Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Arry Pooooootttteerrrrrrr.

"You may begin," instructed McGonagall.

Everybody turned to their partners to start and so did I.

"Why did you choose me?" he questioned sharply. Not even a hello first; this boy is all about manners.

"What happened between you and him in the hall so you couldn't be paired?" I countered.

"You can't answer a question with a question."

"I can do what I like."

He didn't reply and so we started the experiment; trying to turn books into mice. It was harder than it seemed. We spent at least half an hour in silence. I was too busy in my own memories of Zain. He was an arrogant prick even when he was younger I don't know why I thought he would change.

I was so into my thoughts, I barely heard Malfoy when he said, "I punched him."

"I'm sorry," I questioned, "What did you say?"

"I. Punched. Him." He ground out, finally turning to face me.

My jaw actually dropped. I had gathered that they didn't like each other but I had never heard of Malfoy actually physically hitting someone before. He was too much of a coward for that. Besides, I hate Zain but he seems like the type of guy Malfoy would get on with like a house on fire. It appears I was wrong.

"But why?"

"I answered your question Lacotte, now you answer mine. Why did you choose me?"

"Isn't it obvious? No matter how insufferable you are, you are still better than The World's Biggest Arsehole over there."

"But, how have you met him-"

"Ah ah ah, it's my turn to ask the question remember. How do you know him?"

He sighed, "I'm not answering that."

"Well then, I suppose you'll never get the answer to your question." I said turning back to the experiment. Another few minutes passed in silence.

"Fine," he huffed, "We've known each other since we were small. Our families have always competed for power over the other, trying to show that they have more wealth or more influence. They would always compare us, the Malfoy heir and the Stone heir."

"So that's it, you hate each other because of a stupid family rivalry."

"How could you possibly understand?"

"I didn't say I understand that's why I think it's stupid."

"Well your turn now. How do you know him?" he directed at me.

"It's a long story."

"I'll wait." He deadpanned.

Do I really want to tell Draco Malfoy this of all people? Well, I suppose he would understand, he is a pure blood after all and it is Zain who would suffer for it if anyone found out.

"We were... we used to be... sort of engaged." I mumbled out. Oh gosh, the shame.

Malfoy's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"You and... and HIM!" he almost shouted. Professor McGonagall turned around from practicing with Zain.

"Is anything the matter Mr Malfoy?" she questioned.

"No, Professor."

"Well then get back to work."

We both turned back to the spell that we had both mastered about fifteen minutes ago. Malfoy's face had twisted into a range of different emotions: confusion, shock and even a bit of anger. We stayed in silence again until the end of the lesson. You could see he was deep in thought trying to get his head around it.

When she dismissed us I flew out of the class door, l wanted to get as far away from there as possible. When I thought I was at a safe distance I relaxed my speed to a slow walk and allowed my thoughts to wander. There was another big problem with Zain's return; the Stones were always considered Voldemort's number one fans. That means if they have arrived, he must not be far behind.

I was so into my thoughts that I almost squealed when someone grabbed my arm and pulled me into an alcove- almost. I looked up to see Draco Malfoy.

"WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!" I shouted angrily. How dare he? "LET ME GO RIGH-"

He shoved his hand over my mouth. Honestly, when I'm through with him he won't have a leg to stand on.

I was seriously considering biting his hand to get him off me but I heard approaching voices. My eyes widened considerably when I heard who it was.

"I'm Zain, Zain Stone," he said silkily. Oh, so he's trying to pull. That poor girl.

"Alice Brooks," she giggled. Oh no! I started struggling to get out so I could stop him from going any further but Malfoy put a finger to his lips to tell me to keep silent. If he lays a finger on Alice he is dead.

"Soooo," he dragged out, "I've just moved here from Australia and I was wondering if you could show me around."

"Sure," she squeaked and I could tell, even from not looking at her, that she was blushing.

"You're in Hufflepuff right?" he questioned.

"Yeah, fourth year."

"You don't happen to know a girl called Scarlett Lacotte do you?" So he's trying to find out about me, I wonder what he wants to know.

"Scarlet is my best friend, how do you know her?!"

"It's kind of a sad story actually; we were best friends when we were younger." LIES. "Unfortunately I had to move to Australia with my dad when he got a new job there and we lost touch. Heart breaking really." EVEN MORE LIES. "You don't happen to know where she is would you because I'd love to surprise her. She'd be thrilled to see me again." AND YET MORE LIES.

"Nope sorry, I'm not sure where she is."

"Are you sure?" he probed.

"Well if she was anywhere she'd be in the hall eating, it is dinner time after all. Would you like that tour now?"

"I can't right now, maybe later."

With that we heard Zain stride away and Alice watch him leave while sighing before walking away herself. I was so mad at Zain. Who does he think he is God's gift to women? I noticed Malfoy was still next to me so I shoved him away. I went to leave the alcove but he pulled me back.

"What is wrong with you?!" I accused, "You can't just go pulling people into creepy confined spaces! You might be able to get away with that with other girls but not me, it's just creepy."

"He was following you."

"Oh." Is it wrong that I feel kind of bad for shouting at him right now?

"He nearly caught up with you but I managed to get you out of the way and to shut up. At least now we know he's trying to get to you through Alice."

"Since when did you call her Alice?" I questioned.

"Since when did you get engaged?"

"You can't answer a question with a question." I mocked using his line from our previous conversation.

He smirked at me, "I can do what I like. After all, I am a Malfoy."

"Do you really want to know?"

"Why else would I ask?" Well I suppose I could tell him, he did tell me about the family rivalry thing.

"When I was younger," I began my tale, "my father was very much a pureblooded man. He owned Galleons the Wizard Bank."

"Your father owned Galleons, the bank for millionaires!?"

"Yes, now are you going to let me finish this story or not?" I snapped impatiently.

"Get on with it then."

"Now, he practically lived for his business and was never away from the place. Then one day, a man called Mr Stone paid him a visit. I was only little at the time so I didn't really get what was going on but basically he blackmailed my dad into marrying me off to his son. Apparently, Mr Stone had connections and was planning to ruin my father's business if he wouldn't agree."

"That's against pureblood rules," interrupted Malfoy, "everyone knows that marriages are only allowed to be arranged when you turn fifteen."

I narrowed my eyes at yet another disturbance to my talking, "Yes I was getting to that. He said if he told anyone he'd ruin him anyway, but don't pretend that things like that never happen. Most purebloods don't stick to the rules; they just pretend to do in public." He went to protest but I stopped him, "So I was betrothed, low and behold, at the ripe old age of four. I was taken to see Zain and we had to spend a lot of time together to 'become accustomed to each other's presence'. We hated each other from the start. We'd start off saying nasty things to each other but it got progressively worse. He cut my hair off; I destroyed his very first broom."

"In the mean time however my dad was being pressured into becoming a Death Eater." At the words Malfoy's fists clenched.

"I suppose that's a bad thing then is it Lacotte?"

"Unless you like eating death then yes." I deadpanned, "So that went on for a few years and everyone in our family was incredibly unhappy. That was until Dad found out that Zain was hitting me." I stopped talking imagining Malfoy to but in with another remark but it never came.

"My father wanted to get out of the whole arrangement but there was no way out. If his business was gone he had no way of supporting us along with his standing in society being ruined. So he did the most amazing thing he could have done; he let Mr Stone ruin his business. Galleons was taken over by another family, I was no longer engaged to Zain and we all moved to York where Dad started a new business."

There was another silence and I was left wondering why I really did tell him.

"If that's all I'm going to eat now." I walked out into the corridor and for once he didn't stop me. I started making my way to the Great Hall. My mind kept going over what had happened but soon stopped when I heard my stomach rumble. I normally would have eaten sooner so I was really hungry. No one can get between me and food.

I'd made it a few corridors down from the hall when I was pulled into a small opening.

"URGGH, seriously Malfoy would you stop pulling me into-"

"Now why would Malfoy be pulling you anywhere hmm?"

"What do you want Zain?" I asked annoyed.

"I knew you might have moved on since we were engaged but to Malfoy." He scoffed, "I thought you had taste."

"I'm not with anyone, let alone Malfoy."

"Well that's not what it looked like to me."

"Surprisingly I don't care what you think and even if we were together what has it got to do with you?" I defended myself.

He became increasingly angry and leaned closer to me in intimidation, "We used to be engaged don't ever forget that. As far as I'm concerned once you've been engaged you can't get married to anyone else. It would be against Pureblood regulation."

I laughed in his face, "and how exactly do you plan on getting me to marry you?"

"I have my ways." He smirked which infuriated me even more.

"Okay, good luck with that." I joked walking away.

"Stay away from Malfoy," he threatened, "I mean it."

"and who's gonna make me?" I called back.

I walked away towards the hall despite the fact I could still hear him calling after me. Quickening my pace, I made it through the doors but with the sound of him coming up behind me. I stared around the room about to take my normal place next to Alice and Liam when I spotted Malfoy. He looked back at me and a smirk graced my face. I knew what I had to do.

Looking back Zain came into view and I must admit he looked livid. I think he knew what I was about to do and he called, "Scarlett!" at me. I completely ignored him, throwing him a wink whilst continuing to my destination. A few people were staring now wondering what I was going to do.

Strolling up to the Slytherin table gained me a few confused looks. I've sat on every table in the hall apart from the Slytherin one, this was not normal behaviour. Swaying my hips a bit for affect, I stood behind Malfoy. He turned to look up at me bemused. I turned to Blaize who was sat next to him.

"Blaize, darling, can I have your seat?" I said sweetly.

"Sure love," he replied which I almost laughed at. He scooted along to leave me a tiny space. I squeezed in so I was directly in-between Malfoy and Blaize. By this time Zain had caught up with me.

"What did I tell you?" He demanded.

I put on an innocent face, "Why, I've no idea Zain."

"You know exactly what I'm talking about now move."

"But I'm quite comfortable here." I smirked placing my hand on Malfoy's arm, "Draco invited me to have lunch with him." I smoothed down my skirt, keeping up the sweet facade. Turning to look at Malfoy I pretended to spot some dust on his robes, "here let me get that for you," I brushed his shoulder.

Steam was practically coming out of Zain's ears. To be honest I was surprised Malfoy was even going along with this without any protesting. I was glad though, because it would help put Zain in his place and help him learn that whatever he tells me to do I'll do the opposite.

Malfoy noticed how annoyed Zain was and became extremely smug. He placed his arm around me, "Is there a problem Stone?"

"You'd better watch out Malfoy, you're making a big mistake." He snarled before marching out of the hall.

Blaize whistled patronizingly, "What's his problem?"

"He thinks I'm going at it with your best friend," I removed Malfoy's arm from my shoulder, "So he has taken it upon himself to stop me from being near him."

"So you haven't suddenly decided that you completely and unconditionally in love with Draco?"

"No Blaize, so there's a spot open if you'd like to apply."

"Oh really because-"

"Will you two shut up," interrupted Malfoy, "Go away Lacotte, I'm trying to eat."

"Yeah, no one wants you around this table. So go back to your own house or don't they want you either?" said Pansy from a few places away. I glanced across to her; she had a new haircut and was dressing a lot more revealing than before.

"Hmm, maybe they don't," I leaned on my elbow and looked down the table, "but I'm sure the boys don't mind, do you lads?"

A chorus of 'no's' flooded my ears and Pansy's mouth dropped open.

"Well they would say that because you're such a slut."

"In all fairness I'm not the one showing off five inches of my cleavage. Cover it up honey, no one wants to see." I said standing from the bench. I saw Malfoy fight a smile and I heard Blaize laugh.

"Are you sure you weren't supposed to be in Slytherin?" questioned Zabini.

"Quite sure, green isn't my colour."

A.N:

I am so sorry guys for the late update, I got...distracted. Now, I know Skylanders is a game for children of ages seven and over but MY GOD is that game addicting. I was even supposed to be revising for exams. What makes it even worse is that I don't even have any younger siblings to blame it on; I just haven't left the Xbox for five days. I haven't been this bad since I discovered Left 4 Dead. Oh gosh, what is my life?

Anyway, hoped you liked the chapter, it's a bit longer than usual. Just a lil' bit. R&R