d o v e

f i v e

The most interesting class on Alexandra's time table this year was Advanced Potions. After somehow receiving an outstanding on her O.W.L, Alexandra was now stuck sitting through Slughorn's lectures four periods a week. At least she had Hermione to keep her company. Draco was in the class, but she knew she had no luck talking to him with Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy around.

"Miss River," Slughorn called, getting Alexandra's attention. She hadn't even noticed Harry and Ron join the class. "Can you tell the class about this potion here?"

Alexandra walked up to the table, looking at the cauldron in front of her. She glanced at Slughorn with a slight glare, knowing he asked her for specific reasons.

"It's Amortentia, Professor. The most powerful love potion in the world," she explained. "It has a distinct smell to each person that comes across it. The smell is supposed to remind each person of what they find most attractive."

"And what do you smell?" He asked. "For example."

"I'd rather not say," she answered nervously, smelling something very distinct that she knew would give her away.

"Go on, there's no shame in this classroom," he encouraged. Alexandra began to fall into a trace as the scent encased her. She moved closer to the cauldron, wanting more.

"I smell fresh parchment. Green apple," she started, not recognizing those two scents as much as the last one. She tried to lie about the last scent, but she couldn't think of anything else no matter how much she tried. "And strawberry bath soap."

"Ah, yes, nothing is more attractive than a witch or wizard with good hygiene, yes?" The professor asked jokingly, sending Alex back to her spot. Hermione had a hunch, looking over at Draco who seemed to be hiding something in his pocket. He looked at Alexandra who looked at the ground.

"What do you smell?" Pansy asked Draco curiously. He glared at her.

"Nothing," he lied. He looked at the cauldron, smelling roses, clean linen, and the very distinct smell of strawberry bath soap.

The two girls made their way to empty cauldrons at a table shared with Harry and Ron. Alexandra began her potion, but she couldn't help but feel like she was being stared at.

"Wait, how is he doing that? Harry, how are you doing that?" Hermione panicked, suddenly noticing how much she was struggling compared to her friend. Alex and Ron, on the other hand, had given up on their potion ages ago. Ron laughed with Alexandra as they watched their friends compete to see who would make the best potion: the one who followed the instructions word for word, or the one who seemed to be doing his own thing.

"I wonder what it's like to be smart."

"You are smart, Ron," Alexandra smiled, patting his shoulder. "Otherwise you wouldn't be in this class."

"I suppose you've got a point," he sighed. Suddenly, he began laughing. "Look at Hermione's hair!"

"Shut it, Ron," Alexandra said, holding in her own laugh. The second she made eye contact with Ron, she couldn't hold it in anymore. Draco heard the noise, and couldn't help but glance over. He saw Alexandra laughing with the Weasley boy, and it bothered him.

Underneath the anger and annoyance, part of him longed to be in Ron's place like he had been years ago.

"It's like this! Arr!" A much younger Draco yelled, taking long, slow steps towards Alexandra as he pretended to be a giant.

"Jelly-legs jinx!" She yelled, both children having heard of the jinx but never learning the incantation. Draco made his legs wobble before falling forward, taking Alexandra to the ground with him as they laughed.

This moment was the last time Draco Malfoy genuinely laughed, and the last time he truly felt joy. They were only eight.