Before you turn to read the chapter, I would like to complain.

I read more than a few HP fanfics before attempting at writing my own.

And I've seen absolutely horrendous stories, poorly written, corny and ... unripe, receiving over a thousand comments.

Care to explain this bizarre phenomenon?

Chapter 10 : Sweet Revenge

Alexa smiled to herself as she put her make up in the morning, covering some of the bruises that were not completely healed by the Episkey charm. Her ribs hurt terribly, and her entire body was rigid but she still smiled; at this very moment Potter should lift the invisibility cloak from their…surprise, minutes before people start to stream down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

She finished dressing up and went with the rest of the Slytherins as they made their way to the Great Hall. When they were close enough they started to hear roars of laughter, and quickened their pace to witness the source of the entertainment. She saw students lying on the ground, clenching their stomach as laughter shook their bodies until they began to tear; there was no doubt that the Gryffindors were the loudest and most joyful. She watched her fellow Slytherins; some tried to suppress their smile but soon enough gave up and sniggered gleefully. She watched Malfoy, he was on the verge of crying, letting out a chortle, his eyes glowing in silver.

On the middle of the Great Hall was a small podium; and stupefied, very naked Crabbe and Goyle were standing there in a most sexual position. She had a long argument with Potter and Weasley about whether Crabbe or Goyle would be the one bending down on his knees, standing on his fours, while the other is positioned behind him. They flipped a coin eventually; Goyle lost.

She could see their bright smiles from the other side of the hall, she returned a playful smirk. Revenge tastes better than any breakfast in the world, she thought happily, while sitting down in Slytherin's table. A raging, flustered professor McGonagall rushed into the hall, her supernatural sense for trouble guiding her, shooting angry glares to the amused students. She released them from their stun, and covered them with robes, letting Snape lead them out of the hall. "When we find out who did it, he will be severely punished, and dare I say, expelled." McGonagall threatened, leaving the hall in fury.

Alexa sat there with blank expression, choosing a delicious looking orange and starting to peel its skin, when someone sat next to her. "You're not worried, Kaiser?" Malfoy said with glee, yet kept his voice down.

"Well, you see." Alexa started answering in a nonchalant voice, "I believe they wouldn't say a word. In case they chose to talk, they would have to admit what happened pervious to that; it might ensure them a night or two at Azkaban until your father will buy them out."

Malfoy ignored the offensive remark regarding his father and asked in an urgent voice, "Azkaban?" his eyes examined her with darting movements, "I can see the bruises in your face, but this is hardly enough to…"

"Using the Cruciatus curse is more than enough to get them jailed." Alexa replied coolly. Malfoy paled, and unconsciously bit his lower lip.

"What did they do to you?" he asked in a weak whisper.

"I'm still alive, not need to worry." Alexa said dryly, "I guess I should thank you for that."

He raised a surprised eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?"

"Someone had informed super Potter and his league of justice that I was in danger," Alexa said sarcastically, earning a hearty chuckle from Malfoy, "And asked them to keep an eye on me. As much as I hate to admit it, they saved me last night." She said with a groan. "You wouldn't happened to be the one that informed them, would you?" she asked sweetly.

Malfoy grinned at her mischievously, but refrained from answering. His expression turned serious when he said, "I'm going to punish them for damaging your face." He hissed, "They have absolutely no appreciation for beauty."

Alexa smiled at the hinted compliment. "I think they have been punished enough."

He turned his head and smiled to her, genuinely, happily. "I swear, Alexa, I'd marry you just for pulling off that prank." He said jokingly, but when his hand slid to find hers under the table, and held it ever so gently, she began to doubt it was merely a joke. He did not look at her, and pretended to focus on something in the other side of the hall, still holding onto her hand. She gazed at him; she felt safe and comfortable by his side, and though she swore to protect him, he had rescued her from trouble at least twice already.

She wondered if maybe, just maybe, he was a little more Black than he was a Malfoy. Whatever side the Black descendents chose, they were brave, loyal and willing to sacrifice. Like Narcissa was; she would do anything to protect her family, especially her only son. She hoped Malfoy was somewhat like his mother, and noted herself that she should talk to her as soon as possible. Obviously she could not just stroll into the Malfoy Manor and have a friendly chat with her about betraying the Dark Lord.

"Draco," she whispered softly, and he immediately turned to her, his eyes gentle. "Could I trust you to pass a message to your mother?" she asked while gripping his hand tightly, "It's for her eyes only."

His gaze became vague and thoughtful, and his expression stiffened a bit, "You can." he finally uttered.

"Swear on your mother's life," Alexa whispered in a dark voice, "Because this is what's on the line."

She saw him swallow, but he kept his eyes firm on her. "I swear."

She nodded and turned from him, quickly writing down her message, and then folded the parchment a few times, intrusting it in Malfoy's hand. "Don't read it. And give it to her personally, when you're alone." She instructed, and he nodded, hiding her letter in a hidden pocket inside his robe.

Seeing that their fingers were still intertwined, Alexa sighed, knowing she would have to lead him on if she wanted to rescue him. She moved closer to him, and wrapped his hand around her waist, leaning her head on his shoulder. He seemed surprised and then smiled smugly, gripping her tighter and pulling her even closer, a content expression lighting his face. She saw Blaise raising a questioning eyebrow at her, wondering why she changed her mind about Malfoy; she gave him a meaningful look, indicating they would discuss it later.

She knew Malfoy would return to the Manor in April, for the holidays, and she hoped Narcissa could make it to their secret meeting; without her consent none of Alexa's plans could be executed. Outside the weather was warming just a little, March had brought with him the beautiful bloom of the Almond trees, as well as the frightening realization that half of the year had already passed. Certain dolefulness took over her; the pressure of the final exams and the ominous knowing that trouble are soon. Another misfortunate incident was Weasley's poisoning, well not so misfortunate, she thought to herself darkly; obviously Weasley was not important enough to be anyone target so the inevitable conclusion was that it was another failure at killing someone else. She vaguely connected it to Katie Bell and the cursed necklace but could not figure out who was the target of these sloppy attacks.

She doubted it was Slughorn they were after, whoever they were, though she was absolutely sure Malfoy had a hand in it. To execute attacks inside Hogwarts walls you must have some inside help, and it was likely to assume that Malfoy was an eager source of information. Her thought interrupted when Blaise had given her the news; Potter cracked his skull when a Bludger hit him, sent by his own keeper. Alexa could not stop laughing for ten minutes straight, clenching her stomach with both hands.

"So what's going on with Malfoy?" Blaise inquired when she calmed down.

"Nothing." Alexa said blankly.

"So when I saw you sitting in the Great Hall like newlyweds, it was nothing?" Blaise asked teasingly, with a lopsided smirk.

"Exactly." Came her impatient answer.

"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to," Blaise raised his hands in a defensive manner, "But if you are trying to hide it, then refrain from cuddling in public. I wasn't the only one who noticed." He advised her, seeming fairly amused.

"I'm not hiding anything Blaise," Alexa said tiredly, "I just took your advice, about Malfoy needing his friends more than ever now." She half lied, not feeling too guilty.

"So it was a friendly cuddle?" Blaise seemed unconvinced. "And I completely imagined Malfoy's possessive expression when he held you?"

"Look, nothing is going to happen between us." Alexa said, knowing she was completely dishonest, "I vaguely remember us showering together when we were four." She shared with utter disgust.

Blaise laughed wholeheartedly. "I don't know if it's a kinky turn on, or revolting enough for me to puke." He said jokingly.

"You're perverted." Alexa remarked with a smirk, and left the common room, heading for the infirmary. She needed to amuse herself a little. Miss Pomfrey let her in, informing Potter and Weasley they had a visitor; she could not take off her evil smirk when she walked into the room. "I really feel like it's my lucky day. Weasley was poisoned and now Potter has a brain damage. Not that anyone would notice." She sneered.

"Now that Malfoy is occupied with his Death Eater's business, you step to fill the void so naturally." Potter said coldly.

"Please, it's insulting," Alexa drawled, just the way Malfoy did, "My company is far more pleasant than Mister Ferret's."

Potter and Granger, who apparently was in the room to, let out a bark of laughter, while Wesley said, "You're definitely prettier."

Alexa did not miss the murderous glare Granger gave Weasley. "Some thought shouldn't be voiced in the presence of your girlfriend." Alexa said meaningfully, glancing the Granger.

"I'm not his girlfriend!" Granger cried out, knowing Alexa had caught her frowning at Weasley's compliment. Alexa noticed Weasley seemed offended and to lightened the atmosphere she winked and said, "Yet."

Potter gave a piggish snort; the boy had the grace of a troll. However, grace is not helpful against the Dark Lord, and Potter had been escaping his claws for over sixteen year; she had a lot to learn. Granger hurried to change the subject, her cheeks bright red, "Do you take the apparition course?" she asked.

"Unfortunately no," Alexa replied quite sadly, "I'll be seventeen only on September…."

"That's a shame," Weasley said, "You're missing all the fun in seeing people splinch themselves."

"If I had received pleasure from seeing people's organs torn from their bodies, I would have accepted the alluring offer of joining the Dark Lord." Alexa replied dryly, and darkly.

There was a tensed silence in the room; Granger appeared to be holding her breath. "And why exactly did you turn him down?" Potter inquired, eyebrow raised.

"Because he is the reason my parents are dead." She said blankly, masking her anger, "I'm too free spirited to serve a master."

"Weren't…weren't your parents Death Eaters?" Weasley said in a cracked voice, and Granger swallowed hard.

"They were." Alexa replied calmly. "Among his most loyal followers. And look where this had gotten them; to a mossy grave. Or Malfoy's father and many others who were granted with a luxurious cell in Azkaban." Alexa said sarcastically. "I rather end my life in some other way."

"So you turned him down from purely selfish reasons?" Potter asked, his eyes narrowed, "wanting to save your own skin?"

"Basically, yes. Ironic how opposing the Dark Lord might save my skin." Alexa grinned gloomily, "I really don't care for you, and your righteous causes, but I'm certain his ideology is a fraud."

"Explain yourself." Potter said, more of a demand.

Alexa pulled out a chair, and sat down comfortably, looking at him calmly. "Some say you were inside his head, so you must know." She said quietly, "The Dark Lord is not truly concerned with the entire pureblood supremacy and Muggle hunting. It's an enjoyable added bonus, but it is not the purpose." She paused, and the three other students were practically hypnotized by her word, "He wants power, world domination, eternal glory. This foolish ideology is nothing but a tool to inflame his narrow minded followers."

"You seem to have given it a lot of thought." Potter remarked after a long silence.

"I had sixteen lonely years to ponder." Alexa said grievously.

"So Dumbledore wants you in the Order?" Potter asked bluntly.

"Nothing was made official yet, except from Dumbledore's vague promise to protect me." Alexa said flatly, "So I suggest you to watch your tongue around me, for time being." She warned him.

Potter gazed at her thoughtfully, his green disturbing eyes drilling into her skull. "I've changed my mind, Kaiser." He said with a twisted grin, "You are trustworthy. If you told me you were doing it for some sort of a noble cause, I would spit in your face. But you have all the right reasons to hate him, and that makes you a prefect alley." He stated.

"I think you're going to loathe me soon enough, Potter" Alexa said emotionlessly, "If I'm successful, I won't be the only one joining you."

Potter narrowed his eyes at her, shaking his head in disbelief, "You're bringing him with you? No way." He declared, looking furious.

"You can voice your objections to Dumbledore. Unfortunately for you, he's an enthusiastic supporter." Alexa replied with a smug expression.

"Who are we talking about?" Weasley asked, but both Alexa and Potter ignored him.

"You're delirious, Kaiser." Potter said bitterly, "the coward will never switch sides."

"I'm going to drag him by his ear out of this, I if I have to." Alexa promised him in her moderated tone, "I'm not going to lose another for the Dark Lord's caprices."

"But you absolutely despised him!" Potter cried out, and Weasley kept on nudging with his inquiries, ignored once again.

"There are more important things than childish rivalries." Alexa said fiercely, "You better acknowledge that if you wish to oppose the Dark Lord's great might."

Potter opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it and remained silent, pondering. "Harry, who are you talking about?" Granger questioned furiously, stomping her foot.

Alexa gave him a warning glare, "I expect you to keep this information to yourself. And though I'd hate to poison your friendship with secrets, I must insist you won't share it with anyone, not even with them," she demanded clearly, her eyes darting from Granger to Weasley.

Potter nodded with severe expression, and Alexa got up from her chair, "I hope you get well soon," she wished them with a polite voice and left the infirmary.