He who must not be Loved. [d.m]

6-3

"You're going to cut yourself."

I sat beside Pansy on our Slytherin table as she rambled on about her summer. Don't get me wrong, I am interested. But it's just weird to see such a sudden change in Draco.
"Good evening, children." Dumbledore spoke, looking at all of us. "First of all, we have a new staff member this year." I sighed, there's a new staff every year. "Horace Slughorn."

The crowd began to clap for the new professor. "He will be continuing his old post as a Potions Master, meaning your DADA Teacher is Professor Snape." Dumbledore said. Snape must be elated to finally be given his dream job after god knows how long. I stopped listening, my gaze back on Draco.

He had his head on his hand, seemed to be in deep thought. Perhaps I should talk to him again later. I didn't even realise when the crowd began dispersing. I gave Draco one last glance as he snapped out of his trance.

Pansy intertwined her arm with mine as we walked to our dorms.

🎸

"Which class do you have now?" Pansy asked. "Potions. With slughorn." I sighed. "Oh, how perfect. Draco has potions too." She laughed. I rolled my eyes. "Did you visit him over the summers by any chance?" I asked. She shook her head. "I know Daphne did. Her family spends half their time over there." She said. I nodded my head in understanding. "Okay, I'll see you later." I said, turning around to walk towards potions.

"Ah." I heard the Professor hum as I walked in alongside Ron and Harry. "Get your books out, come on." He said, Ron and Harry ran to get theirs. "I'm afraid there's only two there— Ms. Potter, you wouldn't mind sharing with Malfoy, would you?" Slughorn asked. "No, sir." I answered, walking towards Draco who had an emotionless expression on.

"Hi." I muttered. He looked up, acknowledging me before turning his gaze back down to the book in his hand. I sighed silently. "Can anyone tell me what these potions are?" Slughorn asked. I, had no idea.

Slughorn opened the lids of all the potions as a familiar scent flowed out. It smelled of a strong, rich perfume. A little mint and.. apples?

DRACO MALFOY POV:
I heard Y/n mutter a 'hi' to me. I wanted to respond, I wanted to talk to her like I usually do but I couldn't bring myself to do anything after summers.
Just as I was lost in thought, I was able to smell her— everywhere, actually. Old books, new make up, parchment paper.. that was her scent. I'd memorised it at this point.
Amortenia, that's what it was.

Y/N POV:
"That ones amortenia. It smells different to each person based on what they find attractive. For example, I smell freshly mown grass, toothpaste.. and parchment." Hermione muttered.
I felt a tint of blush hit my cheeks as I realised what I was smelling was Draco's scent. I look up at him, wondering if he smelled me too.

"This, is Felix Felicis— more commonly known as Liquid Luck. I will be handing this potion out to whoever can make me the accurate potion; Draught of Living Dead." Slughorn said as the class immediately got to work.

I pulled out my cauldron from the cabinet as so did Draco. I turned to flip the pages, accidentally touching Draco's hand. I paused for a moment before Draco pulled the book away.
I folded my arms, waiting for him to finish.

I began chopping the ingredients, my gaze still on the book. I felt Draco's eyes on me. "You're going to cut yourself." He said simply. I rolled my eyes, ignoring the boy as I continued at a faster pace.
Draco scoffed, pouring his ingredients into his cauldron. Suddenly, one of the ingredients from a nearby table came flying at the hand, causing me to to slit my finger. I winced in pain, holding the wound to stop the blood. Draco turned to look at me with a unfazed expression.

He sighed, pulling out a napkin and snatching my hand. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Quiet." He said, wrapping the napkin around my slit as it slowly became red. "Keep it there." He said, going back to working on his potion as I did too. "Thank you." I muttered. No response. Of course.

I struggled on making the potion, internalising screaming at the stupid ingredient which kept flying away. "Fucks sake." I heard Draco muttered. I turned to look at him— his sleeves were rolled up, hair messy. To be honest, that was the state of every student here. Other than Harry. Somehow.

I think at some point I began tearing up. At least my potion did explode like Finnigan's.

"Merlin's beard, it is perfect!" Slughorn exclaimed, looking at Harry's perfectly working potion. I could just hear the scowl on Draco's face. I sighed, my arms folded as Slughorn gave Harry the potion. Despite my jealousy, I clapped for him.