my slytherin

the tutor

Walking into Potions the next day is awkward as hell. Everyone stares at me as I nervously sit beside Malfoy, and I notice he scoots away from me slightly. The other Slytherins at our table glare at me, which I actually find surprising. I thought Zabini would be ignoring me completely after what happened.

As dangerous as that class is for me, I make it through without blowing anything else up. I head to Transfiguration straight afterward, and Danny typically bombards me with questions…and some get a little awkward. Over time, it gets less awkward in Potions. Sure, the Slytherins mostly just ignore me now, but at least none of them are giving me exploding powder. 

       We’re a few months into the semester when Slughorn finally confronts me about my grade in his class.

       “rosae,” he calls to me, pulling me aside as everyone packs up their things after double Potions. “I think you should consider getting a tutor.”

       I raise my eyebrows in shock, but really, I knew this was coming. “But…am I really still failing? I thought I was doing better.”

 The professor smiles at me sadly and replies, “Yes, my dear, you are failing my class. I had hoped you would do better over time, but truthfully, it’s been quite the opposite.”

 “Yeah…okay. I mean, Potions aren't my forte…”

       Slughorn pats my shoulder and tells me that he’s grateful I understand. He’s turning to leave when I suddenly call out, “Wait, who’s going to tutor me?”

       “Well, Miss periwel, surely you must know who is at the top of this class.”

       “No,” I say slowly, trying to think. Then I remember who won the Liquid Luck. I let out an involuntary groan and say, “It’s not Harry Potter, is it?”

       Slughorn chuckles and says with a sly smile, “No, it isn’t. Don’t tell anyone I’ve told you this, but Draco Malfoy certainly has a higher grade than Mr. Potter.”

       It takes me a moment to process what the professor said. There’s no way this can be happening. “But sir, he and I-”

       By now, the classroom is almost completely empty. Slughorn smiles warmly and gives my shoulder another pat, saying, “I’m sure you two will be able to make it work.”

       And then he disappeared into his office. I stare at the closed wooden door and feel like throwing a curse at it. Does Slughorn really expect Malfoy to willingly tutor me? Fat chance that’s going to happen.

       But I’m failing Potions, I think with an internal groan. I don’t really have a choice, as much as I hate to admit it. I turn and exit the classroom, determined to find Malfoy.

draco's pov

I hear someone calling my name behind me.

       I turn and I see that it’s periwel. Damn it, she’s one of the last people I want to be around right now. i don't want to lash out at her.

       She stops in front of me and, trying to catch her breath, doesn’t say anything for a moment. I wait impatiently and lean against the wall, watching people pass by. I don’t look at her. “What do you want, periwel?” i say trying to make it seem like i dont have crush on her.

       “I need,” she takes a deep breath and looks as though she’ll be sick as she says, “…your help.”

       I scoff and reply, “Excuse me?”

       Jackson rolls her eyes, and I can’t help but notice how startlingly blue they are. “I’m failing Potions.”

       “And let me guess, you need me to tutor you.”

       She tilts her head back and says with an exasperated groan, “Look, I don’t like this anymore than you do.”

       I shake my head and turn to leave, saying coldly over my shoulder, “Find someone else to tutor you.”

       I’m thinking she’s actually going to give up when I feel her hand on my shoulder. It’s…warm, i felt sparks when her hand came in contact with my shoulder. I turn around with slight annoyance.

       “Please, Malfoy,” she begs. “You’re the top of the class, and I’m seriously failing.”

       “Potter,” I say nastily, “can tutor you.”

       I hear the disgust in her voice as she responds instantly, “I do not want Potter to tutor me.”

       This actually confuses me. I always thought most girls would kill for a chance to work with the famous Potter, but Jackson looks thoroughly disgusted. With my task in the back of my mind, I snap, “Do you honestly think I have time to tutor you?”

       “Please,” she begs again, “I’ll do anything.”

       The hallways are thinning. the fact that she doesn’t like Potter has made me like her a little more, and there’s something in her voice that makes me want to help her. But I know I can’t.

         “Look,” I sigh and open my mouth to tell her there’s no way I can possibly tutor her. But what comes out instead is, “Okay.”

    She’s just as shocked as I am. I blink a few times, wondering if I really just said that I would tutor her. Eventually, a smile overcomes the shock on her face and she says happily, “Oh my god, thank you, thank you.”