Potter

Chapter 60

Keeping my mind off of Draco was harder than I originally thought. Doable, of course, but I'd have to continually pinch myself to keep from looking, from paying more attention than I needed to.

Currently I sat in the back of the potions classroom, staring at the potion's instructions with a frown. Neville stared at it with an expression of mild horror.

"How many times clockwise?"

"Two, I think."' I said, chewing on my bottom lip. Neville nodded.

"And how many times the other way?"

"Seven."

"Oh. Joy. You have the Wormwood?"

"Naturally." I hummed, glancing up at Neville from the book. "I'll put it in if you stir first."

Neville's eyebrows raised but he nodded, grabbing hold of the wooden spoon used for stirring purposes. Thankfully the potion wasn't particularly thick, and we only had to worry about miscounting instead of physical exhaustion.

"Make sure you tilt the cauldron the right way." I added, careful to crush the Sopophorous bean with the flat of the knife I was using, narrowing my eyes in concentration. Neville nodded, sighing softly. Slughorn spoke at the front of the class, saying something that I'm sure was very important and vital to the potion making.

Oh well.

"What are you doing?" A voice chimed by my side. I flinched back, leaning away from Thatcher- Draco- Merlin, that would get confusing- as he looked over my shoulders, eyebrows raised. "You're not doing it right."

I resisted the urge to smile and elbow him in the ribs. Instead I rolled my eyes, trying to keep the flush out of my cheeks as I turned my back. "Piss off."

"You're doing it wrong."

"Well, then I'm sure you'll love seeing me fail. Now. Piss off." I said, turning to look at him over my shoulder. His tone, while dry and snide, didn't hide the teasing glint in his eyes. The way his lips twitched up into a small smile as he stepped away, back to his own desk, was so very Draco that I found myself biting my lip to keep from smiling too big. Neville made a soft scoffing sound.

"Bloody prat."

I sighed, nodding slowly in agreement. "Couldn't agree more."

_

"You wanted to see me?" I hummed as I stepped into the Headmaster's office, fingers plucking at the handle of my bag. Severus glanced up from his desk, looking wholly bored.

"Indeed. Sit."

I did so, crossing my legs at the ankles while I waited for him to look up again, away from the papers. I wasn't sure if they were for school or for the Dark Lord, but they certainly had Severus's interest. Finally he sighed and shuffled them back together, leaving them on his desk.

"Are you to return to the Longbottom residence for winter break?" He asked, watching as passively. I chewed on my lip, offering a small shrug.

"No. I was thinking of staying here, actually."

"Good. It's fortunate you have not drawn too much attention to yourself. You'll be safe. As for your friends- The Carrows are planning-"

"I know." I said, the amusement quickly dropping from my tone. I hated talking about the future. I hated knowing what was going to happen. Severus nodded once, watching me carefully.

"And you have decided to simply let things pass, as is?"

"I know what happens, but I also know how it ends." You think, my mind added as a taunt that I did not need. I cursed it sourly. Severus nodded again, hands resting atop his desk.