Friends? Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter twenty eight

Amelia was up early, the anticipation of her Potions presentation with Draco fueling her as she carefully got ready. She styled her hair to look sleek and polished, adding soft curls at the ends. She applied some light makeup, covering the dark circles under her eyes from her late-night study session and adding a hint of blush to give her a fresh look. Satisfied with the effort she put in, she grabbed her bag, double-checked her notes, and made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. As she settled in with her friends, reaching for a warm croissant, she noticed a figure approaching their table. She looked up to see Draco making his way over, carrying a few familiar-looking pages in his hand. The sight surprised her, as Draco usually avoided mingling with Gryffindors unless he had a purpose. He stopped beside her; his face neutral yet focused.

"Granger," he began, handing her the notes he had borrowed last week, "I assume you'll be prepared for the presentation. It's important we both stay focused and don't let any... distractions get in the way." His gaze was firm, hinting at his own intensity about the project. Amelia took the notes with a polite smile. "Of course, Malfoy," she replied confidently. "I've got it all under control. We'll ace this." Draco gave a short nod, seemingly satisfied, and looked around at her friends, who were watching the exchange with mixed curiosity and amusement.

Hermione, sitting next to Amelia, couldn't resist a comment. "I didn't know Malfoy could actually borrow notes without hexing them," she muttered under her breath, making Ginny stifle a giggle. Draco, hearing her, rolled his eyes but replied coolly, "Don't get too used to it, Granger. I still prefer my own work." As he turned to head back to the Slytherin table, he looked back at Amelia briefly. "See you in class," he said with a trace of a smirk.

After he walked away, Ginny nudged Amelia, raising an eyebrow. "That was... intense. Didn't know you two were such close study partners." Amelia laughed, shaking her head. "We're not. It's just the assignment. But you know how he is—if he's going to do something, it has to be perfect."

"Looks like he thinks you're up to his standards, though," Hermione observed thoughtfully, a little impressed. With a grin, Amelia shrugged and took a bite of her breakfast, her nerves settling just a bit. As she finished up, she glanced over her notes one last time, preparing herself for the challenging presentation ahead.

After finishing breakfast, Amelia made her way to the greenhouses for Herbology. Today's class was especially exciting, as it was mixed with both sixth and seventh years, which meant she'd be joined by her sister, Hermione, and a few other friends. Professor Sprout had hinted earlier in the week that they'd be working with a rare, magical plant, which only heightened her anticipation.

As the students gathered around, Professor Sprout welcomed them with a bright smile. "Today, we'll be working with Venomous Tentacula cuttings!" she announced, holding up a large pair of protective gloves and a pruning shear. "But don't worry, these are young cuttings and perfectly safe—as long as you're careful." The students murmured excitedly, and Amelia's eyes sparkled. She'd heard about the Venomous Tentacula's fascinating defensive qualities and was eager to get hands-on experience. She glanced over at Hermione, who was already flipping through her textbook for more information. "So, how do we make sure it doesn't, you know, bite us?" asked Ron with a wary expression, standing a bit further back from the plant than the others.

Professor Sprout chuckled. "Good question, Mr. Weasley! The trick is to wear these protective gloves and handle them gently. You'll each take turns pruning a leaf or two for study, but remember—no sudden movements." Amelia turned to Leora, who looked both intrigued and slightly apprehensive. "I think you're up first," Amelia teased, nudging her friend with a grin. "Oh, sure, throw me right to the wolves," Leora joked, adjusting her gloves with an exaggerated sigh. "But only because I know you'd have a great time watching me get nipped." Hermione leaned over, looking ready to reassure. "Don't worry; Professor Sprout said they're perfectly safe! Besides, this is a unique chance to study their self-defense responses up close."