Victoria looked around the room lazily. Merlin, she hated green. Falling on an empty chair near the fireplace, she looked at Draco sitting on a fluffy armchair and Pansy cuddling up against him. Seriously. Like a puppy.

Taking out her wand, she summoned one of her books, determined not to look at Parkinson's tongue sliding on Malfoy's neck. It was disgusting… With a quiet sigh, she opened the thick book. With satisfaction, she noticed her place was really warm. Good thing, she didn't really like cold. Lazily rotating the wand in her fingers, she read another few pages of the book. Zabini, sitting in the chair next to her, was staring into the fire, completely deaf to sounds made by Parkinson. In general, they weren't talking a lot. The common room was pretty quiet, only some younger students were chatting in the corner of the room.

Victoria tried the same tactics as Zabini seemed to use, but when she heard a particularly loud click, she stood up, drawing the startled looks of other Slytherins.

"I… I will go for a walk." She mumbled, not directing her words to anyone particular, trying not to look in Pansy and Draco's direction, pretty sure she would puke seeing them right then. Before anyone actually managed to understand what she murmured, she was long gone.

After a few minutes she wished that she took something warmer with her, it was really cold in those corridors. Not exactly sure where she was heading, she stopped, looking around. Sculptures were standing silently in their places, most of people from the portraits were sleeping, some of them whispered something to their companions.

Victoria rubbed her arms, slowly moving ahead, curiously scanning the images on the walls.

"It is not allowed for students to be out so late. Lumos." She heard a familiar, quiet voice, coming from behind her back. She turned around quickly, unconsciously clenching her fingers on the wand. Light from the other person's wand illuminated her face. "Oh. You."

"Yeah," She mumbled, relaxing a bit. "hello."

For a few second they were looking at each other, the glow from his wand blinding her a little bit. Then, he stopped the spell, allowing the weak glow of the moon to be their only source of light.

"To my office," He commanded, dragging the syllables, hiding his wand to his bosom.

"Would definitely love to, but I have no clue where it is," she smiled maliciously, shivering when a light breeze blew. Without a word, Snape turned around and started walking quickly. She rushed behind him, grinning at the sudden thought that his long cape made him look like a bat.

Their steps reflected dully from the stone walls, but she was grateful for that, at least he couldn't hear her teeth chattering. Her skirt from school uniform was definitely too thin. And too short. Not to mention her bare legs between the skirt and knee-socks. The Poltergeist flew over them, giggling maniacally, but didn't try to attack. She followed the creature with curious gaze for a moment, almost hitting her companion's back when he stopped abruptly.

With one sweeping move, Snape opened heavy, wooden door, letting her in. Looking around curiously, she stepped in, noting with relief, that his office was much warmer than school corridors. Without an invitation, she sat down in a soft chair next to a desk. The room was rather empty, just a desk, two comfortable, fluffy chairs and a bookshelf. She liked it, mostly because of a fire in the fireplace, deliciously warming her frozen limbs.

"You can't be out so late." He said slowly, also sitting down. She raised an eyebrow, crossing her legs.

"Oh, sorry, it's such a pleasure to look at Parkinson drooling on Malfoy's knees." She rolled her eyes, smiling. Snape didn't smile, looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

"You are not here for your own entertainment." He pointed, clasping his hands on his lap.

"I know," She admitted, "But I don't have to look at it, either."

He sighed quietly, piercing her with the gaze of his black eyes. Not a single muscle moved on his face as he was trying to use Legilimency. She almost smiled. Old fool, did he seriously think that she had spent all the years locked almost alone in a house, staring at the celling? If she was sure of anything in the world, it was her magical skills. She was aware that he was way better than she will ever be, but for fuck sake, she knew how to protect her mind, no need to check that!

"You are not good enough to do this, you are too weak." He said coldly as if nothing happened seconds before, still looking at her carefully with his dark eyes. Victoria took a sharp breath before answering.

"You're not the one making decisions here." She hissed, standing up. "Is that everything, Professor Snape?"

"Slytherin loses 10 points for your late walks." He said, also standing up. "You are free to go. Don't let me catch you again."

Victoria snorted softly and left Snape's office, not forgetting to slam the door.

Old moron.

Taking a deep breath of cold air to regain self-control, she started walking slowly to the dungeons. Now, when she was alone, her steps were way quieter. Anger in her body warmed her, so she wasn't feeling the cold air.

Of course she can manage!

xxx

Next morning, when she entered the Great Hall, she saw Draco sitting alone. Sighing quietly, she went to join him.

"Hello," she murmured, sitting down. He looked at her and nodded, lazily munching his toast. She smiled innocently, "How did you manage to get rid of Parkinson?"

Malfoy smirked, swallowing his food. Then, he moved his fingers to brush her hair. Victoria closed her eyes, ignoring the silly thought that it was quite a nice feeling.

"Why," He started slowly, slightly moving closer to her, "Jealous?"

Opening her eyes, she sent him an amused look. Shaking her head slightly, she moved even closer to him, so now their thighs rubbed against each other.

"Try disgusted." She purred, looking straight into his eyes. Unconsciously, he licked his lips, bringing Victoria's gaze to them.

He smiled mischievously, gently brushing her bare thigh with his fingertips. She bit her lip from inside, holding back the quiet murmur growing in her throat.

"No need to feel disgusted. And I can make it up to you." He said, looking at her with a smile. Sitting so close, he inhaled the intoxicating scent of chocolate. For a moment, he wondered if her skin not only smelled like chocolate, but also tasted like it.

She raised an eyebrow, smiling mockingly.

"How is that so?" She could feel the rough material of his trousers rubbing her bare skin. Her cheeks burned and she could feel the piercing gaze from the teacher's table. Swallowing slowly, she stood up. "I gotta go."

"You didn't eat." He pointed mildly, cocking an eyebrow with a smile.

"Not hungry." She mumbled, trying to leave, but his hand grabbed hers, squeezing it.

"Wait for me, we can go together," His voice was amazingly soft when he said that, making her shiver. He stood up, still holding her hand. Victoria fought an irrational urge to tear it out of his grip. "I'll show you the way to Transfiguration's class."

She nodded, avoiding his eyes. It occurred to her, that she was rather unexperienced. Sitting at home with a house elf did not provide many occasions to meet boys. Well, it did not provide any. It was completely annoying how her body reacted to his touch. Even more annoying was the fact that it amused him.

"So," he started, as they headed up the stairs, finally letting go of her hand, "How do you like Hogwarts?"

She shrugged slightly, before answering, her heart still beating a bit too fast. They were passing big group of giggly girls and Draco's hand touched her waist, gently pushing her to walk in front of him.

"I like it here," She said when they were alone again, "The dungeons are a bit too chilly, but other than that, it's fine."

"You know," He smiled mischievously, "You can always come to me if you are cold."

Victoria snorted, smiling at him. She couldn't help thinking that it was rather weird to have the possibility of talking with someone other than a house elf.

"I don't even know you and you make me such offers." She shook her head in a mock disbelief, looking at him with the corner of her eye.

He smirked, but didn't answer. They were walking quietly for a moment, then Victoria started, "Can you show me where the closest female toilet is?"

"What makes you think I know where the female toilets are?" he asked in amusement, nodding shortly to some Slytherin boy.

She shook her head in disbelief, smiling slightly.

xxx

Harry didn't even look at her as he and Ron entered the Potions classroom. She pursed, again looking at Professor Slughorn. When he started talking about Felix Felicis, she noticed the dangerous revival in Draco's usually stolid way of being. She moved restlessly, not exactly sure what to do.

Right after the theoretical part was done, he started cutting ingredients vigorously. Oh shit. He was planning on getting that Felix.

"Draco?" She mumbled quietly, "Can you help me?"

"You're on your own, sweetheart. I've got some fucking nice elixir to win." He answered, not even looking at her.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Without thinking, she started cutting ingredients, trying to figure out a way to stop him from winning that goddamn Felix Felicis. If he would win, she would have to fight against pure magic, not only a 16 year old boy. From what she was told by Snape, now when he's got a goal, he wouldn't pay attention to her. He was gallant when there was a time for that, however, when he had more important things to do, he didn't care about ladies.

Unless…

She looked at her own hands hesitantly. Pale skin that was almost shining unnaturally in the dark dungeon. It was sick… disgusting.

She looked at Draco as he was smiling to himself, carefully following the instructions given in the book.

"Draco?" She whispered, moving a bit closer to him.

"Really, not now." He said impatiently, stirring the broth.

Oh boy. I really have no other choice, she thought.

Taking a deep breath, she looked around the classroom, making sure no one paid attention to her. Then, she pressed a knife to the inside of her hand, refraining a hiss as the blade cut through the delicate skin. Swallowing, she waited a few seconds for some blood to trickle and then looked at Draco with eyes full of tears. To her own surprise, it wasn't that hard to make herself cry.

She licked her lips and then hissed quietly, discarding the knife on the desk. At first he only glanced at her quickly, occupied with his own work, but noticing blood on her hand, turned to her fully.

"What have you done to yourself, idiot?" He asked angrily, conjuring up a handkerchief and handing it to her. She sobbed quietly, taking it from him.

"It slipped," She said plaintively, applying the handkerchief to the injury, "I didn't mean that."

"Clumsy," He mumbled, glancing every now and then at his bubbling elixir, "Go to Slughorn or heal it yourself. I am busy."

Fucking insensitive bastard.

Feeling totally helpless, she allowed the tears to stream down from her eyes, moving closer to the young Malfoy.

"But Draco," She whispered with a voice overflowing with tears, "I don't want to. I am not really into healing spells, I don't know how to heal it on my own. I will do anything, just do not make me go to him. Everyone will look at me as if I am half brained."

"They might have been right," He groaned nervously, putting down his knife, "Show me that."

"Thanks." She said in a low voice, lowering her head to hide her smirk under the curtain of her hair.

"Time is almost over!" Slughorn shouted, briefly clapping his hands. She noticed Draco mumbling curses under his breath, healing her hand.

"Tonight you'll go make rounds with me." He hissed, looking at her with his cold, grey eyes.

"Do what?" She blinked, opening her eyes wider.

"Rounds. I am a prefect. I have to patrol corridors after the curfew sometimes. And you said you'll do anything." He explained, smirking.

It's fine, he thought, I can make it without stupid luck elixirs.

"Am I allowed to be there with you? I mean, I am not a prefect and all…" Slughorn started walking around the class, judging students' works. Draco smiled at her mischievously, totally forgetting about his potion. And the women are considered to be variable…

"Coward." He mumbled.

They had to stop their conversation, as Professor Slughorn came to check the effects of their work. Draco groaned quietly, hearing that Harry won the Felix Felicis. Victoria smiled slightly, bowing her head.

"So?" He asked quietly, coming closer to her. She opened her mouth hesitantly.

"Draco?" They heard a bit squeaky voice behind them, "You coming?"

Pansy Parkinson was standing near them with her arms crossed on her chest, looking at Victoria with hostility.

"We will join you soon," He answered, not turning around to look at Pansy, "Now go."

And so she did.

Victoria snorted with amusement, shaking her head. Draco grinned at her.

"So?" He insisted, looking at her intently.

"Yeah. Ok. But if I get cold, I am coming back to my warm bed!" She said, passing him on her way to the door. Draco smirked.

Maybe this very last year of his presence in Hogwarts wouldn't be that bad.