The Potions Tutor

Chapter 2

"Can you believe him? How dare he? Assign me to tutor Potter of all people? And in Potions? He's hopeless! Potter would manage to blow up a potion if it had already been brewed for him! What had Professor Slughorn been thinking?"

Draco Malfoy was currently pacing angrily around his private bedroom and ranting furiously to his best friends Blaise and Daphne. Blaise and Daphne didn't know whether to be sympathetic or amused about the situation.

"I mean, first my parents, then the Dark Lord and Bellatrix, then Sev trying to get every possible ounce of information out of me, and now this? I didn't sign up to tutor anybody! Never mind Harry-Bleeding-Potter!"

Blaise shot Daphne a devious grin before saying to Draco, "Why don't you take this opportunity to finally do to Potter what you've wanted to do since last year? Fu-"

Daphne gasped and clapped a hand over Blaise's mouth as Draco glowered at him and growled out, "Don't start, Zabini!"

Blaise laughed and pried Daphne's hand away from his face, "Just saying, mate! How's the perfect opportunity to-"

"You really want me to hex you, don't you?" Draco snapped.

Blaise only laughed.

"When's the first tutoring session?" Daphne asked hastily, trying to distract Draco from trying to kill Blaise with his glare.

Draco sighed and raked a hand down his face, "Tomorrow night at eight. Professor Slughorn's going to bring him here."

Daphne raised an eyebrow, "He's going to bring him to your room?"

Draco shrugged.

"Just like I said!" Blaise cut in. "The perfect time to-"

"How long?" Daphne asked as she clapped a hand over Blaise's mouth again.

"Until I think he's got the potion we're working on. And then I'm supposed to help him with any Potions homework he has that he may be having trouble with." Draco scowled, "It's not bloody fair."

"Life's not fair," Blaise shrugged-the same playful look in his eyes- as he shook Daphne's hand off again, "Deal with it."

"I'm seriously about to hex your balls off."

"Are you sure, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Well, I can't exactly disobey a teacher, can I, Ron?" Harry said glumly as he slung his bag with all his school things over his shoulder.

"Why not?" Ron exclaimed. "You've done it before!"

"I know," Harry answered simply. "But I'm really not in the mood to have detention right now and Professor Slughorn's right. My grades are improving and if it means putting up with Draco-bleeding-Malfoy, I'm willing. I'm determined to try harder this year."

Ron's eyes suddenly seemed to light up with realization and he nodded in understanding, "Alright, mate. But don't hesitate to walk out if he starts to get in you nerves. Or punch him in the face. Doesn't matter to me."

Harry grinned and nodded, "I'll keep that in mind." He glanced at the muggle clock that Ron had placed on the wall after he got it as a Christmas present from his father and sighed. "I better get going. I don't know how long I'll be, so don't wait up."

Ron nodded though he mentally made a vow to himself to wait to go to sleep untill his friend got back. "Good luck!" He called as Harry walked out the portrait door.

Ron sighed and leant back against the couch. He rubbed his forehead and shook his head.

"Has Harry already left?" Hermione asked as she sprinted down the stairs.