Rendezvous ⤖ Draco Malfoy

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

𝙷𝙾𝙿𝙴 𝙼𝙸𝙺𝙰𝙴𝙻𝚂𝙾𝙽

HAVING HERMIONE GRANGER AS A FRIEND definitely had its benefits. We'd become friends since third year when we had both chosen to take Ancient Runes and were sat next to each other. It was what had kickstarted the rest of the Gryffindor's to speak to me more often.

But she would always remain the one who I spoke to the most.

After the lesson, we made our way to Defense Against the Dark Arts where we took different seats. I was back beside Magnolia.

The classroom was gloomy as we took our seats.

"I have not asked you to take out your books." Snape spoke as he walked between the desks to the front of the classroom.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Hermione quickly drop her book back into her bag.

"I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention. You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe." Snape's eyes scanned the room. "Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an OWL in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you managed to keep up with the NEWT work, which will be more advanced."

Snape prowled around the room; his voice lowering. "The Dark Arts are many varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many headed monsters, which each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible. Your defenses must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo. These pictures—" On the board, pictures flickered to life from the projector. "Give a fair representation of what happens to those who suffer, for instance the Cruciatus Curse, feel the Dementors kiss or provoke the aggression of the Inferi's."

"Has an Inferi been seen, then?" Parvati asked, "is it definite, is he using them?"

"The Dark Lord has used Inferi in the past. Which means you would be well-advised to assume he might use them again. Now... you are, I believe, complete novices in the use of nonverbal spells. What is the advantage of a nonverbal spell?"

Hermione's hand shot up the fastest.

"Very well, Miss Granger?"

"Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform. Which gives you a split-second advantage."

"An answer copied almost word for word from the Standard Book of Spells, Grade Six." Snape dismissed. "But correct in essentials. Yet, those who profess in using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course, it is a question of concentration and mind power which some—" Snape's eyes landed on Harry, "lack. You will now divide into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on."

I faced Magnolia only for her to speak far too quick. "No, no way. Absolutely not. You go partner up with someone else. I'd like to actually stand a chance, thank you very much."

"You're no fun, Mags." I pouted but found Hermione already stood, waiting for me to partner with her.

Magic comes easily to me being a first-born witch. I had mastered non-verbal spells a while ago. Some wand magic spells I could do non-verbally, but I always found natural magic easier.

I took the defensive stand as Hermione practiced the jinxes. After ten minutes, light bounded from her wand, but I blocked it with protego. We stared at each other in accomplishment and set off to repeating the spells.

"Pathetic, Weasley." Snape said, snapping us out of our duel to watch everyone else. "Here let me show you."

Snape turned his wand on Harry, and he responded instantly, completely forgetting that he was meant to be casting non-verbal. "Protego!"

His charm was so strong that Snape was knocked off balance and hit a desk.

"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing nonverbal spells, Potter?"

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me 'sir', professor." Harry retorted.

Several people gasped and I couldn't help the snort that escaped.

"Detention, Saturday night, my office." Snape glared. "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter...not even 'the chosen one'." He faced the rest of the class. "Next lesson we will be studying other types of magic. Specifically, Natural Magic."

This could not be happening. My face turned white as his eyes landed on me. He was doing this on purpose. Even the Head of Slytherin had it out for me.