Again with all the reviews, I'm bloody amazed! 13 for the last chapter. You guys are crazy good at getting me motivated. Hell I'm about as psyched as you are, and I'm writing the story. So another Gigantic Thank you to all you readers out there, and an extra special thanks for those who take time to review:

Nicky-Maree, FaithCanDoWonders, SlytherinSierra001, KeitarosKeroNeko, Quinstar, ThatGirlWithThatSmile, KaitlynEmmaRose, bluesmidge101, bbybeckzi, it's YooOOoo again, Hao'sAnjul, GabiWoods, SilverMistKunoichi, DarkLove21 (who inadvertently reviewed through another story of mine)

Hope this one keeps you guessing. Enjoyeth ;D

"Please Professor?"

"I know you're not foolish enough to think I'd change my lesson plans upon your request." Snape says, looking at me over his desk.

"I had to try." I sigh, leaning back in the chair.

"Why the sudden interest in antidotes?"

I didn't answer right away. Snape was by far my favorite authority figure around, but I didn't know how he would take my accusation. He usually treated me with respect he'd give a colleague, not a student, so unless I wanted to spend the next few weeks trying to brew the antidote myself I best just tell him.

"A friend of mine is under a spell. I thought under your direction and guidance during class I would be able to concoct the antidote."

"What spell?"

"Laetus Amortentia." I state looking down.

"And you're sure of this?" Snape's voice held a hint of concern.

"Positive." I mutter.

"Wait here."

I glance back up to watch him head to the back of his incredibly large office. I tried peering around the desk to see what he was doing, but my vampire skills didn't include the ability to see through walls. He had entered a small closet type thing. From the sound of it he was searching through glasses of something. The clinking noises varied in pitch, but he must have found what he was looking for because a moment later he was heading back towards me.

"The antidote for Laetus Amortentia takes over two months to brew Delilah."

Two months? I knew my expression was one of dismay. I swear the antidote from the book said two weeks. I couldn't let Beth continue to act like a robot for that long. Though I did notice in my memories that her infatuation with Draco was less strong towards the end of the week. Around Wednesday and Thursday. Was that when the effects of the potion were wearing off? If so it meant she had to drink the potion again on Friday sometime. She was always obsessed the most during the weekend. My thoughts were racing a mile a minute, because there was no way I could wait two months. I was going to have to figure out how Draco was giving her the potion, and stop it.

His name filled me with a gut wrenching feeling. I hated him for what he did to Beth. Even if he didn't do it, he had to realize something was the matter with her didn't he? And he just ignored it! It was simply easier to be mad at him than deal with any other emotions I held for him.

"Give your friend this. They need to drink the whole vile. This is the only antidote I have on hand."

My eyes grew wide as I watched his outstretch hand present a small glass bottle. I take it gingerly, holding it carefully.

"Aren't you going to ask who it's for? Or anything?" I question. This was too good to be true.

"Even as headmaster I am not one to meddle in teenage love affairs."

"Thank you! Thank you so much." I exclaim practically jumping for joy. I knew being on the Potion master's good side would pay off! Take that everyone who made fun of me for loving potions.

"I expect every ounce of your attention span tomorrow in class Delilah."

"Yes sir. You'll get that and then some! Thank you!" I practically skip out of his office and run down the stairs to the hallway. I was going to get my Beth back. Today!

"You look chipper."

And that's how my extraordinary mood flew out the window. Draco stood only feet in front of me leaning against the wall nonchalantly like some high-end fashion model. I made sure to sneak out of the apartment early this morning so I didn't have to face him. And then I skipped breakfast and lunch, and pretty much stayed busy all day in order to steer clear of him. All for nothing.

I didn't move. I couldn't really. All of my anger turned to mush at the sight of him. I knew the reasons why I should be angry, but instead I only felt awkward and unsure of myself, exactly how he used to make me feel. Damn kiss. I mean kisses, definitely plural.

"Blaise is your partner now."

"Wait, what?" Whatever I expected him to say, that was not it.

"This weekend is a trial run, but Carrow is allowing the switch."

"I didn't think Draco Malfoy could get that butt hurt over something." I quip. I had to pretend like I didn't care. I knew he'd be upset that I said I used him, but to talk Carrow into new partners? He couldn't be that mad.

"Don't flatter yourself, what happened yesterday was a fluke. I was horny and you made yourself available."

"And the flowers? Those were a symptom of horniness too?"

"I felt bad for using you. What can I say? I'm not all horrible."

He was throwing my own words in my face. He looked and sounded haughty and proud, but he had to be lying. Right? I felt the desire and passion he felt when we were kissing. It was more than a mere make-out session. I lied to him, so he could be lying too. If he was just using me why would he have said the things he did? Then again if he's the person behind Beth's current state, and he was the prime suspect, hell he was my only suspect, then everything he does could be one big lie. But the way he kissed me… Why did he have to be so damn confusing?

"Seems to me we're even then. So why the change in partners?"

"Beth and I made a deal that prevents me from following my orders. I've decided that I no longer want to hinder anyone else's progress."

"That doesn't even make sense!" I shout.

"Doesn't need to. I just wanted to update you with the news. It was nice talking with you." He says smiling evilly. Without waiting for a response he turned and walked away from me. I didn't move until he was out of site.

And that's when I screamed at the top of my lungs while stomping up and down in an angry circle. I could pretend the floor was his head and grind the heel of my foot into it. The temper tantrum didn't last long, and as my breathing slowed I began looking on the bright side.

Even if Draco had come up to me, swooped me up into his arms and declared his undying love and devotion to me I would have had to say sorry, no thank you. Vampires and humans do not mix. So luckily Draco was acting like the pompous ass I have always known him to be. Which made me feel absolutely no guilt or self-loathing at all for not getting involved with him.

And the brightest side of all that glowed like a red hot ember was the fact Beth would come to her senses, dump her boyfriend and I wouldn't have to associate with Draco anymore, at all! Sure, now I have to deal with Blaise, but I had no qualms with just knocking him out and drinking his blood. I think we could have a very fruitful partnership.

In light of my better mood I took off to find Beth. The sooner I made this happen the better. Maybe I could even watch while she tore Draco a new one and dump his sorry ass. The mere thought made me giggle with anticipation. This Draco nightmare would soon be over. Malachi would be thrilled to hear the news.

I ran into the great hall keeping my eyes peeled for Beth. There she was at the table sitting by herself. It was just the start of dinner, and I knew she was probably waiting for Draco.

"Hey hun, drink this." I order, pulling the vile out of my pocket and handing it to her. I sit down beside her, straddling the bench.

"What is it?" she asks hesitantly.

"Draco gave it to me. Told me to tell you to drink it because it would make him happy." I lie.

"In that case." She says, pulling out the cork. And then she downed it. Every last drop. She slowly lowered the vile from her mouth and placed it on the table. She then turned to me.

"Beth? Is it you? Are you back?"

"Come with me." She says, taking my wrist and pulling me up. I follow her obediently outside to the hallway. I didn't feel the usual giddy happiness I always felt when I touched her skin. Did this mean it worked?

"What did you give me?" she asks quietly stopping a few feet from the door.

"An antidote to a love potion. Please tell me it worked!"

"Oh, it worked."

I screamed in delight as I gave her a huge hug.

"A whole month went by before you figured it out. Bad best friend." She laughs pushing me gently.

"Excuse me for letting you be in love."

"With DRACO? Are you kidding me? You're the one with that fetish."

"It was never a fetish. But thank God you're back." I say giving her another hug.

"Technically I've always been here."

"Not the sane you. You should have seen yourself… it was obsessive beyond belief."

"Oh I know. I remember everything. And I do mean everything." She grimaces. She must be recalling the time when I walked in on her and Draco tumbling around on the floor half naked. That was awkward for me on so many levels, and it was nice to know she now felt the same way.

"Do you know who gave you the potion Beth? Was it Draco? Can I kick his ass?"

"Honestly, I don't know who gave it to me. But I don't think it was Draco, Lila. He was just as thrown off by my change in attitude as you were. He just hid it better than you."

"But at least you can break up with him now." I say excitedly.

"Actually, I can't." she admits sadly, and then looks around as if she expected someone to be listening in.

"What? You actually want to be dating him?" I ask, a little louder than I meant to. I was confused. The first thing she was supposed to want to do was dump Draco. Why would she stay with a guy she obviously doesn't like? She grabbed me by the arm and steered me farther down the hallway into a small alcove behind a knight.

"Is there a reason why we're hiding behind a knight in the dark?"

She peeked back out around the knight and then faced me.

"Is it all clear?" I chuckle.

"You're not going to be happy with what I'm about to tell you." She says, ignoring my attempts at humor.

"Go on." I say leaning back against the wall. Whatever she had to say probably wasn't that serious. Maybe she was going to tell me all the stuff people say about me behind my back. That would be interesting to hear.

"Draco and I are betrothed."

"Good one. No, seriously. What's up?" I laugh.

"I am being serious Lila. Our parents decided last year during school. Informed us during the summer, and insisted we dated until we graduate."

"Your parents wouldn't do that to you. Not with him. He's the exact opposite of any guy you've ever liked. It's not the 1700's; you can pick your own husband." I state. She was mistaken. The potion had messed with her brain.

"You're wrong. My father wouldn't. My mother on the other hand would. And did. But it's not like Draco liked the idea any more than I did."

"So you just went along with it?" I was stunned.

"Of course not. I did everything I could. Including making Draco's summer hell. But we came to an agreement in the end when neither of our parents changed their minds."

"And that was what? What to name your children?" I ask bitterly.

"He was allowed to do anything with anyone he liked, and I wouldn't breathe a word, as long as he made sure to protect you."

I think my mouth hung slightly agape as I listened. What? She thought she needed to protect me? The vampire? Of course she had no idea what I was, but still. It was humorous. Kind of. But what she was saying made a little bit of sense of the past few weeks. Especially in Draco's case. I couldn't exactly just forget what he said to me the night he thought I was asleep, about protecting me. Now it was explained.

"Protect me from what exactly?"

"Once the news of your brother hit the fan it was apparent that you would be a prime target for information. Draco and my parents run in the same circles. You know that. And so I overheard their conversations with Draco one day, and he was supposed to wear you down, get what he needed from you. I couldn't let that happen, so we made a deal."

I rested my head against the cold brick wall. Was this for real? I get Beth out of her crazy state and now she is telling me all this. Did I just walk into a soap opera? It certainly seemed that way.

"Are you alright?" Beth asks.

"Sure. I'm good. Great. Fantastic." I sigh, closing my eyes. I didn't know what any of this meant. Well, besides clearing up what Draco had said earlier. He didn't want to protect me anymore. This wasn't exactly how I imagined 'sane' Beth's and my reunion. They are betrothed? Engaged? I had made-out, pretty heavily I might add, with not Beth's boyfriend, but her fiancé.

"Don't let this affect your friendship with Draco. I've never seen you get along with him like you have these past few weeks."

A part of me wanted to laugh at that comment. 'Get along' had a different connotation then what she was referring.

"Well I think that's over and done with." I say sliding past the knight and back out into the hallway.

"What? Why?"

"Besides the fact he is your fiancé? He approached me just a half an hour ago and let me know he asked for a new partner."

"He did what?"

I flinched at the loudness of her voice. That was unexpected.

"No need to shout. Some things were said yesterday, and well, apparently he doesn't want to protect me anymore. So, we're no longer partners."

"I don't care what you said, or he said. A deal is a deal." She says stomping off towards the great hall.

I guess now that she had control over her emotions she was going to use them. I didn't make any attempt to stop her; this might be interesting. I followed her in silence as she approached Draco who was sitting with Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, and two girls I couldn't care less about.

"Hello boyfriend. I need to talk to you." Beth smiles sweetly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Later. I'm busy." He says quickly after he glanced over his shoulder and saw me standing not too far off. I watched in glee as her hand squeezed down harder on his shoulder.

"Now, Hunny." She commands in a sickly sweet tone. I wanted to applaud her. It would seem that after being forced to marry someone against her will and being forced to like that someone makes Beth a rather tough girl. Or at least tougher than what she used to be. Good to know that we all had eventful summers.

"Okay! Fine, let go." He snaps pushing her hand off of him. "Gentlemen and Ladies," he nods to them as he stands. I walk past him and over to the bench to sit down. It was time to give Beth and her fiancé some private time.

"You're coming too missy." Beth announces grabbing my hand and pulling me after her, Draco attached to her other hand. I made sure to look anywhere but at him. Stupid maggot.