Chapter 5: a costly Destraction

The next morning arrived far too quickly. I barely tasted my breakfast and hardly heard Hermione reminding me about our essay for Transfiguration. My thoughts were already in the dungeons where double Potions awaited us again. Specifically one pale blond Slytherin who had been haunting my thoughts since the night before. When we filed into the Potions classroom Snape was already there, arms folded and eyes sharp. I took my usual seat and told myself very firmly that I would not look at Draco Malfoy. I failed almost immediately. He was leaning back in his chair, sleeves rolled just enough to be irritating, laughing quietly at something Blaise Zabini had said. When his eyes flicked up and caught me staring my stomach flipped. A slow smirk spread across his face as if he knew exactly what he was doing to me. I snapped my gaze back to my cauldron far too late. “Today,” Snape announced, “you will be brewing a Calming Draught. Incorrect measurements or careless mistakes will result in failure. I suggest you pay attention.” I grabbed my textbook and began chopping valerian root. My hands moved on instinct while my eyes betrayed me, drifting back toward Draco again. He had turned fully toward me now, resting his chin on his hand, clearly entertained. I scowled at him. He winked. That was my downfall. Instead of adding the lavender I tipped in a spoonful of powdered hellebore. The potion hissed violently. “Oh no no no,” I muttered, stepping back as the liquid turned an alarming shade of purple and began to bubble over the rim. “Miss Thatcher,” Snape drawled from behind me, “care to explain why your Calming Draught appears to be preparing for battle” The class snickered. My face burned. “I mixed the wrong ingredient,” I said honestly. “It was an accident.” Snape waved his wand and the cauldron stilled just before it could explode. “Five points from Gryffindor for carelessness. Perhaps if you spent less time gawking and more time thinking you might manage basic instructions.” My eyes flicked to Draco without meaning to. He was no longer smirking. He was staring at me with something dangerously close to guilt. After class as we packed up he brushed past my desk slower than necessary. “Careful, Melody,” he murmured quietly. “Potions can be unforgiving.” “So can distractions,” I shot back. His lips twitched. “I will keep that in mind.” He walked away leaving my heart racing and my ruined potion cooling uselessly on the desk. Hermione looped her arm through mine as we left the dungeon. “You were staring again.” “I know,” I groaned. “This is bad.” But even as I said it I knew it was far too late. Draco Malfoy was already under my skin and Potions class had just proven how dangerous that could be.