Chapter 2

Okay, I know it's been a while, but exams have begun and I need to study.

I don't own Harry Potter.

I yawned widely and raised a hand to rub my burning eyes. Ugh, I was so not a morning person. I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts then grabbed my toiletries-remembering my clothes this time-and headed for the bathroom. I returned feeling much better, but I still looked at my bed longingly. I mentally slapped myself, and then resolutely turned my back to the bed so it wouldn't be such a distraction anymore.

I grabbed a seat in front of the mirror, snatched my hairbrush and tried too untangle the nest that my hair had become over night. A sharp shot of pain ran from the roots of my hair to my eyes and I cried out. I glared at the brush that had just pulled out a bunch of my hair. Fine, we'll do it my way then.

My desk drawer squeaked when I slipped it open and pulled out a large book that Lavender had given too me for Christmas. On the front it read Charming hair for charming witches written by U.R Hopeless. With a flick of my wand it opened on page 257 and showed a design of a familiar woman with exceptionally curly hair. I copied the flowing motions with my wand illustrated on the yellowing pages and muttered the incantation.

Warmth spread across my head and for one terrifying moment I thought that I had set my hair on fire. I shrieked and patted at the non existing flames. Luckily the heat disappeared and I quickly turned too see what must have went horribly wrong. I was surprised too see that my normally crazy frizz hair was completely straightened out. I smiled brightly at my reflection and made a mental note to thank Lavender properly. I then added some mascara, a bit of light pink lip-gloss and applied some eyeliner around my hazel eyes.

I stared at my reflection for a while and felt the sudden urge to cry. No matter what I do I would never be as pretty as a Victoria's Secret model. And yes, I know most of those women were photo shopped, but I still felt slightly jealous and annoyed. At least I'm not a total dunce. I mean, I could lose a few pounds if I did more crunches and squats, but honestly I would much rather stay a healthy size eight than give up any of my comfort food.

Oh, and if only I had higher cheek bones. I didn't really know what that meant, but all the girls at school wanted those, especially Lavender and Romilda. I shrugged and looked at my outfit in the mirror. The black skinny jeans had small chains hanging from the zippers and the light pink tank top matched my day-glow pink high tops nicely. I loved my high tops. They were the best dancing shoes ever, especially after I've walked them in.

Slowly, I looped the silver necklace my mother had given to me when I was three around my wrist as it didn't fit around my neck any more, then grabbed my bag and headed toward the kitchen.

I grabbed a bowl, added some cornflakes then poured strawberry yoghurt all over it. Like I said I don't like milk. I quickly wolfed down my cereal, quickly washed out my bowl and left it on the dripper to dry. I know that you don't actually call it a dripper, but new words make life fun, don't they?

I glanced at the clock hanging from the faded yellow wall and groaned when I saw that it's only ten-thirty. The going away party only started in four hours. I pulled out my iPod from my bag, shoved the buds into my ears, cranked up the volume and jumped into action when Adam Lambert asked me what I wanted from him.

The house was a mess and I might as well clean it now before the arse comes back. I picked up all the empty beer cans, bottles and cigarette buds lying around in the living room. I wished that George would use an ashtray once in a while or even give up the horrible habit. The entire house smelled of beer and smoke.

I went around the house, cleaning, vacuuming, picking up clothes and doing laundry for the next three hours. After a while my mouth felt dry, so I grabbed a Monster from the fridge, cracked open the top and chugged it down. Monster was the best energy drink ever and I was addicted. Yeah, I know it's not exactly healthy, but I drink so much water that it's diluted. I think.

I sat down on the cigarette burnt couch and flicked through channels to pass the time. After another ten minutes or so, I grabbed my bag and headed outside to catch my lift. And yes, I do have a drivers licence, I just don't have a car. Yet.

I stood on the side-walk for about ten minutes, before I started to worry. If Lina didn't hurry up we're going to be late. Lina was my best friend in the muggle world and being late wasn't like her. She had a thing about being late and had left me to walk to the mall on many occasions, especially when I've over slept.

Luckily I had bought a cell phone a while back. If I was completely honest with myself I would say that I hated the thing. It was as big as a brick and completely uncomfortable to carry around. I could just as well have stuffed an owl into my pocket. I typed in Lina's phone number and waited for the stupid jingle to end.

There was a loud click and a hoarse voice answered on the other line.

"Where are you? " I said feeling slightly annoyed

"I'm sorry Leah, but I can't pick you up today. I've got like a major cold."

"Oh no, what about the party tonight?"I asked as I hitched my bag across my shoulder and walked in the direction of Mike's house. At least it wasn't too hot out so I wouldn't be all sweaty when I got there.

"Can't make it. Maybe next time, I gotta go. My moms bugging me to eat some of her mystery stew or whatever it is. Urgh...I think its moving"

I grimaced, feeling sorry for Lina. Her mother must be using her as a test subject for her herbal remedies again.

"Hope you feel better soon. See ya friend"

"See ya"

I shoved my phone into my pocket in case some loser got the stupid idea into their head to mug me. I said stupid because I was rather good at jujitsu and kick-boxing. Before Harry and Ron left in search of the Horcruxes I had started taking courses in various fighting styles. I had thought it might come in handy if my wand broke or got taken away by those idiot Death Eaters. Anyway, I was just the best at those two so I pursued them further.

I heard the deep boom of base in the not-so-far distance and hurried my pace. Even though I was sad that Lina wouldn't be at the farewell party I was still very excited. As I got closer my movements became more cadenced as I walked to the beat of the music. This was gonna be great!

I took a right, gave a fleeting look at the brightly decorated house and then walked straight through the front door without knocking.

My ears were bombarded with loud music and I narrowed my eyes slightly to make out the surroundings. Everything was enveloped in a thick mist-Mike probably hired a smoke machine or twelve- and a multi-coloured laser was the only light in the house. I pushed past sweaty teen dancers and groaned in annoyance when I couldn't get through the moving wall of flesh. In an attempt to calm my flaring temper I took a deep breath and counted to ten, then moved with the crowd.

In a series of twirls, slides and steps I finally slid off of the improvised dance floor and into the living room. I noticed a while ago that this is the easiest way to get through a crowd in a club and soon I was out and running up the wooden steps to the second floor.

I sighed in relief when I saw a familiar face snogging in front of the bathroom door. I caught her eye and she grinned at me before she pushed away from the unfamiliar guy-ignoring his protests-and headed in my direction.

"Hey friend, not mingling tonight?" asked Michelle.

"Depends on what you mean by mingling" I said and looked pointedly in the direction of her latest conquest.

Michelle isn't what you may call a stuffed shirt. With her platinum blonde hair, green eyes and petite figure she was beautiful. The only problem is that she knew it, which made her rather careless.

She laughed as her eyes followed mine "That's just a bit of fun, nothing serious"

"That's what I'm afraid of" I mumbled. Her bits of fun usually got very serious. I decided to sway the conversation into a different direction.

"Have you seen Mike?"

"Yeah, the last time I saw him he was hanging out by the pool" She said sounding disinterested. I didn't comment on her cold attitude. She and Mike used to date over the summer and I heard that it ended badly. Let's just say that he caught her in a rather uncompromising situation.

"Thanks" I said and headed in the direction of the pool, leaving her to her own devises.

The clear blue water shimmered in the light of the full moon and I took a deep breath. I loved the smell of chlorine. Yeah, I know it's kind of weird, but to me it just screams summer, even though it was officially Autumn tomorrow. I looked around and only saw a couple of stragglers taking in the fresh air.

No Mike. Fine then, I'll just have to find him my way. I retreated to a deserted corner behind the house and pulled out my wand. I muttered accio Mike under my breath. I had never tried to Accio a person, but I really needed to speak with Mike. A few seconds passed then I heard footsteps coming in my direction. I smiled at my success. I really thought that it wouldn't work.

"Oh, there you are" I said acting surprised when Mike stumbled around the corner.

"I had a feeling you would be here" He said looking triumphant

I made a show of looking around me "You had a feeling that I would be standing alone in a dark corner behind your house, when there's a party going on inside. Wow, now I know what you really think of me"

"I didn't mean...I just meant-"he ran a hand through his light brown hair and smiled nervously.

"I'm just kidding. No reason to get your knickers in a twist"

"My knickers...Are you speaking in tongues again?" He said and raised his hand to take my temperature.

I laughed and pushed his hand away. "Don't be an idiot. If you had read that book I had given you, you wouldn't be so bad at understanding me"

Mike originally came from America. He moved to London a few months ago and was still a little behind on our lingo.

"You're such a nerd. No one reads anymore "He said and laughed at my indignant expression "Come on, let's get inside. This place is giving me the creeps"

"Sure, whatever" I said not really getting what he found so creepy.

We walked into the misty house, headed for the drinks table and grabbed some of the red fruit punch. I took a sip from the polyester cup and coughed violently when the liquid burned all the way down my throat and rested warmly in my stomach. Someone must have spiked it, because that was definitely not pure fruit juice. I gave Mike a puzzled look, but he just shrugged and finished his drink in three large gulps. How the hell did he do that? He regarded me, his eyes shining with a challenge.

I tried not to look too impressed and chugged the rest of the punch without flinching. I was not the type of person to back out of a challenge and I was definitely not going to lose to Mike. The Gryffindor in me was too strong to for that.

I ignored the burning sensation in the back of my throat and smiled when he raised a brow. Oh yeah, one point for me. As I set down the cup I saw Mike stare at something somewhere behind me and followed his gaze. My breath hitched in my throat when I come face to face with the person that I never would have expected too see mingling with muggles, let alone be in the same vicinity.

Malfoy stood in the middle of my muggle friend's living room, considering me. His magic danced playfully through my hair and to anyone it would have looked like my hair was just being ruffled by a breeze.

Gone was the slicked up parted hair and was replaced by unruly locks, much like Harry's only longer, with the unmistakeable white blonde that only witches and wizards seemed to be able to possess. His bangs stopped just above his ice cold grey eyes. My eyes travelled over the smooth planes of his face and seem to be glued to his smirking luscious lips. Without realising it I ran my tongue across my own dry lips.

For a moment –Well, a moment to me least- I stared at his black leather jacket with chains attached to the zippers- My stomach fluttered when somewhere in the back of my mind I realised that our outfits matched- black jeans and yes, steel tipped combat boots. I shook my head in disbelief. His wand must be hidden in a wrist sheathe.

I couldn't believe that this was Malfoy. He was supposed to be a scrawny, slimy, arrogant little ferret, not a devastatingly handsome devil-may-care type. Suddenly it dawned on me that Malfoy had never been scrawny. He played quidditch for goodness sake's and they practiced for hours on end to hone their skill and turn their bodies into weapons. He wasn't so little either as he was at least 6'1, a few inches taller than Ron, only he wasn't so ungainly. And he didn't look the least bit slimy to me, but he was arrogant. Oh yes, it would take a jack hammer to deflate his ego.

Shock ran through my system when I felt an arm drape over my shoulders and pull me close. I was just about to freak out when I noticed that it was only Mike being all jealous. He must have seen me staring...which meant that Malfoy must have too. I groaned and hid my reddening face against Mike's chest. I could be such a spaz sometimes.

I could almost feel Mike's victorious smile, so I pulled away from him so that he didn't get the wrong idea. He was a great friend, but that was where it ended. The only problem was that he didn't seem to get the concept.

Malfoy gave me an amused look and said something, but his voice was drowned out by the loud music.

For some strange reason I actually wanted to know what he had to say, so shrugged and pointed in the direction of the kitchen. I knew for a fact that Mike's kitchen was sound proofed and we would be able to talk without interruption. Don't ask me why it's soundproofed. I just know, because he had to give up two months allowance and wouldn't stop moaning about it.

He nodded in understanding and I was just about to head in that direction when, to my annoyance, Mike grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor. I almost instantly lost sight of Malfoy and was about to give Mike a piece of my mind and maybe the taste of my fist, but Malfoy was hardly worth it.

There were so many people that I would probably never find him anyway, so I came to a decision to enjoy what was left of the night. It was our farewell party after all and the last time I would see everyone until Christmas so I was determined to enjoy it, even if it is spent with a slightly horny Mike.

I slowly moved my hips to the beat of the music and raised my arms in the air and laughed when I saw Mike shake around like a crazy person and hit another guy against the head with one of his arms. I danced away from the blooming fight and lost myself to the music.

After a while I was so wrapped up in my own little world, that all I was aware of was me, the music and the two strong hands that were resting on my hips. Wait...what hands?

I tried to spin around and see to whom these offending limbs belonged to, but I was held firmly in place. Just as I was trying to think of any self defence moves, I felt hot breath in my ear and shivered.

"Weren't you supposed to meet me in the kitchen?" a husky voice whispered into my ear.

I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach and this time I did spin around. I smiled stupidly when I realized that my night wasn't spoiled after all. Malfoy took a step back and held out one hand which I took immediately, allowing him to pull me into the kitchen.

As soon as the door closed behind us the music was cut off and I propped myself onto one of the kitchen counters. I thankfully took a sip of Vicious fruit from the bottle I had found in the fridge.

An awkward silence hung in the air, so I cleared my throat and said "So what are you doing here, anyway?"

"Aren't I allowed to crash a party or two?" he asked and raised a perfectly arched brow. I couldn't help but find his arrogant behaviour endearing, even though I knew I was supposed to hate it, but I could feel my spirit strengthening with every second I spent with another magical being. That and the alcohol was starting to kick in.

"Yeah, but I didn't take you to be the kind to hang out with muggles"

A look of shock crossed his features, but it was gone as soon as it had arrived.

"You're a witch" he stated. "I should have known. I can taste the magic in the air"

I gave him a strange look "Of course I'm a witch, Malfoy. Though, you would probably argue that point"

A flash of emotion crossed his eyes, but he quickly hid it behind his trademark smirk.

"My reputation precedes me, I see. As you seem to know my name, maybe you would be so kind as to inform me on yours"

A flare of anger raced through my body. He didn't recognise me! How dare he not remember me after all those years of harassment? He had me in tears more times than I cared to remember!

"Well, if you are too blind to recognise the girl that punched you in third year while she was sitting right in front of you, it clearly mustn't have hurt all that much!" I slid off the counter and stalked toward him, fist raised, "Shall we try again! Maybe, this time I could try to make it more memorable!"

I stopped about three inches from him and swung my fist in the general direction of his jaw, but before it made contact his hand closed around my wrist, stopping my blow easily. I froze in shock. No one could have stopped me that effortlessly! I was a black belt for Merlin's sake!

"Bloody hell! What did I do wrong!" Malfoy yelled, clearly surprised.

"What did he do wrong! What did he do wrong, he asks!" My voice had risen to a screech uncannily close to Pansy's. As soon as her name crossed my thoughts, I tried to calm myself, before I really started a brawl. He really didn't do anything on purpose. He just forgot one of his school rivals, is all.

I glared at him for a while, until he looked at me. And, I mean really looked at me.

His eyes seemed to roam over my features from my eyes down to my feet and up again. I didn't mind much. It would have been a different story if he had started at my feet. I feel a man recognises you as a person if he starts with your face. Only a guy looking for a quick poke and tickle would start with your feet.

"Granger?" he asked, sounding surprised.

''Yes" I said haughtily.

"You look different" he said as if that explained everything.

"You look different too"

"Good different I hope" he said with a slight smile.

"Quite" Denying it would have been as good as lying.

Another awkward silence fell over us.

"I'm leaving now" I said. This was just too weird.

"Alright" he whispered.

I stood there and tried to figure out what he was thinking behind those ice cold pools of grey, but they were emotionless. Minutes ticked by as we tried to figure out what the other was thinking, but neither of us moved. I was very aware of Malfoy's hand on my wrist.

"I thought you were leaving" he said arrogantly, a light smile playing on his lips.

"I can't. You're still crushing my wrist" I said and shook my arm around.

"Oh, yeah" he said and slackened his grip.

As soon as he as his finger relaxed I twisted myself free and headed for the door. I suddenly felt very tired and desperately wanted to go home. I threw open the door and rushed for the front door.

I let out a sigh of relief when the cool night air enveloped me. This day had been a total waste of make-up.

"Wait!"

I jumped when the voice broke the silence.

"What!" I yelled as I spun around. Couldn't I have a second of peace!

Malfoy slowed his steps and came to a stop next to me, seeming highly offended.

"We'll, I was just going to tell you that you had dropped your wand in a house full of muggles and that I had kindly swiped it up before anyone could see, but if you don't want it I'll go put it back"

"Oh, I'm sorry Malfoy. I've just been a little worked up lately"

"You're apologising to me?" he asked, surprise evident in his features.

"Take it or leave it. This is probably the last time you will ever hear me apologise to you ever again"

"Then I accept your apology. And while we are being so civil I might as well walk you home"

"Uhm, okay" I whispered as we fell in stride.

I would have liked to say that the walk home was romantic and that when we had parted at my door we had kissed goodnight, but it wasn't like that at all. The whole way home was filled with awkward silences and on numerous occasions I had stubbed my toe and tripped over absolutely nothing. What made it worse was that Malfoy seemed perfectly at ease. Each step that he took was proud, graceful even and he was ever patient with my clumsiness.

When we finally got to my house, George was waiting for me on the porch, a beer in one hand and the newspaper in the other.

"Get your arse in the house and tell pretty boy to fuck off. I'm not running a brothel"

"Yes, dad" I yelled back, red in the face.

Malfoy looked appalled at George's state, but he didn't comment. He probably thought that all muggles were in this condition.

"Don't mind him, he's just-"I struggled to find the right word.

"Filthy and inebriated low-life scum?" Malfoy suggested.

"Don't forget perverted, greedy, narrow-minded arsehole"

We both shared a look, and then burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

"Anyway, thanks for walking me home" I said when I got my breath back.

"Sure, no problem" he said and lightly touched my shoulder before he apparated with a loud crack.

The last thought I had before I entered the dark house was, that Malfoy was alright for a Death Eater...

You like? If I get at least five reviews I'll put up Chapter 3. It's already written so I'm just waiting on all the awesome readers!

R&R