Chapter 10: Confusion All Around

"I swear to you, if you end up in the Hospital Wing again, I will eat your entire hidden stash of chocolate and licorice wands!" Leli threatened Assi as they sat at the Gryffindor table the morning of the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch Game.

Assi's jaw dropped in shock, "You wouldn't!"

Leli narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her, "Are you willing to risk it?"

Assi glared and Leli returned it.

"I don't know who's worse," Leli heard Ginny comment to Hermione and Harry. "Those two or Ron."

Harry laughed and Leli scowled at him without breaking her sister's glare.

"I'm resigning, after today's match, McLaggen can have my spot!" They heard Ron whisper fiercely to Harry.

"At this moment I would say Ron." Harry told Ginny. "Have it your way. Have some juice," He told Ron.

Leli frowned and saw Assi raise an eyebrow in question. Leli nodded slightly, drawing a temporary truce so they could see Ron.

Ron, sitting beside Leli and in front of Hermione and Harry, looked pale with terrified, wide eyes. He was raising his cup to his lips when they heard Luna.

"Hello everyone," she told them in her wistful voice, wearing a very lavish headdress in support for Gryffindor. "You look dreadful Ron. Is that why you put something in his cup?" she asked Harry. "Is it a tonic?"

Harry looked away, quickly hiding something shiny in his pocket.

"Liquid Luck," Hermione said, knowing right away what it was. Her gaze shot to Ron who was looking at the cup in his hands, slowly raising it to his lips.

"Don't drink it Ron!" she told him, disapproval thick in her voice.

Ron took a deep breath before raising the cup and downing the juice.

Harry was grinning and Leli couldn't help but be absolutely shocked at the two of them.

"You could be expelled for that," Hermione told Harry in worry.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Harry immediately replied.

Ron, meanwhile looked as if he were in Heaven, "Come on Harry, we've got a game to win," he said, rising up and clasping Harry's hand.

Harry grinned and the boys walked out.

"Huh," Assi said, "I suppose that means we'll win. She grinned and gave Leli a wink as she and Ginny left.

"They're going to get in trouble," Hermione moaned.

Leli laughed as she also got up, Hermione following her. "That would be unlucky of them."

Leli bit her lip nervously as a Bludger flew close to Assi. She had never been a fan of heights, with a few exceptions, and had never liked playing Quidditch. But she had always been there to cheer for Assi.

Then Assi had had her brain scrambled by a Bludger. Leli had stayed at the Hospital Wing for the entire four days it took Assi to recover. She remembered how often Assi had complained about the School's Healer. Saying she was making things too complicated and if they would just let her mix her own healing broth, one she swore would taste better, she would be healed in no time.

Leli had had no doubt Assi was right, but the Healer, annoyed with Assi's presumptuousness had told her no and had made her stay longer, "to ensure she didn't have permanent brain damage."

Assi had made sure to annoy the Healer for the extra time she was made to stay. By the end of the fourth day, she had been thrilled to have Assi as far from her as possible.

While that had actually been amusing, Leli would never forget the sight of Assi hurt and was now wary every time Assi got on her broom.

Now, she's going against the Slytherins.

Malfoy had told her that the Slytherin Quidditch Team was vicious and under handed. Leli knew he had probably simply been boasting and had exaggerated in order to scare her, but she had heard too many people say the same to be comforted.

Besides, she couldn't see a reason for Malfoy wanting to scare her. They had begun an almost friend like relationship and he had never lied to her, as far as she knew.

Leli groaned to herself. Since the library her thoughts had begun an annoying habit of unerringly turning to Malfoy. Even now, frightened for Assi, her thoughts had returned to the pale Slytherin.

Her gaze traveled towards the Slytherins watching the match. Malfoy had said he wouldn't be able to play his usual position as Seeker this game, but that he might come and watch for a bit.

Leli felt her shoulders drop slightly in disappointment when she couldn't find him. Disappointment? Leli asked herself. Why on Earth would she be disappointed?

Leli rolled her eyes at herself, Wonderful. Now it seems I'm trying to lie to myself.

The truth was she actually wanted to see him. Even if it was a brief glimpse of his platinum head.

She liked his hair. It seemed almost white it was so light and he always had it impeccably styled.

I would love to shove my hands into his silky hair and just mess it up.

Leli grinned at the image her thoughts provoked. That was certain to be a worthwhile sight.

"And Gryffindor wins!" Leli heard the announcer shout.

She blinked in surprise. Its over? Her gaze shot towards the Gryffindor players and sighed with relief at the sight of Assi and all her friends unharmed.

It seems thoughts of Malfoy had kept her distracted enough not to notice the "close calls," and for that, she was thankful.

"I'm going to wait for Assi in the common room," Leli shouted to Hermione in order to be heard above the cheering.

Hermione nodded, "I'll meet you there later. Luna wanted to show me something but it shouldn't take long."

Leli nodded and headed out, towards the Gryffindor Tower.

She was about to take another turn through a nearly deserted shortcut Hermione had showed her, when a hand reached out from the shadows and pulled her to their owner.

She reached for her wand but hands grabbed her wrists and held them at her sides. She struggled and slammed her foot on her assailant's. The grip around her wrists grew and the shadowed man pressed his entire body against hers in order to stop the knee that tried to rise and, most likely, prevent his ability to reproduce.

"Damnit Blair! Stop!" he growled through clenched teeth at her insistent squirming.

Leli immediately stilled at his voice. "Malfoy?" she asked cautiously, the shadows too deep to see more than the man's outline clearly.

She heard him snort, "Were you expecting someone else?"

Leli strained her eyes but couldn't make out any of his features, even though she knew he was close by the feel of his breath on her skin.

Right body type. Right height. Right voice, but how can I be sure it's him?

She thought, her heart still beating quickly and the adrenalin making her unable to properly process her thoughts.

"Let go of my hands," Leli whispered softly, unsure of what his response would be.

"Don't hit me," she heard him warn as he slowly let go of her right wrist but kept a firm hold on her left. He backed up slightly so that their bodies were no longer touching except for the hand on her wrist.

Leli rose her hand to his face unsurely, setting her fingers lightly on his cheek.

His hand immediately shot up and grabbed her right hand tightly. "What are you doing?" he growled angrily.

Leli swallowed. "I need to see your face to make sure you are who you say you are. So either move into the light or let me feel your features." her voice stayed steady but she could feel her heart speed up. She had little doubt it was Malfoy but for some idiotic reason she wanted to be able to touch him.

Malfoy dropped her hand and she took that as an admittance to continue.

Leli took a deep breath and again let her fingers rest on his cheek.

She closed her eyes and let her inquisitive fingers trail through the planes of his face. Up over his cheekbones and to his smooth forehead. She let her fingers follow the straight line of his nose and graze lightly over his closed eyelids. She traveled over his sharp jaw and finally paused at his chin before stroking his bottom lip with her index finger.

Leli felt his lips part and he sighed when she drew away.

"Satisfied?" Malfoy asked, his voice sounding deeper than usual.

Not nearly.

"Yes," she replied softly, her voice unsteady.

"Why," Leli cleared her throat in an attempt to make herself sound normal, "Why did you grab me?"

Malfoy was quiet for a few seconds before grumbling, "I was hiding from what's-her-face."

Leli frowned in confusion, still a bit shaken, "Who?"

She saw his outline shrug, "That girl you caught me with a while back."

Leli flinched slightly at the memory but asked calmly, "The brunette from Hufflepuff?"

Malfoy nodded. "I think her name started with an M? Or was it an N?" he asked himself, before shaking his head. "That doesn't matter. What matters is she's been stalking me and I saw her a few moments ago so I'm certain she will be here soon. Looking for me."

Leli giggled at the thought of the infamous Malfoy hiding from a Hufflepuff in a dark corner.

He growled and she calmed herself enough to ask, "What does that have to do with me?"

"I need your cooperation in persuading her that I am no longer available for her amorous sentiments," he explained.

Leli frowned again. She had a feeling she knew exactly what type of help he needed but she still wanted to be sure. So, hearing footsteps somewhere nearby, quickly asked, "What type of cooperation?"

"This," Malfoy told her simply before she felt his lips touch hers.

She froze at his touch in surprise.

Malfoy pressed his lips against hers harder as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her flush against him once more.

Leli closed her eyes at the contact and moaned quietly, wrapping her arms above his shoulders and kissing back hungrily.

She could feel Malfoy take a few steps back but was too lost in the sensation of his soft lips to care.

This is bliss, she thought as she felt his tongue sweep across her bottom lip.

She opened her lips as she trailed her hands over the back of his neck and into his silky hair.

His tongue entered her mouth and met with her own as his hands slipped under her shirt and began to slowly slide up her sides, pulling her shirt up in the process.

"Malfoy, no snogging in the halls!" a voice nearby said, making Leli quickly push him away. "Ten points from- Leli?"

Leli looked up from the floor where her eyes had landed in embarrassment at being caught snogging Malfoy. Hermione stood a few feet from the pair, staring at them both in shock.

"Uh… Hi Hermione," Leli finally managed to say with a sheepish smile and bright blush.

"Granger," Malfoy greeted. Rather calmly, Leli thought as she tried to look at him from the corner of her eye.

He was staring straight at her with an unreadable look in his eyes. His lips were red and his smooth hair mused. He looks delicious, Leli thought to herself as she licked her lips, still able to taste him.

"Malfoy," Hermione greeted with a nod. She then hurried forward and grabbed Leli by the arm, dragging her reluctant person away.

Leli looked back at Malfoy once more before they turned the corner.

He gave her a smirk, winked, then turned and began walking the opposite way.

"We kissed. Favor complete." Leli told Assi as Hermione pulled them both towards a semi-secluded corner in the packed common room. She had finally been able to regain the ability to think since the kiss. They had arrived only moments ago and the Gryffindor Victory Party already seemed to be in full swing.

Assi's eyebrows rose in surprise. She turned to Hermione who nodded, "I found them together on my way here."

Assi grinned. "Wonderful! Tell me what happened."

Leli rolled her eyes but nonetheless told them, as quickly and quietly as she was able, what had happened.

Assi frowned when her short story was over. "I thought you said the favor was complete?"

Leli looked at her in confusion, "It is. We kissed. It was consensual. No spells, potions, or alcohol was involved. And it last for at least two minutes."

Assi shook her head, a mischievous glint in her violet eyes that Leli had learned long ago to fear, "That's all well and fine but he kissed you. The agreement was for you to kiss him."

Leli looked at her in shock. "You can't be serious."

Assi shrugged unsympathetically, "I am. Besides now that you've already kissed once, it should be easier the next time."

Hermione laughed at Leli's murderous look but had to add, "Just be careful not to let Harry or Ron find out. Harry's been nearly stalking Malfoy since the Katie Bell incident."

Leli nodded, having seen Harry's new found obsessiveness first hand.

At least I'm not the only one who seems to be obsessed with that particular Slytherin. Leli thought to herself, somewhat calmed.

"Speaking of Harry," Hermione said as her eyes caught on the raven haired boy, "if you'll excuse me, I need to speak with him."

Hermione left and Assi laughed, "She's going to give him hell for the Felicis."

Leli chuckled and took one of the Butterbeers Assi was holding out to her. "So how did you like playing Chaser?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation going so Assi wouldn't have a chance to ask more about the kiss. And the two fastest ways to distract her sister were to talk about healing magic or Quidditch. Leli figured Quidditch was the more appropriate subject for now, however.

Assi had been traumatizing Leli with how much more fun being a Chaser was, and apparently more dangerous if the close calls were anything to go by, when they spotted Hermione running off with teary eyes.

Leli frowned and turned in the direction Hermione had gone from, only to be met by the sight of Ron and Lavender kissing in the middle of the room.

"That attention whore is going to get it," Leli heard Assi growl from beside her as she pulled out her wand.

Leli's quickly stepped in front of her sister, shaking her head. "Its Ron's choice who he kisses. Don't even think about hexing her." When Assi still looked ready to kill, she added, "I might let you hex Ron later if Hermione wants it, though."

Assi nodded grudgingly and put away her wand. She started heading the same direction Hermione had gone but Leli stopped her again.

She motioned to a disappearing Harry who had gone the same way as Hermione, "Let Harry go, we'll talk to her later."

Assi nodded again. "You'll take care of her when she comes back? I don't want her crying herself to sleep." Leli promised and Assi sighed with relief, "Then, I'm going to get drunk," she told her as she began walking away.

"Be careful," Leli called after her getting a dismissive wave in response. She sighed and went to go talk with Fay by one of the armchairs.

Leli had gone through two Butterbeers and was working on her third when she spotted Hermione sneaking upstairs. She made her excuses to the people she was talking to and went upstairs to her dorm.

"Hermione?" Leli asked as she quietly entered the lonely dorm.

"I'm here," Hermione replied from her bed, her voice raspy from the tears she had already shed.

Leli walked towards Hermione's bed but stopped when she noticed something on her own bed.

She walked towards it and nearly laughed out loud at what she saw. It was a bottle of Firewhiskey, a box of chocolates, a carton of French vanilla ice cream with two spoons, and a dozen magical handkerchiefs.

Leli smiled at Assi's classic "heartbreak kit" and picked up the things before going over to Hermione's bed and dropping them at the bottom.

Hermione lay curled on her side and hugging a pillow to her chest.

Leli placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder, "Sit up, Mione."

She heard her sniffle but she sat up, still gripping the pillow, and scooting over to let Leli sit beside her.

Leli sat down and handed Hermione one of the handkerchiefs. Hermione glanced at the things and looked over at Leli, "What is all this?"

Leli gave her a small smile, "Assi's heartbreak kit."

"Oh," Hermione sniffled.

"Come on," Leli said as she opened the Firewhiskey and took a gulp. "Tonight, rules don't matter. And I'll even let you ask away all those questions I keep dodging."

Hermione gave a slight laugh and, after only a small hesitation, took the offered Firewhiskey.