𝖘𝖎𝖗𝖊𝖓 - d. malfoy

X - potions

"Okay, to be completely honest, I have no idea what I'm doing," Arabella confessed to Draco as they joined the group of students pooling outside the classroom door. "Potions was an elective at Ilvermorny after our third year."

Arabella had known immediately that she would not be taking potions beyond the basic requirement, she wasn't exactly a fan of the fumes and constant incidents that seemed to occur. At least in no-maj chemistry, which was also required her first year, the explosions were intentional.

Mostly.

"You're in luck, I happen to be at the top of the class in potions," Draco replied. "We can be partners as long as you don't get in my way."

"Hey!" Arabella pushed his shoulder in protest. Draco caught her wrist and pulled her slightly towards him. "Only kidding, Darling."

The door swung open and the students began to file into the classroom, Arabella and Draco following behind.

"Before we begin today's lesson, I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions," Professor Snape began.

Uneasy looks were exchanged around the classroom.

"Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'Acceptable' in your O.W.L., or suffer my . . . displeasure."

He's certainly very cheery this morning.

"After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me, I take only the very best into my N.E.W.T. Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying good-bye."

He paused to shoot a glare towards a few choice students.

"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," he continued "so whether you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T. or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students."

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: 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."

Just pop a Xanax, it's so much easier.

Looking at the instructions, Arabella was already confused. The procedures were exceedingly specific and complicated, requiring extremely precise measurements and stirring. Draco was already moving, looking confident in his abilities, and Arabella sent a silent thank you to whoever was listening for sticking her with him as a partner.

"Here, you can start cutting the ingredients." Draco handed her a knife and got to work on his own pile.

Now, this is something I can do.

Arabella was quite skilled with a knife, having taken combat classes as an elective at Ilvermony and continuing to practice on her own. Personally, she believed it was a much better use of time than a potions class.

She began expertly dicing the root in front of her, hearing a low whistle from beside her as her hand moved almost in a blur.

"What?" Arabella raised a brow as she turned to the table next to her, currently occupied by Blaise and Theo.

"Nothing, just wouldn't want to get on your bad side."

Arabella and Draco worked in tandem, quickly moving through the steps of brewing the potion.

"A light silver vapor should now be rising from your potion."

Sure enough, their potion matched Snape's description.

"We did it!" Arabella whispered excitedly.

Draco merely raised a brow. "I told you I was at the top of the class. Did you really think it would be anything less than perfect?"

"Shut up, asshole." Arabella elbowed him, as he chuckled softly.

"It's arse, Darling, we're not in America."

Arabella rolled her eyes and turned to face Snape as he approached their table.

"Excellent job, Mr. Malfoy." He moved to the next group without another word.

"I was a part of this too!" Arabella complained to her partner. "He didn't even look at me!"

Draco patted her on the arm. "There, there, we can't all be as skilled as I am."

Arabella glared viciously at him, her hand creeping closer to the knife abandoned on the table.

"Only joking!" He quickly assured her. "He just hasn't warmed up to you yet, don't worry about it."

"Potter, what is this supposed to be?"

The Slytherins around Arabella looked over instantly, a look of pure glee on many of their faces. "This should be good," murmured Blaise.

"The Draught of Peace," Harry responded, jaw clenched and face reddening.

"Tell me, Potter, can you read?"

Muffled laughter was heard from around the classroom, Draco not even trying to stifle his. Arabella was unable to stop a smile from spreading on her face as she desperately held in the giggles bubbling up in her throat.

She couldn't help but feel a little bad for Harry, however. Despite the events earlier that morning, she still considered him a close friend and Arabella never let anyone belittle her friends.

"Yes, I can." Harry was visibly fuming.

"Read the third line of the instructions for me, Potter."

Harry squinted at the board at the front of the room and read the line aloud. He shrunk down in his seat as he seemed to realize his mistake.

"Did you do everything on the third line, Potter?"

"No," Harry quietly responded.

"I beg your pardon?"

"No," Harry repeated, louder this time. "I forgot the hellebore. . . ."

Okay, Snape, you've made your point, you can quit it now.

The potions professor did not, in fact, quit it. "I know you did, Potter, which means that this mess is utterly worthless. Evanesco."

That was harsh, it was just a little mistake...

As Snape instructed the students to bottle their potions and gave out the homework, Arabella felt herself becoming more and more resentful of her professor. Sure, his interaction with Harry was funny, but the joy Snape seemed to have felt when humiliating a student made Arabella's stomach turn. The scathing remarks she had overheard when Snape evaluated the potions made it obvious that Harry was not the only one receiving this treatment.

How can a professor get away with something like this?

Arabella headed to lunch with the rest of her fellow students, mind now made up about Snape.

What a dick.

Word Count: 1178

A/N: Hi y'all! I can not express how happy it makes me to see people reading this. Every little star means so much and I love reading your comments. Seriously, let me know whatever you want, I'm happy to hear anything from constructive criticism to something that made you laugh. Anyways, Umbridge is up next, and I can't wait for y'all to read that as well. Arabella does NOT hold back. If you enjoyed this chapter, please hit that star button and let me know what you thought! Much Love, Sorcha.