Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
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Emerson and Mattheo hadn't actually worked together in Potions since the last class where they learnt themselves a detention. Emerson presumed, or hoped even, that Snape finally came to the conclusion that it was a terrible idea to pair off Ravenclaws and Slytherins together in an attempt for them to get along and work together. It was not a viable way of learning to force studious students to work well with the rebellious ones, who cared somewhat less about their grades. It only fostered one-sided input in most cases, or tedious disruptions where Emerson and Mattheo were concerned.
The following Potions class after the Hogsmeade weekend proved her wrong, however. It was a typical day in Snape's classroom, the air thick with the scent of potions and brewing ingredients. They were each brewing their own Wolfsbane potions, to be eventually donated to those suffering from Lycanthropy at St Mungo's Hospital once they were marked and graded. It was an important and gratuitous task for the Fifth-Years, to assist Werewolf patients during the full moon. Emerson was determined, as she always was, to get an Outstanding grade so she was fully devoted to following each step with precision.
Mattheo was in his usual smug and sarcastic mood as he sat next to Emerson in his designated spot, being his annoying self to get under Emerson's skin. He made it his true mission to disrupt her focus, with his secondary goal of completing the potion. His priorities were always misaligned. She kept noticing his stare on her every few minutes, filled with a mixture of resentment and determination.
In the last ten minutes of the lesson, Emerson was still focussed on her cauldron, stirring it counter-clockwise as her textbook indicated. She couldn't help but glance at Mattheo's cauldron. Somehow, his potion was the first in the whole class to be perfectly complete. It was the exact shade of apple green that the book described at the final step. Now that he was done, his attention was now fully on her, but she didn't dare meet his eye to give him the opportunity to speak. He didn't need it though, an invitation was never necessary for Mattheo to start talking to and bothering her. "No pranks this week with Weasel One and Two, Wilmore? Scared of getting caught and getting that perfectly golden record tarnished with another detention again?"
It took him most of the class to actually speak with her. Perhaps the whole prank and her persistent denial really did bother him, Emerson thought to herself. When she didn't answer him, he leant towards her, his chin hovering over her shoulder. His proximity made the brewing task at hand more difficult than necessary, because the physical closeness of his face was disturbing her concentration. His movements were intentional and deliberate, antagonising her with calculated poise. "Or, are you using your potion-making skills to concoct another brilliant prank under your desk?" He tried to lean forwards even more, acting as if he was taking a glimpse at her lap.
She didn't let him get that far though. Using her free hand, Emerson shoved his shoulder forcefully away from hers. She could feel his breath brushing against her face, and she didn't like the tingle it left against her skin. "Feisty thing you are, darling," He grinned, purposefully kicking her foot under the desk.
