Deathless (Harry Potter)

Chapter 7

The last class for the day was potions with Snape. Harry always hated the class, as well as everyone else expect Draco Malfoy who seemed to be the professor's favorite. They pared Astoria with him as well as Theo Nott on a healing potion.

Draco was looking at Harry. When their eyes met he ran a finger across his neck and whispered "Good luck, Potter". Snape noticed Harry's anger and slapped him on the head with the cover of a book. Then raised an eyebrow towards Draco and called him with a gesture. 

Theo and Astoria were left alone, waiting for the potion to brew.

"Have you given it any thought?" he suddenly said. She didn't quite understand that.

"Of course, everything is according to the textbook. We should be okay", she said affirmative, but she wasn't sure if this was the correct answer to his question.

"No", he chuckled, and two dimples formed on his face. He had beautiful, big eyes that always seemed sincere to Astoria. She always thought he was probably a great liar. A natural advantage.

"Are you going to the Yule Ball?"

"I –, I guess I am", Astoria answered. She stepped back as she felt her face turn red. She hadn't thought about the ball at all recently.

In fact she avoided the event in her mind and on her calendar because she was sure she wouldn't go. That was better than suffering the humiliation of going alone and standing in the corner all night, watching everyone else have fun and dance and kiss and all other normal things teenagers did.

"Do you have someone to go with?", he got closer to her.

Theodore was one of the tallest boys in school and he had a large frame. Everyone who played Quidditch seemed in a great shape but being athletic was more a natural advantage to him. Like his sincere eyes that probably covered all his lies.

Her head was spinning. No one had asked her before. Not that there were any balls before, but even if there were, she was sure this would be the first time someone would ask her. Theo smiled, seemingly enjoying watching her blush. His hand reached for her and she tried to move, to do something – anything really. Astoria was lost because she was sure he wanted to touch her.

Their hands met and he gave her a shy smile. He had rough palms that indicated a tight grip and unlike Harry who only barely touched her skin with the tips of his fingers as if he'd burn himself, Theo seemingly wasn't afraid of fire. It was Draco Malfoy who separated them in the moment. He pushed trough them and then looked at them raising one perfect eyebrow on his face.

"What is going on? Am I interrupting something?", he looked towards Theo who smiled back at him kindly and shook his head.

"We were just checking the potion mixture. All well, according to textbook, right?"

A great liar, indeed, Astoria confirmed, watching him wink playfully to her. She thought she was pretty good at lying as well, yet words just couldn't come out. When Draco turned to stare her down with his icy blue eyes, she just nodded and looked away, hoping he wouldn't notice her red cheeks.

"Don't forget all students have a scheduled meeting in one hours with the Head of the House for preparation for the Yule Ball", Snape announced then looked around all Slytherin students as his eyes squinted, "Don't. Be. Late".

Theo approached Astoria and Draco seemingly tried to block him. However, she didn't notice as her eyes widened with the realization that she probably won't make it.

"Fuck", she said to herself while both turned to her with surprise. No explanation was provided on her side as she had just stormed out of the room.

Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. The nickname did strike fear but seeing it up close was terrifying. Astoria and Harry stood awkwardly next to each other, trying not to be rude by staring. Only there was no way not to stare.