Chapter 10: Loves Dies an Unnatural Death.
If a bloke had ever cheated on one of Leolin's friends, the solution, in her mind, would have been simple: break up with him. However, now that it was her turn, she wasn't as sure. That didn't mean she wasn't mad or hurt, because she was both in massive quantities. Nor did it mean that she'd stopped thinking about Draco, because despite how royally fucked up things had become with Harry—who she professed to love—she was thinking of Draco almost constantly.
Leolin heart had plummeted into her stomach the minute she saw Ginny's lips touch Harry's, and she was frozen in place as the kiss deepened, Ginny's hands desperately grabbing at Harry's clothes as his hands tangled in her hair. It was only when Harry had divested Ginny of her shirt that Leolin found her voice.
"Oh my God!" Leolin burst at last, her hands immediately flying to cover her mouth. "Oh my god," she repeated, her voice muffled.
At the sound of her voice they sprang apart, and Ginny looked mournfully at Leolin, biting her lip and trying desperately not to cry.
"Leolin," she squealed, reaching out for her friend even as Leolin recoiled.
"What the fuck is this," Leolin muttered almost to herself as she caught Harry's eye. He said nothing, only shook his head and looked away.
"Leolin," he said tiredly, but she tossed her head back and forth.
"Don't," she whispered fiercely. "Seriously, just don't."
"Wait!" Ginny cried as Leolin turned on her heel. "Can we at least talk about this?"
"Talk?" Leolin roared, wheeling around. "Talk about what?" she demanded, wiping tears of frustration and hurt from her eyes. "You're slagging around with my boyfriend behind my back! What else is there to talk about?"
"Don't talk to her that way," Harry said quietly. "If you have to be mad at someone, let it be me. I am the one who kissed her."
"I am mad at you! I'm mad at both of you! Furious, in fact." She screamed. "How could you do this to me?" She begged Harry, shaking her head. "I love you!"
"You love me, do you? Loved me so much that you had to run off with Malfoy? Give it up, Leolin, I'm sick of the lies!" He said, his voice full of hurt. There were tears in his eyes as well. "Did you have fun with him tonight?"
"I didn't betray you tonight," she screamed, "even though I could have! Malfoy told me he loved me. You know what I said? I said I loved you! That I chose you!"
"Leolin," Harry said, shaking his head sadly. He sighed. "I—"
"No, save your breath. Whatever you were going to say, it doesn't matter."
"Fine then," he said, in a tone heavy with sadness. "Go."
In her frustration, Leolin swung back her fist and punched Harry in the face. He heaved backwards and swore, clutching his nose.
"Lai," Ginny said, glancing at poor Harry before rushing forward and touching her best friend's arm. "Please!"
"Let go!" Leolin said, her voice hoarse from yelling. "Just leave me be!"
She tugged her arm harshly from Ginny's grasp and spinning toward the exit.
As she reached the portrait hole, she accidentally bumped into Romilda Vane, who'd just arrived back from the party, heels in hand. Her dark eyes flew quickly from Leolin's red-rimmed eyes to Harry and Ginny, whose lips were swollen and hair was mussed. The implication couldn't be clearer.
Leolin pushed past Romilda, not daring to say one more thing to Harry in front of her. Once she was out in the hall, she yanked off the cursed scarlet heels and stuffed them in her charmed clutch. Now that she was out of Gryffindor, all she could think about was Draco. She wasn't sure if she wanted to blame him for everything or run into his arms and cry herself sick. Maybe both. Probably both. She was so upset during the walk that she was careless, and twice she saw Mrs. Norris bulging eyes in the darkness, and the second time she heart Filch's voice trailing behind. However, but that point she was almost to the wall behind which lay Slytherin common room. She spoke the password and slipped through the crack in the stone just as Filch hobbled around the corner, calling to Mrs. Norris with his lamp held aloft.
The common room was quiet, the only sound being the soft lapping of the lake against the four mammoth glass windows lining the back wall. Deep shards of moonlight fell down through the crystal waves, throwing muted blue light on the stately green couches and chairs. The water formed patterns on the ceiling that danced whimsically, seeming to almost taunt Leolin.
Leolin, who had by now cycled through several phases of needing and loathing Draco, was at present furious with him, and she threw down her bag and started towards the stairs. Every dormitory was equipped with a small private bedroom on both sides in the event that whichever house should have to honour of counting Head Boy or Girl amongst them. That of course, was where Draco would be.
In her rage, she had stomped right past Blaise, and seeing where she was headed, he was at once on his feet, grabbing her arm.
"I wouldn't, if I were you."
Leolin thought of the scary look in Draco's eyes as she'd run away to Gryffindor tower, and she knew Blaise was warning her.
"I don't care!" She snapped "I have to see him."
"You can see him tomorrow when he's cooled down a bit," He said in a clipped tone, continuing as she tried again. "Leolin!"
At this point he'd caught hold of her arm again and swung her around to face him, taking in her swollen hand and smeared makeup.
"Come here," He demanded, taking her hand and causing her to cry out a little.
Drawing his wand, he drug it lightly across the ruined knuckles, a warm healing sensation sunk into her hand. She flexed then looked up at him to find him looking back.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Leolin knew that Blaise would not be one to suffer blubbering and tears, but without Ginny or Harry or even Draco to talk to, she needed a confidant. Composing herself, she brushed past him, tucking up onto one end of the couch and watching as he seated himself on the far end, picking up a glass he'd set down earlier when she'd come in.
"Can you keep a secret?" She began, and he raised his eyebrows condescendingly, pulling a cigarette out. "I suppose it doesn't matter, Romilda Vane's probably told half of Gryffindor by now."
"Is there a story in here, Lefevre?" He said with the fag perched between his lips. He lit it. "If there is, I would really love to hear it." He exhaled, smoke curling from his nose and pursed lips.
She bit her lip. No tears, she reminded herself, and she tipped her head back for moment to blink several back before looking at Blaise.
"Potter cheated on me tonight while I was at the party with Draco."
Leolin had never considered Blaise one of her particular friends as she was convinced he felt himself above having them, so the look on his face came as a surprise to her.
"He did what?" He asked in a low voice, eyes glinting, sparkling in the room's low light.
"Yeah," She admitted in a small voice, "I walked in on them mid-snog. Who knows where it would have gone if I hadn't burst in."
"With whom?"
It wasn't a question, it was a demand, as if it was Leolin he was mad at.
"Who would he possibly cheat on you with?"
If she hadn't been so devastated, Leolin would probably have been flattered. Blaise had never indicated she meant much of anything to him before. Perhaps the mention of Harry Potter has simply inspired instinctual Slytherin loyalty, but she felt that in this matter he genuinely wanted to protect her.
"With whom, Leolin?" He repeated, knocking smoke ashes into an ashtray. The effort to fight off tears actually brought tears to Leolin's eyes.
"Ginny," She said, looking down.
"Ginny Weasley?" He burst. His eyes were like unnatural green flames now. "You're fucking kidding."
"I wish," she said. At this point the tears were unavoidable, but she kept her voice calm as she wiped her eyes. "You should have seen the way they were looking at each other! Ugh! And the way he was kissing her. It was like she was the only woman on earth."
He wrinkled his nose a little. Clearly his interest in Ginny did not extend to her sexual conduct with other blokes.
"Is this my fault?" She asked. "Did I bring this on myself?"
"What?" He said, seeming almost offended. "Your boyfriend cheated on you and you are asking me if it's your fault? Come on, Lefevre, you know the answer to that. Of course not."
"I'm not innocent in all of this," She pointed out.
"Are you talking about you and Draco?" He asked wryly, exhaling more silvery smoke into the air.
She nodded, wiping at more tears.
"Have you ever snogged Draco?"
"No," she admitted tearfully. "He kissed me tonight and I didn't reciprocate. I wanted to, though," she admitted quietly. "So badly."
"It doesn't matter," he said firmly. "You didn't do it out of respect for Potter. Try and understand that he didn't extend you the same courtesy."
They were silent for a moment and though Leolin tried to fight it she couldn't silent the sound of her sniffles.
"He's a fucking knobhead," Blaise said menacingly, throwing the butt of his cigarette into the embers and watching the filter burn up. "He never deserved you. If you hadn't burst in on them, that bell end probably would have slept with her. He's a dick; end of story."
"But Ginny…Gods she was my best friend…"
"You don't need friends like her."
Leolin looked at Blaise. Usually when anyone mentioned Ginny the gold flecks in his eyes lit up, but now his eyes were so dull and empty he also seemed blind. They both sat, lost into their own broodings. Finally, Leolin felt the urge to weep threatening to overcome her.
"It's almost four," She announced. "I should go to bed."
She stood up and smoothed her skirt for the final time of the evening.
He nodded and stood when she did, looking at her as if he trying to decide if she were alright or not.
"Goodnight," She said, and he nodded again.
She wished she could hug him right now but she knew he wasn't the hugging type.
"Night," He repeated, and she grabbed her bag and headed for door to the girl's dormitories.
"Leolin?" He called, and she turned around. "It's going to be alright," He said solemnly.
"Thanks," she murmured, then floated down the stairs and into the nearly-empty dorm, where she sunk onto her bed and fell asleep in a pool of her own tears.
In the morning, Leolin inevitably felt like shit. She woke to Archie, you was perched on the empty wine bottle hooting sadly at her. She picked him up and cradled him, loving how soft his feathers were between her fingers. He nipped gently at her and she brought him to her cheek, where he cooed happily.
Finally standing, she found her legs unsteady. Between the crying and the alcohol, her first stop was the toilet, where she fell on the floor and purged everything she'd drank from the night before. When she was done she flopped onto the cold floor, exhausted and heartsick. Her cheek was pressed against the gleaming black tiles, a dull pounding pulsed behind her closed eyes. She wanted to cry but simply had nothing left to give, and she decided to simply shower and eat instead.
She got out looking and feeling miserable, and her mirror even hazarded an 'eek!' as Leolin'd passed.
"Stow it," She said. "I'm not interested."
Slowly, doggedly, she dragged herself up the stairs and out of the passage. When she got to the Great Hall, all the tables were teaming with people talking about the game and the party. Blaise saw Leolin approaching and made room for her next to him, though he did not specifically acknowledge her existence beyond that.
"So Blaise," Liam began casually, taking a bite of his sausage. "How'd things go with Weasley last night?" Blaise looked almost murderous, but he contained himself by taking a sip of coffee and looking down at his copy of The Prophet.
"I'm not really interested anymore."
From farther down the table, Gracie perked up a bit, but before she had a chance to make her case to Blaise he glanced up, and when he caught Harry looking in the direction of the Slytherin table he immediately stood.
"Blaise—" Leolin began, but he was already out of his seat, completely ignoring her.
"How dare you," He hissed when he reached the Gryffindor table, and Harry stood as well and sneered. A murmur went through the hall and at once Liam and Leon were rising to join Blaise, Adrian following somewhat reluctantly behind. Ron stood at Harry's right and Seamus and Dean were on their feet now, too.
"How dare you cheat on her," He was speaking louder now; that, or everyone had just gotten a lot quieter.
So much for worrying about Romilda Vane, Leolin thought miserably. Now everyone knew, and her cheeks were hot as people looked, whispered, and pointed.
"What?" Liam snapped from behind Blaise, closing rank. The Gryffindor boys looked alarmed as well, though they stood their ground. Blaise held Harry's gaze hatefully for several seconds, and then cast his eyes farther out looking over Harry's shoulder.
"Where's your sneaky girlfriend, Potter? Where's Weasley?"
Ron flushed. "That's my sister you're talking about, Zabini."
"No one gives a damn," Adrian pointed out fiercely, and they glared at each other. What he lacked in loyalty to Leolin, he more than made up for in hatred of Gryffindor.
"She's a back-stabber," Blaise continued, eyes glittering. "So much for Gryffindor loyalty."
Ron was purple but Dean held him back a little, trying to force him to be calm.
"You're only to talk," Seamus Finnigan bit out. "Your girl Lefevre showed up to the party last night looking ready to turn tricks."
Leon had Seamus by the collar now. "Say that again and you'll be spitting up teeth for a week."
The hall was abuzz now and everyone craned their necks to see. The fight was simmering slowly, but now it had come nearly to a boil. It was then that Draco arrived to the hall, eyes immediately going to the throng.
"What's going on?" He demanded, and he looked at Leolin, though it was Gracie who spoke first.
"Potter kissed Weasley last night."
Leolin wanted to turn and glare at her, but she was too afraid for what Draco was going to do.
His mercury eyes were on over at the Gryffindor table, the muscles in his shoulders and laterals already tensing for a fight.
"Please!" Leolin said, worried for what he would do. She stood and grabbed his shirt. "Draco, don't go over there. Please, if you give even one goddamn about me you'll just stay out of it. You can't afford to get into any more trouble."
He gave her a smouldering look, though whether it was of protection or fury she wasn't sure. Then he gently tugged her hand off him, and started for the table. Leon and Seamus were about to start throwing jabs, but Draco got there first, tugging Leon back and putting himself between his seething boys and the Gryffindors.
"That's right, Malfoy," Dean Thomas snapped hatefully. "Call off your dogs."
Draco sneered. "Piss off before I let them rip out your throat."
Draco held firm and slowly the Slytherin stepped back a bit, muscles uncoiling. When he was sure no one was going to fight, Draco turned to Harry. The hate between them was tangible, hanging dense like poison fog.
"This isn't over. Not even close."
Harry found his voice for the first time, perhaps remembering why he and Leolin had fought in the first place.
"This is none of your goddamn business."
He and Draco were nose to nose now. "Everything that concerns Leolin is my business, Potter." Harry's jaw tensed, but he said nothing, and satisfied, Draco retreated, dragging a still-livid Blaise with him.
"I'd watch my back, Potter," Draco said, "Tell Weasley, too."
With that the Slytherin boys burst from the hall, and the whispers and murmured filled the room all the way to the enchanted ceiling. Unable to take it, Leolin excused herself and swept immediately outside.
If the Weasley twins had been at Hogwarts for the next two weeks that followed, they most likely would have been devastated. Tensions were high, and things had never been worse between the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Chaos reigned in any class the two houses shared, and points were lost left and right. For the first time since the 1970's, the Hufflepuffs were actually in second place for the house cup.
In Potions, Ron Weasley's simple healing drought somehow managed to melt his cauldron and burn the floor. In Care of Magical Creatures, Neville Longbottom had "accidentally" frightened the baby Welsh Green Adrien Pucey had been holding, causing the creature to burn him. In Transfiguration, Ryann Moody's prized antique wristwatch went missing after he had been forced to work with Ieaun Bird, and it reappeared a week later inside the Ravenclaw jewel counter.
For Leolin's part, she tried to keep her teammates from getting themselves in trouble, though in reality she was somewhat touched by the loyalty they'd displayed. However, it wasn't enough. With no real friend to confide it, she felt like she was slipping away.
Outside of Hogwarts, Leolin's life seemed to be further deteriorating. After much cajoling on her father's part, Leolin had agreed to start speaking to her mother again on the condition she be allowed to spend the Christmas Holiday with Amelie and Adrien and not Ariadne. Even though they were talking again, Leolin was still so furious that she could not bring herself to say anything important to her mother.
How's Harry? Ariadne had written in one letter. Tell him hello for me.
He's fine Leolin had replied. I'll pass the message along.
It was also announced in The Prophet that Lucius Malfoy had been privately contracted by the Ministry to head a committee to help reorganize and repair corrupted or defunct government offices. Leolin wrinkled her nose as she read.
"The Minister of Magic was quoted Wednesday, saying, 'We're all aware of Mr. Malfoy's sordid past, but he is also a gentleman of extraordinary intelligence with valuable business experience. Combined with his involvement in the previous war, his election was a natural choice. My cabinet members and I are confident in the job he will do.' Mr. Malfoy will assume his post Monday after…"
Leolin scanned down the picture for a moment before rolling her eyes in disgust. It showed the Malfoys at some recent Ministry dinner. Lucius' arm was slung casually around Narcissa's waist, and she had a palm pressed to his chest, displaying her monstrous diamond ring. They were smiling beautifully into the camera, and occasionally they paused to look at one another. Leolin imagined for a moment that it was her mother Lucius had on his arm and not his wife. The idea was repugnant, and she balled the paper and threw it into the roaring fire in Slytherin Common Room, watching with pleasure as his handsome suit and gleaming shoes curled into nothing.
Oddly enough, it was the situation with Draco that most often plagued Leolin. The ache she felt for Harry for was acute, but she hardly ever had occasion to see him and she busied herself in an attempt to not think of him. Draco, on the other hand, she couldn't avoid. Even if she never saw him during the day, they shared practice together, and after that they were often in the common room at the same time during the evening. To make things worse, he wasn't really speaking to her. It wasn't as if he was mad at her, he was just elusive, and it seemed as if she'd become invisible to him in many ways. That was probably better, anyhow. She needed to sort out her feelings for Harry right now, and that was so much harder to do when Draco was slinging sexual innuendos at her all hours of the day and night.
"You ready, Leolin?"
Leolin looked up. She had been sitting on her bed for the last fifteen minutes, staring at the carpet and waiting for the other Slytherin girls to get ready. That morning the Hufflepuffs had beaten the Ravenclaws in a huge upset, and the Hufflepuff captain Dom Godfrey had already promised it would be the wildest part since the Weasley twins had graduated.
Naturally, Leolin had made the decision not to go. She had largely avoided large groups of people since the morning after the last party, as she could not bear the laughing and stare she received from anyone she passed. Astoria had convinced her, though. Without Ginny and Harry, Leolin was largely alone, and Astoria had been quick to invite Leolin into her circle despite the fact Leolin had always opted to make friends outside of Slytherin.
"It will be fun!" Astoria had reasoned to Leolin. "And you have to show Potter and the others you aren't afraid of what they think. You didn't do anything wrong, Leolin."
In the end, Leolin had agreed. All the Slytherin girls, even Gracie, though she seemed less than enthused, had joined the cause, and Leolin'd hardly had to do anything in terms of getting ready, aside from following directions like "close your eyes," or, "hold this piece of hair for a second."
Daphne, who had the best eye for fashion, had picked out Leolin's peach bodycon dress that left little to the imagination.
"Bodycon?" Leolin had said skeptically mentioned it. "What the fuck is a bodycon dress? Sounds like something you use to store a cadaver in!"
"It just means really tight!" Daphne had replied. "You know, like it fits to the contours of your body? Bodycon!"
Leolin had been resistant, but she was so vainly impressed by her own décolletage in the dress that she'd finally consented.
Pansy'd done her hair while Astoria and Madison fussed over her makeup. Truth be told, Leolin felt a little silly and was sure the end result would be too much, but if the girls hadn't done this she wouldn't have even gotten up to go at all.
"Done!" Gracie cried, flouncing out of the bathroom in a dress which was cut nearly to her navel, her breasts magicked in so they wouldn't fall out the long slits down the sides of the top.
"Finally," Leolin murmured, but when Gracie glared at her, she only smiled. "I like your necklace."
Gracie looked down at large diamond that hung right between her full breasts and beamed.
"So do I."
Astoria came in too, checking she had everything she needed in her purse then calling for her sister.
"Daphne! Please, no one wants to wait anymore!"
Daphne came to the top of the stairs, pouting prettily.
"I don't think I like this dress."
"It's fine," Madison assured her tersely, "Really lovely. Can we go?"
"Fine!" Daphne said, "But if Adrian doesn't like it…"
"He's a bloke, Daphne," Pansy pointed out wryly, stuffing her own small purse with lipstick. "He doesn't give a fuck what you wear, as long as it's easy to get off. Let's go. And who are you trying to impress?" She snapped at Gracie. "Gods, I need a drink."
The girls went to the common room.
"Where are the boys?" Madison huffed.
"Probably got tired of waiting," Pansy said, glaring at Daphne. "It doesn't matter; we're all going to the same place anyways. Let's go."
They hurried out of the entrance, everyone spelling their heels to keep the halls from echoing with their click-clack.
When they reached the wall, Pansy rolled her eyes.
"We're here to join the bleeding cause. Just open up."
The door appeared, but much smaller than usual, and everyone groaned as they imagined having to shimmy through it with short skirts on.
"Nice going, Pansy!" Madison hissed as she tried and failed to get through without flashing her knickers.
There were tons of cheers as Tracy, the last girl, finally entered.
A drunk Roger Davies stood and whistled.
Pansy, never one to be embarrassed, gave a dramatic bow before strutted off to the bar. Leolin followed her. She could hear the tell-tale whispers trailing after her as she walked, but she brushed them off. She ought to take a page from Pansy's book.
They reached the bar at the same time, and when Kai Morris saw Leolin, his eyes twinkled.
"I just won five galleons," He told her.
"What?" She snapped.
"Ryann Moody bet me five galleons you couldn't wear anything shorter or tighter than last party." He made a show of looking down Leolin's dress. "That's definitely tighter."
Pansy quickly had him by the hair, and he cried out and tried to twist away from her.
"Even one more word out of you Morris and I'll have one of the Faulkner boy's completely rearrange your face, yeah? Now make our drinks and get out from behind the bar."
"Wha—" He protested
"Ieaun Bird will take you place tonight. Make our drinks and get bent. Bird!"
Bird had just walked in with Penelope tucked under his arm, and they stopped in front of the door for a sexy kiss. Penelope wasn't on the quidditch team but her older brother Logan was, and the win had put all of Hufflepuff in a right state.
"Atta boy, Birdy!" Liam called as Penelope ran a hand through Ieaun's sleek hair.
"Bird!" Pansy repeated, stamping her foot. He looked up, hair mussed and lips red.
"What?"
"Get behind the bar!"
He looked confused and she put her hands on her hips. "We had to fire Morris. He said something impolite to Leolin. Get over here."
Ieaun shrugged, giving Penelope another sloppy kiss before stepping up and leaping behind the sleek bar. He and Morris glared at each other before Morris muttered 'prat' and stepped out, glaring at Pansy. She gave him the v-sign then turned to Leolin, handing her a spindly stemmed martini glass with an electric blue liquid inside.
"What's in it?"
"Best not to ask. Mostly stuff that isn't legal in England."
Leolin looked at it then back up at Pansy, who winked. She turned to go but Leolin called her name.
"Thank you for being so nice to me. You didn't have to be."
Pansy told her hand. "We're Slytherins, Lefevre; we ride or die for each other. If you hung around us more you'd know that. No come on, let's get drunk and make fun of everyone who's not us."
Leolin laughed and Pansy smiled, tugging her hand and leading her to the part of the party that seemed to be all silver and green.
Everyone was drinking and some of the boys were smoking, and Liam and Leon kept calling to Bird, who only grinned in response, pouring a drink and smoking a cigarette at the same time. His dexterous hands made him a natural behind the bar, and Leolin wouldn't have been surprised if Kai Morris found himself down a job.
As soon as they walked over, Blaise looked up at Pansy, saying nothing but appraising her with bright eyes. She smirked under his attention. Leolin looked around for Gracie to see the look on her face, but for once, Gracie wasn't looking at Blaise. She was looking at Draco.
He was sitting in the middle of one of the couches with both feet propped on a low table in front of him. Though Leolin'd never known it, he must have usually worn charmed lenses, because today he had on stylish thick-framed glasses, and paired with the expensive cardigan he was wearing, he really did look good enough to eat. She bit her lip it a truly useless attempt to stop blushing.
When he saw her looking at him his eyes sparkled, he inclined his head slightly to the left, indicating she come sit with him. She looked. There wasn't much room between him and the couch. She would have to squeeze to fit. As if reading her mind, he nudged over a bit, then nodding at her again, smiling as he indicated when he wanted her to be. She came over and sank down.
"You alright, Lefevre?" He said, studying her and smiling a little, his arm sliding across the back of where she was sitting. Before she could help herself, she imagined Harry watching them and it made her feel as if she's swallowed a handful of stones.
"Yeah, fine," she replied, trying to remain nonchalant. "You?"
He nodded, the smirk growing on his face.
"I like your dress," he said saucily, and she blushed.
"It's called a body contour," she offered lamely, clearly embarrassed by his bravado.
He raised his eyebrows.
"It's scintillating."
She gave an uncomfortable laugh, and he got the hint and looked down to alleviate some of the sexual tension. She studied his profile as he turned away from her, admiring how the glasses fit to the smooth bridge of his nose.
"I didn't know you wore glasses," she said.
He shrugged, biting his lip and then laughing at some private joke with himself.
"Bad genes, I guess," He smiled. Gods he was so handsome.
"Probably the result of so many generations of pure-blood inbreeding," She said. His smile widened and she felt one of the stones quiver then disappear.
"I have to have some flaws, you know, so the rest of you pathetic creatures can keep up."
She actually laughed a little and he smiled, eyes glimmering as they flicked back and forth across her face from behind the frames.
She felt it again; that tug from the pitch. His sweater looked incredibly soft, probably some kind of cashmere, and instantly she wondered what it would feel like. Hazarding a glance at him, she tentatively reached out to touch the material. He seemed pleased by this physical attention, and his gaze fell to watch her fingers.
"Does this mean you're not mad anymore?" She asked, her fingers gently brushing the left side of his chest. She felt the strong beating of his heart.
"I wasn't mad."
She gave him a look and he smirked in spite of himself.
"Alright, I was after…" He trailed off. "I'm not mad anymore. I've just been…busy."
Somehow, she knew what he meant, what he was trying to express to her. She'd hurt him.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, immediately retracting her hand and blushing.
"So have you talked to him?" Draco said. He was facing forward again, his eyes drawn away from her as he took a sip of something that smelled like straight vodka.
"Talked to who?"
He looked back. "You know who." His torso was angled towards her more, creating something of a cage between his chest and the arm of the couch.
"If you mean Harry," she said curtly. "Then no I haven't."
"Good girl," He murmured quietly to himself, pulling a cigarette from his case and settling back a little, his arm still draped above her shoulders. She rolled her eyes.
"I hate when you call me that," She said, and annoyed that he wasn't listening, she plucked the cigarette from his moth and slipped it into hers.
He raised his eyebrows then gave a satisfied smirk, licking his lips then leaning in unnecessarily to light it for her; he could have easily reached from where he'd been sitting before.
"Didn't know you were a smoker, Lefevre," He said, his lips so close he was practically kissing her neck.
She gave a soft laugh to try and fight off the shiver he'd elicited, then took a long drag and blew some of the smoke in his face.
"There are loads of things you don't know about me, Loverboy."
"I know," He purred, one had slipping between her legs right where they crossed at the knee, deftly attempting to unfold them. "But I'm dying to find out."
A battle of desire and trepidation raged within Leolin, but when she thought of Harry, the painful pang made her decision for her. Gracie had just returned from the bar, and Leolin saw an opportunity to escape.
"I'm going to the loo," She announced, taking another inhalation then giving the fag to an annoyed Draco, forcing him to withdraw his hand. "Gracie, did you want to take my seat?"
Gracie looked over at Leolin appraised the situation. Then she gave her blonde hair a soft toss and nodded.
"Lovely, cheers."
Draco looked at Leolin as she rose, unable to be anything but impressed by what she'd just pulled. He watched her hungrily as she adjusted her short hem.
"Don't say I never gave you anything," she said, leaning down fakely kiss each of his cheeks, looking deliberately over at Gracie's tight dress. "And don't forget to be safe."
Draco was still so taken in by Leolin that he simply allowed Gracie to slither to his side, his hand coming to rest naturally on her low back as she curled up next to him while Leolin sauntered back to the bar.
Leolin stood waiting for Bird to make her another of Pansy's toxic drinks when she felt someone touch her arm gently. She turned, sneering a little when she recognized Lavender Brown, a seventh year Gryffindor.
"Leolin?" She asked tentatively.
"What do you want?" Leolin snapped, grabbing the drink from Bird and taking a large sip. The fact that it went down so smoothly perturbed Leolin.
"I know I have no real right coming over here—"
"No, you don't." Leolin looked over towards where most of the Gryffindors were sitting, and she noted that neither Harry nor Ginny was among them. Leolin began to walk away, but the sheer desperation in Brown's voice pulled her back
"Wait, please, just hear me out! Ginny is miserable without you. I know what she did was wrong and I would be angry if I were you too, but at least consider talking to her. Honestly, everyone's worried about her."
"If she loves me so much then she shouldn't have slagged around with my boyfriend!"
Lavender blinked several times, and Leolin could tell she was getting ready to deliver the standard Gryffindor party position before her mouth even opened.
"You came to the party that night with—"
"Brown!" Blaise said in a fake-charming voice, stepping between her and Leolin. "What a lovely evening I was having until you became part of it."
She glared up at him and his green eyes glittered back hatefully. After a moment he sneered.
"Fine!" She said, turning. "But think about what I said. Do let your pride get in your way."
"Don't you dare give her orders," Blaise snapped imperiously, and with that Lavender fled back to safer ground.
"You alright?" He drawled, leaning casually on the bar but not looking at her. In truth she was shaken. The mention of Ginny's name had pained her. Maybe Lavender was right, she ought to at least hear what they had to say. She looked over at Draco and felt even more guilty.
"Yeah, no, fine," She shrugged, throwing back the rest of the glass. "I think I am going to take off."
He consulted the Swiss-made watch at his wrist.
"You've only been here for an hour. Stay."
"No, I'm tired," She insisted. She thought of Harry and it made her sick. "Tell Pansy and the others I say thank you. I'll see them all tomorrow."
He sighed. "Fine. Do you want me to walk you back?"
"No, no, you stay. I'll see you tomorrow."
He nodded. "Tomorrow, then."
He put his hands in his pocket and turned before she called him back.
"Blaise?"
"Hm?" He rotated on the heels of his dapper leather high-tops until he was back facing her.
"Thank you," She said.
In a wildly uncharacteristic gesture, he came over and cupped her cheek, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.
"Take care of yourself. See you tomorrow."
She blinked, stunned, then nodded, heading for the door.
Around six thirty she was up again, listening as someone stumbled loudly around the dormitory, knocking things over and giggling. Leolin clawed at the last bits of a deep sleep, thinking that if whoever it was could just keep it down for thirty seconds…
"Gracie?" Madison called in the darkness. Gracie dropped her clutch with a loud scatter.
JO-DER. Leolin was pulled back to full consciousness. Whatever, she still wasn't going to sit up.
"Yeah?" Gracie said, bracing herself in the doorway and laughing.
"It's almost seven! Where have you been? And where's your dress?"
It was clear from the sounds she was making that Gracie was still wearing heels, but as she bumped into the washbasin, Leolin opened one eye to see that she was just in a bra and frilly knickers. Interesting. Leolin had assumed there hadn't even been a bra under that dress. Perhaps Gracie carried a spare for situations such as this.
"I've been in Draco's room!"
Madison was finally sitting up now, rubbing her eyes. "All this time? You guys left the party over three hours ago!"
"I know!" Gracie moaned salaciously. "Can you believe that?"
Leolin's bed was closest to her, and she flopped down on it, laying on Leolin's feet. Leolin could smell Draco's cologne on Gracie skin mixed with cigarette smoke and sweat, and it annoyed her.
"Why didn't you just stay the night in there?" Astoria asked groggily, her question half muffled by a yawn.
Gracie just giggled. "I think he might have kicked me out?"
"Lucky him," Leolin muttered, jabbing Gracie with her toe.
"Go away, Leolin!" Gracie snapped.
Leolin could smell the cologne again and she finally sat up, shoving back the covers and glaring at Gracie.
"No, you go away! You're sitting on my bed! And it's seven in the bleeding morning, Gracie! If you are going to let Malfoy fuck you senseless then kick you out like a slag, fine; Sleep in the common room."
"Can I at least tell you guys how it was?"
"We don't want to know!" Leolin burst.
She didn't want to know, didn't want to have to think about Draco undressing Gracie and kissing her…
"It was amazing!" Gracie whispered, though it came out just as loud as everything else.
Madison groaned and Astoria said, "Turn off the light, Gracie!"
"Seriously, he—" Leolin was fully up now, fully out of bed and fully shoving Gracie off it.
"If we want to know what Malfoy's like in the sac, we'll just shag him ourselves."
"Already have," Madison said from under her covers, but Leolin ignored her.
"Get off my bed and good fucking night."
Gracie had finally managed to get her heels off, and she leaned down to Leolin before pitching off and into her own bed.
"Jealous much?" She hissed. Leolin glared before rolling over and trying to go back to sleep.
Leolin got up an hour or so lately. After Gracie had finally crashed into the bed, Leolin had tried to fall back asleep but had been unable to, and restless, she got dressed and left the room, kicking Gracie's gawdy necklace under the bed as she passed it.
Last night had been odd, and she found today that all she could think about was her and Harry. She had a large Potions exam to revise for, but she knew she would have no peace until she went to her and Harry's spot on the lake.
It was the second week in October now and the weather was quickly turning cold, so Leolin had to pull her jacket tightly around herself as she sat down at the water's edge, ignoring the jagged wind as it jutted around her. Leolin sat still for a long time, honestly evaluating her state of self for the first time in a long time. Usually she forced herself to think of anything but Harry, but now she took the gates down, and memories and emotions flooded in.
"C'mon," Ginny said, eyes sparkling as she took Leolin's hand. "I have to introduce you to Harry."
Leolin's eyes began to well up and she let them, feeling oddly liberated at not having to fight to keep control.
"Harry," he said a bit sheepishly, gesturing to himself then extending a hand. She shook it.
"Leolin."
His green eyes sparkled as he took in her long eyelashes and pretty blue dress.
"That's a beautiful name."
Leolin, wiped her eyes with a gloved hand, biting her lip.
"I had a lovely time today, Harry, like always. Thanks again." She leant against the cold stone of the Slytherin passage while he handed her to Honeydukes parcel he'd carried for her.
"Yeah, me too."
He stepped closer.
"Leolin, can I…may I kiss you?"
His soft lips were on hers.
A particularly strong gust of wind blew across Leolin's cheeks, pushing two tears that had been threatening to jump.
"That was amazing," Harry said, pulling her closer and securing the sheets around their naked bodies. "You're amazing."
She smiled. He kissed her.
This was painful, so painful, but Leolin couldn't help herself. She continued.
"My godfather wants to invite you to dinner when terms ends."
"I am mad about you, Lai."
"Come to the Burrow and stay with Ginny this summer. We could be there together." "Draco Malfoy, why is he owling you?"
"I love you, too."
Leolin's sniffles became sobs and she ground her eyes into her tucked up knees.
"Gods, you just never get tired of being his whore, do you?"
"Harry!"
"No, tell me the truth! Are you sleeping with him?"
"Of course not!"
"You're terrible girlfriend. I don't know why I bother."
"You love me, do you? Do you love me so much that you had to run off Malfoy?"
Lai tipped sideways, using her scarf as a pillow while she lay on the ground and sobbed. She missed Harry. She missed him, and she was so damn lonely she almost couldn't stand it. She was meant to have cared for him; they were meant to have cared for each other. So why had they treated each other the way they had? She hated herself for letting things get so complicated with her and Draco and Harry. She hated that Harry had cheated on her. She hated that he'd involved Ginny.
Leolin lay there in the dying grass for an exorbitant amount of time, and when she finally sat up, her throat ached from the cold air and all her muscles were stiff. She felt no more at peace, either. She loved as loathed Harry as much as ever. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was already two, and sighing, she stood.
The exam she had the next day was massive, and if Leolin wanted to maintain her O in Potions, which was in and of itself a miracle, she would have to do very well on it. Despite this, when Leolin got back to her room, she simple flopped back onto the unmade bed and fell immediately back asleep.
When Leolin woke up it was ten. TEN. She had literally slept all day, and she still felt groggy and depressed, but she forced herself to get up. She needed to get something to eat, then after she needed to start studying.
It was eleven before she got to the common room, which was full of people doing homework and reading, but slowly the numbers petered out until it was only Leolin left. It was the most depressing feeling in the world, studying when everyone else had already turned in, but there was no other option.
Several hours after the last person had left, Leolin heard a creak on the boys-side stairs and looked up at her watch. It was almost one. Draco was coming down wearing a v-neck and warm-looking flannel pajama pants. His stylish hair was mussed and he was wearing his glasses again.
He looked surprised when he saw her, but she spoke first.
"Why are you up?"
He shrugged, tucking both hands in his pockets then sauntering over to window and leaning on his shoulder as he watched her. She could tell by the way he was surveying her that he couldn't believe his luck at having caught her alone.
"Couldn't sleep," he said. "What are you revising for?"
He was standing close enough now that she could smell him, and she wrinkled her nose in annoyance, ignoring his question.
"How was your night last night?"
He laughed, looking almost sheepish as he looked down at his bare feet.
"It was—an education."
She merely scowled.
"Why did you throw her out? That was rude!"
"I didn't throw her out. I just said that I didn't want to see her in the morning. She could have easily just set an alarm and left before I got up. Doesn't matter. I didn't get the impression she had any desire to stay, anyhow."
"Still," She huffed and he smirked down at her, coming a hair closer.
"We've been through this, Lefevre," he breathed. "You don't have to be jealous. Should I take you upstairs right now and prove it to you?"
"Fuck off, I'm not jealous!" She snapped and he just raised his eyebrows. "I'm not!"
"Alright, you're not. Now tell me what are you working on?"
She sighed, glancing down at her scribbles and diagrams. "Potions."
He was leaning over her now, looking at her work. "Do you want help?" She looked at him, watched as his light eyes danced across the paper, shimmering with recognition and appreciation at the topic. He was good at Potions, she knew that, and she could really use his help. Also, after today at the lake, she felt like she had been missing something, and now sitting with him she thought maybe his company was what she was craving.
"That would actually be great, thanks."
He nodded, sitting down then easily pulling her chair to his even while she was still in it.
"For the record, though," she said. "I still think you're a pig for last night."
He laughed, glancing over at her and inadvertently licking his lips.
"Duly noted. Now, what are you having trouble with?"
"Truth serums. I know how to brew them, but I don't understand how they function in the body."
He considered for a second then reached over, pulling a quill she'd wrapped in her hair out so that messy curls fell down her shoulders and back. He dipped the quill in ink and pulled a clean parchment towards him.
She leaned over so she could see what he was doing, tucked the hair over one shoulder and huffing, "There was another quill sitting right there."
He didn't look up. "I know."
She rolled her eyes and reached to re-secure the bun, but he grabbed her wrist lightly. "Leave it."
She looked at him and his eyes glittered hungrily.
"I like it better down."
The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, heated the blood in her stomach, and she let her hands fall, making him smile beautifully.
"Good girl," He mouthed, and she punched him lightly before he began explaining.
She listened and asked questions, and he seemed to know every answer, walking her through the process then having her show him, making sure she understood on her own and could articulate it in an essay, if necessary. Finally, she tossed her quill down and stretched. It was a little past two now.
"You are really fucking smart," She pointed out, looking over his bold script while he cracked his knuckles.
He smiled arrogantly then leaned in, his breath ruffling her unbound hair. "I'm also devastatingly handsome."
She rotated so she could look at him, her cheeks flooding with pretty colour.
"Yes, you are."
His face immediately became serious as he studied her, assuring himself she wasn't joking. Then he cupped her neck firmly and pulled her to him.
Leolin had parted her lips in anticipation of the kiss, but the sensation never came.
Her eyes fluttered open to find him his lips a breath away from hers, his eyes closed.
"Ask me," he breathed, his breath cool and fresh against her lips.
"Ask you what?" she whispered as her heart hammered in her chest.
"I promised I wouldn't kiss you unless you asked me, so ask me."
"Draco," she sighed.
"Sod it," he murmured, changing his mind and closing the short distance between them.
Her lips had parted just as they met his, so their kiss was an open one, and it was amazing. Knowing Draco and his machismo and his arrogance, Leolin would have assumed he was the type of guy whose kiss was all tongue and teeth. It wasn't. His full lips were firm but very soft, and he was an expert with their placement. First he would kiss her top lip, then her bottom, then the left corner of her mouth, then the right. By the time his tongue did touch her lips, she was completely under his spell. The kiss was in no way rough, but it was domineering, something only he controlled. She allowed it, though, relished in it. She had secretly imagined kissing him a thousand times, but this was better. So, so, so much better. She'd never been kissed like this before, not even by Harry. Harry—oh Merlin, Harry.
"Stop," She murmured, turning her head so his mouth found her neck instead.
"What is it?" He breathed, voice thick with lust.
She could tell he was annoyed but that he was trying to keep the edge out of his voice. She pushed him farther off, forcing him to loosen the hold he had on the back of her t-shirt. Tears were already re-welling in her eyes.
"I can't—I'm—I still have a boyfriend."
"What!" He had grabbed a fistful of her hair, though it was low enough not to cause any pain.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me. You haven't broken up with him? Why the hell not?"
She disentangled herself and stood.
"Because I still care about him! It's complicated, you wouldn't understand."
He was on his feet now, too, towering over her. He looked exactly like his father, and that scared her.
"Why are you letting him make such a slag out of you? He practically jumped your best friend! Have some self respect."
"That's rich," she sneered. "Coming from the bloke who's been trying to weasel his way into my knickers for over six months!"
"Do you have any idea how frustrating this is? Listening to you blather on about St. Potter after a kiss like that?"
"I'm sorry," she sighed shaking her head. "That was—"
He was on her, pushing her until she was pressed firmly against the wall.
"A mistake?" He hissed. "Is that what you were going to say? Because I think we both know it wasn't. You're mine, Leolin, I told you before, and now that Potter's not around you have no reason to deny it, so shut up so we can finish what we started."
She reached to slap him again but he grabbed her wrist, giving a dark look. She shook his hand off then shoved him.
"It doesn't work that way! And I'm not a doll, Draco. I don't belong to anyone. Now leave me alone."
She ducked under his arm, ignoring her papers on the table as she stomped towards the girl's dormitories.
"Leolin!"
"Fuck off!"
"Wait!"
She ignored him, but in one stride he was close enough to grab her wrist, and he spun her to face him. His face was contorted in a look of anger and pained restraint.
"Just…wait, listen for a second. Merlin! Ugh, I'm really sorry, alright! I lost my temper, and I didn't mean what I said. It's just—you, after what he did. It's not right. He doesn't deserve that kind of loyalty."
"I can do whatever I want." She pointed out. He sighed, frustrated.
"Don't. Don't let him get away with this. Leolin, darling…" He trailed off, and he brushed a knuckle down her cheek. He leaned down to kiss her again and she turned away, disgusted.
"Sod off!"
She pulled away and his face crackled and turned to stone.
"Fine!" He snapped, his hand falling harshly as he took a step away. "You know what? You're a idiot; you two deserve each other."
The comment, combined with the look of naked enmity shining in his eyes, pained her, but she bit her lip.
"Like I care what you think. Go to Hell, Malfoy."
She hurriedly gathered all her things then pushed past him, leaving him still heaving and furious in the empty common room.