Disclaimer: I only own the characters I put in here to make the story interesting.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for the feedback. I thank je-suis-une-pizza for pointing out my utterly terrible proofing. I will try to work on that. I am glad people still like the story though.

Chapter Eleven: Motion Sickness

I splashed water onto my face. Make up really is just that. Make–Up. I look in the dusty mirror and still see the same cynic who is one step away from being orphaned. Ugh, sorry 'bout that. Letter from my uncle has just got me in a bit of a sour mood.

"So tell me again what you did to him that had the ravenclaw all in a snit," Malcolm said while mixing his potions assignment on the floor. We were in the girl's bathroom finishing up an assignment. Well, I had done my portion and was now reapplying the makeup I have gotten into the habit of wearing.

"Oh that?" I replied nonchalantly. "Well the first day after Potter and I began our . . . our . . ."

"Facade? Experiment? Challenge?"

"Challenge, that is it," I said having just found the right word. "Anyway, the day after I found him flirting with Chang. Being the good girlfriend that I am, I had to just go and stake my claim."

Malcolm laughed. "You didn't!"

"Oh I did, Baddock." I threw him a wink in the mirror. "Her eyes looked like they were about to come out of her pretty little head. Almost felt sorry for him as he tried to explain why he was going out with me. But then again, he was the one who wouldn't back down."

"Ah yes, punish the bloke for having pride."

"He's damn stubborn that's what he is," I said, snapping shut my eyeshadow. "It will be sweet seeing Teddy seduce Snape."

"Oh god, Weasley is still giving him the cold shoulder. That bloke has no idea what turns a girl's buttons," he shook his head as he spoke.

"Hey Malcolm, you talk to the boys a lot right?"

"How may I inform the fountain of knowledge?" he responded without looking up.

I looked over at him. "Draco shed any light to you as to why he was so pissed off?"

He glanced up, "You mean what happened the other day?"

Let me explain. Word got around that a gryffindor, wonderboy, the famous Harry Potter was property of Xan Marlow. Slytherin house had mixed reactions. I am sure the rest of the school was in denial but they don't really matter.

The girls primarily wanted details, which I made of with pleasure. Pansy had taken it upon herself to create a pool open to all slytherin girls. The top 20 boys from Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and even hufflepuff were on an underground list, similar to that which I helped make out for the boys. It was slowly becoming cool to say you had spent a drunken night with a boy from another house. Now, this type of thing doesn't consume our whole being but honestly what else are we supposed to do with our time?

The boys on the other hand . . . it's been mixed. Blaise can't stop encouraging me and spreading the word, Teddy can't stop calling me a conniving bitch and Malcolm hasn't made any opinion clear. As for the other boys in slytherin house, they have their own agenda so as long as I am spreading the good word of slytherin, they're cool. Until of course the day comes when he have to protect our own.

It's complex like that.

But what really was significant about this past week, was how Draco responded. The boy whom I have known since dancing classes had a very big problem with a trusted member of his posse "dating" or even being seen with Harry Potter. My act coming off as totally genuine, Malfoy's reaction was quite genuine. He quite loudly proclaimed me a traitor and threatened to tell my father.

"You have to admit," Malcolm began. "You could have chosen a better martyr. Because of Potter and his fucking role in the order your father is in prison on a grocery list of charges. I mean you're lucky your whole bloody family isn't bust. I thought you would want to string the bloke up by the balls."

I smirked. "Who say's I don't?"

"You really are a bitch, Marlow. I love it."

My smirk suddenly fell. "The only problem is what happens when my uncles do find out. I'm play both ends towards the middle."

"Well, what is more important?"

"They both have to due with honor," I snapped.

Malcolm shrugged and continue mixing the potion. "I say go for it."

"Huh?"

"Live it up, Marlow, I shouldn't have to tell you twice."

"Explain, Baddock. Now."

"You do everything under the radar, Xan and now that you're in the spotlight you have cold feet. Figure you'll be lucky to finish out your years here, might as well enjoy yourself."

"I always enjoy myself, Malcolm."

"Then why are you so afraid of what blondy thinks, eh? You aren't Malfoy's bloody lacky and don't worry about wanting to shag the boy wonder."He winked at me, "Might come in handy later."

"Oh my god, Malcolm." I said as I left the bathroom.

"You know I won't tell anyone," he called after her then quickly focused on finishing up the assignment.

The lifestyle Malcolm is referring to might seem doable, might seem even logical to a slytherin but it is very difficult to live like that. You have to play your cards right, get all your plans laid out on the checkered board, forsee and respond to every possible action then may you play the king. It is a very calculated game only for the most ambitious of us. None of us are excluded. Draco's interests must mirror his father's interests in order to keep being funded as the prince of slytherin (lucky for him these interests include hating Harry Potter), Pansy had to make the lifetime benchmarks her parents set down for her if she wanted any type of acknowledgment from her family, while Teddy and I have to make sure we maintain the trust of the deatheater community that supports us fatherless folk. But that's a whole other story.

But at the same time, I was deadlocked in a double contest. One with Potter and one with Teddy and Blaise, both involving my pride. It was risky business no doubt but since I was hornier than Draco during christmas vacation, I was willing to try and hit two birds with one stone.

I found wonderboy in the library with Ronaldo while Granger did homework. Ronaldo saw me first and Potter didn't appear thrilled to see me. I greeted him with a smirk, Granger didn't bother to look up. I wrapped my arms around wonderboy's neck and bit at his earlobe, "Let's say you and I go somewhere else. Meet me in the corridor." I released him from my grasp then calmly exited the library.

Like clockwork, wonderboy met me outside.

"What do you want, Marlow," he asked with that sullen look of his. "I don't have all day."

"I was thinking," I said with a smirk slowly spreading across my face, "that we could go and start something more . . .exciting," I slide a finger down the center of his chest.

He looked at me with dull eyes and I stopped mid-smirk. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to call myself conceited but no one turns up free sex . . . do they? No . . . no . . . "I'm sorry Marlow but what exactly are you doing?"

I stared at him. It would take a humbling blow for me to get my composure back. Such a blow would not come. I wouldn't allow it. So I faltered. "Oh come off it Potter, everyone wants to get their rocks off. Even you," I spat with a snarl. Forget the bloody temptress act.

"Not everyone is as carnal as you slytherin lot," he retaliated.

I glared at him. "So what do you do with your time? Role knuts?"

"Funny," he said with sarcasm I didn't know he possessed. "I enjoy being with friends something I know you can't say you have. I play quidditch, I get outside, something that you obviously don't experience by the look of your skin." I was gaping at him in shock and anger, you know what i am talking about. "Oh and I go on dates," he added. "With real people. I don't sneak around for kicks, blackmail or play games. Something according to Seamus you are an expert in."

I was petrified with anger and shock. This was a verbal blow, a slap in the face. A well thought out one no less.

"What? Cat got the tongue of slytherin's best and brightest?"

I blinked and then attacked. "You bloody wanker. You think you have any ground to make statements and me and my life well I hate to inform you but you are terribly mistaken. While you go attempting suicide on your bloody broomstick, some of us are doing something real, tangent. You should thank me, Potter because you will be choking on my dust by the time you realize what world you really live in."

I pulled back with a sneer on my face that slowly faded. I never was this angry. Why was I so angry? Oh god . . . I was just like my father. Hah, funny. Really fucking ironic. Shoot me. Now.

I noticed wonderboy was looking at me funny. "What?"

"You've never ridden a broom . . . have you?"

"My family doesn't support their offspring trying to commit suicide." Actually, that was a total lie . . . well partial . . no, it was a total lie.

A grin broke onto his face. "Are you still up for a little excitement, Marlow?"

I gave him a wary look. "I know exactly what you are thinking, Potter. There is no way you could ever get me on some bloody broom."

"But I am your boyfriend," he said faking shock. "Why would i have a girl who doesn't like quidditch."

"You take words out of contex."

He rolled his eyes. "Just meet me okay? Pitch–ten at night. Alright?"

The intelligent side of my brain finally kicked in. Or is it the coniving side? "On one condition."

"Whatever."

I grabbed his face with both hands and shoved him up against the wall, kissing him so hard I thought his lips my bleed. But just when he started to return it, I kneed him in the balls. I let him slump to the floor. "That was satisfying," I said as I wiped my mouth of spit and left him in the corridor. "See you tonight, pumpkin," I called over my shoulder. At least I had redeamed myself somewhat.

That night I was exiting Snape's office rather late and heading straight for the pitch when I ran into Peeves. "Well if it isn't the slytherin eyes and ears. What are you doing out so late?" he said, looking at me leeringly.

I raised the scrap of paper. "Note from the leader."

"But you are far from the dungeons now aren't you?"

I saluted him loosely. "Just doing my moral duty of spreading the good word of hearsay."

He replied in kind. This was a long standing came since my first year. Best make nothing of it. "Carry on, soldier and tell that pretty boy blondie to lighten up."

"You know how civilians are."

Actually, I was in Snape's office because I was sorting out transportation issues. My father's trial was going to be a long one. Stretching from Saturday evening to Sunday evening. Snape wouldn't be able to chaparone me and he vocalized Dumbledore's concern that if I was released into the care of my uncles I wouldn't ever come back to school. So he told me to find someone to take me. He suggested Draco and Lucius Malfoy or the Zabinis, Avery or Baddock. I accepted all those choices but said I would leave it open til I have more contact with my Uncles.

Anyway, here I am coming onto the pitch without so much as a sign of wonderboy. If he rats me out I swear to god. I don't know why I put up with this. It is driving me insane. So insane that after our confrontation in the hall i threw every last piece of makeup in the sink then spent the rest of the time picking up information regarding the world of hogwarts.

"Where you?" I called. "Bloody bastard," i said under my breath.

"Up here." I looked up and nearly fell over. He was ten feet above me.

"So what do you want," I said fixing myself in a confident stance with my arms folded across my chest.

"You're not wearing any makeup," he commented.

"I got sick of it."

"You look better without it."

"Even though I am pale as a bloody vampire," I commented idly.

"You need to get outside more."

"Who are you to talk, Potter?"

"Trust me. I lived under stairs for eleven years." I looked at him with a hint of surprise. Hadn't expected that. "What's your excuse?"

I looked him up and down for a moment. He was in just normal gryffindor robes. Same messy hair. Cruddy glasses, but brilliant eyes. Clear, bright and slightly tanned skin. He reaked of honestly and enthusiasm. It made me sick. I had to humor him. "I being cultured as the heir of a legacy." He raised his eyebrows at me. "Yes," I replied. "It does take up time."

"Well let's change that shall we," he said. "Get on." He presented his broom.

I looked from the broom to him and back again. "You can't be serious."

"You have never been on one and you are a witch! The only reason I was denied one was because I lived with muggles!"

"Oh you poor soul," I replied automatically. "But there is still no way I am getting on that."

"Why not?" he said with a frustrated sigh.

"Because you, just hours ago, implied that you would be happy to see me in a bloody ditch! Dead! Or at least severely injured."

"What? I never said that."

"Yes you did!"

"Only because you were coming on to me."

"Oh yeah right. What better way for you to win this little battle of wills than pushing me off a broom in the middle of the night."

"Only to have my team find you the next morning. Give me more credit."

"You can't expect me to believe you are doing this for a slytherin like me out of the goodness of your gyrffindor heart."

"You're a real cynic you know that?"

"No, I am realistic. You underestimate me."

"Are you going to get on or not?"

"Not until you tell me what this is really about?"

He blew and exasperated sigh. "Fine. To tell you the truth I have no idea what I am doing. I just find it sick and wrong that someone who practically Draco Malfoy's right hand has never been on a broom. What do they not let girls ride brooms in slytherin?"

"My roommate is on the team."

"What is it that Malfoy just doesn't want you doing anything without his approval?"

I faltered. I remembered how the boy in question had reacted to the news of my fake relationship. "He has no hand in my actions."

"Bullshit. Then you're just scared."

"You can't back me into a corner like that."

He sighed . . . again. "Xandra, come on already. I won't bite."

I stared at him. "What did you just call me?"

He seemed surprised to. God it's just like that time in the hall. "What we are "dating" yet I can't use your first name."

"I am just surprised you know it."

"Well we almost had sex in the three broomsticks I would think I would remember."

I stared at him. "Spill the fucking details Potter."

"What . . . you mean you don't remember?"

He told of how I had passed out after we were incredibly drunk. How he had with the help of Manny taken me back to the dungeons. It wasn't as bad as I was fearing but still. "Oh my god . . ."

He wore a smug look on his face, feeling power after eliciting such a reaction from me. "So are you going to get on or what?"

I sighed. This was getting tedious. "Fine. If just to get this night overwith." He grinned like a schoolboy and straddled the broom. I clumsily followed suit. "By the way," he added, redirecting my attention from my fright. "You can call me Harry."

"Why –" I was cut off by take off. His feet hit the ground and we were up in the air. I screamed and gripped onto his torso for dear life. All the bloke did was chuckle.

"How about we go slow get you used it," he said.

"You sound like you're about to lay a virgin."

"Well you are . . . figuratively speaking. But if you say so . . ." he accelerated and then went into a sharp dive. I clung tighter to him out of instinct and fought back a scream. I tried to close my eyes but it only made it worse.

"Slow down already for fuck's sake!"

"But you said . . ."

"Fuck it just slow down!" I cried.

He just chuckled as we cruised. "You know you aren't so bad once you stop –"

"Being a bitch? I've heard that one enough from Teddy."

"I was going to say, stop trying to win every sentence. Who's Teddy?"

"Theodore Nott."

He shivered. "Ew! You talk to that bloke?"

"Known him since dancing lessons."

"That ugly bloke can dance?"

"Anyone with offspring and reputation to uphold has their kids cultured. Told you it took up time."

"What else did you lot have to go through?"

I shrugged, "Dancing lessons, etiquette lessons, lessons on proper dress, that sort of thing."

"Blood hell, it sucks to be rich."

"It's not so foreign a concept, Potter. It's called status. Besides, on the upside I get everything I want."

"Everything you want eh? Well can you get me to slow down?" he suddenly accelerated, pulling loops, sending us upside while I screamed bloody murder. I was gripping his sides so hard I was hoping to break the skin, at least that would slow him down. When he jerked us around again, I thought for sure I was going to fly off, so I clung on for dear life and buried my face in his neck.

"I've heard no reason for me to slow down . . ." he taunted.

"Fuck you!" I shouted.

He just laughed. "I love it when you're mad."

"Why you little shit," I said.

"Besides you're the one fondling me."

"You know you love it," I said trying to make him uncomfortable.

"What if I do?"

"You have to take back all the insults you said earlier."

"Hm . . . no."

Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! So fucking illogical! I hate gryffindors. I hate their way of thinking. Alright . . . composure Marlow, composure.

As I got this composure back, I realized just how sick this broomride had made me. "Let me off," I said.

"Hm . . . no."

"Let me off this broom, Harry!"

"I am not done yet."

"Well I am," I tried to get my leg over, for we were close to the ground but I failed. I managed just to wiggle myself off the broom and fall on my ass. I swear I saw stars as I tried to regather myself and walk.

"Are you alright?" he called.

"Fuck. Brooms."

He just laughed merrily behind me. I struggled to walk straight after all that and I fell over only once. But once was enough to make him laugh some more. So I gave him the finger and once I got inside the castle, I puked.

Author's Note: there's a long one. Sorry it took me forever. I have a lot of school work that's slowing me down. Anyway I hope you liked it. I love feedback as always, it helps motivate me. Love you all and see you all in the next chapter!