Witch Me?(Witch or Shadowhunter?Book 2)

A Potion Debate

  My mind whirls as I twist and turn with my blade. Tinea glows in the light coming from the approaching dawn. The wind rushes through the trees of the Forbidden Forest not far from me. I catch a glimpse of movement among the trees and freeze, both hoping and afraid that it's a werewolf. My keen senses help, but they aren't enough and I step closer to the forget. I know I shouldn't be outside the castle, much less thinking of entering the forest, but no one ever noticed my training in the hours before dawn, so why would they today. I hold Tinea steady, the sunlight glinting of the metal of her beautiful blade. Tightening my grip, I step into the trees, eyes scanning the surroundings. Upon entering instinct takes over as I whip around, slashing out with Tinea at the downworlder who had appeared behind me. The vampire jerks out of the way, hissing, as my blade draws blood at her neck. I snarl in reply, my own sound similar to that of a demon. The vampire stands stock still, eyes wide in shock and fear. Taking advantage, I rush towards her, right arm snatching around her throat and left holding Tinea across her chest. "Filthy downworlder, leave this school and its inhabitants alone. It is now under the protection of the Nephlim, my brothers and sisters ready to come at a moments notice. Tell all your friends, let them know there will be no more tormenting the mundanes at this school." With a final snarl, I toss the stunned vampire away, striding from the trees and returning to Gryffindor common room.

  "It said dried nettle Hermione," I repeat myself yet again, exasperated. "No, I'm sure it said semi-dried nettle," she replies, smirking slightly. "Fine, how about we actually check the book before Professor Snape deducts point for us not even being started yet?" I suggest, pulling my book from my bag as I speak. My potions partner sighs and leans over as I find the right page, taking my turn to smirk. Ms. Know-it-all scowls at me before grabbing the right ingredient and tossing them into the mortar. Rolling my eyes, I shut the book and grab three putter-fish eyes to join the nettles. She continues to scowl as I crush the ingredients, her eyes watching our cauldron nervously. I shove the mortar towards her and pull out my wand, saying as I do so, "add two measures to the cauldron, and try not to doubt me again. Once she's done, I move my wand, my lips shaping words but not sound coming out. The fire under the cauldron springs to life and I start the timer. Ms. Know-it-all stares at me, eyes wide."How'd you do that?" she whispers, her eyes flickering towards the fire. "Magic, duh, now if you'd wave your wand we can clean up and wait for an hour," I retort as the timer chimes 20 seconds.

  I watch the Malfoy kid and his partner across the room as Ms. Know-it-all and I wait for our potion to be ready for us to continue. She may hate having double potions, especially with the Slytherins, but I find it the perfect time to observe the mundanes. Grey eyes lock with mine and I don't look away, daring him to first. Ms. Know-it-all follows my gaze and gasps, clutching my arm. "Naila, you don't want to get into anything with Malfoy. He's untrustworthy and a bully," she tells me, but I don't look away. "What's his first name?" I ask curiously, shrugging her hand off my arm. "W....what? Why do you care? I'm telling you, he'll do nothing but hurt you, please don't do anything," she says, and I can tell she's upset. My voice hardens when I answer her, but my dark blue eyes never leave the stormy grey ones. "His name, Hermione. Trust me when I say he can't hurt me, you saw what I've done." I feel Ms. Know-it-all fold in on herself in defeat, "his name's Draco. He tortures younger kids, and older too, he despises muggleborns like us, thinks anyone one outside Slytherin is less than him, and is a player." While the male eyes show only hatred and anger, the female ones, mine, search deeper, seeing much more. "I understand your concern, but he won't gain anything from me if he tries. And besides, he's kinda cute," I snap back, adding silently, and I've never met a mundane like him. Perhaps he could Ascend, be given reason to despise all these people. Before my partner can respond, our timer goes off and we turn back to the potion.

I toss a bat spleen into the cauldron while Ms. Know-it-all reaches out with a stirrer, muttering, "four times clockwise, that's all." I snatch at the utensil, grabbing her wrist just in time. "Anti-clockwise," I snarl. "Its clockwise, Naila, let go of my wrist," she snaps, trying to jerk away. "No, I'm not letting go, let me stir it correctly, you can do the fire and wave your wand to finish it," I reply, prying her fingers from the handle. "Fine, mess up our work, I won't take the blame," Ms. Know-it-all says angrily, releasing her hold. I nod my head in agreement, "any and all blame will rest on my shoulders alone. But, so will any and all glory, as well." I flick my wrist and stir the potion four times in a counter-clockwise motion. Finished with my part, I step back and let Ms. Know-it-all lower the heat of the flame. 30 seconds later, I flick my wand and extinguish the fire while my partner waves her wand over the cauldron to complete the potion. I stopper a bottle of the solution and take it to Professor Snape, leaving Ms. Know-it-all to clean up. I set it on his desk and turn to go, but he holds up a finger for me to wait. "Nightcross, a little birdie told me you're the reason my robes were pink last year. If try anything like that again, I will have you expelled." The bell rings just as he finishes and I walk away, ignoring his threat. I pass the Malfoy kid on my way and pause for just a moment. "If you're ever in need of a good grade, in any class, I'm willing to put things aside and help you, Draco," I tell him softly before heading towards the library to do some homework.