𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮 || 𝐃.𝐌

𝐕𝐈𝐈

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—Y/n's POV—

Running late to class was the worst thing that could possibly happen to me during 5th week in Hogwarts. Never have I imagined myself running through the corridors as I rushed, almost losing my breath, to my first class this morning. Potions. It was taught by Professor Slughorn. In fact, never in my life have I been late to class. This was the first time. I wasn't able to wake up earlier after I shut off my alarm clock because I was still sleepy and had stayed up late to read.

I knocked on the door and slowly came in. Professor Slughorn was just near the door, his face facing the man in front of me. From the moment I recognized his tall figure and platinum blond hair, I knew who this man was.

"Ah, Miss Riviere." Professor Slughorn averted his eyes from him. "It seems to be that you are late too, same as with Mr Malfoy."

Malfoy only looked over his shoulder. His eyes were still the same, cold as it always was, and he looked rather not too pleased to see me, and so did I. But somehow, I find his eyes quite...alluring.

"Though since the two of you are late in my class, I guess I'll have to pair the two of you up for today's task." Professor looked at both of us. Draco still stood there, holding the strap of his bag, and I heard him scoff as he shook his head.

"But, Professor, I do not think it is best to—"

"I must apologize, Miss Riviere, but he is the only partner you have as of now since all students have already found their partners." Said Professor with a smile.

Hermione was looking in my direction, feeling sorry for what state I had entered.

"Now that everything is settled, I must ask you to proceed to your table and start working for the Draught of Peace. I expect the two of you to work together very well."

"Yes, professor," Draco replied before I could even speak about wanting to switch partners.

"Very well then."

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It wasn't going well as Draco had agreed to what Professor Slughorn expected us to be. There were constant disagreements and angry whispers around us even just when we were passing an ingredient to each other. We have kept our voices low to not catch Professor Slughorn's attention.

"That is clearly wrong!" I whispered. Frustration was clinging to my voice. "You have to put more powdered moonstone in order for it to turn grey."

"We have already put too much of it." He hissed as he mixed the potion.

"Why won't you listen?" I grumbled. "Just give me the spoon and I'll handle it from here."

Before I could even reach the spoon from his hand, he immediately took it out of the cauldron and the remaining potion on the spoon dripped on the back of my hand, feeling its hot liquid running down my skin.

"Oww!" I hissed, immediately pulling my hand away and wiping the potion off my hand.

It caught Professor Slughorn's attention, and even the students had stopped with their potions as their eyes laid upon us, curious about what had happened at our table. Hermione looked at me, concern was evident in her eyes as Professor Slughorn made his way to us.

"Professor, she—"

"Your arguments are already enough for me to know your situation, Mr Malfoy and Miss Riviere." Professor furrowed his brows. "I'm sorry to tell you this but 10 points must be taken into your houses for your behaviours."

"But, Professor, it was he who won't cooperate nicely," I told, hiding my own anger towards the blond man, who I heard scoff behind me.

"We'll discuss it later after the class, Miss Riviere." A look of disappointment was plastered on his face. "From now on, I must let you finish the Draught of Peace as we are already wasting time."

This was already a nightmare that I knew I wouldn't wake up. A nightmare that I didn't want to happen. I never had any points taken from my house because of what I did even when I was still in Beauxbatons. If only I had switched partners with someone else, this wouldn't have happened. Anxious I was indeed, thinking about the things that may happen if my parents heard of this. Of course, I wouldn't write to them about this but what if the Professors did or just talked about it and it reached my parents?

I stood there, frozen, and still processing the things that shouldn't have happened.

"Stop standing there, Riviere." His husky voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and then I turned around and found him mixing the potion in the cauldron. "Afraid, aren't you?"

"You must have enjoyed to see me that way." I scoffed, took a few steps forward and stole the spoon from him. "But you're wrong, I'm not afraid, you dimwit."

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Malfoy and I were left in the room after the class ended as told by Professor Slughorn. Chattering voices of the students were heard outside the room and there were somehow hundreds of shoes clicking on the stoned pathway of the corridor. I was seated at the table next to ours, distancing myself from him.

There was awkwardness in our silence but bitterness was swirling around the atmosphere of the room. I could not stand a minute being in the same room as him. It always seemed to get me on my nerves. It was somehow like there was something going on within me that I could not understand and couldn't find an answer to why these feelings always had to be there when I was with this man. It wasn't love or anything. But I hated to feel so naïve about my own feelings.

"Miss Riviere, Mr Malfoy," We got up from our seats as soon as Professor Slughorn came out of his office. "Thank you very much for waiting, but I must dare say that I have observed the both of you not getting along in this class for a very long time. I do hope that the two of you do not do this in your other classes."

We do still share the same hatred in our other classes but the Professors just failed to see it. Professor Slughorn was quite an observer.

"And you do not need to worry as I know you do not want this situation to reach your parents." He added, which gave me a sigh of relief. "However..." He cleared his throat and I was already curious as to what he was going to tell us. "As punishment, the two of you will remain as partners until the two of you get along."

This left us frozen and wide-eyed.

"Pardon, sir?" I flickered my eyes.

"The two of you will remain partners until the two of you get along, and even in our lecture hours, the both of you will be seated at the same table." He smiled. "I believe detention will not work and will not bring peace for the both of you, but surely this will. Perhaps, a slow step can bring friendship, don't you agree?"

No.

"Yes, Professor." I tried to make a sweet smile on my lips.

"Very well then. I hope the two of you can work together without any nuisance."