Malfoy - A Draco Malfoy Story

Chapter 4

Two days passed grotesquely fast, and before I knew it I was heading back to the Potions classroom.

It was much colder down here today. The temperature had plummeted rapidly over night; my breath hung in the air in crystallized webs. I discovered the stone walls were icy to the touch as I brushed my finger tips over a corner as I passed. 

Once again, I was one of the last people into the classroom, though Snape still wasn't here. 

Pushing my dread as deep down into myself as I could, I moved slowly, reluctantly, over to the back table, the three boys glancing at me as I sat down in my seat, removing my potions text book from my bag. I swallowed, expelling a shallow, nervous sigh.

Levi Gales glanced over at me again, his tall frame towering over me, even when we were both sat. He didn't have much of a chance to begin a conversation before Professor Snape spilled into the room, his cloak pooling behind him as he strutted to the front of the class room.

"Today..." He drawled, seeming to speak even slower than usual, "we will be brewing our second potion of the term; a potion that often comes up during Ordinary Wizarding Levels: 'The Draught of Peace', a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing."

A quiet gaggle of laughs came from next to me. I assumed Draco had made a joke, as Goyle was now spluttering and heaving at whatever was said. 

"Its ingredients are powdered moonstone, syrup of hellebore-"

"This class is a 'hella-bore'." Goyle chuckled at his own joke, while I winced at his attempt to be funny.

Snape continued, ignoring the laughter echoing from my table,"-powdered porcupine quills and powdered unicorn horn. It should be a turquoise blue when finished. Like always, I will visit each table to inspect your work at the end. This is an advanced level potion, and I expect maturity, efficiency and punctuality when brewing it. Do not disappoint me."

He flicked his robe backwards as he moved to his seat at his desk; decidedly ignoring us as usual.

Realizing it was likely once again down to me to avoid our group a detention, I went to collect the ingredients. Quickly, I sifted through various boxes, coming back to the table moments later with 3 small bags of powder, ingredients names woven into the fabrics, and a small glass tube of syrup. 

Biting my bottom lip, my eyes glossed over the text book page, reading over the recipe. First, I opened up the powdered moonstone packet, tipping it into the cauldron, watching it sizzle and bubble for a moment as the liquid changed to a murky, pond-like green.

"Want any help?"  

I turned at the unexpected offer of assistance.

Levi had moved away from Draco and Goyle, and was now standing much closer to the cauldron, grinning down at me confidently. 

"Uh-" for a moment I guessed this was likely a joke for the three of them to cackle over later, but when it came down to it, I really could use a hand. I didn't want to turn him away if there was a chance he was genuinely willing to help. 

"Yeah... I do, actually."

"What'cha need?" Levi's smile widened. 

"Well... you could stir the potion?"

"Alright. When do I stop?" He asked as he picked up the stirring spoon, dipping it in.

"It needs to turn blue."