A/N: Wow, so many hits … but not so many reviewers. I'd really appreciate it if you'd review, because it keeps me motivated to write. Otherwise I might end up not finishing this, and I have a really good ending planned, so review!

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Last time:

"Why are you in Gryffindor?"

Chapter Three: Whatever You Say

Her heart was pounding furiously in her ribcage as she answered, "If only I knew." She glanced up and met the eyes of her attacker. Cerulean blue eyes met her own grey ones and she relaxed in his grip. "Zabini. Should have known, really."

He gripped her arms tightly. "You've got to know. What did the Sorting Hat say?" he growled and pushed her even harder against the wall. She gasped as his hands left bruises against her pale skin.

"If you'd just let me go maybe I'll tell you. I need to get to Charms anyway." She pushed him off as he loosened his grip and set off at a fast walk down the corridor. "I'm going to be late."

He followed her, keeping a step behind her. "So what did it say?"

"Well," she began. "It was saying stuff about my family being in Slytherin and than it went on to say something like … 'You'd do good in Gryffindor, though' and suddenly I was in Gryffindor. And I swear; that's all it said." They were in front of the Charms classroom by now, and as Marissa grasped the metal handle, she thought she saw a flicker of worry pass over Zabini's face. It went as quick as it came, however, and his usual bored look masked it. She opened the door and shut it quickly before Zabini could say anything. She slid into a seat beside Ginny with a hurried "Sorry I'm late, Professor" to Flitwick.

--

"Rissy. Rissy!"

She was brought back to reality by an annoyed Ginny yelling her name. "Yeah, what?"

"I've been calling your name for the past five minutes. The lesson's over," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "Let's go to the lake, there's apparently a giant squid in there."

Marissa shook her head. "Sorry, I have to do something important. I'll catch you up, ok?"

"Alright, then. But you'll tell me about it later, right?" Ginny looked crestfallen, but brightened up when Marissa gave a small smile and nodded. "See you in Potions then!" She waved and left, leaving her alone in the Charms classroom.

She had lied; she didn't really have important stuff to do. She just wanted to be alone for a while, to think about things. She swung her bag onto her shoulder and wandered aimlessly around for ten minutes until she came to a stop outside the Owlery. Pausing, she took a hesitant step into the cold, stone room and shivered. There was someone in there already, standing with their back to her. She couldn't figure out who it was, but he or she was near a window with an eagle owl on their arm.

She whistled: a sharp, piercing noise that made the other person jump in surprise as Marissa's own owl came soaring down from the high rafters.

"Oh, I didn't realise someone else was in here, I−" It was Malfoy. "Oh. Hi."

Marissa smiled and stroked her owl. "Hello. Sorry if I startled you."

"No problem." There was a awkward silence as both Marissa and Malfoy looked each other in the eye.

"You know, I really didn't like what you said to me at breakfast," said Malfoy, trying to laugh.

Marissa smirked. "But it was true, wasn't it?"

"You do look like me when you do that," stated Malfoy, smirking himself.

"I don't really." She pulled at a strand of long blonde hair. "Don't tell anyone, but my hair isn't actually this colour." She giggled, but it faded after a while. "Really, don't tell anyone."

"I won't." Another pause. "So … you actually have to marry Blaise? When you're of age?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to. I mean, I've never even met him before and poof, we're engaged. Hurray for me."

He made eye contact again. "You know, I'm in an arranged marriage as well."

"Really? With who?" She was genuinely curious. Draco Malfoy? Being made to do something he didn't want to? Unheard of.

"Pansy Parkinson. She's in my year, Slytherin."

"Oh." Marissa looked at her feet. At least he was lucky. He gets to be engaged to someone the same age and in the same house. It would have made things a lot easier.

A loud shriek rent the air as Marissa's owl took off again, annoyed at being ignored. Her claws ripped through the thin fabric of Marissa's robes and tore the skin underneath, leaving gashes, painful and bleeding. Malfoy yelled as his own owl took off as well, following Marissa's, though not as viciously. He took hold of her bleeding arm and pressed his sleeve against it, trying to stop the bleeding as she watched with a surprised look on her face.

"Oh, don't look so surprised, I can be nice you know," he snapped, but with a hint of a smile on his face.

She smiled back. "I didn't know Draco Malfoy knew the meaning of nice."

"Yeah? Well, I do. I just don't like to show it that's all." He removed his sleeve from her arm and checked the wound. "Well, it's stopped bleeding. You should go to the Hospital Wing."

She glanced up at his face. It was emotionless again. "Why do you hide your feelings, Draco? I'm sure you're a nice person underneath, but when you go all cold, I can't help despising you."

He stared at her. "You called me Draco."

"Yes. Yes, I did," she answered forcefully. "Get used to it."

"Guess I'll have to, won't I?" he said, smiling slightly. They looked each other in the eye and burst out laughing.

"Friends, then?" Marissa said finally, breathing heavily but still smiling.

"Of course."

--

A/N: Finally. They're friends. Have suddenly got inspiration, for the next chapter though. REVIEW! Please? I have sugar …