Chapter Seven: Piper- Slytherin vs. Gryffindor

"Good morning!" Candra said, setting herself down in a chair next to mine. Her voice dripped honey in gallons, and her smile could light up New York. Not that I wanted to cause her unhappiness, but right at that moment I was regretting letting Hermione talk me into introducing her to Oz. It'd been six weeks and the carefree happy tones of her voice were beginning to grate on my nerves like fingernails going down a chalkboard. Just because she had a boyfriend didn't mean everyone had to know about it.

Candra and Oz were worse than Hermione and my brother. We'd often find them curled up next to each other, not saying a word. And when they did talk it was weird; they'd talk about how much they liked being together, then all of the sudden animal crackers or different types of mustard would make its way into the conversation. It was quite confusing and disturbing. The thing that bothered me the most was that they were truly in love.

Oh, and another thing, Harry managed to hook up with Dawn. When did this happen? How did this happen? Why did this happen? Beats me. All I know is that the second week of October Harry came walking into the common room looking smug and happy as ever (Harry looking happy about anything after six o' clock is a rare thing these days because he and Ron get to spend their quality time with Professor Snape then). Well Candra asked why Harry was looking so smiley after his extra potions lesson, and what does he say? Dawn agreed to go to the Halloween dance with him. Professor Dumbledore had even said it was okay. How do you like that?

It was of course already set in stone that Hermione and Adrian would go. Once Ron found out Harry wouldn't be going stag that night he ran around in a fervor trying to find a date. A very nice Ravenclaw fifth year agreed to go with him. She's pretty, nice, and smart. Just peachy. Everyone in our group was going with someone…oh, I see. You think I'm going with Draco right? My boyfriend, my soul mate, and even more importantly, my friend. Yeah right. He's going with Pansy Parkinson.

Neville Longbottom asked me to go with him. Collin Creavy did too. So did half the other Gryffindor fifth and sixth year boys. I declined them all.

I decided Draco Malfoy was an ass. The problem with that was the moment I confided those words to Candra and Hermione I broke down in tears. Then they knew that my whole 'I don't care if I don't with Draco' façade, was just that a façade. Oh life is great, note the sarcasm oozing from my quill.

The truth was, I really did care. I cared that he was snubbing me in the halls instead of the small grin he used to give me. I cared that he didn't even look at me anymore, or meet me for coffee. I wanted to do something evil to him, totally evil. But every time I opened my mouth to voice exactly what I wanted to do, I stopped. I wouldn't wish idly. I didn't really want to do anything to hurt him, I knew that deep down, and since I knew that wishing aloud to hurt a man could actually work I kept my mouth shut.

That didn't mean though that I couldn't do anything to the slut that took him away from me. For all of October Pansy found her bras magically chilled, her hair colors not found on this planet, pieces of various insects in her bed, and the writing on her homework mysteriously vanishing. It brought instant satisfaction, but not long term, because no matter what Pansy was still pawing all over Draco. And the more she did it, the more I saw him responding.

It was Wednesday morning. October thirty-first and the dance came tomorrow. My idea was to sit in the common room during the whole thing and think about my screwed up love life. Candra and Hermione had a slightly different idea. The weekend before had been the first Hogsmead weekend of the year. Harry and Ron had stayed in The Three Broomsticks with me. Candra, Adrian and Hermione had gone, dragging dad on a leash behind them. Seven butterbeers and sixty minutes later they came back bearing a beautiful red brocade kimono embroidered with flowers up and down. Something in my face must've given me away because they had me agreeing to wear it to the dance in five minutes flat. Candra even wheedled a makeover out of me. It wasn't until much later that I found out it was Harry and Ron's job to get me drunk enough to agree to anything. Even with as many butterbeers as I'd had I shouldn't have been in such an agreeing mood. Obviously they'd learned something useful in their extra classes with Snape

"Piper," Harry said from where he was cleaning his broom. There was a Quidditch match in an hour. "Do you know what kind of flowers Dawn likes?"

I sent him a harsh glare. Harry held up his hands in peace. "It was just a question. Just because you don't-"

"Harry!" Hermione said harshly. She sat on the couch with Crookshanks working on her Arithmancy paper. I hadn't even gotten around to starting mine and it was due Monday. How I'd get four feet of parchment done by then I didn't know.

"Have any of you seen Adrian?" Ron asked. "He does remember he has a game today right?"

Harry looked up at Ron like he should die for even suggesting the possibility. "He'd better! You two are my Beaters! The team needs the both of you to play."

"The last time I saw him," I said, slowly stroking Aurelius' head. "He had gray streaks in his hair and was hiding his face behind his hands as he ran up to the hospital wing."

Candra snickered. "He probably spilled a potion on himself or something. Maybe got the business end of a hex."

"He was in the dorm all morning doing homework." Ron said. "I wonder what happened."

"He'd better show up for the game." Harry said with the single mindedness of team captain. Turning to the rest of the common room he yelled, "C'mon team, to the lockers." Harry led out Ron, Amanda Curtis, Logan Wagner, Beverley Troy, and Katie Bell, the last remaining member from last year's team besides Harry.

Hermione left with Crookshanks to put her things away and get ready to go to the game. Candra grabbed my arm and started pulling me out of my comfortable chair. Aurelius became a traitor and grabbed on my pants leg with his teeth and pulled as well.

"You promised remember?" Candra asked, her voice still bright. My glare held tight as I detached my puppy from my pants.

I shook my head at her. "With the mood I've been in I haven't promised anyone shit. You know that."

She rose and eyebrow and continued pulling. "You're not getting out of it that easily. You said last year that you'd commentate the games with me. Lee left so now it's my turn and you promised to do it with me. The game is in forty five minutes and we have to get our cloaks and stuff then get out to the booth, so come on."

"Candra I really can't. Draco's playing today, remember…" I trailed off. My excuse sounded weak even to me. Now I wasn't letting myself be in the same vicinity as him. Oh, this was pathetic.

"Oh wow," Candra said dryly. "The Slytherin bastard's playing so you go back on a promise. You can do better than that."

"He's not a bastard." The words slipped out softly, but Candra heard anyway.

"Girl, get off the couch, and please get your cloak unless you feel like freezing to death."

"I don't want to see him!"

"Then watch Adrian for crying out loud! Hell, watch Marcus Flint, I don't give a damn. Just hurry up!"

Hermione came back from the dorm carrying my cloak. If looks could kill she'd have been six feet under. I stalked to Hermione and snatched my cloak, pulling it on roughly. Candra smiled pleasantly at me and patted my hand, nodding her approval. Hermione stood on my other side and together they led me out of the tower.

I tried to look pleasant, really I did, but my face seemed frozen in a scowl, and my mood…well as Candra had put it I had a perpetual case of PMS. It just wouldn't go away, and it got worse when I saw Draco and Harry shake hands on the field as captains were supposed to do. Over in the Slytherin section Pansy Parkinson was waving fondly at him.

'No magic at matches, No magic at matches, No magic at matches,' I repeated over and over in my head. I didn't even notice when Professor McGonagall put the sonorous spell on both of us. Candra nudged me sharply in the chest indicating that it was time to begin and the whole stadium was waiting.

"Welcome students of Hogwarts to the first Quidditch game of the season!" Candra yelled, and everyone erupted in cheers. "I'm Candra Jordan."

"And I'm Piper Black." I said, trying to muster up Candra's level of enthusiasm.

"Since dear old Lee's gone it's our turn and we'll be here for the next two years, so get used to it." Candra continued. "This match is of course Gryffindor vs. Slytherin!"

At the cheers and jeers I felt slightly better. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. In fact I could probably vent some serious aggression. "Let's here is for our house team, Gryffindor!" Three quarters of the spectators exploded in applause as the team took a lap around the field. I noticed Adrian had made it and had no signs of whatever he'd done to himself earlier. He waved at us with his beaters club, and we waved back.

"Now for those slimy, sneaky, err," Candra paused as McGonagall shook her head fiercely. "The Slytherin Quidditch Team!"

I, being the glutton self torture that I am, stared at Draco the whole time. Candra looked at me and sternly mouthed the word 'no', adding hand movements for emphasis. I nodded and went back to watching the Gryffindor team. Both teams flew to position and Madam Hooch released the balls into play.

"The quaffle is immediately caught by Wagner of Gryffindor." Candra launched into the commentary with excitement. "He passes to Bell, oh nice dodge there Katie, she shoots, ugh, ball in possession of Slytherin."

"Flint's got the quaffle, but has no backup whatsoever. Weasley of Gryffindor knocks the bludger straight at his head, of course if it hits there's really no more damage it can do…very sorry professor…Flint gives the quaffle to Riker who gives it to, wait forget that, Harry's diving!" I said, pointing up.

"Does Potter see the snitch?" Candra asked. "Or is it… it is! A perfect Wronski Feint. Malfoy almost ate dirt on that one, should've too! Curtis watch out, there's a bludger!" Amanda dodged just in time, and waved thanking Candra for her warning. McGonagall's face screwed up in a mix of anger and relief at Candra. "Ok now, lets direct our attention towards Troy of Gryffindor, she's going for the goal and…YES! Ten points to the best house on the field! Gryffindor!"

We both gave out identical whistles that sounded shrilly across the felid. "We're the best, oh yeah!" I said along with her. We whistled again as the balls went back into play.

"Yes Professor!" I said when she told us to get back to our real jobs. "Black and Weasley get a bludger moving with a Dopplebeater Defense. It hits Malfoy right in the place where the sun don't shine, knocking him half off his broom, we all know that hurt. The same bludger rebounds of a Slytherin goal post and knocks Crusher of Slytherin almost clear off her broom. Great move boys!"

"Gryffindor's definitely going to win this one. Very obvious from the way…" she trailed off as Slytherin scored. "Damn bast…uh, damn, err, I'll just take the damn out of here ok professor? Anyway, stupid Slytherins! There I was making a speech and you lot had to go a ruin it. Adrian, bash their skulls in!"

"Yeah," I agreed, getting into the idea of cracking on Slytherin's. "And start with the white ferret up there!"

Candra pumped her fist up in the air. "Gryffindor scores again! Twenty to ten! Stick that in your pipes and smoke it!"

Over on the other side of the field Slytherin's beaters had both of the bludgers. Candra and I continued on our Slytherin dissing spree for the next ten minutes. They never let those wild black balls stray too far from them for the rest of the game.

I was discussing the merits of being a Gryffindor with Candra and the whole stadium when I noticed Draco going into a sharp dive right to the center of the field. Harry saw too and followed. Everyone knew that this time it was no feint, and we held our breaths. Slytherin's two beaters didn't. They had gorilla arms an when they swung their clubs to hit the bludgers individually it was as if they'd done a Dopplebeater Defense. Both balls were obviously aimed for Harry but they missed by an inch. Instead they headed straight for us.

Candra jumped down and screamed. I closed my eyes and screamed. McGonagall told us both calm down and duck. I just kept my eyes closed and waited for impact. There was none. My eyes were still closed, and a roar went up around the crowd. People were chanting Gryffindor, and roaring. Harry had caught the snitch. We'd won. I opened my eyes. Promptly I screamed. I was above the field on a broom. My arms had instinctively wrapped around the person in front of me. Draco.

My heart beat faster against his back, and I clung tighter. Below I saw people looking up in shock. I could only guess what was going through their heads. Why had a Slytherin helped a Gryffindor, more importantly, why had Draco Malfoy? As I regained my senses I started to wonder the same thing.

"Are you alright?" Draco asked. I couldn't tell if he were actually concerned or just asking. He directed the broom downwards. I saw him look for somewhere to land where there was no one, and would be no questions. It was too late though. By then everyone had seen

"Yeah," I said thickly when we landed. "Yeah, thanks."

"Right well," he just nodded as the surging crow came towards us. "I've gotta go find Pansy."

My anger flared. "Fine! Go to your little slut. You think I care? I don't! And tomorrow night, we'll just see who's sorry."

"You can't do anything to me! My father will be there tomorrow. I'd like to see you try."

"I'm not talking hexes or curses Draco Malfoy," I spat, ignoring the growing crowd. "You'll be begging for me tomorrow night."

Murmurs swept through the crowd. I didn't give. So what if people knew about Draco and me. It didn't matter anymore. What mattered now was that I got Draco back, and I'd do it in front of his father. 'He'll be crawling', I vowed to myself. I pushed my way through the milling people and stalked back up to the castle.

*~*

Hermione and I informed Madam Morela we wouldn't be able to go to class that afternoon because it would take us awhile to get ready. Especially me. I had to look perfect. My plan was a shallow one, I was going to get Draco back based on looks. I felt justified doing it only because what he did at the Quidditch match proved he still cared. If I could get him jealous enough I'd have him back in no time. His father attending the dance with other ministry dignitaries would provide a slight problem, but nothing that a good hairstyle and extra eye shadow wouldn't fix.

The boys didn't understand with Hermione, Candra, and I retreated to our dorms at five in the afternoon when the dance was at seven, but the end result to our work was pleasing to them. The looks on their faces were priceless. Hermione was wearing dark blue robes that complement her hair nicely. It was pulled up with a few neatly placed tendrils hanging down. A tiara like headband topped it. Hermione's shoes gave her a good two inches, and she knew and had admitted to us that she wouldn't walk for days after. Her locket rested peaceful on her chest completing the outfit. My brother gulped tremendously when she walked over to him, but finally they kissed in a way that caused the rest of us to turn our heads.

Candra was wearing a slivery blue velvet dress and her hair was braided in tight cornrows that had taken the third year who did them two hours to complete. She had pieces of turquoise inserted in some of them and they finished the end of each braid. Her shoes were sandals with laces up her calves. Harry and Ron looked at her appreciatively, but then she gave them a 'look but don't touch' look and curved her blue fingernails into a claw shape. Candra had the longest real nails in Hogwarts. They're painful and I speak from experience. Ron and Harry wisely turned their looks away from them and up to me.

"Piper always has cleaned up nicely." Adrian said teasingly when Harry and Ron stared at me. "You'd never know it, but underneath she's very pretty."

I smiled at Adrian and came the rest of the way down the stairs. The red kimono fit just right and looked perfect with my hair swept up in curls. All of us had on makeup. Mine was gold eye shadow, thick mascara, and dark lipstick. I had on ankle strap heels, which like Hermione's would prevent me from ever walking again. Hermione had leant me a string of pearls that looked perfect against the dress.

"Shall we?" Adrian asked, offering Hermione his arm. We all agreed it was time. Ron, Candra, and Harry were eager to see their dates. I wanted mine back. Yes, we were ready

We reached the main hall quickly. Dawn and Harry greeted each other shyly, but held hands as they walked towards the great hall. Oz and Candra kissed briefly before walking away. Adrian and Hermione were the last ones remaining with me.

"Are you sure you don't want us to walk in with you?" Hermione asked anxiously.

I nodded. "All part of the plan. I'm cool, don't worry."

"You're crazy Piper." Adrian kissed my cheek. "Good luck. We'll be saving you a seat."

"Thank you." I said. They turned and walked into the hall.

I let a fifth year couple go in before me for effect. Ok, not really. I was a little nervous, but none too much. I'd do this, and it would work. Everyone had seen our little broom stunt yesterday. It had been the talk of the school. I could do this. Smoothing my dress, I stood straight, and slowly entered the Great Hall. There were eyes following me, and it made me jumpy, but it was good. It was what I needed. The eyes followed me until I sat down at my friend's table, and even then they remained.

"He's watching you." Candra muttered, giving a small nod to Draco. "Along with several other boys."

"He'd better be." I replied. Out of the corner of my eye I looked over at him. He sat with Pansy who I had to admit looked good. She was wearing light green robes and blinding red lipstick. Up on the dais all of the teachers and the ministry guests sat. I saw Draco's father and had to take in a breath. Lucius Malfoy had the power to inspire fear in any sane person. Seeing him and knowing what I planned to do that night…well lets just say I almost crawled back up to Gryffindor Tower.

Everyone stood when Professor Dumbledore entered from a sidewall panel behind his chair. A polite applause was started by McGonagall and spread around the room by everyone but two. Lucius Malfoy and a thickset man I didn't recognize. He didn't look like someone I would want to get personal with anyway. When the clapping died and we all sat I almost missed my chair. There had been an empty seat at the end of the dais. Adhara sat there now. Dumbledore noticed her too, and nodded to her, smiling brightly. She returned the gesture, and then looked out over the students like the others.

Dumbledore had to know her or she wouldn't have been there. She was dressed for the occasion in gold robes, so she probably hadn't just decided to come at the spur of the moment. She'd been invited. I grimaced; she was the last person I wanted to see. What would she do now? Expose Adrian and me as vampires in front of the entire student body? Either that or she'd try to ruin my mission for the night. Adhara turned and met my eyes. She nodded at me with a smile. I turned, refusing to believe she was actually there.

"I'd like to welcome all the students and faculty of Hogwarts to the Halloween Dance. A special welcome goes out to our guests, Deputy Minister of Magic Lucius Malfoy, and Allen McNair. We also have the pleasure of having the Headmistress of The Nairobi School of Mystic Arts, Miss. Adhara Rinaldi. I bid you all a good time." Dumbledore clapped his hands once and the candles dimmed around the hall, leaving a soft glowing light. A floating orchestra appeared in the air and struck up a fast paced dance. My friends were out on the floor by the second beat, but so was I.  

"Would you like to dance?" I turned to find a fellow Gryffindor standing behind me.

Thus starting a chain reaction. Word spread that I didn't have a date and various boys took turns dancing with me and trying to score a kiss, and some tongue action. It was only when I was dancing with Harry, Ron, and Oz that I tuned down the touchy feely-ness. I danced close with each of the other boys, making sure Draco saw me. He did. Oh boy did he. And he also saw when I started get Slytherin requests to dance. Four Slytherins asked me to dance. One I turned down because he was Vincent Crab and wouldn't touch him with a ten-foot pole. Also I watched when he danced with Millicent; his hands had a tendency to wander towards the nether-regions.

After dinner was served I danced once more with Harry, then went back to the rotating lines of boys. It was around ten, and I was growing tired, but I was in good spirits. Draco was almost mine, I could tell. Well, I couldn't tell, but he was paying less and less attention to Pansy. It was obvious he didn't like me dancing with Duncan. Whenever I caught him glancing at me he wore a frown or a scowl.

I was with Duncan Rasmussen, a Slytherin who had ended up with me for the fourth time that evening. We weren't dancing. He had suggested a walk around the garden paths. There had been fairies put in small silver cages to light the way. The flowers were all in bloom, some naturally and some induced by magic. They all glowed with an incandescent light that further aided sight.

Duncan slipped his arm around my waist and when I didn't protest he drew me closer. I didn't mind…yet, and this was only because his arm was only at my waist. 'Or so I thought,' I noted, when I felt his hand on my butt. Now his fingers played on my throat as well. I did nothing, telling myself it was part of the plan, and if things went to far I was perfectly capable of defending myself. Sure I was in a kimono, heels, and had nothing but my fists, but I could do something. I stepped away slightly, but he kept his grasp firm. 'Now,' I decided 'I'm in trouble.'

When he kissed me it wasn't like the playful kisses the boys in the hall had given me. These were hard and forceful. Duncan held me at my elbows, so I couldn't move, yet far enough away so I couldn't get a good kick at him. I did not want to be with him here, or with him anywhere. And I certainly didn't want his tongue in my mouth. I felt like spitting. Instead I bit down on his tongue.

"Bitch!" He growled.

People say that aggravating your attacker isn't a good idea. My experience this summer had taught me this was true, but that didn't mean I listened to what my inner fighter was telling me. Besides I wasn't a naturally violent person. I'd only learned to fight because I'd been constantly attacked by vampires trying to off a Peacemaker. Duncan wasn't someone I could stake and turn to dust. He forced himself against me and put his mouth against my neck.

"Help!" I called, before he slammed his hand across my mouth. And to think, fifteen minutes ago this guy had looked cute to me. Funny how things change isn't it? I used my teeth again, this time on his hand. It had no effect as he grabbed my backside again and grinded himself against me. His fingers ran through my hair at the same time. I was getting scared now. Hadn't someone heard me call?

I tapped slightly into my vampiric strength and kneed his groin. I could smell the blood from where I'd bitten his tongue, and I had to work at pushing down my demon. I dropped to the ground and pushed slowly away from the intoxicating smell. Then energy exerted from keeping my demon at bay made it hard for me to get back up. Duncan took advantage of my obvious struggle and started towards me again.

"Hey!" Yelled a male voice. Duncan and I both turned to the gardens entrance. Spike and Angel stood together at the threshold. Both had glowing yellow eyes. I gulped with something near fright. They were pissed. Duncan saw the two vampires and quickly rolled away from me. I backed into a shrub, shaking.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded and leaned into the arms that encircled me. "Thank you so much Spike."

"What?"

"You're not Spike." I said, looking over to where Spike was helping Angel teach Duncan a little lesson. I looked over my shoulder next. "Draco?"

"Yes. Are you alright?" He asked again. Real emotion had come into his voice.

"Yes. I'm fine. Just shaken." I leaned further back into his arms, finally feeling my breathing go back to normal. "Why did you come?"

"I was by the entrance and hear you yell. I knew Duncan would do something like this." Draco said, glaring at the now trussed up boy. Angel had flung him over his shoulder and was walking back to the school and a nice leisurely pace. Spike lit up a fag and followed, not before looking over at Draco and I. He blew a long stream of smoke from his mouth, and followed Angel.

"I didn't think you would care." I admitted.

Draco tensed. "You let him put your hands all over you just to see if I cared?"

"Well you can't blame me." I said, trying not to get upset. "You did come here tonight with Pansy Parkinson."

"Piper we couldn't have come to this dance together and you know it."

"Then you should've gone alone."

"My father-" He started.

"I don't care about your father. This is all his fault. He controls you, and you go right along with it. Dumbledore offered asylum to anyone who needs it last year, and this year he reminded us the offer still stands. It seems to me that you need it." My voice wavered. "You let him break us up!"

"I never stopped loving you Piper, but this isn't my decision." He protested.

I squeezed my eyes shut in exasperation." Yes it is! You just said yourself, you love me. And I love you. What's the problem here?"

"My father and Pansy's father have agreed that our marriage would benefit everyone in the end." It sounded rehearsed and hollow to me.

"Bullshit." I spat. "Is the dance still going on?"

"Yes."

"Then we're going in. Together." I said.

"We can't. People already suspect something from what I did yesterday, no don't look at me like that, I don't regret it. But it's caused talk." He said, trying to hold me tighter. I resisted and pulled completely away.

"If you don't walk in with me right now, I will never talk to you again. I won't even look at you Draco Malfoy. I will hate you. You know what that means, the soul mate connection will go back to being a curse, we'll have to touch each other everyday again. And since I don't plan to be looking, talking, or having anything to do with you, we'll both die. Just remember that I loved you."

I walked away in the direction of the entrance. I'd walked five feet when I felt a hand slip into mine. I smiled at Draco, trying to convey some of my confidence. He couldn't return the smile, but I could accept that. He'd just made the choice to betray his father and ultimately accept Dumbledore's asylum. Nothing about that was easy.

I will forever remember the stunned looks on people's faces when Gryffindor and Slytherin stood at the door of the hall, hand in hand. The Gryffindors and Slytherins were somewhere between shocked and appalled, and I don't think the other houses knew what to think. The just stared at us. Pansy fainted. Professor Dumbledore and Adhara were the only ones truly smiling. My friends had grave looks on their faces like they were expecting the end of the world at any second. Lucius Malfoy looked like he was ready to bring it.

"I love you." Draco muttered as we took small steps into the room.

"And I you." I only now realized how much of a change this was for any Hogwarts student to be witnessing.

A/n- *yawns*, it's about five thirty on Sunday morning and I'm dressed for ice-skating practice, but I figured before the carpool gets here I'd upload this. God, I'm tired. Hmmm, this is off subject, but it anyone happen to see x-men evolution on Saturday? It was so good. Ugh, there's the horn. Gtg upload this. They can wait five minutes.

                          -A Sleepy MJ Parker