Chapter 1- Birthday

Alyss Cross walked to the teaching chambers of her best friend, Scorpius Malfoy. She had been teaching at Hogwarts since a year after she graduated five years ago. She had a love for Transfiguration that nothing could compare too. Scorpius, on the other hand, has a niche for Potions. Alyss could hardly stand some of the odors he could cook up but he loved what he was doing and that was good enough for her. Plus she rather liked how he could talk endlessly about Potions and she could talk endlessly about Transfiguration.

Scorpius hadn't had an easy life, with his father being a death eater along with his grandfather and great grandfather. Alyss knew how proud Scorpius was to be his father's son since he had turned away from Voldemort during the war. Despite the evil mark marring his fathers' arm, Scorpius loved his father more than anyone.

"Scorpius! Where the hell are you?" Alyss called as she stepped into his sitting room. The lights were out, which was unusual. She stepped further inside about to call out again when the room exploded with light and sound.

"Happy Birthday!"

Alyss blushed to the roots of her hair in anger and embarrassment. She should have known he had something planned when he asked her to go out for drinks tonight. That sly bastard!

"Come on Alyss, you deserve a good birthday. Don't you?" Scorpius made his way out of the crowd and put an arm around her shoulders. Alyss stood stiffly next to him, glaring at the ground. He knew she hated to be the center of attention! A surprise birthday party didn't qualify as a 'good birthday' to her.

Her best friend had always been an attention seeker which was great for her because she was the opposite. He could take it away from her and they were both happy. He got girls and the men stayed away from her. That was just how she wanted it considering her bad luck with guys. They all wanted one thing from her and she was an 'exotic beauty' to them as Scorpius had phrased it once.

"If I deserved a good birthday why would you ruin it, huh?" She hissed under her breath and sighed as Scorpius just grinned down at her. Alyss saw her sister make her way out of the crowd.

"Roselle, don't bother. Please." Alyss pleaded but Roselle didn't care and pulled her sister into a hug tight enough that she could barely breathe.

"We need to talk, sister." Roselle whispered seriously in her ear. Alyss knew what was coming. Every year, for the past six years, on her birthday Roselle would tell her she needed a man. Not just any man, but her best friend, Scorpius Malfoy.

There were a few problems with that, one he was her best friend, two he was her best friend, and three he was her flipping best friend! Roselle refused to listen, insisting that they just needed some help.

"You and-

"No we do not! I'm so tired of you trying to get us together, Roselle." Alyss snapped and stormed from the celebration. She hid in the hall planning to wait the party out, knowing that Roselle and Scorpius would check her rooms first.

"What was that about?" Panic flowed through Alyss. What had he heard?

Scorpius had followed her, too stunned to think about what he was about to do. He couldn't believe what he heard. Alyss liked someone? Roselle knew too? Why didn't he know? Despite everything he felt a little hurt she hadn't told him.

"Who is it you like?" Scorpius demanded once he saw she wasn't going to answer.

"No one. Roselle just thinks I do, but I don't." She said hastily to assure him, but he noticed how sad she sounded.

"What's wrong then?" He asked, sitting down beside her. She rested her head on his shoulder out of habit.

"It would be nice if I did like someone is all. Or if someone liked me, I still get lonely even with you bothering me all the time." She joked lamely.

"I think I might-

"Not a chance in hell. I won't let you set me up with anyone. He'd try to get in my pants on the first date." Alyss warned him with a laugh.

Scorpius scowled, "What's wrong with sex on the first date? Hmmm?"

Alyss didn't really care she'd offended him, "It means you don't respect the girl enough to wait for it and it means that's what you were after the whole time and not a serious relationship."

Scorpius stared at her in outrage, "Or we were both horny and needed a good lay! Not all men are pigs you know and some women are far worse."

"Sure like you don't wonder on every date, 'will I get laid this time or wait through another pointless dinner?'" She said mocking his deep voice.

"How about a bet?" He challenged carelessly. "I bet I can get a girl in bed on by the third date without hesitation."

Alyss chuckled, "You're on. Who's the lucky girl?"

"You are. I'll have had you by the third date, Alyss you'll see."

Alyss stared at her friend, and then realizing he was serious, she nodded slowly, "May the best woman win."

Alyss didn't know what possessed her to say yes, maybe the sure feeling she had that she wouldn't want to sleep with her best friend. That had to be it. He surely wouldn't want to sleep with boring Alyss?

Scorpius held out his hand and she shook it with a sense of foreboding. Would this be the biggest mistake of their friendship?

A/N: Hello everyone. This is my latest story but it's not all my own. I'm collaborating with a friend from my school. Alyss and Roselle are her original characters and I'll be sure to point out plot ideas that our hers as well. I hope everyone gives it a chance! Also review with any questions. My friend now has an account, MadiP. Thanks!