A/n: I decided to post this chapter because I can.
QuesoMonkey: I appreciate that you're okay with some of the stuff from the previous chapter because opinions from readers are SUPER important because I'm pretty much set on the ships. I can't wait to read your story!
Chapter 11: "Enticing"
Helen had to admit…her plan to get Draco to notice her (what was the reason for that again?) had a lot of complications.
1) Helen's makeover for Hermione caused Harry and Ron to do even more ridiculous antics in competing for her.
2) Both she and Hermione were getting creepy little first year stalkers (talk about gross)
3) Draco was having a hard time controlling himself
So by the end of the week Hermione went back to her old self (long skirt and all) and for some reason it caused Harry to be even more taken with her and Ron slightly less.
"I'm glad we finally ended our section on the invisibility potions," Hermione whispered, "I wonder what we're doing today."
The class door slammed shut as the greasy haired, sallow skinned, potions teacher sped to the front of the classroom.
"You'll be taking notes today," Snape informed them, "So get out a quill and parchment this instant. Today's lesson will be included in your N.E.W.T.s"
Helen twiddled her quill around her fingers in a bored fashion. She looked up and saw Draco staring her and she suddenly had an idea. Helen "accidentally" dropped her quill and walked over to where it fell. She kneeled down slowly, without bothering to pull down her skirt which she knew was riding up her thighs. Helen looked out of the corner of her eyes and saw Draco staring at her like she was a triple fudge ice cream Sunday in the middle of the Sahara Desert. She gave him a quick wink before picking up her quill and returning to her seat. When she sat down she could feel multiple eyes on her. Helen looked up and saw every guy staring at her to a full Fleur-effect. A few whistled and Goyle blew her a kiss and licked his lips.
"Ewww!" Helen screeched.
"Is there a problem, Miss Cliff?"
"Could you tell Goyle to stop looking at me like a Thanksgiving turkey!"
"You should be used to it with Potter and Weasley goggling at your every move."
"Huh," Harry and Ron said in union. Helen saw Harry had been looking at Hermione but Ron…no way. He couldn't have been watching one of Slytherin's top sluts could he?
A/n: OooOo which Slytherin girl was Ron stealing glances at?
Snape continued on with his lesson until the end of class. The bell rang and the students went down to the grounds for Care of Magical Creatures. It was the same old lesson as usual and Helen was glad when it was over (she was afraid of continuing her plan for fear of seeing Goyle's disturbing looks again). She made her way down to the Gryffindor table for lunch, and started feeling even more annoyed at the stares she was getting. Maybe she should just do her plan in private and go back to her decently lengthened uniform. It would definitely get some of those sex deprived boys away from her. She decided that today would be her last day at this charade. Helen reached for her banana, almost bored knowing half the guys watching were probably "getting off".
A/n: Okay I am done writing bad stuff today!
Helen rubbed her tired eyes and sunk into her chair in the study.
"Let's take a break," Helen yawned. Draco nodded in agreement. They'd been studying together every night for two weeks now. "I never knew N.E.W.T. year would be so tough," Helen sighed.
"Well at least we have each other to bounce ideas off of," Draco pointed out.
"You know, I'm glad we've been like this…closer and all," she smiled. It was funny how she was starting to really enjoy being around him. He was a really nice guy (sort of) once house rivalry and family names went out the window. They were just a guy and girl who were studying like crazy and trying to find out their real selves without the influence of others to cloud their judgment. Helen stared wistfully out the window. The moon was full with an unusually bright yellow glow around it.
"Let's go out."
"Huh?" Helen's head snapped around to look at Draco.
"Let's go out for a walk on the grounds," Draco finished, helping her up.
"But we're not allowed out so late and besides, you're head boy so you shouldn't be suggesting we break rules anyway."
"What's the point of being a teen if you don't let loose and break rules every once in a while? Besides, I thought you and Harry were the main rule breakers in Gryffindor," he paused, "Never mind the question, just follow me," Draco said. Helen allowed her free spirit to get the better of her and she let him lead her out into the starry night. After a few minutes Draco spoke, "I thought Gryffindors only like daytime with sun shining, flowers blooming, birds chirping, and all that shit."
"The night is so peaceful. I love the way the clouds cover the moon and leaves that strange glow; and the stars shining like sparkling dots against the black sky. I just like the dark I guess."
"I'll let you in on a little secret," Draco lowered his voice, "Some days I find myself enjoying the flowers and the birds and the sunrise."
Helen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. These past weeks were showing her a side of Draco she never knew existed. Forget the "Get-Draco-to-notice-me-so-he-won't-be-an-enemy-and-the-world-will-be-safe" plan. Maybe she used that as an excuse to get his attention for her own reasons. Maybe she'd liked him from the start. He was her Via after all so maybe—
"Did you hear that?" Draco whispered in her ear.
"Ha ha very fun-Ahh!" Helen's voice was cut off when Draco's hand flew over her mouth.
"Shh," he said, whipping out his wand. Then Helen heard it…a soft swishing noise, a scuffle, and then nothing. Draco frowned, "Let's go inside."
Helen noticed he didn't put his wand away, nor let go of her either.
"Why are you so worried?" It was just one little sound," Helen questioned once they were back in their study.
"I think it was more than that," Draco replied.
"Like…"
"I don't know. I just sensed danger that's all."
"Okay so is it safe now?" she joked. He was still holding her protectively, "Draco…" she frowned. She didn't understand why he was looking at her like that.
"Dra—"she stopped when Draco touched her cheek.
What was he doing?
He tilted her chin up and—
Oh God! Oh God! He wouldn't
—his lips met hers. Helen never knew a kiss could be so gentle, so feather-like. His lips tasted of vanilla, his tongue like Hi-C pink lemonade (don't ask). Their kiss became deeper and more passionate with every passing second. She couldn't get enough of him—Tap Tap Tap!—Helen and Draco jumped.
An owl was tapping incessantly at the glass. Helen crossed to the window and untied the letter from the owl's leg.
"Another one from Sir Relle."
"Unfortunately. Why can't Kevin leave me alone?"
The memory of their interrupted kiss was still heavy on their minds.
"I'm going to sleep," Helen said, looking up at Draco, feeling more confused than ever before.
"Goodnight," Draco nodded, keeping his distance. Helen turned and went back to her room.
Draco watched her as she walked away. What the hell possessed him to kiss her? Okay the obvious reason was that she'd been driving him crazy, but if you-know-who and the other death eaters found out what he did—with an enemy…Okay so any more future trysts with Helen was off limits…unless he got her to join the dark side. Wait, there was no way Helen could be persuaded to ditch Potter and join forced with him…right? Damn it, why did he even care what happened to her?
"She is a G-R-Y-F-F-I-N-D-O-R, you whipped monkey," he told himself, "Gryffindors are too 'pure of heart', whatever that shit means. Helen isn't kept up at night thinking about this sort of thing so why are you?"
The truth is that…he was attracted to her and definitely wanted to be on good terms with her, yet he knew that sooner or later someone would try to ruin it. Draco yawned and decided his brain needed some sleep.
Hermione knocked on Helen's (technically hers) door.
"Do you know where Ron is?" Hermione asked when Helen came out.
"Nothing, it's just…well…we kind of had an argument last night and I wanted to apologize."
"An argument?"
"Well…Harry and I have been secretly dating for about a week."
"WHAT!"
"Ron was mad because I didn't tell him."
"Well of course! He's been thinking he still had a chance with you!"
"Actually…I'm not so sure. I think he likes someone else."
"Who?"
"I don't know," she sighed, "Anyway Harry and I are spending Hogsmeade together so um…you can hang out with Ginny or—"
"I doubt Ginny will want me tagging along," Helen laughed, "Don't worry mom, I'll be find by myself."
Hermione laughed at the mom joke.
"Have fun on your date," Helen added.
"I will."
It was a lonely walk to Hogsmeade.
Where was Ron anyway, with his new friend? Since when did she become a nice person, and how did they get together anyway?
"Hey, bitch, wait up," Paige called. Helen rolled her eyes. Damn it, why did her day have to start off like this?
"Can we save the bickering for later? I'm really not in the mood."
"I don't give a shit whether or not you're in the mood. I found out that YOU are responsible for Nicki's parents dying!"
"Me?" Helen was confused.
"One of Dumbledore's buddies murdered Nicki's mom and dad AND it just so happens that Dumbledore is YOUR GUARDIAN! YOU HAD HIM KILL HER FAMILIY, DIDN'T YOU?"
Who told Paige about Dumbledore being her guardian?
"I just got this in the morning!" Paige shouted, waving a letter in her hands, "It's from Bianca! She told everything! Admit it! Admit you had Nicki's parents killed!"
Even thousands of miles away, Bianca managed to complicate Helen's life even more.
"Bianca's lying."
"Liar!" Paige yelled, "I swear to you, Helen, one day you'll get what's coming to you! I'm going to make sure you suffer more pain than you could even imagine."
"That's already been done," Helen retorted, "Look I feel bad about what happened to Nicki but if either of you think a sixteen year old could plot someone else's murder…then you're the dumbest skank I've ever met."
"You little—"
Paige got Helen into a choke hold, knocking her to the ground.
"Die you bitch!" Paige screamed, tightening her grip on Helen's neck. Only when Helen punched her, did she let go. Helen stuck her wand in front of Paige's face.
"Keep the hell away from me," Helen sputtered.
"Well this is no way to spend a weekend," Draco snickered, "Put the wand away, Helen. Fighting is not going to be tolerated. I'm giving you a detention with me—"
"You can't do that!" Helen interrupted.
"Head boy," Draco pointed at his robes, "I can do anything. Just like telling Paige, Crabbe, and Goyle to get lost," he barked at them, "Helen and I have a few things to discuss."
The three got the hint and left them alone.
"I'll owl you a time to come to my room for your detention."
"Your room? What exactly will I be expected to do in my 'detention', eh Draco?" she asked suspiciously.
"You'll see—oh and meet me later for—" Draco stopped and stared over Helen's shoulder, "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Helen spun around and couldn't believe who she saw.
"Kevin!"
"Helen, I—"
"No way! Don't even come near me," Helen shouted.
"You weren't answering my letters."
"Hmm yeah I wonder why!"
"Look, I'm sorry okay."
"I will NEVER forgive you for what you did," Helen turned away.
"How can you not even hear me out? For Christ's sake, I stuck by your side every single year! I came to Hogwarts for you! Doesn't that count?" he tightened his hold on her arm.
"Sometimes history doesn't make a difference, and LET GO!" Helen tried to wrench her arm away, "You're cutting off my circulation," she couldn't push him away.
"She doesn't want to talk to you so get lost," Draco shoved Kevin. That caught Kevin off guard.
"This doesn't concern you."
"Actually harassing a student is my business so get lost."
"Why the hell do you care?" Kevin demanded, "Oh I see now! You two have something going on!"
"You know, you're so unbelievably stupid sometimes."
"This punk here's been fooling around with you, hasn't he?"
"Omg you are such a freak," Helen muttered, "Fuck off will you."
"Kevin," someone else called. I was Paige and she looked like she had something up her sleeve.
"Are they going out?" Kevin immediately asked.
"Draco doesn't 'go out' as he's told me, then again…he's also said he hasn't done anyone and we all know what a lie that one is."
"I think you're the liar," Helen stated.
"Hey, I thought he was a virgin too…little did I know…"
Helen didn't want to hear the rest. She walked very fast into the first shop she saw, which unfortunately was Madam Puddifoot's. Upon seeing Harry and Hermione sucking face she ran back out again. Why had she even bothered coming to Hogsmeade anyway? She decided to just take a stroll and—oof!
"Sorry about that," said a tall brown haired guy.
"Wow, Neville, I almost didn't recognize you."
"How's that possible when I see you every day?"
"I don't know," she smiled, "I guess I'm not used to seeing you so…built."
"Where're Harry, Ron, and Hermione?"
"Dates."
"Oh, okay…well do you want to go in Hog's Head? You look like you could use a drink."
"Sure why not," Helen said in a defeated tone.
"So what's gotten you so upset? Is it what happened to Professor Trelawney?"
"What happened?" Helen jerked her head up off their table.
"She's been missing since last night."
Was that who she and Draco had heard on the grounds?
"What'll you two have?" the bartender asked.
"A butterbeer and uh…" Neville looked at Helen.
"Evil Princess," she supplied. After the barman left she asked Neville what happened to the Professor but no one knew. If Trelawney didn't return to the castle by dinner then Dumbledore would have to inform the ministry. There was a tinkle of a bell at the front door, emitting Ron…and Pansy.
"W-what the—" Neville stammered.
"I know," Helen nodded, "I wonder too."
"Does Harry or Hermione know about this?"
"Nope, and I expect an argument in the common room when they do."
A/n: I just wanted to defend my "Hi-C pink lemonade" quote about Draco because it's an AWESOME TANGY/SWEET taste. Oh and since I updated early…I'm not sure when the next time I post will be.