Old Ties

As the teacher droned on about things and people long since past, Roxannya daydreamed. Images of carriages, suave men in tuxedos, corsets, top hats, champagne, masquerade balls, masked boys and spiteful women clouded her mind, so that the teacher had to address her several times before she snapped back to the real world, and answered lamely

"Yes?"

"Thank You, Miss Malfoy. Now that I have your attention, would you please answer the question?"

Roxannya stared at him blankly, wishing desperately that she knew what the question was.

"Well, Miss Malfoy?" Professor Weasley said sarcastically.

"Could you please repeat the question Professor?" She asked meekly.

"I most certainly will---"

Roxannya released a breath she didn't know she had been holding, and was about to smile at the slimy git when he did the most loathsome thing she could think of.

"After school, while you are serving detention."

Roxannya's jaw dropped. How dare he! She actually thought about flashing him with her trademark Malfoy glare but thought better of it, she had quidditch tomorrow and she wasn't going to let some stupid History Professor take that away from her.

Through her tightly clenched teeth, she answered "See you there."

Professor Weasley was the most wretched teacher to her. He was so spent on making her life as miserable as possible, that he often completely overlooked many of the attentive students, just to point her out and embarrass her. He knew very well that she had not heard the question, he just wanted to see her squirm.

The rest of the class was spent copying out of the textbook, filling out stupid charts, and recording dates . As soon as they were dismissed she headed to the front of the room to ask about her detention. Professor Weasley was a tall, lanky man, that had faded freckles and medium length red hair. Though now there were a few gray streaks here and there. Her father had gone to school with him and his famous friends, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger. Her father, Draco, had made amends with the "Golden Trio" not too long after the end of the war. However, when she was around nine years old, they had a sort of falling out with one another . She used to play with Professor Weasley's kids and still saw them around school. However, they would only exchange pleasantries, and then be on their way. As she approached the desk she noticed a small photo of his family. All of them were smiling and waving happily through the frame all embraced in a group hug at the Potter's house. Next to that photo she saw another of Potter's family, then one of his brother George's, and one of what looked to be a family reunion (almost everyone in that photo had red hair.).

"Here Miss Malfoy."

Roxannya was again plucked from her mind by her professor.

"My office, 6 o'clock, sharp. Do not be late. I have better things to do than to sit around and wait for unappreciative students."

Roxannya took the note and with a curt nod and a simple "Thank you, professor." She left.

Moving with an unmatched speed and yet still carrying her classic Malfoy elegance, Roxannya quickly made her way down to the Great Hall for lunch. Outside the doors she saw him. Her heart began to race, and she felt a fluttering in her stomach, that only one boy could create. Thomas Zabini. With his caramel colored skin, soft black hair, and liquid black eyes, who wouldn't feel like they were about to faint every tine they saw them? Roxannya took a deep breath to steady her hammering heart. Holding her head high she then proceed to approach the doors at a casual but still stunningly graceful pace. When she was close enough, Zabini grabbed her wrist and spun her around to make her face him. He smiled playfully at her, his eyes sparklingly with mischief.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Well you see, I was just headed in to meet my boyfriend." She replied coyly.

"Boyfriend?" He said raising an eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Now, who would be so lucky as to have a beautiful girl like you?"

Roxannya felt the color rise in her cheeks. Whenever he complimented her she always blushed. It was ever so frustrating. And then she could never think of anything witty or flirtatious to say back. When all she did was smile at him, he said "You know what, I don't think you have a boyfriend."

"Oh, but I do."

"Really? What's he like?"

"Well, for one thing, he's rich." She said evasively.

"Oh, so you're a gold digger?" Zabini said folding him arms across his chest.

"Heavens no!" Roxannya replied feigning shock and mortification. Zabini chuckled at her.

"Okay then, so what's so great about him?"

"He's also captain of the Slytherin quidditch team."

"Really?"

Roxannya nodded "Yep, and not only that but he is also smart, adventurous, fun, handsome and " she said in her best seductive voice " he is an amazing kisser."

"Is he now?" Zabini said, his eyes shinning. Roxannya nodded. "We'll have to see about that." he said.

With that he gently lifted her chin so that her soft lips meet his. Roxannya could have sworn that her heart stopped beating. After a moment Zabini broke the kiss, and kissed her hand, then her forehead, then her cheek, and her nose and finally found her lips again. Her stomach growled, and Zabini pulled away smiling.

"I think you should get something to eat." He said gesturing toward her stomach.

"Oh, yeah. You want to sit together?" Roxannya asked .

"I can't. I have to finish an Ancient Runes essay. Plus I already ate." He shrugged, "I was just waiting for you to get down here."

"Oh, okay. I guess I will see you later then." She finished lamely.

He smiled at her. "I guess so."

Then with a last peck on the cheek, he left. Roxannya smiled giddily before regaining some of her composure and entering the Great Hall.