😳⁉️👁️👁️

😳⁉️👁️👁️

The most powerful feeling

Warnings: implied mentions of suicide

“Damn it (Y/l/n), are you in every class I´m taking this year?”

“Of course, Malfoy. I couldn’t stand one without you.”

“Well, I can´t stand a class with you.” “I don’t think this is my problem, is it?” “You were really born to annoy me, weren’t you?”

“No, but I rather took your classes as well to do so, than take those that might help me with my future plans.”

“Is there space for anything but ruin my life?” “Oh yeah, you´re probably right. All my life is dedicated to you.”

You rolled your eyes. Malfoy just wanted to reply, when Professor Slughorn entered the classroom. The elder man greeted you cheerfully, while his students took their seats. You sat down next to Hermione, who was already listening to the Professor attentively.

After a short introduction, Professor Slughorn asked you to get closer to a table in front of him. On the table, he had placed some cauldrons.

“For the beginning, I have brought you some different potions. Who can tell me, which?” Hermione´s hand shot up immediately.

“Very well, Miss…” Professor Slughorn stopped and looked at her questionably.

“Granger, Sir.”, Hermione smiled.

You could see a flash of recognition on his face.

“Ahh, of course, Miss Granger. Mr Potter has already told me about you.”

You could see Hermione´s cheeks heat up in joy before she stepped forward and started to identify the different potions.

“I wonder how you even got in here.”, you heard a familiar voice sneering behind you. “I don’t remember you having any talent for this class.” “And I don’t remember the last time you were able to shut up.”

You sighted. But Malfoy was right. If Professor Snape would still be the teacher, you wouldn’t have been allowed to participate in the class, since he had some higher standards than the new Professor.

You brought your attention back to Hermione.

“This is Amortentia. It´s the most powerful love potion in the world.”

You could hear some gasps, but you were only slightly impressed. What was a love potion even good for? Why would you want to be with a person who you knew wouldn’t want to be with you if you hadn’t drugged them?

“Listen closely, (Y/l/n), this might be the only chance to ever get someone to love you.”, Malfoy continued teasing.

“Do you have a question, Mr. Malfoy?”, Professor Slughorn asked.

You could see Malfoy´s ears turning slightly pink, as the Professor called him out. You couldn’t help but grin in satisfaction.

“I am sorry Professor.”, Malfoy said with an innocent smile. “But I was just wondering why you said this potion is so powerful. Aren´t many more dangerous things in this room?”

Unlike you, Malfoy had seemed to be able to listen to the explanations of the Professor, while humiliating you once more. You sighted. This boy somehow always got his act together. Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson snickered in approval at Malfoy´s words. Professor Slughorn also smiled and nodded.

“My dear boy, I assume you have never truly been in love, have you?”

Malfoy didn’t answer and just shrugged his shoulders, looking at his feet.

“Because if you had been,”, the Professor continued, “You would know that love is the most powerful feeling in the world. It can make you feel as if you are the luckiest person alive, or the most unfortunate one. It can make time stop or make it go faster. It can make you feel alive, but it can also kill you.” Slughorn stared into the void with a dreamy expression on his face.

“If one is able to truly love, it is the greatest gift in the world. You will be the happiest you have ever been. But it´s also the things we love the most that can hurt us the most.”

Then, the Professor snapped back to reality and looked at Malfoy, who stared at him unimpressed.

“One day, you might understand, dear boy.”

Then he continued his lesson.

“Such a shame you´re not capable of such feelings”, you whispered at Malfoy with a fake pity on your face. “Well, maybe except for yourself.”

Malfoy just stared at you with a blank face and didn’t answer.

“See, you can´t even say something against it.”, you smiled sweetly.

Then you turned to Professor Slughorn again and listen to him explaining the effect of Felix Felicis.

When you returned to your seats, you saw Malfoy and his friends, whispering on the other side of the room, shooting you some glances.

“You could think he has something better to do, don’t you?”, you whispered to Hermione, while gathering up the ingredients for the potion you had to brew. But Hermione just rolled her eyes.

“I could also think you would have something better to do, (Y/n).” “What, it´s not my fault, he is so obsessed with me. I´m just defending myself.”

But that wasn’t exactly true. Sure, it had been Malfoy who had started this hostility in the first year, by calling Hermione a mudblood. You had to hex him for this, of course, earning yourself a month of detention. After that incident it hadn’t been about his aversion to muggle-borns or that he was jealous of Harry all the time. You and the blond Slytherin by now had your personal enmity. You hated everything about him. The way he treated not only the people he didn’t like but also his friends, his pride, especially regarding his family, the way his silvery eyes were sparkling whenever he knew he had hurt someone and the way he was for some reason the only one who was able to keep up with your sarcastic remarks, you rarely ever made in front of others, knowing it might scare them off. But not Malfoy. Sometimes you even caught yourself enjoying your bickering, but as soon as you did, you reminded yourself, that the tall Slytherin boy with the arrogant smirk always playing around his full lips was nothing but your enemy. Everyone knew that, even though your friends sometimes made some comments about the unusual amount of time and effort you put into this hostility. Just like they did now.

“You know, sometimes you behave like an old married couple.”, Ron said from the other side of the table, weighing the sloth's brain.

“Sometimes I think I might have to get jealous (Y/n), I always thought Malfoy´s my enemy.”, Harry added with a smirk.

You just rolled your eyes.

“You really have to decide. Are we a couple or enemies?”

“Those things might go hand in hand, you know?”, Hermione now joined the conversation.

“I thought at least you would be on my side Mione.”, you whined. “I´m not interested in Malfoy. Not at all! He´s a spoiled git and there is nothing attractive about him at all.”

You put down the infusion of wormwood a little harder than intended, making the liquid nearly slop.

“Well, you have to admit he´s kinda hot.”, Hermione said and watched with a smug grin how Ron choked on the air, not able to calm down again until Harry patted his back.

You refused to answer. You had to admit that Malfoy wasn’t bad looking with his grey eyes and the small crinkles around his eyes whenever he -what happened rarely- laughed. But that changed nothing at all. To confirm your thoughts, you looked over to the table of the Slytherins, where the friends were still whispering. Little did you know, they had a pretty similar conversation going on.

“By Merlin´s beard, Pansy. I don’t like her. She´s a Gryffindor. She´s a friend of Potter. She is a filthy blood traitor with an average talent for sarcasm. That’s all.”

“Well, she is really pretty too, don’t you think?”

“If you like her that much then go date her yourself, Parkinson.”, Draco growled, before perusing his potion again.

Pansy watched her friend with narrowed eyes, before turning around to Blaise, who watched the scene with an amused grin. He was already used to it and found those conversations rather entertaining. But when Pansy approached him with a mischievous grin on her face, he knew this time something would be different.

“Blaise,”, Pansy said, her voice sounding as sweet as honey as she whispered: “I don’t think we can let him talk to me like this, do you? I think we might have to teach him a lesson. And (Y/l/n) too. It´s so annoying to watch them, not being able to solve their own problems.”

Blaise raised an eyebrow.

“How?”

Pansy´s grin only grew wider.

“I might have an idea.”

It was nearly the end of the lesson -Harry had been the only one who had brewed an acceptable potion- when Pansy Parkinson raised her hand.

“Excuse me Professor, I don’t feel very well.”, she said in a shaky voice.

You watched Professor Slughorn walking up to the girl who had by now sunken down on her chair. When the Professor got to their table, Blaise Zabini backed off immediately, making space for him. Slughorn felt the pulse of Pansy Parkinson. Then he nodded knowingly.

“No worries. You probably just inhaled too much of the vapours.”

With a quick flick of his wand, he conjured a cup and filled it with some water.

“Drink that. And if it won´t get better, feel free to leave the class.” The Slytherin nodded and smiled thankfully.

“Thank you, Professor. I think it´s already getting better.”

Slughorn returned her smile before he turned around and committed himself to the other students again.

Neither you nor anyone else saw the questioning glance, Pansy threw at Blaise. And neither you nor anyone else saw the triumphant grin on Blaise´s face when he waved with the small vial in his hand.

You cursed under your breath as you rushed through the corridors. You had overslept, not that this was unusual, and was late for breakfast now. Just as you rushed around the corner, someone bumped into you.

“By Salazar, I´m awake for not even half an hour and you are already ruining my day!”

You frowned. Out of all the people you had to run into Malfoy. This day started absolutely amazing.

“Could say the same.”, you mumbled.

You wanted to pass him, not in the mood for a dispute that early in the morning, but Malfoy had different plans. He grabbed you by the wrist, making you stop.

“Let go of me Malfoy!”, you barked.

“I will. But first, you are going to apologise.”

You stared at him in disbelieve.

“Me? Apologizing? To you?”

“Well, you are not as stupid as you look (Y/l/n).”, he snickered.

“You bumped into me.”, you said, feeling your face redden.

Malfoy laughed.

“I´m not the one running around like I´m crazy.”

“Neither do I.”

“Then why you bumped into me?”

“I didn’t…” You stopped and took a deep breath. Then you smiled up at the boy in front of you. “You know what? You´re right. I´m actually sorry.”

Malfoy looked at you, confused why you gave in that easy. But as soon as his grip loosened around your wrist you freed yourself and walked away. Before you disappeared behind the next corner, you turned around once more, adding: “Sorry for everyone who has to deal with you!”

When you saw Malfoy at breakfast, he shot you a deadly glance, probably still mad you had had the last word. You saw him sitting down with his friends. Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini offered their friend a cup of pumpkin juice with a friendly smile. After he had emptied it, they burst into laughter, glancing over at you. As your gaze met theirs, you quickly looked away again, wondering why you had even looked there in the first place. Besides, you were late for class already. Luckily one, you didn’t share with the Slytherins.

When you got up and left the Great Hall, you resisted looking back to the table with Malfoy and his friends. But if you had done it, you might had seen the confused look in Malfoy´s eyes, when he watched you leave and Parkinson and Zabini high-fifing in a not-so-subtle way.

After your class, you walked into the courtyard, together with Hermione. Just as you talked about your DADA class with Snape, you ran into someone the second time this day. And for the second time, it was Malfoy.

“Godric, are you following me around?”, you frowned as you looked at the blond boy.

But instead of a counter-attack, he just stared at you, mesmerized. You returned his gaze, confused.

“Are you… okay?”, you asked carefully, when he didn’t react.

“You are so beautiful. You know that (Y/n)?”

You froze.

“What?”

“You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen in my entire life.”

You glanced at Hermione, who looked just as confused as you.

“Is that some kind of sick joke of yours?”, you asked, eying the boy in front of you distrustfully. But Malfoy just shook his head.

“That is nothing to joke about.”

“Aha?”

“I really mean it. You are so pretty. And I don’t mean your outer appearance. Even though it´s beautiful as well. I mean whenever I look into your eyes…” He looked at you dreamingly, like he would actually get lost in the way you looked at him.

“What´s wrong with my eyes Malfoy?”, you asked impatiently.

“Nothing, nothing is wrong with your eyes (Y/n). In fact, there is nothing wrong with you at all. You are just flawless.”

When he continued staring at you, a new thought crossed your mind.

“Wait, did you hurt your head?”

Malfoy looked at you irritated.

“What´s with my head?” But then a haze laid upon his gaze once more. “You are always so attentive. Do you worry about me?” His face lit up at that thought. “Is it because you like me? Because I like you (Y/n), I really do. And by that, I mean…”

“I mean did something happen to you? Did you trip? Maybe fell and hit your head?”

Draco shook his head.

“I didn’t fall. Well, I didn’t fall except for you. By the way, did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

That was it. Hermione burst into laughter, while you just rolled your eyes.

“Okay, Malfoy, whatever is going on, get yourself together again. Can´t take you seriously like this.”

You turned around, together with Hermione, who by now whipped some tears from her cheeks, still giggling. But you didn’t get far.

“(Y/n), wait!”

You kept going.

“(Y/n), please!”

“What is it Malfoy?” “Why are you leaving already?”

“Why shouldn’t I?”

“I thought we could spend some time together. You know,”, he glared at Hermione, “just the two of us.”

You couldn’t help but laugh.

“If it had ever been just the two of us one had always tried to murder the other one.” Draco´s eyes widened.

“I could never do this to you (Y/n). I love you.”

You stared at him in disbelieve.

“Okay, now you are actually kidding me.”

Draco shook his head eagerly.

“I don’t. I mean it. I love you (Y/n).”

You could feel a strange aching in the area of your stomach. If this boy was playing games with you -which he obviously did- this wasn’t funny anymore. To play with the feelings of someone else in this way was just disgusting.

When you didn’t answer, Draco looked at you with puppy eyes.

“Please (Y/n), what can I do to make you believe me?”

You shrugged your shoulders.

“Just leave me alone for the rest of the day.”

You couldn’t deal with his behaviour right now. If he teased you, you knew exactly what to do, but when he behaved like this, complementing you and declaring his love, you had no idea what you were supposed to do.

“But I can´t. We are made for each other. Every second without you is one wasted!”

The sound of his voice nearly made your heart break. But that was the exact reason why you needed to leave. You couldn’t deal with whatever this was.

“C´mon Hermione, let´s just leave.”

Your friend obeyed and you left the poor boy standing there on his own, utterly confused about what had just happened. Did he do something wrong?

That´s what he also asked his friends who had watched the whole scene.

“I don’t know man. Girls, I guess.”, Blaise said, as he patted Draco´s back.

“Maybe you should get her some flowers. Every girl loves flowers.”, Pansy suggested, biting her lip to hold back laughter.

Draco nodded eagerly. Flowers. That was a great idea. Then you would finally understand that the two of you were made for each other.

“(Y/n), there is someone outside of the common room for you.”, a fourth-year Gryffindor snickered, while her friend next to her nearly burst into laughter.

You raised your eyebrows. All your friends were here and even if they weren’t, they would have just come in. And you didn’t remember planning to meet one of the students from the other houses today.

“Who is it?”

“Why don´t you go and take a look yourself?”, the girl giggled, before she disappeared with her friends in their dorm.

Your friends looked at you questionably.

“Any ideas who this is?”, Harry asked who was sitting in the wing chair towards you.

You shrugged your shoulders.

“I guess there´s only one way to find out.”

You got up from your chair and went to the entrance.

When the portrait opened, you saw red.

Literally.

In front of you stood a huge bouquet of red roses. The strange thing was, that the bouquet seemed to have some legs, one of them bouncing nervously.

“What in the name of…”, you mumbled.

Then you saw a light blond shock of hair appearing behind the flowers, as well as some silvery eyes, glancing at you full of expectation.

“No!” You shook your head. “No, no, no. No!”

“(Y/n), what is it? Who…” Hermione´s voice broke at the view of the boy in front of you.

Quickly you backed up again and wanted to slam the door behind you, but Malfoy was faster. Quickly, he got a foot in the door.

“(Y/n), please, just listen to me.”, he pleaded.

“I don’t know what you could tell me that I would be interested in, Malfoy.”, you said in a cold voice.

“But I bought you flowers.”

“Probably poisoned.”

“No, they aren’t. I swear by the name of my mother.”

Well, that meant something. But you still had no intention, to believe him. You wanted to leave, but Ron stopped you. Harry and he had stood a meter behind you, obviously enjoying the scene.

“Let the man say what he got to say.”, Ron grinned.

You sighted and turned around to Malfoy again, arms crossed.

“You got ten seconds.”

“I love you (Y/n).”, bubbled out of the boy immediately. “I truly do. I adore you with every fibre of my body. And I am truly sorry for everything I have ever done to hurt you. And I want to make it up to you. Please just give me a chance. I swear I will…” “Time´s up Malfoy.”, you interrupted him.

The boy stopped and looked at you hopefully. You stared at him with a blank face, hoping nothing in your eyes would give away the confusion that blustered inside of you when you heard his voice sounding so vulnerable.

“So what do you say? Will you give me a chance?” “I don’t know what game you play Malfoy.” The tone of your voice was calm, even though you could sense the shakiness threatening to burst out with every word you spoke. “But to play with the emotions of other people like this is just disgusting. I don’t know what you´re up to and I don’t want to know. But let me make one thing clear. I don’t love you. I never did and I never will. You make me sick. That´s the only feeling you can cause in me. And now for the love of Godric just leave, before I´ll hex you so bad that you´ll never leave the hospital wing again. And take your silly flowers with you.”

With every word you spoke your heart tightened more when you saw the look in his eyes. Every fibre of your body screamed at you that he was genuine and that you might had just broken him. But your trust in him was irreparably damaged. And that´s why you turned around and left Malfoy alone, with his flowers in his hand and tears in his eyes, wondering how he deserved the pain his love had caused.

Pansy and Blaise had been standing behind the next corner, listening to every word you had said. Even though everything had started out as a joke, now they felt sorry for their friend. When Draco walked past them, Pansy grabbed him by his arm, causing him to stop.

“Draco, what are you up to?”, she asked him, trying to make her voice sound friendly and clueless.

When Draco turned around, she was surprised to see tears swimming in his eyes. They had been friends for such a long time, still, she couldn’t remember one time he cried in front of her.

“This doesn’t make any sense anymore Pansy.”, he said.

His voice sounded so hopeless, sending shivers down the spines of his friends.

“What are you talking about?” “She doesn’t love me. She told me. And she never will.”

“But you won´t give up that easy, will you?”

Draco shrugged his shoulders.

“Doesn’t matter anymore. If she doesn’t want me, I don’t want myself anymore either. She told me to leave and so I will. I will never bother her again. Just tell her I loved her. I truly did.”

Draco continued his way.

Pansy and Blaise looked at each other, now truly concerned about their friend.

“Draco, where are you going?”, Blaise yelled.

“To the astronomy tower.”

“And what do you want there?”

“If I can´t spend the rest of my life with her it´s useless anyway. Then I don’t want to live anymore at all.”

He wanted to leave, but Blaise, was quick to walk up to his friend, wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

“Mate, you´re definitely exaggerating.”, he said, trying to give his voice a chatty tone, not showing off how much the words of his best friend frightened him.

But Draco just shook his head.

“I want a life with her or not at all.”, he said, trying to free himself of the tight grip of his friend.

“Maybe we could try to talk to her once more.”

“I tried. But she told me to leave. I´m nothing but a burden for her. And I don’t want to bother her anymore. Now let me go before I hex you.”

But Blaise refused to do so and Draco grabbed his wand.

“We gave you a love potion Draco.”, Pansy suddenly blurted out.

Draco froze. Then, slowly, he turned around, looking at her in disbelief.

“You did what?”

“We sneaked some of the Amortentia of Slughorn´s first lesson into your drink this morning. It was meant to be fun. We didn’t think it would be that… that bad.”

Draco shook his head.

“But I love her.”

“No you don’t. It´s just the potion making you think that.”

Draco thought about her words for a few moments. Then he straightened up again. His gaze was stubborn.

“And if you did, I don’t care. It only made me realize how I am really feeling for her. Nothing in this world could fake the feelings I have. I know I am truly in love with (Y/n). I belong to her. We are made for each other. But sadly,”, his voice lowered again, “she doesn’t think the same.”

“If you are so convinced by that, you won´t mind getting the antidote, will you?”, Pansy asked. “After that, you can do… whatever you think is right then.”

Draco furrowed his eyebrows. But then he shrugged his shoulders.

“Doesn’t matter now anyway, does it?”

Pansy nodded.

“That’s what I thought. Now, you will go to Professor Slughorn together with Blaise and I will follow soon. Okay.”

Draco gave his friend a short nod. Blaise patted his back.

“C´mon mate. You´ll feel better soon.”

And then their ways parted, Blaise and Draco walking to Professor Slughorn´s office, Pansy to the Gryffindor common room.

In the meantime, you let yourself fall back into your wing chair, burring your face in your hands. You weren’t exactly mad at Malfoy, more at yourself, for letting you feel so confused by his actions. And the fact that Harry and Ron couldn’t stop laughing about it, didn’t make it better.

“His face was just hilarious.”, Harry snickered.

“Bloody hell, I wish I had a camera.”, Ron laughed.

“Can you shut it for a moment?”, you hissed, not having the nerve for their jokes right now.

Ron raised his hands in defence.

“It´s just Malfoy (Y/n). Probably he is laughing his ass off right now. Don’t give him the satisfaction of making you feel like this.”

“Feel like what?”

“Guilty.”

You brushed it off. But Ron was right. You could still remember the hurt you had seen in Malfoy´s eyes when you had told him you didn’t love him. Your head was screaming at you that he was fooling you once more. But your heart told you otherwise.

“What do you think, Mione?”, you asked your best and smartest friend.

Hermione hadn’t said anything yet, just staring at you, lost in her thoughts.

“That was unusual.”, she said after long hesitation.

“Don’t you say.”

“No, I mean, I don’t think he was trying to make fun of you. I think he was honest.”

“You don’t actually think Malfoy´s in love with (Y/n)?”, Harry asked, furrowing his brows.

Hermione shook her head.

“Probably not. At least that´s not what caused this behaviour. But maybe he thinks he is.”

You stared at Hermione when suddenly Professor Slughorn's words echoed in your head again. “Powerful infatuations can be induced by the skilful potioneer.” So what if someone…

“You mean, someone smuggled love potion into his foot?”, you asked in disbelieve, feeling your heart drop at this thought.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders.

“Love potion, a powerful curse. Something like this.” She turned to Ron. “Your brothers are selling some love potions, don’t they?”

Ron shrugged his shoulders, now looking not so happy anymore.

“I think so. But mostly just create a small rapture. And it vanishes after a few hours.”

You just prayed this was also the case here. If Hermione was actually right and someone had actually poisoned Malfoy. But let alone the thought he actually had a thing for you, even if it was due to a potion and even if it was Malfoy, and you had treated him like this, made your stomach ache. No one deserved such a rude put-down. Not even him.

“I should probably go and find out.”, you sighted.

Hermione nodded in agreement.

“Do you want me to join you?”

But you shook your head.

“I think I´ll be fine. And if he wasn’t poisoned or hexed,”, you added with a fierce expression on your face, “he should better start running now before I´ll get him.”

But just as you got up, one of the other Gryffindors approached you.

“(Y/n), there´s someone waiting for you outside the common room.”

You nodded thankfully. You didn’t know whether you hoped it was Malfoy or not.

But it wasn’t Malfoy. It was Pansy Parkinson. And the look on her face made you suspect nothing good.

“What is it?”, you asked straight away, not in the mood for Smalltalk.

You could see her shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other before she said: I might messed up something.”

And on your way to Slughorn´s office, she told you everything. How she had been so tired of your constant bickering and how she thought it might be fun to mess the two of you up a little bit. How she had faked her non-well-being in class to give Blaise the chance to steal some of the Amortentia. And how they sneaked it into Malfoy´s drink this morning, not thinking it would get out of control to a point where he didn’t want to live anymore without you.

You were obviously angry at Pansy and Blaise for doing something that stupid, but also mad at yourself for not noticing the situation. But mostly you were concerned about Malfoy, hoping he got to Slughorn unharmed and hoping the Professor would be able to help him.

When you reached the office, Slughorn was already waiting for you.

“Very well, Miss (Y/l/n) and Miss Parkinson.”, Slughorn greeted you. “Mr Malfoy and Mr Zabini are already waiting for you.”

In a lower voice, he added: “Please be gentle with Mr Malfoy, Miss (Y/l/n). He is currently very unstable.”

You just nodded and Professor Slughorn let you enter the room.

Malfoy was sitting on a chair in a corner, slumped down. Blaise Zabini was standing next to him, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

When Malfoy raised his head and saw you, his face lit up for a second, before he sank back down again.

“I´m sorry (Y/n). I didn’t know you would be here. I didn’t mean to bother you again. I´ll just leave.”

He wanted to get up, but you quickly stepped in.

“It´s alright Mal… Draco.”, you said, forcing yourself to smile. “You don’t have to leave.” But this didn’t seem to comfort him.

“You don’t have to be so nice to me. I know you are a gentle person, but you don’t have to lie to me. I don’t deserve your compassion.”

But he had it. You felt terribly sorry for the boy in front of you, looking so broken because of you. No. This wasn’t because of you. This was because of Parkinson and Zabini.

“I didn’t lie Draco. I mean it. I want you to stay. Pansy had told me what happened. I´m not mad at you. I want to help you.”

Slowly, Malfoy looked up to you. You could see a small spark of hope glimmering in his eyes again.

“But you hate me.” “I don’t hate you. I just don’t like you very much. I mean I didn’t.”, you were quick to say when his face fell once more. “I didn’t like the things you did to me and my friends. But I think we might deserve a second chance, don’t we?”

Draco nodded eagerly.

“Anything you want (Y/n). I promise I´ll try my best to make it better this time.”

Even though you knew it was just the potion speaking and not him, you couldn’t help the warmth that flushed over you at his words.

“I think it might be a good first step to let Professor Slughorn help you with this… situation, don’t you think?”

Draco was quick to agree. You smiled smugly, but when you turned around to the Professor and saw his face, you immediately knew something was wrong.

“I´m afraid it won´t be that simple.”, he said. “Normally the antidote of a love potion is a hate potion. But due to the fact that all those Weasley love potions had been smuggled into the school, I´m out of those.”

You sighted.

“And how long will it take until you brew some new?”

“This takes some time. I have already started to brew some a few days ago, but it won´t be finished until next week.”

You looked at him in disbelief.

“Next week?”, you echoed, leaning to the wall next to you.

“Oh but no need to worry. The effect of the potion won't last that long. It will start to vanish very soon. Until the antidote is ready, Mr Malfoy will be himself again without any help. Right now, his obsession with you is very strong and controls everything he is doing, but it will start to fade within a few hours. Then he will still think he is in love with you but will be able to control his behaviour again.”

You sighted. Only a few more hours. You could do this. Just separate yourself from him and wait.

“He shouldn’t be left alone until, well at least tomorrow. And since it is the fault of the two of you he is like this”, he said, now addressing Parkinson and Zabini, “I assume you will take care of him in this time. I will think about what I will do with you after this. Stealing such a dangerous potion after I just warned you. I am very disappointed in you!”

The two students looked quite rueful, mumbling an excuse.

“Now off you go. And take care of your friend. If something feels strange, just get back to me.”

Blaise nudged Draco, so he would get up since he didn’t listen to the words of the Professor, busy with admiring you standing here, in the same room, looking so effortlessly beautiful and forgiving him for everything he had done in the last few hours. Oh boy, he loved you even more for this.

Before you left, you addressed Professor Slughorn once more.

“Professor, how long will it take maximally until he is normal again?”, you asked.

Professor Slughorn looked at you pitiful.

“It depends on the attraction of the target of desire and the relationship between the two of you. I think he will be mostly fine again tomorrow. The latest the day after. If any feelings are left then, you can tell me after our lesson. Then I will check him once more.”

You nodded and smiled thankfully.

“Thank you, Professor.”

Draco and his friends were already waiting for you outside. Everyone looked at you, quite overstrained with the situation. You cleared your throat.

“Well, I think I´ll leave now. If something is wrong, you know where to find me.”

But just as you were about to turn around, Draco spoke up again.

“(Y/n), wait.”

You took a deep breath and stopped.

“What is it Draco?”

“You said you wanted to give me a second chance, didn’t you?”

You cursed yourself for saying that earlier.

“I think so?”

“Well, maybe we could spend some time together then. To get to know each other, you know?”

Draco threw you a shy smile, making your heart beating faster.

“I´m not sure if this is a good idea…”

“But I do. I know I actually love you (Y/n). I don’t care what the others say. It´s not that stupid potion. I just know it. Please give me a chance. I´m begging you.”

You sighted. But maybe it was better to stay with him for some time. Just as long as he had calmed down again and wouldn’t do something stupid. Well, as long as you wouldn’t say something stupid.

“I still have some homework to do. We can meet in the library in half an hour if you want to.”

Draco nodded eagerly.

“I would love to. This is going to be great!”

You highly doubted this but smiled anyway. After you said goodbye to the three friends, you went back to the common room, to grab your books.

Half an hour later, you were at the library. You had quickly told your friends what had happened, earning some laughter from Harry and Ron, and some disapproval from Hermione about Pansy´s and Blaise´s behaviour. You had made them promise that they wouldn’t follow you, since you suspected this “date” would be awkward enough without your best friends laughing behind your back. Hermione had promised you, she would take care of the boys while you were gone.

Now you saw Draco already waiting for you, some books in his hand, waving at you in excitement.

“Hey (Y/n)!”, he yelled, making some students turn around, confused by his friendly tone and the bright smile on his face since everyone knew how much you hated each other.

But you just ignored them and returned his smile.

“Hey Draco. Ready?”

“For you? Any time?”

He smiled stupidly, making you laugh.

“Let´s go then.”

Studying wasn’t that easy when you had someone watching you the entire time. Because that´s what Draco did. Instead of doing his homework, he had placed his arms on a book on the table and laid his head upon them, looking at you in admiration. The only thing he had been helpful with was your potion essay since Draco was actually way better in this class than you. But then he fell back into his state of staring at you. At some point you gave up, trying to learn anything, while you felt his grey eyes lingering on you and started a conversation with him. When Draco started to relax it was -apart from many cheesy compliments- actually quite fun to talk to him.

And when the library closed and it was time for dinner, you found yourself being a little bit sad that the time with him was over already. But you thrusted this thought aside. Tomorrow, Draco would hate you again and everything would be back to normal. It was better if you wouldn’t start to enjoy the time with him at all than missing it in the future.

When you said goodbye, Draco smiled at you sweetly.

“You aren’t that bad you know? For a Gryffindor I mean.”

You couldn’t help but laugh genuinely. This was the first mean comment he had made since the whole thing started. And Godric, you had missed it.

“I like you way better like that, you know that Malfoy?”, you smiled.

His cheeks flushed.

“If I would have known that I wouldn’t have bought you flowers.”, he mumbled.

He raised his hand to brush a loose strand of hair behind your ear, before leaning in for a kiss, but you quickly took a step back, leaving him embarrassed.

“Love potion, you remember?”, you said, trying to keep your face from heating up.

Draco nodded. Then a cocky grin appeared on his face.

“Wait, does that mean you would have kissed me if it wasn’t for the potion?”

Now your face definitely reddened.

“Keep on dreaming Malfoy.”, you grumbled.

“Oh I will (Y/l/n)”, he laughed.

“Well, see you tomorrow I guess.”

“Yeah, see you.”, he smiled. “And (Y/n)?”

“Yeah?”

“I´ll still love you then, no matter if the potion will still be working or not.”

You threw him a small smile.

“We´ll see about that.”

“What do you think? Does he still think he´s in love with you?”, Ron asked for the hundredth time this morning, making the knot in your stomach only tighten.

“I don’t know Ronald.”, you hissed.

You had slept badly that night, Draco´s last words still echoing inside your head. You didn’t even know why you were thinking so much about it. By now, the effect of the potion had most likely disappeared and you would go back to normal. Or at least you would try to.

“But you will find out soon.”, Hermione said, when she saw Draco standing in front of the Great Hall, looking around as if he was looking for something. Or someone.

“I think I´ll…”

You made an ungainly gesture into his direction. Your friends grinned.

“Have fun with your boyfriend.”, Harry grinned.

You just rolled your eyes, ignoring his comment, before you left your friends and headed towards Draco.

When he saw you walking to him, Draco´s face lit up. You could see it from a few meters away, even though he tried to hide it.

“Hey.”, you said, smiling carefully, slightly scared of his reaction.

“Hey.”, he smiled back, his cheeks flushing.

“So… how are you?”, you asked.

“You mean if I am still in love with you?”

You nodded.

“I´m afraid I am. Seems like this stupid potion is still working.”, he mumbled.

You raised your eyebrows in surprise.

“So you think it´s the potion now as well?”

Draco just shrugged his shoulders.

“I mean it has to be, doesn’t it? We never got along and the fact that I suddenly feel like this for you…”

He didn’t dare to look into your eyes and looked at his shoes instead. You didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed at his reaction. A part of you was glad he had finally realized his feelings for you weren’t real, but there was a small voice in the back of your head telling you that you wouldn’t have minded if all of this had happened for another reason. But you brushed it off.

“Well, at least you sound more like yourself again.”, you tried to cheer him up.

Draco scoffed.

“Not like a love drunk idiot anymore?”

You couldn’t help but laugh.

“Something like this.”

Draco looked at you with an unknown intensity in his eyes.

“Your laugh is still beautiful, you know that? I´m wondering how I could ever not see this.”

You couldn’t help but bush.

“Seems like the effect hasn’t totally vanished yet.”

“Maybe I don’t want it to.”

“Why so you could follow me around like a puppy, not capable of controlling your emotions?”

“No, so I can be around you without you telling me how much you hate me.”

You swallowed hard.

“I don’t hate you Draco. I never did. We just never got along that well.”

“Well, I wish we would have. Then it may not have taken a potion to make me realize how I feel for you.”

“Maybe we should talk about it when you´re not under the influence of said potion anymore.”

“Why? Because you´re scared that I might do something stupid if you tell me now how you really feel? That you don’t like me the way I like you?”

And for the first time in your life, you didn’t know what to say to Draco Malfoy.

For the rest of the day, it felt like Draco had some strong mood swings, his real personality fought against the effect of the potion. At one moment he made some cocky remarks, making you think he was normal again, but in the next moment, he looked as if he wanted to kiss you right away, assuring you, that his feelings for you would never change.

But five minutes later, they did.

“Honestly, this is worse than any roller coaster.”, you sighted, when you finally gathered around the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room with your friends in the evening.

“I think it´s kinda adorable.”, Ginny said, with a small grin on her lips. “I think you two would actually make a great couple. Maybe we should mix both of some potion into your cereals every morning.”

Harry laughed at her comment.

“I think maybe we don´t even have to.”, Hermione responded, smiling as well.

You raised an eyebrow.

“What are you trying to say, Mione?”

“I´m just saying that the effect of the potion has by now nearly vanished, but Malfoy is still all over you. And you didn’t consume any potion at all and you´re still nice to him.”

“I can´t risk him doing something stupid just because I have been mean to him, can I?”, you scoffed.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders.

“By now I don’t think he would anymore. At least not because of the potion. When you talked to him after dinner, you two looked perfectly normal.”

Even though you hated to admit it, Hermione was right. If you wouldn’t know how Draco was before he had consumed the potion, you would by now just think he was truly into you. He was still nervous around you, making you some compliments, but just as many sharp comments. You felt comfortable around this version of Draco Malfoy. The one who was nice to you, but still able to keep up with your sense of humour. You wouldn’t have been able to stand him as this foolish hopeless romantic boy he had been yesterday, but the version of him that smiled proudly when he realised his sarcastic comment had made you laugh, made your heart somehow beat faster.

“Don’t tell me you started liking him (Y/n).”, Harry said teasingly.

But soon he realized, that his comment might have not been that wrong.

“I don’t like him. Not at all. It´s just… It´s all so confusing.”, you tried to explain. “But Professor Slughorn had told me that the effect will be gone completely by tomorrow.”

“And if it doesn’t?”, Hermione asked.

“Then he told me to reach out for him once more.” “No, you got me wrong (Y/n). What if this isn’t about the potion anymore?”

“Don’t be foolish Mione. Of course, this is about the potion!”, you snapped.

But the thought of Draco actually liking you in the long run as well, made your heartbeat fasten.

The next time you saw Draco was shortly before potion class started. He was already sitting at his place, fiddling at some of his belongings.

You took a deep breath, trying to prevent your hands from shaking, before walking up to him.

“Draco?”

The boy in front of you froze. Slowly, he looked up at you.

“How is it?”, you asked.

But Draco just looked into your eyes, completely mesmerized.

“Draco?”

“Mhh?”

“How do you feel?”

Draco shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t know.”

“How can you not know?”, you asked confused.

“Damn it, I´m not sure (Y/n)!”, he snapped back, clearly tensed.

But then he sighted and leant back in his chair.

“I… When I woke up this morning I thought it would be better but when I just saw you… It´s probably not normal that I still think you´re the most perfect human being, is it?”

You could feel a single butterfly in your stomach area, carefully spreading his wings, flapping one or two times.

“Probably not.”, you mumbled. “We should ask Professor Slughorn about it after the lesson.” “We better do. I don’t want those stupid feelings affecting me any longer.”, he grumbled.

After the lesson, you waited until most of the students had already left the classroom. Then you went to Professor Slughorn, Draco following you, secretly admiring your light walk.

“Professor?”

“Ahh, Miss (Y/l/n). Mr Malfoy, how are we feeling today?”

Draco just shrugged his shoulders, refusing to answer.

“I´m afraid the repercussion of the potion is still visible.”, you explained to the Professor.

Slughorn nodded.

“Well, well, dear boy. Tell me what you´re feeling. What is different than before?”

Draco hesitated for a moment, before he answered.

“I… I´m not sure. It´s not that bad anymore, but I still have… feelings.” He pronounced the word like a sickness. “(Y/n) and I were never exactly close but now… I can´t stop thinking about her. I mean I know it´s just because of the potion, but I feel this strong urge to be with her all the time.”

Draco´s voice was low as if he was embarrassed by what he had just said. You could feel the little butterfly in your stomach now fluttering around, exploring more and more of the room inside your torso.

“Do you still think you love her?”, Professor Slughorn asked.

Draco slowly nodded.

“Very well, let´s see.”

Professor Slughorn raised his wand, mumbling some incomprehensible words, but nothing happened.

After one or two minutes, he stopped, nodding knowingly, while a small smile spread across his face.

“My dear boy, I´m afraid I won´t be able to help you with that.”

“What? Why? You are the potions master. You are a teacher. You are supposed to help me.” Draco´s voice sounded harsh, yet also desperate.

“This has nothing to do with the potion anymore.”, Professor Slughorn explained. “Its effect vanished hours ago. There are no unusual traces of magic to find on you.”

“That is impossible. I can still feel it. Do it again!”, Draco demanded.

You could hear the panic in his voice. You, on the other hand, were just standing still, your thoughts were racing. A second butterfly joined the first one. Slughorn put his wand back into his pocket and smiled at Draco patiently.

“There is nothing to do anymore Mr Malfoy. If you say you love our lovely Miss (Y/l/n) here, then I have to tell you those feelings are coming from nothing else but yourself. You simply fell in love.”

The Professor chuckled as he saw the shock clearly written on your faces.

“I think my job here is done. I might as well leave you alone.”

“Thank you, Professor.”, you mumbled, when Slughorn left the room, unable to tear your gaze apart from the boy in front of you, whose eyes were still fixed on the point the potion master had been standing.

For a few minutes, neither of you said a word. Then, Draco cleared his throat.

“That has to mean nothing. Probably only some aftermath. Just like you said.”

You nodded.

“Just like I said.”

Slowly, Draco turned around and locked your gaze with his. You could see the insecurity shimmering in his eyes.

“I still hate you, just like I did before. I was just tricked into loving you.”

“You hate me just as much as I hate you.”, you agreed.

Draco stepped closer until the tips of his feet nearly touched yours and you could feel his hot breath on your face.

“I´m just confused. Because you had been so nice to me lately.”

“So am I.”

You looked into each other’s eyes, completely hypnotized. Draco raised his hand and gently brushed over your lips with his thumb.

“There is no way I actually want to kiss you.”

“There is no way I would let you.”, you whispered under your breath.

His lips brushed against yours.

“We will never be anything but enemies.”

“Obviously.”

And then he pressed his soft lips on yours, cupping your cheeks with his big hands, while you returned the kiss, wrapping your arms around his neck. An entire army of butterflies was now set free in your body, flapping in excitement, making your whole body tingle.

You didn’t know how long you were standing there, embracing each other, but when you finally pulled away again, your lips were swollen and your breath heavy.

“You have no idea how long I wanted to do this.”, Draco mumbled against your lips.

“Since your friends sneaked some love potion into your drink?”, you suggested, making Draco chuckle.

“Maybe. But maybe even longer.”

You hummed in agreement, brushing with your fingers through his soft hair.

“I think I might actually love you.”, Draco whispered, still caressing your face with his hands.

“What about nothing but enemies?”, you teased.

“Oh, we still are (Y/l/n). But that doesn’t mean I can´t be madly in love with you, can it?”

You furrowed your brows, acting as if you had to think about it for a second.

“I don’t know Malfoy, can it?”

“I could also send you a bouquet of roses once more if you need proof…”

“Don’t you dare.”, you laughed. “You´ll need another way to convince me, I guess.”

As a response, Draco pulled you close once more, his kiss this time even softer than the last one.