4th Year

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I ran down the long corridor, my footsteps ringing out against the stone floor, yet going unheard under the endless conversations of other students making their way to their classes. As I passed them they recognized me,  some smiling, some waving and asking me questions I didn't have time to answer. It was really inconvenient that the Potions class was so far away from Dumbledore's office... I turned left almost falling off the edge of the Grand Staircase. This place would always scare me, possibly due to my fear of heights. I clutched my books closer to my chest, anxiously tapping my foot, waiting for the right staircase to levitate towards me. I nervously brushed a strand of golden hair out of my face, tucking it back into my ponytail. "Hey Aliya!" a group of third year Hufflepuffs joined me in the wait. I turned greeted them, asked how the new year was going for them, smiling politely, laughing at their excitement for this year's Triwizard tournament. The staircase rumbled towards us, joining to the floor, once again looking like it never moved. I said goodbye to the younger girls and flew down the stairs, ignoring the remarks of the paintings at my speed. I was called to the headmaster's office - so I needed to go fast. It was exciting, the upcoming battles and the tension, but I still had so much work to do. Too much. That reminds me, I need to talk to Harry about-

"Aliya!" I almost stopped in my tracks and groaned inwardly. Not now Seamus... I attempted to pretend I didn't here him and carried on walking down the hall, hoping id somehow not disappear into the mob of students. The Irish boy persisted on following me. "Hey, um...Als...do you want to, uh, study that new-" He grabbed my arm from behind, I stumbled and my books tumbled to the floor, the papers flying into the air and drifting around me. Instantly the students around us started to pick up my papers. I sighed irritatedly, scrambling to the floor, thanking the students for the help and taking my books from them.

"Sorry I'm really busy these days, how about some other time?"  I looked up at him, he offered a hand and pulled me up from the floor. He brushed his hand quickly through his coarse brown hair, looking at me with green puppy-dog eyes.

"Oh, um, okay, yeah that's grand! I guess i'll be seeing you around then." Oh god... I hated rejecting him, which happened frequently, since every time were crossed paths he seemed to have some work he needed help with or if i wanted to go down to Hogsmead or just straight up: 'Do you want to go out?" You did have to admire his determination. Dusting myself off, I gave Seamus a sorrowful smile and carried on speed walking. Relationships, of that kind, were not important to me, I needed to focus on my studies and getting good marks. 'A focused mind is a true Ravenclaw mind!' : my father's words. Also my mother's words, my uncles' and aunts' words, my grandparents words, my great-great-and so on-grandparents words. It wasn't a coincidence that I was a Ravenclaw, it runs in the blood of my family. My great x10 great grandmother being Rowena herself! Since then at least every generation has been the top of everything...and always either the head girl or boy in their graduating year. There was no question of it. Being an only child and no cousins of the same generation, my mind was focused on owning the headgirl's chambers. My only competition probably being Hermione, but being friends for so long I wouldn't mind that much if she got it. I climbed the steps to the entrance Headmaster's tower, thankful for the silence as students disappeared to their lessons. Pulling out my schedule I found I would be late for Charms...Dammit. Oh well, Flitwick loves me anyways, i'll just get the work off of Padma later. I approached the large bronze griffin that lead to the Headmaster's office, adjusting my blue tie and smoothing down the edges of my white blouse. I quickly pulled down my cardigan to get rid of any creases, rolled down the sleeves and fixed the cuffs. Confident that my pleated grey skirt was a suitable length, I took a deep breath.

"Sherbert...lemons?" Though I doubted the password was actually serious, the statue shuddered and started to slowly spiral upwards. I quickly stepped forwards into the wings of the griffin and was lifted to Dumbledore's office. As it turned and the grey stone blocks revolved around me, I could feel my heart pound in my chest. Why would he call me in? I haven't done anything wrong have I? Its only been a week since the start of school...The statue halted and revealed a small landing with shimmering trophies, old papers, paintings and all sorts of mysterious clutter stacked up against the walls. At the far end of the room was a large wooden door completed with faded iron bolts and small brass doorknob. I cautiously made my way towards it, taking the doorknob in my hand, then letting go and hovering a fist over the door. I rapped on the door lightly three times. 

"Ah, Aliya" Dumbledore called from the other side. "Come in." I turned the doorknob and entered the room, baffled by its size once again, I could never get used to it. Even after coming up with various teachers to accept accommodations, the Headmaster's office still took my breath away. The rows and rows of books covered the walls,  ahead of me, was an ornately carved desk and behind that, a high archway giving way to the balcony where the headmaster himself stood. Dumbledore was dressed in his silvery blue robes and his long white beard almost reached his waist.

"Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry for being late - Snape held us back a few minutes at the end of class. Also, I didn't really catch what - the - why you wanted to see me? Did I do something wrong?" I said as Dumbledore descended the lefthand staircase.

"Don't fret my dear, you're not in any sort of trouble. I simply called on you as you are the perfect person to deal with a certain situation." He gestured with an open arm.

"I don't understand-"

"So am I a situation now?!" I froze, clutching my books tightly to my chest. No. No. What does he got to do with it. That sly and sneering voice could only come from one person.

"Mr. Malfoy, we're trying to help you." I turned facing Professor McGonagall, who stood beside the boy. He was slouching arrogantly on a chair with that typical snobbish look on his face. Draco Malfoy rolled his eyes at her and proceeded to glare at any possible object in the room. I blinked at him, he had probably waited there for quite a while, and due to the fact that he was fidgeting; he was nervous. But for what? His cold grey eyes met my blue ones, immediately breaking my train of thought. I faced Dumbledore, now sitting at his desk, and took a step closer.

"Sir, I'm not sure this particular situation involves me." I began to back towards the door nervously. "I can wait outside of I'm intruding or-"

"No,no,no, it does involve you Miss Turnmerrow. I'd like you to stay." My hand released the door knob and I went back to facing the professor. The old wizard sighed and sat back in his chair, pushing his oval glasses back up his nose. "You may know Draco's lack of effort and achievement in his grades." Malfoy snorted from his seat. "And you are familiar with your excessive achievements..." I don't like where this is going.

"Yes." I stated quickly.

"You are a model Hogwarts student Aliya. A role model to others, therefore we would like you to tutor Mr. Malfoy. Prepare him for the oncoming exams ." McGonagall said.

"Pardon?" I almost squealed, shocked. This can't be happening.

"Wait - what? I don't need any help." Draco spluttered, jumping up from his seat,  even more surprised than me.

"Yes of course." I rolled my eyes. He just spends his time floating paper threats to everyone in the class and cursing 'mudblood' every ten minutes. "Why not Hermione? She's just as good as me, i'd even say better. She's an amazing tutor -"

"What? That fowl mudblood?" Malfoy spat, sticking his nose in the air and glaring at the headmaster.

"That cost you five points from Slytherin Draco." Professor McGonagall warned. Draco groaned, crossing his arms and muttering something under his breath.

"What we're saying is that you're the best one to help him." Dumbledore proceeded.

"This school is ridiculous! I am perfectly capable of succeeding. My grades are not that bad." Draco almost shouted, brushing a hand through his silvery blond hair. "My father will-"

"Your father is the one who demanded that we do this for you." The headmaster's voice rose. Draco instantly shut up, trying to hide a look of fear off of his face. He is such a coward. Dumbledore resumed his calm demeanour and carried on, "Since we received a very... Intense...denial from the tutoring group from the seventh years, we needed to find someone just as capable as those graduating students. Miss Turnmerrow, not only has that capability but she renowned for her ability to aid others." I was flattered, "If you go through with this, Mr. Malfoy - and your results in class and in your exams improve, you can stop the tutoring lessons. Until then, under your father's orders, Aliya will be assisting you." There was silence. I stood looking from person to person. I didn't want to do this! Tutoring him would be the hardest, most stressful thing in the world. I have work too - not to mention a social life as well! But, it looked like I wouldn't have a choice.

"I'd be happy to." I said through my forced smile, avoiding the new glare that was fixed on me.

"Mr. Mal-"

"Fine! I'll do it." He grumbled.

"That's it then." McGonagall said with relief. "Conveniently you are both in the same class. Draco, you will be assigned to sit next  Aliya during lessons, you must follow the way she acts and listen to any advise she gives you." I swallowed deeply. Everyone's going to freak out. Ron will probably laugh about it, but still! The thought of spending every single lesson next to Malfoy...I felt nauseous. "Aliya, you must go to Professor Snape this afternoon and receive the password to the Slytherin common room. Hopefully this doesn't get in the way of your own studies, dear."

"I'll be fine." I nodded tensely. Studying was the least of my problems.

"But-" Malfoy started but he was cut off.

"Every other evening, you must tutor him in there. Make sure to cover all subjects within the week, create a schedule if you want."

"I also warn you, Mr.Malfoy, that if you or any other student tries to disrupt or harass Miss Turnmerrow in any way, I will be informed of it and it will not go unpunished. Is this clear?" Dumbledore rumbled, looking down his nose at the boy.

"Yes." Malfoy sniffed.

"Miss Turnmerrow are you okay with this?"

"Um-yes. Yes, I am."

"Well," the headmaster rose out of his seat and placed his hands firmly on his desk. "It will start tomorrow then. You are both dismissed, return to your lesson." Malfoy quickly stormed past me and out of the door. I thanked both of the professors and followed him out. As the door shut, I swallowed hard, touched my temples. I felt I was about to burst. I sighed and fumbled with my books, my arm aching from clutching them so tightly. Draco stood by the statue, his shoulders slumped and his hands deep the pockets of his trousers. Rolling up the sleeves of my cardigan I walked confidently towards him, standing next to him facing the bronze griffin, the archway too small for both of us to walk through. The awkward silence seemed to last for minutes.

"Are you going or what?" He said bluntly, not looking at me.

"You know, I don't want to do this either." I spoke gravely. "There's a lot of things I'd rather do."

"Same." His grey eyes flickered at me, then to the floor. He pulled at his green tie. I rolled my shoulders. "What do we have next?"

"Charms." He nodded, inhaling a breath so deeply i thought his head would explode. I waited for him to speak, but when he said nothing I looked at the stairs leading down and out of this awkward position I was in. Why did this happen to me? I have to be Draco bloody Malfoy's babysitter...I have to sit next to him in class. What are the others going to think? They'll think I've gone mad. Have I? I am speaking to myself-

"Are you going to leave or what?" Draco snapped, still avoiding my gaze as I shook myself from my thoughts. I sighed heavily and stepped forwards onto the first step cautiously. I've seen him push kids down stairs, he could just be waiting to pounce. But, when I quickly looked back at him he was still standing, hands in his pockets with a bored expression on his face. Satisfied I went down the next five spiral steps, and then the next five and the next five, until I realized he wasn't following.

"Are you okay?" I called up hesitantly. No answer. Why would I care. I rolled my eyes and continued down the steps. "Being late isn't a good start Malfoy." I added. 

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SOOOOOOOOO? What do you think? I have some really really good ideas for this story, i'm sorry if it all feels too fast :P ( i think it does, you may not...it might be my paranoia....i dont have paranoia?) egh....um anyways, i'd really appericiate some comments and votes to make this as popular as it can be so it can spurr me to write more of it! Thanks!!

Kat :) xx

VCF!