Detention

After the sorting, Ron Weasley was eating as though he had been starved for months. Hermione made a face of disgust but didn't comment. Harry could see her throw half glances at Umbridge as though she expected her to declare Hogwarts to be shut down. Harry looked into his own plate. He didn't feel particularly hungry now. He was convinced he had gone mad. He could see students cast conspicuous glances at him. He wanted to shout at them that he was not mad. But now , even Harry felt he needed medical attention. First he had gone and threatened to kill Malfoy and then somehow managed to control his anger only to end up snogging her. Then he started seeing ghost-like horses that no one except Luna could see. And now his eyes seemed to scan the slytherin table to find his furball. His furball? Harry wanted to kill himself.

Harry took a steady breath and focused on his food. He was stressed. He was angry. She had kissed him and his teenage hormones kicked in. Perfectly normal. Yes, there was nothing to worry about. People kiss and forget. This is just a mistake. He would just avoid her from now on. She is slytherin. Death eater's daughter. Malfoy's sister. Harry felt calmer.

"So Harry, Did you talk to Cho?" asked Ron wiggling his eyebrows.

"Ronald.." Hermione scolded but even she couldn't help smiling

" What? I'm just asking"

"Er… No .. I didn't see her" Replied Harry trying hard not to blush.

"Oh. then what took you so long" asked Ron sounding disappointed.

"I just followed Malfoy . I hoped he would slip up anything about what is happening. But nothing" said Harry trying to sound as innocent as he can

Hermione gave him a disapproving nod while Ron focused on his dinner .After some time, Harry felt as though someone was watching him. He glanced around to find silver grey eyes staring. Harry raised an eyebrow. Estella blushed and looked down.

As the classes started, homework was beginning to pile up for Harry. Umbridge was unbearable and seemed to enjoy tormenting him. He on the other hand seemed to have a problem keeping his mouth shut. Harry was shouting at people at the slightest provocation and his friends seemed to be treating him as a ticking bomb. Most of Hogwarts students seemed to think he was a lying attention seeking git but his temper had kept them from passing comments openly to him. He never thought he will hate anyone more than Snape but Umbridge seemed to have achieved the impossible. But Harry had tried to control his anger against her. He didn't want himself to get angry and then snog Umbridge. No..He would rather jump off the Astronomy tower.

Estella seemed to be avoiding him just like he was hell bent on avoiding her. They made a point to sit as far as possible in Potions and Care of Magical Creatures. He had almost got control of his emotions towards her. Almost. There were moments when his treacherous eyes would glance at her during classes or meal times. But Harry hoped these were few moments and he usually masked his features to look at her in disgust. Harry wondered whether he should get antidote for love potion. Surely such behavior is not normal. Yes, He had found her attractive during yule ball and maybe he found her lips rather tasty but still..This is Malfoy, Potter. Harry seemed to have two voices in his head nowadays. One was the voice of reason and logic and the other…. Harry hated the other voice.. the voice of madness that seemed to think he should kiss Malfoy every day.

Harry considered telling Ron of his madness. Ron would certainly kill him and put him out of his misery. As he was proceeding to his potions class, he was intercepted by Cho Chang. Again. Harry felt very pleased with himself for having two minutes of conversation with Cho that he could look back on without wanting to leave the country. Cho was absolutely pretty. More pretty than Estella. But Estella's lips..those soft naughty lips. A sly voice inside Harry seemed to pull him towards the train disaster. That was what he called it. Focus, thought Harry. Cho had talked to him, the girl who he had fancied for over a year. Harry decided that he would only think about Cho. It seemed to help him drive away the less than innocent musings about a certain Malfoy.

His hand was still paining from the scar " I must not tell lies". Harry wondered what will happen if he announced the truth involving a slytherin girl in the Great Hall. He suddenly got a mental image of Stella stabbing him with knife while Ron was telling people to back off since its for Harry's own good. Yes Stella would be angry. Not Stella, You idiot Estella Malfoy.

Oh Great, now he was calling her Stella in his mind. Why couldn't he just go and kiss Cho in the train?

Harry joined the class for care of magical creatures after lunch. He willed himself not to look over the slytherins and focused on the bowtruckles. But who was he kidding? This was Harry Potter. Fate wouldn't leave him so easily

ʹYes,ʹ came Draco Malfoyʹs clear drawl from the group nearest them, ʹFather was talking to the Minister just a couple of days ago, you know, and it sounds as though the Ministryʹs really determined to crack down on sub‐standard teaching in this place. So even if that overgrown moron does show up again, heʹll probably be sent packing straightaway.ʹ

Harry could feel his temper rising as he heard Malfoy insulting Hagrid.

'Of course, Draco. I just wish the ministry will expel scarheads who are dangerous to society from Hogwarts as well. I personally pity them. They need to be admitted into the magical remedy ward for mental illness. The faster the better' added Estella silkily as she joined in the howl of slytherin laughter

Harry turned to face her with pure loathing. So that's how she wanted to play. Then two can play the game.

"Yes indeed Malfoy, You will know all about the magical remedy ward for mental illness since you must be a regular visitor. Pity they are yet to find out an antidote for squibs. You could have been benefited by that" growled Harry.

"Your father must be ashamed of you, right? A squib in the pure blooded death eater family"

Harry saw Estella's rage on her face. She looked ready to murder. Draco Malfoy had shot a stinging curse at him which was deflected by his shield charm. But at that moment, Estella had lunged at him and punched him. His nose was bleeding. Harry pushed her down to the floor, when he heard

"Ahem Ahem"

His heart fell as he knew he was in trouble. He knew that voice. Doleres Umbridge stood with Professor Grubbly‐Plank. Harry got back to his feet and looked at Umbridge. But Estella seemed to be blind with rage. She started to punch him again and Harry caught her wrist.

"Stop it Miss Malfoy" said Umbridge sweetly. " I am sure Potter deserve it but the ministry will decide his punishment, not you"

"Fuck the ministry. I will kill him. " roared Estella.

Harry looked at Estella. This was the first time over a year when they had such a nasty physical fight. He knew calling her a squib is bound to touch a nerve. But she seemed to have forgotten logic. Draco Malfoy put a hand on her shoulder urging her to calm down. She looked at him like a wounded snake.

Umbridge seemed to recover from the shock that someone dared to insult the ministry.

"Detention Malfoy and Potter" she spoke nastily.

As the class dispersed , Ron was ranting at him about Umbridge

"Cant believe she gave you detention again. Angelina would be mad at you mate. This means you will be skipping practice"

Harry groaned in response.

"its not even her class and she cant just give detentions to students like that. Professor Grubbly‐Plank should have handled the situation. I don't know what she was doing." said Hermione impatiently

"Just my luck." Harry said gloomily

"Cheer up mate. Atleast you took Malfoy down with you. I would love to see scar on her hand. She would stop making fun of your scar then. She walks as though she owns the castle" said Ron

"You shouldn't have called her a squib. Just because she is poor in studies.." said Hermione in a small voice

"Don't you dare defend her. She was the one who started it." Roared Harry. Hermione fell silent while Harry felt the urge to torture someone…anyone. He was shouting at people at the slightest provocation. But he couldn't help it. He wondered what was happening to him.

At five to five Harry bade the other two goodbye and set off for Umbridgeʹs office on the third floor. When he knocked on the door she called, ʹCome in,ʹ in a sugary voice. He looked around to see Malfoy already sitting in the room.

ʹGood evening, Mr Potter.ʹ

ʹEvening, Professor Umbridge,ʹ Harry said stiffly.

ʹWell, sit down,ʹ she said, pointing towards the chair near Malfoy. He saw the parchment lay on the table, apparently waiting for him. He sat down and looked at Malfoy who was staring at her quill and parchment with a hint of puzzlement. Harry already had served enough detentions with Umbridge to know what was going to happen.

"Well Mr. Potter. You know what to do. I must not tell lies" Said Umbridge

He nodded and started to write. He wanted to tell that he had not lied. But Harry didn't retort since he knew it was useless. He might well get another scar on his hand. Its better this way thought Harry

"As for you Miss Malfoy, your father is close friends with the minister. I expected you to show more respect to our organization. I will be writing to your father to express my disappointment in you. I am sure he feels the same." said Umbridge

"As for your punishment, you will be writing lines using the quill placed in front of you .I must respect my superiors. Start writing Miss Malfoy until the message sinks in"

As Harry expected Malfoy let out a gasp of pain as she wrote the lines. Umbridge smiled broadly at her and continued to check some assignments. Malfoy glanced at her hands and he saw her eyes widen as she saw the blood dripping.

She took a deep breath and started writing the lines. Harry too continued writing without a word. He glanced at her hands which had gone pale. More blood seemed to be flowing out from her hand as compared to his. Her hand seemed to be shaking and her breath was becoming labored. Her eyes were red and jaws clenched. At that moment, Harry knew she hated Umbridge just as much as he did.

Without thinking, Harry placed his left hand lightly on her left hand under the table. She didn't turn but Estella didn't take her hand away. As the time passed, they both wrote in silence. Harry could feel her squeezing his hands when she seemed unable to bear the pain. Estella had shifted their hands so that they were placed on Harry's right leg. He wondered whether they both need to go to St Mungo. She had threatened to kill him, insulted each other and landed in detention and now were holding hands. Harry smiled as he realized that their death threats usually landed them in such positions.

ʹCome here,ʹ she said, after what seemed hours.

Harry took his hand away from Estella. They stood up and went to her. Umbridge examined both their hands. Harry didn't even flinch as she ran her finger over his scar. She took Estella's hand. Harry watched her. She looked flushed which Harry suspected had nothing to do with writing lines.

Tut, tut, I donʹt seem to have made much of an impression yet on both of you,ʹ she said, smiling. ʹWell, weʹll just have to try again tomorrow evening, wonʹt we? You may go.ʹ

Harry left her office without a word. The school was quite deserted; it was surely past midnight. He walked with Estella to the corridor. She left to the slytherin dungeon after giving him a curt nod.

The next few days passed in a blur with Harry trying to catch up on his school work. Angelina had shouted at him for missing practice and he still had to go to detention. It had been four days of detention. The skin on the back of Harryʹs hand became irritated more quickly now and was soon red and inflamed. He was sure the scar would last forever. But that was least of his bothers. He was still serving detention with Estella…no Malfoy. Harry couldn't stop calling her by first name in his mind even though he tried hard. Harry was surprised when she reached out for his hand on the second day. He didn't even remember who made the first move on the following days. But they had held hands on all four days and even though Harry would never admit it aloud, the pain was much lesser with her by his side. They had not uttered a word to each other though.

He had caught Cho glancing at him several times in the corridors and hallways. Once she even gave him a smile which made him spill pumpkin juice on the table. He knew that this might be the time when he could make a move on Cho. But every time he saw her alone, something pulled him back from talking to her. Not something, someone. The mad voice in his head had awakened.

Harry closed his eyes in frustration. Estella Malfoy had successfully driven him mad. He was unable to make logical decisions while staring at her lovely face, her red lips. Harry didn't stare at her as much as possible since he didn't like the way his breath hitched while his eyes darted to her lips. No No No..Harry wanted to cry. Of all the girls in the world, he had to go and stare at a Malfoy. This was impossible. This had to stop. Harry took a deep breath. He was going to put an end to this.

As Harry made his way to Umbridge office, he was lost in thought. He wondered whether he should bring up the train disaster to Estella. Or the detention disaster. Or should he just tell her to leave him alone. Or should he talk at all? Talking seemed to be a bad idea considering what had happened. He seemed to get into uncomfortable situations after talking or rather insulting Malfoy.

As Harry sat down and began to write lines, Estella had reached out to grab his hand. He stopped and looked at her. She seemed not to notice. As though nothing happened. Harry though about taking his hand off her hand. But that would be rude. Harry kept writing lines. He could feel the softness of her hands against his. It was rather cold compared to his. He could feel her hands tighten after hours. Harry knew she did that when pain was getting intense. Harry could see the scar on his hand burning red. But he was too distracted by his thoughts that the pain was considerably less.

ʹLetʹs see if youʹve got the message yet, shall we?ʹ said Umbridges soft voice an hour later.

Well, I think Iʹve made my point to both of you. You may go.ʹ

As Estella and Harry walked out, Harry knew he would have to stop her if he needed to talk. But what exactly he wanted to talk? Malfoy don't hold my hand and kiss me and stare at me even though I might do the same to you. Well that seemed to sum it up, Harry thought irritably. He turned to her as they reached the corridor.

"Malfoy" he said in a low voice.

Estella turned and raised an eyebrow at him.

Now what? Harry felt acid was bubbling in his stomach. His voice seemed to have left him.

"what Potter?" Asked Malfoy with a smirk

"we can't do this anymore. For obvious reasons." Said Harry. Yes that was nice thought Harry. He had told her without explicitly mentioning any embarrassing situations

"We cant do what Potter?" asked Estella with the corners of her mouth twitching upwards. She had a mischievous look on her face. Harry felt she looked rather cute.

"Potter?"

"Oh..well" Harry stalled. What did she want him to say? Did she want him to admit out loud the unspeakable sins he had done? He had held hands with a slytherin for five days. He felt contaminated. He saw Estella looking at him, waiting for an answer.

"Well you can't just kiss me and hold my hands whenever you like. I don't like it" lied Harry.

"It didn't seem like that when we were doing it" said Estella coolly taking a step towards him.

Harry gulped. Had he been that obvious?

"And for your information, you had leaned in towards me which led to the kiss. You should have kept your distance if you were so bothered about your honor. And not to forget, you had kissed me back and it was you who held my hand " whispered Estella. Her eyes flashed She looked angry at him. She had wonderful eyes. silver grey orbs.

"Oh now this is all my fault. As though you are some innocent sheep corrupted by me. Don't think I didn't notice all the staring and blushing that you did last year when you were around me. You had trapped me into doing this" said Harry with his temper rising. He felt easier to talk to her when angry

"I did not trap you to do anything Potter. You did it according to your own wish. And you know it Potter. There is no point in living in denial"

"I am not living in denial "

"Of course you are" Estella cut across him. She looked like an angry cat now..Her dirty blonde hair sticking out in all directions, her lips were trembling.

Don't look into those lips, thought Harry.

"And are you not living in denial Stella?"asked Harry as her breath hitched on hearing him use her name.

"Your housemates will torture you if they knew what you did. Your brother will disown you and your father will kill you." Harry whispered back to Estella.

Harry could see varying emotions on her face. Conflict. hurt. fear and then she masked her face into an unreadable expression.

"Mistakes happen Potter. No one needs to know"

"Exactly my point. Slytherins and griffindors don't mix malfoy. Your family supports everything that I am against. Nothing can ever happen between us. Understand?" said Harry. He could feel a small twinge of pain in his chest but he quickly brushed that aside

"perfectly" Said Estella looking at him defiantly

"good" Said Harry and turned around to leave.

"Potter" Harry turned around to see Estella looking at him

She rolled up the sleeve in her left hand and showed it to him. As he knew it was devoid of the dark mark.

"Not all slytherins are death eaters"

With that Estella Malfoy turned and left. Harry saw her dirty blonde hair waving as she went. He felt an odd pang of pain in his chest as she walked away.