Abby was already in the Potion's lab with Professor Snape when Draco arrived as Crabbe and Goyle's bickering had stalled him. He smiled to himself and felt the same inexplicable glow that he usually felt whenever he laid eyes upon her. Her face scrounged up into a frown when she noticed his presence.
"Alright, before you both use my lab …" Snape began.
"Hold on. We both?"
"Yes Miss Potter. Mr. Malfoy requested to use the lab just like yourself. Surely, you don't expect to be the only one to whom this privilege is extended."
It was the first time Draco had seen Snape use the same condescending, sarcastic tone on Abby that he usually reserved for Potter and gang.
"But why can't he use the lab at another time? What if he bothers my work?" Abby crossed her arms.
"Because Miss Potter, it would be more convenient for me to have you both using the lab at the same time. Mr. Malfoy won't be bothering your work. He would be brewing his own potion and you will be brewing yours at a different table."
Abby looked horrified and for a moment Draco feared that she would decide she didn't need to use the lab at the cost of his presence. Fortunately she didn't know that he had overheard her conversation with Snape and purposely asked to use the lab at the same time she did.
"Look Potter. I have no intention to interfere with your potion. I'm only here to brew my potion. And if I do bother you, you can always leave or call Professor Snape. Right sir?" Draco looked at Snape.
"Yes. I will be upstairs grading my papers and make no mistake that I can hear any noise you make. Any problem from either of you and you will both be forbidden from private use of my lab."
"It's not so private," Abby muttered.
"What's that Miss Potter," Snape narrowed his eyes towards her.
"Nothing sir. Bother me at all, Malfoy and I'm calling Professor Snape," she looked at Draco as she pointed her finger at him.
"Fine" he said.
Snape headed upstairs after giving them a few more instructions on proper conduct and rules to using his lab.
"A coincidence that we have one more thing in common don't we?" asked Draco.
"What are you talking about?" Abby raised her eyebrows. "We have nothing in common".
"But I think we do. We both play Quidditch and we both love Potions."
"Umh hmh. But we have very different beliefs and values," she said before she began chopping the ingredients in front of her.
Draco decided to get to his own potion as bothering her anymore might get her to leave or complain to Snape. Or worse, hate him even more than she did.
"Is that a Wake draught?" Draco asked, wide-eyed. "I heard it's real tough getting the colour an exact sky blue. That's actually pretty impressive," he said in what he hoped was a nonchalant tone.
A Wake potion was the opposite of a sleeping draught and used to keep it's drinker awake. He supposed Abby was the type to stay up all night, studying or doing her homework.
Abby narrowed her eyes, looking unsure of how to respond.
"Out of curiosity, how do you do that? Get the potion to be exactly sky blue, that is?"
"You'll have to be real precise when adding the coloring and stirring it right away but gently, three times clockwise," said Abby.
"Sounds harder than the potion I did. But mine wasn't all that easy either. Think I did alright with it? It's a headache cure potion," he held up a test tube of his potion.
"Umm yeah. It looks fine." Abby emptied her couldron with a flick of her wand and left the lab after letting Snape know that she was done.
Well, they at least had a semi-civil exchange, Draco thought to himself.
James was looking forward to a quiet night in as Remus would be in the basement due to the full moon, Luke and Danielle had gotten their own home while Sirius and Regulus were out for some brother bonding time that he didn't want to interfere in. And what better to accompany his night in than a mug of his favorite hot chocolate which he had just sat down with and was about to switch on the television when he heard the bell ring.
"I'll get it sir," said Noah, his butler.
"Thanks Noah".
"Who may I ask is calling?" James heard Noah's voice.
"Is Potter in?"
"Are you referring to Master James, sir?"
James recognized that voice. He had loathed that voice for a long time. He could swear he heard Snape's eye roll at the mention of Master James. But what was he doing here? If Dumbledore wanted to pass him a message, he knew better than to send Snape of all people. He got up from his seat and headed to entry hallway.
"It's alright Noah. I've got this."
"Yes, sir" Noah excused himself.
James and Snape glared at each other for several moments before James spoke up. "Lost your way Sni..Snape? If your looking for Malfoy Manor, it's all the way down Scumbag Street."
"Believe me Potter, it gives me no pleasure to be at your home. But my curiosity leaves me no choice but to clarify this with you."
"Clarity what?"
"Is Abigail Potter your daughter?"
James took at step back. "Deny … deny" his mind immediately told him. How on Earth did Snape figure that out? Surely, Luke, Sirius or Remus couldn't have told him. "Nonsense. I don't know what gives you that silly idea, but everyone knows she's my cousin's daughter." He crossed his arms.
"You mean everyone thinks she's your cousin's. But she's a little too much like Lily and even yourself isn't she? Great at Potions and Quidditch," Snape pointed out.
"So? Quidditch and Potions skills run in my family."
"And Lily's mannerisms?" Snape narrowed his eyes.
"That's your big evidence? Really? Loads of people have similar mannerisms. And loads of people are good at Quidditch and Potions."
"That's not all Potter. I did a little research and found out she was born on the same day as your son which just so happens to be the day you lost your twin daughter. But if you want to play it that way, suit yourself. I'll just get my third year Gryffindor and Slytherin class to do a DNA test in the next Potions class and pair her with your son. If you're lying, I'll know from testing their DNA together. Or maybe I'll just flick a sample of both their DNA from lunch and test it myself." Snape smirked.
"Nooo" James protested. "Alright. I admit it. Abby is my daughter."
"I knew it," Snape said triumphantly. "Let me guess. You gave your daughter up to your cousin who lost his and Lily never found out about it," he accused.
"For your information, Lily knows about it. It was our mutual decision," James said indignantly. James went on to explain how Abby was given away.
"Touching story Potter. I wonder if your son and daughter would be as touched when I tell them," Snape said snidely.
"Noo. You can't tell them. Please Snape. I'm begging you," James implored.
"Any why should I listen to you Potter".
"Because … Alright. What do you want to keep your mouth shut?" James was practically desperate.
"I don't see anything I could want from you, Potter," Snape rolled his eyes.
"Snape, please. Even if not for me, for Lily. I'll do anything."
"Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut for now. But I expect you to keep your word of doing anything I ask when I come to collect the favor, or else your secret won't be safe anymore," said Snape.
"Alright. Fine. Thank you."
James breathed a sigh of relief as Snape left. But this quickly faded away at the thought that he owed Snape a favor. Not that he minded doing him a favor, but knowing Snape, the favor would likely not be something he finds pleasant.