Draco Malfoy's Burning Desire (WATTY AWARDS 2011)

Chapter 8: Weaselbe and and the Potty

(DRACO)

I wonder if Cat's first night/morning had been as bad as mine? First of all, Crabbe and Goyle made me spill pudding all over my bed, so I made Crabbe switch beds with me. Then, I couldn't get any sleep at all last night because Goyle snored like a pig! I must look terrible at the moment. I saw Catriona at breakfast, sitting next to Cedric Diggory laughing her head off, which made me feel so terrible I didn't even eat breakfast. Then I rushed to the washroom to fix my hair, considering the fact that I looked so terrible, and that my first class was Potions, with Snape. As it turned out, Harry Potter would be in Potions with me, along with all my other classes. I thought it was going to be terrible, but as it turned it out, it was the best class ever!

We were waiting for about a minute, and then Professor Snape walked in, his black robes billowing behind him.

"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class," he said inn his deep voice, "As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is Potion making. However, for those select few that possess the predisposition-" he looks at me-"I can teach you to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death. Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable you feel confident enough to not pay attention."

I, along with many other heads, turn to look at Potter, who's writing (notes, I expect), and a girl with terribly ratty, bushy brown hair nudges him. 

"Mister Potter, our new celebrity," enunciated Snape, "Tell me what would I get if I added powder root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

The girl next to Potter raised her hand like a jet, squirming to answer. Potter shook his head, making me smile. 

"You don't know?" said Snape, "Well lets try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a Bezoar?"

Again, the girl next to Potter raised her hand quickly.

"I don't know, Sir," whispered Potter. I turned to Professor Snape, waiting for a reply.

"And what is the difference between Munkshood and Wolfsbane?" asked Professor. This is the best class ever!

"I don't know sir," replied Potter, looking to the girl next to him, who still had her hand raised. Pathetic. 

"Pity," said Professor, "Clearly, fame isn't everything."

I couldn't help but turn around to look at Potter and smirk. The rest of the class, we focused on answering the questions Potter couldn't answer. Then, we had a free period in the Great Hall, but I didn't see the Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws anywhere. A Gryffindor, Seamus Finnigan I think, kept repeating something that sounded like "Eye of rabbit, hemfring home. Turn this water into rum."

After so many attempts, it exploded. Slytherin table burst into laughter and most of the Gryffindor table, while Potter, Weasley and the other girl helped him clean up. Then mail arrived. Mother sent me lots of candy, an owl dropped the latest Daily Prophet. Best save the candy for later. As for the Daily Prophet...all that's new is some break-in to Gringotts. Meh. Next we have Flying Lessons. Oh good.

"Good afternoon class," said Madam Hooch as she walked in between our brooms.

"Good afternoon Madam Hooch." replied the class, except for Crabbe, Goyle and I.

"Welcome to your first Flying lesson," she said, now standing at the edge of two brooms, "Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone step up to the left side of their broomstick. Come on now, hurry up. Stick your right hand over the broom, and say 'Up!' "