As soon as you walked into Professor Snape's classroom, you could tell this year wasn't going to be great. Now, as you are sitting at your desk in the back of the classroom, you knew your prediction was correct.

"I will be assigning your partners for the rest of this year. There will be absolutely no changing partners." Professor Snape drawled as the class collectively groaned. He began naming off the partners and instructing them to their shared desks.

"Mrs. Y/L/N and Mr. Malfoy, you will be sitting here," Snape calls as he points to the desk on the farthest left side of the classroom. You look over towards the famed Draco Malfoy, surprised he hasn't protested your partnership yet. You had known of Malfoy since First Year but had never bothered him, and he did the same. You didn't know much about him, other than the fact that his family associated with Death Eaters and Voldemort.

"Mrs. Y/L/N, please make your way towards your desk. Unless of course, you want to continue staring at your Potions partner's empty desk." You look up towards the professor, your cheeks heating up and turning bright red from embarrassment. You quickly gather your things and head over to the empty seat next to Draco Malfoy.

"Hi, I'm-" You start.

"I know who you are," Malfoy interrupts.

"Okay then..." you respond as Snape starts telling the class about the first Potions assignment of this year. You begin to take notes on the assignment, surprised to find Malfoy doing the same next to you. As he writes, you notice the silver rings on his hands.

"Nice rings," you tell him. "They look good." He looks up surprised, almost like he has never been complimented before.

"C'mon Y/N, let's go!" You turn to find Hermione, Harry, and Ron standing in the doorway of the Potions classroom, and you look around realizing class has ended.

"Bye, I guess. See you tomorrow," You tell Malfoy as you pack up your things, his only response a small nod.

"Ugh, you're stuck with Malfoy as a Potions partner?" Ron asks as soon as you clear the Potions classroom. "That really sucks, sorry Y/N."

"It's actually not bad at all. He was taking notes like he was supposed to, and he is actually really smart. As smart as you, Hermione." Ron turns toward you, looking surprised. "Really, it's true."

"We believe you, Y/N. We do, but please be careful. Malfoy has done some bad things." Harry tells you.

"I will, I promise. But I really don't think he will do anything," You respond.