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."
Amelia laughed. "You just can't pass up the opportunity for learning, can you, Hermione?" Hermione shot her a playful glare. "As if you don't feel the same way," she said, motioning to Amelia's intent expression as she observed the plant.
When it was finally Amelia's turn, she stepped up confidently, reaching toward the plant's curling vine. As she carefully cut away a small leaf, the Tentacula's thin tendrils quivered, almost as if it were aware of her touch. She moved with precision, enjoying the challenge, and noticed that even the slightest pressure could make the plant tense and move slightly.
Fred, who was in the same session due to the mixed-grade setup, watched with amusement. "Careful, Love. Don't want to lose a finger before your big Potions presentation." Amelia rolled her eyes but smirked at him. "Maybe I should bring you along for luck, then. If anything goes wrong, I'll just tell Professor Sprout you volunteered for all the hard parts."
"Oh, is that how it's going to be?" Fred chuckled. "Good thing I'm used to taking risks. But next time, you owe me one." The class continued with plenty of laughter and shared tips on handling the Venomous Tentacula's temperamental behavior. It felt like a blend of learning and teamwork, making the challenging plant manageable and the class much more enjoyable. By the end of the lesson, Amelia felt energized and ready to tackle the rest of the day, especially her Potions presentation.
After Herbology, Amelia made her way to the Muggle Studies classroom, where she spotted George and Leora already waiting at their desks, chatting animatedly. She slid into the seat next to George, setting down her book with a smile. "About time you showed up did you get lost on the from Herbology? Miss Smarty Pants," George teased. "Leora and I were about to start taking bets on whether or not you'd fall asleep in this class."
"Oh, please," Amelia laughed, rolling her eyes. "I know how much you actually need me here, so you don't get called on for an answer." Leora chuckled. "He's not denying it. George was just saying how he'd rather take a Mandrake to the ears than answer questions about electrical outlets." Just then, Professor Collins entered, settling at the front of the class. "Good morning, everyone! Today, let's dive into common Muggle inventions and their impact on daily life." She paced a bit, her gaze sharp as she surveyed the students. "Can anyone explain what an 'internal combustion engine' is and why it's so essential in the Muggle world?" Amelia's hand shot up instinctively, but to her surprise, George's hand went up a split second after hers. He turned and gave her a mischievous grin. "Let's see what I learned from the expert." Professor Collins called on George, who cleared his throat and looked over at Amelia, trying to remember the exact phrasing she'd used when explaining it to him during their last study session.
"An internal combustion engine," he began, catching Amelia's eye, "is a type of engine where the combustion, or burning, of fuel happens inside the engine itself. It produces energy by...erm..." He paused, prompting Amelia with a small nudge under the table. "Expanding gases push the pistons!" Amelia whispered in a barely audible voice, though her expression was all encouragement. "Right! Expanding gases push the pistons, which, you know, makes the whole machine run," George finished confidently, glancing back at Professor Collins with a triumphant smile. The professor raised an impressed eyebrow. "That's correct, Mr. Weasley. Nicely explained! Ten points to Gryffindor for such a thorough answer." George shot Amelia a look of pure delight as he basked in the praise, puffing his chest out dramatically. "Well, well, seems I'm finally catching on to this Muggle Studies business."
Amelia rolled her eyes, playfully smacking him on the shoulder. "You're welcome, Weasley. Just don't forget who saved you in front of the whole class." George feigned shock, clutching his heart. "Saved me? You were just giving me moral support."
"Moral support, right," she said, grinning. "Just wait until the next question. You're on your own, genius." The rest of the lesson passed with George occasionally leaning over to quietly confirm details with Amelia. By the end, he was still riding high on his moment of academic glory, teasing her as they packed up their books. "I think I'll be the go-to Muggle expert soon," he said with a smirk. Amelia laughed, giving him a playful shove. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Weasley. One answer down, but I'll make sure you study up for the next one."
Amelia made her way briskly from the Great Hall after lunch, eager to meet Draco in front of the Potions classroom. She arrived early, adjusting her notes and going over her mental checklist one last time as she leaned casually against the wall. When Draco finally arrived, looking slightly surprised to see her already there, she raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Look who finally showed up," she teased, crossing her arms. "And here I thought punctuality was a Slytherin trait." Draco rolled his eyes but smirked back. "Let's just hope your potion skills are as sharp as your tongue, Granger."
They exchanged a few more teasing remarks before the bell rang, and Professor Snape opened the door, ushering them all inside with a flick of his wand. Amelia and Draco took their positions at the front of the class, gathering their prepared ingredients and setting up their station.
Amelia took a deep breath and began the presentation. "Today, we'll be demonstrating the brewing process of the Wit-Sharpening Potion. This potion is a stimulant designed to enhance mental acuity and focus, commonly used by those who need an extra edge for exams or strategic planning." Draco picked up from her cue, smoothly adding, "The primary ingredients are ground scarab beetles, ginger root, and armadillo bile, all of which have unique properties that stimulate the brain's processing abilities. If added in precise proportions and timings, they combine to create a formula that heightens cognitive function temporarily." Amelia nodded, adding, "First, we'll begin by preparing the ginger root. It has to be sliced at an exact angle to maximize its surface area, allowing the natural oils to release fully in the boiling process."
As Amelia demonstrated her slicing technique, Snape watched them intently, his expression unreadable. He scribbled a note on his notepad, glancing up just as she finished, as if checking for any errors. Amelia felt a flash of nerves but pressed on, carefully placing the slices into the cauldron. Draco continued, explaining the next steps. "Next, we add the ground scarab beetles. Timing is critical here, as the beetles' properties are volatile and can ruin the potion if added too soon. Amelia?"
Amelia smiled, taking the scarab beetle powder and sprinkling it in precisely as Draco continued his explanation. "By adding this right after the ginger root has softened, we ensure the potion's efficacy. You should start seeing a slight lavender hue, which indicates we're on the right track."
To their relief, a light lavender mist began to rise from the cauldron. Amelia could sense Snape's approval, though his face remained as unreadable as ever. Encouraged, she nodded for Draco to continue. He picked up the vial of armadillo bile, his tone confident. "The final ingredient is armadillo bile, which we'll add drop by drop. This ingredient is powerful enough to alter the potion completely if mishandled, so precise measurements are critical."
They worked in tandem, with Amelia adding the drops at Draco's signal. As they completed the final steps, the potion took on a rich indigo hue and emitted a faint, minty fragrance. Amelia felt a surge of satisfaction. Amelia looked at Snape and finished, "And that's the completed Wit-Sharpening Potion. When consumed, it should provide enhanced focus for up to two hours."
As they stepped back, a wave of applause filled the room. Snape set down his notepad, tapping it lightly with his fingers in what, for him, seemed almost like a gesture of appreciation. His expression was finally a bit more relaxed as he spoke.
"Exceptional work, the both of you," Snape intoned, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. "Your attention to detail and precision were noted. Gryffindor and Slytherin shall each receive ten points." Amelia couldn't help it; without thinking, she threw her arms around Draco in a spontaneous hug. "We did it!" she exclaimed.
Draco froze for a second, patting her shoulder awkwardly before clearing his throat. "Er... glad I could help," he muttered, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face. Realizing what she'd done, Amelia quickly pulled back, a hint of embarrassment showing on her face. "Sorry, over-excitement," she said, biting her lip to suppress her grin as they made their way back to their seats.
Still glowing with the success of their presentation, they shared a quiet smile as Snape moved on, their earlier rivalry replaced, at least for now, by a mutual respect for the work they'd accomplished together.
As soon as Potions ended, Amelia flashed Draco a quick smile. "Goodbye, see you next class!" she said hastily, not waiting for a response before darting out of the classroom to find Fred. She knew he often used his free periods to study in the library, so she made her way there with excitement still buzzing in her. When she entered the library, she scanned the tables until she spotted him, buried in a Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. She walked up quietly, trying to hold back her excitement, and slid into the seat next to him.
Fred looked up, slightly startled before grinning. "Hey, you! Didn't expect to see you here so fast. How did it go?" Amelia's eyes lit up. "Fred, we did it! The presentation went perfectly. Snape actually praised us and gave Gryffindor ten points!" Fred's grin widened. "No way! You got praise from *Snape*? That's practically unheard of. Merlin, you're incredible!" He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close for a quick squeeze. She laughed, still buzzing with excitement. "Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. But he was... impressed! Can you believe it?"
Just as they shared a proud smile, another student passing by bumped into them. The sudden jolt made Amelia shift, and she looked over to see a frazzled fifth-year hurrying past with an armful of books. Fred and Amelia exchanged a look, stifling their laughter, but then couldn't hold back and burst out chuckling. The student turned, looking mildly annoyed. "Could you guys keep it down?" she whispered, glaring at them. "Sorry!" Amelia whispered back, trying to keep a straight face but failing as she and Fred stifled more laughter. Fred leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially, "If we laugh any harder, I think Madam Pince is going to come and separate us." Amelia giggled. "I don't think she's ever forgiven us for that prank last year."
Fred laughed. "Which one? There's a list by now." He glanced over, noticing Madam Pince glancing disapprovingly in their direction from across the room. They shared a mischievous grin, calming themselves as Fred gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You deserve every bit of that praise, you know. Bet no one could've done that potion better."
Amelia exited the library with a skip in her step, looking around to find her friends and share the news. She headed toward the courtyard, knowing it was usually a favored spot for her friends during free periods. Sure enough, she spotted Leora and Hermione sitting on one of the stone benches, flipping through their books. Leora had a quill tucked behind her ear, and Hermione was deeply focused, furrowing her brows as she read.
"Hey!" Amelia called out as she approached, her voice bright with excitement. Both girls looked up. Leora grinned instantly. "There she is! How did it go?" Hermione perked up, closing her book. "Yes, do tell! You were up studying so late, it had to pay off!"
Amelia couldn't contain her excitement. "We got ten points for Gryffindor, and Snape actually said our presentation was... exceptional!" She could barely believe the words herself as she recounted the moment. Leora's mouth dropped open. "Wait, Snape? He actually praised you? I didn't think he knew how to say anything positive!" Hermione nodded, looking equally astonished. "That's incredible, Amelia! Snape rarely gives points at all, let alone to Gryffindors."
Amelia laughed. "I know! I almost didn't believe it myself. And the best part—he didn't find a single mistake! Draco and I actually worked really well together." Leora raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Draco, huh? Maybe that's the secret. Partner with a Slytherin to unlock Snape's softer side." Amelia rolled her eyes but laughed. "Don't give him too much credit—he's still Malfoy." Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "Well, whoever's responsible, you've managed to pull off something none of us thought possible. I'm so proud of you!" Leora gave Amelia a light punch on the arm. "Yeah, seriously, amazing work! And if I recall, that means you owe us some celebratory treats at Honeydukes. Victory sweets!" Amelia grinned, nodding. "Deal! Let's plan a trip this weekend. I'll treat us to whatever you want. I think I earned it." Hermione laughed. "Just don't let Fred hear you're offering sweets—he'll empty your account in one visit!" Amelia laughed, imagining it. "I'm sure he would!"
They continued to chat and joke, the excitement of her success lingering as they wandered around the courtyard together. It felt good to share the moment with friends who understood just how monumental Snape's praise really was. With a celebratory energy, they started planning their weekend trip, all of them happily swept up in the moment.