Erica's POV

I'm on my way to the Slytherin common room, when some one roughly grabs my arm and pulls me into a broom cupboard.

"Erica!" a deep voice says.

"Malfoy?!" I exclaim.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. Were you looking for Pansy? I'll just leave then."

"No. I meant to grab you. I need you to do a little favor for me," he says.

"Why would I do that?"

"Please? Here's the plan." He whispers it in my ear.

"No! That's way too scandalous. She's my best friend!"

"If she's your real friend, you would do this."

I hesitate. "Fine. I'll do it - but only because I've waited seven years for you two."

End Erica's POV

It is Wednesday. I walk in to the Great Hall for breakfast and to meet Erica so we can decide which table to sit at (Slytherin or Ravenclaw). At first I don't see her, but soon I spot her raven hair at the Slytherin table. I walk over, but just as I'm about to say hello, I notice that a bleach blond boy has his right arm around her waist.

"Malfoy? Erica?" Their heads snap around. "Erica, how could you?!"

"What are you talking about?" I can see in her eyes that she knows exactly what I am talking about. I see Malfoy smirk and I loose it.

"You!"

"Me." I walk closer to him and smack him hard. He brings his head back up to face me.

"What the bloody hell was that all about?!"

"If you ever lay a damn finger on her or hurt her in any way, you'll get it even worse, bastard!" I lose my appetite and storm out. Erica knows what he does to girls. We both think of him as disgusting for that. Now they're dating?! It's not just that I fear for her, but…I think I may be…jealous. No! I can't be! Maybe...just maybe…I might like him…a little…deep down. Deep, deep down. It's microscopic.

I want to stay away from Erica, but, unfortunately, I have some classes with the Slytherins. I want to be as far away as I can from the "happy couple".

I have Charms with them and Erica decides to sit next to me. She gives me a puppy dog pout. My icy stare meets her ice blue eyes. Her eyes seem to sparkle with sadness, while mine...well, let's just say that if looks could kill, every one within a five mile radius would drop dead.

"Collette, I'm really sorry," she whispers. A strong expression of guilt sweeps across her face. "We love each other and, deep down, I've always sort of liked him."

"What?! But you know what he does to girls," I point out.

"He says he's changed."

"Lies." I drop my voice even lower and say, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but…I kind of like him deep down. Deep, deep down."

A spark of happiness flashes across her eyes to be replaced by sadness. "I'm so sorry."

"You should be," I say softly. She gives my hand a squeeze instead of hugging me. That would look quite awkward in the middle of class.