The classes for the morning were Muggle Studies, which Arian found quite amusing, and Charms. Professor Flitwick paired Ari up with Hermione, utterly charmed by Ari and her old world mannerisms. After classes, Ari and Hermione spent the afternoon in the library, working on their charms homework. They didn't return to the common room until late that evening.
The next morning Ari moved quietly into potions class, sitting at her table, taking out her class work bag. She smiled at Draco as he sat down beside her. He smiled back, giving her a wink.
"I saw you ate your breakfast this morning." he murmured to her.
"That potion you gave me helped a lot." she said softly.
"Good. I was sure it would." He said as the others settled in, softly chatting as Snape had not yet arrived.
"Are you working in the Hospital Wing tomorrow?" Ari asked. "I'm to be there after classes."
"Yes, making potions as usual."
The door slammed open and Professor Severus Snape stalked into the room; he seemed to be furious before class had even had a chance to begin. The room was instantly silent.
"Uh oh." Ari whispered.
"Homework. Now." He snapped at the class, turning sharply beside his desk, his robes snapping.
Ari pulled hers out of her bag and turned it in as all the others did. She glanced over at Harry, who gave her a reassuring smile and wink as he readied his own books.
Snape remained short tempered as he put up the spell for the day; it was one from her own books, one that she didn't know how to complete. She had attempted, but somehow it never made sense for her.
"Oh, that one looks complicated." Blaise moaned.
"You are NOT a first year, Mr. Zabini!" Snape snapped at him uncharacteristically. "You will apply yourself and do your best in the preparations, for that is all we will be doing today! You will all prepare the ingredients that do not need to be fresh; the preparations must be done precisely correct or you WILL cause this potion to fail! And tomorrow…" he took a moment to glare at those who began to mutter. "YES, tomorrow, you've an extra potions class! Tomorrow, we will brew the potion!"
"I've never been able to do this one." Ari sighed softly.
"We'll get it. " Draco said firmly.
"The trick to the correct completion of this potion lies in the proper preparation of all the ingredients. Do not chop any items on the third board; those MUST be added fresh!"
The class fell silent as they began the complicated task of exacting chopping, grating and slicing of the ingredients that did not have to be fresh. Severus Snape stalked about the room, glaring at select individuals and scowling when he saw that Neville seemed to be having no problems following the instructions. He moved over to stand behind Ari, watching Draco for a moment before he spoke. "Miss Black?"
She looked up, fear in her eyes, truly frightened. "Yes sir…?"
"You probably recognize this potion." He said, not looking at her, eyes on the back of Ron's head. "Its makeup is actually much more efficient than our own version. Follow the directions, especially on preparation." His voice remained quiet and non-threatening.
She smiled softly, greatly relieved. "Yes sir." she said softly.
"This potion, and many others in that book, is quite useful. They are vast improvements on what I have and know to brew." He started, then fell silent, stalking forward to put his hand on the back of Ron's head and turn it roughly toward the board. He'd been whispering to Hermione and gotten caught. "This is NOT a team effort, Mr. Weasley!" he growled. Ron winced, but said nothing.
Ari and Draco worked intently on preparing the ingredients. Ari paused, about to chop the next ingredient; she looked up at the teacher. "Professor Snape?" she asked softly, raising her hand. He paused, looking her direction. "I always used a silver knife to cut the hemp stems. Is there a difference if I use, say, a copper blade?"
"An excellent question, Miss Black; I would expect such a question to be from one of my more studious students." he glanced at Draco a bit disapprovingly. "Five points to Gryffindor for asking rather than blindly plowing ahead."
"Good job." Draco whispered to her with a grin.
"Yes, Miss Black; there is a difference. You could use a silver blade, a steel blade, or a copper blade. A sliver blade, while pure in nature, can cause a chemical reaction within the potion ingredient that will actually make the ingredient worthless. A stainless steel blade, while it would not have the reaction, is very difficult to purify and will result in a concoction that will actually be dangerous to the user. A copper blade is the only blade that will not change the original properties of the dried hemp stems."
"Thank you sir." Ari said, realizing that this was one of the mistakes she had made with this potion in the past. She pulled out a copper blade from her bag.
The rest of the class went very smoothly; no one dared to do anything to irritate the professor.
Ari picked up her bag, digging through the books before pulling out an old volume. She timidly moved up to the desk. "Um... professor...?" she said softly. "I thought you might like this book. I can't read many of the potions; it's charmed so that those without the right skills aren't even able to decipher them."
He raised an eyebrow at her, his scowl fading somewhat. He opened it, glancing at some of the potions contained within. "This could be quite interesting... I will consider these." He said quietly.
"Have a good day, Professor." Ari said as she joined Draco.
"See? He's not so scary today." Draco chuckled as they moved out.
*Wait till tomorrow; he'll be scary again. * Harry smirked.
Ron was rubbing his neck. "I think old Snape gave me whiplash!" he complained. "I wish he wouldn't take things out on us."
Ari laughed softly as they walked to their next class.
The day went smoothly; the only thing that happened of any interest was that Goyle got bit by a plant in Herbology. Even Crabbe laughed at him for being so foolish as to poke at the creature's face.
"Come on, Ari; today you eat lunch with Blaise and me. Harry's been hogging your company all week." Draco complained.
"All right." she agreed with a shy smile.
The group moved into the Great Hall for lunch, Ari taking a seat between Draco and Blaise.
Pansy looked on, angry and jealous. "Looks like we have a new trio." she sneered nastily, glaring at Draco. "Trying to make up a Slytherin Trio to match the Golden Gryffindor Trio?"
"You know, Pansy, someday you'll stop being a sour, bitter little bitch and get on with your life. Surely you'll find someone who'll have you then." Blaise said in a pitying tone.
She glared at him but wasn't angry enough to insult the best friend of the Slytherin Prince. "This is the SLYTHERIN table. She's a Gryffindor. She doesn't belong here." She said bitterly.
"She is my cousin, and she will sit where she pleases." Draco said in a cold tone.
"Just because you're the Prince of Slytherin, you think you can do anything you want to do!" she said in an angry and pouting tone.
"He can." Crabbe growled at her, rising instantly to Draco's defense. Draco knew that he had absolutely no idea why he was defending him, but he did so out of sheer habit.
"You wouldn't have cared last week, Pansy." Another boy at the table spoke up in Draco's defense as well.
"Shut up, Treven." She snapped at him.
Draco's eyes were glinting, his smile cold as he glared at Pansy. "Be careful, Parkinson; very careful. If you overstep yourself, I promise you; I will take you down personally." He said quietly.
"You made promises to me, Draco Malfoy! We had plans! I can't just let all that go!" Tears welled in her eyes, her expression angered and accusatory.
"I made you no promises. My father made all the promises to you and your family. I never promised you anything."
"You conveniently forget now that you've decided to call it all off!" Her eyes held pain and righteous anger. "Everything was fine before the holidays and now suddenly everything has changed. It's not hard to figure out what has caused all the changes!"
*Tell her to sod off, Draco.* Harry recommended.
*I did that yesterday. Today she's challenging me in front of the entire house.* he continued to match her gaze.
She finally looked away. "Come on, Millicent; let's go sit at the other end of the table. The air down at this end is unusually foul!" she said, pushing away from the table. Millicent hesitated, glancing at Draco and his friends, and then followed Pansy after a moment.
"She is gonna be trouble, Draco." Blaise said softly. "She's not just after you: she's after your money."
"I know; that's part of why I really can't stand the bitch." Draco said honestly. Ari had fallen silent, sipping her tea. "It's not your fault, Arian. This would have happened anyway, but I do want you to be careful. Watch your back."
"I will try to be careful."
Draco put one hand over hers, his eye caught by the ring she had slipped on his finger earlier. He drew the ring off his finger and slipped it back on her hand. "You may need this."
"Yeah... Devon would be angry if I was without it."
"I really don't think she'll be after you, though Arian. She'll be after whomever I choose to take her place."
"Who are you going to pick, Draco?"
*How about Tiffiny Boxton? I know she's just first year, but that would give us more time before the marriage takes place. I heard she has a crush on you.* Harry suggested.
*Everyone has a crush on me, hadn't you noticed that, Potter?* he snorted.
*Not everyone; Hermione resists your charms quite easily.*
*I won't comment on that; I'm trying to be nice to your little friends.*
*I've noticed, and believe me, I appreciate that.*
*So what's this girl like?*
*She's sitting down at the end of my side to the left. I really don't know that much about her, but I can tell you that when someone is bragging about things I've done she just rolls her eyes. I think she's rather cute, for a first year.*
Draco looked down at the girl, who was chatting softly with a couple of her friends. *Well, she is pretty enough, and I have a thing for raven hair.* he commented, examining her a moment. *Is she a pureblood?*
* So everyone says, but who am l to know?*
*Draco I don't understand.* Ari said softly. *You love Harry, and he loves you. The two of you belong together. Why must you marry?*
He sighed softly. *It's expected of me. Like your schooling is expected of you. I must carry on the family name.*
*Marrying simply to have a child when love is not involved seems so wrong.* Ari said with a frown, looking at Draco. *Why don't you just use a sex change potion and bond with Harry?*
Both boys choked on their food. "What?" they both said out loud, getting odd looks from their meal partners.
"What's wrong, mate?" Ron asked, startled.
"Draco...?" Blaise said, concerned.
Draco waved him off, managing to choke his food down. "Just went down the wrong pipe..." he sputtered as he regained control. *Is there even such a thing, Ari?*
*Of course there is.* Ari sipped her juice calmly, smiling softly at him. *Devon has one; she uses it with her girlfriend Shar. I've even managed to create a ring and instill the potion into it as a spell for my Xal.*
*That's a brilliant idea, but… Father. He wouldn't accept that at all.* Draco sighed.
*Then you really should marry me.* Ari suggested again. *Any other wife would cause problems between you and Harry and I would have to do something about that.*
*You're sure…? I can suggest it to my father.*
*The worst he can do is say no.* Harry said, thinking it would be an excellent solution.
Draco gave one brief nod. *I'll try... if not, perhaps that girl will agree to a marriage of convenience.*
*I'II owl him tonight.* he agreed.
*Ari, is that potion hard to make?* Harry asked.
*Extremely hard. It takes almost six months to make a single batch; that is why I made the ring. I made one for Devon too.*
*Maybe she'll loan it to me in a year or two*. Draco said with a smirk.
*I can help you make one.*
*ReaIly? That will be fantastic.*
*I will help you with anything you wish, Draco, always.*
He gave her hand a squeeze as they ate. *Thanks cousin.*
Ari gave him a soft kiss, ignoring the glare from Pansy.
Ron watched, shaking his head. "Damn; look at old Parkinson. She's got her Slytherin knickers in a right knot, hasn't she?" He muttered softly. "We better keep an extra close eye on Arian."
"Yeah; big time." Hermione agreed.
"Good thing you're a girl; you can make sure she's not alone in the loo, even." he said. Harry rolled his eyes at the wording. Ron was never very clever in relationships and still hadn't figured out just how to word things to keep from angering Hermione.
"Lucky I'm a girl, eh...?" She repeated dangerously.
"Oh, come on, Hermione! I didn't mean it that way! I LIKE that you're a girl!" he said, immediately on the defensive.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "You'd better." She smirked.
He gave her a soft kiss. "Believe me, 'Moni... I'm REALLY glad you're a girl."
"Yeah, Hermione; he's as straight as they come." Harry chuckled.
"I'll take that as a compliment, mate." Ron grinned, one arm about Hermione as he continued to eat.
"Ari is so unlike Malfoy; it really must be the upbringing. I can't imagine what it must be like; having a father like Lucius Malfoy." Hermione said softly.
"And Malfoy probably can't imagine having muggle parents either." Ron pointed out. "He probably doesn't even know what a dentist does."
"My mum and dad are who they are, and I love them for it." Hermione smiled.
"And I'm sure, as much as I hate to say it, Malfoy must love his parents too." Ron said.
"…at least his mum." Harry agreed.
"I only met his mother once at the World Cup. I can't say that I really know all that much about her." Hermione mused thoughtfully.
"But his father, we know more than enough." Ron said with a shudder. "Now there's a scary old stick if ever I saw one. He was here for hours yesterday."
"He's so... intense." Hermione said softly in agreement.
"Not intense, Hermione; scary." Ron corrected.
"What did he want here?" Harry asked. "Did he say anything to you?"
"Besides looking down his nose at me with his typical Malfoy sneer, making snide and cruel comments about my blood-traitor mum and dad? Not a word." Ron said with a grimace.
"And I stayed completely out of his sight." Hermione said softly.
"I don't blame you. I can't stand the sight of him." Harry agreed.
"He spent an hour or so with Snape in the dungeons, and then went up to see the Headmaster about something. I saw him leaving around three." Neville volunteered in a soft voice. "That's two days in a row he's been here."
"Huh. He's up to something." Harry said with a thoughtful frown. "We'll just have to keep our eyes open."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Lucius scowled, looking up from the scroll he was reading. Another interruption? He was so sick of the constant breaks to his focus; he had a job to do and he was running out of time to complete his work. "What is it?" he snarled.
The little house elf flinched. "A letter sir, from Young Master." it squeaked, holding up a tray bearing the scroll.
Lucius snatched the parchment off the tray. "Get out!" he snapped, and the house elf promptly vanished. He growled to himself as he opened the sealed scroll. His eyes ran over the content. Well, Draco had found two choices to offer as possible brides, hmm? Tiffany Boxten was the first; she was from a well-known pure blood family, though the girl was quite young. She was six years or so younger than Draco. That wedding would have to be postponed at least until she was sixteen, but the second choice was intriguing.
He leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. Interesting choice, Arian Black; interesting, indeed. Devon is a real bitch, but there was no doubt that she was quite powerful. The girl was not like Devon at all; in fact, the girl seemed to be quite compliant and trainable indeed. Well, once the girl was legally bonded to Draco, there would be nothing her bitch of a sister could do about it.
"Narcissa!" he snapped, and moments later his wife entered. She'd been in the next room, tending to her own business. Perhaps he could get some insight on which to choose in asking the opinion of his wife regarding the matches...
"Yes, Lucius...?" she asked softly.
"Our son's engagement to Parkinson has been cancelled." He said without fanfare.
He was surprised at the reaction she gave. She sighed, looking quite relieved. "Oh, thank Merlin!"
"And why does this please you?" he asked, eyes narrow.
She looked thoughtful a moment. "Several reasons, to be honest. Our son could not stand to be in the same room with the girl; I saw it every time she came over to visit. When I saw them together last, he looked pained. It looked to me as if he were struggling to endure her company. It also bothered me that all her parents spoke of when they thought we could not hear was getting their hands on the Malfoy fortune."
"Our son has provided me with two possibilities to replace the girl... One Miss Buxton and the other Miss Black..."
"The final choice is yours, Lucius, of course. But I know Miss Buxton's family. She is a pleasant child from what I have seen. Nothing special, magically. The Black family on the other hand has always produced strong offspring."
"She is a very viable candidate." he said agreeably. "With whom would I make the arrangements? Aren't her parents dead?"
"Her mother was gone shortly after her birth." She said quietly, letting him assume that meant death. It was the truth, as she knew it. "I will find out what needs to be done; I know you are very busy at this time. There is no need to trouble yourself when I can take care of this for you." she offered.
He raised an eyebrow at her. "I want a prenuptial agreement this time, one that is magically binding. There will be no more designs upon the family fortune."
"Of course. I am sure Draco would agree."
"Make the arrangements, then... run the prenuptial agreement past our solicitor; and the girl must sign it before the betrothal is announced."
"As you wish, Lucius... is there anything else?"
"That was more than I expected you to be capable of." He said bluntly, turning his face from her, though he was actually quite pleased.
"I want my son to be happy in his marriage, and Miss Black is an enchanting young witch."
"What do you know of her?"
"She was privately taught from a very early age. She had the best money could buy and was taught to appreciate her status in life. I think perhaps she is more than Devon will ever be." Narcissa said softly.
"And quite sheltered, to be only now introduced to the wizarding community… Yes. She will do. Make the arrangements." He said dismissively.
"Of course." Narcissa turned, moving from the room, her mind going a mile a minute. What in the world was her son up to? They were supposed to be hiding Arian from prying eyes such as her husband's.
Malfoy smiled as he returned to his work. "Oh, yes, she's very suitable, and intelligent in potions as well, it seems..." he murmured as he read onward through his scroll.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Narcissa moved into another part of the house, her private room. She placed locking charms and silencing spells upon the room before she moved to the shelf. A ten-inch tall statue of an Egyptian goddess stood upon the shelf; it was Bast, the cat-goddess and legendary protector of the pharaoh. Devon had given it to her about two years ago, telling her it could help her to contact her if ever she needed her help to protect her own little prince. Well, she truly needed to talk to her now and let her know what was happening. She picked up the statue and stroked its back twice, then set the statue down on the desk before her. "I need to speak with Devon." She said softly.
The statue turned its face upward to gaze at her, its exquisitely carved cat face looking curious. "Aunt Cissa?" the statue asked in Devon's voice.
"I need to speak with you; can you come?"
"Yes; I'll be there shortly."
"Come directly to my rooms, I have them spelled for privacy and a locking spell on the doors."
"He's home, huh? All right, just give me a few moments." she answered.
Narcissa found herself pacing as she awaited the arrival of her niece.
It was a few minutes before Devon appeared and she looked concerned and ready to defend. Her aunt had NEVER called to her at school before. "Aunt Cissy is something wrong? What's that bastard of an uncle of mine done this time?"
"Nothing like that, Devon, I'm quite all right." She said reassuringly. "I have no idea why he has made the choice he has, but my son has informed Lucius of his choice of brides."
"He gets a choice? I thought he had to marry that Pansy twit." Devon allowed herself to relax, glaring a moment toward the door.
"Lucius has decided that the engagement to Parkinson will be cancelled. He has allowed Draco the opportunity to choose someone else to be his bride, and he sent two choices..." she began.
"Two?" It didn't take Devon long to pick up on what the trouble was. "Oh don't tell me that Draco wants Ari."
Narcissa nodded. "The other is much too young. I don't understand why he asked for Arian; he knows that she has a lady love."
"Yes." Devon nodded. "As your son has a handsome young man he fancies."
"Young man…? Really?" she murmured, surprised. "I... I truly had no idea. Draco never said anything about that to me."
"He knows you want a grandchild; he doesn't want to hurt you." Devon said soothingly. "Besides; what would Lucius say if he knew?"
She sighed softly, moving to take a seat. "He would be generous if all he did was get angry and try to change his mind." She said quietly. "I do want a grandchild, but I don't want to force him into a life a he will hate, to be with someone he doesn't want to be with."
"You'll have a grandchild, auntie. Draco loves you enough to try to assure you have a grandbaby, and if he wants Arian, well... If she wants to marry Draco it will be a choice made between the two of them. I can't and won't stop her."
"Lucius is certain it is the best course of action, but he will want to gain control of her. There are so many ways." she said in a worried tone.
"He can try, but I won't allow him to control her. You may end up a widow."
"If I must." she said with her eyes downcast. "He's done many things I wish he had not; I... I loved him once, Devon." her voice was soft and regretful.
"Well, I'll go see Ari later today and find out what's up. You take care, Auntie." Devon kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Devon. Take care of yourself as well. And if you would, could you make sure Draco is all right? He's so grown up now. He hardly owls me anymore; I used to get one from him every day. I heard a rumor that he had an accident on his broom at school."
"Of course I will; don't you worry. If he gets hurt Ari can take care of anything that may happen. She's a born healer."
"That's good to know; thank you so much..."
Devon winked, and then vanished.
Narcissa sighed and released the spells on her room. Now to contact the solicitors and begin the draft of the prenuptial agreement…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
When she decided to go ahead and visit Arian later that day, Devon found herself in the Headmaster's office when she teleported in. "Hello, Devon." He grinned softly at her.
"I hate it when you make me come in here." She scowled at him a moment, then flashed him a grin. "Hello Headmaster."
"Your... sister, shall we say? She is doing quite well in all her classes, all things considered."
"That's good... even in potions class? Snape was being an ass when he last saw her, I heard."
He chuckled at her bluntness. "Professor Snape is actually quite pleased with her progress and her capabilities, but that isn't what has brought you to my school today, is it ...?"
"I just wanted to speak with Arian about a matter that has arisen; nothing serious, I think. Not yet, anyway."
He smiled softly. "Very well; you will find her in the Gryffindor Common room, doing her potions homework most likely."
"Thanks Headmaster." She grinned, moving out and down the hall.
Only a few students were moving about the halls, giving her curious looks as they hurried on their way. Devon ignored them, moving to the entrance of Gryffindor Tower.
The fat lady scowled at her, looking down her long nose at her. "Password?" she demanded haughtily.
Devon proceeded to ignore her, instead calling mentally to her schoolmate. *Arian? Come and let me in.*
Ari looked up from her books. *Devon?* she moved quickly to open the portrait. Devon grinned, pulling her into her arms and kissing her deeply.
Ari moaned softly, settled close in her embrace. "Devon don't tease..." she murmured.
"Get a room!" Someone said behind them. It was Seamus, impatient and looking a bit ill at seeing the two girls kissing. "Some of us need to USE this hallway!"
"Jealous, Seamus?" Harry snickered as ARI pulled Devon inside. Seamus glared at him, stalking past and to the stairs leading to the dorm rooms. Harry watched him go, a bit bemused. He hadn't meant to anger his roommate, but that always seemed to be what was happening lately. Since his younger brother had come to Hogwarts, Seamus had changed quite a bit. Sure, he'd been a git a time or two in the past; but he'd always realized how stupid he'd been and had pulled himself out of it. This year he was acting more like he belonged in Slytherin than in Gryffindor house.
Ron was looking at the two who came inside in each other's arms, frowning slightly. "Urn... Monie...?" he leaned close to her to talk one to one. "Isn't that s'posed to be Ari's sister...? They're snoggin' like they're lovers…" he murmured to her.
"I think it is." Hermione answered quietly, a bit confused herself.
*Devon, I told you no one was going to believe you're my sister if you kiss me like that.* she said with a mental giggle.
"American tradition. You should try it sometime." Devon smirked at them, eyeing Ron.
"Uh... no thanks..." he said, flushing deeply.
Ari laughed softly, looking up at Devon. "Not that I'm complaining, but what brings you here Devon?"
"Well, Uncle Lucius and dear, sweet little cousin Draco have an idea."
"Sweet?" Ron repeated, looking positively ill.
"Yes, I know all about it. We're getting married." Ari smiled.
"Married?" Hermione looked stunned.
"Oh, so you knew; excellent." She said, pleased. Her eyes fell on Harry and she grinned, licking her lips. "Is that the luscious little boy?" she murmured.
"Uh... hi?" Harry said, unsure, feeling almost like a prey animal being looked at by a lioness.
*Devon, be nice! It's a secret, no one is to know!* Ari scolded.
*A secret? Whatever for? Seems like that's just silly to me.* Devon said with a grin then relented. *All right, all right; I'll behave.* she agreed mentally, and then went on verbally. "You never mentioned his gorgeous green eyes, Arian."
Harry flushed at her words. *Thanks for keeping the secret.*
*Mind speaker, eh?* Devon's eyes sparkled. *Not too common on this world...*
*I had no idea that I could do it until Draco and Ari showed me that I could.*
"Ari, are you really going to marry Draco?" Hermione asked softly.
"Yes." She smiled.
"But... why?" Ron asked, sounding totally confused and a bit disgusted.
"Ron!" Hermione scolded.
"What?" He asked, confused. "I mean, she's cousins with Malfoy and all..."
"Cousins, yes, but the two of them are not immediate cousins." Devon responded. "And if they wish to wed, its fine. There aren't really many purebloods to choose from."
"Didn't know you were into that pureblood rot, Ari; you don't seem to be the type." Ron began.
"I'm not, but Draco's father is." She clarified.
"Oh." Ron said thoughtfully. "You know, I never did understand what in the bloody hell he saw in that Parkinson girl, anyway. I mean, hell, yeah she's pretty even when she cries, but pretty only takes you so far. She always clung to him like a second skin and was snoggin' on him... I'm not even a Malfoy and it made my skin crawl how she was always telling everyone to call her 'The Future Mrs. Malfoy'..." Ron said the last few words in a pretty good imitation of Pansy's actual tone and mannerisms, and then made a face like he was going to be sick.
"Money hungry." Devon smirked.
"She'll never look my way then; and I'm damned glad of it!" Ron said, arm about Hermione.
"Ari doesn't have any need of the Malfoy fortune." Devon grinned softly.
"I'd be surprised if his father doesn't require you to sign a prenuptial contract." Hermione commented.
"I have no problem signing one." Ari said, taking a seat.
"You should do one yourself as well; keep his father from getting his hands on your money."
"After all..." Ron added. "It's tradition in our country for the male to be the only one allowed to inherit money in old pureblooded families."
"True; and I'm probably worth more." Ari sighed. "Oh, Dev... can you take care of that for me? Xal really wouldn't like our finances to be plundered." she laughed. "Although Draco would make a cute pirate." she looked at Devon and sighed. "Oh Dev... can we have a party?"
"Uh... well, I don't think the Headmaster would approve of one of our parties, doll..." she laughed.
"McGonogall would probably have a problem with it too." Ron said as he took a bite of a sandwich.
"Well I'm going to have my party when Draco and I marry." Ari smiled.
"All right, princess. Whatever you want." Devon grinned.
"I want the best." Ari replied simply.
"…and you picked Draco Bloody Malfoy…!" Ron groaned.
*Draco is the best!* Harry said firmly, glaring at Ron. "Drop it, would you?" he scowled.
Ron looked more confused than ever. "Huh? Sorry mate, I... I didn't mean to get you mad. What did I say?" he mumbled.
"Oh, Ron forget about it." Harry closed his book, rising, still disgruntled. "I'm tired. I'm going up to bed."
Ron watched him, clearly confused and unsure about how to react. "Merlin..." he sighed. "I just keep putting my foot in my mouth more and more lately."
"An, I'd best get going. I'll take care of things for you." Devon told her, and then went on with a mental warning. *Be careful of Uncle Lucius; he's more than simply dangerous.*
"Thank you Devon; and don't worry, I'll be fine."
"Perhaps you can stay longer next time. " Hermione said hopefully.
"I will. But I have council duty tonight." She groaned.
"Gah. That sounds like a pain in the arse." Ron commented.
"It really could be worse. I don't expect this session to last more than one night and Shar is stuck there with me." Devon grinned. "Come on, Ari. Walk me out."
Ari moved to her, taking her hand. "It won't be so bad with Shar at your side."
"No, but I miss you being there." Devon murmured. "Are you really going to marry Draco?"
Ari smiled softly. *Draco and Harry belong together; at least with me being the wife, they can be together with no complications from a jealous wife trying to interfere.*
*And what if you wish to marry in the future? Will it be a wizard-bound marriage or a simple marriage of vows?*
*I don't see me ever wanting to marry; I have Xal.* Ari smiled. *So I don't care which it is. Draco is sweet, and all I want to do is whatever I can to make it so he can be happy. He hasn't had a very much to be happy about.*
*I think you'd better go for simple marriage; some bindings can share memories and power as well. You don't need that.*
*True. Draco should bond with Harry, anyway; not with me.*
She winked at her. *I'll make it part of the prenuptial agreement that there will be no bonding, then.*
*You should get going; I don't want you to be late.*
Devon pulled her into her arms. "I'm getting tired of this search stalled like it is... it could be months to unravel things; they blamed that little bitch for attacking Ki but I'm beginning to think she wasn't the only one behind the whole mess. I really don't like you being so far away from me and all alone..."
"I'm not alone... I have Draco and Harry..." she smiled. "And I'm going out with Blaise tomorrow." she giggled. "And soon we'll be going to Blaise's uncle's house to see a show and a concert and it sounds like such fun."
"Good... hey, maybe we can party at their house instead of this stuffy old castle." She kissed her again, and then reluctantly released her.
"I would love that; you and Shar need to enjoy some free time too. Now go on, before you are late and get into trouble."
Devon gave her a quick kiss and vanished.
Ari turned and moved back inside to her homework. *Harry? Are you all right?*
*Yeah; I'm just tired of Ron cutting Draco down all the time. I know Draco has been a real bastard to us for years, but…*
*He doesn't know how you feel.* Ari said softly, looking at Ron. The redhead was glancing at the stairs every minute or so, as if hoping Harry would come back down; he looked like he felt extremely guilty about what he had done although confused about exactly what that could be and afraid to ask. *He doesn't seem to pick up on relationship issues very quickly.*
*You don't know the half of it. It took him nearly six years to realize that Hermione had a crush on him, and finally do something about it. He almost lost her because he never even really saw it.* he grunted in agreement. *Ron is rather thick about things like that.*
*You may need to explain it to him.* Ari said thoughtfully.
*I suppose; he does deserve at leawst that much.* Harry sighed softly.
*Are you upset that I am marrying Draco?*
*Why would that upset me? You're doing it for us. You've made it clear you only want to do it so we can be together without all the hassle coming out in public with our bonding would bring. But what about you, Arian? You said that you have someone, you might want to marry them…*
*Yes, I do have someone. Xal is my life.* Ari agreed simply.
*Won't she be upset that you got married?*
*Why would she? She's already married to Damien.*
*But what about the baby? You know they'll require you to have one for the family name…*
*You and Draco should have your own children. But if it is expected of me, I don'/t see any problem with having a child with Draco, if it is needed.*
*Really? You'd have a baby for us?*
Harry, I have children already. Twins, a boy named Jason and a girl named Sosha. So yes, I have no problem having a child with Draco if it is needed.*
*But you're so young…*
*Its natural to start a family young, where I am from.* she laughed.
*Here they say you're starting really young if you start having kids at sixteen.*
*Is this a private conversation or can I join in?* Draco's silky voice asked.
*You're always welcome to join in, Draco.* Ari assured.
*In more ways than one.* Harry added with a mental chuckle. *So, when will the wedding be? Will it be a private or a public affair?*
*Wedding?* Draco asked.
*Yes, your father chose me. Devon came over to make sure that I knew about it.*
*Oh, good. I was really hoping he would choose you. You understand the situation between Harry and me, and… well, Harry said that girl had a crush on me and there is no telling how far she would have expected things to go between us.*
Ari gathered up her books and said her goodnights, moving up to her room; where she undressed and slipped into bed. *I wish you could meet Xal and Crystal. I know they would love you both.*
*Perhaps someday.*
*That would be awesome.* Harry said firmly. *So when will the wedding be? I will be able to come, won't I? I promise I'll even be polite to that bastard of a father of yours.*
*He won't be nice to you, Harry.*
*I wouldn't expect him to. You know, I think I would fall flat on my arse if he as actually even vaguely polite to me.* Harry snorted with laughter.
Draco laughed. *You and me both.*
*The only way that would happen is if somehow between then and now I gain a lot of power. I've got the fame and fortune already, not that either of them has done me a damned bit of good. I really could do without the fame.* Harry said sourly.
*I don't know when father will want the wedding, but the sooner the better as far as I am concerned.*
*As long as it's not the weekend of our trip. I am so looking forward to that.* Ari smiled.
*Any other weekend but that.* Draco agreed. *There is no way that he will be interfering with that!*
*Good night you two; we have potions in the morning and I'm sleepy. I'll see you in your dreams… unless your dreams are naughty.* she giggled.
*We'll see you in the morning, then.* Draco laughed.
*Sleep well, Ari.* Harry smiled.
Ari felt the warm embrace of friendship, and then the conversation was ended. She could hear Hermione settling into her own bed. "Good night, Hermione." She said softly as she turned off her bedside lamp.
"Good night; sleep well." She yawned sleepily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Draco moved into the Great Hall for breakfast.
He heard someone calling his name and he glanced back to see that Goyle and Crabbe were running to catch up with him. He slowed to let them, curious about what they wanted.
"Hey, Draco... Draco, I heard you're getting married!" Crabbe said, a bit breathless.
"Is it true?" Goyle asked. "Who is it, huh...?"
"Only the prettiest pureblood in the school." Draco smirked.
Millicent sighed, walking behind him as she constantly did... this time without Pansy at her side. "But Draco, you ARE the prettiest in the school." Millicent said slyly.
He laughed. "I know that; I meant the prettiest pureblood BIRD." He grinned.
Gossip flew up and down the tables about the impending wedding and who it could be. Draco just strolled to his place at the head of the Slytherin table, ignoring it all and all the questions whispered his way. Ari moved into the room. She smiled at Draco and moved to join him, kissing him softly. The entire great hail fell silent once more, except for the area around Harry.
"Hungry love?" he asked, seating her beside him.
The Slytherins all stared in disbelief. Their prince and a Gryffindor girl...?
"I can't believe it; a Gryffindork..." someone whispered.
Draco shot a glare down the table. "She may be a Gryffindor, but she has Slytherin tendencies. Challenge her and you'll find out just how Slytherin a Black can be!" he snapped. He could not locate the speaker at the table; none would meet his glare. The table was almost silent now.
Draco proceeded to ignore them, serving Ari a meal as Blaise sat down beside her.
"I sure hope Snape is in a good mood today." he said as he served himself.
"Hungry, are you, Blaise?" Draco teased.
"Hell, Draco; I have a date tonight with Harry." he winked at him. "I'm going to need my strength and every bit of energy I can muster."
Draco chuckled, eating, with one arm about Ari's waist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Snape was sitting at his desk in the potions lab when the students began to arrive; everyone took their seats with none of the usual chatter or conversation.
"Good morning Professor..." Ari smiled softly at him as she moved to her desk beside Draco.
He gave her a slight nod as the others quickly hurried to their seats. Snape said nothing until all the students were seated. He rose, looming over them. "We shall continue our potion; I can tell several of you will NOT be successful in the brewing of this potion judging by the preparations of your ingredients yesterday." he said bitingly.
"I'm doomed." Longbottom mumbled, looking at his potion ingredients.
Snape ignored him. "Out of the sixteen of you in this class, surprisingly seven have managed to prepare their initial ingredients correctly..."
Ari set up the cauldron, confident that she was one of the seven, as Draco arranged the ingredients.
"The following students will pack up and exit the room for the day; you will receive a "T" for "Troll" on your reports. Your preparations were so poorly done that your potions will at best be noxious and make you ill, at worst they will be deadly." Snape heard a whisper about getting out of class scot free and turned, glaring at the speaker. "I am NOT relieving you of any need to do work; I expect a minimum of FOUR scrolls explaining why and how you went wrong with your preparations!" he snapped. "When I call your name, I want you to gather your things and leave... and I expect your assignments to be turned in to me by tomorrow morning!" he cautioned, glaring at them all. The class was silent, listening expectantly, some hoping and dreading to have their names called. Neville was already sliding his books into his bag, certain he had failed yet again.
"Crabbe. Goyle. Bulstrode. Parkinson. Hallek. Gryndal. Woodall. Finnegan and Corner. Exit my classroom immediately." He snapped. Those named gathered their things and turned to exit, muttering quietly amongst themselves.
Neville stared at the professor in disbelief. He hadn't been called to leave? "Urn... Professor..." he asked timidly. "There must be a mistake; you didn't call my name..."
Snape turned on him with a scowl. "There has been no mistake, Mr. Longbottom. Astoundingly, incredibly, and almost unbelievably your potions ingredients were on a comparable status with Mr. Malfoy's." he said in a sour tone. Neville stared, astounded by the fact that he was actually being complimented by the professor. "If I had not watched you all day to ensure that you were receiving NO help from the others I would be certain you had not prepared them at all..." he said in a biting tone. "It has become apparent to me that it is NOT your ability to prepare a potion that is beyond hope and help... it is your ability to brew it, as we will see today." He moved on, leaving Neville staring after him in disbelief.
"Professor, what does this potion do?" Hermione asked softly, hand in the air.
"You will find out when you taste the results of your efforts this afternoon. You should all get your cauldrons started; this potion will take all morning to make." Snape advised. "I will let you make some mistakes, but due to the volatile capabilities of this potion I will NOT allow you to make any gross miscalculations...!"
Ari and Draco had already begun their potions, both taking precise measurements and double checking all the instructions.
Snape wandered about the room, snapping corrections to several students. At one point he moved up behind Neville and simply stood there, staring down at him. Neville got so nervous he nearly dropped the entire vial of goat bile into the mixture in his cauldron. It instantly turned black and tarry, gave off a cloud that was noxious and foul, and smelled of acid.
"You, Mr. Longbottom, may now leave my classroom." Snape said in a self-satisfied grin as he used scourgify on the potion to banish the smell. "I want a six page report on what went wrong with your potion." He growled, smiling a bit wickedly.
*I'll tell you what went wrong, Snape did!* Harry scowled; he'd been extra careful so far in brewing his own potion and had not needed any help from Hermione.
*Harry, sssh!* Draco whispered. *You don't want detention tonight!*
Harry bit his lip, keeping his thoughts to himself now, upset and angered.
"Have an opinion, do we, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked acidly, stalking his way.
"No." Harry growled in a tightly controlled voice. "Sir." He added to give some form of respect to it all.
Snape glanced from Harry to Draco, and then moved back to his desk. To what seemed to be Professor Snape's disappointment, there were no more major problems with any of the potions before the time to brew the potions was concluded. Luna Lovegood, her lab partner Seamus Finnegan gone, was serenely working away on her own, unruffled by the professor's constant stalking about the lab. Each time he came by and glared at her she smiled dreamily at him continued her work even with her eyes off what she was doing; she was not even ruffled in the slightest. Snape would snarl and stalk away to hover over someone else. Draco glanced back at her the last time Snape did this and half-chuckled.
"Who's that?" Ari asked.
"Luna Lovegood; everyone calls the girl Looney." he answered. "You'll understand once you meet her, believe me. She's in Ravenclaw."
"Why is she in our class? I heard she was Ginny's year." Ari asked.
"She is a sixth year, yes, but she has that irritating habit that most Ravenclaws do of skipping classes. She outstripped the other sixth years in potions and was moved up to give her a challenge."
"She's very passive, isn't she? Does anything ruffle her?"
"I've never seen her upset." he said, looking a bit surprised by the revelation. "But I know that her things get stolen every year, mostly by Slytherin students. But she's not passive, she just isn't reactive. Most of the bullies get tired and leave her be, because they can't get her to react. Smart ploy, actually..."
"Quite intelligent, indeed." Ari agreed.
"But she can go on the offensive; she did in the fifth year. She's a puzzle."
Ari added the final ingredient to her potion as Draco did, and each of them turned down the flame under their cauldrons to let them simmer. As they waited for the final result of their potion, they cleaned their stations up.
"This is a very important potion for a battle mage, Draco..." Ari said softly.
"What is it?"
"It's a displacement potion. It will last up to 48 hours, depending on how much you take."
Snape paused by their desk, eyeing the liquid in their cauldrons. "All right, class; your potions should be completed. Your potion should be golden, iridescent, with an undertone of blue and red." He told them. "Bottle your potions now."
All the students complied and Snape raised his wand, calling for the potions to come to his desk with a softly spoken "Accio." The potions settled in a straight precise line on the desk; all very similar in color, texture, and composition... except one. Snape moved to it and picked it up, gazing at it with a wicked smile. "Well… we can all see that someone has done something quite different than the rest..." he drawled, clearly enjoying himself now. The potion in his hand was not like the others; in fact it was a thick silvery liquid that looked like pure molten metal. Snape smiled, his eyes moving to his students. "Mr. Weasley. You get to be our first volunteer to try out your potion. Interesting composition you have here; too bad it is completely wrong." He said in the cheeriest tone Ari had ever heard. "Please, come before the class."
Ron swallowed hard, paling. He shot Harry and Hermione a panicked and pained look as he rose.
Snape looked out to see Blaise with his hand in the air; the teacher looked at him questioningly. "Professor; I'll take it for him..." Blaise said softly. Ron looked at him, surprised.
"We all sample our own potions, in good time Mr. Zabini." He growled. "Mr. Weasley, we are waiting!" he snapped. Ron made his way to the front of the class, dragging and shuffling his feet.
"Mr. Weasley..." Snape poured the potion into a carefully measured beaker. "You will drink all of this and show us the results of your efforts." He held it out to him.
Ron took it, hand trembling slightly. "Okay..." he murmured his voice not more than a squeak. "Do I... Do I need to sit?"
"Drink it!" Snape snapped at him, smirking when Ron jumped.
The youngest Weasley boy drank the potion down. He regained a bit of color when he swallowed, blinking. "Hey... it actually tastes all right; not half as bad as I thought it was." he said with a hint of a grin, and then he made a face. His outline blurred and suddenly before them there were three Ron Weasleys; a foot apart from each other. They looked at each other with surprised and confused looks. "Whoa!" Ron said softly, amazed at seeing the two copies of himself, both imitating his movements and his expression.
"Mr. Weasley has managed to make a mirror image potion out of a displacement potion." Snape growled. "Can anyone tell me how he did this?"
Ari raised her hand as did Hermione.
Snape looked to Ari first, so she spoke. "Too much rose oil, sir, and too high heat." Ari replied.
"Correct, but there was one more problem. Mr. Weasley had three problems." reluctantly he looked to Hermione.
"He used the silver blade sir, instead of the copper."
"But it is a good potion." Harry said. "Isn't it?"
"Yes, if making this was your intention. " Snape began, and then noticed that Ron had begun to dance a jig in the front of the classroom copied by his two mirror images, putting on a stage show there at the front of the class. "SIT DOWN, Mr. Weasely!" he snapped. The three Ron's hurried down the aisle, each assuming a different seat. Snape glared darkly at him. "You, Mr. Weasley, have the same assignment as Mr. Longbottom! I will have those scrolls on my desk by Monday morning!"
"Yes, Professor. " Ron said meekly, cheeks flushed.
"Now who wants to be the first to sample a correctly made potion?" he asked, and to his surprise, Luna's hand was in the air along with Zabini's and Ari's. Snape picked up a vial and poured a small dose into a beaker; seeing it was hers, Luna rose and moved to the desk. "Drink this, Miss Lovegood. And walk to the center of the room." He instructed. Luna smiled and did so, moving to the center of the room.
"Now, who would like to stun her?" Snape asked.
The third Slytherin in the room, Tracey Davis, raised her hand. Snape nodded to her and she rose, drawing her wand. Luna looked at her with a totally unconcerned and rather bored expression, and proceeded to check her nails as she waited. There had been no visible effect from the potion.
Snape gestured. "Do your best. Ms. Davis." He smirked, folding his arms.
"Stupefy!" she said firmly, spell and gesture spot-on; the jet of red light striking Luna directly in the chest, right over the heart — and passing straight through. Luna smiled dreamily, looking at the shocked expression on Tracey's face.
"Bloody Hell!" Ron murmured with wide eyes.
"Excellent work, for those who got the potion correct." Snape said, and seemed to be irritated that he had to admit that their work was up to his expectations. Luna slipped into her chair and the class saw the strange effect of the potion; she seemed to be sitting almost three feet to the left of her chair, in midair. "The homework for those of you who achieved the expected result is to list at least one variation of this potion. This does NOT include the Mirror Image Potion so clumsily made by Mr. Weasley."
"I could tell you one right now, Professor." Ari smiled.
"It is your homework, Miss Black, not a class project. Give me what the differences are and how you would make it."
"All right. It is a wonderful potion." she gathered up her books. "And it is not in any of my books..."
"Perhaps. Homework. Leave, all of you, get OUT of my classroom!" he snarled, eyes narrow, promising physical harm to any who dared to dally in his presence.
The class immediately disbursed, hurrying toward the door.
Ari paused at the door and smiled at Snape. "Thank you, Professor, for a wonderful lesson." She said, and then hurried to join Draco without waiting to see what his reaction would be.
"We made it out alive." Ron sighed.
"Yes, we all survived for one more week." Harry chuckled.
"I wasn't worried." Luna said dreamily.
"I would have been worried, with Tracey shooting a stunner at me." Ron admitted.
Luna smiled. "I knew she wouldn't hit me."
Ron was following behind Draco and Harry and Ari, ending up walking beside Blaise as Hermione chatted with Luna behind him. He hesitated; he'd never really taken a moment to say anything to any Slytherin of any kind of gratitude, but he felt he ought to say something this time. "Hey, urn... Blaise?" Ron said softly, glancing at the dark-skinned Slytherin teen. "That was... well, that was a decent thing you tried to do in there. You know, offering to take my potion. I… thanks." he said softly.
Blaise glanced at him and put on his most disarming grin, thrilled that Ron was even talking to him. He had to quash his hopes, trying really hard not to see more into the simple thanks than was actually there. "Hey, no problem. You know, your potion was actually pretty good. I can see how it could be really useful too. I'm gonna put that in my report when I turn it in no matter what Snape says." he said, enjoying actually talking to Ron without any sniping going on.
Ron blushed slightly. "Thanks; I really wish I'd done it right, though. Knowing Snape, he'll probably give me a 'T' just because I didn't make what he wanted." he said, then sighed dramatically, turning his attention to Hermione and falling back half a step. "Now I gotta write six blasted scrolls... Hermione, could you help me?" he slipped his arm about her waist.
"I don't know... maybe if you're really nice to me." She grinned. Luna drifted off on her own back toward her own class once they reached the ground level, saying something about needing to send a letter to her father. Ron didn't even notice.
"Nice...? I worship the ground you walk on! I'll even bring you those truffles you love, the ones with the cherries on them..." he smiled at her sweetly, trying to look pitiful and hopeful at the same time.
She chuckled, giving him a quick kiss. "All right, but later. You know I have something I'm doing after lunch."
Ron sighed, looking a little dejected, releasing her waist. "Oh Yeah. I had forgotten." he mumbled. He hated when Hermione had 'things to do' that didn't include him; he was her boyfriend but she insisted she was still learning about her sexuality and sometimes went out to see other people. She was going to visit with a Ravenclaw today; she'd told him all about it yesterday. Hermione didn't seem to notice, smiling as she took his hand in hers.
"You know, Potter, I was a little worried about you there for a minute." Draco smirked.
"Yeah. good thing you told me to stop." he sighed. "He just makes me so mad when he picks on Neville like that; he knows Neville is terrified of him."
"Yeah; poor Neville." Hermione sighed. "I think if he could just have a different potions teacher he'd be all right..."
"Probably. He really can't stand potions but that could be because of Professor Snape. Herbology is his thing; he's excellent at that, raising and identifying different plants." Ron agreed.
"I have a beautiful garden at home; so many plants and flowers." Ari said softly. *You and Harry are always welcome at my home. Whenever you wish to get away, all you have to do is come there. I'll make a way for you both to get there whenever you wish.*
"Sounds stellar, Ari." Harry said with true fondness.
*Yes, thank you.* Draco added.
*After all, I have to keep my husband happy.* she teased. Draco chuckled softly.
"I bet Neville would be in heaven in a garden like that." Hermione smiled.
"Neville and you both." Ron made a face. "Mum has a big garden and I've had my fill of de-gnoming it, thank you very much."
"Gnomes? You have gnomes in your garden?"
"Gads of them." Ron nodded. "Mum makes us get rid of them for her. Do you have a problem with those little potato-faced buggers, Ari?"
"No; I can't say that I have. But I do have an elf that likes to play in the garden." Ari grinned.
"Your house elf gardens?" he asked, surprised.
"No; I wouldn't call Crystal a house elf; not if you'd wish to live to see the sun rise."
"Oh, the Ministry of Magic would just love to get their hands on her, then." he frowned.
"They're zealots, and overly possessive of their power." Hermione scowled.
Ron rolled his eyes. Here they went again... "Hermione is trying to get the house-elves more rights."
"Are you daft?" Draco looked at her. "They don't want rights."
"Only because they don't know what they could have!" she returned. "They should be paid, they..."
"Oh come on, Hermione don't start on all that SPEW again!" Harry started.
"Spew…?" Draco repeated with a smirk. "What the bloody hell is that?"
"Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare." Hermione announced firmly. "And what's wrong with it, Malfoy?"
"We've our weekend to focus on, the concert..." Ron began.
"The ministry and their rules about magical creatures are just wrong! I don't understand why you don't understand it too."
"I do, but I'm not going to focus my life on it. We're in school and they won't listen to us anyway, 'Monie!" Ron said, readily agreeing. He was honestly just trying to get off the subject of her fascination of freeing House Elves.
"So Ari, what is the variation to Snape's potion?" Harry asked in a bid to change the subject.
"Oh, there are many..." she smiled. "But one is a very special variation that requires only three changes... one is that the potion must brew for sixty two days. The second is the use of a silver blade... and the third is using pomegranate oil instead of rose oil..."
"Pomegranate...? That's used in fertility potions; well, the seeds are..." Draco said.
"What does it do?" Harry asked.
"Changes the sex of the drinker." Ari smiled.
"Really...? I've been doing research on that; there's nothing like that even listed in any of the library books." Hermione said softly. "I was beginning to think it didn't exist."
"Of course it exists; and it can be infused into a ring and made permanent."
"Awesome." Harry grinned.
"Are the effects permanent?" Hermione asked.
"Yes; it takes a second dose to return to the original gender." She answered.
"Well who would want something like that?" Ron asked.
"My uncle would love it." Hermione said softly, sounding a bit hurt.
"Huh? Why?" he asked, looking at her.
She gave him an irritated look; she couldn't believe that he didn't remember. She'd talked to him several times about her uncle. "Because he's in love. It just happens that the person he's in love with was born as a man." She said softly.
Ron blushed, embarrassed. "Oh... oh yeah..." he mumbled.
Blaise glanced at him; sighing softly. Same old Ron. No change toward his attitude toward love between two of the same sex. Damn.
"And if the maker has enough power when creating the ring, even one without magical powers can use it."
"That's even better. " Hermione said, clearly wishing she could give it to him.
"I can show you how to make one. " Ari said softly.
"I'd love to try." she smiled, looking happier.
"If anyone at this school could make it, 'Moni, you certainly would be the one." Ron grinned, trying to get back on her good side. She gave him a small smile of gratitude.
*I bet I could do it.* Draco smirked.
*Sure, if it's potion... but I'm better at charms then you.* Harry reminded as the group moved into the great hall for lunch
*Perhaps we three should work together.* Ari smiled at them.
*When could we do that?*
*I don't know... the ingredients aren't difficult to get. And we will need a ring that is pure silver or gold; I like the look of silver better myself.*
"No problem with getting a pure ring; I will take care of that.* Draco assured.
"When could you show me, Arian?" Hermione asked more than a little excited about the prospect.
"Hermione!" Harry laughed. "She might want to come to the Quidditch match."
"Well, yes of course..."
"We'll have plenty of time, Hermione." Ari assured. "We'll have to get a ring first, one suitable to the spell."
"Silver or gold, and pure, probably." she frowned thoughtfully.
"Yes. Nothing less would hold the spell permanently."
"There's the problem, then. I can't afford anything pure enough." she sighed.
"I always used silver myself; it's less expensive. And it doesn't have to be a ring; it could be a necklace, a bracer or even an earring."
"Oh. I think I have a silver necklace I can use then." she looked quite happy again. "And it just so happens that my uncle is the one that gave it to me. I need to make sure it's pure enough, though."
"Then we can start tomorrow if you like; I have plans for tonight. I'm keeping Blaise company." her eyes glinted teasingly at Draco. *Of course, we could always join you two and make it a foursome.*
Harry coughed to hide his blush. *Arian...!* he scolded.
*Yes, Harry, can we?* she asked innocently.
"You okay mate...?" Ron asked, concerned.
*Ari, you are such a Slytherin...!* Draco laughed.
Harry regained his composure, reassuring his friend. *I'm supposed to be eating; they're all going to think I'm developing an eating disorder or something!*
*Harry is so cute when he blushes.* Ari said privately to Draco.
*He has no idea how beautiful he is.* Draco agreed.
*Those eyes are beautiful. I can see your children; your looks and his eyes.*
*Oh, that would be fantastic. If we could only keep my father out of the picture, it would be sheer heaven.*
*If Harry is a girl, how is he to know? Cover the scar with makeup.*
*But... would it really change anything? Father won't know him, but…* Draco sighed and pushed his plate back, appetite slipping away. *There's something Harry has to do... and Iike I told you the day we met; I don't know if there will be a Harry left when all is said an done.*
Ari put her hand over his. *You must have faith in him. He will need all of your support, and you must always dream of your future. Don't let battles to come get in the way of your dreams.*
He looked at her and smiled. *l'lI try, but I wish I could help him. I'll be all but useless to him.*
*You'll never be useless to him, Draco.*
*You mentioned training... I wish I could...*
"Yes; Xal and Crystal could train you in weaponry and I could train you in battle magics.*
*How? When?* he looked toward Harry.
*Well, I can have Devon help me with a portal to my home, and we can start whenever you like. The nice thing about my home is it does not exist in this time, so you can go there and not miss anything here while you learn.* Ari smiled.
*That would... wait... it could put you in danger, wouldn't it? I mean, Devon put you here to keep you safe.*
*I don't know... Maybe we can find a place here to train.*
*I know a place here. I'll show you how to find it.*
*I that where our date is tonight?* Ari's eyes sparkled.
*Yes. It's the safest place I know of. I can't risk anyone finding out about me and Harry.*
*So Blaise and I CAN join.* Ari teased. *I know; we can tie Harry to the bed and torture him unmercifully.*
*Let's do that to Blaise.* he laughed. *Harry's mine to torture… though someday I might share him with you.*
A saccharine sweet voice drew the two back of them to reality quite quickly. "Oh... ! Isn't that sweet!" Draco looked up to have a camera flash in his face. Pansy lowered the camera, giving him a bittersweet smile. "The new Malfoy Bride... at least for the moment, that is; it's clear that Malfoy has trouble setting himself to anything. The Malfoy bride and the Prince of Slytherin holding hands..." she said in a bitter tone. "Oh yes, this shot will do." She turned, walking away with Millicent.
"What the hell was that all about?" Draco frowned after her.
"Urn... I heard her sayin somethin' about a skeeto and a paper." Goyle volunteered.
"Skeeter, not 'skeeto, Goyle!" Crabbe corrected.
"Yeah, Skeeter. That's it." he grinned.
Who the hell is Skeeter?" Draco asked. "Crabbe, Goyle, go follow Pansy. Find out what she's up to and stop it; I'm too busy to mess with her and her petty jealousy." He ordered. Immediately the two grabbed a few rolls and hurried off, quite happy to have instruction and directions from their Prince and eager to go follow those orders.
"Skeeter? I think she meant Rita Skeeter. She's a horrid woman." Tracey Davis spoke up. "She's the one who wrote all that vicious stupid made-up stuff about the Headmaster and Potter, but she hasn't been in any of the papers lately."
"Half of it was true!" Daphne Greengrass argued.
"Only half... just enough to make the reader think that maybe the stories could be true." Tracy retorted sourly. "She wrote some things about my mother as well and I wish she'd come cross a troll in a dark alley somewhere, I hate that horrible woman." Tracey scowled at Daphne, and then looked back at Draco. "She used to write for the Daily Prophet until she was proven to be an absolute fraud."
"Daily prophet, hmm?" Draco smirked. "This could get interesting."
"Not if Rita Skeeter has anything to do with it." Tracey said quietly. "She has a real knack for making the people in her stories sound like absolute raving loons. She's the reason no one believed that He Who Must Not Be Named had returned until he actually was seen inside the Ministry of Magic. My mum can't stand the woman; she's the reason mum and da got divorced..." her voice drifted off.
"Pansy's not dumb enough to mess with the Slytherin Prince." Daphne snorted doubtfully. "And if she is, I feel sorry for her."
"She might be angry enough not to care whether its smart or not."
"Yes, she is quite the vengeful bitch." Draco agreed.
*Draco, what was all that about?* Harry asked.
They could hear a loud commotion just outside the Great Hall, and Pansy shrieking in outrage.
Draco smirked at the shriek; his goons must have caught her. Excellent. *Oh, just Pansy being her normal, vengeful, bitchy self.*
*What's she up to?*
*I can sum it up in two words – Rita Skeeter.*
*What the bloody hell does that old fraud have to do with anything?*
*I think Pansy called her.*
*About your breakup?*
*Who the hell knows? I'm not exactly on speaking terms with Pansy right now; she has no intention of even being civil to me." Draco reminded with a smirk.
Crabbe and Goyle moved back into the room with Pansy in close pursuit. "Give that back!" she demanded, trying to jump up and snatch her camera out of Goyle's meaty hand.
He simply held it higher and away from her. "I don't think so, Pansy... Draco wants this and I'll be buggered before I go against the Slytherin Prince!" Goyle said stubbornly. Crabbe grabbed her by the arm and hauled her back to let Goyle proceed onward toward the Slytherin table.
Blaise moved over to Harry, his arms slipping about him. "What's up with Pansy?" he asked, chuckling as he watched her desperately try to snatch the camera back.
"She's throwing a fit; I suppose... nothing new..."
Goyle made his way to the table and handed the camera to Draco. "Here you go..."
"Thank you." Draco said, opened the camera and took the film out. "Here... you can give it back to her now..." he held it back out.
Goyle reached for it but Pansy snatched it away, looking outraged. "Give me my film, Malfoy! That's my personal property!" she demanded furiously.
"What, this?" he pulled the film out and exposed the entire roll, ruining the film. "Oops; how clumsy of me. I suppose I'll have to have a new roll sent to replace it." he said with an innocent smile.
She stomped one foot in frustration. "Oooh! You'll be sorry for this, Draco Malfoy!" she snapped, then stormed away, continuing to mutter angrily under her breath as she went.
"She's going to be more trouble than I anticipated..." Draco sighed. "I think I'd better warn mother about her..."
"That Skeeter woman is here, Draco. Out in the courtyard." Goyle told him.
*Draco, don't you dare go talk to that woman. She'll twist every word you say into something mad; she's nothing but poison.* Harry warned.
*Thanks for the warning.* he said gratefully. "Tell her off, Goyle. I don't have anything to say to her." He said coolly.
Goyle grinned. "Sounds good to me, Boss." He said, and he and Crabbe turned to head out and take care of Draco's wishes.
"Come on Ari; let's go. Classes begin soon."
Harry and his friends rose and left the table, following close behind them. "Skeeter will probably have some horrible story in the paper tomorrow. " Harry grumbled in a disgruntled tone.
Blaise kept his arm about his waist as they walked; Ron walked beside Hermione a step or so behind.
She'll make up some kind of crap and say that it's true... no telling what Pansy has already told her..."
"I know; she's nothing but a bloody bitch. " Harry sighed. "Well, there's really nothing we can do about it..."
"There's another paper, we can get our own versions out there. " Blaise said, noticing Luna's blonde head in the crowd ahead of them. She turned into her class and they moved on past.
"Luna's dad's paper is okay." Harry agreed.
"Yeah, if you take the time to filter through the stories about the Crumple-Horned Snorkax and the Nargles..." Blaise smirked.
Harry laughed as they moved into class.
Professor Sprout soon had their attention focused on a new plant none of them had encountered before; the Ampoule Blossom. It took an incredible amount of work to get the plant to grow, flourish and bloom. Once the bloom had finished and the plant created a seed pod, this pod had multiple uses in potions making. Professor Sprout had all their attention as she detailed all the benefits of the plants, and its different parts, and why someone would go to all the work to produce the Ampoule Pod. The drawback of the plant was the blossom gave off an absolutely hideous smell, and two students had to be excused to get fresh air from outside as the scent made them quite ill. The rest of the day passed without any further signs of Pansy.
After classes they all went their separate ways; Ron and Harry to gather things for their Quidditch practice, Ari to get out of her school robes and put her books away, and Draco and Blaise to do the same. Hermione went off as she had told Ron she would, to her on little rendezvous.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Ron sat on his bed, staring down at the blankets, plucking at the pattern on the red quilt, legs folded up under him looking decidedly glum. Harry glanced at him, shucking off his shoes and reaching for his boots. "Ron...? You okay mate?" he asked softly.
He shrugged. "I guess so."
"Hermione went out again?" he ventured.
"Yeah..." he sighed. "But you know its okay, really, its okay. I just... I dunno." He frowned, not sure exactly how to put what he meant into words. "I understand what she's doing, but I... I guess I miss her when she's not around. And more… its more than just… I'm not really jealous but… I... I don't know. I can't explain it..." He mumbled hopelessly.
"She dates others a lot, Ron. You really ought to date others too." Harry suggested.
He gave a snort of bitter laughter at that suggestion. "I don't want anyone but 'Moni. What's the point?"
Harry paused then sat on the bed beside Ron. "The point is you won't be so alone all the time."
Ron shook his head slowly, eyes lowered to stare at the blanket. "No. I really… I can't." he said reluctantly. "I just can't." he plucked at the pattern again, not able to bring himself to look at Harry. "Oh, and hey, I uh... I'm sorry about being an ass last night... again..."
Harry shrugged with a soft grin. "It's okay. I know you're not really doing it to piss me off."
"...but I'm damned good at doing it anyway; you don't have to say it, I already know." Ron grumbled. "I just wish it all made sense to me. I don't understand why it's got to be blokes you want to go out with. Why don't you like birds like other blokes do...?" he asked softly.
Running a hand through his hair, Harry carefully considered his answer to this question. He had no intention of lying to Ron, but he didn't think his best friend was ready for the full truth yet. So partial truths, and careful picking out of details to share would have to do for now; he would just do his best to avoid telling him any lies. "Well. I guess it's because I'm different, I suppose... and even if I wasn't, Ron; I'm in love."
"Love?" he glanced at him, his face shadowed by his bangs.
"Yes, I'm in love. But not with a body, or a gender, or anything else; I love his heart. I love him for his courage; his warmth, his sweetness; his spirit and his soul." Harry said his mind on Draco. "Now, it doesn't hurt at all that he has a gorgeous body and face as well; but that's really not why I love him."
Ron shook his head, not looking up. "It still doesn't make sense. How can you love someone so much and not care what they are, or who they are?"
"How can you truly love someone and care who or what they are?" Harry asked and then took a deep breath and let it out. "Let me put it another way that might make more sense. You love Hermione, right?"
"Absolutely, of course. I always have." He said instantly, without hesitation.
"Think about it this way. What if Hermione was a man?" Harry asked softly.
Ron paused, blinking at the thought. His love a man? He shifted, uncomfortable at the thought and images it brought up. "Well, I... I don't know. I... I suppose I would never have even looked at her if she weren't a bird, not in THAT way..."
"I don't believe that; I think you would have looked at Hermione the same no matter what gender she wore. You probably would've been terribly confused about all of it, but you would have looked at Hermione and you would have loved him, regardless of the fact that he was a bloke. I was confused for a while; that is why I kept trying to date different girls. I stopped because nothing ever worked for me. I just couldn't bring myself to commit to them, I knew there wouldn't be a real reason for me to stay with them. I wanted to be in love before I gave myself fully to anyone; I want what my mum and dad had. I want what your mum and dad still have. None of those girls were what I wanted, or what I needed at all."
"And Blaise gives you all of that? He's what you want?"
"My lover is what I want." He said firmly, hoping Ron wouldn't hear the correction.
Ron's sighed softly, still feeling that there was something wrong about this whole thing. Blaise and Harry… it just didn't feel right. He felt emotions boiling deep inside that he didn't recognize or understand and he tried to quash them again. He wasn't ready to face all that yet. He picked at his blanket a bit more, trying to put together an answer. "I think it kind of makes sense, but..." he sighed. "Hell, Harry; I'm sorry I'm so bloody thick about these things." he mumbled. "I'm trying; I really am..."
"I don't want you to be a perfect gentleman, Ron. All I ask is that you try to be civil to Blaise and Draco. You don't have to be civil to any of the other Slytherins who are being prats; and if either Draco or Blaise are being rude you have my full blessing to be rude right back. It's all I'm asking of you. Can you do that?"
Ron looked at his best friend of six years finally, several emotions warring on his face and Harry could not read him at all this time. But Ron had no intention of losing Harry as a friend if he could help it. "You're sure, Harry...? You're absolutely certain that he's the right one?"
"I'm as sure about this as you are about Hermione." Harry said firmly.
The red-haired boy took a long, slow breath and released it just as slowly, looking down again. 'I'll do my best, mate... it's all become kind of a habit, you know?" he had a rather guilty grin on his face as he glanced at Harry. "But I promise you I'll try. Both of them have been rather civil to me lately and it was really confusing me; if they're willing to give it a go, I don't see why I can't." He answered, and then gave a bit of a grin. "Hell, Blaise even volunteered to take my place and drink that stuff I brewed in class today, I'd have never expected that of a Slytherin." he grinned at him now. "Just give me a little while to adjust myself to it, okay? Just give me a cuff on the back of the head when I'm being a prat and I'll stop. I know I can promise you that..."
Harry chuckled and cuffed him on the head as he rose. "Yeah; I'll do that." He said. "Come on, stop all this pouting and let's get ready for practice."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
Blaise, Ari and Draco watched Harry's practice from the bleachers. "That looks like so much fun..." Ari sighed, her eyes following Harry's every move.
"I'd suggest we'd arrange a game, but our teams'd be off..." Blaise said as a beater whizzed by them, chasing down a bludger and giving it a hard whack. He watched; his smile growing as Ron noticed the bludger coming at him and did a flip, slapping the bludger away from himself with the brush of his broom.
"There are other games to be played..." Draco said with a grin.
"Speaking of games, what is Pansy playing about...?" Blaise asked.
"Unfortunately, I really don't know. But I've taken precautions, and I've owled mother and told her that Pansy is up to no good. If she does manage to get some kind of a story in the paper, mother is forewarned and can handle father."
"Would he actually believe the crap that Skeeter writes?"
"Father's not stupid." Draco smirked. "He's had plenty written about him, so he has learned to filter through the crap they spread."
"Good; that's one less worry. Your father is... well, let's just say he's not fun to deal with."
"Tell me about it." Draco sighed.
"Guess what, Blaise. " Ari said, smiling at the boy sweetly. "Draco says we can tie you to the bed tonight."
"Um… tie me to the bed?"
"Oh, yes..." Ari grinned as Draco chuckled softly. "Unless you'd rather tie me to the bed…?"
Blaise blushed at the thoughts running through his mind. "You sure she's not Slytherin, Draco?"
"She's got too much Gryffindor in her to belong in Slytherin. She'd give her life to save a stranger."
"You blush as prettily as Harry." Ari smiled.
"Where'd you get the idea to tie someone up, anyway?" he asked.
Ari smiled. "Oh, believe me; I've been tied up many times. Xal loves to play in the garden."
"The garden...? Outside? And who's Xal...?"
"Xal is her lady-love." Draco answered for her.
"Oh. " Blaise said with a soft smile. "I'd like to meet her someday."
"Me too... but I'm not too sure, if she has a habit of tying people up." Draco said, memories of his own treatment from his father rising in his mind. Being tied up was nothing he cared to repeat. Ever.
"Draco, are you telling me you've never played that way?" Blaise grinned at him. "You are so wrecking my image of you, my bold prince."
Ari put her arm about Draco, a feeling of comfort sweeping over him. *Perhaps sometime I will tell you how Xal and I met.* She said soothingly. *lf you are with someone you trust and who trusts you, it can be so very enjoyable...*
Draco hugged her back. *lt just brings back so many bad memories...* he said softly.
"Hey, you two." Blaise chuckled. "I know you're getting married and all, but I'm feeling left out here..."
Ari grinned as she winked at Draco, and then literally pounced on Blaise; her arms wrapped about his neck, lips pressed to his as he fell back, Ari on top of him.
"Hey!" Harry complained, flying close to them. "That's MY boyfriend!" he scolded, laughter in his voice. Ron laughed as well as the rest of the team as they flew over. "Malfoy, can't you control your bride to be?"
"Yeah, we know who wears the pants in that family." Ron smirked.
"Jealous, Weasley?" Draco smirked right back at him.
"I refuse to answer that on the grounds that Hermione would probably kick my ass..." he chuckled softly.
Draco couldn't help but laugh, reaching over to help Ari and Blaise regain their balance. "You know, Weasel-King, you're not so bad sometimes..." Draco said with a smirk, his arm about Ari's waist.
"I think you're making a positive impact on the Great White Ferret, Ari; you may turn him into a decent bloke yet." Ron laughed.
"I need to hit the showers. I won't be long." Harry grinned. "Then we can go..."
Ron glanced at him as he and some of the others moved off to hit the showers. As he had no plans after practice with Hermione busy with someone else, he simply hung about for a little bit longer.
Ari smiled softly at Ron. "Have you begun your homework yet...?"
"Ugh." he looked a bit green, sighing melodramatically. "No. I made a perfectly good, very useful potion today! Why did I have to be punished with all that bloody research and writing when what I did was good?"
"You did, for once." Draco chuckled in agreement. "And still you got slammed."
"How am I supposed to fill up that much paper? I did three things wrong, that's all; it'll never fill up ten whole scrolls." he grumbled.
"Write big...?" Blaise suggested with a laugh.
"Gee, thanks." He said sourly, smirking sourly at him. "I do that anyway. If I write too big Snape accuses me of trying to be back in baby school and doubles the amount of scrolls he expects out of me."
"I've got mine finished already." Ari said. "It helps when I already know several variations of the spell."
"It doesn't hurt that you're bloody clever with spells and charms and potions, too." Ron said, hinting that he was none of those things. "I've asked Hermione to help."
"She'll help you then." Ari assured.
"Yeah; when she gets back." he sighed softly, thinking of her and his mirth slipping away. "Well, I'd better go. I have a lot of work to do and I need to get started on it." he leaned to the right, turning his broom away.
Blaise didn't like the way that Ron looked so down and depressed. "Hey Weasley; why don't you try looking for other potions you can do, variations of that potion. You're sure to fill up a few pages with that." He suggested in an attempt to help.
"Yeah… I'll do that, thanks Zabini." He gave a vague wave and flew off to follow the rest of the team, still clearly depressed.
Blaise gazed after him and sighed softly, almost wishing that he hadn't had plans for the evening. He wished he could be the one to put a smile back on that face, but he knew that he wouldn't be. Not today.
