Little White Lies | Book 4

Chapter 7: You'll Have To Choose

Apparently, Dumbledore had mentioned Snape being our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, meaning Slughorn was the new Potions Master. Harry and Ron weren't taking Potions this year, because they didn't get an 'Outstanding' on their O.W.Ls. How I managed that, I have no idea. Hopefully Slughorn wouldn't be gushing over me in front of the whole class.

Anyway, when I walked into Slughorn's classroom with Hermione, I caught Draco's eye. He gave me a soft smile, and once again, I only glared back. As I walked past, I bent down in front of him. "We'll talk about this later." After that, I sat down. "Miss Winters! I was simply overjoyed to hear you'd be in my class this year!" Professor Slughorn boomed, running over to shake my hand. I grinned nervously, and nodded a bit. Soon after that, class started.

At first, Slughorn just lectured us about what all we'd be learning, and all that stuff. As he talked, I flipped boredly through my textbook, Advanced Potion Making. Suddenly, Harry and Ron burst in. Both of them looked breathless. Of course, Slughorn was extremely happy to see Harry.

"Harry, m'boy, I was beginning to worry!" He bellowed happily. "Brought someone with us, I see." He looked at Ron, who smiled, and nodded. "Ron Weasley, sir," Hermione and I exchanged confused glances, as Slughorn gave them permission to use supplies from the cupboard, considering they didn't have any. Once the two of them had what they needed, class began.

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During the remaining hour we had of Potions, Slughorn had us brew the Draught of the Living Death potion. Whoever did it successfully, got a tiny phial of Liquid Luck. Apparently, only one other student has ever managed to do this before. Hermione and I stood side by side, chopping up ingredients, and adding them to our brew. I made sure to follow my instructions extremely carefully, yet I was still failing.

By the time the potion was supposed to be turning lilac, mine was green, and smelt horribly of perspiration. Hermione's was a dark purple, and seemed to be turning as hard as concrete. Ron's was brown, and reeked of vomit. Harry's brew, however, had already turned lilac, and was becoming as clear as water, as it was supposed to. "How are you doing that?" I hissed at him, pulling my hair into a loose ponytail. "He's copying another student's writing." Hermione told me, giving him a small glare. "Can I copy with you before I puke?"

It wasn't like me to cheat, but I hated failing in Potions. Harry moved beside me, while keeping one hand on his mixing spoon to stir his potion. He added a few things into my cauldron, and stirred it, until it turned purple. By that time, his draught was ready, and class was over. Moral of the story, he got the Liquid Luck, and probably ended up Slughorn's number one favorite, if he wasn't already. Of course, I was proud. I just hoped he wouldn't use it for something stupid.

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That night, Draco and I met in a deserted classroom. He leaned against the teacher's desk, while I shut the door, and turned to look at him. "You're mad at me?" He asked. "Oh, gee, why would I be mad at you? Shall we brainstorm some reasons?" I snapped a bit harshly. He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "It's Potter, isn't it?" I raised my eyebrows and nodded. "Yeah, it is. You can't just break people's noses, Draco, no matter how much you think they deserve it. Not to mention how cowardly it was of you to paralyze him before hitting him!" He sat down on the desk, looking down into his lap. "He could've heard something important, Riley. I was just trying to make sure that he wouldn't pull something like that again. If he would've ratted me out to Dumbledore, I'd be in so much trouble."

"Well next time, do better at talking about that stuff somewhere he won't try to listen. If Luna hadn't found him, he could've starved or something. Nobody would've been able to find him!" I waited for his reply, but he only looked up at me. Finally, he said, "Which one of us do you choose, anyway?"

At first, I was completely bewildered. I knew he'd ask me this, but I didn't expect him to this soon. "I really don't know, to be honest. I just need more time to think." I finally told him. "You'd better think quick, because I'm already getting sick of having to hide every time we're together. It's not right, Riley." I sighed, and looked down at the floor. "I know it isn't, and I don't like it either. I just wish that I didn't have to choose between the people I love the most." He got up, and approached the door. As soon as his hand touched the handle, he turned his head, and looked at me. "Well, you'll have to choose. Remember that," After that, he was gone.