ᏕᎮᏗᏒᏦᏕ

𝖴𝗇𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖠𝗅𝗅𝗂𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗌

Rhea woke the next morning with the unsettling memory of Draco's words from the night before. As she dressed in her Slytherin robes, she couldn't help but wonder why Draco had even bothered talking to her. His condescending attitude still grated on her nerves, but his final comment about potential had stirred something within her. Was it possible that beneath his arrogance, there was a genuine curiosity? Or was he simply enjoying the chance to make her feel small?

These thoughts buzzed in her mind as she walked through the bustling hallways toward Potions class. Professor Snape's lessons were notoriously challenging, and Rhea knew she couldn't afford to fall behind. She arrived at the classroom early, hoping to snag a seat near the front where she could focus better.

As she slid into a seat, she noticed the door opening. To her surprise, Draco Malfoy strode in, followed closely by Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini. Draco's eyes flicked to Rhea briefly before he smirked and sat down at his usual spot with his friends.

She stiffened. If he was planning to mock her again during class, she wasn't sure she could hold her temper.

Professor Snape swept into the room, his robes billowing behind him, and the class immediately fell silent. He began explaining the day's potion—a complex Draught of Living Death, which required precision and focus. Rhea listened intently, scribbling notes as Snape detailed the ingredients and brewing instructions.

"Pair up," Snape ordered, his cold eyes scanning the room.

Rhea felt her stomach clench. She hated working in pairs. It always made her feel more exposed, especially in a subject she struggled with. She looked around the room, hoping to pair with someone who wouldn't mind her inexperience.

But before she could move, a familiar voice spoke up behind her.

"Selwyn," Draco drawled, sliding into the seat next to her. "We're partners."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Of all the people to end up with—Draco Malfoy? She opened her mouth to protest, but the look in Draco's eyes stopped her. He wasn't smirking this time. In fact, his expression was unreadable.

"What, are you too good for my help?" Draco added, his tone smooth but laced with a challenge.

Rhea bit back her initial retort. She needed to pass this class, and if Draco was offering his help—whether genuinely or for his own amusement—she might as well take advantage of it. With a resigned nod, she turned back to the cauldron.

"Fine," she muttered. "But don't expect me to do all the work."

Draco smirked, clearly amused by her reluctance. "Wouldn't dream of it."

They worked in tense silence for the first few minutes, each of them gathering ingredients and preparing the potion according to Snape's instructions. To her surprise, Draco was meticulous, his wand movements precise and controlled. As they worked, Rhea found herself grudgingly impressed. Whatever else Draco might be, he was undeniably skilled in Potions.

But her own hands were shaky, and when it came time to add the powdered root of asphodel, she hesitated, unsure of the exact measurement. Draco noticed immediately.

"You're doing it wrong," he said, his voice low but firm. Without waiting for her permission, he reached over and adjusted the amount in her hand. "Too much of this, and you'll ruin the potion."

Rhea bristled, but she couldn't deny that he was right. She followed his lead, and together they added the rest of the ingredients in perfect order. The potion in their cauldron began to turn a soft, pale blue—the correct color for this stage of the brew.

"There," Draco said, his voice quiet, but with a hint of satisfaction. "Now we wait."

Rhea exhaled, realizing that she had been holding her breath. She glanced at Draco out of the corner of her eye, unsure of what to make of him. He hadn't mocked her once during the lesson, and instead of sabotaging the potion, he had actually helped her. It was unsettling to see this side of him, a side that didn't align with the Draco Malfoy she had always imagined.

As they cleaned up their workstation, Draco spoke again, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

"You're not as bad at this as you think," he said, his tone oddly thoughtful.

Rhea blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. "Thanks," she replied cautiously. "I guess."

Draco glanced at her, his grey eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to figure her out. "You're not like the other Slytherins."

She wasn't sure how to respond to that. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Not necessarily," Draco said, his voice light but with an edge. "But it means you'll need to be careful. Slytherin can be... difficult."

Rhea frowned. Was that a warning? She wasn't sure what Draco was getting at, but before she could press him further, Professor Snape dismissed the class. Draco gathered his books and left the room without another word, leaving Rhea standing there, more confused than ever.

That evening, Rhea found herself back in the Slytherin common room, replaying the day's events in her mind. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting long shadows across the room. She had come here to study, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Draco. Why had he chosen to work with her? And what did he mean by "be careful"?

As she sat there, Daphne Greengrass approached, sitting down beside her with a curious look on her face.

"Heard you paired with Malfoy in Potions," Daphne said, her tone teasing. "Brave of you."

Rhea shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "He's not as bad as everyone says."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Most people would disagree."

Rhea sighed, unsure how to explain. "I don't know. He's arrogant, sure, but today... he wasn't what I expected."

Daphne studied her for a moment before nodding slowly. "Draco's complicated. He can be ruthless, especially if it benefits him. But there's more to him than what people see."

Rhea stared into the fire, Daphne's words only adding to her confusion. "I don't get him."

"You don't have to," Daphne said with a slight smile. "Just watch your back. Slytherin's not all about loyalty. Everyone's out for themselves in some way."

Rhea nodded, her thoughts swirling. She had known that being in Slytherin would come with challenges, but she hadn't expected to find herself tangled in the complexities of house politics so quickly. And she certainly hadn't expected Draco Malfoy to be at the center of it.

As the night wore on, Rhea tried to focus on her studies, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Draco. There was something about him—something that intrigued her, even if she didn't want to admit it. He was cold, calculating, and undeniably dangerous. But there was also something deeper beneath the surface, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

And whether she liked it or not, Rhea knew she was drawn to it.