The Girl Who Lived (Draco Malfoy x OC)

The Lake

January 13th 1997

It was a long day.

Every minute seemed to take longer than the last minute as she quietly counted down to meeting Malfoy. Their morning escapade had been the perfect teaser for what she expected to come tonight. Though she was totally oblivious to what the wizard planned for them besides red wine and the Great Lake. She sucked in her cheek, her memories of the Great Lake were not exactly the most pleasant. Being stuck in there for an hour and attacked by a swarm of grindylows would do that to a person. Not to mention, Sirius almost had his soul sucked out of him near there in third year. Her heart panged and she shook her head, returning to one of the slowest days of her life.

Double Potions followed by double Herbology had been mind numbing enough for Harper, now she found herself in Transfiguration trying to understand McGonagall's convoluted explanations. She rubbed her scar, wincing as she tried to read her own writing. There was no way she could use these notes for N.E.W.Ts. With a heavy sigh, she leant back in her chair, the misdoubt quickly replaced with exhilaration as she saw Malfoy taking his own notes. He didn't seem one bit fazed by McGonagall's dictation.

It was quite tortuous sharing classes with the Slytherin. Especially because their new liaison was a secret. Harper had to admit, there was something fun about sneering at each other playfully before they entered class. Only she would truly understand the underlying double meaning of his words in the halls. Then she was forced to admire his beauty from afar in class. His hands were a focal point in Herbology as he handled roots and branches.

Godric, could McGonagall wrap this class up, please?

She stifled a yawn, slumping further back in her seat, having given up on trying to take notes. One glance at Hermione's full page assured her she could use hers anyway. At least Ron and Dean trading cards with no attention spared to McGonagall at all made her feel slightly better about herself. She caught Malfoy's eyes narrowing at her and frowned, a few months ago she would have thought he was taunting her, but now didn't understand. He mouthed something to her. She frowned again, not reading him well at all.

"Wake up," he enunciated.

She rolled her eyes and sat up slightly for him to smirk triumphantly, followed by a wink. After watching her for a few more moments, he returned to his work. Harper felt her head tilt, her mind falling into a daze as she continued to observe him. How could one look so mesmerising in their natural state? Butterflies started to grow in her stomach at the mere thought of Harper nibbling on that clean cut jaw of his. For the sake of her sanity, could McGonagall hurry the f-

McGonagall suddenly conjured a whip of fire from her wand, startling Harper enough to jump in her chair.

"Like so," McGonagall said, demonstrating whatever she had been talking about.

She whirled the fire rope into the air then with a quick stroke, it dissolved into smoke. "The longer a rope you conjure, the more difficulty you will have in retracting the spell. The fire is an incantation, it will catch even quicker and burn faster. Use this spell with caution."

Harper watched the disappitating cloud of smoke floating through the air, her memories drawn back to Dumbledore and Voldemort's duel in the Ministry Atrium. She would never forget when Dumbledore drew his wand back, brandishing a whip of fire. The long thin flame wrapped itself around Voldemort. Watching McGonagall conjure the spell a second time brought her back there and Harper's hair stood on end.

That duel would stay with her forever.

"Didn't realise the fearless Gryffindor was afraid of fire," Crabbe taunted as they finally exited the class.