Disclaimers: can I skip this part yet?
A/N: Okay, those of you who actually liked reading this story, here's the long awaited seventh chapter.
Chapter SevenIt was hour after agonizing hour for Draco. His classes weren't the least bit interesting and he couldn't concentrate. All his thoughts were on one very aggravating, but tempting female Gryffindor.
He tried everything to get her off his mind. Studying was a disaster. Flying just landed him into a tree. He couldn't even poke fun at Potter properly.
It made him moody as hell. Even Crabbe and Goyle apparently had the smarts to stay away from him.
The only thing that made the day worth while was his upcoming detention. But it wasn't because of her. No. He just figured it would pass the time quicker than anything else.
He even showed up to detention ten minutes early. He told himself it was because he didn't want to be stuck with her again.
"You're early, Mr. Malfoy," professor Snape noted with surprise. "In a hurry to clean shelves?"
Draco crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow in mock amusement. "I had just one question. If you're a death eater, how is it you're related to a muggle?"
Snape stared down his nose at the young Slytherin. "A bit nosy, aren't you? But if you're that curious, my sister married a muggle after her heart was broken by a man just like you."
Draco sneered. "And you allowed that? You let her taint wizarding blood with the likes of them?"
"Before you point fingers, Malfoy," he spat out. "Maybe you should talk to your father about why Jade's mother married a muggle."
Draco opened his mouth to question him, but was cut off by Jade clearing her throat from the door.
She looked at Draco with hurt in her eyes before turning to her uncle. "Should I pick up where I left off, Professor Snape?"
"Go right ahead, Miss Winthrop. And maybe this time, Mr. Malfoy might actually help."
Jade tossed Draco a nasty look. "That's all right. I wouldn't want him to associate with the my kind."
Draco sneered at her in return, but he felt guilty for hurting her. That was something new. "Right in one, Winthrop. I wouldn't want to dirty my robes any further than I already have."
She moved past him to the shelf and began removing various bottles and such. Her uncle sat behind his desk grading papers.
Draco crossed his arms and strolled over to her area, vaguely wondering why his insult wasn't affecting her in the slightest. "It's my detention too, you know."
"Is that your way of trying to help?" she questioned. "Because if it is, I don't need or want it."
He scowled at her back, but sat down.
"What are your plans this weekend, Jade?" Snape asked conversationally.
She looked over at him and shrugged. "I can't really say," she replied with a sly smile.
"Or should I ask how many rules you plan on breaking?"
She smiled at him over shoulder. "Wouldn't you like to know, Severus."
He shrugged and turned back to his papers, but Malfoy snorted. "Plotting with the Dream Team, are you?"
When she didn't answer, he shot her another nasty look. He opened his mouth, but she whirled around.
"Whatever you're going to say," she said in a deadly voice. "I suggest you don't."
Draco glared. "Professor," he began, not angling his head. "I'll finish my detention tomorrow evening, when she's not here."
Snape nodded caustically. "And Mr. Malfoy, the next time you speak to your father, ask him about what I told you."
Draco felt a mixture of emotions as he left the room. It was confusion and something else that was unfamiliar: jealousy.
~*~
His father's face greeted him in the fireplace when he got back to his room.
"You're late, Draco," he said in his usual aristocratic tone.
"Sorry, father. I had detention with Snape."
Lucius' eyes snapped to his sharply. "And why is that?"
Draco rolled his eyes as he plopped down in the nearest chair. "This stupid Gryffindor got me in trouble. And she's American. New, too."
Lucius eyes his son with obvious distaste. "And you let her get you in trouble? I thought you were sharper than that, Draco."
His father's tone annoyed him to know end, but he knew from past experience not to say anything. Draco rolled his words off his shoulders like a bug. "Well, Snape gave her detention, too, and she's his niece," he explained aimlessly.
His father face turned to him abruptly. "Snape's niece?"
Draco shrugged. "Yes. Apparently her father's a muggle."
Lucius sneered, so unlike him. "How unfortunate."
"It's odd, don't you think?" Draco wondered out loud. And then he remembered. "Father, Professor Snape said you knew why her mother married a muggle. Why did she?"
Lucius stared at him coldly. "She was a stupid little Gryffindor who wanted me after she was already tainted by mudbloods and the like. I wasn't that desperate, so naturally she blames me for ruining their family blood line."
Draco frowned, taking in his words.
"And I want you to stay away from her, Draco. She's no good. Everyone on that side of Severus' family is nothing but trouble."
He opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it. He nodded instead. He'd find out the truth eventually. He had to.
"How is school coming along?"
"Fine. Just as boring as last year and the year before that," he commented dryly.
"Good, good." Lucius nodded absently, not really listening. "I spoke to our Lord today. He's looking forward to the next generation of Death Eaters."
Draco forced himself not to grimace at the mention of Voldemort. "Oh, is he? That's just great."
"He wants to initiate you all around the Christmas holiday," he continued.
"That certainly sounds like something to look forward to," Draco deadpanned.
"Well, it is." Lucius sighed. "It's getting late, Draco, and you do have school tomorrow. Your mother sends her love. Good night."
"Good night, Father."
And with that Lucius Malfoy's face disappeared, leaving his son to deal with yet another sleepless night.
