Against Time (a harry potter fanfic) *EDITING*

Chapter 5- Facing Fears... or Not

CHAPTER 5

Facing Fears... or Not

We were sitting halfway through potions when Malfoy decided to show up. His right arm covered in bandages and bound up in a sling. He acted like he was some kind of heroic survivor. Please, he just insulted a hippogriff and then cried about it. He should get over himself.

But my dear old friend Pansy had to be, well Pansy.

"How is it, Draco?" Pansy grimaced. "Does it hurt much?"

"Yeah," said Malfoy, putting on a brave facade. Pansy just sighed sadly and turned away; as soon as she did Malfoy winked at Crabbe and Goyle, making me roll my eyes in annoyance.

"Settle down, settle down," Snape said idly.

I saw Harry and Ron glance at each other, while Hermione rolled her eyes at Snape's favoritism to his house.

Malfoy set up his cauldron right beside my table, at Harry and Ron's table, so that they would be preparing ingredients together.

"Sir," Malfoy said, "sir, I'll need help cutting these daisy roots, because of my arm–"

"Weasley, cut up Malfoy's roots for him," Snape said without looking up.

Ron turned red instantly; clearly angry at the situation he was currently in.

"There's nothing wrong with your arm," Ron hissed.

"Weasley, you heard Professor Snape; cut up these roots."

I looked to Hermione worried; Ron was pretty angry and I wouldn't be surprised if he snapped at Snape right now, which wouldn't be very smart.

Ron began to chop them roughly, so that they were all different sizes. Oh Ron.

"Professor," drawled Malfoy, "Weasley's mutilating my roots, sir."

"Change roots with Malfoy, Weasley."

Now I was the one dangerously close to snapping at my potions teacher; I controlled my anger and continued my potion.

"But sir-"

"Now," Snape said in a dangerous voice.

"And sir, I'll need this shrivelfig skinned," Malfoy said with malicious laughter, just as I finished my potion.

"Potter, you can-" Snape started.

"I'll help Malfoy Professor, I have already finished my potion," I interrupted saying it trough greeted teeth.

"Very well," answered Snape reluctantly after seeing my potion was indeed finished; he was clearly angry I had taken away a chance to piss Harry off.

Harry sent me a grateful look.

I skinned the shrivelfig as Malfoy said quietly, "Seen your pal Hagrid lately?"

"None of your business." Ron replied jerkily, not looking up.

"I'm afraid he won't be a teacher much longer," he continued in a tone of mock sorrow. "Father's not very happy about my injury-"

"Again bringing up you father," I muttered with a cold voice. "I see you are one to fight your own battles, huh?"

"-He's complained to the school governors and to the Ministry of Magic. Father's got a lot of influence, you know. And a lasting injury like this" – he gave a huge, fake sigh – "Who knows if my arm'll ever be the same again?"