Toxic

Deep Dive

"Just because it's how things are done doesn't mean it's the best way to do them," she said, picking up a knife and getting to work. "I think you need a good relationship, and first names help."

Draco had to catch himself, finding he was more interested in watching her slender fingers at work than doing his own work or listening to her. He shook his head and turned back to the boom berries he was smashing.

"Yes, how could I forget. You're American," he said. De Loughrey stopped chopping a moment as she turned to him.

"Why does that sound like an insult coming from you?" she asked, though oddly enough, she didn't sound angry.

"Just stating a fact," he said, continuing with his work. De Loughrey huffed and returned to hers.

For a bit, Draco felt he was back in Snape's class. Though this time his worst nightmare had come true and he was partnered with Granger. De Loughrey had only stayed silent a few moments before commenting that he was smashing the berries wrong. Well, she hadn't said wrong - rather suggested another way to do it. But to Draco, she might as well said wrong.

But still, he pushed on, stopping her from stepping in when he could. After a while, he found that a small part of him was enjoying working with her - the back and forth was entertaining. But still, he kept himself from smiling or letting on.

The last thing he wanted to admit to anyone - especially De Loughrey - was that he was enjoying this. He silently reminded himself that he was trying to take her down, after all.

Finally, they were at a point where he wanted to start adding the ingredients to the base potion he had spent the morning working on. De Loughrey had - thankfully - gone quiet, now stepping back and watching.

Draco looked over his notes again and then back at the potion. He waved his wand and watched as some of the ingredients lifted from the table and dropped into the cauldron. He stepped over and stirred it three times one way and then four in the other.

Going back over to his notes, he looked at them again. He chanced a glance at De Loughrey, finding her inching towards the cauldron, her eyes fixed on it. He then turned back to his notes again and then stepped over, picking up the last ingredient. He held his breath as he prepared to pour it in.

"Wait," De Loughrey said. He groaned in annoyance and looked at her.

"What?" he asked.

She walked over and picked up his notes, going over them. She looked at the cauldron then reached for a quill.

"I think your calculations might be off," she said, about to start scratching something down.

"I've been working days on those," he spat.

She stopped, looking over at him. Finally, she rolled her eyes and reached for a clean sheet of parchment.

"Just... give me a sec," she said, starting to copy down his calculations onto the new page.

"Fine," Draco said, stepping away from the cauldron.

He was only entertaining this because she was his boss - nothing more. He was sure that he had calculated the right amount.

After some time, she straightened up and held the sheet out to him.

"It's too much. You need to halve it, or it'll explode," she said matter-of-factly.

Draco frowned at her, but then took the sheet looking it over. He then looked at the cauldron and back at her. He didn't completely trust her work, though from what he had seen so far, he probably should have.