Meet Me At Our Spot

Chapter Four

Potions. Malfoy practically body pressed me in the library and told me he was inserting himself into my life on purpose yesterday. Now, I have to sit through potions and our detention with him. Was he trying to mess with me?

I told him how I felt about that day on the train, and he wanted to trick me into thinking it meant the same to him as it did to me. He wanted me to think that so he could hurt me when he abandoned me again.

I walked into class on time today, determined not to earn myself any more alone time with Malfoy than I already had. He was already in his seat, but didn't look at me as I approached. Even as I was taking my seat and pulling out my notes, not as much as a side eye.

The worst part was the awkwardness that only seemed to be lingering in me. Luckily, there was no experiment today, only lecture, so I had officially made it through my first Draco run-in.

But detention? I didn't know how I was going to get through that. At the end of the day I walked back into the classroom and Draco was already at a desk.

"Ah Ms. Potter, good job showing up on time lately." Slughorn really loves to make remarks about my punctuality. "Today you two will be cleaning all of the equipment, every empty bottle and cauldron. I want to see my reflection in them." Then he left.

"You clean the bottles and I'll clean the cauldrons. Let's just get this over with I have a game tomorrow." He said angry, as if any of this was my fault. He literally admitted to getting us detention.

"Whatever." I responded dryly.

We cleaned in silence, the clanks of the glass the only noise in the room. It wasn't my job to start up conversation. I never wanted to be near him in the first place, he was the one who started all of this. If he wants to talk he can open his damn mouth and do it.

"You know I didn't get us detention together just so we could sit here and not speak to each other." He blurted out after ten minutes of silence.

"Fine then let's talk. What the hell was that yesterday?" I asked as I set down my cleaning supplies.

"I was hoping we could start with something lighter." He whispered looking away.

"No, you dropped a bomb on me, stand on it." I said walking up to him. "Why did you do all of that?" The answer couldn't possibly be what I was thinking.

"I just meant what I said that's all. I guess I sort of enjoy your company." He shrugged.

"You did all that instead of just..talking to me, like a normal person." I gaped.

"Shut up Potter. It's not that easy for me." He said sounding snappy, but also vulnerable.

"And the body pressing?" I asked, shamefully feeling slightly hopeful.

"That was just me messing with you," he smirked looking up at me, "You should've seen how flush you were."

"Oh you wish, that was just my body trying to hold down all the bile." I rolled my eyes. "Well if you enjoy my company so much, what are you doing later? Perhaps we could study together."

He paused to think for a moment. "I can't. I have a late quidditch practice, gotta beat your brother."

"Whatever, hurt him and I'll hurt you." I threatened, but he just smiled to himself. Then Slughorn came back to dismiss us, and I just gave him a wave as I left, unsure about how public this truce should be.

~

"I can't believe it's been weeks since we've been to school and no one's thrown a party." I complained on our couch with my feet propped up on the table.