Arielle woke up early the next morning to go on patrol for her prefect duties. The entire patrol Lily relentlessly ignored her. Thankfully she only had to put up with her rudeness for an hour before heading to the dining hall where she ran into Avery, Mulciber, and Evan.

"Smell that Avery? I think it's a mudblood…" Mulciber sneered when Lily and Arielle approached the Dining Hall.

"Shut up asshole!" Lily snapped back at the Slytherin. Arielle saw Mulciber's cheeks flare in anger at Lily's comment….this was not going to be good.

"Why you little…" He began towering over the red-head. Arielle went to step between the two of them but was stopped by Evan.

"Back off snake or I'll hex you into oblivion." A shout came. Arielle turned around to see James Potter wand at the ready, along with Sirius and Remus.

"I'd like to see you try blood-traitors." Mulciber spat.

"Looks like you didn't waste any time joining the Death Eater army." Sirius remarked with a deep cynicism scowling at Arielle.

Arielle yanked herself out of Evan's grip and barged towards Sirius in rage ready to slap him across the face. Before she could get there, she felt an arm wrap around her waist bringing her to a complete halt.

"Watch your cheek mudwallower , if you know what's good for you." A dark voice hissed from behind Arielle. She felt a shiver run through her spine, as she realized she was in the arm of Regulus Black, his chest pressing heavily into her broad frame. Apparently as shocked as she was, Sirius eyed the connection and shook his head in disapproval. For an unknown reason...this ignited a feeling of guilt in her.

"I never thought it would come to this Ari." Sirius said in disappointment.

Arielle cleared her throat. "Well I have you to thank for that don't I? You gave me that final push I needed to reach my full potential."

Not amused with her sarcasm, Sirius looked up into her dark blue eyes with a sorrowful expression. The two stared at each other for a few moments before being interrupted.

"Come on Arielle, let's leave the scum to wallow in their unworthiness." Regulus spat letting go of her waist and offering his arm.

Arielle took it hesitantly, glancing back at Sirius one last time before she disappeared into the Dining Hall.

As repulsed as she was, the look on Emma Vanity's face as Arielle approached the Slytherin table on Regulus Black's arm was more than enough to temporarily amend any ill feelings she held toward the dark-haired boy.

The minute they all sat down, Emma threw herself onto Black's lap and the two began snogging shamelessly. Arielle looked away in disgust ignoring the growing fire in the pit of her stomach.

"What's got you all so put out?" Lucinda asked noting the tension that oozed off the fifth year Slytherins.

"Just a daily run in with Potter and his gang of blood-traitors." Avery sneered before shoving a sausage into his mouth.

"Sounds awful." She sympathized.

"Ari, you should hang around us more often...saftey in numbers." Evan remarked looking at the raven-haired witch with concerned eyes.

"The sentiment is appreciated but I can take care of myself Evan." Arielle said a bit coldly.

"He's right." Regulus agreed. Emma rolled her eyes as he pushed her off of his lap. "You're a target now."

"Don't pretend like you care Regulus." Arielle uttered in a soft but harsh tone.

Arielle swore she saw a flash of hurt in his grey blue eyes before he quickly masked it in a smug expression.

"You're right I couldn't give less of shit about you Arielle."

Emma burst out into a satisfied laughter.

"I wouldn't want it any other way." Arielle said plastering her best fake smile across her face.

The Slytherins had remained silent watching in amusement as the snake and the lion faced off.

Arielle sat in silence for the rest of the meal focusing on actually eating instead of partaking in the conversations. Once she had finished she gathered her things and took off to Charms class.

"Malfoy." A snotty voice called the second she was out of the Dining Hall. Arielle turned around to see Emma Vanity standing with her arms folded across her chest, with Lucinda and some girl she didn't recognize by her side.

"What do you want Vanity?" Arielle sneered.

"Just a friendly little warning...stay away from Regulus or else I will destroy you personally along with your already soiled reputation." She said taking a few steps forward.

Arielle rolled her eyes and began to walk away.

"I didn't dismiss you...defiant little slut." She yelled.

Not able to control her temper Arielle drew her wand, walked up to Emma and pressed it roughly against the twat's throat.

"Not that I have any interest in Black but if I really wanted him I would not even have to bat an eyelash to take him away from you. And just a friendly little warning I always win, so if you want to play this game be prepared to do more than lose." Arielle said in low voice that caused Vanity to tremble in fright.

"You're dismissed." Arielle said removing her wand from Emma's throat but not stepping out of the girl's face. Vanity backed away slowly her goons following her cue.

"This isn't over Malfoy." She shouted when she was a good distance away from the raven-haired witch.

Arielle stood with a satisfied expression on her face.

"The queen is back." Severus smirked apparently witnessing the whole thing.

Arielle rolled her eyes. "Oh shut up Sev, let's just get to charms...I can't be late again."

Charms was hell. The entire class Sirius and James were staring daggers in her direction. Arielle was starting to feel like maybe she was a target. She secretly smirked to herself realizing that it didn't even matter if she was...she could out duel both of them with her eyes closed. Arielle stuck close to Severus and Avery the entire class period just to avoid any unnecessary conflict.

Once Charms was over she couldn't bolt out the door fast enough. Even if she was more talented at spells then the Gryffindors, the last thing she wanted was to duel them on the grounds.

"I heard you threatened Vanity in the hallway Malfoy." Avery called behind Arielle jogging slightly to catch up with her brisk walk.

"We just had a friendly girl to girl chat." Arielle replied in a sweet tone.

Avery snorted in amusement. "Listen Arielle... Lucius would kill any of us who gave you a hard time but Vanity is not included in that 'us' so I would watch out if I were you... she can play real dirty."

Arielle let out a laugh. "Are you actually expressing concern for my well-being Avery? I should be offended that you think that stupid twat has any chance of defeating me."

"I'm just saying she won't give up her crown without a fight."

"If I wanted to be queen Avery, I would run this entire school, house royalties are far too basic of a conquest for me." Arielle sighed.

Avery let out a laugh this time. "Alright Arielle, just remember, Vanity's a Slytherin, and you're a Gryffindor, so your nobility will seal your fate if you let."

Arielle took a second to contemplate what Avery had said. Before shaking her head in realization of source of this advice. "Thanks Avery, but I can handle Emma Vain."

"Did Emma do something to you?" A curious voice asked. Avery nodded his head before leaving Arielle and Evan in the hallway.

"Nothing to be concerned about." Arielle smiled. "Walk to potions with me?"

"Of course!" Evan exclaimed. They walked to class in silence much to Arielle's annoyance. Evan opened his mouth a few times to speak but always decided against it.

"Wait a second Ari." Evan said grabbing Arielle's arm before she walked into the classroom.

"Yes?" Arielle said in a breathy voice.

"Um…" Evan swallowed. "On friday...we are having a party in the common rooms...do you wanna maybe be my date?"

A huge smile spread across Arielle's face. "I'd love that Evan."

"Really?" He asked with a relieved sigh.

"As long as I'm welcome there, I would love too."

"Great!" He said with a goofy grin.

Arielle waltzed into potions with a warm feeling in her stomach and shy grin. She sat down in the front of the classroom next to Black's empty seat.

"How's impeachment life treating you?" A voice growled from behind Arielle who flinched as a bag was thrown loudly on the desk.

"Shut up Black, nothing you say can ruin my mood today." Arielle sighed dreamily exchanging a flirty gaze across the room with Evan. Regulus traced her eye line and snorted.

"I take it he asked you then?"

"He told you he was going to ask me?" Arielle beamed focusing her attention on the wizard beside her.

Regulus rolled his eyes unamused. "Obviously he had to ask for permission."

"Permission? Merlin's beard, I can't believe I made the cut." Arielle replied sarcastically.

"Well if you start hanging around all the time, I figured we need to start training you now."

"Training me?" Arielle asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You need a lot of work Malfoy if you want to be one of us." Regulus smirked.

"I'd rather die than be like you Regulus Black."

Regulus frowned but quickly masked his expression with a look of indifference. But Arielle saw it, and she was once again sent into a state of confusion.

I am really feeling this story right now! please review! I love hearing all your opinions and criticisms. :)