"Okay, we will be making an Amortentia potion today, but not with your table partners." With a flick of his wrist, a list of the names in the class appear on the blackboard, with two names next to each other.

"The person across from your name is your partner," with another flick of his wrist, Slughorn's wand writes a list of ingredients on the board. "Now, get with your partners and brew the potion. All groups who brew the potion correctly, and before class ends will be excused. Or if the period ends. Whichever comes first." Slughorn sits at his desk and begins writing something down on a parchment as students stand up to gather ingredients.

Harry looks to the board, and finds his name next to Malfoy's. He internally groans, before collecting the materials and walking to Malfoy's desk. Malfoy is reading the directions from his Potions book.

"Potter," he says without looking up.

"Malfoy," he replies. He glances at the book and reads the first direction. He begins to chop up some ingredients. "Hey, I noticed you were acting a bit strange on the train, the other day. Are you alright, Malfoy?"

"Fine," he replies, still never taking his eyes off the book. He runs his hand roughly through his hair. Harry catches himself staring.

"Did something happen between you and Goyle? I saw you weren't with him."

"We aren't really on speaking terms." Malfoy says it almost angrily and Harry can't help but ask again.

"You sure you're okay?" Malfoy suddenly looks up and glares at Harry.

"Why the sudden interest, Potter? Just get on with the stupid potion. And don't expect any help from me."

Harry mumbles to himself, "I wasn't going to ask for help." It wasn't meant for Malfoy to hear, but he did.

"What was that, Potter?" Malfoy turns and Harry does, too. They both find themselves lost in each other's eyes for a moment. Harry shakes his head and replies.

"Nothing, nothing." Malfoy, a bit shaken up, drops it with no further comment. Harry pulls out his own Potions book and begins to follow the directions. He focuses hard on the potion, and finishes faster than he ever had before, except for when he was with Hermione. He raises his hand in the air and Slughorn comes to check on it. Malfoy lifts his head.

Slughorn sniffs the potion, then again much more deeply. He smiles a pleased smile and says, "Excellent, Potter and Malfoy. You are excused from class. Enjoy your day." Malfoy and Harry both begin to pack their things and head out the door.

Once they're out the Malfoy mumbles, "Nice job, Potter." He turns and walks the opposite direction from Harry. Harry stands their for a moment, dumbstruck, before heading to the Gryffindor common room.

He finds Hermione there, studying her Astronomy book. He sits down next to her, but doesn't say a word.

"Hello, Harry. What happened?" Hermione gives Harry a confused look. "Why are you grinning so hugely?" Harry shakes his head and tries to stop grinning, but he can't. Hermione returns to her book and Harry sits there for a solid ten minutes, grinning like an idiot.