Once a Death Eater...

Chapter 5 - Potions Class

The morning after the drinking game was a blur for all, everyone had headaches and everyone was far too groggy. When Harry woke up, it felt like he was having his head banged on like it were a drum kit. A thumping headache starting. Looking around the room the first thing he noticed was an empty, neatly made bed across from his. The second thing he noticed was a glass of water and some headache pills, a little note next to them.

Hopefully this helps with the headache.

He didn't recognise the handwriting.

Must've been Luna she's always looking after people, or maybe Pansy, she seems quite thoughtful. Harry threw the pills in his mouth and drank the water, it really did wonders for him. He quickly got dressed into his robes and looked at his timetable, a big sigh left his mouth. The worst possible class Harry could've hoped for, Potions!

It would be entirely bearable with Professor Slughorn, if not for the small detail of Harry being absolutely atrocious at potion making. Malfoy had apparently gone out quite early this morning because he wasn't in the dorm or the common room. Harry met up with the other eighth years and they all made their way down to breakfast, Draco wasn't there either.

Harry wouldn't say he was concerned for Draco, but he did feel awful about what Ron said to him last night. It obviously upset him a great deal and now he wasn't at breakfast, he didn't eat last night Harry remembered. Harry pushed any thoughts of Draco Malfoy from his head and decided that he'd instead have a great breakfast with his friends.

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The group of eighth years all made their way into the Potions classroom, located in the dungeons. They all shared most classes together due to them being in the same year and all of similar abilities. Potions was one of these classes in which they all shared. When they entered the dimly lit classroom, Slughorn was sat at his desk and as soon as he saw Harry enter, called for him, "Harry my boy, over here for a second will you?"

"What's up Professor?" Harry approached Slughorn's desk, leaning on it slightly with his hands.

The class was all chatting away behind him, getting into their seats and getting their books and materials ready.

"Ah just wanted to see how you are my boy? All settled in for another year?" Slughorn asked, big smile on his face. Clearly happy to be getting back into a normal routine once again.

"Yeah should be a really great!" Harry returned the smile.

"Good stuff my boy, take a seat anywhere then." Harry turned away from the professor. It seems though, while they were talking, all the seats were filled. All except one seat in the back, unfortunately it was next to a mop of silver-blonde. The Slytherin had his head down however, so he couldn't see his eyes.

Damn Slughorn for taking an interest in me, Harry thought. He'll have to spend his worst lesson with his least favourite person. He trudged to the back of the classroom, catching a sympathetic eye from Seamus as if to say, sorry you're stuck with him again. He dropped his bag quite harshly making Draco's head spring up in surprise. Harry didn't even look in his direction.

"Okay class." Slughorn began, "Today, we're gonna be making a complicated brew, Draught of Peace, tricky but I think you all have the capabilities. So split into pairs, you'll find a list of ingredients on your desk. You have two hours."

Harry couldn't be bothered really, between a complicated Draught of Whatever and Draco he didn't know how it could possibly be worse.

"Would you like me to get the ingredients?" Draco spoke in an almost whisper, his voice shaky, Harry turned to look at him. Draco had his head bowed, hands slightly trembling. This wasn't the Draco he knew, but maybe it was better than his usual smug persona.

"Do whatever you want, I don't fucking care." Harry sneered at him, he didn't know why he was being so cruel. After all, Draco was being civil.

Draco jumped up, going to the store room to gather the supplies they'd need for the potion. He quickly hurried back while Harry sat back in his chair, wishing that they weren't in the dungeons so there'd at least be a window to look out of.

Harry watched as Ron and Hermione, fiddled with the porcupine quills and how Pansy and Blaise were admiring the moonstone. Dean was stressing at Neville for already dropping the unicorn hair and why did Harry have to be paired with Draco for crying our load?

Harry looked at Draco who had began crushing the moonstone in a pestle and mortar, his hands were thin. He was thin. He looked sad. Harry knew what it was like to lose everything, everyone.

"You okay?" Harry asked, two hours of not talking and just potion making would get old real fast he thought, may as well try and make conversation.

"Yes t-thank you."  Draco stuttered. Draco doesn't stutter?

"Why are you stuttering?" Harry pushed.

"N-no reason, just f-focussing on this." Harry noticed Draco was good at potions, he'd already got them off to a flying start. Even Hermione wasn't adding the second batch of powered moonstone yet.

"You're good at potions?" Harry inquired. Draco was better at potions then him at least, although that wasn't really saying much.

"Yeah I guess, I'm sorry but could you please... I need to pour the syrup of hellebore.... but I need to stir.. could you please do it, sorry." Draco was flustered and nervous and what is wrong with him?

"Stop apologising, it's fine, we are partners." Harry shot him a glance, a half smile and a pat on the back to which Draco stiffened and Harry knew that maybe touching him wasn't the best option, Draco's breathing sped up a little. A small sob escaped his lips but neither of them said anything, they just kept making the potion. Draco obviously too embarrassed now to reply.

He sobbed when I touched him, Harry thought. Poor guy seems terrified, Harry didn't pity Draco but maybe he was slightly concerned. Harry didn't want anyone to suffer, they'd all suffered enough due to the war.

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"Merlin's beard, I dare say you've achieved perfection Harry my boy."

Draco, who had done all the work, just stood with his head down while Slughorn gave every inch of praise over to Harry, who had done nothing more than just pass ingredients to Draco.

"A real splendid display of potion making!" Slughorn continued his praise of Harry, showing the class 'Harrys' perfect mixture, he set them a homework assignment about the incorrect brewing of Draught of Peace and dismissed them from the class. Draco shot straight up, leaving the class as fast as possible while the rest of them trudged out slowly.

"Great work Harry" Dean said, patting Harry on the back.

"Nice potion Harry" Luna praised, a smile gracing her lovely face.

"That wasn't your mixture was it." Hermione commented, pulling Harry aside.

How is it she knows everything?

"No truthfully Hermione, of course it wasn't me, you know I'm terrible at potions." Harry joked. 

"Draco did it all?" Hermione pushed.

"Yeah he's really good at potions apparently."

"And you took all the credit?" Hermione gave Harry a pointed look, one that says, how possibly could you?

"I should apologise to him I guess, I probably need to talk to him anyway." Harry confessed.

"Why's that?"

"I'm a little concerned about him. He doesn't seem quite... right. I should apologise about last night as well. I'll go find him now." Harry concluded, speeding down the corridor, the way he saw Malfoy go.

After a little walking around the castle, searching for the grey-eyed boy. Harry heard yelling and shouting and a pained yell. He ran around the corridors to find a group of sixth year boys, cornering Draco.

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