"KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!"
Antares slowly opened one eye and peeked a look towards the compartment door, not really in the mood to entertain any of his friends at this particular time. But seeing a mane of fiery red hair attached to one very fine figure made him reevaluate his previous thoughts of privacy.
Getting out of his chair, Antares subtly smoothed down the corners of his already immaculate robes before unlocking the door, revealing the beautiful and angelic face of Lily Evans.
She wasn't a particular tall women, standing at around half a head shorter than himself, yet her frame was definitely sexier than his own, at least in his opinion anyway. He had never seen her in anything other than he school robes, and by no means was he able to accurately assess her womanly figure, but from what he was able to see she definitely had a gorgeous body. Her face on the other hand, was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen. She had creamy alabaster skin, shoulder-length slightly curly red hair, cute pink lips, rosy cheeks, and the most captivating green eyes he had ever laid eyes on. All in all, she was one beautiful woman.
"Evans?" questioned Antares, his trademark smirk ever present on his handsome face.
"Antares" Lily replied coolly, her lips thin in slight disapproval of his use of her last name.
"So, what can I do you for, Evans? I haven't got all day you know" asked Antares.
One would wonder why he was acting in such a manner, especially to someone who was as beautiful as Lily Evans. Believe it or not, there was a valid reason – at least valid in his eyes – as to why he was acting liking such an ass, and it had everything to do with his upbringing.
When one belonged to an illustrious family such as his, one was taught to preserve one's image – as well as the families – at all costs. Since first year he had preserved the image that he was a smart, sophisticated and mysterious gentleman who cared little for anyone outside his family and who wasn't in the habit of being particularly kind to his fellow students (especially those of the mudblood variety). Yet in reality he was an ambitious, unmerciful, cold-hearted blood purist who was also suave, kindhearted and charismatic. He was aware that such a personality wasn't normal. But since when had his family ever been normal.
His image was the reason he was being such an ass. He was being an ass because it was expected of him to be an ass, doing anything less would ruin the image that he so masterfully created. Whilst being an ass to Lily wasn't something he enjoyed (and he did enjoy being an ass to certain people), it wasn't like he was going to destroy years of work for any girl, not even for a fine piece of ass like Lily Evans.
"Nice to see you too, Antares" replied Lily sarcastically, not at all bothered by the eldest Black's dismissive attitude.
"I mean it Evans" said Antares "I'm not in the mood to deal with any prefect related duties at the moment. Make one of the younger years handle it."
"It's not about prefect duties, it's about something else" proclaimed Lily, taking a seat opposite him.
"And what can I, a lowly Slytherin, not including a Black, do for the Gryffindor golden girl" sneered Antares, his mask once again in full effect.
"It's important, Antares" said Lily quietly, crossing her arms and sitting her back in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the situation she was coming to Antares for.
Antares expression changed from sneer to mildly curious in the blink of an eye. A stressed out Evans was something he had never seen. Maybe whatever Lily had to discuss with him was important after all.
"I know that we haven't spoken very often" said Lily, her voice low and her eyes downcast. "You being a Sixth year and a Slytherin, and me being a Fifth year and Gryffindor. And I know that you have no reason what-so ever in agreeing to my request, god knows why I'm asking even asking you of all people. But I was wandering … I was wandering if you'd be able to maybe … tutor me in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes?" Her voice becoming lower and lower the more she spoke.
Antares couldn't believe his ears. Sitting before him was the one person in the world he least expected to ever ask him for something, especially something as mundane as Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.
"And why would you, Lily Evans, self-proclaimed 'brightest witch of her age', need the help of little old me" remarked Antares, eyes alight with curiosity whilst he grinned impishly at her.
Lily ducked her head and blushed in embarrassment. Not only was she embarrassed that she needed help with her schoolwork, she was also embarrassed by the fact that the hottest boy in school was actually conversing with her, and in a civilized manner at that.
Don't get her wrong, she may be the teacher's pet and the Gryffindor golden girl, but that didn't negate the fact that she like boys just as much the next girl. The advances from the boys in her year didn't go unnoticed, how could they with that idiot Potter trying to woo her at every opportunity he got. Yet she wasn't interested in Potter. It wasn't that he wasn't handsome, it was more to do with the fact that he was about as mature as her 2 year old nephew.
"You know as well as I Antares that Arithmancy and Ancient Runes at a Fifth Year level is exceedingly difficult, more so for someone not raised in the wizarding world. It isn't totally unbelievable that I'm falling behind in a couple of classes. Please Antares, you're the only person I know that's smart enough, and hopefully willing enough, to teach me" Lily asked the Black heir pleadingly.
"And why should I, Evans? What is it to me if you fail Arithmancy and Ancient Runes? Last time I checked I didn't owe you or anyone else any favors" asked Antares, folding his arms over his chest and sitting his back against the seat.
Lily wasn't surprised by Antares' unsympathetic attitude, it wasn't like she expected him to do what she wanted out of the kindness of his heart. Purebloods (Black's especially) weren't known for their contribution to those in need, especially if they received nothing that could benefit them in return.
She knew that if she could offer Antares something of value that he might at least consider helping her with her studies. Only problem was, what do you get for someone who could clearly afford whatever they wanted?
"You could do it out of the kindness of your art" she jokingly asked him, a small smile on her lips.
"Unlikely" snorted Antares "have another go".
"You've already got enough gold, so I doubt you want that. Oh I know, I could set you up a date with Katherine Atkins" Said Lily brightly, believing she had found the perfect way to pay for her tutoring lesson.
"Pass" said Antares, a bored look on his face.
Lily blinked in shock. Antares hadn't even blinked at her proposal to set him up with Katherine Atkins, something she was positive was going to work. Katherine Atkins was the hottest girl in Gryffindor. She also happened to be a pureblood that came from a very old family. Every boy that had ever asked her out had been her rejected, so to say that she was surprised that someone with Antares reputation as a womanizer was putting it mildly.
"What do you want from me then?" she asked.
Antares thought about it for a moment. There offer of her setting him up with Katherine Atkins wasn't at all appealing, he wasn't interested in anyone other than Lily, plus the fact that he was contracted to be married really put a damper on one's sex life. There really wasn't anything that Lily could offer him, monetarily wise at least. If his father had taught him anything, it was that gold was the least valuable currency in existence.
Several minutes passed as Antares though about what he could extract from Lily in return for his services.
"Here's the deal" Antares told her. "I'll tutor you in Ancient Runes on Monday and Ancient Runes on Wednesdays, the time and place will vary from week to week. If anybody asks why I'm tutoring you, you tell them that teachers are forcing me to, the last thing I need is the entire school population thinking I'm willing to help somebody in need, I do have a reputation to protect after all. In return for me tutoring you, you will cover my prefect duties whenever asked, as well as owing me two favors (non-sexual and non-dangerous in nature) that you must complete without question or complaint."
"Do you agree with said terms?" he asked her, holding out his hand for her to shake whilst looking her directly in the eyes.
Seeing as the favors would be non-sexual and non-dangerous, Lily held out her hand – so small and delicate compared to his own – and shook it, her heart skipping a beat when she felt the warm thrum of magic join their hands in a binding magical contract that would prove fatal to whomever didn't uphold their end of the deal.
"If that's everything Evans, I'd really like to get back to my nap that you so rudely interrupted" said Antares snidely, his arrogant persona slipping right back into place.
Lily just smiled as she stood up and made to leave, turning back towards Antares at the last second.
"Thanks Antares" she said earnestly. "Not many people in your position would agree to tutor a fifth year, especially with NEWTs next year and all. I know that everyone says you're an arrogant blood purist with no care for anyone other than yourself, but I don't believe them." Here she looked him directly in the eye and gave him a sad smile. "I believe that deep down inside yourself ... that theirs a sensitive and caring guy who hides behind a mask because it is expect of him to do so. I hope that in time that you can learn to trust me enough to show me the real you."
And with that parting statement she slid open the door and made her way back to her compartment, leaving a very confused Antares in her wake.
"If only you knew her truly wrong you are Lily. If only you knew" he whispered to himself, turning his head to look out the window once again.