somewhere with no magic. I had quite some money in my muggle bank, I think there's enough for a gown and a few accesories.
I quickly finished my homework and tapped my foot waiting for Pansy to finish up. Every girl seemed to have thought the same because we're all going to London for dress shopping. The guys didn't seem all interested, just asking us what colours our dresses would be. I planned for mine to be green.
Once Pansy was done, I quickly changed into a pair of jeans, a white long sleeved shirt and a warm jacket over. It was nice of McGonagall to let almost all of us girls go shopping for dresses. Alongside to her treat, it came with a price. Dancing lessons.
I still have the funny thought when Ron was asked to ballroom dance with McGonagall. To my displease, I didn't got to dance with Draco but Harry. But it would do, Harry's a good friend. Speaking of, I forgot to ask him about the map! Guess it would have to be once we're done with shopping.
We walked to the 9 ¾ station and boarded it to London. Casually walking through the wall, we appeared in King Cross Station with muggles everywhere, rushing for work or school.
I decided to go to a friend of the foster family shop. The lady who did dresses there was really nice to me, almost like a mother.
"Hi Mrs Green." I greeted her as I stepped into her shop, Simply Dresses.
"Amelie! Oh it's been a while since I seen you! Which school are you in now?" Mrs Green hugged me. Mrs Green was an old lady, near her sixties and made or supplied beautiful gowns and dresses for all occasions. "Who's your friend?"
"Mrs Green, this is Pansy Parkinson. She's a friend from my boarding school." I introduced her to Pansy.
"Pleasure meeting you." Pansy smiled. I had a bit of a chat with Mrs Green as Pansy wandered about the shop, definitely awestruck at the dresses.
"What boarding school do you go to?"
"Hog- I mean Madam Hortensia's School for Budding Ladies." I said hastily.
"I've never heard of it." she murmured.
"It's somewhere in Europe. I have to take a plane."
"Poor you. Now what dresses are you two looking for?" she asked smilingly.
"I was thinking of a green gown for balls. And Pansy?"
"Something blue." she replied looking at the catalog.
"I have something in the secret corner." she winked. And we followed her.
Mrs Green shoved a handful of dresses on both Pansy and I. We were almost drowned by dresses, which were only two to three pieces only. I sorted through the three. The first one was too poofy, second was too revealing; with an open slit on the right leg all the way up to midthigh. The last one seemed perfect. I slipped it on and smiled. It fitted perfectly.
It was a mint green dress with a sweetheart neckline. I twirled around in it. The satin tulle looked shimmery under the intended dim light of the changing room. It had flecks of glitter over the skirt and there was a glittery belt cinched below my chest. I stepped into the matching green heels and stepped out of the changing room, tethering carefully down the stairs to meet up with Pansy.
Stepping into the room we were supposed to meet, our jaws dropped at the sight of each other dresses. Pansy was dressed in a beautiful, light blue one shoulder evening gown. It hugged her tightly but showed off her curves. She was standing in a pair of light blue gladiator style heels.
"What do you think?" she asked biting her lip.
"We'll be getting these two Mrs Green." I smiled.
And we were done shopping for our gowns. Mrs Green gave us a discount and sent us off. Carefully holding the dress, not wanting to crease it, we headed back to the train which was due to leave any minute. We had also picked out matching masks, mine with an intricate lace tracing on my mint green mask and Pansy's a white mask with a glitter pattern.
We hung our dresses on the train and leaned back. Shopping can be fun but it was exhausting. Oddly, we spotted a few Hogwart boys around London as we were doing our shopping. I munched on some candy as Pansy and I crashed out on the seats, tired.
Arriving at Hogwarts, it was near dusk. A few more days to the ball. Something I was looking forward to. We gathered our shopping bags and walked to our dormitories, hanging up our dresses. We had some dinner before crashing out on the bed.
None of the students could control the excitement for the Yule Ball. Apparently, students from the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang academy were coming too. We had a private ballroom, us fifth, sixth and seventh years are in one and the younger ones in another.
Hovering over a mirror, I skeptically applied some mascara with a wave of my wand and my lipstick and eyeshadow. Who knew with magic, makeup was easier to apply. I could be doing my face at the same time, my hair. I was almost done under ten minutes. I used some concealer to hide the scar on my collarbone which was exposed. Wouldn't want anyone to know right? I also used the concealer to hide the fading scar on my cheek Bellatrix left.
Pansy helped style my mess of raven curls she curled. She pinned them up in a messy bun, held up by a few pins, of course with the help of magic. I pushed Pansy down on a chair and brought out my wand. Her brown hair was tangled and knotty. This was going to take some time.
"Your date will love you." I told Pansy.
"Speaking of date, who are you going with?" Pansy asked, wincing at the brush. I flicked my wand and sprayed some water to make her hair style easier.
"You tell me yours first." I winked.
"Fine. I'm going with Zabini." she muttered. Blaise? She's going with Blaise? They look cute together in my opinion. "Your turn."
"Malfoy." I replied, yanking the brush which made Pansy yelp.
"Ouch!" she yelped.
"Beauty hurts." I sympathised her.
Soon enough, her hair was silky and I brushed it until it shone. I grabbed a few chunks and braided it and made it like a crown towards the back. I let her hair fall loose.
"We are done." Pansy said smiling. I smiled at our reflection. We look awesome. I slipped on a stacked green bracelet, just to annoy Draco. We slipped on our masks and walked down to the ballroom.
I was supposed to meet Draco at the Astronomy Tower so I separated from Pansy. On the way I saw Hermione, Ron and Harry together.
"You three look amazing. Especially you Hermione." I said gushing over her dress. It was a light pink ruffled dress with the shoulders straps hanging.
"You look amazing too Amelie." Hermione replied.
"Yup." Harry and Ron said in unison. I can tell they were awestruck.
"Well I don't want to keep you three from the ball. See you there." I said waving.
"See you!" they replied. These heels were kind of a pain in the feet area considering they were like stilettoes and pinched my feet. I walked towards the Astronomy tower and waited. I do hope Draco isn't late, he has this reputation of being late these days.
"Amelie!" someone called. I turned around and saw Draco, running.
"For once, you aren't late."
"Sorry." he said. He looked at my wrist and saw the bracelet. "I thought I told you no jewelry?" he teased.
"You did?! I completely forgot." I said in fake innocence. He rolled his eyes and stepped behind me. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"Stay still." he whispered, his breath tickling my neck. He lifted up some of the intended stray ends and draped a necklace around my neck. The metal chain felt cold yet warm on my skin, sending electricity running. I looked down, it was a simple emerald necklace on a gold chain.
"Beautiful." he whispered. I smiled at him as he held his hand out. I accepted his arm and walked with him.
Stepping into the ballroom, I know many people would stare. Why? Isn't it odd seeing a pureblood with a so called mudblood? It was like that.
'What's Draco Malfoy doing with that muggle?'
'Ugh. She's so lucky, what does she have that we don't?'
'Why is she even with Draco?'
I ignored the whispers and found my Gryffindor friends.
"Potter." Draco sneered.
"Guys. Tonight is my first ball, so stay civil? Not asking you to be friends but try to be civil." I said, stepping in between them. I'm trying to get Draco and Pansy to be at least civil to the Gryffindors, hoping to end the long feud.
"Alright." they said through gritted teeth. Acknowledging Harry with a civil nod, Harry returned it with a nod as well. I smiled and had some small chatter before looking for Pansy.
"You do know Pansy's with Blaise right?" I told Draco.
"Yeah. Where's Crabbe and Goyle?" he asked.
"Probably pigging out." I chuckled. Draco chuckled along.
"Those two never seem to amuse me with their appetite, along with yours."
"I'm a growing women!" I said in response to his teasing at my appetite.
"I know." he said. Of course, the dancing was going to start in 3,2,1. Slow music started playing and everyone rushed to couple up.
"Care for a dance?" I asked.
"Aren't the guys suppose to ask that?" Draco raised his eyebrow.
"It's the twenty first century. Women can propose if they wanted to. " I said.
"I still want to ask." Draco pouted.
"Fine." I stuck my tongue at him.
"Care for a dance?" he asked, bowing down outstretching his hand. I took his hand and nodded. He place his arm around my waist and another held my hand up. I placed my hand on his shoulder as we began slow dancing.
Ever since I was a child, I always had two left feet. I couldn't dance even if it was to save my life. Slow dancing with Draco, I had nervous jitters everywhere. What is I stepped on his foot? What if I stumbled and fell on him?
And to make matters worse, I actually did stumble and fell towards him.
"Trying to get comfy Darling?" he smirked. I looked up and blushed before brushing my dress.
"Um, I can't dance. Even if it was to save my life." I muttered.
"Mother taught me how to dance ever since I was a kid. She'd waltz me around after dinner." Draco said. I can imagine young Draco being whisked around by his mother.
"That's cute." I giggled. He pulled me closer for another song.
"It's simple, just move about slowly and then I spin you around like this," he said, holding me closer. I liked this feeling. I never wanted to leave his arms, inhaling in his bitter sweet scent.
But like all good moments in life, one has to end. The Yule Ball was coming to an end, yet knowing teenagers, there will be some after party of sort. Not many students left, just the teachers, giving us some alone time.
Draco was about to say something when Professor Snape tapped him harshly on the back. He whispered something into Draco's ear and left.
"I'm so sorry Amelie, I really want to spend the night with you but I have something to do with Snape." Draco said rushing.
"It's okay. See you tomorrow." I said smiling. He gave me a sad smile before bolting out. I can't say I wasn't disappointed. I really was. I didn't want to look like a sad loner, besides Pansy and Blaise looked a bit too comfortable in my opinion.
I headed to the drinks and picked up some small chatter with Luna and Neville who looked adorable. I complimented her on her dress, which may look odd in other people's eyes but to mine it looked nice.
"Thanks. People usually find this odd you know." Luna said.
"It's odd but it's unique." I replied. Picking up a drink, I said goodbye to them and took a gulp of the drink.
It tasted odd, and sour. It stung my throat as it ran down. Setting the glass on an empty table, my stomach felt sick. Bile rose up my throat as I tried to choke it down. My eyes watered as I bolted out of the ballroom. Rushing past, almost no one, except Peeves, the poltergeist. It's a wonder how they haven't exorcised him yet.
My stomach couldn't hold it up anymore, I clutched my stomach as I leaned against the wall, throwing up the contents. My mouth stinged at the sour taste as I continued vomiting out my insides. The walls began moving slightly but my eyesight was blurred by tears.
"Crap. Amelie. What happened?" Draco asked, avoiding the puddle of vomit I made. My mouth made a choking noise and I fell into his arms. He picked me up gently and pushed some stray ends of hair away which was sticking to my mouth. "I should've never left you."
The next morning, my body was aching in all areas. My mind was foggy, all I knew was yesterday was the Yule Ball, and I threw up. I wiped away some drool on my chin and licked my lips. I took a look around my surroundings. I was sitting up on a four poster bed, alone. This wasn't the dorm. I noticed a few books piled up in a corner, something I would never approve of in my dormitory. My eyes flicked onto a growing pile of laundry, disgusting, and not a skirt in sight. I looked down and saw myself in a pair of male boxers and an oversized shirt. I sniffed the shirt, bittersweet mint. Gulping, I looked to my left and saw a blonde. Did I?
"Draco Lucius Malfoy!" I half shouted and pushed him off the bed.
"Wha..What?" he asked, his morning eyes sleepily opened. "Oh, morning Darling." his lips curled into an arrogant smirk.
"What am I doing in your room?! More importantly, sleeping right next to you and in your clothes?! I didn't do anything with-" I was about to tell him off when he set a spell on my lips. Why you little-
"Relax. We didn't do anything." he began. Whew. Okay, that's one matter cleared. "And you're in my room because you obviously drank something last night which made you puke nearly your guts out and I had the opportunity to carry you here."
"Why couldn't you bring me to my dorm?" I asked, unzipping my mouth.
"Ah you see, Pansy saw me carrying you and decided it would be funny to lock the dormitories. Leaving you in mine. And uh, your dress looked uncomfortable so I used a spell to change you out of your clothings and into mine." Draco explained. My cheeks blushed a bright red when he said he changed me. "I didn't see anything!" he added, noticing the bright red flush on my cheeks.
"Oh." I said. "You sure we didn't do anything?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." he said crossing his heart. 'Innocent arse.' I thought.
'But you like him for that don't you?' an inner part of me thought.
'Shut up.' I replied in response in my head.
"You uh, might want to get dressed. It's almost time for breakfast." Draco yawned as he pulled his shirt over his head revealing his upper body. I flushed and looked away before checking him out a little. "Like what you saw Darling?" he teased.
"No." I replied, turning my back.
"You can turn back now." he said. I turned around, opening an eye just to be sure. He was properly dressed but I wasn't.
"And how am I suppose to get dressed?" I asked, folding my arms.
"You go back to your dormitory of course." he said in a 'matter of factly' tone. "They'd let you in."
"Thanks for everything." I said before pushing myself out of the door. And to my embarrassment, I was greeted by nearly half of Slytherin, all in their pajamas, giggling the moment I stepped out.
"Someone was up all night with Draco hmmm?" Pansy teased.
"I am so going to kill you Pansy." I threatened. Draco stepped out running his hand through his ever whiter blonde hair and stopped halfway.
"Pansy…" he began. The students let out a chortle of laughter as both Draco and I chased after Pansy who was still giggling. I caught her waist and attempted a spell before realising I don't have my wand.
"What are all you students still doing here?!" a sharp voice spoke. Professor Snape was back. I stood up, brushing imaginary dust off with Pansy scrambling up.
"Um… See," I began when Snape cut me off.
"Miss Darling what are you doing in Mr Malfoy's clothes?" Snape asked raising his eyebrow.
"She got sick last night and the dormitories were already locked. So I lent her some of my clothes." Draco explained.
"Very well. Hurry up and get dressed." Snape said sharply. "And you first years, hurry up!"
Everyone scrambled out of the common room at Snape's tone.
"Thanks for covering I guess?" I told Draco. He nodded, tight lipped and walked out along with the students. Pansy stayed back to help me get dressed.
"So how was your night with Zabini?" I asked, using magic to help me get dressed faster. I took off Draco's shirt and folded it neatly before putting it on my bedside table.
"Nice." she replied. I quickly ran a brush through my hair and placed a tickling curse on Pansy.
"Payback." I teased. Pansy was laughing on the floor.
"I'm sorry!" she said between giggles.
"Pardon? I couldn't hear you through your giggles."
"Sorry!" she said louder and I lifted the curse. She sent me a scowl and I bumped her hip. She cracked up and jabbed my hip. "You're staying with us for the Christmas holidays right? At the Malfoy manor?"
"I don't know. I think I'm staying at Hogwarts. I don't think Draco family would like me very much since the day at Hogsmeade." I shrugged, thinking back to the incident that happened.
"Why so?" Pansy asked, shoveling food onto her plate. I bite into a bit of mushroom and tried to tell her what happened, in minimal words but nothing could come out.
"Because I'm a so called mudblood." I said in excuse.
"Oh. Well I think Narcissa can pull a few strings, she's quite nice and she favours Draco so." Pansy replied.
"I hope so." I muttered.