A/N: Okay, so we know Draco/TL moved a little fast, but . . . er, well, for the sake of the story do you wanna just go with it? Lol. Our theory was, it starts out as pure . . . lust. Then it develops over time through meetings we don't see. Cool?

Then We Can Make Up

Monday morning came to find Tiger Lily Potter and Bianca Weasley in Defense Against The Dark Arts with the other seventh year Ravenclaws.

Professor Malfoy gave Tiger a calculating look. "Tiger Lily, come up here for a moment."

The other students couldn't resist an "Ooh . . ."

The professor glared at them. "Tiger Lily, I need to speak with you."

One of the boys muttered to his friend, "I bet he does."

"Five points from Ravenclaw."

The classroom went silent and cold; the students went back to work, still half-listening to their professor and his conversation with Tiger Lily, who had made her way to his desk.

"Tiger . . ."

"If it's about the other night, then don't bother." She leaned toward him. "You didn't want to play then, so don't expect a lap dance or anything."

"Miss Potter." She stood up straight, startled. "I suggest you hold your tongue."

Regaining her composure, she said, "Why? You usually hold it for me."

"Miss Potter, we will talk later. While you're doing your detention in here tonight at eight o'clock. Sharp."

Tiger felt her jaw drop. "You're not serious?"

He put his hands firmly on his desk and rose to his feet. "Try me."

She glared at him. "Whatever."

She whipped around, her long hair flying over her shoulder. She sat at her seat in a rage until the bell finally rang. She was the first student out the door.

When the door to the DADA classroom opened and Tiger stepped in, Draco glowered at her. "You're late."

"No, actually, I am on time. Check your watch."

He did so, and sighed. She was right; it was eight o'clock exactly. "Guess I'm just used to you being ten minutes early."

She shrugged. "I was busy. So . . . What's the punishment? Lines? Cleaning?"

He let out another heavy sigh. "Tiger, you know what this is about, and you know we need to talk."

"Fine," she said, shrugging.

"Sit down," he said, motioning to a chair. She stood for a moment, debating, but decided to obey. "Tiger . . . I . . ."

She looked up at him.

"I didn't want you to find out, because I didn't want you to think I was using you to get back at your family. It wasn't that at all."

Tiger stared into his stormy-gray eyes. "Then what was it?"

"When I took this job, I never intended to fall for one of my students. Harry and Ginny's daughter, no less." Her eyes were glistening with tears. "I . . ."

"You should have told me sooner."

"I know that now. I never wanted to hurt you."

"Well . . . You did." She stood and walked out; he felt that strange, unreasoned pain in his chest when he saw tears streaming down her face once more.

Tiger Lily ran to the only safe-haven she knew, the Loveshack. It was empty, so she sat at the edge of the stage, hugging her knees to her chest, and weeping.

When Bianca saw that it was eight-thirty she headed toward Professor Malfoy's office to see if Tiger was out of detention yet. She knocked, and he answered with a slightly hopeful look on his face.

"Where's Tiger Lily?" she asked when she saw that he was alone.

He sighed. "She ran out of here about fifteen minutes ago."

She looked at him menacingly and shook her head. She then turned around and headed immediately for the Loveshack.

She found Tiger still crying on the stage. She walked over, sat down beside her, and put a comforting arm around her shoulder. Tiger turned toward her cousin and was immediately enveloped in a hug.

A few hours later, Bianca looked at her cousin, red, puffy eyes, splotched face and all. "You ready to go back?" Tiger nodded miserably. "Okay. Let's go."

When they reached the corridor of the Ravenclaw tower entrance. Bianca turned to Tiger Lily.

"Tiger, I have to patrol." She nodded. "Are you going to be okay?" She nodded again. Bianca gave her a hug. "I love you."

She smiled weakly at Bianca and hugged her again. Then Bi left, and Tiger turned and started walking down the corridor. As she reached the portrait hole, it opened and she saw Draco exit through it. She stopped to watch him. He walked toward her, quickening his pace, and was soon standing in front of her. She looked into his eyes and threw her arms around him; he hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry," she said through her tears, still clutching him.

"No. You have no reason to be. But, I am sorry, Tiger."

Tiger Lily pulled back a little to gaze into his eyes. She kissed him gently; he returned the gesture and hugged her tightly again.

Bianca smiled to herself as she leaned against the corner of the wall.