Chapter 2

-

The days that followed were torture. The only thing I could think about was that stupid Ravenclaw girl: Potter's reject, widow to Diggory, and now single once more after a public blowout with Michael in the Great Hall. What was wrong with me? Did I really believe that she wouldn't blab? I couldn't be sure. It made me restless, fidgety, to the point that I was ready to curse and scream at the sky.

Or maybe I really did want someone to find out. Maybe if Dumbledore knew, then someone could stop me.

But I knew it wasn't an option. If that happened, my parents were done for, and most likely me too. A thought that would have made a man shudder, but I was immune to emotion. I was practiced at hiding what I truly felt. But don't be mistaken, my anger toward Potter doesn't mean I actually don't mind him as much as I say, nor is it a cry for help, or jealousy… Potter, my friend, is pure Malfoy fun. I hated that boy, and his goody-two-shoes ways. He thought he was so much better than anyone, and that stupid fool Weasley followed him around hoping to be cast in his famous shadow, or maybe hoping to nail a bit of the Potter fortune, the greedy cad.

And don't get me started on that Granger. I thought maybe that dirty-blood had smarts, the way she flaunts about acting like she knows everything, but seeing as she obviously likes that Weasley boy, I see now that she has none.

And Parkinson. Pansy Parkinson. What to say about her? She could kiss well, I'll grant her that. She's had practice. Not much else to say. She's there. She's a Slytherin. She and I made sense together, so we were.

But Chang. I hadn't assessed her before now. I will admit I had long fancied her for her good looks, and not many a man could say otherwise when it came to that one, but I can't say I saw much more.

But now she was my obsession, someone I stalked day to day, following her about, knowing everyone she talked to in that day. Sometimes I thought she noticed me, but she showed no real indication of this. I continued this for days, even weeks, if you will. I began to know things about her, where she liked to go in Hogsmeade, what she did most in her spare time, who she liked and disliked, (me being at the top of the 'dislike' list, I wagered). I'll even go as far to say I enjoyed watching her. But I had not forgotten the direness of the situation, so I decided to take action.

Finally, I'd had enough. I wrote her a letter, and slipped it in her potions book one day. In the letter, I instructed her to meet me at top of the East tower stairs at nightfall. With my spying skills I was able to witness her actually reading it. It was at dinner that night, and while her friends were talking, it slipped out. I purposely sat near her to eavesdrop.

"And Potter had all these notes in his potions book, they say," one of her friends babbled. "Everyone's stumped at why he suddenly decided to kick up his potions abilities, all of a sudden, but it's serving him well. Anyway, Cho, speaking of potions; I forgot to take notes in class today, could I borrow yours?"

"Sure, they're in my book."

I craned my ear to listen, and inconspicuously watched her take her book out and take out her notes. While her friend thanked her and continued talking to someone else, she found the letter and read.

"Another love note, Cho?" one giggled.

"Yeah," she lied, folding it and quickly putting it away. "Another one."

Then she turned to search the Slytherin table for me, and I quickly became preoccupied with my meal.

-

At the tower that night, I came at seven-thirty, and waited. Nightfall came at five, but I was held up by detention for hexing Longbottom's bottom to his chair in Transfiguration today. I rushed to the tower stairs, and conquered them hurriedly, but found no one there. It was dark, and very empty.

I was too late. I don't know why, but I was deeply disappointed, and cursed myself for getting caught and put in detention. If only McGonagall hadn't kept me so long… It was then I realized I didn't really know what I was planning to say anyway. Maybe it was best she didn't come.

When it was eight twenty-five, I began to give up. Maybe I had scared her away. It wasn't a thing uncommon; I fancied myself pretty intimidating.

But no, as soon as I began to descend the stairs, I saw her dark figure making her way up. Her hands were clenched together, and she looked wary. She definitely saw me too. For a while as she climbed I feared she would turn and run again. But she didn't. She walked all the way up the tower stairs to where I stood.

"Hello," she said quietly.

"You showed," I observed, but inside I was relieved.

She nodded her reply. We stared at each other for a moment in uncomfortable silence. I didn't want her thinking I was afraid of her in the least, so I broke it.

"I suppose you want to know why I called you h--"

"--I know why you called me here," she interrupted. I was taken aback, and a bit irritated, but recovered quickly.

"Do you?"

"It's the same reason you've been following me."

She had noticed. So much for my spying skills.

"And what reason is that?" I pressed.

She bit her lip nervously.

"You're afraid I'll tell."

"Afraid?" I choked on the word. "Hardly. But I realize the seriousness of my mistake, so I follow up. Though, I am a little curious as to why you haven't told yet."

"I'll answer that, if you answer a question of mine."

"I'm not in the mood for deal-making, Chang."

She seemed disappointed.

"Although," I backtracked. "I guess I can at least hear the question."

"Alright… I want to know… why? Why do want to do this to Dumbledore? What is motivating you?"

Her saying it out loud made me glance around to be sure we were still alone.

"Loyalty to Lord Voldemort," I hissed.

She winced at the name, but didn't seem convinced.

"You're father's a death-eater. Seems fitting he would have a death-eater son. You're so young for this…"

"Who asked you?" I snapped. "I sure as hell didn't."

"I'm sorry," she said, recoiling. I felt bad for upsetting her, for some odd reason.

We were silent again.

"I haven't told," she continued. "Because I don't want them to expel you, or put you in Azkaban. That's a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone."

"At least I'd be with my father." I muttered.

"Is that why you're doing this?"

Blast. I hadn't meant for that to slip out loud. Now she pitied me. That was even worse than not fearing me.

"What do you care? You're just a goody-goody who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't need your pity, or anyone else's."

"I could never pity a Malfoy," she argued, her eyes narrowing. "Far as I'm concerned, you all have gotten what has been coming to you for a very long time."

"Oh, yeah?" I challenged, getting in her face.

"Yeah," she said just as harshly back.

We scowled at each other for another moment. My heart raced in me-- whether for anger or excitement, I couldn't tell, but I liked it. I was really close to her mouth, and I fought the urge to just grab her face and snog her, right then and there-- whether for payback or my own enjoyment, I still couldn't tell.

But I shook that thought away quickly… A Ravenclaw and me, puh-lease. Could make a person ill with thought like that, especially for this particular Ravenclaw, the lovely Ms. Chang, about as much as on bloody Light Side as they came, except maybe for Potter…

"Why did you really ask me here?" she said in a low and timid voice.

It was immature, but I couldn't give her an answer. The truth was, I wanted an excuse to talk to her, but it had nothing to do with my mission, or her blabbing about it. I just wanted to talk to her. Just to be with her. And I think she knew it.

"If you're afraid of a truth serum," she went on. "That's beyond my control. If that's all, then we're done. Excuse me."

"Wait!" I said, before I could stop myself. Blasted idiot! Stop being a bloody fool! But her straight black hair whirled around her so wonderfully when she turned back to me, and her big eyes gazed at me with an anger only skin deep.

"What?"

"I can't just let you walk away," I said. "No matter how many times you swear."

Her eyes grew wide.

"Relax. I can't kill you either. People might realize after a day or so that you're not here. You being an emotional wreck has caused you to be quite noticeable."

I grinned. I wanted to kiss her so badly. She looked so lovely in the moonlight. So what was holding me back? Usually what I wanted, I took. But she would require a gentler approach, I think. I felt the desire of pursuing this challenge the legitimate way. Of trapping her, letting her fall for me, then she most certainly wouldn't have the desire to turn me in. It was a plan I decided to test.

"Perhaps you haven't told because you couldn't bear to see me go." I smiled evilly. "Maybe you want me around… for yourself."

She looked at me with spite.

"I only came because I thought maybe I might… try and convince you otherwise."

I laughed in her face. Like I could simply walk away from my own father, from the Dark Lord. It couldn't be done even if I tried.

"What makes you think you can just talk it away?"

"I don't know. I didn't really think I could, just that I'd give it a try. But if not, and I assumed that you wouldn't change your mind, I thought I would let you know that… I understand."

I laughed again, but she powered on through.

"I know," she continued over me. "I know about your father, and your family, and I imagine I even know why you think you have to do this."

"I was right," I said in disbelief. "You do pity me."

She lowered her head in shame.

"Yes, I do. Is that so bad?"

"Bloody wretch," I mumbled. I thought I liked her, until she went and said a stupid thing like that. What a turn-off. Screw her.

"You don't want to lose them," Cho said, still sheepishly. "And I understand that. Losing people can sometimes be… unbearable."

She sniffed, and bowed her head, and I rolled my eyes at her.

"For bloody sakes woman, you're not going to cry again, are you?"

She gave me a look of horror, a look that pierced my chest at my own audacity. Her lip quivered, and she whirled and left.

I stood, oddly stunned at my words. What should I care if she got her feelings hurt? That wasn't exactly hard to do these days. Not to mention verbally beating someone never bothered me before, and nor did it now… Stupid Ravenclaw, she doesn't know anything. Screw her. She doesn't understand. She doesn't know anything. And I certainly didn't give a hill o' beans about her and her damned feelings.

I sighed, frowned, and cursed.

I am such a shameless liar.

-

Please Review… I would appreciate feedback. Thanks!

--RedRogue