chapter... what chapter are we on? jk :)

hope u like- "snails" is a song by The Format

disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter, I do not. This story and the new characters are all mine.

Nico, take it slow
Show me that you care...
Life is not a play, it's what we
Make of the people we love.

(Chorus)
Snails see the benefits
The beauty in every inch
Oh why, why, why, why, why
Are you quick to kiss?
Baby, maybe I spoke too soon
I'll touch you once you make the first move
Snails see the benefits
The beauty in every inch

Smile when you feel the sunlight

Chapter 10: Snails

"Ugh," muttered Selena as she drank her coffee.

"'Ugh' what? Was it bad?" Alina asked, referring to the coffe she had made for her.

"No, your coffee's great, but it's just- ugh. Desperate as it sounds, I realized I need a guy."

"You need a guy?" Selena nodded. "Selena, you don't need a guy-"

"Oh no- I do. I've been hanging out with so many of my guy friends here that I've forgotten how it feels like to date. How to act when you're doing. How to flirt."

"Selena, I don't think you of all people could forget how to do that."

"Still...I don't know. I'ts not like I'm not busy or like I have no life. but I see Harry and Ginny and Hermione and Ron and then there's you and Draco-"

"Hold it. There's no 'love' connection between us."

"Uh huh, sure. But then I like Nevellie to an extent, as odd as he is, but he's taken. And I'm not used to being- oh god this sounds so pathetic- 'on the market' for so long."

"You could just say single."

"Whatever. The point is- we need to go to London and find me a guy."

"No, we're going to stay here, and then hopefully you'll meet someone."

"I guess it's because I am too flirty, and not as serious. And maybe I act like I'm too good for some people. We're in England and I haven't found one available, decent guy for me." Selena rambled on as if she had completely ignored Alina. Which she had.

"Selena- don't worry. Just be patient- you're only sixteen for crying out loud. You've got plenty of time to find someone who's just right."

"Easy for you tosay, what with dating the hottest young bachelor in the wizarding world."

"Again, let me reiterate the fact taht we are NOT dating, and there is nothing more than friendship between us. Got it?"

"No." Alina gave up. She was lying, obviously. Well- not really. They were just friends. But for some reason she wanted them to be more. On the other hand, the idea of breaking a guy's heart again and hurting her own repulsed her and any notion of getting closer to Draco was nudged, well rather shoved, out of her mind. Alina smiled- she had just thought of an idea.

"I know what will make you feel better."

"What?"

"A girl's night out."

"Oh come on, alina. Get serious. We haven't done that since before you started dating David. Do you even know how to have one?"

"Selena, I'm not completely ignorant- trust me, I still remember hose nights you called 'girls' night out'. They were more like 'Selena finds a hot guy to dance with then stays up really late watching chick flicks and throwing food' nights."

"Aah, the good ol' days," Selena said drearily.

"Well okay then, get all your homework done before eight."

"Yes ma'am."

"I mean it, or no clubbing tonight either."

"Woa woa woa- did you just say you're taking me to a night club?"

"Maybe." Alina smiled slyly. Selena got up out of her chair and started to run. "Where are you going?" Alina yelled to her.

"Going to do my homework!" Alina smiled with satisfaction. Now how to do this...

"Please? This is the one favor I'm asking of you- just get us in there and you can leave right after that. Please, Draco? It's for my sister. She needs to get out and find a guy."

"So you take her to a dance club to help her find one?" he gave her a weird look.

"Okay, so maybe not the best choice but still- it's a start. I mean, come on, you had no objections the last time,"

"I don't know.. Alll you're going to do is go off and flirt with guys with her too. What do I get out of this?"

"I don't know. Urgh- Draco-" she was starting to become severely agitated. She had made a promise to her sister, and she was planning on keeping it. "I'll do whatever you want- but nothing perverted."

"Fine- I'm staying with you the whole time."

"That's it?"

"No," he paused, looking directly at her. She turned away. "Look at me, Alina." She did. She was trying so hard to think about something other than the very hot platinum blond-haired man in front of her. 'Icecream.. mm.. with those waffles he made me... that time i was making coffee and he came up behind me...crap. Alina, what is wrong with you? Stop thinking about- ugh- don't even say his name.' "One last thing- kiss me."

She closed her eyes. She had no reason not to kiss him. And yet it felt as if she had every reason to say no too. It was all way too confusing- for a while she'd known that she'd have to move on from David. It didn't mean that she did. The unreasonable, childish, and immature part of her wanted to hold on tight to her past relationship and all its memories she had with David. The more eager, desperate side of her wanted to kiss Draco. But she didn't want to be either side or to even be split between a decision- she wanted to kiss him when her whole body felt right with it. Her eyes fluttered open.

"Nevermind, I'll find a way to get in." she started to get up.

"Alina." she stopped- like she always did. "What's going on? Why do always refuse to become remotely intimate or close with me? Or with anyone, for that matter? What aren't you telling me?" She didn't respond. "Or am I just a big bloody idiot who has no idea what he's talking about?" She could see that he was extremely frustrated, more than he showed. She sighed- she seemed to be frustrating everyone. She got up again, and went to stand behind him as he sat on the stool. She gave him a light hug, resting her head on his back.

"I'm sorry." And she left. Draco was fuming. He was getting nowhere with Alina, yet he was giving up a lot of his rpide for her. Yet she acted as if she didn't really give a damn about him and treated him like he was her brother. It was pissing him off so much- lately his mind couldn't settle unless he had seen her. But more than his own hurt and bruised ego, he cared more for Alina and whatever had happened. She absolutely refused to utter a word of it, not even a slight hint. He had tried to read her mind, but it was hopeless. She was getting good at occlumency, and plus, he often felt bad for prying into her private thoughts. He hadn't really talked to Selena, but had heard a few times while she talked to the Golden Trio or Neville that Alina han't always been like how she was now.

The mornings with her had been enough for him at one point, but after seeing her everyday, all awake and alert from her early morning excercise, fresh and clean from her shower, and relaxed and satsified and a look of content spread across her face, she was the most beautiful sight. He'd started to make her breakfast for her before she came, although his cooking skills with a wand were quite limited. He'd change the meal everyday for her, so she'd never get sick of anything, and would always be pleasantly surprised. That morning she'd left a little bit earlier to give breakfast to Selena. She had worn a blue tank top and gray sweats, her hair still slightly wet. The sunlight illuminated her whole body, making her seem ethereal, with glowing skin. It truly had been a heavenly image. He shook his head. This is what she did to him. He would find a way to make her come to him- he would. After all, he was Draco Malfoy.

A/N: hey so this chapter is kinda iffy- for me, and I'm really eager to get on and move on with the story but it's taking a while

also, I'm having difficulty making Draco Malfoy stay true to his character, so sorry if this doesn't seem like him