Days at Hogwarts were like slipping through honey sweet, golden, and over far too quickly.
It felt like just yesterday I was kicked out of Beauxbatons in a flurry of scandal and silken skirts, sentenced relocated, technically to Hogwarts, which was a bit like trading champagne for pumpkin juice. Less refined, sure, but if you knew where to look, still intoxicating.
And today? Today was Potions.
"I swear," I muttered, walking with Alexie down to the dungeons, "if Slughorn drones on about 'the delicacy of infusion temperatures' again, I might throw myself into the cauldron just for the drama."
Alexie snorted. "You say that last week."
"And every week, I come one step closer."
We were halfway down the corridor when we practically collided with the infamous cluster of shadows known as Tom's Inner Circle. Abraxas Malfoy, looking regal and bored. Thomas Avery, smirking. Reinhardt Lestrange, whose eyes flicked toward me in that way that always made me want to hex something. Nott trailing behind like a pale ghost. And Elliot Rosier our ever unfortunate blusher.
"Carina," Elliot said brightly, straightening his posture as if summoned to attention.
I gave him a smile that could melt chocolate. "Good morning, Elliot," I purred. "You look devastatingly handsome today."
Predictably, he flushed a shade of crimson usually reserved for Gryffindor banners. "Oh uh—thanks, I—"
Behind him, Avery and Lestrange were elbowing each other, poorly stifled snickers echoing off the cold stone walls. Tom stood at the center, aloof as always, as if the antics of his followers barely warranted a blink.
Abraxas gave Elliot a subtle scowl. "We should head in."
I tilted my head at him sweetly. "Of course. Come along, Alexie."
We entered the Potions classroom, all stone walls and flickering torches, and as fate or Tom's strategic footwork would have it, he reached the bench first and sat down squarely beside me.
Alexie raised a brow at me in amusement. "Well then," she murmured, slipping into a seat beside Abraxas with an exaggerated wink. "Guess I'm with you today."
I leaned toward Tom, my voice a silky whisper. "You look devastatingly handsome today too tom."
He didn't look at me right away, simply said, "I know."
I laughed lightly. "So modest, Do I look pretty today?"
He considered me, the corner of his mouth twitching. "You do."
"I know."
Professor Slughorn waddled into the room at that precise moment, clapping his hands together as if we were all his cherished grandchildren and not, in fact, a room full of serpents.
"Today," he announced grandly, "we begin brewing the Draught of Peace."
A collective groan rippled through the classroom.
"Yes, yes," Slughorn tutted. "It's delicate, time-consuming, and dreadfully easy to ruin. Which is exactly why you must master it. Sixth-year standard!"
I leaned against my hand, already bored as he launched into his usual tangents about the potion's importance, side effects, and a story about a colleague who accidentally brewed a calming draft so strong he wandered into a dragon preserve.
My gaze drifted sideways, lingering on Tom. His profile was sharp as ever, hair falling just barely over his forehead, brows furrowed in casual thought. I didn't even try to pretend I wasn't admiring him.
And then it hit me.
Horcruxes.
He couldn't keep making them. I couldn't lose this version of him.... the handsome version
I couldn't let him twist too far away.
But right now wasn't the time. Right now, he was arching a brow at my cauldron.
"You're doing it wrong."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
He gestured at the potion lazily. "You added the powdered moonstone too early."
I smirked, swirling the mixture. "Oh, darling, do you want to bet on that again?"
Tom's eyes narrowed, intrigued. "I still have a favor left from the last wager."
"So let's double it," I offered with a wink. "If I fail, you get two. But if I win, you owe me one."
He gave a quiet, curious hum. "What's your bet?"
"That Slughorn gives me full marks. Bonus points. And a round of applause, if I charm him right."
Tom chuckled under his breath. "You're insufferable."
"I'm delightful," I corrected. "Now hush. Watch a master at work."
I leaned into the process, narrating with flair.
"First," I said, stirring counter-clockwise, "a touch more syrup of hellebore to balance the infusion rate. Most students skimp here they're afraid of the bitterness. But we know better."
Tom observed, chin resting on his hand, amused.
"Next, three drops of valerian not four. The fourth drop makes it sleepy instead of peaceful. And nobody wants to nap through their existential dread."
From the corner of the room, Slughorn wandered over, his mustache twitching in interest.
I added the final sprinkle of powdered unicorn horn, stirred once clockwise, then whispered a cooling charm to settle the mixture. It turned the soft, pearly blue of a perfect brew.
I raised my hand. "Professor, I believe I've finished."
Slughorn approached, eyes wide. He leaned over the cauldron, inhaled lightly, then beamed. "Exquisite! Flawless balance, subtle hints… Miss Malfoy, this is splendid work!"
He turned to the class. "Five points to Slytherin!"
I looked at Tom with a smug little smile. "Tied now. One favor each."
He gave a soft laugh, shaking his head. "Dangerous game, Carina."
"Darling," I said sweetly, "danger is half the fun."
As the class ended, we began gathering our things when Slughorn called out, "Miss Malfoy, a word if you please!"
I glanced at Tom. "Try not to miss me too much."
He said nothing, but his eyes followed me all the way to the desk.
Slughorn's smile was positively gleeful. "Miss Malfoy, your potion was nothing short of dazzling. I've had my eye on you, and I think you'd be a perfect addition to my little... supper club."
I blinked innocently. "A secret society? How thrilling."
He chuckled. "Nothing sinister, my dear, just a gathering of promising young witches and wizards. You'd be in excellent company. We'd be honored to have you."
I tilted my head. "Free food and flattery? How could I say no?"
"Excellent!."
With that, I turned and headed toward the door, where Alexie was waiting, arms crossed and eyes full of questions.
"What did Sluggy want?"
I fluttered my lashes. "Oh, nothing really. Just invited me to join his exclusive club of future stars. No big deal."
Alexie rolled her eyes. "Naturally."
We walked down the corridor together, our shoes echoing against the stone.
"I think I deserve a celebration," I said. "Maybe a moonlit stroll. Or a little light flirting."
"With who?" Alexie asked.
I grinned. "Whoever's brave enough to flirt back."
As we rounded the corner, I felt eyes on me again Tom's, no doubt, watching like the calculating creature he was.
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