Four: Dreams

                                    

                                          
**
Monday, 8th April, 1996
I had officially gone through my first week of the eight – just Draco and me. Just seven more to go. I got changed into my robes and tied my hair into two French braids and made my way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. 
I took my seat back at the Hufflepuff table, for another five days, I'll be eating all on my own, but at least I had Saturday with Ginny, Harper, Louise, and Luna to look forward to, as we arranged another trip to Hogsmeade yesterday.
I poured myself a bowl of cereal and buttered some wholemeal toast. As I took a sip out of my teacup, the steam hit my face and it felt really comforting. Yet again, I was at eye level with Draco. I had to fight against every single urge to smile at him. If these next seven weeks were to go by smoothly, I needed to get along with Draco as best as I could.
**
It was soon time for the first lesson of the day, and I made my way over to Professor McGonagall's classroom. I went the long way around, so I wasn't the first one there. Her workroom was filled with the same second years as last Monday, but this week they didn't bothered by mine and Draco's presence.
Draco was already sat at our desk, and I couldn't have been more relieved. For the love of Merlin, did he look good today, however. He gelled his hair in a different way, and it really suited him. He'd set his parting on the left side of his head instead of combing it all back.
"Good morning, Miss. Parsons. Your work is already down on your desk," Professor McGonagall smiled,
"Thank you, Professor," I smiled back to her.
I looked down at the parchment and looked through our Potions work for today. Professor Snape set us a few questions all about the Draught of Peace and its ingredients.
**
About ten minutes into the Professor's lesson, as she was demonstrating the Porcupine to Pin Cushion charm, I heard Draco clear his throat a little. I naturally looked up at him.
"Have a good weekend, Parsons?" Draco muttered, his tone was surprisingly civil,
"Yes, thank you, Draco. How was your weekend?" I said back to him, being mindful not to sound too sweet or in any way annoying to him,
"It was alright. Would have been better with a bottle of Firewhiskey or two, though," he sniggered,
"Firewhiskey?! We can't drink that until we're seventeen," I said back in shock, instantly cursing myself for sounding so pathetic,
"Do you really think I give a fuck about that, Parsons?" he arched his eyebrow, asking nonchalantly,
"Voices down, you two at the back. Now's not the time for talking," the Professor said, everyone's heads snapped to us,
"Sorry, Professor," I said back quietly.
Draco and I looked into each other's eye for just a moment before he rolled them and got back to our Potions work. It was the first time since everyone being away that he sounded somewhat pleasant, and I really hoped it wasn't the last time. I felt the dull ache of disappointment that Professor McGonagall had stopped our conversation.
**
The bell rang for the first lesson of the day finishing, but of course, Draco and I were to stay exactly where we were. Professor McGonagall came walking up to us and collected our Potions work off us. She flicked through the pile of parchment in her arms and gave us both a sheet of parchment from Professor Flitwick.