Optionless with Draco Malfoy

17. The Slug Club Christmas Party

Juliette

I waited in the common room for a few minutes, waiting for Blaise. When he had come out, we greeted each other, then left for Slughorn's party.

"You don't look too bad Trails," Blaise commented as we walked out of the common room.

"Thanks, Zabini, you don't seem too bad yourself," Blaise wore a black suit matched with black sleek shoes. If I didn't know him, I would have said that he seems intimidating, but really, he isn't as scary as he seems. I was never really that close with him until this year, when I learnt that he was a geek and loves a good book. We've gotten along really well this year and he helps me with studying. I honestly thought he'd get along fine with Hermione, if there wasn't that tension between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

"So why'd you get invited to this party? I mean everyone has a reason as to why they were invited. Potter and Granger are good at potions as much as I hate to admit it. The Carrow sisters are intriguing to Slughorn, and you?" said Blaise.

"I don't know, I guess I'm just skilled at Potions. You?"

"He speaks highly of my aunt since she was a student here."

We walked into Slughorn's office, which was where the party was. It was large compared to the other professors' office space. "Welcome Ms. Trails and Mr. Zabini! Glad you were able to make it, help yourselves with anything!"

"Thanks, Professor," I smiled at him warmly, looking around his office. He seemed to have many valuable items, some looked ancient. He moved along and began a conversation with Cormac McLaggen, something about his uncle.

"It seems to be a small world, everyone knows everyone somehow. He has so many connections with a lot of our relatives," I thought of something, then changed the conversation, "So what's going on between you and Millicent?" I smiled and watched as his cheeks began to turn a shade of pink.

"Nothing. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle are just up all about it, that's all."

"Interesting. And you're sure about that?"

He rolled his eyes at me, "Yes, Trails."

"Anyway, she's hell when she's with Pansy. Those two are definitely something when they're together," I added.

"Trust me, I know. I used to see it all the time, and I still do, but less. Normally happens during potions."

"Odd... good thing I sit ahead of them instead of behind. I don't like to talk to them during Potions because it's so hard to focus with both of them there," I said.

It's true, one time I turned around, and their potion was brown, and smelt like toads. A few seconds later, it blew straight up in the classroom, and there's been a mark on the ceiling since. Snape looked like he was going to explode, but he managed to contain his anger. The two gained themselves one detention which wasn't even that bad.

"So, you've been busy with Malfoy, huh?" Blaise took a sip from his drink and smirked at me.

"Busy with Malfoy? We work well together, that's all," as much as I hated to admit it, we did make a good team. He actually did half of the work, he was helpful, and often gave me tips on how to fix a potion when I messed it up.

"That's all you're going to give me? I've seen you both walk into the common room together, late at night. Tell me something's not up about that," The truth was, we were working on the task, which Voldemort assigned us, but I couldn't tell Blaise that.

"Well we both want and need to do well on our N.E.W.T.S," I said simply.

"He cares for you a lot, you know. Even when he was on and off with Pansy last year, he didn't seem to care for her as much as he does for you now."