Malfoy Neighbors

year 7 chapter 7

The next week passed and now you were back at Hogwarts. Classes resumed and like always. You struggled in potions, but at least Draco was in class with you again and could help you. Slughorn wanted you to make a complicated mixture that made the drinker temperately change into someone else.

"The Polyjuice Potion is complicated but it works well." Slughorn was saying as he walked around the class. "Once your mixture is done, you will find a partner and change into them." You and Draco looked at each other. "You will spend that class as your partner as it lasts about an hour."

"Wanna be partners?" You said playfully. Draco smiled.

"This potion takes about a month to make so, for the next few weeks this is what we will be doing. I want you to keep track of your progress through the experience." Slughorn went on. "Write down what you did and what happened when something was added." You looked at Draco. Never before was this something you had to do. Snape never expected that. He wanted full essays on the matter. Last year, Slughorn, did the same.

"Why?" You whispered to Draco. He shrugged his shoulders.

"This potion only works for fellow humans. I suggest not using it to turn into another species." As Slughorn spoke, you remembered your second year when Granger, Potter, and Weasley drank Polyjuice Potion, to get into the Slytherin common room, and how Granger drank the potion with cat hair. Once Slughorn stopped talking and the class began moving around, Draco left the table to get the ingredients. You on the other hand, raised your hand and Slughorn walked over to you.

"Yes, my dear?" He said sweetly. You asked him why he wanted the class to made a record of what happened while they made their potion.

"Not that I'm complaining, I just want to understand why we've never done that before." You said. Slughorn smiled.

"This potion is very tricky. If you keep notes, then if the potion goes astray, it will be easier to find out what when wrong." Slughorn explained. "The Polyjuice Potion is a finicky one. I think the notes will do just fine. I don't think writing me an essay on the Polyjuice Potion will be necessary." He answered before you got the chance to ask him if you would be writing the essay too. You nodded in understanding as Draco returned to the table.

After class, you and Draco had free time before lunch. Draco suggested you go outside for a bit. The lake was frozen over and snow still covered the grounds. The sky was covered in light gray clouds dropping more snow. As the flakes fell, you put your gloved hand out to catch the tiny frozen sparkles.

"Did you know," You looked at Draco who was watching you. "That out of all these tiny snow flakes that covers the ground, this one is the only one like it?" Draco smiled.

"How is that possible?" He asked annoyed. "And who care?"

"Well, no one cares. It's just a fun fact. I read about it in one of my muggle books a long time ago." You said looking down at the little flake in your hand. "This little thing is unique. Just like you, just like me, and just like everyone else in this school and all over the world. Everyone has their own way of thinking, their own way of being. No one is exactly the same." You explained sweetly. "And it's just so beautiful the way they all work together. All these tiny flakes work together to build the snow covered ground." You looked back up at Draco. "Now if only humans could get along like these snowflakes." Covered in snow, you started walking.

"What do you mean 'if humans were like snowflakes'?" Draco asked. You smiled at him. You just explained it, didn't you?

"Humans fight. They fight over land. They fight over things that they don't even care about. Humans fight over everything. Take Him for example," You said walking again, thinking about Voldemort." He's starting a war just so that he can gain control over the people in our world. But if humans were more like the snowflakes, things would be different. Snowflakes don't care who you are or what you've done. They don't care about your blood status. They land on everything." You spoke with sorrow it your voice. "They're peaceful and sweet. Yes, they're cold, and I don't like the cold, but it is pretty and we expect it in the Winter. And when the Spring comes, the snow melts away and flowers replace it. The circle of seasons begin again." Draco didn't say anything but slipped his hand into yours as you walked. "If humans were more like snowflakes, they wouldn't care. Humans bring destruction when they fight. With war comes death and sorrow and no one ever wins in a war."

"Well there usually is a winner." Draco said confused.

"One of the sides of the war wins but not a single person actually wins. Everyone loses someone." You said softly. "Luna Lovegood is separated from her father, her only living parent, her only living relative. Neither of them are fighting in this war." Tears threatened to fall from your eyes as your voice cracked. You looked at your boyfriend. "Draco, Olivander is down there too. How many more people have the Death Eaters taken away from the people who care about them?" Draco stood there stunned. "I just don't know how to help them. I want this war to stop. It's a pointless and stupid war."

"The Dark Lord just Potter dead." Draco said. " If Potter would just give himself up, the war would end."

"Would it?" You asked. "Do you honestly think that He will stop at that? Potter's death won't stop the war. All it will do is make him stronger. When the time comes you will have to pick a side, Draco. I am loyal to you, but I will fight against Him. You do know that, don't you?"

"I know." Draco said. You had reached the lake and was headed back now. "And to be honest," Draco hesitated and lowered his voice. "I don't want The Dark Lord winning." He whispered.

"Potter needs to win this fight." You whispered back. Draco nodded, agreeing with you. "Then you've picked your side?" You asked in your normal voice.

"I have." Draco replied. "But I have to play the part."

"I know." You said leaning into him.