The days following their first day back were hellish. They had expected to be broken in gently in regards to their school work but it seemed the teachers had other plans. Bella was more than displeased to learn that her potions partner for this term would be none other than Draco.
"You planned this didn't you?" She growled at him.
"Why would I do that?" He asked.
"I don't know, I just know you did."
She was glad when the weekend rolled around, she was in need of a couple of days free from Draco's annoying attitude and Seamus' and Ron's comments every potions class.
Harry was nowhere to be found at breakfast on Saturday morning and Ron informed Bella that he had been dragged to Quidditch practise early that morning by an over-enthusiastic Oliver Wood. They decided they would eat their breakfast watching the Quidditch team practise and so with pockets full of toast they set off towards the pitch.
"It's quite chilly." Bella moaned as she pulled her scarf snug around her.
Seamus draped his cloak over her shoulders and she thanked him with a soft smile as she pulled it tight around her. She breathed in his scent of sandalwood and musky cologne and as much as she liked it, it couldn't compare with the freshly picked mint leaves and new parchment smell that seemed to linger around Draco. Bella physically shook her head to dislodge the thought from her brain, why couldn't she get the blond haired boy from her mind? And why, when wrapped in the cloak of her boyfriend, was she comparing him to Seamus at all?
When they reached the pitch, they didn't find the Gryffindor team in the air, but on the pitch arguing with the Slytherin team.
"What's going on?" Ron asked, "Why aren't you guys playing."
"We need to train our new seeker." Marcus Flint, Slytherin team captain replied.
"Who's your new seeker?" Oliver asked.
The sea of green robes parted to reveal a smug Draco Malfoy.
"I should've known." Bella commented with a roll of her eyes.
"Malfoy?" Harry gasped.
"Lucius Malfoy's son?" George questioned looking to us.
"The same Lucius Malfoy who bought us these new brooms." Flint stated proudly showing off his brand new broomstick; Nimbus Two Thousand and One.
"Still doesn't explain why no ones playing." Bella said.
"The Nimbus Two Thousand and One is the best model on the market." Draco spoke loudly. "We'll be able to squash you on the pitch without so much as a thought."
"At least no one had to buy their way onto the Gryffindor team, they're actually talented." Hermione spat from Bella's side.
"Who asked for you opinion, you filthy little mudblood?"
There was an instant uproar at his words as the entire Gryffindor team erupted. Draco dove behind his team mates to stop from being trampled as Bella, Fred and George launched themselves at him while Ron fumbled in his pocket for his wand. Bella, being smaller than her lanky brothers, managed to push her way past Flint to land a harsh slap to Draco's cheek. He clutched the hand print on his face as Ron pointed his wand between Draco's eyes. Ron's wand malfunctioned and a loud band rang out around them as Ron was thrown backwards onto the grass.
"Ron!" Hermione shrieked as Bella ran to her brother.
"Are you okay?!" She asked as she dropped onto the grass beside him.
He opened his mouth to speak but instead of words a great, fat, slimy slug fell from his lips onto the grass. There was yet another uproar but this time it was the Slytherin team howling with laughter. Draco has fallen to the ground and was pounding the ground with his fist as he tried to contain his laughter while Bella tried to lift her heavy brother to his feet.
"Give him here." Harry said, sliding Ron's arm over his shoulder and steadying him.
"We'll take him to Hagrid's, it's closer." Hermione said, taking Ron's other side.
The group of second years charged to Hagrid's hut, careful of the slugs still tumbling from Ron's mouth. Bella spun on her heel and stomped over to where Draco was wiping tears from his eyes, the bright red hand print still visible on his face.
"WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!" She screeched.
"I didn't do anything!" Draco whined as the rest of the Slytherins backed away.
"You know fine well what you did Draco Malfoy." She stuck her finger out towards him and he backed away, stumbling to his feet while Fred and George chuckled.
"Get him sis!" They cheered.
"He tried to curse me, not the other way around!" Draco held his hands up in surrender as Bella advanced towards him.
"You used that foul term towards Hermione. If I ever hear you call her that again I'll do more than slap you."
Bella stomped off after her outburst towards Hagrid's hut. She had more important things to worry about, like the fact her brother was spewing up slugs, than Draco Malfoy and his disgusting attitude. She was sure he would have something to say when he caught her alone but right now she couldn't find it in her to care.
This was what left Bella so confused where he was concerned. On one hand he spoke civilly to her when he was alone but when he was surrounded by an audience he acted the cocky, self obsessed, aristocrat everyone knew him to be. She didn't know the real Draco, she couldn't tell which was an act and that annoyed her more than his stuck-up attitude ever would.
