Better Potter

Creep in the Cabinets

Last Time:

It was around Adrian's wrist ... Thorns and all ...

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Ron smiled as they broke apart to form potion teams. He and Draco immediately paired off. However, he risked glancing at Hermione, who was paired off with Harry.

Draco noticed this and nudged Ron, "Don't worry. Let's focus on Professor Noi's assignment." He said, knowing that the redhead was concerned about Hermione being near Harry. It's understandable ...

"You're right." Ron said and looked at the assignment. "It's a little hard to believe that this is the same class. I actually know what's written." He mumbled with a playful, yet also slightly bitter, tone.

Draco scoffed in amusement, "It helps that you've gotten better in potions. I think even Professor Snape would be surprised. Now ... I'll get these three ingredients. Do you mind grabbing the rest?" He asked as they put the cauldron on the burner.

"On it!" Ron exclaimed and they both went into the far more spacious pantry.

Apparently, the new potion professor hated the cramped pantry. Kids are clumsy as it is. They didn't need to increase accidents by making them pile in a small room while carrying glass vials and jars.

Shelves filled with the right ingredients for each year were set up. Ingredients for the first year's potions were on the lowest shelves. Second year students had things on the same shelves and one higher. All third year students and up had their own shelves out of reach of younger students. It looked like a cross between a bookstore and a curved observatory with a circular table in the center for measuring ingredients. Much of the classroom setup has been changed and definitely for the better.

"Filthy snake." Draco stiffened when he heard Harry's voice right behind him, but hid his fear and turned away from the scale he was using to measure the right amount of dried mandrake. "What lies are you telling Ron?" He growled, barely hiding his anger.

Draco saw that Harry tried to move to trap him against the table, but he moved away, "I have no reason to lie. Isn't he mad at you for your lies-" Draco froze when Harry glared, but he spotted Ron running around the table.

Ron got right up to Draco and grabbed him, "Got everything! Let's go." He said and promptly dragged Draco out of Harry's reach.

"Thanks." Draco said, but his friend just smiled and shrugged. "I'll finish measuring when he moves-"

"Mr. Potter." Professor Noi said firmly and used some sort of lightweight spell so he could easily pick the brat up by the collar just like grabbing a kitten by the scruff of the neck. "Ms. Granger has collected all the ingredients herself and been waiting for you to join her. Do start the assignment." He ordered pleasantly as he plopped Harry in the chair next to Hermione.

Hermione, for her part, looked a bit annoyed for being left to do everything by herself. She asked Harry to do the first steps since she gathered everything. Begrudgingly Harry started stirring the first ingredient into the bubbling water. However, Hermione used that chance to glance towards Draco and Ron. Much to her relief they were ok and being fussed over by Draco's Slytherin friends.

With that off her mind she put on a smile and went back to helping her assignment partner. Not to mention keep Harry more in line ...

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RazorBlood was concerned as he looked closely at his ward's wrist, "Adrian, does that hurt?" He asked, wondering why there was no blood. After all, the new wand was made from a branch that has thorns! How could they not be drawing blood?