Chapter 2

All day I waited for it. 9:30. Our free period. Today would be the day. I will sit next to her. Charm her. Make her feel the same way towards me that I feel towards her. Looking in the mirror, I parted and combed my jet black hair. If I'm going to be so weak as to allow myself to feel affection for something, I may as well do something about it. Yes, today is it.

At 9:30 I leaned against that tree again. She walked out into the courtyard and took her usual seat on the circular bench. She looked different today. Half of her hair was being held up by a clip that blended in with her dark hair and in her ears hung a pair of dangling moon earrings that changed phases continuously. Her black make-up was done so that her eyes had a winged effect. She looked exceptionally lovely today. Yes, today is it.

She took the record player out of her book bag, put it on the back of the bench, and placed the needle, almost haphazardly, onto the record. Once it was spinning at a constant speed, she twirled her finger above the record and it became a bit louder.

When the music was finally at the desired volume, she pulled out a book. She had finished the one about vampires and was now reading a book of an unidentifiable genre. It had a blue cover with a picture of a rain cloud on it. Closed was the title. It sounded depressing to me but she didn't seem to know what to think of it, having just started reading it.

The bench next to her was empty. It was always empty. Her friends had class and she wanted to be alone. Or maybe she doesn't. I would sit there. I would ask to sit down and she would remember me from yesterday or from hearing about me and she would say yes. We'd get onto talking about what we really think about and before either of us know it...

I started to walk towards the bench when I heard a breathy voice behind me.

"Tom, I'm glad I found you."

I cringed at the sound of that name. Why must I be cursed with such a common name that only reminds me of my father? I turned to see Missy Gordin standing behind me trying to look sweet.

I really didn't have time for this.

Missy is a fifth year Slytherin with quite a bad reputation. Although many consider her to be 'pretty,' it's all fake. Her face is covered in make-up at all times and she makes friends with older students so they will alter her nose and hair color for her. It's said that she hasn't eaten a meal since 1939. The only real thing about her is her legs which are always put on display with her skirt rolled up so high. I knew that as a prefect I should bust her for breaking the dress code but I knew a lot of guys would be disappointed if I did.

I had no interest in her long legs or her fake beauty but I couldn't turn her away yet. I could ruin the reputation I've built up.

"Why did you need to find me?" I asked, expecting a hidden motive.

"Well, you see," she started as she looked me up and down, "I've been having a lot of trouble stunning things and since it's known that you are one of the top defense against the dark arts students in the school, I was wondering if you'd show me how to do it." She slowly rubbed my arm as if she thought it would make me interested or at least clue me into what she was thinking.

This was all just a plan she had. In the Slytherin common room on the first day of school this year, she had stolen gin from a few professors and drunkenly announced that her goal for the school year was to date (and possibly do more with) every attractive fifth, sixth, and seventh year Slytherin guy. Whether she was being serious or it was just the ranting of a drunk girl, she had followed her goal. Many were grateful but I most certainly was not one of them.

"I don't think I really know how to teach stunning well. Maybe you should ask the professor. He'd probably be more of a help than me." I said trying to get rid of Missy kindly. I looked over at her to see if she was still there. She now had the book in her lap and was people-watching. She looked my way and I faced Missy again so she wouldn't know I had been watching her.

"I can't understand a thing he says! I'd probably respond better to someone more appealing." She raised her eyebrow suggestively. Missy's face was now very close to mine. The little slut. I wondered if the position would make her jealous if she saw me so close to Missy.

"Missy, I'd like to help you but I really have a lot of work right now. NEWT classes are quite demanding and I don't have any time to tutor. I guess you'll have to find someone else." My tone was stern. I stared her down.

She backed away, picking up on the fact that I just made myself unavailable to her.

"Okay, fine." she said annoyed. "I'll just find someone else."

"Good luck with that." I said, almost mockingly but still charming.

She huffed and walked away towards Craig Farkas, a seventh year Slytherin, who would surely 'tutor' her, or anyone really, anytime they want.

Now with Missy finally gone, I could focus on my plan. I turned to look at the bench only to find it empty. My watch read 10:10.