All Over Her

Chapter 3: Potions

That morning after breakfast I saw my first class was potions. I'm not particularly skilled at potions but not horrible either. This year we have a new potions teacher, Slughorn, I heard his name was. Professor Snape has finally snagged the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts, maybe he'll be the one teacher that can keep the job. I shuffled in when an unavoidable cascading green fabric swayed the room. This class was with the Slytherins and of course the ones I loathe. I'll try my best to ignore them. I'm pretty sure I have this class with Ron so I'll be fine. As more students shuffle in I start to grow anxious. Was I mistaken? Is Ron not in this class? It seems as though everyone is in here by this point, so the teacher begins to speak.
"Hello class, I am Professor Slughorn, welcome to your first class of this term. I hope to get to know you all and help you advance your educational prowess in the realm of potions. Please take to the desks and pick your partners."
I walk slowly to a desk as I see everyone pairing up. I see other Gryffindors that I'm acquainted with but they all have their matches. I hear subtle arguing to the right of me.
"Enzo and Theo are already together and so are I and Blaise." Draco said, his bleach blonde hair looking striking against the black of the robes.
Mattheo turned to Slughorn, "Can we have a group of three?" he asked with narrowed eyes.
"I'm sorry Mr..?" Slughorn waited.
"Riddle sir." Mattheo said straight.
"Riddle, I'm afraid that won't do." He thinks for a second, then catches my glance.
I could feel my eyes widen and my body shiver with the cold open space next to me.
"Why don't you pair up with this young lady!" Slughorn turns to me. "What might be your name Miss?" He gave an encouraging smile, I knew I couldn't say no.
"Cassandra Black sir." I gave a weak smile back.
He nudged Mattheo next to me, "Well, problem solved.. For the first few minutes I want you all to get acquainted with your partners, they'll be yours for the rest of the year so best you pick someone you like."
With my luck finally, not only does Ron stumble in but so does Harry. They catch Slughorn's attention.
"Ah, late comers.. Take your desks boys.. What are your names?"
I cringe in preparation.
"Ron Weasley sir." he gives a goofy grin.
Harry stands stiff as a board, "Harry Potter."
He gave them a nod, "Go find a desk boys."
Mattheo let out a chuckle, I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
He began to speak, "Well Professor said to get acquainted, I'm sure that won't be too hard." He flashed a smile.
His eyes were deep, he seemed tired but not weak tired. The type of tired when you have a lot on your mind.
"Yes I'm sure you have plenty to say Riddle." I said, not looking at him, straightening my robes.
"Awe you'd think we'd be on a first name basis by now Cassandra." His grin grew.
"You thought wrong, nothing new I suppose." I stayed not looking at him.
"I see your affinity to stubbornness is yet to change." He said, I can tell his facial expression changed from the corner of my eye.
Slughorn interrupted, "When you have a moment please grab a textbook from the back of the class in the shelves, these will be your books for the year."
Mattheo went to grab, as did the entire class, it was almost a race. I barely had the chance to leave my desk.
Mattheo came back, noticing me book-less.
"Cheer up, I'm a good partner I share." He handed me the book.
Harry came up to me though, handing me a very beat up version of the same textbook.
"Jamie, this was the last one they had left, I grabbed it for you." He said, handing it to me.
I smiled as he walked back to Ron. I turned to Mattheo.
"Not necessary, have a book right here." I shook it in the air.
He licked his back teeth, "Jamie? Doesn't sound like your name. Is that sourness from the fact I've been calling you the wrong name all this time?"
It was evident he didn't plan to stop talking, "It's a family name Riddle. I doubt you know of it."
I winced at my words. I didn't mean to be so outwardly cruel.. Usually I'd just say that in my head. I looked at him, his demeanor changed and he seemed much more defeated. His eyes switched, but seemed to revert back to normal. He was like a toy that needed to be winded up again.
"I see your wit is nothing less than quick Ms.Black. I look forward to our obviously intellectual conversations where your judgment- I mean gospel will be so effortlessly given." He pushed his book closer to him, opening it to a random page and reading.
I bit at the skin of my lips. I felt really bad for being so rude but I was not in the mood for his teasing. Not an excuse I know, but his "better-than-thou" attitude just makes my blood boil.This is going to be a long year.