Coercion ✔️

Chapter 7

"Our last pair... Weasley and Zabini. No switching with your friends. Now find your partners and we'll start the lesson" she said as if she didn't just ruin my life. The person I can't get out of my bloody head and she decided to put him right bloody next to me! I'm gonna faint.

Ron's POV

So I didn't faint. Not yet anyway. I ended up moving to the back of the room to sit next to Zabini and we haven't talked or even looked at each other since. Nott and Harry were at the table next to us so I was silently just looking at Harry as we had a nonverbal conversation.

Well, we tried to. I don't know how people can do that. I can't understand what his lips are saying and his eyes are like having a seizure over there. Plus he keeps rolling his eyes at me! It's bloody rude. I huffed and looked away from him making sure he knows I'm mad at him.

I heard a chuckle and looked up to see Zabini staring at me. I looked away embarrassed that he saw all of that. Then I realized he was staring at me and looked back at him ready to start a fight but he started to talk.

"Thanks for helping me find Draco yesterday" he whispered leaning back in his chair. I was shocked for a minute before nodding my head really fast.

"You're welcome... uh thanks for saving me from the Bludger" I replied, not being able to take my eyes off him. He smiled and nodded. His smile is so "pretty".

"Thanks?" he said with a chuckle. My eyes widened as I realized I said that out loud and I felt my face flush as I slammed my head on my desk. Idiot! Why would I say that! He's not pretty! No, he's mean, scary, vicious- that just makes him sound more attractive... I'm doomed.

"Hey... Weasley? You ok? That was pretty loud" he chuckled in my ear and I felt shivers go down my body as I mumbled out a fine.

"Alright, class is over. No homework over the weekend" McGonagall's voice rang out into the silent classroom. Everyone filed out as quickly as possible as I packed my things. Harry, Hermione, Zabini, Malfoy, Parkinson, and I were the last people in the classroom as my friends were waiting for me and I was still really flustered and kept dropping things.

"Do you want help? Open your bag" Zabini said while taking my textbook from my hand and putting it in my bag. I just sat there and stared as he took care of all my stuff. When he was done he gave me my bag and walked over to Malfoy who had a smug look on his face.

"Uhh thanks, Zabini," I said while walking to Harry and Mione who were... shocked, to say the least.

"Of course... also if you overdo the ingredients in a Draught of Peace potion it can lead to long or irreversible sleep. I'm surprised you two didn't remember that" he said with a smirk looking at me and Harry. With that, he, Parkinson, and Malfoy walked outta the classroom leaving me red-faced and wide-eyed. I looked to Harry who had his eyes narrowed but still looked confused.

"Why did he say that?" Hermione asked while trying to figure out what happened.

"They must've heard us when we were going to Quidditch yesterday," Harry said while everything seemed to click with him. We started walking out of the classroom as McGonagall started to stare at us with curiosity as we were basically in the doorway.

"So did you and Zabini like... actually have a conversation?" Harry asked, getting close to me. I nodded still not able to believe it.

"And he said thank you to me for yesterday with Malfoy! He actually said thank you! Also, he saved me from the Bludger! It may not have anything to do with it but Malfoy's been putting Nott in his place lately as well" I said trying to put all the pieces together of what was going on. Harry mumbled something to my side and I looked at him raising a brow.