Chapter 12

Harper pulled away from Vinny and smiled, running his fingers through Vinny's hair.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped on you like that."

Vinny smirked, not something he did often. "Don't worry about it. I didn't push you away did I?"

"We should get out of here before someone finds us."

Vinny nodded and they untangled themselves from each other. Before they got at the end of the hall Vinny saw one of his brothers standing almost as if on guard. Vinny swallowed hard and tried to pretend nothing had happened. He walked past his brother without acknowledging him and made for the common room. Since Harper was in Hufflepuff they said quick manly good byes and went their separate ways.

Vinny got into the common room just in time to see Lith and Sebastian engaged in a very loud fight. He thought fleetingly about heading up to his dorm before Lith saw him. He knew it was over and he crossed the room to sit next to Dru and Reign who was holding tight to Dru's waist. Dru was livid but not trying to move. She must have figured it was fruitless and given up. Once Vinny was seated he decided he best listen to what was going on in case someone spoke to him.

Lith was red in the face, her hands on her hips. "How dare you say that about Dru!"

"Whatever. It didn't mean anything. It was a joke."

"You don't joke about calling your sister a slut!"

"What's it to you?"

"She's my best friend asshole!"

Sebastian smirked and cocked an eyebrow. "Why don't you just go throw some more make up on and stay out of Malfoy business, freak."

He spun around and slammed his way out of the common room. Vinny looked back at Lith, who usually a this point in an argument was ready to rant at anyone who crossed her path. Instead she did something Dru and Vinny had never seen her do. She burst into tears and ran back to her dorm. Reign let go of Dru and she shot out after Lith like a rocket. Vinny gave Reign a half smile and went to his own dorm.

Dru opened the door Lith had just slammed in her face and shut it quietly behind her. Lith had thrown herself on her bed and was sobbing loudly. Dru sat next to her and rubbed her back, letting her cry it out. It wasn't long before she was sitting up and wiping furiously at her eyes, smearing mascara all over.

"I hate him." She muttered.

"I know. He's an ass."

"Arrogant."

Dru grinned. "What was that all about, Lith?"

Lith lowered her head and didn't answer at first.

"I guess I must be getting ready for flow."

Dru nodded but didn't believe her. They sat on Lith's bed, Dru still scratching her nails against her back. Lith finally gave a deep breath and stood to assess the damage to her face. When she looked in the mirror she burst into laughter.

"Oh my god, I look like a raccoon."


Xanthus had been spending a lot of his time with Ness lately and no one had seemed to notice. Alex, his annoying "friend" had abandoned him after he had gotten a book thrown at him. His brother was too busy with his arguments with a wide assortment of people. Sidra was in one of the worst moods he had every seen her in so he was avoiding her. Dru and Reign. Xanthus smiled to himself. He couldn't say he was happy about his little sister finally finding an interest in someone, but he could tell she was happy.

So here he was, Thursday afternoon during his free period, walking with Ness by the lake, holding her hand and talking about his dreams of being a famous pianist. Ness thought it was a wonderful idea and said she would help him in anyway she could. They had shared their first kiss after that. Most girls just wanted to giggle at him and run their fingers through his hair. Ness wanted to talk to him, get to know him. He loved that about her.
They had just finished their normal trek and started back towards to castle when Reign came running up to them.

"God damn it Ness, where have you been? Don't you know what day it is?" His skin was slightly paler, as if he hadn't been eating or sleeping well.

He looked sick.

Ness's eyes widened and she let go of Xanthus' hand. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow." She said and quickly gave him a kiss on the lips before grabbing Reign's hand and running off with him.


Dru wondered why she didn't see Reign at dinner that night. He looked like he hadn't felt well earlier in the day and had been dismissed from classes. However, he wasn't in his room, nor was he in the hospital wing. Dru was getting a little bit worried. Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to see Ness.

"Hey, where's your brother?" Lith asked.

Ness smiled. "Oh, he wasn't feeling well. I suppose he's in his room."

"No, I checked." Dru said.

Ness shrugged. "Did you go in?"

Dru shook her head. "I just knocked."

"He was probably sleeping."

Dru shrugged again and thought that she was just being silly. Ness was right. He was just sleeping off a sickness and he'd probably be better in the morning.
Only, he didn't come out of his room in the morning. Dru knocked on the door but no one answered. She tried the knob, but it was locked. She had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was wrong. At lunch Ness came to tell her Reign was in the hospital wing.

"Is he okay?" She asked.

Ness nodded, shadows clearly visible under her eyes.
"He's fine. Madam Pomfrey gave him a potion. He'll be fine tomorrow."

"Do you think I should visit him?"

Ness shook her head. "He needs his rest. I can't even go up there."

Dru hung her head and finished her lunch, wishing that the rock hard feeling of dread would leave her belly.