Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are not mine.
Author's Note: Thank you to every single person who takes time to review my stories! Also, a big thank you to Ann-skywalker! The lovely Ann-skywalker has translated His Sixth, His First into Chinese! You can check it out on my profile. While I love writing this story and playing with Draco's prejudices, I don't appreciate hate comments. I am open to any critiques, but please don't straight up bash my writing. With that being said, I hope you enjoy the latest installment of His Sixth, His First.
His Sixth, His First
Chapter Four: Potions Partners
It was the night of the Halloween feast, and Malfoy and Hermione's project was due. Potions was the last class of the day and the sixth years were all anxious to get it over with. The two had not spoken to each other since their argument after the prefects' meeting. Draco had also not made any progress with the vanishing cabinet. Everyone was gathered outside the classroom waiting for Snape to let them in.
The corridor was chilly with an autumn breeze and the students huddled together. The classroom door swung open and Snape's pale face appeared in the opening. "Come in," he drawled. The students filed in and took their seats. Hermione begrudgingly sat next to Malfoy. She didn't think she would ever get used to sitting next to him. He took up too much room on the bench and desk, and his cologne was too strong making it hard to focus. Why does he have to use so much expensive cologne? It isn't even a bad smell. There is just too much. Hermione gave him a sideways glance, eyeing the parchment in front of him.
It looked like he had finished his portion of the project. Hermione was relieved. "What are you looking at, Granger?" Malfoy growled.
"I am just pleased to see you finished your part of the project," Hermione responded curtly.
"Of course I did, I am not an idiot," Malfoy retorted.
"Granger, is this your classroom? Are you teaching? Do you think you know so much you should be the professor instead of me?" said Snape.
"But, Malfoy just…" pleaded Hermione.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for talking back," said Snape almost gleefully. Malfoy smirked and began to doodle on his paper. "Now, as I was saying, you all should have completed your projects on Draught of the Living Death. I expect a perfect recreation of the potion as well as a complete essay on the history and uses of the potion. You will turn in the essays to me and create the potion today. You may begin."
The students began immediately. Half the class went to turn in rolls of parchment essays, and the other half went to the ingredients cupboard. Malfoy picked up the parchment and got up to walk towards Snape. "Wait," called Hermione, "can I read it first?"
"Why? Think it's not good enough for you? You did all the research, all I had to do was write it out because you thought I was too stupid to be able to find out anything about the potion," sneered Malfoy.
"I want to double check, that's all," said Hermione. Malfoy handed over the parchment; he wanted to hear her try to find something wrong when he knew it was perfect. Hermione scrutinized the essay. Her brow furrowed, and she began to chew her lip. Malfoy watched her and any harsh feelings melted away.
It was confusing with her. He wanted to hate her, he really did, and he was pretty good at it or at least pretending. There were times like this though when his thoughts slipped and all he could think about is how perfectly her curls framed her face, how adorable she looked lost in thought, and how her scent enveloped him like a warm blanket. She looked up and frowned. He snapped out of it and said, "Well? Find anything?"
"No," she said defeated. He smirked, snatched the parchment from her and strutted over to Snape. Hermione went over to the cupboard to find what they needed for the potion. She gathered everything and met Malfoy at their desk. This was going to be an extremely difficult potion to make, so as much as the two fought, they would have to get along to make it work.
They began to attempt to cut up the Sopophorous beans. The beans shot across the room every time the blade touched one. Malfoy sighed, "Granger, come hold this bloody thing down so I can cut it." Hermione set down her knife and hesitantly looked at Malfoy holding a very sharp knife. "I am not going to cut your filthy fingers off. Get over here," he growled. She glared at him but complied. Surprisingly, it worked and Hermione was unharmed. They continued methodically cutting the beans and squeezing the juice into a beaker.
After some time, they fell into a rhythm. The pair worked silently like a well-oiled machine, never making a mistake and helping the other until the potion was complete. Snape surveyed the classroom before declaring, "Time's up." He slowly moved to the first desk, Neville and Goyle. Neville was shaking with fear. Snape leaned over and looked in their cauldron. It was thick, soupy, and an odd indigo color. "This is so far off it might actually kill something. Shall we try with your toad?" asked Snape.
"No! Not Trevor!" exclaimed Neville before he could stop himself.
"Ten points from Gryffindor," said Snape.
"But professor, that's hardly fair that's-" cried Harry.
"Watch it, Potter. That is another ten points," Snape retorted. The Gryffindors knew to keep their mouth shut or risk losing more points. Malfoy snickered and received a sharp elbow jab in his side. Snape moved on and scrutinized each cauldron. At each stop, Snape would look down displeased and then make a remark such as "pathetic" or "I would barely sleep for ten seconds with this." He raised his wand and would cast a number out of smoke and let it hover over the cauldron. The room was filled with a few zeros, ones, and a couple twos.
Snape arrived at Malfoy and Hermione's cauldron. He peered in at the black liquid inside. He looked up and glared at them. He silently raised his wand. Hermione's breath hitched as a smoky five floated above their cauldron. Snape whirled away to the front of the classroom. Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Top marks," she whispered. Snape was notorious for discriminating and scoring unfairly. She knew that she had deserved more fives in the past, and had resigned to believe all she would ever receive from Snape would be fours. Malfoy looked indifferent to the five. Snape almost always gave him fives, so this was nothing new.
Draco looked at Hermione. Why was she so surprised? Of course, they got a five, their potion was perfect. Hermione usually got fives too, right? Snape. He always gives her a 4 because she is a friend of Potty and a Gryffindor. This is her first five.
"What are you looking at Malfoy?" Hermione asked. Malfoy stopped staring.
"Uh nothing," he said unconvincingly.
Hermione knew she only got a five because Malfoy helped make the potion, and she hated it, but she also was secretly a little thankful for him allowing her to get a five. Maybe she could get used to being partners with him. At least, as long as they continued to get fives. It was a nice change from having to do all the work for Harry and Ron when they were partners.
Snape observed the students before announcing, "As you can see, with one exception, you all failed miserably. How you all passed your OWLs astonishes me. I want a detailed essay, one foot should do it, on how you messed up your potions and the effect that it had on the ability of the potion. Mister Malfoy and Granger, you are exempt. The rest of you on my desk by next class." Snape almost shuddered when he excused Hermione from the essay. Malfoy smirked at the rest of his classmates.
"Well, Granger, what are you going to do without homework. Oh, I know! You will probably write perfect, pathetic Potty and poor Weasel's essays for them," Malfoy exclaimed triumphantly.
"And what will you be doing? Killing mudbloods? Fulfilling Voldemort's orders?" she whispered menacingly. Malfoy recoiled. His thought were immediately drawn to his task. She wasn't wrong. He was going to use this time to work on the vanishing cabinet. Damn, Granger just always had to be right.
"None of your business, mudblood," said Malfoy after he collected himself
Snape dismissed them, and they all went off complaining about their upcoming essays. "Two essays about one potion? He can't be serious!" whined Ron.
"I don't even know what I did wrong," Harry said bewildered. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked nervously at Hermione.
"What are we going to do 'Mione? Help us please," Ron begged. Suddenly, Lavender grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him off. "See you at the feast!" he called as the pair ran down the hall. Lavender was giggling, and they were undoubtedly headed to a private nook to snog before the feast. Hermione's mood was immediately ruined. Harry put a hand on her arm.
"I am sorry that he has to do things like that," Harry said concerned.
"It's fine," Hermione replied. Harry gave her a half-hearted smile and steered her towards the grounds.
"Let's go see Hagrid," said Harry. Hermione nodded and followed silently.
Malfoy listened to his friends complain about the potions essay. He began to brag about his perfect potion and being exempt from the essay. After awhile Teddy turned and exclaimed, "Just shut up! We get it you are the perfect Prince of Slytherin! No potions essay for his royal highness! You only got a five because of Hermione Granger." Malfoy wheeled around. He was inches from Teddy's face.
"Don't say that," Malfoy threatened.
"What? It is the truth! You only passed because your dream girlfriend saved your sorry ass. I saw her correct the amount of wormwood you were about to put in," Teddy said cooly.
"She is not my bloody girlfriend if you ever-" Malfoy sneered before he was interrupted.
"You wish she was. Hell, you wish she was your wife! We know, Draco! You' ve been in love with her for years, but you won't bloody accept it or do anything about it! You're pathetic!" Teddy yelled. Malfoy pulled out his wand.
"You don't know what you are talking about," he growled. He raised his wand and yelled "Locomotor Mortis!" Teddy's legs immediately locked together. Teddy glared at him as Draco stalked off to the dungeons.
Everyone was happily chatting away at the feast. There was enough food to quite literally feed an army, several armies in fact. However, Malfoy and Hermione were not talking or eating much. Hermione was still upset about Ron and Lavender, and Draco was still shooting eye-daggers at Teddy down the table. Teddy was not speaking to him either and Blaise had chosen Teddy's side. So, even if Malfoy wanted to talk, there was no one to talk to.
His gaze began to wander and eventually landed on Hermione. It was her fault. She was the reason he couldn't talk to his friends. What had she done to him? She looked at him and for what felt like and eternity, but also not long enough they looked at each other. His throat burned and she looked away. The rest of the feast was boring, and Malfoy couldn't wait to get back to the dormitory.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for your continued support. I hope you liked this chapter. Please review, follow, and favorite!
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