Chapter Twelve:

The small fight between Draco and Ariana lasted over the next few weeks, until it went from each other making snide marks to each other to them completely ignoring each other, which Pansy seemed to find just fine. Ariana awoke early on the Saturday morning, entering October, which she was thankful for as she had gone to bed long before anyone else, as Pansy had taken it upon herself to fawn over Draco quite loudly and Ariana, not wanting to listen anymore nor take the poison that was Pansy's voice, retired to her bed early, not even bringing herself to enjoy the horrified look upon Draco's face at this new attention. Ariana quickly and quietly changed into her jeans and a plain black tank, pulling a baggy dark green hoddie on over her head. She had told Hagrid she would help with with the Blast-Ended Skrewts. Although she wasn't thrilled with them, she knew that not every creature was cute and cuddly and still wanted to help. As she finished lacing up her knee high black converses she quickly bolted into the common room. She wasn't expecting anyone else to be there, and was quite surprised when she ran, literally, into Draco. The result of which knocked them both to the ground.

"Oh my god I'm so sor- oh it's you." Ariana said dusting herself off and standing up.

"Yeah, it's just me, sorry it's not your precious boyfriend Blaise." Draco spat off.

"Blaise isn't my boyfriend. He's just been hanging out with me since you-" She stopped herself. "I don't have to explain myself to you Malfoy." She said curtly before turning on her heel, trying to walk away quickly but she failed, falling forward almost crashing into the floor before Draco grabbed her by the arm, but all he managed was to do was pull himself down with her. They each took a look at each other, Draco laying on top of Ariana, his once slicked back hair sticking up at odd points and they both started laughing. "Okay, okay. Now get your fat butt off of me." Ariana said when they finally stopped laughing, even after a few people had walked by.

"Well I wouldn't be on you if your fat butt hadn't pulled me down too." He said. They both stood staring at each other for a couple moments before both muttering "Sorry" at the same time, not stopping themselves when a grin appeared on each face. "So why are you up so early?" He asked slicking his hair back into place.

"I told Hagrid I'd help him with something." Ariana said, happy to have her friend back. "I could ask you the same thing. Sneaking away while your dearest Pansy is asleep? Naughty!"

"She's been driving me mental." Draco said as they made their way into the Great Hall, it was still somewhat dark outside and there were few people in the Great Hall, most everyone else was still asleep.

"Oh honey, you were already mental to start with." Ariana smirked as they sat down, pulling some food onto her plate. "So what were you planning on doing all day while trying to hide from your dear flower?" Ariana asked.

"Dunno. Hadn't thought that far." He said following Ariana and pulling some food onto his plate as well.

"Well, you could always come down and help me at Hagrid's." Ariana said after a few bites.

"Like I would want to help that oaf." Draco scoffed.

"By help I mean sit there and laugh as I get attacked by Skrewts and be prepared to put out any fires that may happen." Ariana bribed.

Draco took another few bites before answering, thinking over what she had said. "Well... Yeah I think that would work." They finished their plates and got up slowly walking down the light frosted grounds to Hagrid's hut.

As they got closer Hagrid spotted them waving to Ariana, his face which had broken into a smile turned quickly into a frown as he saw who was with her. "Wha's 'e doin' 'ere?" Hagrid asked looking down at Draco.

"He's hiding from his girlfriend." Ariana said, smiling up at Hagrid. "I told him I'd help him out. I thought he could be useful if I needed to make a quick get a way from a Skrewt." Ariana joked nudging Draco. "He's just going to hang out over by your hut. I know his little flower wouldn't ever dream he'd be down here." Ariana said as she pulled on some dragon hide gloves and started helping out Hagrid.

A few hours passed, and the cool air that had control of the grounds that morning had melted away, causing Ariana to remove the baggy hoodie or suffer heat stroke as 10:30 rolled around. Ariana stood wiping some sweat from her forehead and looked over at Draco who had been joined by Blaise. She thanked Hagrid and gave him back the dragon hide gloves and walked over to the two boys. "We think thats all we can do for the day. Hagrid doesn't want to stress the Skrewts out." You guys want to head back up? I told Blaise I'd help him with homework. I can look at yours too if you want." Ariana said as the two boys stood up and they started back up towards the castle talking about an early lunch.

Ariana had forgotten that the reason Draco had come with her down to Hagrid's was because he was hiding from Pansy, but remembered only too late when she heard her voice ring through the hall like a headache in waiting. "Drakey!" She almost all but screeched as she flung her arms around Draco's neck, "I have been looking for you all morning!" She spotted Ariana and her perky demeanor changed in a heartbeat. "What were you doing with her?"

"He went with me. He was... watching me make a fool of myself down at Hagrid's..." Ariana said covering for him. She knew Draco had to be nice to her because of his parents, she wasn't about to get him in trouble with his folks, after all, she did want them to like her too.

"I thought you two were fighting?" She sneered.

"We made up. Figured we were being stupid." Ariana said flinging her hoodie over her shoulder. "Well, I'm starving so, I guess I'm heading inside." Ariana said starting towards the Great Hall again, Blaise followed. She really didn't know what she had expected when Draco had met up with Pansy again. She had only gone a couple feet when Draco's footsteps fell into place with her. Ariana looked over and raised and eyebrow at him, Pansy was following him, looking very unhappy at the mended friendship.

"I'm hungry too, I mean, that is a long walk!" He said pointing to Hagrid's hut like it was the obvious answer, but Ariana caught it for what it really was and smiled at him, mouthing a soft "Thank you". Weather he saw it or not, he gave no sign.