Varina sat on the grass, knees pulled up to her chest, watching the Giant Squid lazily wave its huge tentacles. She had been out here for at least half an hour. She didn't know exactly; she had lost track of time. She had stopped crying now, but she was still angry. Draco had offended her so badly. She couldn't believe she had actually thought someone who could say such hateful things was nice. But he was nice, she told herself. He was perfectly kind and considerate when she had first met him. And it wasn't just because he wanted to get into her pants; he had a girlfriend. Why, then, had been so vindictive when he thought there was something going on with her and Harry. Sure, he hated Harry, but why hadn't he believed her that there was nothing going on? Did he not trust her? Did he think she was a liar? She ran her hands through her hair and threw a nearby stone into the lake in frustration.

Draco wasn't paying attention to the conversation the other Slytherin sixth- years were now having. He was too busy thinking about Varina. He kept replaying their argument over and over in his head. He kept seeing the look of hatred on Varina's face. She had been so angry at him. And now he thought about it, he couldn't blame her. He had practically accused her of being a slut. He had just been so angry, so jealous, that she was becoming so friendly with Potter. She knew he hated Potter. Would she understand that? Would she know it was Potter he hated, not her? He couldn't think straight here. He needed to sort things out with Varina. He really liked her and he didn't want her to hate him over a stupid fight.

"I'm going to the library. I've got some research to do," he lied, excusing himself from the others and started looking for Varina, wondering what on earth he would say to her when he found her.

Varina was still sitting under the beech tree, pulling up tufts of grass absent-mindedly. She heard someone coming up behind her and so she turned to see who it was.

"You? What do you want? I have nothing to say to you Draco," she said coldly.

"Well, I have something to say to you," he said, unfazed.

"Oh really? And what would that be? More accusations? Or did you just think of a really good insult that you just had to come and tell me?"

"No. I came to say that I'm sorry," he said quietly, avoiding her eyes. Varina felt herself go slightly red.

"Oh. Well," she mumbled, feeling guilty for making accusations of her own when he had come to apologise. Wait, she thought, why should I feel guilty? He's the one who's been a prick. He sat down on the grass next to her. He still wasn't looking at her.

"I shouldn't have said what I did. I know you're not that kind of girl. I just- I guess I was jealous."

"Of what?"

"Potter," he said, even more quietly than before, "You two seemed so close, and I felt sort of envious. I think you're really nice and we haven't really spoken since the feast and well- I was just- jealous. I think the fact it was Potter you were friends with made it even worse. It's just- God- I hate him. I know you probably don't want to hear that, but I'm just trying to explain why I was so- so-"

"Mean? Cruel? Spiteful?" she suggested.

"Yes, yes, all of those things. I know I was harsh and I'm sorry. I just don't want you to hate me."

"Oh, Draco. I don't hate you," she said.

"Really?" he asked, looking at her for the first time.

"Really. And I- I forgive you. Just don't ever say anything like that to me again."

"I won't. I promise." He smiled weakly at her.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, unsure of what to say. Finally, Varina broke the silence.

"So, Draco," she said, "You never got to tell me about your family."

"My family?" he asked, "Not much to tell, that's why. I don't want to bore you."

"Oh, don't be daft. I talked your ear off at the feast, telling you about mine. It's only fair I listen to you." He smiled. God, he looks so nice when he smiles, she thought.

"You really want to know?" he asked. She nodded.

"Okay, here goes."

Draco's family was one of the oldest, noblest pure-blood wizarding families. His father Lucius Malfoy worked for the Ministry. His mother, Narcissa, didn't work. She was a trophy bride some said. Draco felt his parents marriage was largely for show. They hardly spoke to each other in the house, let alone show any signs of affection. Draco often wondered if they had only married for the sake of keeping their bloodline pure and only stayed together for his sake. He doubted very much that they had ever really loved each other. Draco found himself telling Varina all this as easily as if he'd been talking about Quidditch. She lay on the grass listening to him, not passing comment, letting him get it all off his chest.

"Wow," said Draco when he'd finished.

"What?" asked Varina. "It's just- I've never told anyone that before. Not even Pansy, and she's my girlfriend."

The mention of Pansy brought back some of the anger Varina had felt earlier.

Yeah, well I can understand you not telling her. I mean, it's a lot to translate into Pug, she thought. Draco turned to look at her. She realised, horrified, she must have said it out loud. Fortunately, he laughed. Phew, she thought, that could've gone really badly. Man he sounds so sexy when he laughs. She wondered for a moment whether to tell him this or not.

"You know," she said, "you have a really sexy laugh. You should do it more often."

He smiled feebly before saying, "I don't often have cause to laugh," he said quietly.

He averted his eyes, looking instead at the lake which was now tinted red as it reflected the setting sun in its calm waters. Varina felt a sudden rush of compassion towards Draco. She felt obliged to do something to comfort him. She sat up and reached over, resting her hand on his. He looked up at her. Her heart skipped. He looked at her, taking in every detail, every line of her heart-shaped face before looking back into her deep blue eyes.
They jumped as the castle's huge bell tower rang out, letting everyone know it was six o'clock and time for dinner.

"We should probably head back to the castle," said Varina.

"Yeah, right," agreed Draco getting up. They headed back to the castle in silence. As they walked into the Entrance Hall, they were greeted by the other Slytherins, also on their way to dinner. Pansy emerged from the crowd, heading towards Draco.

"There you are!" she said, ignoring Varina completely, "Where've you been? I thought you were going to the library."

"I did go. But then, I decided to go for a walk in the grounds. I just bumped into Reeny on the way back," he lied. Varina's heart fluttered at him using her nickname.

"Oh, okay. Come on, before all the food's gone," said Pansy, leading him away. Draco looked back apologetically at Varina, before following Pansy into the Great Hall.