Don't Blame Me

Exploding Potions

She rolls her eyes, "Because I'm unlucky."

James continues talking to her, Lily tries to deflect the conversation, but he doesn't let her. I look around the class curiously, several shelves full of various things line the walls. Some of the items glow brightly, while some look like they're moving.

A man walks into the room, "Quiet, please!"

"Professor Slughorn," Lily whispers to me.

The man stands at the front of the classroom, his eyes scan the room until they land on me. "Ah, Ms. (L/n). Welcome to Hogwarts."

Everyone in the room turns to look at me. I nod in response, and he claps his hands together. "This semester, I will be choosing your partners."

James and Sirius boo loudly, and Professor Slughorn glares at them. He begins to list names, the people he pairs up join each other.

"Lily Evans and Severus Snape."

Lily gives me a sad smile, "Maybe we can be partners in another class."

"Sirius Black and Remus Lupin."

The two boys high-five each other. The professor gives them a warning look as he continues. "James Potter and Peter Pettigrew."

I look at the empty seat next to me, feeling even more nervous now. The only people I know in this class have already been partnered, so whoever I get stuck with will be a stranger. I just hope they're not a completely idiot.

"And lastly, (Y/n) (L/n) and Regulus Black."

Whispers fill the room. A Gryffindor boy next to me grumbles, "Lucky lad."

Sirius stands up, "Sir, would it be possible for Regulus and I to switch partners?"

The professor shakes his head. "No exceptions."

Regulus sits in the chair next to me, his green eyes staring straight ahead. The boys he was sitting with whisper as they point at us. I roll my eyes. They're acting like middle schoolers.

"Today, we will be making a blood replenishing potion. The ingredients list is on your desk," Professor Slughorn says.

He sits at his desk, and everyone rushes to the shelves. I watch as James and Sirius fight over a jar of stewed mandrakes. The two of them fight until one of them drops it. Professor Slughorn sighs, "One night of detention for both of you."

When the crowd starts to die down, I walk over, and Regulus follows me. I reach up to grab a jar of powdered unicorn horns, but he grabs it before me. He grabs the stewed mandrakes as well, I bite my tongue and grab the jar of water.

I pour the water into the hot cauldron, and he pours in the stewed mandrakes. I grab the ladle and begin stirring. The two of us watch the liquid in silence. That is, until Sirius throws a ball of paper at me.

My head whips around to face him. He smiles sheepishly, "Could we borrow some powdered horns? We didn't get enough, and there are none left."

"Borrow would imply that you intend to return it. Do you plan on returning the powdered unicorn horns?" I ask.

"Well, no. But-"

Professor Slughorn clears his throat, "Is there something you need, Mr. Black?"

"Powdered unicorn horns, sir."

The professor nods and disappears into the room behind his desk. I turn back to the cauldron in front of me, "We should add the horns now."

Regulus pours the powder in and takes the ladle from me. "I can finish this."

"Yes, but we're supposed to work together," I say.

He continues stirring, "And you did your part. Now, I'll finish it to make sure we get a decent grade."

"You're stirring it too fast."

He gives me an offended look, "I know what I'm doing."

I let out an aggravated huff and reach for the ladle. He pulls it away and glares. The potion begins to bubble, the color going from green to an ugly orange.

"You're stirring too fast. If you don't stop, it'll explode," I explain.

Professor Slughorn walks over to us, "She's right, Mr. Black."

Regulus finally stops stirring, but it's too late. The potion explodes in our faces, leaving us completely drenched in orange slime. Everyone around us laughs loudly. I clench my fists to calm myself down as I glare at the boy in front of me.

"You should've listened to me," I snap.

He clenches his jaw, his green eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare as he leans closer. "You're going to pay for this."

"I'm not the one that did it," I reply.

"You two go to your dorms to clean up. I'll let the professors of your next classes know that you two will be late."

Regulus glares at everyone in the room. Their laughter stops immediately. He gives me one last venomous look and speeds out of the room. I'm left in a daze, completely confused by his behavior. He's the one that ruined the potion. So why is he blaming me?

I let out a sigh and leave as well, trying to hide my face from other students as I walk.

~~°°••°°~~

My next class is transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. The class had already started when I walked in. Everyone's eyes fell on me, and I noticed a few Gryffindors laughing. I glare at them and turn back to the professor, "Sorry I'm late, Professor McGonagall."

"No need to apologize, please take a seat next to Mr. Potter."

James waves his hand at me enthusiastically, a big grin on his face. I let out a sigh and sit next to him. He leans over to me, "Glad to see you're clean now. Orange isn't your color."

"Can you be quiet? I'm trying to pay attention."

He gives me a lopsided grin, "Alright."

McGonagall walks around the room, going over the basics of transfiguration. I rest my head on my hand and listen as she explains. Transfiguration is interesting, and I excelled in it back in America.

She places vases in front of everyone and asks us to transform them into cats. I swish my wand, and the vase turns into a black cat. James gasps, "Bloody hell."

Professor McGonagall stands in front of me, a small smile on her face. "Well done, Ms. (L/n)."

She walks away, and I look around the classroom with a proud smirk. A group of Slytherin girls in the corner roll their eyes at me and focus on their vases. The cat in front of me meows loudly, and I smile. It's a rather cute cat. It sucks that I'll have to turn it back into a vase.

James completes the assignment next, a proud smile on his face. Everyone in the room glares at us, and James bumps my shoulder. "Looks like we're the best ones."

"It appears so," I mutter boredly.

He raises an eyebrow, "What? Are you used to being the best?"

His tone is joking, but I nod. "I was the top of my class in Ilvermorny."

He leans back in his seat, crossing his arms behind his head. "Smart and pretty? You're the whole package (Y/n)."