Chapter 8
Quinn Rose Shephard
God, why is everyone making me so mad?! And I do realize that it might just be my temper, but you know what, just shut up. I stop stomping to the Common Room and just sink on my knees against a wall behind me. Right now is when I could really use Draco. He would just hold me, listen to everything that was going on, and calm me down.
This game idea was such a bad idea. I should have known that he wouldn't appreciate being made a fool of or being shown up. It's all of that stupid Malfoy pride. I feel tears brimming in my eyes and know that I should probably get to the Common Room to avoid any Professors or students that want to ask me unnecessary questions.
I stumble my way back, and when I get there, I rush to the girls dormitory and collapse on my bed. I bury my face in my pillow and start to cry. I am such an idiot! I can't seem to keep any good relationships going. I mean sure I kept Theodore as my best friend for a long time, but Draco I kept for 3 days, as well as all of the other girls.
I could also go to Theodore, but my pride won't let me. I don't want to see him, considering how much of himself he is not. Why is this year the hardest? I mean, don't get me wrong, I knew it would be, what with all of the losses, but not this kind of hard. Why did the year after the war have to be the one when I started having guy trouble?
I haven't changed much since I first came to Hogwarts, aside from growing up and becoming more womanly. But why do all of the guys (ok, I guess just Draco, but he is some guy) have to start noticing me now? I didn't do anything to myself.
I turn my head, sort of becoming suffocated from the pillow. My eyes reach the clock and I shoot up. It's already 7:50! Oh Merlin, I don't even know what my plan is! Do I still want to tease him or do I just beg for forgiveness? Nah, I tease him.
But how? My eyes scan my belongings and land on the box with the jewelry Draco made. Oh yeah, if I give these back, he will freak out. Yes!
I grab the box and rush out of the Common Room and outside to the Forbidden Forest. My animagus form takes over, and speeds me to the clearing. Our clearing. I reshift, back to a human and wait for Draco. My knees start knocking and bouncing, why am I fidgeting? I need to remain strong and composed.
I breath in and out deeply, calming myself. A split second later, Draco comes out into the clearing.
"Good. You made it,"I say shortly. "I am going to make this quick, so it won't get awkward."
He nods, but I can tell that he doesn't like it. Damn, he looks so attractive. Hands in jean pockets, black button up shirt, black jeans, disheveled hair, why is he making this so hard?
I hold out the box and say, "I'm done with us, here you go."
I almost want to laugh at the shock on his face, but I remember that this is all fake. But if it is, why does it seem so real?
Draco is paralyzed so I walk over, thrusting the box into his chest. I get on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. "Goodbye, Draco," I whisper into his ear.
I start to move away, when I feel a strong hand grab my arm. "Wait."
I turn back around, acting nonchalant. "Yes?"
"Why are you doing this to me?" He says, looking me straight in the eye. "This can't all be because I was joking about you being a spoiled brat." He steps closer, his eyes searching mine. "No, that can't be. Then what is it? What did I do to make you get so angry, angry enough to give back a gift that I slaved over for hours on end the first night we got together?"
By now, Draco is two feet from me. I can't do this anymore. I need Draco back.
"You know what? Nevermind. I don't want to cause you any more . . . emotions." He says, turning away.
"No, Draco!" I yell. I grab his arm and spin him back around to face me. I kiss him hard on the lips, letting out all of my frustration. "Please, I realize that this game was all a really big mistake. I regret it so much. Please forgive me."
I see his face light up. "Of course! You didn't honestly think that I was just going to give up on you like that, did you? I would fight for you with my life!"
"Oh thank Merlin. I was so scared."
"Well, there is no need to be anymore. I'm right here, and I am not going anywhere." With that, he kisses me and we stay like that for a long time. When we finally break apart again, a question is burning in my mind.
"Well then was all of that fake, just now I mean?"
"Well, yes. Wasn't yours?"
"Yes, yes, yes. It was just that, well, you were really convincing." I say, biting my lip.
"Hm. I won't say that I wasn't disappointed when you handed back the jewelry, especially with such a straight face."
"I know. I'm sorry. I had to find a way to tease you and that was the best thing that came to mind."
"Well, it was quite a good idea. Just don't do it again, ok?"
"Never."
"Good. But that does remind me of something."
"Hm?"
"Lara told me that you were going to 'have your way with me'. Something about my reputation."
Anger flares in me. "That bitch!"
"Ok, then, clearly that wasn't going to happen. I'm glad. I don't know what I would have done."
I raise an eyebrow at him. He gets a nervous look on his face. "All I mean is that I would have gone along with it if it would get me you back, but I really wouldn't have wanted to do it."
"Oh ok. That's . . . good. Better than wanting it."
"Oh Merlin, no. No, no, no. Not for a long time. But, maybe it will happen some day?" He says with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
I shove him. "Don't push your luck, mister. You're already treading water, here."
. . .
Later, once Draco and I have gone to our separate dorms, I walk to Lara's bed and pull her pillow out from under her head. She looks up at me, sees how mad I am, and her eyes widen. "He told you, didn't he?"
"Yep. And I do not appreciate the implication that I'm some sort of slut." I raise my eyebrows at her, and she smiles back at me nervously.
"So… now that you've told me off, goodnight?"
"Nuh-uh. Not until you swear it's not going to happen again."
"Alright, alright. I swear." She takes her pillow back and puts it over her head.
I walk back to my side dresser and look fondly at the jewelry that Draco gave back to me before putting away. I change into my pajamas, and throw myself down on the bed. Today was a long day.
Draco Abraxas Malfoy
Back in the guys' dorm, I start to drift off, but thoughts of my earlier conversation with Lara come back to mind. Quinn seemed really angry when I told her about that. Angry but not surprised. Then it all clicks: Quinn stormed out, Lara must have teased her about it, so she was mad.
Ah, so Lara was the one who invented all that. She's pretty clever, knowing how to make the both of us freak out about something that doesn't even exist. No wonder she's in Slytherin. But then another thought comes to mind: what could she possibly gain from having us think about . . . that? She has to have an ulterior motive, because she obviously wasn't helping us. It has to be something selfish.
And if she wasn't helping Quinn's and mine relationship, she must be wanting to break it. But why? A sudden thought appeared in my mind and I grinned. Of course. Why hadn't I thought of it earlier? Lara likes me. Duh. I mean, come on, who wouldn't? I am super good looking, wealthy, I have a good side that I only show to certain people, and I am Draco Malfoy. Ooh, okay maybe being Draco Malfoy isn't exactly the best thing, considering the war. But Lara is a Slytherin, so she might think otherwise.
Oh yes, Draco! the voice in my head says. I roll my eyes, here we go. You should totally dump the stupid mud- I narrow my eyes, but the voice ignores me, mudblood, and get with Lara. She's a Slytherin, a pure blood, and quite cute. Right now, I'm thinking hell naw. But then the voice says, Plus, . . . it would make your father happy. For some reason, that makes me even consider the voice's plan for a second, but that's just pre-war Draco thinking. Post-war Draco hates his father, and doesn't care what he thinks. It's my life, I will do with it what I bloody hell want. No voice in my head (except the one I control) will tell me what to do.
Now, how exactly do I get back at Lara? I know that Quinn won't do much because she can't stand up for herself (What?! It's true!) so that means that I have to take charge. I just have to out-Slytherin another Slytherin. But, come on, I'm a Malfoy. We are nothing but Slytherin. I can do this, piece of cake.
I just need to formulate a plan, and a good one. Ooh, revenge sure is sweet. I roll over, my mind a jumble of thoughts of plans against Lara. I end up going to sleep, no one plan seeming good enough.
. . .
The next morning, I wake up, much more energized and happy than I felt yesterday. During the day that is; the morning was pretty exciting. I smile fondly at the memory of the early morning pillow fight. Oh, good times. Pssh, it still is.
I bound out of bed, quickly getting dress and heading down to the Common Room. I sit, waiting for Quinn, thinking of a plan. I don't have much time to wait (or think, for that matter), for Quinn, Lara, and the quiet girl who sat next to me in Potions come down together a few minutes lates. They are all laughing about something.
Quinn sees me and points, saying something, and they all burst into laughter again. I fake a look of shock and point to myself, like, "Me? What did I do this time?" And Quinn just laughs at my expression, and comes over to give me a hug. I pull her close and whisper, "What was that about? Did I really do something again?" I say, getting slightly worried as that last thought creeps into my mind.
Quinn just laughs, "Haha, no. It was just . . . well . . ."
"I'm waiting. Plus, this hug is getting suspiciously long for just a hug."
"Then lets make it more than just a hug," Quinn says, before leaning back and kissing me on the cheek first, then the lips. I hold it for a little bit, before letting go, saying, "While that was absolutely fantastic and I don't regret it, that isn't an answer as to why you were laughing at me. So . . . talk."
"Fine," Quinn says, sighing. She had been on tiptoe, kissing and hugging me, and rolls back onto flat feet. "Well, if you really must know," She looks at me, hopeful.
"Yes, I really must know." I say, unfazed by her look.
"God, you are such a rock. So unemotional." She replies, exasperated, with a roll of her eyes.
"I think that last night completely disproves that theory."
She blushes as the memory comes rushing back. I pull her closer to me again, and kiss her cheek. "It's ok. Now stop stalling and just tell me. If you don't, I have certain ways of making you," I say quietly, but dangerous enough.
"Right. Well, um," Quinn looks nervous and slightly embarrassed. I raise my eyebrows, saying, "Come on then."
"Well, I was just saying that you are a horrible kisser." She rushes out. "It was funny because of your reputation as, well, a playboy."
"Oh, so I'm a horrible kisser now, eh? Really? Because I'm pretty sure that last night also disproves that theory. I don't know if you remember, but last night, you were pretty breathless and sexy after that kiss."
"Draco. It was just a joke."
"Well, I don't exactly appreciate jokes being made about me. Especially false ones. I do have a reputation to keep up, you know." I say, joking about the reputation. The rest I am completely serious about.
"Ok, then. Sorry. Won't happen again."
"Are you sure? Let me just officially ruin your joke right now then," I say, still quietly and close to her ear, as this whole conversation has been. I lean back and look into her eyes. My finger finds the bottom of her chin, and pulls her toward me while my head comes down simultaneously toward her.
Our lips meet, in a nice, long, sensual kiss. And when I say long, I meantit. And when I say sensual, I definitely mean that. When Quinn pulls back, breathless, I say, "Oh? Had enough, have you? Cause I'm not done." I pull her back in another lip lock. "I'm not done until you take back what you said about me a being a horrible kisser."
Quinn finally forces herself away, "Well, I totally would, except you're not letting me."
"Exactly." Another kiss ensues. Quinn doesn't even try to break away, this time, just saying, "You are an exceptional kisser" into my mouth. I pull away. "That's better. I told you I don't like jokes about me that are false. And now you've seen how I handle the people who say that."
Quinn gets a look on her face. "Well, actually, Lara was the one who said it. So are you going to handle her in the same way?"
"No, because I have never kissed her, and am not planning to, so she doesn't know what she is talking about."
"But you said -"
"You agreed with it and you knew what you were talking about, so I have to handle that, now, don't I?"
She just gives me a look that says, "Oh you are tricky". I just grin back and say, "Hungry? Because I am famished."
Quinn nods, and we head off to the Great Hall, unaware that everyone saw everything that just happened. Especially unaware of the look Lara was shooting after us. A look that could kill.
Quinn Rose Shephard
Draco and I walk to breakfast arm in arm, Lara and Mary trailing behind us. We arrive at the Great Hall in great spirits. Those spirits get dampened, though, when Theodore approaches us. My smile at Draco turns into a glare aimed at Theo.
"What do you want?" Draco and I both say, annoyed and exasperated.
"Well, um," Theo says, looking quite nervous. I start to feel sorry for him, and my glare must have let up a little because he looks more confident as he continues. "I'm sorry, you were totally right. I was being horribly selfish. I don't know what got into me!"
His sudden outburst surprises me and my arm drops from Draco's. I feel Draco lean in close and whisper, "Do you want me to leave you two alone for a little bit?"
I turn to him and quickly reply, "No! Please, I don't want to go completely sentimental on Theodore. He doesn't deserve it yet."
Draco just nods in response. But then he sees Theo's face and says, "You know he can hear you, right?"
"Whatever. It doesn't matter," I say, turning slightly red and facing Theodore again.
"Well, it's good you think I was right, because I was. And my decision to ignore still remains." I turn to leave, but he grabs my arm. "No, wait!"
I see Draco's face turn to pure anger, and Theodore must see it too because he quickly lets go of me. "Please, I just really didn't want to lose Luna! She means the world to me and we have barely had time to be together."
"Have you told her that you don't want her to go because of your own selfishness?"
"Well, um, no, not exactly."
"Then I have nothing left to say to you." I turn to go, then remember something. "And by the way, does she mean more to you than I do? Because I don't care too much if she does, but you might think that if I think this is a bad idea, she will too. And you know what she will do? She will break up with you. So think about this a bit longer, Theodore, before you do something you regret."
Theodore mutters just loud enough for me and Draco to hear, "Well, she means more to me than you."
"Oh hell naw," Draco says, before going after Theo and turning him around to punch him in the face. "You do not insult my girlfriend like that. She has been your best friend for a long time, and then you go and get yourself a girlfriend and immediately she means more to you? You have a very sick, twisted mind, and you had better learn to control it in order to not hurt the people who love you."
I really want to go over there and stop Draco, but I can't move. I also sort of don't want to stop him. He is making a very good point. A smile creeps onto my face and continues to grow bigger during Draco's speech. Oh Merlin, he really does love me, doesn't he?
Draco walks back toward me, his face still set in anger. He shakes out his hand, probably aching from the contact with Theodore's face. Did he break something? I don't know if I want him to have or not.
When Draco is only 5 feet away, I notice something stirring behind him. Theodore. A scream gets caught in my throat, but Draco sees my expression and looks behind him. Theo is up now, his fists in fighting position.
"So is that it? Is that all you can do? A measley punch?" Theodore says with a laugh. "Oh I can take you down."
"Do you really want to test that, Veranda?" Draco says slowly, dangerously. "Cause if so, that might be the last thing you say."
"Bring it on, Malfoy. You really are just a weak puppy. The hard, Malfoy, composure is just an act. You're really just a soft puppy: caring, needy, coddled. Well, now it's time to face the real world. Be a man. Learn to be a man."
"I'm more of a man than you are or ever will be. I was more of a man than you long before I met you. And you are the one who is a puppy. You are the one who has always had his friends to coddle him. Sure, I may be caring, but that's a good thing, Veranda. It's good to care about those you love, those who love you back. Because when you don't, they leave you, and then what are you left with? Nothing. And pretty soon, that is all you will have. Nothing. I can tell you from personal experience that it isn't fun. So I'm going to give you one last chance to think about this, think about what will happen if you go through with this. One last chance to make amends for your actions."
"No. Way." Theo says, looking even more determined now.
"Have it your way," Draco says with a shrug, rolling up his shirt sleeves. (He's wearing another button down, this time light blue, in case you were wondering. And boy, he looks even sexier, especially with that mad look on his face. Ok sorry. Back to the action.) "But just know, if you ever talk to, look at, or contact Quinn in anyway without her permission, you are officially dead."
With that, Draco cocks his fist and swings, hitting Theo in the gut. Theo's arms come down to cover his midsection, leaving him very vulnerable. I don't want Theo to get hurt too badly, so I yell to Draco, "Not too bad, okay Draco? Leave some left for later, if you have to do this again."
He looks back at me, grins, and nods. "That's my girl. Do you want a piece of the action?" He asks, still having a bit of time because Theo is still clutching his stomach. I shake my head. "No, I think you will handle him better." I give Draco a thumbs-up and he looks back down at Theodore.
"Now, you heard what Quinn said. I'll take it easier on you than I was planning. But not too easy." Theodore is lying on his side on the ground and he swings one of his legs out, knocking Draco off of his feet. Draco springs back up and kicks Theo in the shin. Oooh, that has got to hurt.
Draco Abraxas Malfoy
This feels so good to beat up on the boy who made my girlfriend upset. I look up to the teacher's table and see most of them sitting there, though some are standing. Professor McGonagall catches my eye and I can see a twinkle in her eyes. She nods at me and I nod back. I lift Theodore up by his elbows, and say, "Well, that's going to be all of the punching and kicking I'm going to give you. Today at least. Now," I grin, "it's time for something a little different."
I take out my wand from my pocket and display it for Theo. The scared look in his eye is priceless. "Yeah, buddy. Hopefully this will teach you a lesson. Well, maybe a few lessons. Protect the ones you love; don't be selfish; care for those you love; and most of all, don't . . . hurt . . . Quinn."
I raise my wand and shout, "Avis oppugno!" Birds fly from it, and they are looking quite angry. They head toward Theo and he covers his head to protect himself from their beaks. Quinn shouts at me from behind, "He is really afraid of turtles!"
I look back at her. "Turtles? What? Why?"
She shrugs. "I don't know. Just always has."
"Hm. Well, thanks." I rack my brain for a turtle spell. There aren't many. Oh right. "Pugna turtures!" Large turtles formed from the dust on the floor of the Great Hall. (Wow there is a lot. How long has it been since this place was cleaned?) The turtles advanced toward Theo and he hastily backs up, screaming, "Stop! Stop! Get them away!"
All I do is chuckle and he turns around completely and flees. I look back at Quinn with my arms out and eyebrows raised. "Eh?"
She laughs and starts clapping. Soon the whole Hall is clapping. I collapse my hands on my stomach and back and bow, then walk back to Quinn.
"Wow, Draco! That was amazing!"
"Thank you. I don't even know where I learned that spell."
"Well I don't really care." She says before kissing me. And let me tell you, it was a good kiss.
"Man, I should really beat up Theodore more often if it means I get a kiss like this as a reward."
Quinn laughs and hits me playfully on the chest, "Whatever."
