A Dragon's Love

Chapter Eight

Helena was infuriated at Draco Malfoy. He was the most obnoxious little prick! All through dinner her mind had been exploring the many many ways she could and would torture the smirk completely out of the Potions Master. She sighed as she put on her lovely rose satin teddy.

On the bright side, Moore Dresden really seemed like a good man. He was so very understanding- much more than Draco Malfoy. And handsome as well, though in a different way from the other man. Moore was extremely large and raw boned, but he had a very gentle look in his brown eyes. Quite unlike the tall and slender Professor Malfoy, he had the physique of a lion, all brawn and tawny skin. He really was quite attractive. She refused to admit the fact that she somewhat preferred the more subtle sexiness of Draco.

I am an utter fool, Helena sighed. How could she have believed for a SECOND that Draco Malfoy would be interested in her? She had found out that hordes of witches more entrancing than her had gotten their hearts stomped on by that vicious toad, and she had been vain enough to even think that she had somehow managed to grasp his attention.

The Transfigurations Professor fell beneath her soft coverlets, and fell asleep fitfully.

*

"Ow," Angelique said, as someone brushed against her hard and made her drop all her books. The blond haired first year didn't even turn. "Bitch." She looked down at her stinging knee and the papers all about the floor, and sighed. Wonderful way to start her first year in Hogwarts.

"Are you all right?" spoke a concerned male voice. Glancing up, Angelique felt her heart skip a beat. He was almost unbelievably handsome, with light green eyes and dark brown hair flopping over his forehead. And tall- taller than her by far. He was definitely not a first year.

"Uhmm.." Helping her up, the boy used a simple spell to gather up her things and handed them to her. Then, he noticed her bleeding knee.

"Oh, that looks nasty. You should go to Madam Pomfrey, and she'll take care of you."

"Thanks," Angelique said feebly.

He flashed her a smile worthy of magazine covers. "No problem."

Angelique watched him briefly as he walked past her, feeling as though the boy had carried her heart away with him. Then it hit her. "Shit, Potions!" Forgetting the sting in her knee, she ran to the dungeons, hoping she'd beat the bell.

*

Draco smiled as the bell rang shrilly at the exact moment that Angelique ran into the classroom, red hair flying about wildly and panting. "Good morning class," he said pleasantly, looking over the group of Gryffindors and Slytherins all standing on either side of the dungeon rooms.

"Please take your seats. Choose any that you want, but if I see a problem, I will happily arrange them. You must take into account that with privileges come responsibility and I expect you won't take advantage of my leniency."

He continued, as the children shuffled into chairs, noticing the Slytherins and Gryffindors sat stolidly apart as usual. Some things never changed. "I will give a brief synopsis about the art which you will be learning. Potions is a rather different kind of magic than Transfigurations or Charms. Wands are on the superfluous side in regards to Potions. However, this doesn't necessarily imply that it is a worthless area of study. In fact, it can be most important. When rightfully done, a certain potion can be made to make its drinker speak the truth, no matter if the person is under a Wizarding Oath. Does anyone know what that is?" Draco asked the class.

Two people raised their hands- Alyssa Goyle and Angelique Weasley. "Yes, Miss Weasley?" the Potions Professor called, smiling. The Slytherins inwardly seethed. It looked as though even the only Slytherin professor wasn't going to play them as favorites.

"Veritaserum."

"Very good. Now, that's not what we are going to be learning to make today. We'll start very simply, and move on throughout the years. Look to the board carefully, it will have directions for you to follow. As long as you read them thoroughly, there should be little problems. Begin!"

*

Classes were over. Helena poured some iced pumpkin juice down her throat, relishing the cool sweetness. Teaching really was quite wonderful. Though it had worn her out (Lily Potter was uncontrollable!), Helena found that she had enjoyed the day nonetheless. It was much better than Auror work.

Idly buttering a roll, she found that she was thinking of Mr. Malfoy once more. She hadn't thought of him all day, having been preoccupied, but with nothing more to concentrate on than counting the calories on the slab of fat she was spreading on her bread, her mind went automatically to that concussed troll.

Suddenly, Helena felt a little tap on her shoulder. "Mind if I sit next to you?" Professor Dresden whispered in her ear, a half-smile lighting up his tanned face.

She returned the smile rather wearily. "Why would I mind?"

Settling down on the chair and helping himself to thick slices of ham, the large man shrugged. "I thought it would be politer to ask. You as tired as you look?"

Nodding, Helena said, "It's been a long day but very pleasant on the whole. How were your students?"

"Tiresome," he responded, his brown eyes dancing. "And some quite obnoxious. I could have hexed the arrogance out of a couple of them, but I managed to hold back. Can't spare the Galleons."

She chuckled and said fondly, "But one day they'll get their heads deflated."

"I'd be glad to oblige."

From the corner of her eye, Helena saw Draco entering the room, his face vulnerable and ... wistful. She felt an ache for him, out of nowhere. She longed to smooth his tiredness away and explore the texture of his lips with her own. Was she insane? The man had hurt her feelings just the other night. She must be crazy. Her eyes suddenly met his, and it almost seemed as though he brightened at the sight of her. Then, the silvery eyes became shuttered, as they slid over to the man sitting next to her. Draco turned away from her and sat on the opposite end of the table.

Helena's mind raced. Could the man possibly be jealous? Is that why he had been so impossible the other night? He had seemed irate after.. after she had sat next to Moore! But that had been the only available seat.. regardless, everything made sense now. A healthy anger mixed with amusement stirred within her. She guessed she'd have to show Draco that he was the only man on her mind.

Author's Note: I'd really appreciate it if readers gave me their insights on the story. I'm really insecure :D about this so please, if you can spare the time, leave me a review! Thanks!