This time, Ginny greeted me euphorically. But the rest looked at me quizzically.

"Come here to fight again?" Ron drawled.

"No, to say sorry. But you owe me an apology as well. I'm my own person, Ron, and I wish you could see that too. Can we start over?"

Taken aback, he looked me over, as if I would suddenly sprout another head. Then he held out his hand. "Fine."

I smiled and shook it. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as we shook, and a murmur went through the hall.

Harry and Hermione were entering the hall as we finished shaking hands. "Hi," I said.

They quirked eyebrows, but sat down decidedly saying, "Erm, hello."

"Well, I'm going to go back to the Slytherin table. See you later!" I called as I parted.

"Ro-chelle…" a sing-song voice whispered into my ear as I sat down.

"Hey, Draco," I said shyly, and then I laughed, "Stop that," as he started to kiss me, little pecks starting from my hand, up my arm, skipping over my robes, onto my neck, up until he gave me a last soft, short, sweet kiss on my lips.

"But I missed you."

"Yeah," I agreed breathlessly. "I guess it's official then. We're together."

"Official, and sealed with a kiss," he said.

"And to think, a few days ago I hated you," I laughed.

"How could you hate me? I'm adorable!" he smirked.

"Hmmm….it could be because you're arrogant, manipulative, spoiled, and a self-absorbed serpent."

"But I'm your arrogant, manipulative, spoiled, self-absorbed serpent. And you're my tough little fighter who can't keep her tongue in her cheek."

I laughed and pushed him a bit for that one. We joked and cuddled some more during the rest of the meal and then got up and said goodbyes before going to classes.

"I'll see you soon, Rochelle. Oh, I almost forgot. There are Quidditch try-outs after classes today for the Slytherins! I'm going to try for Seeker, and I want you to be there."

"Really? I'll be there, don't worry." But what I didn't tell him was that I'd be there trying out for Chaser.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

It was raining, down-pouring even, by the time I got ready for Quidditch practice. I looked out the window near my bedside and sighed before getting my Firebolt. I darted down the stairs with it in hand, to the Quidditch pitch.

"I'm here to try out for Chaser," I said to Marcus Flint, the captain.

"Alright, gear up, that way," he said, revealing very large teeth.

I went into the room where two other girls were changing. "I'm trying out for Keeper," one said to the other.

"I want to be a Beater," the other one said excitedly. One was a third year, the other in fourth.

I interrupted their conversation. "Excuse me, where's the gear for Chasers? I'm trying out."

They pointed me to three lockers. I chose one and started to change. First were black pants and a dark green sweater, which went underneath green robes. Then the black boots slipped on. I slid my hands into armored black gloves, and put my long ringlets into a ponytail before grabbing my broom and emerging.

The rain exploded as it hit my face. Wind bit at me mercilessly, and I was muddy and wet by the time I came to mount and start.

"Beaters are first!" Flint called gruffly. "You'll go in pairs of two. Seaman, Silverton, you're first."

Two boys high-fived one another before flying up into the air. "The rest of you, practice by flying on the other end of the Quidditch pitch!" Flint commanded with a bark.

We nodded and I murmured, "Up," to my broom, because I obviously wasn't going to walk all that way.

The others saw my idea and followed suit. I did laps in the air, trying to zip away from imaginary opponents.

A flash of blonde caught my eye, but not soon enough, as we collided into one another.

"Sorry, didn't see you there….Rochelle!" Draco shouted, incredulous. "What are you doing here?"

"Trying out for Chaser," I said simply. "I've been planning to try out for years."

"Why didn't you tell me you'd be trying out?"

"I thought'd be a nice surprise, love. Aren't you happy to see me?" I said in mock hurt.

"I'm always happy to see you, just startled is all," he said, bringing his hand to his forehead to wipe off rain that was still bombarding us.

"Well, let's practice," I said, and we flew into different directions, speeding into the air.

A smudge-faced boy flew from the other side of the pitch to us. "Chasers!" he said, and Draco whizzed by, calling a fleeting, "Good luck!"

I and the stringy, smudge-faced boy who appeared about Draco's age flew up to Flint.

"Let's see. We have a Theodore Nott, Second Year, here, and a Rochelle Arbore, First Year, for Chaser. You realize, Arbore, that you probably won't get in, correct?" I nodded furiously. "Well, we can't stop you from trying. Let's see what you've got, kid."

We flew farther up into the air, and Flint explained our task. "This is a Quaffle. I'm sure you're familiar with it. We will go and pass this Quaffle to one another. First I'll have it. I'll pass it to Nott. Nott, you'll pass it to Arbore, and Arbore'll pass it back to me. Then I'll try and get it passed the Keeper. Once I've gotten it through, you must try and catch it again, and whoever has it will try and get it through. We're only taking one Chaser, so don't blow it. Is everything understood?"

We nodded. The Seventh Year started to fly, and I sped in front of Nott into the middle. Flint passed it to Nott, who struggled, but caught it. Still flying, he passed it to me. I caught it with ease and threw it to Flint. Flint raised his eyebrows in approval. We were at the goalposts. Flint threw it past the Keeper, into the middle post. The Keeper threw it past us, but I darted back and caught it, agile and quick on my broom. I then proceeded to throw it through the left goalpost. The Keeper threw it back, and Nott missed it. I caught it after it flew past him and threw it into the right goalpost.

"Alright," Flint called. "Fly down and dismount."

I dove down, and Flint said to us, "We'll evaluate who gets in tonight. The final player's list will be posted in the Common Room tomorrow. Next up are the Keepers. Nott, go call them. Arbore, you are free to go back to the Common Room, or if you wish, you can stay and watch." As soon as Nott was out of sight, he knelt down so that he was my height, and said, "Good work, much more than I'd ever expect from a first year. I think we've found our Chaser, Miss Arbore."

I beamed and nodded before hopping on my broom and speeding off to the other end of the Quidditch pitch to Draco. "How'd you do?" he asked.

"We'll see tomorrow, I guess," I answered.

"Seekers!" a voice rang out.

"That's your cue," I said. "Good luck."

"I don't need it," he said arrogantly, with a smirk.

"Of course you don't," I said, and pushed him so he would go.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"I'm so tired," I groaned. My hair was soaking wet, and I was muddy all over.

Clutching our brooms, Draco and I entered the Common Room. It was almost dinnertime. Draco returned my groan with one of his own. "You're back! How were try-outs?" Leda asked.

We shot her acidic glares. "Ok, I won't ask," she said, stepping back.

I went up the staircase and took another warm, steamy shower. Then I put my white shirt, black pants, tie, and cloak on, feeling fresh and dry as I entered the Common Room, a book in hand. The fire hissed and made the room warm and inviting. A soft murmur of the other Slytherins' voices, like a gentle hum, could be heard lightly. I sprawled out on the dark green couch and read my book by the flame. It was so cozy and… comfortable… I yawned.

I blinked weary eyes and noticed the Slytherin crested blanket spread out on top of me. Someone had removed the book from over my eyes and had set it atop the mahogany table.

I sat up slowly, the murmur of voices nowhere to be heard. "Hello," a voice said, surprising me and breaking the silence.

I turned and saw Draco. "We're missing dinner," he said. "It should be almost over."

"Why didn't you go?" I asked.

"And leave you alone here? I think not," Draco answered, as if it were obvious. "Besides, we can go to the kitchens, if you want."

"You know how to get in?" I asked.

He smirked, and smugly said, "Yes, in fact, I do. Want to go?"

I nodded. "Hang on; let me get my invisibility cloak."

"Invisibility cloak?" I murmured.

He nodded and ran up the stairs. Then, he emerged, and with a flash, threw the cloak around himself and disappeared. "Draco?" I called, and I could almost hear him smirking.

"Right here," a voice said, long fingers resting on my shoulder. I whipped around, to see the grey eyes. "Alright, ready?" he asked, and the cloak was over us. I gripped his hand, and felt so close to him. I could feel ever breath vibrating through his body.

Our steps echoed through the empty corridors. Then, all of a sudden, a voice was heard. We both drew our wands from our cloaks

"Ron, you're always hungry," a prudent voice said. "Dinner's over and the first thing you nag Harry to do is take us to the kitchens."

"But Harry doesn't mind! Right, mate?"

Draco gasped with a sudden realization. A sharp turn was heard. "You hear that, Hermione?" Harry's voice came.

I saw Draco gather back his cool. With a flash, he whisked off the cloak, and smoothly said, "Surprise, Potter."

Harry removed his invisibility cloak as well. "Rochelle…Draco."

"Going to the kitchens too, I see? Well, let's dine together, then," Draco said, voice pouring like syrup, buttery and like silk. I was amazed how persuasive his voice was, sliding off his tongue.

"We might as well…" Harry said, and I could see a lack of trust. Perhaps Draco was pouring it on too thick?

Harry tickled the pear in the picture, and the kitchens opened. "Masters Harry, Ron, Draco, and Miss Hermione!" A large eared house elf (A/N: Not Dobby) greeted them. "And who's this, Master Draco?" He bowed.

"This is Rochelle," Draco said passively, and we walked in. The house-elves set out a table and chairs, and Hermione forcefully punched Ron while he let them do all the work.

"Really! Have some respect! Someday S.P.E.W. will rise, and all of them will have rights!"

"Hermione," Ron drawled. "They have rights here. They just choose not to use them."

Still, Hermione looked furious. "What would you like, please?" a house-elf asked.

"May I have a burger and fries?" Hermione asked. Draco looked at her quizzically.

"Muggle food, love. It's very good, actually," I explained. "May I have that as well?"

The house elf nodded vigorously. "And to drink, ladies?"

"Pumpkin juice, please."

The others ordered as well, and we conversed for a bit. "We're only here because Ron was hungry," Harry explained. "You?"

Draco looked at me and smiled. "Someone was tired from Quidditch try-outs, and slept in."

Now Harry looked interested. "You tried out for Quidditch?"

"Chaser, yeah. Draco tried out for Seeker," I answered, dipping a fry into my ketchup.

Now the emerald-eyed boy's eyebrows were raised so that they were almost level with the famed scar. "Seeker? Looks like I'll be getting some competition this year."

I smiled. "Bloody rainy, out there," I said, before Draco could reply with a remark of sorts.

They nodded, and we talked some more. Then, when we were finally full, we parted and lifted our invisibility cloaks over ourselves before returning to our common rooms.

I kissed Draco before ascending the staircase to the girl's dormitories, and dreamt of grey eyes.

A/N: Sorry if it was a bit shorter than the others, but I promise I'll do the other chappies soon. (Maybe quicker if you review…hehe.)

Keep in mind, however, that I do have a separate life away from Fan Fiction (Gasp!) and it includes evil teachers and such who distribute (cue the scary music) State Exams. AHH! Yeah. So, while you come on and groan as you see no little chappie arrow, remember, I'm suffering more than you. (They're MATH of all subjects!)

.:The Queen of the Quill:.