For the rest of the day your mind boggled between your assignment at hand and what had happened with your encounter with Draco Malfoy. You could not get him or the Mark he had on his arm out of your thoughts. In response, you grew quickly irritated because it was distracting you and you had to focus on your studies.
#10. Fluxweed comes from what family? What potion is it used in as a main ingredient when picked correctly…?'
You re-read the question over and over, but the event of what happened earlier came back into your mind again and so, you banged your head against the table you sat at, receiving a few weird looks from your fellow schoolmates.
"Damnit … I can't focus on this…" you drawled out. You sat there for a few minutes, before slamming your books shut and deciding to walk around and get some fresh air. You had been in the library for a little over an hour and you had half-an hour left till your next class, Charms.
You roamed the halls, watching first-years and second years hang out along the hallway until you heard someone call your name, "Skylar!"
You turned around and to your utter surprise, you saw Blaise Zambini - a well-respected Slytherin in your year. You waited until he caught up to you and he handed you a small envelope.
"Ummm… what's that?"
"I don't know, but Draco gave it to me and told me to give it you," he said.
"Okay…"
You took the envelope from Blaise slowly; afraid that something absurd - like the envelope blowing up - would happen when you touched it.
He chuckled at your caution.
"Question… why would he give me this? And have you of all people do it? Wouldn't your reputation be ruined if you're seen with a Gryffindor."
Blaise took a step back from you and shrugged.
"He's my mate, and he asked me. And no, you're one of the very few I can actually be seen associating with."
You gave him a glare at his last comment but he dismissed it. "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
"Well, I have to go. I'll see you around, Skylar." Just as he started walking away you remembered something.
"Oh, hey! Blaise! Wait a second. I need to ask you something." He turned to you with a somewhat interested expression.
"Oh? What about?"
You rolled your eyes and grabbed his arm, and went to the nearest bench so you could sit down with him. "I was wondering out of curiosity. Do you know what's up with him lately?"
Blaise looked completely surprised now, "Who? Draco?"
You nodded, "Yeah… I kind of… ran into him the other day and he didn't look so good."
Blaise's expression of surprise still remained, but a mixture of grimness had surfaced too.
"Well… I'm not sure really. Haven't been with Draco a lot lately." He averted his eyes to some kids who were giving weird stares because you were a Gryffindor and he a Slytherin.
"You're lying Zambini," You said seriously, clutching the envelope in your hand.
"I'm not, really. The only thing I would have to say to your question is ask him yourself. But then again he probably wouldn't, seeing as that I am his best mate, and he hasn't told me either. He's been quite distant since the beginning of the year actually. Been tired and jumpy, the poor bloke."
Your gaze fell to the envelope and you un-clutched it from your death grip, and sighed.
"Well… thanks, I guess... It kind of clears things up with me and what I've been wondering. But for some reason, I don't know if it's just English guys in general or the guys that go to school here, but you guys act WAYYYY different."
He gave you a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"You English guys tend to be more… calm? No… not really…. Just more reserved than most guys, let's say. In America, guys are really bold, so it kinda confuses me and throws me off when you act so reserved," You said, giving out a low chuckle.
Blaise chuckled too. "That is quite interesting, indeed." Silence enveloped afterwards and you sighed again.
"Well, thanks Zambini, although I didn't think you were a bad guy from the start, you're a pretty cool Slytherin."
"Thanks. And for a foreign Gryffindor, you're not so bad yourself."
You made a fist and he propped you, before getting up and walking away with a wave. Watching him disappear amongst other students, you glanced down to the object that you held in your hand. You opened the envelope and inside there was a small card that said 'Thank you'.
When you saw these little words of gratitude, you smiled inwardly. It was not much but it was enough to leave an impression on you. Your inside's felt light and you were bemused that Draco had sent you this. Getting up, you walked to your Charms class that started soon, a small bounce in your step.
While in Charms, you sat beside Hermione, seeing as it was only her that you knew the most in the class. While Professor Flitwick was teaching, Hermione leaned in to you and murmured your name, "Kida?"
You took your eyes off the teacher, looking at her, "What is it?"
"Did you hear about Professor Slughorn's Christmas Party?"
You nodded, "Yeah, Professor Slughorn invited me to attend." She gave a relieved sigh.
"Have you found anyone to go with yet?" she asked, turning her attention to take down some notes. You shook your head and turned to the next page of your textbook so it looked like you were paying attention.
"No, I was just thinking of going by myself actually, how come?"
"Oh… no reason…"
You chuckled at her, "You know that I know you too well to recognize what that means Hermione…Spill!"
"It's nothing really; I just thought since Ron is not going with me, we could just hang out together there?"
You chuckled again, "Damn, you worry too much, but what about that guy Cormac that I've seen making goo-goo eyes at you? Take him."
Her eyes shifted around the classroom and she gave a debating expression. "I could… do you think it would bother Ron if I take him?" You giggled. Ron was dating Lavender at the moment and you could not help but laugh at Hermione sometimes because she wanted to make him jealous. It was really cute and hilarious to witness.
"Oh yeah, definitely…"
She playfully nudged you and you giggled again.
"Miss Skylar, is there something amusing that you like to tell the class?" Prof. Flitwick asked, walking up to your desk. You stiffened and Hermione put her head in her textbook, looking as though she were reading and you nervously shook your head.
"Nope… nothing amusing sir!"
Others in the class gave amused, but quiet chuckles. He eyed you suspiciously, but walked away and you sighed in relief. It has not been the first time you have talked during class and sometimes got in trouble for it. You decided to pass notes to Hermione so that you would not get into any more trouble for the rest of the period.
-Neways… youshouldtakeCormac… heisprettycuteyouknow ;) -
-I guess so… so what are you going to wear?-
-Umm…..Idon'tknowreally… Ihaveafewdresses,howaboutyou?-
-I have to go to Diagon Alley to buy it, since I never really brought one…-
-Serious? I could lend you one if you want…? I have quite a few in my suitcase – actually! I have the perfect one for you! It's pretty cute :) –
-Alright… thank you so much… are you sure you are not going to take anyone?-
-Yeah, I'm sure… no guys are good enough for me n e ways ;) aha-
-This is random, but you do weird words…-
-LOL (means I'm laughing out loud - metaphorically speaking) They're just abbreviations for words. Sry though! Well at least you understand some of them :D It's a popular thing to talk like this in America right now. It's so the adults don't understand wut we kids/teens are saying ;)–
-Ahhh… I see. It actually interests me… you have to teach me sometime.-
-Forsure!Ahaha,neways… let'sgetbacktowork,IfeelProfessorFlitwickstaringatmeandit'sstartingtogetcreeeeeepy-
-Alright -
You crumpled the note and stuffed it into your robes pocket so you could throw it out later. For the rest of the period, Professor Flitwick let you guys talk and you banged your head on the desk because now you could have talked and NOT gotten in trouble. Hermione just laughed.
Not too long after (A/N: I'm skipping ahead), the class was dismissed and you took Hermione back to the Common Room because now you guys had a free period. Despite Hermione's protests, you dragged her and made her try on each of the seven dresses you had packed in your suitcase.
In the end, she picked this knee length, soft pink dress (A/N: the dress she wears to the party in the movie) and you picked out a blue, knee-length, strapless one with three inch, orange, platform pump heels.
(A/N: I'm skipping ahead to the Christmas party… BTW! Besides wearing the dress and heels, your hair is in soft curls. You have light orange eye shadow)
You and Hermione waited in the Common Room for a few moments before you saw Cormac come down in his dress robes.
"Hello Ladies…You look dashing tonight I must say Hermione. You too, Kida."
You grimaced a bit at his compliment and then saw Cormac take Hermione's hand and kiss it. You stood, laughing at Hermione's expression and she glared. You gave an innocent grin.
"Alright lovebirds, let's get going." You teased. Hermione lightly smacked you on the arm while Cormac let you through the door first, trying to make himself look like a gentleman, but you just laughed.
The three of you left and walked into the party. It was pretty decent from what you saw. Yellowish-gold drapes hung from both the walls and ceilings, giving a comfortable atmosphere. A large fireplace was at one side of the room, surrounded by the brick red-coloured wall.
There was a mini orchestra in the back of the room playing music, and you noticed some students going around and serving either food or champagne. A lot of student's you recognized were there and Professor Slughorn was trailing around the room taking pictures with his favoured pupils and introducing some to each other. Some guys eyed you up and down, but you ignored them, sticking with Hermione and Cormac.
After talking with them a bit, you decided to leave them alone in spite of Hermione's silent protests to you that you were a traitor, but you smirked and explained that you wanted something to drink.
When you got your drink, you sipped it and watched amusingly as Cormac tried to sweet talk her into dancing, but Hermione denied, saying that she saw someone and wanted to greet them for a second. You were near the fireplace and saw Hermione weave her way to you, attempting to shield her self from him by making twists and turns.
She finally made it to you, her face flushed and irritated.
"I can't believe… he is so… so…"
"Clingy?" you said, giggling.
"Yes! Most horrible!"
You almost spit out your drink at her attempt at insulting the guy.
"Come on Hermione, he can't be THAT bad…"
She glared at you.
"Alright… never mind then…"
All of sudden, her head twisted in the direction of where she came from.
"Oh no! He's coming! I have to get away, and you are going to cover for me!"
As Cormac tried to weave his way to where you were, but blocked by so many people talking, Hermione made a beeline to the other side of the room and ducked behind some curtains. You tried to contain your laugh, but no avail.
"Hey Kida!"
You turned your head to the side and surprisingly saw Luna approach you in this interesting pink, shimmery dress. You smiled and giggled at her.
"Hey Luna, I didn't expect you to be here! Lovin' your dress… Who are you here with?"
She smiled and as she came up to you.
"With Harry."
You looked at her in some surprise, "Really?"
"Yup, we came as friends though. Who are you here with?"
"Oh no one. Livin' the single life is my motto." You joked. She smiled wider and then, from the corner of your eye, you saw that Cormac finally made it through the crown and come up to you, eyes flickering from side to side.
"Kida, have you seen Hermione? I could have sworn she said she would only be gone a second. Did you see where she went?"