Chapter 9
A week after school had started Xanthus was in the library doing his Arithmancy homework. He had been stuck on a certain question for five minutes now and wasn't having any luck. He couldn't concentrate. He looked over at his friend Alex, and rolled his eyes. Alex was tapping his pencil quickly against the hard wood of the desk.
"Would you stop that please?" Xanthus hissed.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry."
Xanthus went back to his work, but only managed to get two more questions done before the tapping started up again. This time, Alex was humming along. Xanthus ran his fingers through his hair and tried to focus. Soon Alex was drumming two pencils against the desk and Xanthus began to taste blood. He had bitten himself hard on the lip. He tried to get Alex's attention, but nothing worked. Xanthus snapped.
"SHUT UP!" He screamed, and threw his book at Alex.
Alex looked up at him like he had no idea what he had done wrong. Xanthus growled and grabbed his things, leaving the library behind in a rush. On the way back to the common room he ran into Sebastian. Literally.
"What the fuck?" Sebastian said as books, pencils, and paper flew into the air and landed with a loud crash.
Xanthus growled loudly again and bent to pick his things up.
"Mate, you need to get laid. Relax a little."
"Fuck you." Xanthus muttered.
Sebastian lifted his eyebrows, Xanthus was usually the one with the cleanest mouth, even after Dru.
"No thanks, bro that's kinda gross." When Xanthus stood, his eyes were like fire. "Whoa! I was just kidding. Seriously, go get laid."
"I don't want to get laid, I want to finish my work."
"So finish your work. Just calm the fuck down." Sebastian walked away, shaking his head.
Xanthus piled all of his things into his backpack and returned to the common room. The only ones left in the common room at that moment, was Lith, Dru, and Reign. As far as Xanthus was concerned Dru was spending far too much time with Reign, but at least she wasn't alone this time.
"Merlin Xan, your hair is sticking straight up." Lith said, her eyes wide.
"SHIT!" Xanthus said, running off to go fix it.
"Lith, that was mean. He looked just fine." Dru said as she shook her head.
Lith grinned. "I have something I need to do. You guys going to be okay?"
Dru scrunched up her nose. "Why wouldn't we be?"
Lith tried to send her a message with her eyes, but Dru didn't get it. Lith threw her hands up in the air and walked away. "Never mind!"
Dru smirked and looked over at Reign, who was also smirking. She hadn't told Reign yet that she knew it was him in the hall. She couldn't bring herself to make her lips form the words. Her cheek had healed just fine, it had only been a few scratches. Reign had acted like she was permanently injured. She smiled at that. She knew how guilty he felt, and how much worse he would feel if he knew that she knew he did it. She sighed and leaned back on the couch. Reign looked at her and furrowed his brow.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
She smiled up at him. "Yes, I'm fine."
She rested her hand on his arm and he looked down at it. Dru felt the familiar tingles in her fingers. She wanted so badly for him to kiss her. Kiss her while she knew who it was. He inched forward a bit, making their faces closer. She swallowed and watched him do the same. Her lips parted in anticipation. Just then Sebastian came sweeping into the room. Reign pulled away quickly, before Sebastian saw him. Dru wanted to cry. She was been sure he was going to kiss her again.
"What are you two doing?" Sebastian asked as he plopped himself on the couch next to Dru.
Dru sighed loudly and got up.
"Where are you going? I want to hang out with my little sis."
Dru flipped him off as she left the room. Reign smirked. Sebastian looked at Reign.
"What the hell?"
Reign shrugged and grinned. Sebastian narrowed his eyes at him but kept his mouth shut.
Sidra was having a hell of a week. She was so happy that it was finally Friday. She was in her single dorm, a luxury that only Slytherins had, getting ready for her date. Theo stepped in the room and shut the door.
"What are you getting all dolled up for?" He asked.
Sidra raised an eyebrow. "My date."
"Date?"
"Yes, Theo. I have a date."
"But..."
"Oh, get over it. We aren't a couple."
"Yeah, but, I want you."
Sidra smirked and walked close to him, pressing her entire body close to him. "I'm busy tonight. You'll have to fix that problem yourself."
He glared at her. "I'll just go fuck Marybeth."
Sidra stiffened. "No you will not."
"Hey, we're not a couple right? What does it matter."
He pushed her away and left her standing in the middle of the room. Alone.
"I hate it when they're gone." Rhia pouted.
Jezzy hugged her tight and set the book she had been reading her down. "You know they have to go to school."
"I know, but it sucks."
Jezzy smiled and looked over at Cam. He had fallen asleep as she read. Jezzy lightly pushed Rhia off her and told her to go get her PJ's on. Jezzy picked up Cam and took him to his room. Once she had him tucked in and kissed his forehead she went to check on Rhia. She had just hopped into bed and was waiting patiently for Jezzy to tuck her in. Jezzy smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Good night."
"Good night, mommy."
Jezzy shut the door behind her and went to check on Lucius. Lucius was in the Study, as usual, going through paperwork. Jezzy tapped lightly on the door before entering. Lucius looked up at her and smiled.
"Kids in bed?" He asked.
Jezzy nodded. "Anything new?" She inclined her head towards the papers in his hands.
Lucius sighed. "He wishes me to keep a watch out at the school. I guess Severus isn't getting enough information for his liking."
Jezzy nodded. She silently wished this stupid war would be done with. At this point she didn't care who won. She just wanted a normal life with her husband and children. Lucius stood up and crossed the room to her. He cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her head.
"What's wrong?"
Jezzy sighed. "I have more potions to do by Sunday. I should get on that."
Lucius nodded.
"Would you let Carol know I need her to be with the kids tomorrow. It's going to take all of my attention to get these all done."
He nodded again. As she tried to walk away, he tightened his grip. "I love you." He whispered.
Jezzy smiled and kissed him. "I love you too."
She left him to get more work done and made her way down to the dungeons. Her second home.
Ness was sitting outside in the courtyard Saturday morning, enjoying the time to herself. She loved being in Ravenclaw. She had new friends and they were great people, but she wished she was in Slytherin. She needed to be there with her brother. She heard footsteps and turned to see who it was. Xanthus was walking with his head stuck in a book. Ness smiled. Why was it all the Malfoy's were gorgeous? She watched at he almost ran into a pillar and walked straight for another.
"XANTHUS!" She called out.
He stopped right before he hit the stone pillar. His head jerked between the pillar and Ness, before he decided to approach her. She smiled at him and he sat next to her.
"What are you reading?" She asked.
"Oh, it's just my homework." He sighed.
Ness grabbed the book out of his hands and looked at it.
"Wow, this is above NEWT level."
"Yeah. Have to live up to the example Dru sets."
They both laughed. Ness looked up a him and smiled. He gave her a goofy grin.
"You want to go for a walk?"
Ness blushed and nodded. Xanthus tucked the book under his arm and held out his other one for her to hold. Ness bit her lip and giggled again as she grasped it. They walked towards the lake as they talked about their past. Ness was surprise to hear about all of the awards he had won for his piano playing.
"Of course, most of my stuff Dru plays as background, so I probably win because of her."
"Oh, you're absolutely wonderful."
Xanthus stopped and smiled down at her. Ness blushed.
"I saw your performance at the party. You were good
without Dru."
Her blush deepened as his smile widened. He was holding her hand when he suddenly leaned forwards and placed his lips gently against hers. He pulled away quickly, a look of shock planted almost comically on his face. Ness smiled and blushed, biting her lip slightly. He cleared his throat and looked down at the ground.
"I'm sorry, I..."
Ness took his hand in hers and he went quiet. He looked up at her smiling face and couldn't help but smile back. She tugged on his hand and they continued their walk around the lake.
