A Forbidden Love ➵ Draco Malfoy

ʚ lab partners ɞ

The bell rang, indicating it was time for my most dreaded class, Potions. It was the only class I had with Draco and my least favorite teacher, Professor Snape, was teaching it.

To be honest, I don't know why I even hate Snape. He doesn't hate me like he does Harry and he hasn't done anything to me. I guess it's because I'm obligated to, being a Gryffindor and all.

I slid into my seat which was purposely chosen to be as far from Draco as possible. Maybe that's why I hate Draco too. Because he's a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor. No, that's not true. I hate him because he's a bitch.

"Today we will be switching seats and you will get new lab partners for the rest of the year. Judging by your report cards, letting you choose your partners was not a good idea." Professor Snape said in his low, monotone. I let out a small gasp and Professor Snape shot me a look. I closed my mouth quickly as he continued, "I will be choosing your partners and as always, they will be boy and girl."

I chewed the inside of my cheek as Professor Snape began to read off names, "Carter Loch and Hailey Chase, John Taylor and Pansy Parkinson..."

I doodled small spirals in my notebook until I heard my name. "Sophie Hale and... Draco Malfoy." My head shot up, my eyes wide, not wanting to believe what I heard. I looked to the back of the classroom where Draco sat who seemed to be just as surprised as me. I paused, glancing back at Professor Snape who was now sitting at his desk, grading last night's homework.

As if he could sense he was being watched, he lifted his head to look at me. "Well, Sophie, we don't have all day so why don't you make your way to Mr. Malfoy over there." Professor Snape said, pointing at the empty seat next to Draco with his pencil. I nodded, slowly gathering my books and taking small steps towards the back door.

I sat next to Draco cautiously, subtly moving my chair to the farthest end of the desk.

"Hey, Soph." He asks, one arm propped up on the Potions textbook we were given at the beginning of the year.

"Draco." I reply, looking straight ahead in an attempt to avoid his gaze. He leaned towards me and I couldn't help but notice how he smelled of honeysuckle and vanilla.

"How was your makeout session with Potter?" Draco smirked, spitting the last word out with distaste. This made me turn and face him, my mouth agape.

"If you must know, it was fine until Professor Snape who seems to be at your beck and call arrived and interrupted us." I replied angrily. In my anger, I hadn't realized Snape had been roaming the classroom and was now right beside me. Shit.

"Ms. Hale." Professor Snape greeted me.

"Hello." I replied.

"I will be seeing you in detention tonight." Professor Snape said as he walked back to his desk. Draco was clearly holding back a laugh and I rolled my eyes, turning back to face the front of the classroom as the lesson began.

"To begin the second term, we will be brewing an antidote to common poisons. This will be your first partner project so I suggest you get to know them." He said this while eyeing Draco and me.

"Well then, Hale. Let's get started shall we?" Draco said as he pulled out the large black cauldron from beneath the desk. I pinched my nose to block out the rotten stench emanating from it. "Oh, don't be such a baby Soph."

"Stop calling me that." I snarled, trying to be somewhat intimidating but instead sounded ridiculously stupid as I was pinching my nose. Draco snickered and opened his textbook. I did the same and began to measure out the mistletoe berry.

Soon, we had our concoction brewing in much less time than the other pairs. Draco had finally measured the last ingredient and began to pour it in.

"Draco!" I screeched. He looked at me, confused and I explained, "The book says to pour the honeywater in slowly."

"So what?" He replied indifferently. Then, the cauldron began to bubble and I glared at him. "Maybe it's supposed to do that." He says nervously. I frantically began scanning the textbook to try and find out what was happening.

"It says if honeywater is poured in too quickly, it will explode!" I yelped, shoving the textbook into Draco's face, pointing at the paragraph I had found the answer in.

"Oh shit." Draco cursed and a second later, the cauldron exploded into small shattered pieces. I screamed, frozen to the spot. A piece of the cauldron was flung towards me and I couldn't make myself move. I felt my head hit the floor, throbbing pain followed. Then, I noticed a weight on my back. That of a person. Whoever it was must have tackled me out of danger.

When whoever had jumped on me climbed off I turned and to my surprise, Draco was standing above me. He looked slightly embarrassed as those next to us looked at him stunned. I couldn't help but stare at him too.

"And that would be detention for you too, Mr. Malfoy." Snape sighed.

As much as I hated to admit it, Draco was very attractive. But not in the way Harry was. Harry was attractive in an innocent way. Draco was the complete opposite.

His sharp cheekbones and the gentle arches of his eyebrows. His icy grey eyes and platinum blonde hair. Draco ran a hand through his hair and I bit my lip trying not to imagine my hands in place of his.

What was I thinking, having these impure thoughts? Nor my mother or father would approve of me if they could read my mind. I don't know what came over me but the feeling left me almost immediately.

I was struck out of my trance when Draco snarled, "Are you going to stay down there the whole day or are you going to help not fail the assignment?" Yeah, whatever desire I had for Draco in that one passing second has definitely faded.

thank you for reading! and a huge thank you for #35 in harrypotterau! that's insane and i'm so excited you guys are enjoying! please leave any suggestions or feedback in the comments :))