The Depth of Deception // H. Potter

flashback: studying in the library

It was time to board the train once again and head off to Hogwarts for another year of learning magical things. After the disappointment of losing the house cup to Gryffindor last year, Amara and Draco were both excited and very anxious to win this year.

"You two behave this year, I do not like hearing of bad behavior from anyone." Lucius looked at Amara and Draco with a serious face, "Make our family look good. And try to actually win the house cup this year, alright?"

"Of course, father." Draco replied, Amara only nodded. Lucius and Narcissa hugged the twins as they turned to board the Hogwarts Express.

Another year at Hogwarts, here we come.

~X~

The feast had come and gone as quickly as the summer had vanished. Amara found herself back in Hogwarts and slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things again. It was nice to be back after several months away. Hogwarts was much more peaceful than Malfoy Manor. Her and Draco were always being watched under their father's judgmental eyes.

Classes had been assigned and Amara was now taking transfiguration, charms, potions, history of magic, defense against the dark arts, astronomy, and herbology.

With that, Amara found herself sitting in the library focusing on her studies. After all, she had her father to impress.

In the library, it was quiet. There was practically nobody there, so she found herself there often after classes were over for the day. It was one of the best places to get homework done in all of Hogwarts. This time, however, she was not entirely alone.

"Is this seat taken?"

Amara looked up, seeing Harry Potter in front of her. Amara smiled at him, and nodded her head for him to sit down.

"I figured you'd be with that Granger girl and the Weasley boy." Amara spoke, splitting her attention between her homework and Harry.

"They're, er, looking for some specific books. I saw you sitting here alone..." Harry spoke, unsure of himself. Amara noticed his awkwardness and his discomfort and deciding to help him out a bit.

"You thought I needed some company?" Amara asked, wondering if that was the rest of his sentence. Harry nodded, slightly scared. Amara frowned.

Harry looked nervous, so Amara gave him a reassuring smile. Harry saw her smile, and eased the tension he'd been keeping in his shoulders.

"Listen, Harry, I'm not my brother. You don't need to be scared of me." Amara tried to reassure him. Amara knew how Draco was, as she had seen the behavior before.

"That's reassuring." Harry said in a slightly condescending way, but Amara figured it was just Harry's awkwardness that came through.

"I'm sorry about last year. The way my brother treated you, was poor." Amara's face expressed her dislike for her brother's actions. Harry's face seemed to accept the apology, though he clearly wished it could have come from Malfoy himself.

"You shouldn't have to apologize for him." Harry said, in a lower voice than before, clearly frustrated. Amara shook her head.

"Well, sadly, he won't do it on his own." Amara sighed, looking at her homework once again.

"Harry, we found something!" Hermione had called from a few bookshelves down. Amara looked at Harry and smiled.

"Well, I better go. It was nice talking to you, Amara." Harry spoke, as he stood up and headed towards Hermione. 

Amara was slightly mad at herself, how could she let Harry give her butterflies?