DISCLAIMER: Again I am not JK Rowling, nor do I own any of Harry Potter. All ideas are my own - next update will be tomorrow (Thursday 20th May).
"Nice one Red", Malfoy mutters angrily, his lips nearly touching my ear.
I jump and turn around, coming face to face with him, his body now rid from the potion except for the remnants of it circling him on the floor.
"Well you know if you had just kept your mouth shut none of this would've happened", I spit angrily, chest heaving and eyes narrowed.
I feel this deep hatred begin to creep up on me. Trying to keep my cool, I go to turn around but Malfoy grabs my wrist, spinning me around so I'm facing him once more.
He steps towards me, slowly dragging his eyes up and down my body, all the time holding onto my wrist. I back up quickly, trying to release myself from his grip, but realise I can go no further when the cold stone wall of the dungeons hits my back. I am trapped, under Malfoy, who not only stinks of gone-off egg but who is also deadly angry with me. His fingers dig sharply into my wrist, it feels as if he is trying to cut off the circulation to my hands.
Then he lets go of my wrist and puts his hands on my waist. What the hell does he think he's doing? If he thinks he can manipulate me like he does so many other girls, he is sorely mistaken.
His lips gently brush my ears, before he murmurs in a deep, cold drawl.
"Well where's the fun in that, hey Red?".
I was wrong. I can be easily manipulated by him, one touch and I'm like putty in his hands, molten and gooey. Kicking myself that I could possibly be affected by him like this, I mentally count to ten in my head. 'Breathe Rose, keep calm, if he's not gone in the next 20 seconds you have permission to knee him in the groin', the devil on my shoulder says.
He smirks, and then shoves himself off of me. As he does so he takes his hands to my shoulders and pushes me forcefully against the wall. My head makes contact for the second time against the hard barrier behind me, and for a second a splitting pain overwhelms me.
For once in my life, I am completely speechless.
One reason being that no one has ever affected me like this before, I am hot and sweaty and I clench my thighs together for some reason unbeknownst to me. I am currently fighting a mental battle for my sanity. 'Earth to Rose, Malfoy is a master in charming girls, don't fall for it', I try to say, begging myself to see reason, but it is lost beneath the heat that is coursing through my veins.
I don't know what's got into Malfoy today. We usually try as hard as possible to stay away from one another, keeping each other at arms length. But today something is different, it's like something has clicked in his brain. Maybe he's realised that his previous attempts to piss me off haven't worked, and now is trying another tactic.
I'd much rather he stop this new tactic, it's having quite an effect on me, and I don't want to give him this satisfaction.
He's now lurking in the shadows of the dungeons, awaiting my reaction. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was afraid, however I can tell by his grin that he is amused by my silence.
I have never felt so small in my life, it's as if I am his prey, which he is ready to pounce on at any moment.
Composing myself, I muster up the courage to roll my eyes (pathetic, I know), and speak calmly, or somewhat attempt to speak calmly. If he realises the hold he currently has over me I will never be able to win an argument again. If he realises my newfound weakness, I am screwed.
"You know Malfoy, for someone who claims to hate me, you haven't been able to keep your hands off of me all lesson".
Nice one, I've got him there. I know he is stumped for answers as I hear a sharp intake of breath. But it is true, we have never physically fought before (aside from on the Quidditch pitch), and today all we've seemed to do is touch each other.
"As if I'd ever touch you Red, I don't want to pick up some sort of disease", he retorts angrily.
I can tell he's worked up again, and am feeling very smug that I have managed to switch this situation around.
His cold, calm, composed manner of earlier has lit into an angry burning flame. And I was the one to strike the match.
I feel slightly reassured that we clearly both have this effect on each other. Not quite the effect I was talking about earlier, re sweaty and flushed, but the one that makes us fight until our last breaths. I wouldn't call it bickering, as that suggests we do this for fun, and while that is slightly true, I don't go out of my way to argue with him.
Dominique and Roxanne have always suggested that our arguing is due to pent up sexual tension, and that one day we will realise it and start shagging like bunnies. Yeah right. Malfoy has numerous slags on the go to satiate his desires, and I don't plan on being the next one.
"Hey Red? Don't you agree?", he smirks at me.
Shit. I wasn't listening. I was completely entranced by my own thoughts. I have no idea what he is talking about, but I know better than to give him any sort of answer.
I give him the finger, hoping it fits whatever question he was asking, and begin scourgifying the classroom floor.
Turned away from him, I can hear him muttering under his breath. He sounds confused, and anger still stains his voice. I realise he is trying to work out what potion he was wearing, his hair has started to turn black which couldn't be more opposite of his usual colour.
"What is it Malfoy? Can't do a basic diagnostic spell?", I taunt, giving him a smirk which rivals his.
"Fuck off Red, we all know I mastered that spell before you".
That's a lie, but we don't need to get into that right now.
"It's not giving you an answer because the potion was clearly botched", I say analytically.
I kneel down to the ground as I say this and poke the thick liquid with my wand. Congealed sludge slops around on the floor, which I scourgify, but not before working out the true identity of this potion. I'm not amazing at Potions, but good enough that I can recognise a failed one.
I'm aided by the fact that Malfoy's hair and eyebrows are nearly completely black. God, that's a sight for sore eyes. His pale porcelain skin in contrast to his pitch black hair. He looks like a vampire.
"It was a hair replenishing potion.", I giggle, trying not to cry with laughter.
I can see the fire in his eyes, daring me to finish my sentence, which I do.
"But clearly it was faulty. Are you sure you didn't make this potion yourself Malfoy? You're the shittest in this class".
"Is that why I got an O in Potions then Red? What did you get, an E?"
My face drops, not because I got an E in Potions, because I didn't, but because from the sounds of it he did well in his OWLS, and I swore to beat him.
"Oooh, hit a nerve there didn't I? Can't beat my 10 OWLS can you, it's okay Red really, I know you're mentally impaired".
"Actually I'll have you know that I got 10 OWLS too Malfoy, so you can go fuck yourself."
"Oooh we are touchy", he mocks, grinning an evil smile, "What did you get then? I for one got 9 Outstandings and one Exceeds Expectations".
Fuck, he got the same as me, so much for gloating.
"We draw again Malfoy. Though I'm not quite sure how you managed it? How did you do it? Daddy bribe the exam board, or did you fuck one of the examiners?", I say, false sweetness overwhelming my voice.
"My my Red what vulgar language. I'll have you know that I am just as talented as you are Weasley, well, in certain areas anyway."
"What's that supposed to mean ferret?", I retort, the heat of fury present in my voice once more.
"Well I heard through the grape vine that our Rosie-Posie is still a virgin? Is that right?".
Smug dickhead. He is grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
Bit of a random topic for him to broach, but I go with it regardless.
"Since when did you care about my sex life hey Malfoy?", I reply, silencing him.
We are once again face to face, his tall athletic body towering over my 5ft 4 frame. A fiery glare is exchanged between the two of us. He goes to say something, but falters, leaving an unanswered question hanging in the air.
His piercing blue eyes flicker down to my lips, and back to my eyes. I feel my heart begin to pound in my chest and pray he can't hear it too. We're both panting, chests heaving, the only sound present in the silence of the dungeons.
Just as he goes to speak, a wide grin appearing on his face, we are interrupted by Slughorn barging into the dungeons, out of breath and appearing as if he has just run a marathon.
"Change of plan you two." He says, the usual quirkiness and calmness back in his voice.
"You may go to Quidditch tryouts tomorrow Miss Weasley, but only because Slytherin have their tryouts as well, and we need Mr. Malfoy on the team".
Relief courses through my veins, at least James won't try to murder me like I know he would've if I missed it. This relief is only brief however, as Slughorn speaks again.
"Instead, you can both serve detention with me for a month. Every Monday and Wednesday night, starting from next week. The Potions cupboard could use a sorting out."
He smiles at us, bearing his crooked teeth, a playful glint in is eyes.
Before we can both reply, he leaves us once more, standing still, silent, glaring after him, in the confinement of the dungeons, our breathing the only sound present.
—
The Quidditch tryouts run as expected. The team is exactly the same as last year, with no changes whatsoever. James as seeker, Roxanne and Fred as beaters, Lucas as keeper, and me, Ciara and Astrid as chaser.
Lucy seems quite perturbed that she didn't make the team. I feel slightly sorry for her, I know she was practising over Summer, but at the same time what did she expect, this team has been the same for the past 2 years, and I can't imagine James is suddenly going to switch it up, especially given our winning streak.
Lily also looks slightly put out, but I remind her that James, Fred, and Lucas are leaving this year, so next year there will be more spots available on the team. I also remind her that either me, Roxanne or Ciara will be Quidditch captain, and if I am she doesn't even need to tryout, as she will automatically have a place.
Lily is one of the best Quidditch players I have ever seen. She effortlessly glides through the air, flawlessly escaping her opponents. I think the real reason she hasn't made the team is because she is a seeker, and therefore could take James's place, and also show him up. He would be mortified, being shown up by his sister who is 3 years younger than him.
I try to ignore Malfoy as much as I can, seeing as I'm now forced to spend detention with him twice a week, but his arrogant face seems to catch me wherever I go. Firstly in Defense against the Dark Arts, where he tries to hit me with the Incarcerous charm behind my back, and then on the Quidditch pitch during team tryouts.
As much as I hate to admit it, he is also a great Quidditch player. Not for the same reasons as Lily with grace and charm, but because of how lethal he is. He isn't taking any prisoners, he plays as if his life depends on it.
The week rolls on and only continues to get more boring. I can't think of anything in particular that caught me by surprise, well unless you count Anto asking me on a date to Hogsmeade. A tall boy with short brunette hair, he is very attractive and charming, and I'm surprised he's managed to get away with it, with him being James's mate and all.
James and Fred are very particular about who I date, but I guess because Anto is their friend they can't have any objections. I haven't decided what I'm going to say yet, I'm not looking for a relationship at the moment but if one surprises me then you never know.
Malfoy seems to be up to his old tricks with Belle, which only helps me bury that moment we had in detention. Not that you can really call it a moment, we were just trapped in the dungeons arguing, but hearing his dirty conversations with Belle reminds me of how much he repulses me all the same.
Eliza and Al are still together, much to the misfortune of me and Alice. I was rather hoping they would've broken up after last week's argument, but they're always getting into tiffs. I also heard that Al got in a fight with Nott, which is a bit random of Al. Al normally avoids getting physical when he has to, which makes me think that it is something serious. I must ask him next time I see him.
Evelyna seems distant at the moment, very quiet and isolated. I can't help but think back to the conversation with Fred, assuming her mood is due to Lucas. I've asked her about it, but she doesn't want to talk about it. Whatever it is I just hope she's okay.
—
Monday's detention comes around quickly, unfortunately for me, I had been enjoying avoiding Malfoy. But when I arrive, he isn't there.
Slughorn is sat waiting for me, marking papers at his desk. I ask about Malfoy's whereabouts, hoping he'll get into more trouble if he's late, but receive a guarded response.
"A family emergency, my dear."
A coldness chills me to the bone. Goosebumps rise all over my skin, my face has fallen to a white sheet. My heart is in my throat. It can only mean one thing and I have never ever been so certain on something in my life.
Astoria Malfoy is dying, or perhaps is even dead.
That explains Malfoy's extra-floozy behaviour recently, whenever he has had emergencies before he distracts himself with girls, as if he can shag away his worries.
This time though it seems different, I can't work out why, but I just know it is final. It is the end of her story.
I can't help but feel sad at this revelation. Of course, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. I am definite in my knowledge that she is soon to leave this world.
I hope she's not scared, of death I mean. I hope death welcomes her with open arms, as an old friend. I hope it is painless and quick, I hope it ends her suffering. Of course death never does though, it only passes that suffering to the next person.
As I'm cleaning the Potions cupboard, my mind flitters to the Malfoy family. I feel sad that I only met her a couple of weeks ago, and never got to truly know her as a person. I feel for Malfoy too, I can't imagine what it must be like to lose your mother. If I lost my mum, I'd be absolutely distraught.
The sky is cloudy tonight. Dark, grey and stormy. It seems fitting. Death has arrived, and has come to claim its next victim.
Chapter 6 done! I am going to spend my evening writing the next chapters so I can publish them while I'm working the next couple of days. Please review :)