Disclaimer: Look at Prologue, chapter one, chapter two. You get my drift. I don't own the Harry Potter universe.

A/N: I know I've taken FOREVER. To make it up to those of you who've read, this chapter is the longest I've written so far. Chapter 8 is gonna be just as long! PLEASE review! I'm stuck on the fence between feelin self conscious about it and thinkin I did a damn good job on it.

Chapter 7


Draco launched himself off the Astronomy Tower. Spending several moments in free fall he prepared himself and aligned his body parallel to his broom before he finished off a Wronski Feint. He ignored the roaring of thunder as fat droplets of rain assaulted every surface it could get its watery hands on. He flew over to the Quidditch Pitch in hopes of getting as far away from the castle as the storm would allow. He shouldn't be out in this kind of weather. With another roll of thunder that he was sure awoke even creatures in the bowels of the earth, he knew it. He was just lucky that lightning hadn't decided to join the party. Crack! There goes a tree in the Forbidden Forest. As difficult as it was to fly in the rain like this, Draco zoomed higher into the sky; leaving the empty Quidditch stands to fade out of existence.

He grudgingly brushed away the damp hair covering his eyes and obscuring his vision. He gripped the cloak tighter around his body when he realized how high he had flown up. Soon gravity would wrap its suffocating fingers around him and begin to pull back down. He let his mind wander to that story told by the Greeks about some Icarus bloke who flew too close to the sun on a pair of wax and feather wings then fell to his death. He was obviously a muggle, Draco subconsciously sneered. Slowing his descent to a halt, he sat suspended in the air and looked toward the castle. It looked highly uninteresting. However it inhabited the one person he found himself thinking about from the moment he saw her at the train station. Only because she's been so stubborn lately.

If Draco were to be honest with himself then he could admit that what he had done these past several days was a tad harsh; if it had been done to Potter or anyone else then he wouldn't have cared so much. But he did care about what he did to Blair. The way she acted and felt around Blaise is the same way he wanted her to feel around him. Blaise. Lately Draco's noticed how Blaise keeps volleying back and forth between him and the Female Potter, more recently he's gone back to Draco. He knew the reason why was because Blaise started to feel bad for 'neglecting' him.

The wind began to pick up and the torrent of rain got colder. He rushed back over to the castle and landed in front of the entrance doors. Cracking the doors open he murmured a drying charm as he silently swept across the hall down to the dungeons, leaving the floor and stairs bereft of any evidence baring his late arrival into the castle. He had a second thought that maybe he should visit the kitchens, keeping in mind that he wouldn't be falling asleep anytime soon but settled for just thinking and some writing. Flying was supposed to clear thoughts from my head, not create more!

He entered his room and shed his clothes at the foot of his bed. Cold as it is in the dungeons he went over to his wardrobe and pulled on a pair of flannel pajamas and a t-shirt, cast a warming charm on himself to keep the cold floor from nipping at his feet, and sat at his desk. Pulling out a few sheets of parchment, he hoped for the best and started writing. We'll see how this goes...


"You look like shit, mate." was the first statement out of Blaise's mouth the next morning.

"Gee, thanks Blaise."

"No problem. I aim to please." Blaise actually had the bollocks to smile. Blaise was the only person he knew in Slytherin who could be this damn happy this early on a Saturday.

"You get laid last night or something?"

"No, better."

"Better?" He sighed. "What could be better than getting laid?"

"Having a threesome!"

"Brilliant," he sneered sarcastically.

"Yup," he replied, "so why do you look like utter shit?"

"Went out for a late night ride...didn't fall asleep until 4 in the morning." He mumbled.

"A late night ride?" Blaise winked. "I wasn't aware that we were giving sex a new nickname but I like it! Still doesn't explain why you didn't get much sleep...oh, you sly dog! How many girls?"

Draco flung his arm over his eyes, willing the dull ache behind them to go away. "Shut up Zabini. You're only doing this to irritate me. I went for a ride on my broom during that storm last night. And before you pound me with more idiotic questions, I went out because I felt like it and I didn't sleep until late because I had...things to do."

"Fine with me. You might want to put up a glamour or something though. It's possible you could frighten and scar small children for life with that face of yours right now."

Draco sat up at lightning speed and conjured a mirror. "Merlin, do I really look that grotesque? Why didn't you mention this to me sooner?!" He reached up and touched the slightly heavy bags that had grown under his eyes. His eyes were a light shade of pink from the lack of sleep but he figured he could cure that with a couple splashes of water to the face.

Blaise shrugged. "I didn't feel like it?"

"You evil bastard," Draco groused.

He barely stifled a yawn. "That's why we're best mates, Draco. Well, I'm off to bed."

"Bed? Breakfast starts in less than five minutes!"

"Right. On second thought I'll have breakfast then a nap." He smiled. "Let's go."

Draco slid a glamour into place and left the common room with Blaise.

Entering the Great Hall, Blaise went and plopped himself down next to Blair while Draco sat across from them. She took notice of the huge grin glued to his face and couldn't help but return one back.

"Have a good night huh?"

He greeted her with a kiss to the cheek. "Yes I did."

She chortled. "How many?"

"Two girls from Ravenclaw."

"Ah, that's all I need to know then from details you've given me before about your past 'excursions'."

"Oh well, I'm feeling more hungry than talkative right now anyway." He quipped.

Shrugging her shoulders she handed him a plate full of food. He smiled his thanks and began to tuck in. Draco sat watching the whole exchange. It appeared as if they had been best friends just as long as he and Draco have been. Neither Pansy nor anyone else ever had a plate fraught with his favorite breakfast foods waiting and ready for him. Instead he had to put up with Pansy's screeching and hideous attempts at cooing in his ear everyday. She was never subtle. He tried to make things work out with her but she was always begging him to sleep with her. Merlin knows no amount of Firewhiskey in the world would convince him to do so after catching a glimpse of her coming out of the shower.

He shuddered uncontrollably at the thought and pushed his food away. Immediately Crabbe turned his eyes towards Draco's sausage (sounds dirty, right? Was not intentional at all!).

"Malfoy, you going to eat that?" He grunted as he pointed a porky finger at his plate.

Draco scowled. God, the stupid oaf can't even wait one minute for me to contemplate whether I still want my food or not. "No, go right ahead."

"Thanks."

"Whatever."

He looked over at Blaise and Blair one more time. Although he knew that they weren't dating, seeing them together still made him think that he wanted a relationship as close as theirs. He and Blaise had their own special relationship but he wanted something different. A kind of relationship that comes naturally because you were compatible with one another, made for each other specifically, and maybe even fall in love with that person.

"You look like shit, Malfoy."

Draco lifted his eyes to meet Blair's. Blair had taken a mental note of the bags under Draco's eyes and decided to point out the obvious. He wanted to sneer back "How about you shut up and go get fucked by a manticore," but he refrained himself to a dignified grunt.

"Sorry to say that is a pretty bad glamour, man." Blaise checked his watch. "Oy, its 9:30 already. Don't you have to meet up with Snape this morning?"

"Argh," Blair dropped her fork and let it clang dramatically onto her plate, "you know damn well I do. Want to come with, dear?" She gave his arm a loving squeeze and batted her eyes coquettishly.

He smiled. "Ha, flattery will get you nowhere with me, love. Except, into bed."

She feigned offense before slapping him on the shoulder. "Well wish me luck then." And she left the table, swaying her hips enough to get Blaise's attention as she exited the Great Hall.

"I think I'm falling in love," he sighed.

"Yeah, right. Next, you'll tell me that you want to impregnate her for the sake of bloody Britain."

"That is a good excuse! Remember, it worked on that Hufflepuff last year."

"Of course it did! He. Is. A. Hufflepuff."

"I'm starting to think someone may just be a little jealous of Blaise Zabini. I can shag both sexes!"

Draco gently massaged his temples. That headache might be creeping back. "So what are you going to do now that your lover is gone?"

"I wish she were my lover then I could get in an early shag before my nap. I guess I'll settle for the nap only though."

"That sounds riveting."

"Well tell me Draco, what are you planning for today?"


"I'm glad to see you haven't forgotten about our meeting today, Miss Phillips."

"I wouldn't dare forget, sir."

"I know this potion will take some time so I will return to witness your progress in an hour. You remember where to find the potions cupboard?"

She raised an eyebrow but apparently he couldn't decipher the meaning of her silent answer. "Yes Professor, I know where the cupboard is," she sighed.

"Then get to work. Remember I'll be back in an hour."

Blair suppressed the urge to roll her eyes as he stared down his abnormally large, wry nose at her. The sooner you go, the sooner I can get this damned potion over with. Realizing his haughty stare had no effect on the young woman, Snape exited the classroom with his cloak billowing behind him.

She clapped and rubbed her hands together. "Now to work on that potion."

Twenty minutes into her work Blair's back tensed as she registered the low, familiar clapping of shoes on the stone floor. Leather. Italian. Very expensive. Blaise would be asleep now after what occurred last night. Snape has his own air of creepiness he carries around with him. And as far as I know no student in their right mind would come down to the dungeons on a Saturday, I wouldn't.

She let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding and carefully lifted her wand from the tabletop. The footsteps stopped a couple feet behind her. Chanting a new mantra, she set her wand down and picked up the knife. Maybe if she appeared too busy, they wouldn't feel the need to bother her.

I will not turn around. I will not turn around. I will not turn around.

Apparently the person thought they had been quiet enough to refrain from making noise. He, yes he, stood there, probably planning to startle her. Blair kept her cool and tried to keep up what she was doing for a few more minutes but the silence was getting unbearable. It would have been extremely awkward if not for the potion boiling away in its cauldron. Fresh mint and sandalwood mingled in with the odor of the draught, dancing around Blair's senses. She had been in enough rows with the owner of that scent to know who it was.

Damn.

"You shouldn't try sneaking up on people when they're using knives, Malfoy. It's kinda dangerous," she warned with as much civility she could muster.

"I'll try hard to keep that in mind." He cleared his throat. "Blaise wanted me to come down and check on you," he lied.

A short bark of laughter escaped her lips. "Really? Since when have I needed supervision?"

He walked around the desk to face her. He saw she gripped her wand for a second, probably conflicted between hexing him or trusting his lie and being civil.

He appeared to be trusting. For now. "He's been worried about you. He knows it's still only the first week of school but enough things have already happened. I suppose he wanted to know how you were coping in the privacy of seclusion."

"So he sent you after me?" She snorted. "That's real hard to believe seeing as we don't like each other much."

"Okay, maybe I lied."

Blair bristled. I knew it. "So you're here to sabotage me again is that it?"

"No, no, no! Sorry. Honestly, I came here because I want to help. With the two of us, the potion will come along faster."

She contemplated the offer for a millisecond and added four billywig stingers into the cauldron. "Don't bother, I'm almost halfway done." Just when she said that the concoction turned the black currant color it was supposed to. Draco couldn't help but take in how Blair gently bit the corner of her lip. It was mesmerizing. "Besides Snape will be coming to check on me in," she checked her watch, "five minutes."

When she looked up at Malfoy she could have sworn that he looked slightly crestfallen for a few seconds until his stoic mask resumed its place. She felt bad for just as long. Damn my good nature... To fix any damage done she amended her statement. "I just don't want him accusing me of cheating or anything. I can tell he doesn't like me."

"I understand." His strong voice belied the forlorn feeling seeping into his chest. "How about you allow me to assist you after he leaves? Then that will leave the rest of the day for other plans you may have."

Please say yes. Yes. Yes.

He still wanted to help? What's wrong with him?

At least he's being nice.

Shut up brain.

If I shut up then how are you supposed to finish that potion, hmm?

Shit. Well that's what I have Malfoy for now. So stick that up your ass and smoke it.

Jackass.

"Um, are you alright?"

"What? Oh yeah, just had a tiny brain fart." Draco only concluded the fact that what she said was the type of thing only said in America. "A brain fart is the same thing as zonin' out. Whoever came up with the term must have been high," she laughed.

"Okay." He looked at her a minute longer with a raised eyebrow. American colloquialisms. Downright stupid.

Blair could still feel Draco's eyes on her as she looked toward the cauldron. Enough eye contact for now. She heard herself tell him that he was welcome to do whatever he wanted but her eyes had focused on the figure in the doorway.

"Mr. Malfoy, I honestly wasn't expecting to see you in my classroom today. To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked. Silkily? I'm starting to hear things again. Blair chewed the inside of her cheek and looked between the two men.

I'm starting to hear things. Severus did not just talk to me like that! Draco could swear on Merlin's left testicle that he threw up a little in his mouth. The man is his godfather! And old!

"Well sir, I just came by for a visit when I found Miss Phillips here working. So I decided to stick around and make sure she was successful in her endeavor. Also Blaise asked me to check up on her as a favor."

Successful in her endeavor? What a suck up.

Snape quirked an eyebrow as he regarded his godson with a cool demeanor. "Is that so?"

"Yes, Professor. Unless you wish for me to leave, I could go back to my dorm—"

"No. You are fine where you are." He walked over to Blair's cauldron and took in the fact that she visibly stiffened a little as he peered at her beneath his fringe. She decided not to look at him. She must be intimidated. He allowed a small smile to play across his face before he repeated his words from earlier and mentioned he would be back in another half hour. He explained he offered an extra 10 minutes in case she needed more time. With one last smirk meant for only Draco, he left the room.

"Creeeeppyyy…" echoed once throughout the room as Blair made her feelings about their teacher known to Draco.

"You said it. He leered at me. He actually leered at me!"

"Never knew you could attract the older ones too, Malfoy," she smirked.

He sneered. "Shut up. At least I can attract someone."

"Careful," she gripped her wand tighter, "you don't want to say something you'll regret while you're surrounded by vials of dangerous potions. They could all of a sudden," she paused for effect, "get a mind of their own."

He ignored the warning, went over to the cauldron, and dropped in the chopped up valerian roots and asphodel. They worked together in a companionable silence for the duration of the potion making.

They finished the draught with ten minutes left on the clock. Snape must've expected Blair would really need the extra 10 minutes because he hadn't shown up yet.

"Thanks for the help." She smiled. Draco suddenly started to feel a warmth pool in his belly. Wait until he tells Blaise about this. Draco Malfoy made a breakthrough with the female Potter! I might have to start calling her by her actual name soon.

"You're welcome. I'm just lucky that you're not crap at Potions like Potter."

"Yeah, lucky." She dismissed what he said with a wave. It seemed like an insult but she was in too good of a mood to worry about it. With Quidditch tryouts coming up on Tuesday, she had a few more days to practice and make the team!

"From the sight of you two lounging about I suspect you have finished the draught."

She stood up abruptly. "All finished, Professor."

"You are free to go," he drawled as he examined the two vials now filled with the clear colored liquid.

Blair rounded up her things and stuffed her wand into a pocket. Reaching the door, she turned around and addressed Snape again.

"Oh, Professor?"

"What is it?" he said, keeping his eyes on Draco who was growing more uncomfortable by the minute with the old coot staring at him like that. The Malfoy heir coughed impatiently, praying for Snape to look at her. Finally he did after she remained silent for a minute.

"Well?"

"Well, I know I'm only 5'2" but next time could you try looking at my face when talking to me? My face isn't that far down my chest." She smiled an innocent smile but from where he stood it looked as if he could see a pronounced mischievous glint in her eyes.

Being caught in the act of checking out a female student's chest, let alone Blair's, Snape's eyes widened. Draco pretended to cough loudly, hiding his laughter.

"I…"

"Bye Professor!" she called, running from the classroom.

"Well Severus, I guess you weren't so successful in keeping it subtle after all." He smirked. Then he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"In my defense she had those things pouring out of that top of hers," he scowled. "And I am a man."

"That remains to be clear."

Snape was incredulous. "So what were you doing here this whole time? I bet it was more than just helping her with that potion." Draco stopped grinning. Now it was Severus' turn to smile. Actually it came out more like a grimace. The man hasn't smiled all summer so he's a bit rusty.


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