The first class on Thursday morning was Potions, and as always Professor Snape strode in at the last minute, his robes billowing behind him. I've always wondered how he did that. A billowing charm mayhap? If there is such a thing. I must check with Hermione. I've always wanted cool billowing cloaks. Anyway, he sneered and surveyed the room before stopping in front of the black board."Today, we are making a rhyming concoction. A first year has knowledge enough to brew this in his sleep, so most of you should be able to hand in a decent result. Open your books at page 56, and split into your usual pairs. One from each pair may get the ingredients from the cupboard." He glared at his students one last time before sitting down next to his desk. "But remember to be very careful" he added with a snarl. "This potion is highly effective, and one mere drop on your skin will make you rhyme for hours. I suppose some of you might think this funny, but I assure you, it is not. It is annoying. And if I hear any of you rhyming, I will take away house points. And that is a promise." He said this with a pointed look towards me, then turned towards the essays on his desk. I felt a bit miffed. My potion brewing skills had improved vastly over the years, and I hardly ever screwed up anymore! And he'd said a first year should be able to brew it, so what could possibly go wrong?
I should have known better than to jinx it.
I got up from my chair and moved over to sit next to Draco. We had been working together in potions for two years now and it suited me just fine. At least with him as my partner the chances of failing sank drastically. He wasn't the teacher's pet for nothing.
After silently setting up the cauldron together, I walked over to the cupboard to gather the ingredients while Draco lit the fire. I shuddered a little for myself, the thought of rhyming the rest of the day really was a horrible one! I sincerely hoped Hermione kept a close hold on Seamus. He had somehow managed to snake his way into Snape's NEWT class, and had quickly taken over Neville's place as the class' cauldron exploder. Without Hermione's firm hand to guide him I suspect he would have accidentally killed someone by now. Or worse, made them turn a nasty shade of pink and sprout Shakespeare quotes. It's been known to happen at least once every tenth year.
I was snapped back to reality when Snape glared at me, and I quickly got the ingredients and scurried back to Draco. Half an hour later, I grinned proudly and put the beetle eyes carefully down into the cauldron. We were almost finished, and none of us were rhyming! This had gone a lot better than expected. I looked behind me too see how Hermione and Seamus were doing, and was surprised to see that Hermione was letting Seamus do a little on his own. She had turned her back to the cauldron, talking in hushed whispers with Parvati and Dean, and Seamus was dropping things tentatively down into the cauldron. I saw the other boy pick up the gingerroot and look uncertainly at it. "Eh, Seamus?" I said slowly. "I don't think that goes in…" Seamus dropped the root into the cauldron. "…until later," I finished and looked scared at the cauldron, which started bubbling violently. Suddenly the whole thing exploded, and potion was thrown all over the classroom.
"Finnigan, you brainless bun,
do you know what you have done?" Professor Snape roared.
"My vital rules you did ignore,
fifty points from Gryffindor!" Suddenly his eyes went very wide, and he clasped one hand over his mouth. The students tried to hide their giggles, but it was futile, soon everyone roared with laughter and I could see that Dean had to grab on to the table not to fall down on the floor. Snape sneered and walked over to Seamus, who looked up at him with big, scared eyes.
"You filthy little piece of slime,
you have made the whole class rhyme!"
Hermione's eyes narrowed, and she gave Professor Snape a nasty glare.
"Professor, stop the verbal assault,
this was not poor Seamus' fault!" The whole class burst out laughing again, and Hermione blushed furiously, but continued to glare at Snape.
"What are you, his courageous knight?
You'll both have detention with me tonight!" Professor Snape smirked at Hermione, then turned around and walked up to the front of the classroom.
"In cleaning up you'll all assist,
and when you're done, class is dismissed."
I cleaned up my workspace as quickly as possible before hurrying out of the classroom with Draco close behind me. Gasping for air, I turned to look at him and saw to my great pleasure that he was laughing just as hard as I was.
"Merlin's beard, that sure was ace!
Did you see the bastards face?"
I had to grip on to Draco's arm to not fall down onto the floor. He looked at me for a second before bursting into a fit of snickers again. I awarded him a very miffed glare.
"Why're you laughing? Please, do tell.
Remember, you are rhyming as well."
"I'm sorry, love, but I cannot stop.
When I hear you rhyme, I just crack up." I felt I should be a bit annoyed at that, but I was too busy laughing. Draco was right, it really was hilarious to hear someone rhyme like that!
"You're right, of course, though I must say,
like this I won't survive the day!" I choked out, clutching my sides which were starting to ache from all the laughter.
"I know, I'm feeling out of breath,
this laughing thing will be my death!" Draco exclaimed, and I did not let out a giggle. No, I did not. It was a very manly laugh.
"Oh, Draco, don't you even dare!
If you die, I will despair." Things sound so much more melodramatic when you rhyme, don't you think?
"Really? Do you tell the truth?
If I die, you will feel ruth?"
"Yes, I'm honest, can't you tell?"
I do feel something for you as well." I blushed furiously and tried to turn my head away, but Draco firmly took hold of my chin and turned my head so that I was facing him.
"I'm glad you do, you foolish thing.
I love you more than anything." I suspect I was grinning in a way that can only be described as incredibly silly, and really should be reserved for Hufflepuff third year girls with major crushes, but it didn't last long because Draco chose that moment to capture my lips with his. It wasn't a long kiss, just the briefest of touches, but it left my stomach feeling so fluttery I didn't know what to do with myself. I seriously suspect the butterflies had long gone from the Macarena to a beginners match in Quidditch. Lots of arm waving, screaming and whizzing back and forth without goal or purpose. If I hadn't been so happy, it really would have been insufferable.