I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or place names in this fiction.
Chapter 1 - This Isn't a War
Professor Snape glided up and down his office, absentmindedly running his fingers through his greasy hair. I surveyed him; I could see that my normally rosy complexion had faded from my reflection in the mirror behind his desk. Snape suddenly swooped down upon me; I could feel his hot breath on my skin. I let out a small rattling breath, my eyes wide with fear. Snape's beetle black eyes looked into my honey coloured ones.
"I'll ask you once more, why were you out of bed after curfew?" Snape's voice was low and dangerous.
"I c-couldn't s-sleep, s-sir," I answered, shaking. "I-I..."
Professor Snape stood up to his full height; he looked even more bat-like than usual. I was trembling and barely breathing for fear of being punished. Snape let out a long sigh; obviously he was beginning to give up.
"Miss Davies, do not lie to me," Snape said, rubbing his temples with his slender fingers.
"I..." I couldn't talk, I wasn't about to tell him that I was loitering outside of his office in the hop that he would find me, could I? Somehow I knew that he knew what I was doing. I finally glanced up at him, my eyes meeting his. "I just wanted to see you..."
Professor Snape looked taken aback by what I had just said. He folded his arms across his chest; he looked even more frightening to me now than he had ever done before. I knew what he thought of me, after all I am a Gryffindor and a Muggle-born, and I knew that I wasn't worthy to be in his presence. "Miss Davies," he said considering me for a moment, "you will be serving detention with me tomorrow night after dinner, do you understand?"
I nodded still shaking with fear.
"You may leave," he said turning his back on me.
I got up to leave; I stood for a few seconds just watching him. He had never been nice to me, he had never even acknowledged me in the slightest, but there was something about him that intrigued me. I don't know whether it was the fact that he was so powerful; something that I longed to be. But there was something about him that had instantly caught my attention when I first set foot into his class 5 years ago.
"I asked you to leave, Miss Davies," Snape said quietly.
Asked? Was Snape even capable of asking? I hurried to the door, I felt his eyes on me again, but I didn't turn around. I closed the door softly behind me. I was surprised that I didn't see anyone on my way back to Gryffindor tower, it was well past midnight and I was sure I would meet a couple of the Gryffindor prefects. I gave the Fat Lady the password and she let me through the portrait hole. It was quite dark in the common room, the embers in the grate casting a warm orange glow throughout the room. I sighed as I made my way up to the girls' dormitory. I opened the door and walked inside my room, my best friend Rosie was sprawled out on her bed snoring, the other three girls were all sleeping peacefully. I was thankful that none of them were awake; I didn't feel like answering questions. I pulled my robes over my head; I couldn't be bothered to put my pyjamas on so I just flopped underneath my covers. I turned to the window and saw snow falling lightly upon the window sill; I closed my eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.
When I awoke the next morning it was to find Rosie's cursing, her backside was poking in the air as she rummaged through her trunk. Cassie was a bit strange, she was blonde and had big green eyes, she was very pretty but she never played on it, in fact she seemed more interested in collecting Chocolate Frog cards than boys. She had a very peculiar way of dressing, clashing colours was her favourite.
I sat and watched her, a smile formed on my face. "What are you looking for?"
"My bloody potions book," Rosie said standing up straight, she put her hands on her hips and turned to me, her cheeks were bright red, "d'you know where I put it?"
I shook my head. "Are you sure you didn't leave it in Snapes class?"
"Probably," she shrugged. "Are you getting up or are you just going to laze around all day? You know what Snape's like if you're late."
I knew all too well what Snape was like when I was late. The last time I was late he gave me detention for a week made me clean his store room; I found some pretty nasty stuff hidden under the cupboards.
I got out of bed and went to my trunk, I pulled out some clean robes and made my out of the dormitory and went to the bathroom, to shower. I used my wand to dry my long brunette hair; I looked into the mirror and saw that my rosy cheeks had returned. I was very pale, and I thought I was rather attractive, well I knew that there were a few girls that were jealous of me, put it that way. I put my robes on and walked back to my dormitory. Rosie was sitting on the end of my bed.
"I'll have to share yours," she said as I began to put my make-up on.
We walked down to the Great Hall together; Rosie was still going on about her potions book. "I know I had it, but where did I bloody well put it?"
"Rosie, just ask Snape if you left it there last lesson," I said walking into the Great Hall. Professor Snape was sitting at the teachers table in conversation with Professor Fitwick. He glanced at me for a second before going back to his conversation. Rosie and I sat down at the Gryffindor table. Rosie turned to talk to a boy in the year above us, his name was William Martin, he was extremely nice to talk to and very helpful, I wouldn't exactly call him a best friend, but he was a friend none the less.
Not feeling at all hungry, and seeing Snape leave the hall I picked up my bag. I told Rosie that I would be outside the Potions class room and that she should meet me there when she was finished. I walked slowly, not really knowing why I was going to the dungeons so early. Professor Snape scared me, but somehow I always found myself to be the first into the class room and the last one to leave. There was a good half an hour to spare before class started so I got out my potions book and began to read. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps coming down the corridor, Snape appeared in front me within seconds.
"Miss Davies, you are early," he stated crossing his arms over his chest. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. He sneered at me before speaking again, "why?"
"I-I wasn't hungry, sir," my voice was croaky and I began to shake. However, I continued to talk. "M-my friend t-thinks she may have l-left her potions book b-behind last lesson, p-professor..."
He looked into my eyes for what seemed like forever, I really did try to look away but I couldn't, it was like he had a hold on me. My heart rate increased dramatically and I found that my palms were sweating. We were interrupted by Draco Malfoy walking to the class room, I rolled my eyes and turned my back on him. I wasn't in the mood for his jibes today.
"Professor Snape," he said from behind me. Draco was a seventh year and an extremely rude one at that, I'd often seen him curse Harry Potter and his group of friends only to come out worse. Although, I did find him extremely attractive. I would often stare at him in the Great Hall when he was showing off to his friends.
"Mister Malfoy, how may I help you?" Snape said looking away from me to the blonde young man standing to my left.
"There's something happening in the Entrance Hall, I believe Potter has something to do with it... I was asked to come and get immediately." I turned my head a bit and saw that Malfoy had a slight grin on his face.
Professor Snape walked briskly in the direction of the Entrance Hall. Draco, however, stayed behind. I could feel him glaring at me, like he had done on so many other occasions. I finally turned my head and looked deep into his eyes, for some reason he didn't look away.
"I..." I trailed off, for some unknown reason Draco Malfoy was looking at me without being repulsed. I felt strange, like he was penetrating my thoughts. I turned my gaze away from him and looked at my shoes. Draco also turned away from me, I thought that he may go and enjoy what ever show Snape was playing with Harry, but he didn't. He just stood there imitating me.
"I don't mean what I say, you know," he said before he eventually did leave. I simply stood there dumbfounded by what Draco had just said to me. I jogged along to catch up with him before he turned the corner. I lightly touched his shoulder.
"I'm sorry for being a Mudblood," I said before turning back and heading towards the class room.
I heard his foot steps follow me. "You're admitting that?" He asked, confused.
"Why wouldn't I? That's exactly what I am," I said without turning around. "I admit defeat, Draco. You win. Can I get on with my life now?"
"I win? What are you talking about?" Draco asked, finally stopping me.
"Isn't this what you wanted? I admit defeat, and then you'll leave me alone?" I asked gazing into his eyes. His eyes didn't seem cold, but they held a sort of malicious sparkle.
Draco sighed, something that didn't happen too often. I'd only known him to sigh when I had tried to retaliate in an argument, but couldn't find the words. It seemed that he enjoyed our arguments, but until now I hadn't realised.
"This isn't a war Cassie..." his eyes grew wide as if he had said something dirty. I understood immediately, he had said my name. He only ever used my last name, unless we were having a heated discussion or something. In fact I had never known him to use anyone's first name before. I shuffled my feet.
"It feels like one," I said quietly, before walking around him to stand outside of the class room. I closed my eyes in hope that he would just go away and leave me alone. Starting an argument this early in the day would just stress me out.
His foot steps echoed through the dungeons, and even though he was gone I could still smell his aftershave.
Class went reasonably well considering Snape and I had a weird moment in the corridor, he seemed to be pleased with himself about something, something that I was glad not to be apart of. He always found some reason to bite my head off, whether it was my school work or the way I stirred the potion, but today he seemed to back off and leave me to get on with my work.
When class finished, I packed up my things. I gave Professor Snape a small smile before I left the room only to have the door slammed shut in my face before I reached it.
"Sit!" Professor Snape hissed. I did as I was told and sat down at the nearest desk. "I do not like being made a fool of, Miss Davies."
"I-I don't know w-what you're talking about, p-professor," I wasn't lying, I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. I had been the perfect student, I kept my head down and did my work.
"You will be doing detention with me tonight, and no smile will get you out of it!"
"I wasn't trying to get out of it!" I shouted back at him. I was stunned by what I had done and by the look on Snapes face, so was he.
"You've just earned another detention tomorrow night, Miss Davies," Snapes said coldly. "Go!"
I quickly got up and wrenched the door open, I don't think I'd ever left a class room that quickly before. As I made my way up the steps to the Entrance Hall I bumped into Draco, he tried to stop me by grinning at me, but that only made me walk faster. Soon I was out in the open air of the castles' grounds. It was bitterly cold and there was a small about of snow on the ground. and I saw Rosie having a snowball fight with William. I decided to take refuge underneath a tree. At least no one would be able to see me, I was wrong as usual because Draco had followed me.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" I said irritably, why did he have to be so annoying?
"Why do you feel like we're at war?" He asked, pulling me around behind the tree so no one would see us talking.
"Well we are... I'm a Gryffindor, not to mention Muggle-born... And you, well we all know what you are, you never let anyone forget," I said standing with my back resting on the tree trunk. "Seriously Draco, you thought that I was retaliating for fun? Don't you know what your friends would think if they found out you were friends with a Mudblood. As much as I'd like to be friends with you Draco, I know I can't, because it'll ruin your reputation."
"You care about my reputation?" He said, now standing in front of me with a weird glint in his eyes.
"Of course I do, I wouldn't tell you to bugger off when you tease me in front of your friends, would I?" I said with a small smile. "You overstep the mark sometimes, I must admit... To the point that it hurts me."
"Is that why you ran off yesterday?" He asked leaning on the tree next to me.
"Yes, I thought you'd finally seen me for who I really am and decided that the best way was to rip me apart," I turned my head to look at him. "I thought you really meant those things, anyone would. You seemed determined to hurt me..."
"I really didn't mean to, I got a little carried away," he replied meeting my eyes, I felt my cheeks start to burn. This always happened when he looked at me.
"You looked disgusted with yourself for calling me by my first name earlier, do I repulse you that much?" I asked finally looking away.
"No, you don't repulse me at all I was just shocked that I'd actually said your name," he replied, putting his hand on my forearm. "You're a good friend Cassie," he smiled and I found myself smiling with him.
His hand slipped down and he grasped my hand, I stiffened a little and he didn't look at me. It felt strange; I'd never actually understood the concept of hand holding. Rosie and I often held hands but that was because we were friends. This was different, although Draco and I were friends it felt odd to be holding hands with him, he squeezed my hand rather tightly, I flinched, but didn't pull away.
"Draco," I whispered. He loosened his grip on my hand but didn't let go. "Draco?"
Draco finally looked at me. "Meet me tonight at the Room Of Requirement," he said standing in front of me.
"I have detention after dinner, with Snape," I said sounding disappointed.
"Be there at midnight, please?" He said his eyes boring into mine, pleading with me.
"I'll be there," I said using my free hand to squeeze his shoulder.
He grinned and pulled his hand away from mine. I wish he hadn't, now it felt cold and I couldn't be bothered to put my gloves on. He walked passed me and I turned and watched as his figure got smaller and smaller as he got closer to the castle.