Thanks again to all the people that reviewed this story, much appreciated. I very nearly didn't continue with this story after reading DH, but now that it has been a few weeks I thought what the hell, at least Fred, Dobby and Snape get to live a while longer, if not forever in this story. Enjoy.
"Recovered from last night De'lore?" asked Zabini with a hint of amusement.
I stayed silent as he moved his body closer to mine and lowered his head to my level "Not told anyone now have we De'lore?" He asked knowing full well that I had.
"Oh no Zabini, I've not told a soul."
He smirked deeply and our eyes met momentarily and once again I couldn't help admire his handsome features, especially now he was literally inches from me. We continued to look at one another until I began to feel somewhat uncomfortable at the lack of space between us, I stepped back, turned round and continued with my book search.
I could hear him chuckle from behind and instinctively felt another smirk burn into my back.
"Do you have to do that?" I snapped, turning my head in his direction
"Do what?" he enquired cheekily.
"Smirk all the goddamn time, your as bad as bleedin Malfoy."
But no sooner had I opened my mouth, when I heard that oh so annoying voice, and believe me it was a voice I had been hearing far too much of over the past few days.
"...Did someone mention my name?"
My head shot around in his direction and I gave a huge eye roll as he walked toward us with his usual air of arrogance.
"Oh great" I muttered despondently "Talk of the fool and it appears"
He drew closer and raised an eye "What was that De'lore?"
I shook my head and shrugged innocently "Nothing Malfoy, nothing at all."
"No, didn't think so."
His cool eyes travelled slowly from my face to my somewhat wild hair and gave look of distaste.
"Honestly De'lore, you really do need to take more pride in your appearance, you look like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards. Have you never heard of the simple invention that is in fact called a brush?"
Shaking my head curtly I pressed my lips tightly together desperate not to react. As Hermione was always telling me "Thats exactly what he want's."
Instead I smiled stiffly "Apparently not"
He smirked deeply as he fumbled inside his cloak and pulled out his wand then pointed it straight at me. I gasped, a little confused at what had I done this time? But with little time to fathom it out I stared to reach for mine.
"Oh relax De'lore," he said a little irritated "I'm not going to hex you...come on give me some credit, as much as I would absolutely love too, it really isn't the time or place."
"Then what are you doing and why do you have that thing pointed at me?" My hand still ready to grab for my own wand if he so much as looked at me funny. No matter what he said I really didn't trust the foul git.
He sighed agitated "As much as I can not stand you De'lore..."
"And the feeling is quite mutual, Malfoy,"
He flashed me a look of discontent at being interrupted before carrying on "As much as I can not stand you De'lore, you are in fact in my company. Be it only for a minute of two, the truth remains that people can see us standing next to one another, and if that really has to be the case then I'm afraid I can not have you looking like the back end of a hippogriff now can I? I am a Malfoy after all. So that is why I have my wand De'lore, I am going to fix your hair...oh and there's no need to thank me."
No need to thank him! No need to thank him!! My eyes widened in fury as I felt my body tense, who the bloody hell did he think he was.
"If I look like the back end of a hippogriff Malfoy, then why don't you piss off and then people wont see us together...Zabini and I were actually getting on fine until you showed up with your high and mighty attitude" I narrowed my eyes "And if you think for one second that I am gonna let you, do anything to me with that wand, then you really are more stupid than I actually thought...and believe me Malfoy, that really is an understatement."
His smirk slowly faded and anger flickered his face causing his cold blue eyes to turn icy "Oh I'll use it alright" he said raising his wand "Only now it most definitely wont be on your hair De'lore."
"You just try it Malfoy" I said taking a step closer.
"Ok that's enough," came Zabini's voice as he stepped in-between the two of us. "Is it so impossible for the two of you to actually see one another and not fight for a change? If the two of you want to curse and hex one another then by all means do it, but may I suggest you do it where there is less chance of you getting caught...now De'lore, why don't you get what ever book it is you were after and Draco, you do the same."
Malfoy and I spied one another cruelly before we both backed off and moved towards the same bookshelf, each of us giving one another cold fleeting glances every now and then as we searched for the books we were after.
A few minuets passed and I spotted the one I was looking for. I went to grab it, but so too did Malfoy. This really wasn't going to end well, and I think we both knew it!
"Hay I got it first, Malfoy" I protested giving the book a little tug in my direction.
He smirked smugly "No De'lore I think you'll find that I had it first" he tugged it back towards him.
"No I had it first,"
"No De'lore I did."
"Oh for the love of Merlin" snapped Zabini from beside us "Just one of you give up the bloody book will you?"
"NO" we both shouted in unison.
Zabini shook his head "Fine, don't say I didn't warn you" he said annoyed, as he began to walk away.
"Give me the damn book Malfoy" I said a little more forcefully and tugged even harder.
"And why should I De'lore" he said with a fierce sneer "Because you're telling me too?" he pulled even harder causing me to jolt forwards.
"No, not because I'm telling you to Malfoy, because I had it first, so therefore it is mine to use...now give it" I said through gritted teeth.
"And I said NO" he bellowed and yanked even harder.
"Malfoy you prized prat, just give it to me."
With all the arguing and pushing and shoving that was going on, it wasn't really surprising that Malfoy and I hadn't realised that we had in fact been moving further and further out of the book stalls. We were almost visible to everyone that was in the library, well to all those who hadn't already got out of their seats to see what all the commotion was about.
We also didn't notice the large tower of books at the end, all piled neatly on top of one another.
"Honestly De'lore you really are pathetic. Now give up will you?"
"I'm pathetic...I'm pathetic, ha. I'd much rather be pathetic than be some slimy Slytherin prat, whose head is so far up his own arse I'm surprised his hair is still blond!"
Malfoy looked at me with deadly rage, and with his hardest tug yet he pulled at the book with all he had. I catapulted forwards into him, the book went flying off in another direction.
Malfoy lost his balance, stumbled back into the tower of books that we hadn't seen moments ago and instinctively we both grabbed onto one another as we fell to the ground with a crash. Malfoy hit the floor first and I fell neatly on top of him, the tower of books poured down around us and concealed us both beneath a huge mess. Oh bugger!!
My head was buried in the crook of Malfoy's neck and I couldn't help but take in the faint smell of his aftershave, surprisingly he smelt quite fine.
We stayed quite still until the last book dropped, hitting me firmly on the back of the head "Owww" I moaned quietly, then lifted my head and looked down at the buffoon beneath me, causing a load of books that rested on top of us to scatter to the floor.
To my amazement his cruel hard demeanour had vanished, instead he smirked at me teasingly "You know De'lore, you only had to ask and we could have gladly gone somewhere a little more privet" he raised an eye suggestively.
I could feel my features tighten in revulsion and I gave a little grunt of disgust "Thanks for the offer Malfoy, but I'd rather be alone with a Blast Ended Skrewt."
I quickly tried to peel myself from him, but failed miserably due to all the books that still housed themselves on top of us.
"And what is going on here?" came a stern voice from above.
I looked up and saw about fifty different faces staring down at us, most looked amused, some shocked and two looked outraged; Hermione and Mcgonagall, need I say more!
Mcgonagall's lecture lasted for what seemed like an eternity, it was that long in fact I zoned out ages ago, the only part I could clearly remember was the word "DETENTION!"
XXXX
I sat quietly in my favourite chair in front of the crackling fire back in the common room. Staring deeply into the amber flames I silently listened to Hermione retell the events of what happened in the library to Harry and Ron.
I felt slightly ashamed at my childish little antics and mentally cursed myself at allowing Malfoy to wind me up like that; of course I blamed myself also, I mean, I was in fact quite capable of giving Malfoy the book and getting myself another one but nooo, not me. I was far to stubborn for that, and would much rather make a complete fool out of myself than to ever do a simple thing like give him the book, and as usual look where it got me, yet another detention with a letter home to my parents.
I rested my elbow on the armrest and slumped my head into my hand, letting my fingers gently entwine in my untamed hair. I sighed softly, as much as I was used to getting into trouble, it never usually bothered me, after all, life was never dull when you had my name but, I couldn't help regret my actions this time around and I positively dreaded detention, even if it was with Mcgonagall. I dreaded it because I shared it with Malfoy.
Its was safe to say that Malfoy and I had never been friends and we always had our little slanging matches, but never had we been in each others company as much as we had over the passed few days. Without a doubt we did not, would not, and could not get on, no matter what, so, I knew full well that come detention night something was bound to happen. Question was, was I strong enough not to let it?
I had stayed pretty much glued to my seat, not really daring to move for fear of Hermione's scrutinising glare if I moved so much as a muscle. Honestly the girl could be scary at times!
Finally she left with Ron for prefect duties, but not before she dished out a little advice to yours truly.
"Now Anna" she had said "Please, please don't go getting yourself into any more trouble...please, for me"
I nodded and moodily uttered some sort of agreement. There departure left just Harry and I in the common room and I could finally start to relax a little.
"I wish I could have seen it," said Harry with a grin, as he placed his feet up on the couch.
"Seen what?" I asked sleepily, not really sure of what he was on about.
He chuckled lightly "You know, you and Malfoy...boy would I have given anything to see his face, especially when Mcgonagall had a go."
I slowly closed my eyes and smiled in spite of myself. To a bystanders eye, I could quite easily see the amusement in the whole situation, even if I personally didn't find it quite so funny myself.
"Yeah, suppose" I said lazily, keeping my eyes firmly shut as I slowly felt myself relax more and more until finally, I fulfilled my goal of the day...sleep.
XXXX
Draco Malfoy paced furiously back and forth across his dorm room. Seething with anger that exceeded even his expectations, his hands showed no sign of colour as they curled tightly into fists and his lips were pressed so firmly together that they resembled nothing more than two thin lines. His usual cold eyes were now icy and his outward look could scare even the toughest of people.
"Oh she is going to pay, do you hear me Blaise? She is so going to pay for what she just did to me...that loud mouthed, over opinionated little bitch is so going to pay." he spat out every word like poisonous venom.
Blaise lay, lazily on his bed, arms propped under his head, which he shook irritably. Giving a small eye roll at Draco who, had talked of nothing else since the whole library incident and he was starting to tire of the whole subject.
"Oh De'lore this, and De'lore that...bla, bla, bla." He knew exactly what had been coming when the two of them started that silly little argument and, had he not warned them? So really there was no room for moaning now. But being the loyal friend he was, he found himself agreeing with every thing that he said, even if he wanted to or not.
He sighed lightly "Come now Draco, you really need to calm yourself...whats done is done and there is very little you can do about it now"
Draco's eyes darted in his friends direction and he glared coolly at him "Calm down! Calm down. How can I possibly calm down? I have a detention and it is all De'lore's fault,. Nobody gets Draco Malfoy a detention and gets away with it Blaise, no-one"
Blaise once again sighed, only this time quite heavily. There was no doubt that Draco was angry but Blaise knew only too well that his best friends threats were empty ones, they always were when it came to De'lore. He knew his best friend found something fascinating about the girl, with her misfit ways and silly little comments that made even Zabini chuckle at times, but he also knew Draco would never admit it either.
He decided to keep his mouth firmly closed and let Draco carry on until he would eventually fizzle out, or at least thats what he hoped for.
XXXX
I had been sleeping peacefully for at least a few hours and was having a fantastic dream involving Snape and a rather over excited hippogriff!
I slowly began to stir and could sense the presence of another.
I heard distant voices that started to get closer and closer until finally, I recognised who they belonged to. Suddenly panic stared to set in and rightly so, when I heard the next words that were spoken.
"Quick Fred," George urged quietly, "She's coming round, lets get outta here,"
Before Fred had any chance to answer, my eyes shot open instantaneously and I leapt out of the comfy chair quicker than you could say Hungarain Horntail.
"Oh no you don't" I retorted as I quickly patted my hands over my body to check for any damage.
Ok, so none as far as I could see or feel, but they had most definitely done something. This was Fred and George we were talking about after all.
I lifted my head in the twins direction and furrowed my eyes at the cheeky looking redheads and pointed an accusing finger at them, "What have you done?" I demanded fiercely, as they looked at one another and both shrugged carelessly.
"Relax Anna," said George casually "It's not permanent."
My eyes widened slightly "What's not permanent?" I said through gritted teeth starting to feel a little nervous.
Fred squinted thoughtfully "I have to say Anna, it really does quite suit you. Not many people could get away with it, but I guess you just have one of those faces."
I flung my hands up to my face and to my relief it felt no different, but for all I knew I could quite easily look like old hag.
"What suits me?" I demanded with clear panic in my voice "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" I shouted, not really knowing if to laugh or cry. I knew they wouldn't do anything seriously bad to me...or would they?
Unable to cope without knowing any loner I rushed over to the fireplace, stood on tiptoes and looked at my reflection in the mirror that hung neatly above it.
"WHAT THE..." I bellowed with very wide eyes, spun around and glared at them
"SO, WHICH ONE OF YOU TWO IDIOTS DID THIS TO ME?" I shouted placing my hands on my hips.
They both looked at one another, pointed and said, "He did" in unison.