Chapter 2 – A Cage it falls into

Hermione stormed into the Gryffindor Common Room steaming mad. She tossed her book bag at the leather couch and started pacing back and forth, mumbling god knows what. Harry and Ron could only begin to TRY and calm her down. It was the first time that they heard Hermione swear and curse loudly in the school's corridor.

"WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?! IF SHE THINKS SHE'S WON THIS FIGHT SHE IS SO WRONG! I'M GOING TO MAKE HER WISH SHE WAS NEVER BORN!" Hermione shouted.

"Shh! Hermione, not so loud," said Harry, trying to calm her down. "Look, the only way we can deal with someone LIKE Shiina is to think like her."

"OUT OF THE QUESTION, HARRY! The day I start thinking like Shiina Hayama is the day pigs fly, clouds fall and snow starts falling over the Equator," said Hermione, "Shiin has beaten me in everything. Studies, Quidditch, social, BOYS, everything! This time, I have to take a stand."

Ron pulled Harry aside. "Harry, you know it's impossible to separate two women when they're in a feud. It has never been done before!"

"Hmm... I guess you're right..." Harry muttered.

Hermione snapped, "What did you guys say?!"

"No-Nothing, Hermione. G-Go on," said Ron, nervously.

Hermione started rubbing her knuckles and looked out the window. Harry and Ron stood far away from her as possible to avoid becoming punching bags for her to train.

Potions Class was everyone's LEAST favorite subject (except, of course, if you're not in Slytherin). Professor Severus Snape was always looking for trouble in other houses (especially Gryffindor) so he can take away house points.

Snape has already taken into Shiina. She has become his new favorite student. Her potions mixtures were perfect. It was almost too good to be true. He gave her a rare, proud smile.

Slytherin loved her; others just love to hate her.

Hermione and Malfoy locked themselves in an empty classroom one rainy Saturday evening. Hermione told Harry and Ron she was going to be at the library. She felt bad about lying to them every time she goes off to see Malfoy alone but it was just something she had to do.

She stared out of the window, into the rainy sky while Malfoy kissed her at the neck and felt up her skirt. Hermione's head was up in space. She wasn't concentrating on Malfoy, but in fact, she was concentrating on how to get Shiina back. A plan of revenge.

Malfoy realized this and stopped. He let go of her and took a seat in on a table. He stroked his blonde hair with his long fingers and sighed heavily in frustration. Hermione straightened her skirt and shirt and sat down in a chair opposite Malfoy.

"What is it, Granger? Am I doing something wrong?" Malfoy asked in frustration.

"We've been together for a while and you STILL can't call me by my first name?" Hermione asked.

"Fine, Hermione. What am I doing wrong?"

"Nothing... it's just..."

"Just...?"

"Well, I noticed Shiina was... you know... flirting with you a couple of days ago."

"And you're jealous?"

"Of course not!"

"Hermione, I know ALL about your little dispute with your cousin but that's not going to change anything."

"Why do I see you flirting back?"

"I'm just playing her."

"Draco. Shiina isn't someone you 'play' with. She's NOT playable."

Malfoy looked at his feet. He tapped them on the floor a couple of times before rising up. He heaved a sigh and walked closer to Hermione. He placed his arms around Hermione and kissed her on the forehead. He grinned playfully at her as an assurance that he will not let himself get hurt.

"I can handle her. I'm just going to play around a bit. Just having a bit of fun," Malfoy assured, "After all, you DO hate her, don't you?"

"Of course I do. But I don't deny that her powers are more advanced than mine. And..." Hermione drifted, looking down.

"And...?"

"And she's into Dark Arts... She's a loyal supporter of You-Know-Who..."

Malfoy loosened his embrace and looked at Hermione. Hermione looked up. Shocked, realizing she said something out of place, she covered her mouth.

"Oh my god, Draco... I am so, so sorry..." Hermione said, apologetically, wishing she hadn't said it in the first place.

"Hey..." Malfoy placed a finger under her chin and pushed her head up to face him, "Don't worry about it... I know how you feel about Dark Arts and the Dark Lord."

"Le-Let's go before Filch finds us in here..."

It was the first time Malfoy or any of the Slytherin Quidditch team seen anyone stood balanced on a broom in a pair of 3-inch platform boots, dodging Bludgers, tossing a Quaffle into the goal and chase after the Snitch without falling off once. It just seemed too perfect.

They didn't know where to place Shiina on the team.

Shiina dodged the Bludgers by jumping off the broom and landing back on it safely. She tossed in the Quaffle right side up, upside down and even while not looking.

"You fly good," Malfoy shouted, hovering beside her.

"Practiced everyday! I live in a shrine up in the mountains back home so no Muggles can see me train on my broom," Shiina shouted back, covering her face from the sand the wind blew.

"Let's see how you hit a Bludger." Malfoy tossed Shiina a club. She held it in her left hand and waited for the Bludger to come her way. It came closer...

Closer...

Closer...

She hit it hard towards the Grand Lake. Malfoy followed the hit Bludger and saw it dive into the lake with a loud splash. He whistled in amazement and turned back towards the castle. Shiina was already on solid ground by then, shouldering her broom. Malfoy landed a couple of feet away from her. He shouldered his broom and walked towards her.

"Not bad at all," he complimented her, "Let me see your arm."

Shiina took off her Quidditch robes. She was wearing a blank tank top and sports pants under her robes. Her arms were fair and well toned but heavily scared. Her wrists were bandaged. Even her palms had scratches. The Slytherin team had no girls, so the boys took the opportunity to stare at Shiina's well toned, well build body, whistling.

"Scratcher," Malfoy chuckled.

"How did you EVER guess?" Shiina asked with a playful smile.

Shiina walked down the school's corridor after Potions Class. She smiled and almost skipped, happily knowing that the Slytherins loved her and Professor Snape adored her. She took pride knowing that even her cousin, Hermione is jealous. Most of the teachers had turned their attention from Hermione to Shiina.

She felt something nuzzling at her leg. She looked down and found Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. She kneeled down and patted Mrs. Norris. Never, in Hogwarts history, did Mrs. Norris like ANY of the students. Shiina slung her bag over her shoulder and picked up Mrs. Norris.

"Mrs. Norris! Where are you?" Filch's voice boomed the corridors. He emerged from the corner and saw Shiina carrying Mrs. Norris.

Shiina smiled at Filch and walked towards him with Mrs. Norris resting comfortably in her arms.

"Mr. Filch, you mustn't leave poor Mrs. Norris running around. It'll be wasted if you lose such a fine cat," Shiina exaggerated, "I wished I had one just like her..." she added as she patted Mrs. Norris.

With a sweet smile on her face, she handed Mrs. Norris to Filch

"Ah well, yes... she is a good kitty, aren't you, Mrs. Norris?" Filch talked to Mrs. Norris. In Shiina's head, it was almost sickening to see it. "You're welcome to visit her and play with her anytime, Ms..."

"Hayama. Shiina Hayama, Mr. Filch, sir."

"You're not from England, are you?" Filch twitched. "You have a slight Irish accent, my dear."

"My mother is Irish, sir... And my father Japanese. Well, I best be off to Ancient Runes class. Good day to you, Mr. Filch," she bowed.

Filch smiled a toothless smile and bowed. "Good day to you too, Ms. Hayama."

Shiina walked away, listening to Filch talking to Mrs. Norris, "Such a lovely girl, isn't she, Mrs. Norris?"

Shiina smiled her triumphant smile. Another one in the bag, she thought. "Sucker," she muttered under the clicking sound her shoes were making.