"I cant believe you are in trouble already Anna" Hermione scolded as we slowly walked through the dimly lit corridor after potions lesson.

I shrugged idly "Bound to happen sooner or later…though I must admit I wasn't expecting it quite so soon, but hay a new record I guess"

Hermione shook her head in annoyance "How can you be so blasé about it, I mean honestly Anna cant you at least try to behave yourself, is that too much to ask?"

I turned to face Harry with a look that said "Well that told me" Harry simply grinned meekly.

"Look Hermione, you and I both know that Snape would have punished me for not paying attention anyway so why not make it worthwhile…and besides I don't really think what I did was that bad after all said was in fact the last word that came from his cruel sadistic mouth"

Ron and Harry both gave a snort while Hermione still didn't find it quite so amusing

"That's not the point Anna," she snapped huffily

"Then what is the point?" Ron asked a little harshly "Anna's right, Snape would have taken points and given her a detention anyway"

She narrowed her eyes clearly frustrated "Well I wouldn't expect you to understand Ronald"

Oh lord here we go again I thought rolling my eyes as Harry and I glanced at one another

"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Ron demanded

"Exactly what I said" her reply blunt as she began to quicken her pace.

Ron paused briefly with a frown as if trying his best to work out a cryptic puzzle he had just stumbled across, but with little success he shook his head.

"Oi Hermione" he called as she rushed ahead of us completely ignoring him. Ron gave a small-aggravated grunt then strode off to catch up with her. Harry and I walked side by side, me scrunching up my face at the still audible couple that had nearly exited the dungeons. I looked up at Harry and shrugged while Harry rolled his eyes then gave me a small smile.

"Ooops…I guess I started that one" I said with a sigh

"I wouldn't worry about it, if it wasn't this then they'd find something else to argue about"

"Suppose…you know I just wish they would get it together, give us all a break"

Harry laughed "Tell me about it"

I was about to reply when something hard hit my shoulder causing me to stumble, I grabbed onto Harry's arms to steady myself and noticed his usual kind expression had vanished and replaced by a cold hard glare. Regaining my composure I turned around only to be face to face with a rather smug looking blond and his goons.

"…Malfoy"

"You know De'lore, you really should watch where you are going…who knows what terrible injuries you could have sustained just then, and that really would have been a shame"

Feeling my jaw clench tightly and seething with anger I took a step forward only to have Harry place a protective arm in front of me.

"Awww, would you look at that" he smirked looking from Crabbe to Goyal "St Potter protecting his little girlfriend…how very touching" he gave a cold merciless snort "And as I can quite clearly hear there's trouble in paradise for the Weasel and Mudblood…such a pity"

"Go to hell Malfoy" I spat lunging forward, but Harry's hold was far to firm "The only person around here who will need protecting is you, you slime ball"

Malfoy's smirk faded and his brow furrowed and a dangerous sneer formed on his lips; he took a few paces forward carrying himself with an air of superiority and importance.

"What did you just call me De'lore?"

Harry moved in front shielding me from whatever Malfoy may or may not do. Nearly nose-to-nose Malfoy and Harry glared at one another icily.

"You heard her Malfoy she called you a slime-ball…now apologise"

"Apologise…for what?" the look of disgust on his face was clearly visible.

Struggling hidden behind Harry who's hold was still firm, I desperately tried to free myself from his grasp but with little success so I gave up momentarily, stood on tiptoes poking my head from behind Harry's shoulder

"To me you fool, apologise to me for nearly knocking me flying"

Malfoy's eyes slowly moved from Harry to my concealed figure, his sneer still firmly in place "Pfffft…apologise…to the likes of you, a filthy Gryffindor and blood traitor" he chuckled drolly "Good one De'lore, you know for a minuet there I actually thought you were being serious…I mean can you imagine it a Malfoy apologise to the likes of you…ha please I do have standards you know"

"Apologise Malfoy" Harry demanded forcefully while trying to keep me under control.

The two locked eyes once more "Make me Potter" his voice noxious as he stepped even closer, Crabbe and Goyal on either side cracked their knuckles, causing my face to screw up in revulsion.

"And what exactly is going on here?" snapped a new voice we all recognised instantly making Malfoy smirk even deeper "Tut, tut Gryffindor's harassing Slythrein's" Snape's voice droned as he approached "Let me see…10 more points from Gryffindor, you really should be more careful, at this rate you'll be in the minuses before the day is over" Malfoy and his croons laughed amused.

"But sir" I began "They star…"

"Silence" he hissed brutally "I am not interested in your pitiful excuses De'lore"

"But Sir…" Harry tried to protest this time

"I said silence…now unless you wish to loose more points from your house I strongly suggest you leave…NOW"

Both Harry and I glared coldly at Snape then over to Malfoy who stood there as smug as ever.

"Come on Anna" said harry who gently took hold of my arm "Lets go"

I stood for a moment in total fury, how dare Snape take points from us when it was Malfoy who started it as usual. I bit down hard on my bottom lip so I wouldn't open my overly large mouth and loose even more points from Gryffindor I made a "Humph" noise and let Harry lead me out of the dungeons.

We strolled out of the dungeons and into the Great Hall where dinner was waiting, both of us cursing Snape and all who resided in that wretched house.

"Their evil Harry, you know that don't you? The lot of them, their nothing more than, than…"

"Slime-balls?" he interjected arching an eyebrow

I smiled in spite of myself "Pretty pathetic insult wasn't it?" I laughed

"Oh I don't know, it seemed to do the trick" he mused "…though I must admit you have used better"

"Ahh well," I said with a wave of the hand "I'm sure I'll have plenty more opportunities…come on I'm starved"

Quickly scanning the Gryffindor table until we spotted the mass of red hair at the far end of the room that of course belonged to Ron and we made our way over.

"Wheredidyoutwogetto" Ron asked with a mouthful of food as we took a seat opposite him.

Hermione instantly shot him a glare "It's bad manners to talk with your mouthful Ronald"

With a deep sigh he rolled his eyes and I couldn't help but giggle at the annoyed look on his face. He swallowed his food and tried again "So what took you so long? One minuet you were there and the next you'd gone!!"

I looked at Harry slightly aghast, as I recalled it they were the ones who stormed off leaving us behind. I gave a small shake of my head and an amused smile which Harry returned, "I wonder why" he mumbled in my direction, while Ron looked on innocently waiting for an answer.

"We ran into a spot of…trouble" I began immediately grabbing Hermione's attention as she looked up from her plate, eyes resting on me suspiciously, while Ron leaned his body in over the table eager to hear more.

"Malfoy" Harry said bitterly stabbing his fork into a potato with slightly more force than necessary. With a look of loathing Ron shifted his body to one side and angled himself as to get a better view of the Slytherin table.

"What's the foul git done this time?" his voice matching his look.

While Harry retold the story with great animosity I couldn't help but turn my head toward his table, my eyes scanning across it until finally resting on him. There he sat the centre of attention as usual, talking animatedly while one and all hung off his every last word. He must have said something that only that lot would have found funny because they all laughed and a conceited smirk formed on his lips. He stretched his arms lazily before his eyes slowly moved in my direction. Smirking even deeply he mouthed, "Watch your back"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head at his pathetic attempt at scaring me then mouthed a silent reply of "Ooh I'm scared" before sticking my nose high in the air and returning to the heated conversation that was going on where I sat.