𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 || 𝘛𝘰𝘮 𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (ʀᴇᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ)

| 6 |

Potions class dragged on slowly, with Professor Slughorn lecturing the class about the potions they'd be brewing next class. Today was mostly about theory.

She stifled a yawn, letting her eyes lazily wander around the room in an attempt to find something entertaining to amuse her tired state. It wasn't as if the class was boring, the class just lacked a bit of action, and the smell of potions frizzling at the back of the class was clouding her thoughts, disabling her from thinking straight.

Caelum looked bored as well, twirling with his quill then drawing little smiley faces on the corners of his notebook. She smiled at the childish action, but the smile was quickly dropped upon hearing her name fall from the professor's lips.

"Miss Rivers?" Professor Slughorn began, earning her full attention immediately.

"Yes, professor?" She replied, slightly furrowing her brows at the older man.

Usually, he never singled out a student for not paying attention, and she certainly hoped she wasn't the first to do so.

"What ingredient would you find in all types of love potions?"

She racked her brain to find the answers, coming across a memory of her flipping through the Advanced Potion Making book before slowly answering her professor.

"Pearl Dust, professor?"

As Professor Slughorn gave her a beaming smile, she knew she had answered correctly. She then listened as he began to tell the class of the potion they were going to attempt to make and learn next—Amortentia.

Amortentia was the strongest love potion to ever be brewed, resulting in infatuation and obsession to the drinker. It was without doubt extremely dangerous.

Since she was sitting in the back, Nyx was able to see the people upfront. And though she wouldn't really care for how they acted, she noticed the way Tom Riddle's shoulders tensed before quickly relaxing back. It was a small detail that could be overseen easily, but she thought it rather strange for him out of all people to be sensitive to the topic of love.

For how long she sat there in confusion, she didn't know. For the next thing she knew, the bell rang and class was dismissed.

Nyx and Caelum began to pack their bags and move on to their next class when a certain platinum-haired boy made his way towards them, stopping shortly in front of the duo.

At first, she wanted to ignore his presence and planned to push past him without sharing an exchange of words. However, her plan was ruined for she felt a sharp jab on her side, causing her to let out a yelp in surprise, glaring daggers at her best friend who had just jabbed her with his elbow.

"Your friend is here," he teased, ignoring her harsh look and instead, rushing off to their next class, leaving her alone with Malfoy.

He left too quickly for her to shoot an insult at him. Instead, she was now standing awkwardly with Malfoy looking at her intently.

Wanting to avoid conversation, she turned back to pack her bag, but the silence was broken all too soon by her companion.

"Want me to walk you to class?" He asked, but before she could answer, he plucked her bag from out of her hands and began leading her away, his grip on her wrist firm but not tight enough to cause her discomfort.

Soon, they were walking side by side in silence towards their shared History class taught by Professor Binns, earning a few funny glances from other students who passed by the two, whispering incoherent words amongst themselves at the odd sight. She tried to block out their voices, but all in vain, causing her brows to furrow even further, earning a laugh from her companion. Apparently, Malfoy was secretly watching her without her knowledge.

Finally, they reached the History classroom, with Malfoy acting as a gentleman by holding the door for her, she quickly made her way in and was about to rejoin Caelum but was once again, stopped by Malfoy.

"Come sit with me," he said, not giving her much of an option before dragging her to the second row of seats, positioned directly behind Tom Riddle.

"I don't think—" she began, but was cut off by Malfoy. "You're my friend, and friends sit together—right?" She narrowed her eyes at the boy. "Since when were we friends?" She inquired, lifting a brow to emphasize her confusion. He ignored her, taking to pull out his books and notes instead, all the while she stared at him in disbelief.

Class then started once Professor Binns appeared in front of the classroom, and luckily, Malfoy gave up on bothering her, opting to chat with his other fellow friends, but hours dragged on slowly from how boring the lecture was. Malfoy's and his friends' voices were drowned out as she began to zone out when her gaze suddenly landed on Riddle's form. She noticed Riddle's hand constantly moving to note down Binn's words, his face following the professor's movements whilst his hand effortlessly moved over the parchment.

Just then, Riddle stopped writing and ever so slowly, he began to turn around and face her, discarding his notes entirely. She pretended as if she was merely listening to the professor intently, ignoring the piercing gaze belonging to the Slytherin Prefect.

"You know it's rather rude to stare," he abruptly said, mentioning her staring earlier. As he had now addressed her, she had no choice but to meet his eyes, almost rolling them from the smug look written over his face. "I could say the same for you," she retorted, referring to how he was doing so mere seconds ago.

He ignored her comment, turning his head back to face the board and the professor who continued to teach about the past wars.

She scoffed at his rudeness before letting her eyes drift back to the board, droning out as the professor continued teaching.

After what felt like eternity, the bell rang and everyone began packing their bags to head for their next lesson, but before she could do so, Malfoy turned to her, stopping her from shoving stuff down her bag.

"I've got quidditch practice coming up soon next week Monday," he started, watching as her brows stitched together in confusion by his bluntness before continuing. "It'll be nice if you come to watch," he finished, noticing how she seemed rather conflicted with the idea, but in the end, she managed to say, "I'll try," she answered shortly, earning a beaming smile in return before he walked off with his other friends.

"What was that about?" She turned her head in the direction of the voice, immediately rolling her eyes at the mischievous grin plastered on Caelum's face. "Did Malfoy just invited dear Nyx to his quidditch practices?" He teased, swinging an arm over her shoulder while they walked out of the classroom.

"Not a word."