The Forgotten Twin

Chapter 8

During lunch break, Draco left to work on the Vanishing Cabinet while Delilah worked on Slughorn and Snape's homework in the library. Slughorn's was easy enough. She finished it rather quickly. Snape's, however, was much more complicated, and she only barely finished it before the bell rang for her to go to Double Potions.

When she got there Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already talking.

"Mind if I join you?" asked Delilah.

Hermione smiled.

"Of course not. What do you think of Slughorn?"

Delilah paused. How did she phrase this?

"Well, he's not as smart as Snape" —she raised her hand to stop Harry's protests— "BUT he's a better teacher, since you know, he doesn't bully students."

"But he does have favorites," Hermione argued.

"True, but at least he doesn't act against those who aren't his favorites."

"I wasn't saying he's a worse teacher, I was just pointing it out."

Thankfully Slughorn opened the door, so she didn't have to figure out a response.

As they entered Slughorn greeted Harry, Delilah, and Zabini with particular enthusiasm.

"What did you do to get him to like you?" Harry asked.

"I impressed him in Alchemy."

"Wait, there's an Alchemy class?" Hermione blurted.

"Yeah, but-"

"I never took it! Why wasn't it an option in our third year? I'd have loved-"

Hermione took a breath and Delilah took the opportunity to interrupt.

"Because Snape had to approve the students and since he's a biased git he didn't invite you despite the fact that you would be amazing at it."

Though, it had been nice for Delilah not to have to deal with Hermione upping her again and again in a subject Delilah cared more about. Still, it wasn't fair that Snape hadn't given Hermione a chance.

Oddly enough, the dungeon was already full of vapors and odd smells. Delilah studied the bubbling cauldrons as shade passed.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked as she walked past him.

"To sit across from you."

She ruffled his hair and sat down, leaving Macmillan to sit awkwardly with the Slytherins. She loved doing that to Harry, but since he had his growth spurt she couldn't reach his head unless he was sitting down. It was rather annoying.

As she sat down, she studied the cauldrons. The one closest to them was obviously Amortentia, the addictive scents alone was enough to show that.

Delilah sniffed experimentally. She had always wondered what it would smell like to her, but she and Draco never had had the time to experiment with it. Oddly enough, the scents weren't too surprising. There was the smell of Draco's cologne, old books, and the café Draco had taken her to last year. Hopefully the next hogsmeade trip was soon, she really wanted some more of their french toast and hot chocolate.

She sniffed again and was surprised to find hints of Mrs. Weasley's perfume and Hagrid's hut. She'd need to visit him soon.

Just as she started studying the other potions, Slughorn turned to the class.

"Now then, now then, now then. Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making...."

Delilah pulled the needed items out along with the notebook with her improved potions recipes and tips.