Disclaimer: you know, having to repeat over and over that I don't own Harry Potter is kinda depressing… if only, right?

Chapter 2

Striking a Bargain

"As you are all well aware, this is your final year here at Hogwarts. This isn't a required year, meaning you are all here under your own free will. That being said, I will not be putting up with any sort of inappropriate behavior. You are all adults, and though you may have the freedom to act like any other adult I must remind you that you are all still in a school. I will not tolerate you all doing something improper around the younger, underage students. I also expect you to act like the mature adults that I know are somewhere inside of you all. You will be attentive in class, no horseplay will take place, and I will be working you all harder than you've ever had to work here at this school. Am I in any way unclear?"

Professor T. Riddle was a teacher who was so strict, and could strike fear into the most brave a students, that I didn't believe for a second that anyone had misinterpreted his words. I'd known him long enough and heard enough of his speeches to know the translation. We would all be walking on a very thin line, and the moment we even so much as stuck a fraction of our toe too far on the wrong side we'd be dealing with so much detention we'd rather drop out than waste our free time. I was sure that it was entirely his intention to make us feel this way. And though we all realized his unspoken threat, I knew for a fact that, though we were adults, we still were teenagers at heart. That being said, there wasn't a chance in hell that we'd all walk the line he'd set.

To say he was good at bringing people down to the reality of a new school year was a severe understatement. But having him as a dad, I'd learned that he oftentimes was more talk and less action. Well, for everyone but me anyways. When it came to the classroom, where he controlled all punishments, I was the one person who always seemed to get away with absolutely nothing. I couldn't so much as pass a note without him noticing and swooping down on me to hand out punishment. And people think the teacher's kid gets special privileges…

"Now then, we're going to be reviewing everything you've learned since your first year, but in far more detail." Dad said, his hands laced behind his back. "This review will last a month at most, and then you will have a test on the information. Some things will be on the test others will not, and I will not tell you ahead of time what will be on it. This means that you should come in on our testing day knowing all the information for everything."

My father was infamous for his mystery tests. He hardly ever informed us of what would absolutely be on a test, and other times he'd leave out whole units of something. It was his way to make sure everyone learned everything and didn't just focus on a few things.

"Get out your textbooks and read chapter 1, then write a detailed summary of what you learned. Seeing as this is your first day back, I'll allow you to discuss the chapter and compare answers, but in low voices only. If it gets too loud in here you will continue working in silence, is that clear?" everyone nodded and grinned. Though he was very strict, it couldn't be denied that he had his moments.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I looked behind me, only to find Sirius Black, James Potter, and Remus Lupin sitting behind me, Black sitting directly behind me and having been the one to poke me. I eyed him levelly, keeping a cool face as I waited for him to speak.

"Riddle, you know I didn't mean to insult you over the summer. The words just kept coming out wrong. You looked very nice, that's all I was trying to say." He sounded so sincere, but I'd watched Black from a distance before. True playboys always came off as sweet and considerate in the beginning. Too-good-to-be-true types. I knew his technique backwards, forwards, and sideways, and I wasn't about to fall for the tricks that so many others had.

"Nice try Black, but I'm not going to forgive you just like that."

"Oh c'mon Riddle! You know me, I'd never intentionally say something that implied…" I raised my brows challengingly and he cut himself off before he could make another blunder. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh, and I watched as his locks fell back into place perfectly. His hair was by no means neat, but it lay in a way around his face that was ruggedly attractive, falling into his liquid gray eyes that could melt an ice statue. He had an aristocratic face build, and an easygoingness that made you feel instantly at ease, while at the same time a mischievous smirk that could put you on edge in a second. He was the most fascinating person I'd ever met. But even with all his attractiveness, he wasn't going to sway me easily.

"Listen, you know I'm never mean deliberately. I'm just not as good with words as you are." Ah, so now he'd moved on to the flattery. Next would be the seductive flirting that, for most girls, could totally blank their minds. Once that happened he could easily manipulate their words, making them accept his apology without even realizing what they're doing. He was quite good at persuading people to do what he wanted. However, I had a hunch he'd never dare flirt with me when my very protective father was watching him so very closely from his desk in the front of the room.

I chuckled and shook my head, my eyes shutting for a moment before piercing him, "Black, you need some new manipulation methods. I can see right through you."

He gave a cocky grin then and leaned back in his chair, bringing it back to balance on the back two legs as he brought his arms behind his head. "Do you like what you see?"

I glanced at Lily and Nikki, my best friends who were sitting beside me and had by now turned around to watch the conversation. The girls had to stifle laughter and I looked back, glancing him over with a bored gaze. Bringing my eyes back up to his I grinned cheekily and shrugged.

"I've seen better." I answered, inwardly laughing at his thunderstruck face, obviously having not expected this reply. Turning around in my seat I pulled out my book and opened it to chapter one, feeling quite pleased with myself. It wasn't everyday I got the chance to make such a comment to Sirius Black. Until the summer he hadn't shown me the time of day. And now it was my turn to show him the same courtesy.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.

"'You've seen better'? What are you trying to pull? I've never seen anyone as fine as Sirius Black, and I know you've had a crush on him since fifth year." Nikki laughed as we all sat in our dorm, spread out on the floor doing homework. Lily was leaned against her bed with a textbook in her lap, looking up to nod in the affirmative.

"I don't know what you guys are going on about, but I've neverliked him. Ever." I objected defensively, looking up from my Transfiguration essay.

Lily giggled now, "Honey, you're in some serious denial."

Nikki raised her eyebrows, "You realize that's like the pot calling the kettle black, right?"

I snickered at the redhead's indignant gasp, her head snapping around to stare at the dark skinned girl, "What?"

Nikki and I shared a glance, "C'mon, you don't think we didn't notice the looks you've been sending Potter since we got back, do you?"

"What looks?" Lily asked, her voice cracking slightly as she dropped her gaze, refusing to meet our eyes. This only proved to cement our suspicions.

"The ones that say, 'Oh Merlin, if I died right now I'd die happy because he's just so amazing I cant stop myself from looking, or thinking about him constantly.'" Lily's mouth was wide open, gapping like a fish, which sent Nikki onto her back, rolling on the floor in a fit of giggles.

"Honestly," Lils huffed, "like a look could possibly say something like that. Looks don't even talk…" this just caused Nikki to laugh louder; clutching her stomach due to the pain such hard laughter caused her.

"Ah, loosen up Lil. We're just teasing, just like you guys were teasing me. Too bad we can't tease Nikki. Unfortunately, she already has the boy of her dreams wrapped around her finger." I shot the slowly calming girl a look, and she let out a dreamy sigh.

"Chandler Isaiah Beachwood the third." She breathed, staring up at the ceiling with a dopy grin spread across her face.

I shook my head, "What a name. And to think, if you stay with him someday you're going to be Mrs. Chandler Isaiah Beachwood the third."

"What a name." she agreed, though she sounded far more pleased with it than I had. I rolled my eyes to Lily, who was smiling softly.

"It's nice to see you so happy, Nikki. You've always been so intent in your sports I had to wonder if you'd ever find a guy."

The love struck girl rolled onto her stomach and looked at us, her eyes wide in a would-be serious stare, which really just looked downright goofy. "He's not just a guy, Lily. He's the guy. I know it."

"Yeah, well do me a favor. Don't name any of your kids Chandler Isaiah Beachwood the fourth. He'll never forgive you." I snickered, shaking my head. I'd kill myself if I had such an awful name. Though admittedly, Leda Persephone wasn't exactly normal either.

"Oh bugger off." She snipped, though she was still smiling dreamily so I knew she felt no offense. Once in her daydreams it was nearly impossible to say anything wrong. She was so out of it she hardly even realized what you were saying, much less if you were insulting her or not.

Glancing over at Lily I frowned when I saw her staring so intently at me. "Really, Leda. If you like a guy, you should tell them. You can't deny your feelings forever."

I let out a loud sigh, rolling my eyes to the ceiling. "I told you already. I don't like Black. And besides, he bloody well doesn't like me. So since there is zero interest with either of us it would be pointless and a waste of time to even attempt a relationship. We'd end up breaking up within the first hour." I brought my eyes down to look at the girl, "And who's denying feelings here? You can't claim others are hiding feelings when you yourself are doing the exact same thing."

"I don't like Potter!" he huffed.

A smirk spread across my face, "I didn't say Potter, did I?"

She opened her mouth to retort but nothing came out. After a second of thought she finally stuttered out lamely, "You… you said I liked him earlier."

"Yes, but I could have been talking about anyone just there. The fact that he instantly came to mind shows that he was already in your thoughts." I pointed out.

She snapped her textbook shut and stood, "We aren't talking about me right now. We're talking about you."

I leaned back against the dorm door and crossed my arms. "How about we make a little bargain, Evans?" I challenged.

She paused, slowing her movements as she put her books back in her tote bag. Nikki, who had been daydreaming of her prince charming, looked up with interest.

"Go on..." Lily finally prodded.

I grinned, "I'll go on a date with Black the day you finally go out with Potter."

"What?!" the two other occupants of the room gasped, having not expected me to say something like that. It was a well known fact that Lily, though secretly liking the Quidditch playing fool, was far from civil with him in public. The fact that he and his friends tormented one of her best childhood friends to no end didn't help much either.

"You heard me. I'll only give Black a chance if you give the same courtesy to James Potter."

"No way. That's not going to happen. No bloody way." The fiery haired girl declined, her movements having come back in fast-forward, speeding through closing her bag and shaking her head rapidly.

I shrugged, "Fine, but if you really want me to date Black ever, that'll be your only shot. I'm not about to have anything to do with that obnoxious, egotistic jerk unless you do that one, teeny tiny little thing. Besides, it'll only be one date. It's not like you'll have to go out with him again or anything." I persuaded, sounding offhanded. The truth was, I really wanted my friends to be happy. Nikki had finally found her man, but Lily, despite having dated many guys, hadn't found hers just yet. And for some reason I just knew she was supposed to be with Potter. If I had to suffer for the greater good, I could deal with that.

I watched as my friend turned to scowl at me, crossing her arms stubbornly and then looking away to glare at a wardrobe. She was biting her lip, and I hardly kept myself from smiling and giving myself away. Three... two... one...

"Fine! But you have to keep your side up. And I'm not guaranteeing that I'll actually do this, just that I accept your terms." I grinned in triumph, knowing I'd won. Sure she said she wouldn't absolutely accept, but I knew she would. Chances were she wanted me on a date with Black, plus she wanted to accept anyways, even if she wouldn't admit it. It would probably take a little while, but she'd cave. She always did.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.

[Sirius' POV]

"I don't get it James. I just don't understand!" I snapped as I paced the room, waving my hands in the air in an attempt to show just how irritated the whole situation made me. "How does a girl suddenly go from average to... well, drop-dead gorgeous and yet completely untouchable?!"

"I don't know mate, but if you keep pacing your going to find yourself falling through the hole you're making." James called indifferently, flipping through a Quidditch book Remus had found in the library. I stopped in my tracks, running both hands through my hair and let out a frustrated growl.

"And why is it she has to hate me so much?"

"You don't really think she hates you, do you Sirius?"

Glancing over my shoulder I looked at Remus, "What are you on about?"

He shrugged and looked back down at the doorstop of a book in his lap, "If you're too dense to notice I'm not about to point it out."

"Please Remus. Please don't be your superior, genius self with me right now. I can't take it, I'm about to go crazy."

"Did you ever consider being an actor? You're dramatic enough for it." The sandy haired boy commented offhandedly.

"Please, Remus! You're her friend. You must understand a bit of how she works." I insisted, going so far as to fall to my knees right beside his bed and give him one of my most desperate pleading faces. He didn't even bother glancing up.

Turning the page Remus kept his eyes on the words he was reading, "No, Sirius. If you want to learn about Leda you're just going to have to go right to the source."

"But she hates me!"

Finally Remus glanced up and gave me one of his most condescending stares, "So make her not hate you."

Flopping back so I was sitting on the ground I leaned on my hands and tipped my head back, eyes shutting in exasperation. "You make it sound so easy."

"I didn't say it would be easy. But if you seriously want this you'll make the effort." I could feel his hard stare, even with my eyes shut, "Leda is my friend, Sirius. We may be best mates, but if you hurt her I won't hesitate to make your life a living hell."

This made me laugh out loud, "Thanks for your moral support, mate."

"Any time." you could hear the smirk in his voice, and in the back of my mind the thought of how he managed to seem so innocent to everyone else in the school astounded me. He was nothing more than a wolf wearing sheep's clothing.

"I feel your pain, mate. At least now you know how it feels." James called from his place on his own bed. "But at least she hasn't turned you down a thousand times."

"Well maybe if you didn't ask her all the time she wouldn't have to decline so many times." I retorted. "And unlike you, I have a bit of tact. You don't see me asking a girl out right after I've been caught hanging her friend upside down in the air."

"You always have to bring that back up, don't you? It was fifth year! I was an idiot back then!" I laughed again at the defensiveness in his voice. He never failed to take the bait.

"That wasn't even two years ago."

"What's your point?"

I was tempted to tell him that he couldn't possibly have become much smarter in that small period of time, but I resisted the urge. I'd save it for another time. "Nothing, mate. Nothing."

"Hmm." Was his only reply before going back to his book, probably just watching the pictures seeing as he didn't have much interest in reading books just to read them. He much preferred to be in the middle of the action than just read about it.

"Just keep in mind that she's not like most other girls in Hogwarts. She knows what she want, and if you're not it you don't stand a chance." Remus murmured, having been drawn into his book and quickly loosing interest in me and my problems.

"Gee, thanks Moony. Great self-esteem booster right there." I said dryly, but when no reply came I knew he was lost in his world of magical scientific gibberish he'd become so interested in. Some help my mates were. Well, I would just have to figure out how to win Leda Riddle over by myself. And preferably without Professor T. Riddle's notice.