**
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.
We were set a set of questions and chapter read through all about the Leg-Locker Curse, Locomotor Mortis. I had a funny feeling that most of our lessons over the next seven weeks were going to be like this, with the only practical lessons being in Transfiguration.
The whole hour of our Charms lesson, I couldn't help but think of mine and Draco's interaction any time I wasn't writing anything.
**
It was now after lunch and time for our last two lessons of the day. It was time for Transfiguration and finally time for something different than writing on parchment.
"Come join me at the front, you two. Today we will be carrying on our work to do with the Owl to Opera Glasses charm. Malfoy, as you were the better one, you will be trying it first to show Miss. Parsons how it's done properly. Okay?" the Professor said.
Draco nodded his head slightly and drawn out his wand from his robe pocket. I liked that I had a good excuse to look at the Slytherin boy, he was certainly a sight for sore eyes. He looked like such a natural as he transfigured the eagle owl on the desk into a pair of opera glasses. He rolled his shirt up so his sleeves were up to his elbows. The way his muscles and veins in his lower arm kept twitching made my stomach do somersaults.
"Okay, Miss. Parsons, now you've watched Malfoy do the charm, would you like to come up here and demonstrate?" Professor McGonagall gestured to newly transfigured eagle owl.
I took out my wand from my robe pocket and took a deep breath. I was very aware of the fact that Draco was looking at me the way I was looking at him. I waved my wand and cast the enchantment. It didn't work as well as when Draco done it, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of embarrassment crash through me.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you know why Parsons' bewitchment on her eagle owl wasn't entirely successful?" Professor McGonagall asked,
"I don't think her wand was in the right angle, she was a little too low," he said back matter-of-factly,
"That's right, well done. Ten points to Slytherin," she nodded as she lifted my wand hand into the right position.
**
We both spent the next hour practicing the charm to turn the eagle owl into a pair of opera glasses. The more times I cast the transfiguring spell, the more successful I seemed to be.
It was now time for Divination and Professor Trelawney asked if Draco and I could read through each other's dream journals and interpret them. I didn't want Draco reading through my dreams, but I don't think I had much choice.
"Merlin, you have some fucking weird dreams, Parsons," Draco said, if I weren't mistaken, there was a slight exhale of breath as he said that,
"Thanks, I guess," I snickered a little, trying to hide how embarrassed I really was.
I made a mental note to myself to not write about my more strange or humiliating dreams, I'd lie if I had to. I know Harry and Ron quite often made up their dream journals up the day before they're due in.
I found reading through Draco's fascinating, however. I wondered if they were always like this. One night, he dreamt of falling in love and marrying a ghost. Another night he dreamt he faked his own death and ran away to somewhere no one knew him. Another night he dreamt he overtook the thrown on a Muggle kingdom where magic was illegal and executed the entire population. I had to admit, I felt both frightened and intrigued even more by him than I did before.
**
The bell rang to indicate lessons finishing for the day. I handed Draco back him dream journal, his hand grazed mine ever so slightly and I couldn't help but shudder a little at his cold skin.
"See you tomorrow, Draco," I bravely said as I put my Divination book against my chest, fully expecting him to tell me to fuck off or something,
"Yep, I suppose you will, Parsons. See you around, I guess," he pulled his lips in a tight line and nodded his head at me. I smiled at him.
As I turned around to walk out of the door, I could feel my lips turn into a full-on grin and I had to bite down on my lip to stop myself from squealing. Even though his tone was far from kind or friendly, I was just happy that he acknowledged me, or didn't bark at me like he did in the Three Broomsticks.
**
I made my way to my common room, trying to get Draco out of my head and waste the two hours before dinner starting. I went upstairs to the girls dorm and took my robe off. I sat down on my bed and took a deep breath, looking around the room. I hated how empty it felt in here and how quiet it was.
I shared my dorm with Hannah, Susan, Megan, and Leanne. I had the bed on the far end, next to me was Hannah, and opposite me was Megan. Susan was opposite Hannah and Leanne had the bed nearest the bathroom door.
It still felt strange to not see all the girl's trunks at the end of their beds. As much as I appreciated Ginny's kindness and our newfound friendship, I wanted it to be the end of May more than anything. I was already missing Hannah beyond belief.
I walked downstairs and decided to read another one of the fairy tales in my Muggle fiction book, I only had about five more left to read. I took a seat near the enchanted fireplace and couldn't help but notice everyone around me in their little friendship groups. I crossed my leg over the other and began reading Thumbelina. Any time I read Muggle books, I thought of my mum and dad, and how much I loved them.
My father was an ex-Auror before he got critically injured on a job and had to retire early, he was now a driver for the Knight Bus, and he truly loved it. I've heard my parents say the money was a bonus when he was an Auror, but at least being a driver, he was generally safe from dark wizards. I was about ten at the time, and he almost didn't make it. He was in St. Mungo's for about two months in total, but his recovery time took around six.
My mother was an English teacher in a Muggle secondary school. She taught mainly 13–15-year-olds, and she says it's the best job in the world. Apart from being my mum, of course.
I was about half-way through the story of Thumbelina when I heard the portrait entrance open. I looked up, expecting one of the students, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Professor Sprout walk on through.
"Hello there, Miss. Parsons, I just thought I'd come by and see how you're getting on," she smiled as she sat down opposite me,
"Good evening, Professor. I'm okay thank you, just plodding along as best as I can," I said to her honestly as I put my book down beside me,
"That's good to hear, I know Professor McGonagall has offered her door to you, but you know you can always talk to me as well. Any time. I know Mr. Malfoy isn't exactly the easiest person to be around," she said with a chuckle,
"That's very kind, thank you," I smiled at her, appreciative of the offer, but not knowing what else to say,
"Well, I'll let you get back to your reading book. I'll come and see you again in a few days," she tapped my knee,
"Take care, Professor. See you later," I said.