Ha. I'm back. For a little while. This chapter has been written for awhile, and I'm still suffering from writer's block. Hopefully it'll get better soon.

The title is from Disney's "The Little Mermaid".

Enjoy! And thanks to my few reviewers. I love you!

The day dawned clear and cold. A thin layer of frost coated the blades of grass and made swirling designs on the windows. The sun shone down from a pale blue sky, illuminating but not warming the land. Draco Malfoy awoke shivering, cocooned in his blankets, his feet tangled in the sheets in an attempt to thaw them. He groaned, his temper already on the rise. His feet were blocks of ice and there was a stone floor between him and his slippers. He scowled, and pulled his thick covers even closer and closed his eyes again, determined to ignore the sunlight and return to sleep. He was just drifting off into a dream involving several beautiful women, breakfast tea, trench coats, and a rather hideous brown and yellow couch, when a pair of hands shook him roughly awake again.

"Hell no!" he groaned, cracking his eyes open to glare at Blaise who was grinning down at him.

"Here are your slippers." Blaise said in amusement. "Now haul your pretty little ass out of bed and get ready for the game!"

"You think my ass is pretty?" Draco said slyly, but the effect was ruined by the yawn that the followed.

Blaise laughed and yanked away the blankets.

"Perhaps. Now up!"

"Slavedriver." Draco growled, sliding his feet into the plush slippers. "Sadistic slavedriver."

"Yup." the other boy said cheerfully, "We want to win this match."

Draco was wide awake now. Today was the Gryffindor/Slytherin quidditch match. He'd been training manically so that this time, his last match against Harry 'bloody' Potter, he would catch the Snitch.

He took a quick shower, and dressed in his quidditch robes. Knowing that he was going to freeze out there, he put a simple warming spell on the clasps of his robes. Hopefully they would emit enough heat that he would be able to concentrate fully on the game.

He made his way down to breakfast, his usual sneer in place. He sat and piled his plate high with his traditional pre-game food. Danish, Eggs, Juice, and Fresh Fruit. He ate quickly and with single minded determination. His mind was already running over the strategies for the game.

"Draco. Hi."

He looked up and smiled at Reyana.

"Hi Reyana."

They hadn't really talked much since her birthday. Draco had only purchased the earrings as a means to an end, but he found himself hoping nervously that she'd enjoy them. Every day since, Draco had been trying to convince himself that it was all for his mission. That his heart didn't skip when he saw her smile, and that he didn't look forward to seeing her at every meal. He mentally repaired the walls around his heart as he gestured for her to sit.

"Good Luck today Draco." she said offhand, slathering cream cheese on a bagel.

"He's gonna need it." a voice jeered from behind Draco's shoulder.

"Weasel." he drawled without turning around. The redhead wasn't worth the effort. "How nice of you to join us."

"Changing sides?" Pansy sneered.

"Too bad we don't accept vermin."

Draco grinned as Millicent joined the verbal assault.

"Yes Weasel." he leaned back and looked into the furious blue eyes. "Do stick around. We serpents can never resist the call of fresh meat."

The table erupted into laughter and Draco caught sight of a quickly repressed smile on Reyana's face.

Draco watched in satisfaction as Weasley turned even redder and then stomped off in a huff.

"Draco..." Reyana started, and he turned to her, eyebrow raised in question

"All Slytherin players!" the quidditch captain's voice rang out. "Breakfast is over! To the pitch!"

Draco pushed back, and resisted the urge to shrug apologetically at Reyana. He turned and sauntered out of the Great Hall, aware of the eyes following his departure.

Reyana slid onto the hard wooden bench next to Pansy. The air was still and their breath made frosty clouds in front of their mouths. The stands were packed with students bundled up against the cold and decked out in their House colors. Reyana looked around with a curious eye. This was the oddest sport she'd ever heard of. It reminded her a little of that ancient Mayan game with hoops and heavy balls, but she was pretty sure that the Mayans hadn't had broomsticks or self-propelling balls. She was greatly looking forward to the game. She'd even worn a silver sweater under her green cloak, so she blended in well with the other Slytherin fans. Her dragon pendent and earrings were her only jewelery, and matched her outfit perfectly.

As she and the other students watched, the two teams walked out onto the pitch, broomsticks held firmly in their gloved hands. Reyana picked Draco out easily and watched, or rather stared at him. Madam Hooch blew the whistle, released the balls and the players were off. Draco flew high above the game and circled, looking, Reyana presumed for the ever elusive Golden Snitch. She tried to follow the fast moving game, but the constant movement made her head hurt. She was as vocal as the other Slytherins every time their team scored, and booed and hissed every time Gryffindor got the Quaffle in which unfortunately enough was more often then the Slytherins. The score after 45 minutes stood at 50-30 Gryffindor. Reyana was beginning to go numb. She couldn't feel her nose or her ears anymore and her fingers, even in her wool gloves were getting stiff. She only wanted the game to be over so she could fix herself a cup of hot tea and thaw out.

"Potter's diving! Has he seen the Snitch? Malfoy follows close behind." the commentator shouted

Reyana leaned forward, her heart in her mouth.

"Draco!" she screamed along with the other Slytherins. "Go Draco!"

Draco was following close on the tail of Potter when all of a sudden he looked up and pulled out of the dive.

"What is Malfoy doing? Is he giving the game to Gryffindor?" the commentator was amused.

Reyana followed Draco with her eyes as did the rest of the spectators. Potter pulled out of the dive and leaning forward against his broom, tried to catch up with Draco, but it was too late for the Gryffindors. Draco had extended his arm and snatched the Golden Snitch out of the air. The Slytherin stands erupted into hysterical cheering and as one they rushed down from the stands to congratulate their Housemates.

Reyana followed, a huge grin on her face and a warmth in her heart. Draco had won. He'd done it! Done what no Slytherin had been able to do in 7 years. He caught the Snitch before Potter!

Draco touched down on the grass and Reyana could see the exultant look on his face before he was mobbed by the Slytherins.

"Back off! Back off!" Madam Hooch was yelling waving her arms wildly in the air and blowing her whistle. Reluctantly the students backed off, allowing Malfoy to hand the Snitch to the flying instructor. He turned and Reyana tried to melt back into the crowd but he saw her, and the smile on his face widened and he winked at her. Reyana flushed and decided to give the congratulations he so deserved. She went up to him and without thinking, threw her arms around him. He responded by pulling her close and resting his head on her shoulder for a moment.

"Good Job." Reyana managed to whisper. Her heart was pounding and she was trembling. Being in Draco's arms was a dream come true. A dream she hadn't really realized until this moment. His arms were strong and gentle and he smelled of vanilla. She never wanted him to let go, but he did. He released her and gave her a private smile.

"I'm glad you came." he said honestly, ignoring the rest of his fans crowding around.

Reyana blushed.

"I wouldn't have missed it."

He glanced at her flushing cheeks and caught sight of her earrings. His eyes lit up and he reached out and brushed his fingers against the silver dragons.

"You're wearing them."

Reyana laughed at his surprised look and touched his arm hesitantly.

"Of course I am. I've wanted them for ages. Thank you."

He shrugged it off, but his eyes betrayed how much it meant to him.

Blaise stepped up, ending the moment.

"Party in the Common Room." he said in a low voice. "Free drinks."

Draco nodded and then gave Reyana an apologetic smile.

"I need to change. I'm all sweaty."

She nodded and waved him off.

"See you at the party?"

He nodded before heading off.

Blaise gave Reyana a sly smile.

"Everything going well on the Malfoy front I see."

She pretended to ignore him, but a tiny smile touched her lips.

Blaise rolled his eyes and took her arm, forcing her to walk back up to the castle with him.

"Youare a good influence on him I think." he commented. "The only time he smiles is for you."

Reyana bit her lip and fought the hope rising in her. Could he really like her? Was there any hope for her? Probably not. She was a muggle after all and Draco was a pureblood. But that wouldn't stop her from hoping. After all, he had given her the earrings. And he'd returned her impulsive hug.

She was silent the rest of the way to the common room, busy considering Draco.

They entered the room and the silence was broken by the pure chaos inside. There were students everywhere, most with glasses of alcohol, in varying states of soberness. A glass of something was pushed into her hand and she took a experimental sip. The liquid burned all the way down and instantly sent a tendril of warmth through her stomach. An arm went around her waist and she turned to see Draco. His eyes were hard again. The mask was back into place, but that didn't keep the tingle from running up her spine.

"Draco?"

He didn't speak, only rubbed his left forearm absently and downed the amber drink in his other hand.

Reyana had a bad feeling.

"Is something wrong?"

He looked into her eyes searchingly and Reyana tried to project only concern and affection. He shook his head firmly.

"He calls." he said in very low whisper so no one would hear.

Reyana winced and gave him a sympathetic smile.

His eyes softened, he leaned forward and placed a butterfly kiss on her mouth. Before Reyana could react, his eyes were hard again and he was gone.

Draco rushed from the common room, the burning in his arm overwhelming him. As he hurried across the grounds, dodging students deftly, he contemplated 'the kiss'. He hadn't meant to kiss her. He hadn't planned on any of this. He hadn't expected to fall for her. He could admit it to himself now. Seeing her at his game, her eyes shining and her cheeks chapped from the cold, had meant the world to him, and it was as she wrapped her arms around him, that he finally gave in and allowed himself to feel. But, now he was on his way to the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord that he was going to deliver Reyana to. And he was going to do it. He had no choice. And nothing could come between him and his loyalty to his master. He apparated to the cottage and after securing his white mask, Draco entered. The Dark Lord was sitting in a tall backed armchair stroking his snake Nagini.

"My Lord." Draco said softly bowing down to the ground.

"Draco." the master did not sound pleased.

Draco felt a shiver of dread chill his body. He wasn't sure what his sin was this time, but he knew that he was going to be punished for it either way.

"Yes master?"

"I can sense your conflicting emotions."

"What conflict My Lord?" Draco hedged carefully, keeping his eyes on the ground, "I will admit that I have started to care for the muggle girl, despite my efforts, but I will still give her to you."

"Hmmm." was the only response from the Dark Lord.

Terror filled Draco. He still had vivid memories of his last punishment. He had no desire to experience that again.

"I will allow you to leave and continue with your assignment."

Relief, quickly stifled, filled Draco.

"But," Voldemort snarled, his eyes glowing red. "If you fail to deliver, I will kill you."

Draco bowed as low as he could, unable to wholly hide his tremblings.

"Oh and before you go." the Dark Lord smirked and raised his wand. Draco braced himself for the pain. But as always, when it came, he wasn't prepared and fell to the dirt floor in agony.

Fortunately it only lasted a few minutes and after it was over Draco was able to walk upright and proudly to the door.

He returned to Hogwarts, muttered a quick cleaning spell, and went back to join the party in the common room. He grabbed a glass of colorless alcohol and drained in one gulp. Only his pride kept him from coughing and choking as the nearly pure alcohol slid down his throat and into his stomach. He sank down on a couch, listlessly watching the joyful, drunken celebration raging on around him. He saw Reyana sitting at a table with Blaise, Pansy, and a 6th year boy named Simon. They were playing poker and it appeared that Pansy was winning by a healthy margin. A smile whispered across Draco's face as he observed the concentration on Reyana's face. Her nose was wrinkled up and her eyes narrowed. She was biting her lip in a way that made heat course through Draco's body. He pushed the thoughts away and reached for another glass of liquor. The Dark Lord owned him, and never before had he felt the pain it more severly. He swished the rum around in his mouth for several seconds as he thought. The Dark Lord would reward him for his loyalty. Reyana was naught but a means to an end. And if the Dark Lord was feeling generous, perhaps Draco could take a turn with her after he presented her to the Death Eaters.

There it is! Please leave a review. I love getting them.