All Over Her

Chapter 6: Amortentia and Angst

I was dreading going to potions. I had mixed feelings about the whole endeavor, I still felt bad about what I said to Mattheo, but knowing him he'll spit venom right back at me.
"Good Morning class, please settle into your desks. Today we will be working on our first potion. Amortentia! Does anyone know what it is?" Professor Slughorn asked.
I looked around the class to see if anyone was raising their hand. A few students towards my right were awaiting to be called on.
"Miss Parkinson?" Professor called.
"It's a love potion sir. It can be used to enamour the person you use it on and the person itself smells like the person the brewer loves, so it changes per person." Pansy said.
"Brilliant Miss Parkinson! Now please look into your textbooks to find the instructions, this will be your first grade of the term so make sure to be efficient and cooperative."
I turned to open my book as I felt eyes on me. Mattheo was staring, I feel right now is as good of a time as ever to apologize.
"Listen.. I wanted to apologize for-" He cut me off.
"Have you found the page yet or do I need to do that for you?" He said.
"I got it.." I said.
I opened up the disheveled book as I noticed notes in the margins. Mattheo was trying to cut open the first ingredient, but the notes say to squish it.
"Try squishing it." I said.
"What?"
"Lay the blade flat and squish it down." I said, reaching for the knife.
"The instructions say to cut it. Just let me do it." He said, not looking at me.
"It'd be easier if you just squish it, trust me-" He laid the knife down.
"Go ahead, giving into your annoyances will save me time." He switched places with me.
I grabbed the knife, pressing the metal down until a small sliver opens, allowing me to drip its liquid into our cauldron.
"See." I smiled to him.
His expression laid flat, "Let's continue."
Usually he's more snarky. More rude. I wonder what got him all worked up.
He quietly cut the rose thorns as I, not by choice, had to stand and watch.
"You really should let me help. It'd be daft to do it all on your own after you could barely get through the first step." I said.
"I bet you know all about daft." He said matter-a-factly.
"What is your problem? I tried apologizing for my comment from yesterday's class and you just cut me off." I said, my voice raising ever so slightly but not enough for me to be heard by anyone around us.
He looked at me, "I don't need an apology. What you say to me does not matter. You must get your self-righteousness from your father."
I was stunned but I expected exactly this.
"You're nothing but a rude cunt Riddle." I said, sitting on the stool of our desk and reading the textbook.
"Nice come back Black, I hope your intelligence is as high as your ego." He swished up the cut up thorns and put them in the cauldron.
My blood boiled, but no point in this back and forth with him.
"You know I have to say thank you for the silence, your voice is comparable to that of a mandrake, really I'd take the mandrake." He said.
I like to think I have loads of patience, but there are some moments when it runs very thin. I nudged him aside. Grabbing the rest of the ingredients and rushing to finish it as I'd peek at his open text book. I'd catch a glimpse of his face ever so often, he looked neutral, which upset me even more. Stirring, the potion turned into a glittering bright pink.
"Done." I finally gave him my full attention after what felt like forever. He was right in front of me, it felt like there was no space between us.
His once neutral expression showed glimpses of change, ever so slightly. I feel my heartbeat skip a beat. His cologne smells of sandalwood, with a mixture of cigarettes and vanilla.
"You nicked yourself." He said.
"What."
He grabbed my wrist, holding up my hand, "You cut yourself. You're bleeding. You should be more careful."
He doesn't break eye contact with me. I take a breath, snapping myself out of whatever this was. I swiped my wrist out of his hand.
"I'm just fine. I didn't even feel it." I said, looking at the small cut on the side of my palm. It wasn't bleeding very much but it was visible.
"Fine." He responded.
I went to the back shelves to grab a bandage. But I was mostly wondering what just happened? Honestly I should just forget it. How could I ever, ever have a moment with Mattheo Riddle?