Chapter 2: Draco

Chapter 2:

Draco:

Potions had become Draco's most and least enjoyable class. Though the class was made more enjoyable by Potter's and Weasley's absence (Severus had made it clear that they were not welcome in his class), it was made less enjoyable by the one part of the trio who did remain: Hermione Granger. Her presence in this class rankled him on so many levels. Not only was she a Mudblood, he had to grudgingly admit that she was good at Potions. And, to top it all off, without Potter around, Severus didn't seem as interested in belittling Granger as he used to be. In fact, Draco couldn't help but notice that Granger seemed to hang around just to talk to Severus after each class. And what really stung was that Severus did not seem to mind! But when Draco tried to talk to him, he always mysteriously had other things that were more important to do. And yet he could find time to talk to Granger without any trouble!

Draco was desperate to find a way back into Severus's heart. He was convinced that Severus had broken it off not without thinking about it, but perhaps without being aware of the depth of Draco's feelings. Whatever excuses Severus had given himself to break things off with Draco, Draco was determined to change his mind. And the first step to doing that would be to get Severus to spend some time with him. It had only taken Draco a few days to think of the way to do that: he was going to ask Severus to give him private lessons in Potions. With Draco's extraordinary talent in the subject and willingness to learn, how could Severus say no?

But first, he had to catch Severus after class. (Since becoming Headmaster, it had become impossible to find Severus outside of class. He was either nowhere to be found, or hiding out in the Headmaster’s office.) This should have been easy, but that cursed Mudblood always hung around after class! It seemed like she always had some excuse to speak to Severus after class. "Oh, Professor, can you elaborate more about the properties of hippogriff droppings when boiled as opposed to fresh?” or “Oh, Professor, exactly how does a bezoar work as an antidote?” It was enough to drive him crazy! And to have Severus actually take these questions seriously! Since when was he so interested in answering Granger's questions?

All in all, it had been a frustrating first month at Hogwarts. Yes, there was the slight pleasure in terrifying students from the other Houses merely by walking past them and sneering and the immense satisfaction Draco had personally felt when Severus had stood after the Sorting and announced that not only would Hogwarts no longer be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts, but that any student who had not received an E in his or her O.W.L.s could not take N.E.W.T.-level Potions: the shock and anger that had reverberated on the faces of the Gryffindors made Draco's insides dance with glee.

But today, he was tired of waiting. He was simply not going to allow Granger to get to Severus before he did at the end of class. He made sure that he was ready to go minutes before class was over. He did his best to finish the potion early and had put his books and supplies in his bag. Severus had barely finished dismissing the class when Draco jumped out of his seat and walked with quick determination up to Severus's desk. A small moment of shock registered on Granger's face as she realized what Draco had done. But she left quickly and without comment.

“Yes, Draco, what is it?” Severus asked curtly.

"Sir," Draco began, "I would like to ask you something."

Severus arched an eyebrow in warning as he replied, "Yes?"

Gathering up his courage, sure that Severus would not be able to find a way to deny him this, he asked plainly:

"I wish to receive private Potions lessons from you. You know very well how skillful I am and that I am more than capable of brewing far more complicated potions than the ones you teach in this class. Besides, there are potions I wish to learn how to create that cannot be taught in a public class anyways."

Severus did not seem taken aback by Draco's question. He seemed to have expected it. He paused for a moment before answering.

"I'm sorry, Draco, but as I am already providing one student with private instruction, I don't have the time for another."

The question was out of Draco's mouth before he could stop it, even though he knew what the answer would be.

"Who are you teaching?"

"Hermione Granger."