Unexpected (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 5

5.

3 YEARS LATER

It had been 3 years since that day I was sorted into Hufflepuff house, and I was back at Hogwarts and in my fourth year. Jade had become one of my best friends, as we had every class together. Although we were in different houses, Ron and I had stayed very close, which I was extremely glad about. His best friends were Harry and surprisingly, Hermione, so I saw them a lot too and we had all become quite close. However, the person who I was closest to out of all my friends was Cedric. Since that first time Cedric had told me to confide in him if I was ever in need of it, he had always been there for me. Whether it was to help with tricky homework, or for someone to talk to when I was upset. He had become like a brother to me, and we spent time together nearly every day.

Today, however, was my first potions lesson of the year with Professor Snape. Snape was one of the few teachers at Hogwarts I had a dislike for. Although he did teach the subject well, lessons were always so serious, and to be quite honest he was rather intimidating.

The lesson played out like every other potions lesson I’d had. I resumed my seat between Ron and Jade and we set to work on learning about antidotes to poisons. Although the lessons were not strictly enjoyable, I did enjoy potions as a subject – I found it extremely interesting. I just wished we had a different teacher. When the lesson was nearly over, Snape announced what our homework would be.

“This year, I’m going to set you something different as your homework” he drawled. “You will each pair up and you will have two weeks to collect the ingredients to make an antidote to common potions. Because I doubt many of you would be able to complete this task alone, you will be working in pairs. You will then work with this partner for the rest of the year in any paired exercises I give you.”

There was a commotion in the classroom as everyone turned to their friends, asking whether they would be their partner.

“However” Snape added, causing the class to fall silent again. “Professor McGonagall believes that there is not enough mixing between the different houses and nobody makes new friends once they have passed their first year. Because of this, you will each have to work with someone from a different house to yourself. And to avoid dispute this partners will be picked by fate.”

Everyone looked thoroughly disappointed. What if we had to work with someone we hated for the whole year? It would be so perfect if I could just get to work with Ron. He was in a different house, and it would mean we’d get to spend so much more time together. But I doubted fate would be that kind.

Professor Snape proceeded to cast his wand over an empty cauldron that had been sitting on his desk.

“In this cauldron is each of your names. When I cast the spell over it, a name will appear on the piece of parchment in front of you. That person will be your partner. And don’t worry, I will ensure none of you get partners who are in the same house as yourself. And there will be no switching of names, I shall know if you do.”

Screw you magic.

Snape raised his wand over the cauldron and said an incantation that I couldn’t catch. Mumbles echoed around the room as people found out their partners for the year. I didn’t want to look down, afraid it would be someone I didn’t know, or didn’t like. In the end I just gritted my teeth and looked.

Draco Malfoy

“Crap” I mumbled. I turned around to see Draco looking at me. I glared at him before turning back to the front of the class.

It was no secret that I did not like Draco Malfoy. Since that first day of Hogwarts when he had insulted Ron, he had done nothing but mock Ron and his friends. He’d even called Hermione a mudblood in our second year which shot him straight to the top of my most disliked people list. And now I had to work with the boy for a whole year. I couldn’t even bear thinking about it.

“Who did you get?” Jade’s voice broke me out of my thoughts.

“Uh that pig Malfoy” I grumbled. She offered me a sympathetic look. “You?”

She looked sheepish. “Um…Ron”

I groaned. “You’re so lucky. Why can I never be as lucky as you?”

“What do you mean you’re not lucky, Leah? You’re best friends with one of the hottest guys at school!”

“Wha-? Oh”. Cedric. Yes Cedric was my best friend, and yes I suppose he was good looking, but I had never seen him that way. He’d always just been like the brother I never had. “That doesn’t count” I replied, a smirk forming on my lips.

“Well I’d love to be as close to him as you are, so count yourself lucky!” Jade added while playfully nudging me. We both laughed. At least I had a best friend who could always cheer me up if Draco was being an arse.

When the bell rang to signify the end of the lesson, and the end of the school day, everyone packed up their things and left the dungeon. Everyone except Draco Malfoy, who hung back by the door. I attempted to ignore him, and just walk straight past him, but he put his arm out to stop me getting any further. I turned to him, my face holding no hint of amusement.

“Hi partner” he smirked.

I groaned and brushed past his arm and out of the dungeon. He caught up with me and continued to walk alongside me.

“So when are we going to start hunting for these ingredients?” He was still grinning. He could tell I was hating every second of this.

“I don’t care, as long as we get it done quickly” I answered, not bothering to hide my dissatisfaction with our current situation.

“Right then. I’ll see you Saturday at 3 in the courtyard” he stated.

I sighed before giving him one last glare and heading off to the common room. When I turned back, he still had the stupid grin plastered on his face.