Disclaimer: (I forgot to do this last chapter. Whoops!) I do not own Draco Malfoy or any of the Harry Potter characters. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. Except, of course, for Katrina and any other unfamiliar characters.

A/N: Ok, so I don't have I very good idea of where this story is going but I know it's going to be really fun to write and, hopefully, read. I just hope it doesn't suck. So anyway, constructive criticism and suggestions are quite welcome, as always. Many thanks to:

LegolasLvr71: Thank you!

sugar-skyline: You think so? Well, you'll just have to wait and see… yes, I'm very secretive. Lol, ok, I'm not even going to ask about the soonb thing! Thanks a lot!

year1989rocks: I'm happy to hear that! Thanks for reviewing!

Koyuki 14: I know. There, there, it'll be all right. This one will be much longer (hopefully.)

No way! Malfoy is soooo much hotter! Harry's not even hot all the time… only at certain moments! Lol.

Ewww, Ron's definitely not hot! (No offence to any Ron fans!)

Thanks a lot!

Saucy! I love that! It's not used nearly enough.

They're in 7th year so they're 17.

Chapter 3!

Chapter 3: Two First Encounters

Kate was walking hurriedly to the library to meet Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron. She was supposed to meet them ten minutes ago but had been held up by a nervous Ravenclaw asking her out. Sighing, she had told him that she wasn't ready for a relationship right now and all that jazz. Guys asked her out all the time and she had gotten good at mechanically answering the same thing over and over when she wasn't interested.

She rummaged through her bag and walked straight in to a solid object. She stumbled but strong arms caught her before she could fall. She glanced up and found two silvery blue eyes staring back at her.

"Whoa," Draco Malfoy said. "Where are you headed in such a rush?"

Kate was surprised. After what she had heard about this guy from her friends, she expected him to yell and scream about how clumsy she was.

"Uh, the library," she managed to get out. He smirked at her stammering.

"Here," he said, taking her bag in one hand and wrapping his other arm around her waist. "I'll walk you there."

"That's ok, really,I-" Kate attempted to say but Malfoy cut her off.

"I insist," he said, already leading her down the hall.

A pair of eyes watched the two teenagers from the safety of the shadows. They scanned over Kate and landed on Malfoy's arm still wrapped around her waist. The eyes narrowed. This was not good.
Kate and Malfoy reached the library doors and they stopped. Malfoy handed Kate her bag, pecked her on the cheek and said that he's see her later before disappearing down the hall. Kate stayed put briefly before going inside the library. She was so late.

She found Ginny and her other friends instantly. The library was practically deserted except for them. They spoke and laughed loudly while the pesky librarian made futile attempts to quiet them down. Harry was the first to spot Kate.

"Hey Kate!" He called. "Where you been?"

"And what were you doing outside with Malfoy?" Ron added, his face disgusted.

"I got held up by some Ravenclaw who wanted to go out with me," Kate said, slipping in to one of the empty seats at the table. "Then I bumped in to Malfoy. Literally. He was really nice. He carried by bag and walked me here. It was sweet of him."

Her friends exchanged worried glances and Kate just laughed.

"Don't worry," she said, throwing her auburn hair over her shoulder. "I'm not in love with him or anything. I just thought he was being nice. Besides, he's obviously interested which is crucial for the plan."

That seemed to reassure everyone and they resumed their loud conversation.

The same eyes that had gazed upon Kate and Malfoy in the hall stared at Kate once more. They were peeking from around a bookcase and seemed satisfied with what Kate was doing and the people she was with.
Much time and no progress in her homework later, Kate said goodbye to her friends and left the library. As she walked back to the Gryffindor common room, she heard someone call her name softly. She turned and found Blaise Zabini walking leisurely up to her.

"Hey Kate," he said softly upon reaching her.

"Hi Blaise."

Kate struggled with the two simple words. After seeing him, her mouth had gone dry and her throat had closed up. Ever since coming to Hogwarts, she had known that they would eventually cross paths but she wasn't ready for it.

"How have you been?" Blaise asked. The calm way in which he spoke hurt Kate more than she would have liked to admit.

"Just fine, Blaise," Kate struggled to regain her ever-calm voice. "And yourself?"

"Good," Blaise responded. It was all a game to him. She could see it in his eyes. He enjoyed torturing her like this.

"Don't do this, Blaise," Kate choked. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about," Blaise answered coolly. "Anyway, I should go. See you around, Kate."

Blaise walked slowly away and left Kate more upset than she'd been in a long time.

A/N: I bet you're all wondering what the deal is with Blaise and Kate… unfortunately, you won't find out until later. Sorry! Review please!