Author's Note: I am well aware that sixth-years and older are placed in NEWT classes and that all four houses start taking classes together, but indulge me, okay? This works better for the story. Maybe they changed it because there were too many students in the NEWT classes or something.

Wizard's Chess

aspettativa (noun): expectation, expectancy, anticipation, hope, wait

"What the fuck?!" I nearly yell, releasing my tight grasp from around Malfoy's wrist after dragging him out of the Great Hall. Parkinson had followed us like a lost puppy – only with much more of a swagger – into the unused classroom before I had glared at him and kicked him out. By no means was he off the hook; he had been the first, after all, to suggest that Malfoy and I, a Weasley, were dating.

It's like the opposite of incest, only even more repulsive.

I cross my arms and huff, irritated. "Why would you go and do such a thing? I mean, I know Parkinson just loves to torture me and he thinks this is funny, but you of all people should realize how much more complicated this makes everything." He merely stares back at me with those calculating eyes, as if trying to make sense of my actions.

What he doesn't realize that he's the one not making sense.

"Well?" I press.

"I was doing you a favor. Potter put you on the spot and you weren't exactly forming coherent sentences."

I flush angrily. "If I remember correctly, you weren't being much help."

"And by saying we're a couple, I did." His grey eyes narrow. "If Zabini is insistent on making you hang around, that means you need a plausible excuse. Your other choice is to act as a lovesick fangirl that has an obsession with me, with I don't prefer and I'm sure, neither do you."

My face twitches into one of disgust. His remains stoic, but I think I can see a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"It's just a stupid game between Zabini and James. I'm not putting my reputation on the line."

"Reputation? So says the Loner Weasley."

"You do realize this is going to end up involving the whole Potter-Weasley clan because of our so-called love, right? Do you have any idea how chaotic that's going to be?" I shut my eyes and groan at the thought. "My dad is going to murder me. Right after he kills you first."

"Exactly."

Zabini's voice rings from the doorway, and I turn around to find him leaning against the doorframe, Parkinson grinning behind him. He'd obviously gone to fetch the seventh-year while Malfoy and I were arguing.

Zabini stalks into the room, Parkinson closing the door behind them.

"Weasley, if you'd do the honors."

I sigh and roll my eyes, but obey anyway, casting the Muffliato without searching my bag for my wand (I'd haphazardly thrown it in there this morning, seeing as I was half-awake at the time). The sooner this conversation is over, the sooner I'm out of a room with three Slytherins. Wandless magic always has to be used carefully, and a situation has to be thoroughly thought out before I can judge whether or not wandless magic is worth it.

In this case, it's priceless.

Malfoy raises his eyebrows but remains silent. Parkinson lets out a whoop, his grin growing wider.

Zabini, however, makes no acknowledgement before continuing. "The commotion you two caused in the Great Hall is perfect. Potter and his gang aren't clever enough to sort this out. There's a high chance that a load of Weasleys are going to be on the white team, and if they're distracted by this then they'll be easy targets for us to take down." He looks at me, then Malfoy. "You need to make this ruse as convincing as possible, no excuses."

"You can't be serious," I state, before he cuts me off.

"If you can convince your family, you can convince them it's not part of the game. It shouldn't be too hard, after spending nearly every waking minute together. If it is, then try harder. Talk, play quidditch, shag, whatever." He turns to Malfoy, who only nods, before leaving the room.

"Are you insane?" I hiss. "It's one thing to fake date, but it's another to actually act the part."

"You should be more worried about your acting skills than mine, Weasley." For some reason, he's much closer than he was before, than he needs to be. I attempt to back away, but I'm cornered between the desks and the wall behind me.

Malfoy leans in, towering above me, and I have to crane my neck so that I can maintain eye contact. His hand finds its way onto my waist. My breath hitches as he leans lower, until his hot breath is warming my ear.

"I don't know about you, Weasley, but I play to win."

My first class is Double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. I count myself lucky for a number of reasons.

1. No Malfoy or Parkinson.

2. Double that.

3. Need I say more?

Actually, though, I really am lucky. There's only one Potter-Weasley that will be in the class – Albus. Al is very righteous, and he has dignity. There's a high possibility he'll actually respect my privacy and leave me alone. If he doesn't, well, Professor Longbottom always assigns partner work anyway. I'll be too busy with Janet for Albus to get a chance to talk some reason into me.

Malfoy walks me to Greenhouse 3. Well, Parkinson does too, but still. The walk through the castle is excruciatingly painful, because apparently, everyone witnessed the little party we had in the Great Hall, and gossip at Hogwarts spreads like wildfire. The whispers from earlier this morning are now full-blown stares and pointing. One fifth-year Gryffindor has the nerve to ask if we really are dating. I can't even manage to form an answer before Malfoy puts his arm around my waist and steers me toward the castle entrance.

Because we left breakfast so early, Malfoy has time to walk me all the way outside. Parkinson supplies the chatter as we make our way there. I breathe in relief when I see that Janet has already arrived, but to my dismay, many of the Hufflepuffs have as well. Luckily, none of them are Albus.

I feel a weight leave my side, before realizing that Malfoy had his hand around my waist the whole time. I attempt to resist the urge to blush (note: attempt). It's not just about Malfoy, necessarily, but I haven't had many boys be that intimate with me, and almost all of them were related to me.

"I'll wait for you after Potions?"

I manage a thin smile. "Shouldn't I be waiting for you?"

"A gentleman doesn't keep a lady waiting, and it'll take too long for me to walk all the way out here."

I nod and motion for him to stoop down. He looks at my questioningly, but does it anyway.

"Try to avoid the Gryffindors," I whisper in his ear, before giving him a quick peck on the cheek in order to throw off suspicion. I can do this without any qualms – I've pecked other guys on the cheek before, Louis usually being the victim. He nods at me, then at Janet before walking off and disappearing back into the castle, Parkinson at his side.

"Oh my Merlin, you two are sooooo cute together!" I turn around, glaring, to find Janet clapping her hands excitedly and jumping up and down, before stopping and snickering. I swat at her, laughing back, glad to be finally away from Slytherins for the first time that day.

Professor Longbottom lets us out early, which I'm grateful for. It's severely uncomfortable to have people constantly send looks your way, which everyone, including Albus and excluding Louis, Janet, and Wesley, was doing the whole class time. I'm one of the first to rush out of Greenhouse 3, hurriedly telling Janet I'll see her after lunch.

My footsteps echo in the empty halls as I make my way towards the dungeons, and I mentally prepare myself for lunch. Another show with Malfoy, with everyone's eyes on us.

Oh joy.

The thing is, Malfoy doesn't listen to me. I'm usually a quiet person, content to just observe. But I raged at him this morning and he didn't even bat an eyelash. Violence and screaming isn't going to work on him. I need to find a way to irk him so he'll actually do what I'll say. Otherwise, there's no way I'll survive this ordeal.

The Gryffindors leave the dungeons first, tossing not-so-sly glances my way. Lucy stops in front of me and opens her mouth, but before she can start I push her away, giving that I'll-explain-later look. I almost feel guilty that I never will, at least not truthfully.

Almost.

The Slytherins file out afterwards, distinctively quieter that the Gryffindors, which I appreciate. Their glances are less inquisitive and more calculating. I hear the faint whisper of Mariana Pucey to Aurora Davis: "What do you think Malfoy's using her for?" instead of the repeated "Are they really dating?"

Slytherins always ask all the right questions.

Parkinson comes out next. "Heyyyy, Rosie!"

I grit my teeth. If Albus hadn't said it this morning, Parkinson wouldn't have picked up on it. "Parkinson."

"Call me Natie, we'll make it even."

I roll my eyes. "Where's Malfoy?"

"You should probably call me by my first name if we want this to work."

I smile sweetly. "Scorp, then."

"Scorpius," he corrects, before offering his arm.

I take it before answering, "No, I'm fine with Scorp."

He glares. I smirk.

After all, it takes two to play, right?

Holy crap, guys, I'm so sorry! I was on a long trip, and then I got sick on the way home. I suddenly had the urge to write, so yeah. This may not be the best quality.

Please don't favorite/alert without reviewing! Let me know if you like the direction this is going in!