Smiles sheepishlyHello everyone! It's been a while.

Ernie: Absolutely. Ages. Cinammon!

I know, Ernie, I know. But in all fairness, I was dealing with some pretty heavy duty stuff throughout this entire time. Grieving actually. A couple of days after I posted my previous chapter, a good friend of mine took his own life in an act that was both misguided and a complete and total waste of incredible potential. I won't lie and say that he was the most wonderful of human beings – he wasn't – but he was incredibly smart. One of the smartest people I've ever known, and one of the smartest people I'm ever likely to know. He was witty, eloquent and he died at twenty one. He could've done a lot with the rest of his life. We used to talk philosophy. Usually in the early hours of the morning, when neither of us could sleep. He tried talking about economic theory and mathematics a couple of times, but even though I'm not bad at either, I could never keep up, so philosophy had to do. Machiavelli, Dante, Bentham, no one was safe. He left me a goodbye letter quoting them and a bunch of other famous dead people. It wasn't a very dramatic letter. It was actually rather funny, though I obviously couldn't see it for a while. He did, after all, attempt (impressively, if I might add) to disprove Einstein's theory of relativity, in order to supposedly show me that he was in a completely rational state of mind at the time. It was a letter typical of him and it helped me understand why he did what he did, which I guess was its aim. I still don't agree with it mind you. Taking your own life is never the answer or the right thing to do. I'll miss him, but life goes on.

And, as insignificant as it sounds in the greatest scheme of things, so does fanfiction. I enjoy writing it, and I certainly am not planning on stopping any time soon. It might in fact surprise you to know, that the end of this fic, is already written up. Still, I'm sorry I've kept you all waiting so long for update. I only told you everything above, because you deserved to know why.

I want to thank everyone for all their support and their lovely reviews. I can't believe you guys stuck with me for this long!

Ernie: Thanks. Go. To. Anna.

You little minx! You like Cole, do you? I'm afraid you won't be seeing much of him, but I couldn't resist either? How's Mardi Gras treating you?

Ernie: ChramingStar

Oops! Did the withdrawal symptoms kick in? I'm sorry! And I'm sorry about your physics exam. I was pretty decent in school, but that's one subject I never really got the hang of. Did a bit of mechanics for a while and was curious enough to look up a couple of theories, but that's about it. Never mind, we can't all be Einsteins or Newtons! Why would we want to anyway, considering the hair?

Ernie: Mcgirl

I love Cole to bits, but I'm afraid there won't be much of him in this story. I miss him occasionally though, and decide to pay him a visit. I didn't really intend to have Talia visit him in the last chapter, but she insisted. She missed him too.

Ernie: CharmedSisters

I'm glad. Stick with me, and I'll try and give you one hell of a ride!

Ernie: HarryPotterfan4eva

Voldemort... will make an appearance soon. I really can't say much more than that, but it will be very exciting, I promise.

Ernie: The. Very. Sweet. Virginia

You've got some very good points in that last review of yours... I can't promise more Cole/Phoebe, I'm afraid, but if it's more Talia/Draco interaction you want, read this chapter!

Ernie: The. Very. Lucky. Asian. Orchid

I'm sorry I let you down on the speed of this update. And I'm honoured and fluttered by your comment on my characterisation! For all my rather pragmatic and very scientific degree, I've always been a dreamer (duh!) and I see everything in my head like a movie, long before I put pen to paper (or, you know, fingers to keyboard). I hope you keep enjoying the story!

Ernie: Winter. Blaze

Ah, old friend! You've been with me from the very beginning. I don't know what I would have done without you continuous encouragement. Thank you!

Ernie: Ori

Hihi! You'll never know exactly how right you occasionally are! No one tempts me to reveal all, quite like you do. And although part of me really wants to snigger behind my hand and chant "I know something you don't know..." you really do keep me on my toes! And I was very proud of the way the Cole/Talia scene turned out in the last chapter. Keep reading...

Ernie: Charmed148

Talia and Wyatt will eventually tell Harry and the others who they are, but neither they, nor I, are quite ready for that yet. Where would the fun be in that? Glad you like the story!

Ernie: CT Malone

I'm afraid you're not going to see the Charmed Ones reactions to what Leo tells them. They're off screen, so to speak. I thought the story was already going a little to slow for my taste. But I think you'll find that after this chapter, things will get a little more exciting for our friends at Hogwarts... As for Talia/Harry, well, you'll just have to stick with me for this.

Ernie: Sveta89

I'm glad you liked it. I hope you like this one just as much!

Ernie: Nexos23

The last chapter was really a filler chapter, but I really wanted to make it interesting. I'm happy to hear I got a chuckle out of you with Talia's and Wyatt's little chat. The Cole bit was there because I was wondering what Cole's take on the Wizarding war was too! That, and I missed the sexy, tortured, yet deliciously Evil, Ruler of the Underworld.

Ernie: Devlin. Rose.

I'm afraid you'll only get one of the two things you wanted in this chapter. You'll have to wait for next chapter to get the other one. smirks Draco's in this one. Action's up next.

Ernie: The. Err... Very. Creative. Bob-the-Bear

I really wasn't going to dedicate this chapter to anyone, but I really can't help myself, so this one's for you! I can't believe you made up a poem (or is it cheer?) for my story! And it rhymes too... I love it! You and your purple pompoms are bloody brilliant!

Ernie: Reigning Devil

I'm glad you liked it! Now tell me what you think of this one!

Ernie: Frisbee400

Ah, my sneaky English teacher friend... Your review made me laugh. Should I take it as a threat, or a warning? smirkWhy do I have a feeling that you'd make a good Slytherin? You're going to have to wait a bit more before you see some action, but hold your horses, it's coming, I promise!

Ernie: And. Last. But. Not. Least. Thank. You. Chorin

Hmm, new reviewer? Oh, I'll definitely finish this story, it just might take me a while, that's all. Thanks for reading! Hope you stay with me for the rest of it...

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Public Announcement:

(ie. Shameless plugging)

If you all want to see more of Talia and Wyatt, check out CT Malone's fic! It consists of a number of crossovers including, but not limited to, Harry Potter, Charmed, and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen! He only just started it, but I have it on good authority that our two favourite cousins will soon make a full fledged appearance.

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I only wish, I had a longer or more exciting chapter for you after such an absence, but the incredible Nightcrawler convinced me that this one would do. Please review!

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Chapter 21: Breakfast Table Flirting

"Morning," greeted Ron, dumping himself unceremoniously on a seat at the breakfast table.

Harry behind him seemed slightly more awake.

"Morning."

Hermione and Ginny greeted the boys with less enthusiasm than had been expected. Their attentions seemed to be focused at the Hufflepuff table.

"What are you guys looking at?" asked Harry even as he followed their line of vision. He nearly fell off his seat at what he saw.

Ron too had turned to see what it was that had claimed his friends' attentions. He suddenly felt very much awake.

"Is that Talia?" he asked unnecessarily.

Talia was perched on the lap of Dan Claythorn, captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Her long legs were crossed in his lap, a hand was wound around his neck, while his arms were securely fastened around her waist keeping her in place. She was smiling at him and talking. Whatever it was that she was talking about, seemed to be amusing the entire Hufflepuff table, if the frequent explosions of laughter were anything to go by. Dan Claythorn, for one, seemed to be having the time of his life. She caught her friends from the Gryffindor table watching and waved cheerfully. Then turning her attention back to Dan, she gave him a searing kiss in front of the entire Hall. There were catcalls and whistles, but Talia and Dan seemed not to be paying them any mind as they literally devoured each other for well over a minute.

"Can she do that?" asked Ron incredulously.

Harry shrugged. Talia was definitely a wild woman! Hadn't Wyatt warned them?

"I think the Professors are too shocked to react," commented Hermione in disbelief, looking over at the Professors' table.

Professor McGonagall was definitely scowling. Professor Snape seemed to be choking and it was all Madam Hooch could do to hit him on the back, trying to get him to breathe again. Professor Sprout blanched at the display over at the Hufflepuff table and Professor Flitwick was patting her hand kindly, obviously trying to be sympathetic. Professor Sinistra was openly grinning while Professor Lupin was clearly trying not to laugh. Dumbledore did nothing, but his eyes twinkled with gusto.

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Over at the Slytherin table, Draco Malfoy was gripping his pumpkin juice goblet tightly. Had the goblet been made of glass, it would've shattered under the pressure long ago. The blond Slytherin had his eyes narrowed and was glaring angrily at Talia's performance.

"Look at that Gryffindor slut!" Pansy exclaimed next to him. "Who does she think she is, flaunting herself like that!"

"Shut up Pansy," Draco growled, and the blonde witch next to him for once did not dare do anything other than what she was told.

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Having finished her business over at the Hufflepuff table, Talia got off Dan's lap and sashayed over to the Gryffindors looking like the proverbial cat that ate the cream. Behind her, Dan was receiving congratulatory pats on the back from his male friends. The pretty brunette was apparently considered quite the catch!

No one noticed the surreptitious glance Talia threw towards the Slytherin table.

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"Good morning," she said cheerfully, sitting herself next to Ron, who couldn't hide his sudden admiration for her.

"That was...quite a display back there," commented Harry weakly.

"Was it?" Talia asked, buttering her toast, feigning innocence. But a mischievous glint in her eyes gave her away.

Seamus whistled appreciatively.

"Way to go, Talia!" Dean enthused.

"I knew it wouldn't be long 'til you were back up to your old tricks, Tal," said an exasperated Wyatt who seemed to have just arrived at the Gryffindor table along with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. The blond Wiccan sunk himself in the seat next to his cousin's. "Couldn't you wait a little longer before you started making your way through the Hogwarts male population? I happen to like some of these guys!"

Talia chuckled.

"Relax, little cousin," she ruffled his blond hair playfully, until he swatted her hand away.

"I really don't think that was necessary, Talia," Hermione felt the need to say when she finally found her voice. She looked terribly uncomfortable.

"It wasn't necessary," agreed Talia cheekily, "but it was fun!" She took another bite out of her toast.

Hermione frowned. With growing apprehension, Talia felt a lecture coming on. She hadn't had more than a couple of lectures from Hermione directed at her, but already they had been enough. She put her half-eaten toast down on her plate. Unlike Ron, and even Harry sometimes, she knew exactly how to cut them short before they'd even started.

"I'm sorry. You're right, Hermione," she rushed, hanging her head in sudden shame, "I shouldn't have done what I did in front of everyone, but I...couldn't resist," she blushed for good measure. Wyatt watched fascinated. Talia never blushed. "I hadn't exactly planned the whole thing you know, it just, happened," she breathed and added an uncharacteristically shy smile, "I really like Dan."

Talia said all this looking so appropriately sheepish that Hermione bought it hook, line and sinker! Wyatt had to choke back yet another sigh of exasperation. And the Oscar goes to… The little minx! How did she do that! Hermione's eyes softened and she smiled kindly at the witch with the puppy dog eyes.

"Just be a bit more careful next time, Tal. Trust me; you don't want to give any more to the Hogwarts rumour mill than you absolutely must."

Talia threw Hermione a genuine smile, glad that the other girl wasn't mad at her and continued on with her breakfast.

"Damn, that girl is good!" whispered Seamus to Dean.

Dean nodded.

"So you and Dan are a couple now?" asked Ginny grinning.

Talia nodded, her eyes sparkling.

"He asked me out last night and I said yes."

Wyatt rolled his eyes.

"I give him a week," he said to Dean and Seamus, "Ten days, tops!"

Harry thought about what Talia had just said and frowned.

"But you spent all last evening in the Gryffindor common room with us."

Talia smiled looking sheepish again.

"I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go for a little walk before trying again."

"Past curfew?" asked Hermione scandalised for the second time that morning.

"Oh come on, Mione. I seem to recall that you've been out a few times past curfew yourself..." said Ron, and Harry had to stifle his laughter in his tea mug.

Hermione blushed.

"Sounds like a good story..." Talia said curiously.

"Oh, no, you're not getting off that easily, Talia Turner!" Lavender Brown said, squeezing herself in at the Gryffindor table on the other side of Harry, trying to get some major gossip on that morning's main event.

Parvati Patil eagerly followed, seating herself next to her best friend, nearly pushing poor Harry off the edge.

"We want all the details!" she squealed.

Talia laughed at the two of them.

"There's no story," she assured them. "Dan's a prefect. He found me wandering, but instead of taking points and making me get back to my room, we just kind of stood and talked for a while. Then he confessed he had a crush on me since the Sorting and asked me out. That's all!"

"That's so romantic!" Lavender gushed.

Talia raised a single eyebrow in amusement. She shared a look with Hermione and Hermione rolled her eyes at their roommates. Talia grinned at their unspoken communication. It seemed that her transgressions really were forgiven!

"He's cute!" Ginny gushed.

She didn't notice the two boys sitting across from her scowling at her comment.

"What do you mean he's cute?" Ron asked.

"I don't think he's that cute!" Harry added.

"Oh, what do you know?" Hermione huffed, defending her friend's new boyfriend. "There's no denying that Dan Claythorn is very good looking!"

Ron spluttered.

"Hermione! You think he's," Ron's face scrunched up in a grimace of sheer distaste, "cute?"

Hermione bristled.

"Oh-oh," said Harry and Ginny simultaneously, then shared a look when they realised that they had spoken at the same time.

"I am a girl, Ronald Weasley, if you haven't noticed!" hissed Hermione. There were already two angry blotches of red on her cheeks, a sure sign of trouble that anyone else but Ronald Weasley would've heeded. "And I have every right to find boys attractive."

"Blimey! That's not what I meant Hermione!" Ron tried to explain. He was blushing furiously. "It's just that...you're the only girl I know who never bothers with stuff like that. Well, except Vicki in fourth year."

Hermione, for once, chose to ignore the Vicki comment.

"Just because I don't talk to you about boys, doesn't mean I don't notice them. I happen to have noticed quite a few boys here at Hogwarts, and I'll have you know," she sniffed, "some of them have noticed me back!"

Talia looked on in amusement, but the rest of the Gryffindor table visibly winced at the yelling match they knew was coming.

"Like who?" asked Ron incredulously, jumping up from his seat.

Hermione's eyes flashed.

"What? You don't think I'm good enough to be noticed?"

"Are you saying that boys have actually asked you out?" Ron asked incredulously.

Even Talia winced at that one. How thick could Ron get?

"Honestly, Ron, with friends like you, it's a wonder how I've managed to maintain some semblance of confidence in myself," Hermione huffed haughtily.

"Who?" Ron tactlessly demanded. "Who asked you out?"

"Boys with taste," she spat back, trying to hold on to her dignity, "boys with more than the emotional range of a teaspoon!"

Ginny had had enough of her brother. She decided to intervene.

"Loads of boys, Ron...Ernie McMillan from Hufflepuff, Robert Simmons from Ravenclaw..."

"And don't forget Mark Leroute - also from Ravenclaw," added Harry helpfully.

Ginny looked at him in surprise. Harry never got involved in Ron and Hermione's fights, but it appeared that he too had had enough of their bickering.

"You knew about this Harry?!" asked Ron, shocked, a betrayed look seemingly firmly lodged on his face.

Harry shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a strange glimmer in his eye. Ginny noticed and couldn't help but grin behind her pumpkin juice goblet.

"Everyone knows. It's common knowledge," the boy-who-lived-to-torment answered.

Ron seemed to be in shock.

"Everyone but me that is!" he said, turning to Hermione angrily. "I thought I was one of your best friends!" he said accusingly.

Hermione's eyes widened. She hadn't thought her love life was common knowledge at all! And, what's more, none of it had really been a big deal! She had gone out to Hogsmeade twice with Ernie, before they decided to just remain friends. She had said no to Mark and had a single horrific 'date' with Robert.

Hermione winced at the memory. Robert had kept his plans for their date a surprise, and in the end he had taken her flying on his broom. It would have been romantic...if Hermione didn't hate flying! As a result of his fancy flying, she had screamed and squealed until her throat was hoarse. For some bizarre reason Hermione couldn't understand, he seemed to think that that meant she was enjoying it, and had taken her screaming as encouragement to try some even more death-defying stunts. When he asked if he could see her again, she had very politely refused, left, ran to the bathroom, and promptly thrown up. Hermione was hardly one of the most popular girls at Hogwarts, but Harry's and Ginny's words made it seem as if guys were after her all the time! She looked at the Ron in complete confusion.

While Ron and Hermione were focused on each other, Ron looking at Hermione in disbelief, Harry winked at the rest of the Gryffindor table. It was unexpected, but the answering grins left, right, and centre, told him that many had understood exactly what he was going for and were right behind him all the way. The Gryffindors, it seemed, had had enough of Ron and Hermione's bickering over the years.

"She didn't tell you, Ron, because she knew you were going to react like this," said Ginny, in Hermione's defence.

"Hermione is a very pretty girl, Ron," added Talia, picking up on what Harry intended. "Why shouldn't she have hoards of boys after her?"

Hermione blushed an even deeper shade of red. Hoards?She cursed her light complexion. The way she was going, she would soon match Ron in colour!

Ron opened and closed his mouth repeatedly doing a perfect imitation of a fish.

"Hermione's not just pretty," added Seamus, smiling at the curly-haired witch, "she's kind, and she's smart..."

"Funny, brave," Dean continued.

"What's not to like?" even Neville managed to pitch in.

Hermione's blush deepened even further. Her complexion was now indeed worryingly close to Ron's. Or it would've been if his blush hadn't deepened too with every comment. He was very close to purple now. It clashed horribly with his orange hair.

"I mean, seriously, think about it Ron," added Lavender, "the question isn't why would a guy want to go out with Hermione, but why wouldn't a guy want to go out with her?"

"That's not what I meant!" managed Ron in a strangled sort of voice.

"And as for her not telling you, mate," added Harry, "maybe she thought you already knew. Not that it's really any of your business, but you are, as you pointed out, one of her best friends. She never told me as such, but I do occasionally pay attention to what my friends are doing..."

Ron was gob-smacked. Even Harry seemed to have turned against him! There was absolutely nothing he could say to all that. All he could do was stare at a blushing Hermione as if he were seeing her for the first time.

The rest of the people at the Gryffindor table were desperately hiding smiles, guffaws and giggles behind mugs, cups, goblets and various pieces of toast. It was about time someone gave those two a push! After all, their constant, screaming fights had long ago escalated from annoying to downright headache-inducing torture! It had taken them seven years, but their friends at Gryffindor had finally fought back.

Talia flashed a smile of approval at Harry who was looking at his two furiously blushing friends with a very Slytherin, self-satisfied smirk.

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Draco Malfoy was in the library.

The Gryffindors might have gasped in surprise at the revelation, but Draco cared about his grades. A Malfoy, by tradition, excelled in everything – or so his father had told him. And thus, it galled the both of them to no end to know that Hermione Granger, a common muggleborn witch, was first in the class! Admittedly, Draco was hardly as hard working as that Granger bint was, but it was galling nonetheless. He scowled at the thought. For seven years now he had had to settle for second best and though he beat every single Ravenclaw to do it – to the eternal shame of that House – it wasn't enough!

What's more, what with more than half the school joining the DA, Draco had to work doubly hard to maintain his second position behind Potter in Defence Against the Dark Arts. He growled in frustration at that thought. He might have let Granger beat him in most other subjects, but he was mightily proud of the fact that he (and Potter) had forced her to settle for third place in one of Draco's favourite subjects. DA or no DA, he wasn't going to relinquish his hard-earned second place without a fight.

"I don't think that's very healthy, Draco," sounded an amused voice directly behind him.

Draco recognised the voice. He didn't turn around. He became very, very still. Tense; ready for the fight he knew was coming. The spectacle she had made of herself and that...that Hufflepuff...during breakfast, was still too fresh in his mind for this discussion to have any other conclusion.

"What is?" he asked angrily.

"Growling to yourself."

"What's it to you, Turner?"

Though Draco couldn't see her, Talia lifted an amused left eyebrow.

"What happened to Talia? Are we reverting to surnames?"

"You care?" he retorted, finally turning round to face her.

"Yes," she replied softly. "You and I are as far from referring to each other by surname as you can get. You can call me Turner if you want, but I'm going to keep calling you Draco."

All anger left Draco's countenance and he suddenly looked tired; unnaturally tired for someone of his young age. Talia recognised the look. It was one she had often seen in her own mirror.

"What do you want, Talia?"

"I...um...saw you and came to say hi?"

Draco narrowed his eyes at her, obviously not believing her.

Talia sighed.

"You and I left things off pretty badly the other day at the quidditch pitch. I'm not here to apologise mind you. I still think you were way out of line with that comment about Hermione. But...I'd still like us to be friends," she concluded softly.

Draco scoffed.

"You and I, Turner, were never friends to begin with."

"We could be," she retorted. "I'd like us to be," she finally admitted when he said nothing.

He was taken aback. A blank mask came to rest over his features to hide the fact. He was good, Talia thought to herself. She had almost missed it. The blond Slytherin suddenly sneered and made a good recovery.

"Slytherins don't have friends...especially ones in Gryffindor."

Talia smiled smugly.

"There's a first time for everything. And I'm used to setting precedents."

"Potty and his little friends will hate you for it."

"Don't call Harry that," she said mildly, "and I'm willing to risk it."

"I'll call him whatever I want. Potty, Potty, Potty," Draco stubbornly snarled.

Talia's smile widened at Draco's display.

"Now you're just being childish. Look, if you're that worried about what people will think, we can keep it secret."

Draco said nothing for a while, looking at her pensively.

"Why?" he asked simply. Deep in his steel grey eyes Talia noticed a glimmer of suspicion.

Talia's countenance faltered and she seemed unsure for the first time since Draco had known her.

"What you said that day on the Quidditch pitch...about knowing who I am..." she sighed in defeat, "you don't. Not really. But that day in the summer, and the night in the Hog's Head...you saw a side of me that none of my other friends will likely ever see. Will likely ever accept if they did see," she added sadly. She lifted her eyes to look at him. "You were right, Draco. Is this what you wanted to hear? My robes may say Gryffindor, but there's a large part of me that is Slytherin. And it needs Slytherin contact to survive."

Draco couldn't resist a smug smirk at the realisation.

"The Gryffindors bore you to death."

Talia glared daggers at him.

"No!"

"Yes," he countered calmly; knowingly.

"You can't be good on will alone, Talia. There's darkness inside you. Something wild and dangerous that Potty and his fun club could never hope to understand," he took a step forward, and she took a step back. "I saw it that night at the Hog's Head. And I saw a glimpse of it out at the Quidditch pitch the other day," again he advanced, again she retreated. "I know why you came to me, Talia...because I'm the only person in this entire school that can understand that, that can understand you...quite possibly because you and I share those qualities. The only difference between you and me," he breathed as he neared her, "is that I've accepted that about myself. I've embraced it. I'm not ashamed of it, and I don't try to turn myself into something I'm not," he finished nastily.

Throughout his speech he'd backed her up against one of the shelves. The protruding wood was digging painfully into her back. His words had hit close to home, but Talia wasn't going to let him win.

"And this is where you're wrong, Draco," she hissed, raising her face to look up at him with fire in her eyes. "You claim to understand me, but, Draco Malfoy, I understand you too!" she declared. "And there's a lot more than darkness in you, just like there is a lot more than darkness in me. And it's that part of you that you refuse to acknowledge in yourself. You've got so much potential, Draco, and you don't even see it! You let your father and others like him, blind you to it; mold you into one of them! Being Slytherin doesn't necessarily mean one is evil. Cunning, ambition, those are grey qualities. They only become really dark if you let them."

She had caught him off guard again, but, once again, he had recovered quickly.

"Do you think I need saving, Talia? Is that it?" he drawled. "How unoriginal! I'm disappointed. Half of the girls in this school think I need saving. An awfully handy misconception for getting them in the sack, let me tell you," he leered, "but not much good for anything else. I don't need saving Turner, so don't trouble yourself. Go back to your Gryffindor friends. You're not needed here."

He turned to leave but Talia's hollow laughter stopped him in his tracks. There wasn't a trace of mirth in it. Draco turned back to look at her cautiously. He waited, clearly disturbed, until she got a hold of herself.

"Save you? Is this really what you thought this conversation was about, Draco? Perhaps I've overestimated you. You're the only judge of whether you need saving or not. And you are the only one qualified enough to save yourself. Trust me on this," she sobered up completely.

"No, Draco, what I'm offering here is a symbiosis of sorts. We're in the middle of a war, and the world is going crazy around us. My friends, your friends, it's all everyone talks about. I just want to occasionally hang out with someone and forget about it all. Have a little fun in this place where every one talks about impending death and mayhem. I wanna make illicit visits to Hogsmeade, get into fights with vampires, and get drunk! I wanna wear leather, and roam the Forbidden forest, and break the rules, and be free from what everyone expects from me! Don't you? I thought you did, and that's why I came to you."

Draco for once was speechless. Her eyes shone with something he couldn't identify...rebellion, perhaps.

"So...all this talk about darkness and potential, about Gryffindor and Slytherin, and all you're looking for is a partner in crime? Is that it?" he asked in disbelief.

"I told you, Draco," she said in a tired voice, but wanting him to understand, "I'm looking for a friend...a Slytherin friend, someone who won't be so quick to judge; to see the black and white to the exclusion of grays. I want clever conversation with no moral barriers and, yes, I want to have fun. I know you are that person, Draco, and I feel lucky to have found you in this place. You and I being friends...you know it makes sense. You feel the connection between us, don't you? I want to get to know you better. And I want to hang out. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but most people interpret that as friendship...or an attempt at one. Are you up for that?"

Draco observed her for a long time. She let her eyes meet his, unguarded.

She was tired, so tired. Everyone had an agenda...the Elders, Dumbledore, Harry and his friends, her father...not that that had been much of a surprise. He wouldn't be the Ruler of the Underworld if he didn't always have an agenda. But even Leo and Wyatt had their expectations of her and she felt them weigh heavily on her shoulders. She didn't blame any of them. They were only acting out their roles in this. And she knew what her role should be. She had a war to fight; a war that should have had nothing to do with her. She needed Draco to keep her sane in the following months. To help her preserve what made her, her! And if in the process she could stop him from selling his soul to Voldemort...

No! She berated herself silently, while the blond Slytherin observed her closely. It was Draco's life and his choice to make! And if he chose the dark side... well, she'd cross that bridge when and if she came to it. She just needed an ally in this school. An ally who understood her and who wanted nothing in return. She loved Wyatt to bits, but her younger cousin was all Light, and, though he tried, he'd never understand her. And as for Snape...his loyalties lay with Dumbledore. She could only trust him so far. Draco...was perfect. She needed this friendship, and whether or not he knew it, he needed hers too.

Talia tried to cover her anxiety as she watched her blond potential friend consider her offer.

"Yeah, why not?" drawled Draco in a falsely unaffected voice.

Talia smirked at him and resisted the urge to punch the air in triumph.