Chapter 2: Meet Ups

Astoria was already eating her lunch. She was patiently waiting for Draco to come and discuss about his plans for the study sessions in Potions class. As she was about to take her next bite someone sat next to her.

“I thought this was a lunch date?” Draco uttered out.
“Was it? I didn’t catch that.” Astoria tried to play it cool.
“Have you been waiting?” Draco smiled at her. It was the first time she ever saw Draco smiled. Well, she has seen him smile and laugh but never with people he barely talks to.
“Of course I’ve been waiting. You specifically told me that we will discuss the study matter this lunch or have you forgotten?” Astoria was annoyed every time Draco acts so arrogantly.
“I’m here now.” Draco moved closely to her but Astoria refused.
“Do you want that every weekdays we study for 2 hours and then on weekends we study for 5? Astoria said.
“Sure. Common room?” Draco asked.
“It’ll be too noisy. You wouldn’t concentrate that much. I know a place.” Astoria replied.
“Not the library, I can’t stand mudbloods!” He said while looking at Hermione at the next table.
“Don’t worry, it’s not the library. It’s at the Hogwarts lake. I usually study there.” Astoria looked at Draco hoping to see if he liked the idea. Draco look a little hesitant as he keeps staring at his friends and to Astoria.
“Look Malfoy, I’m not going to let you choose this over your friends but I am willing to help you with studying. Professor Snape trusted me to teach you so I hope that you would also trust me.” Astoria interrupted him.
“Astoria call me Draco. Yes, I’ll meet you there after class.” Draco spoke.
“O-okay. I’ll be… waiting.” Astoria stood up and left the Great Hall.

After class Draco went to see Astoria at the Hogwarts lake. He saw Astoria reading a book, possibly waiting for his arrival. Astoria saw him approaching. She put down the book she was reading and took out the Potions book. Draco sat down next to her and took out his book as well.
“Before we begin” Astoria started. “Let’s make a promise, if you can pass the exam Professor will be giving us next month, what would you want in return?” Astoria curiously asked. Draco laughed at the idea. “It’s not funny. If I can motivate you through what you want, it might make your grades higher.” Astoria felt ashamed she said her idea in the first place. She wanted to just bang the book she was holding on her head. Draco didn’t answer her though. He was also thinking of what he would want if ever he gets a high grade on Snape’s exam.
“Keep it. In due time, tell me. Let’s start.” Astoria opened her book to chapter 1 of the book.

They kept meeting up after class to study for Potions. Astoria saw a great side of Draco. He’s not mean at all. He was fun to be with and he makes her laugh all the time. Draco was a gentleman to her. He would carry her books after they finish studying or he would bring her some refreshments. Astoria was actually surprise to this normal side of Draco, it made her even like him more. They meet almost everyday and as the days progressed, the exam for Potions got nearer.

“Draco…I’m not going to lie, we’re a little bit late with the studying. Professor Snape included another 2 topics for the exam and with a week left…” Astoria shuffled through the pages of her book.
“You’re saying that I’ll fail his class?” Draco interrupted her.
“I didn’t say that. You’ll cram and that’s not good.” Astoria worried.
“The Yule ball is after 2 weeks right?” Draco randomly asked her. Astoria froze for a moment. She was wondering if Draco had any plans in bringing Pansy to that ball.
“Yes. Why?” Astoria didn’t want him to open anything about Pansy. She never liked Pansy at all.
“Tell you what, if I rank a place in Snape’s bloody exam will you go to the ball with me?” Draco smiled. Astoria’s heart was going crazy. She wasn’t expecting for this to happen at all. She calmly pressed her chest and turned to Draco “Deal.” And they both resumed to study.

Finally the day of the exam came. Everyone was ready enough to take Professor Snape’s exam although he was known for making one of the hardest exams at Hogwarts. The Potions room was very silent. All you could hear are the quills of the students making that screeching sound when they write. Snape was roaming around the room making sure that no one was cheating. When the exam finished everyone looked devastated. Some were discussing their answers, some were just simply tired.

The next day Snape finished grading their exam. He dashed inside the Potions room and stood in front. He looked at his students seriously, everyone panicked in silence.
“I’m very disappointed, only 8 students passed my exam.” Snape started. You can already see Ron defeated when he heard what Snape said. “Granger! Was again the highest in the exam with only 2 mistakes. Zabini comes in second. Fletchley. Greengrass. Parvati Patil. Abott. Thomas and Malfoy.” Snape turned to Malfoy while Malfoy flashed a smirk. Everyone else felt stressed. Snape was also known for being biased to the Slytherins.
“Professor, did you just say Malfoy ranked 8th?” Astoria was surprised hearing Snape call Draco’s name. She knew Draco was not an idiot but she never would’ve thought he could pass the exam.
“Yes miss Greengrass. You’re tutoring skills is working on mister Malfoy.” Snape took out his wand and started his lesson. The whole time he was discussing Astoria couldn’t believe it still. Was Draco tricking her all this time? Astoria knew that Draco was having a hard time in some parts while she was tutoring him. She was happy that he did pass because she gets to be his partner for the ball but she was just completely surprised.

The school bell rang and the lesson ended.