A/N: So, I saw your reviews and I was like WOW!
And I thought I shouldn't se so cruel as to update in more than a few days.
What I'm trying to say is a huge thanks to all of you and in case you didn't notice reviews make me write faster…
Which means,
Enjoy!
P. S. : Who will win be the winner 'Love' or 'Hell'? – If you care to let me know who you support, check out and answer the poll in my profile!
Chapter 2: On the side of the angels
"Tri-wizard Tournament." I mutter and wait for the portrait of the two battling knights to open.
"Well, that's a young soldier!" Says the one of the two armored men while the other is cleaning his blade.
"What is your kingdom son?" I stare at him perplexed. Kingdom?
"Erm…England I guess." The knight cocks an eyebrow at that. He doesn't seem to understand.
"He means what House you're in." The other knight explains after giving one last careful look at his sword.
"Oh! I'm in Gryffindor!" I exclaim in comprehension. The first knight, who now I notice has blonde hair smiles at me happily whereas the other, the black-haired one just grunts.
"Don't mind him Potter, just get in." I nod and enter the Heads' Common Room hearing the voices of the two knights following me.
"How do you know the name of the soldier?" The blonde one says.
"He comes here often. You'd remember it too if you ever paid attention to anything." The other replies nonchalantly.
"Are you calling me forgetful? In the name of Merlin you shall now taste the power of my blade!" I chuckle a bit, while closing the door.
I inspect the Common Room with an exercised eye. First rule about entering places Scorpius and Rose share?
Watch for the booby traps.
Suddenly my eye falls on Scorpius' figure in the couch next to the fireplace. He seems to be deep in thought reading something from Advanced Transfiguration and taking some notes. But unfortunately that is far from the truth.
Scorpius hardly ever reads anything and on top of that never takes notes outside of class. Now, he is pretending to do so whilst singing an old song totally out of tune and flipping the pages with unnecessary force.
I cock an eyebrow just like the blonde knight in the painting. Then I make a new observation.
In the coffee table, to the far side of the room sitting is Rosie, chewing a pencil and glaring at the parchment in front of her. And with every tuneless vocal the blonde utters and every 'flop' of a page, she growls and glares even harder at her unfinished homework.
I try to conceal a smile while moving towards the blonde on the couch.
"Well, at least you're cheerful." I comment and he smirks at me.
"Weasley woke up at the wrong side of the couch today!" He says in a voice loud enough for her to hear.
"Oh, hi Al." Rose mutters and I send her a pitiful smile.
"Wait, what do you mean couch?" I ask returning my attention to the blonde.
"Well, she has the inexplicable habit to lock her door whenever she leaves her dorm." He starts and Rose snorts probably thinking of the hundreds of times Scorpius has tried to break in her room and steal anything that he could use against her.
Suddenly I feel a pinch of guilt remembering my deal with him the other day but soon I am forced to stop and listen to him.
"So the other day she –Merlin knows how- dropped the key somewhere and now she can't get in. Of course breaking the door down was out of the question and McGonagall, who's got a spare key, is off for a month." He adds and I nod. Poor Rosie. That's awful.
"Oh, shoot! And how do you get your stuff?" I ask addressing to my cousin troubled.
"She, like the little bookworm she is, had almost all her books in her bag that day and the rest she just borrows from the library. As for clothes I'm guessing she borrows from your sister." I see. Yeah, that sounds right. But why is he answering on my cousin's behalf? Weird.
"My only problem in fact is studying." She hollows from her corner, glaring daggers at Scorpius.
"You can always go to the library. I mean it's not yet six so I guess it'll be open." I reason. Besides she does love the library…
"Oh, erm… nope she can't." Scorpius chirps idly. That boy is a true devil I swear.
"Ms Windworth called in sick." Rose points out depressed. Putting a hand under her chin to support her head.
"And Filch took over for the day." The blonde proceeds with his explaining.
"So the Gryffindors and Slytherins are wrecking havoc in there." My cousin mutters.
"And little Princess here cannot study with noise." Scorpius interrupts.
"And I thought maybe it would be quiet here." She glares at him and he grins back.
"Ok, ok enough…" I exclaim trying to put an end to this very unnerving kind of 'filling each others sentences' thing they're doing.
Both of them look up at me surprised by my outburst. I swear they have no idea they were acting weird.
"Scorpius I thought we had to talk." I change the subject immediately.
"Oh, yeah, right! It's lesson time!" Scorpius says.
"Weasley sod off." He growls. Wow, I cannot believe he just said that to Rosie of all people…
"Hey, mate it's my cousin you're-." But I don't get to finish my sentence.
Rose who had stood up a second ago is now towering over the blonde who is still in sitting position and puts her hands on her hips.
"Now, listen here Malfoy. I'm not one of your girlfriends who fawn over those orders you so love to give. So if you ever say another thing like that to me you'll see your guts decorating the walls. Got that?" I put a hand in my mouth in a fruitless attempt to stop my self from laughing.
For a minute or so Scorpius observes her, like he always does to make sure she means what she says, and then stands up. In his face I can easily spot the signs of fury. He motions me to follow him and storms off to his dorm. I, for my part, barely make it inside the room before he aims a spell to the door.
The door closes with a loud 'crack' and I sigh in relief.
"Your dad's an Auror, right Al? So you know about those stuff, huh?" He asks through gritted teeth. I nod not really sure where he's going with it.
"How many years do you think I'll get for killing her?" I chuckle, loudly this time and sit in one of his chairs.
"Dunno. But I'll tell you that. Her dad's also an Auror and he knows some kick-ass hexes." He grunts and messes his hair annoyed.
"Stop, whining Scorpius, you started it." I say matter-of-factly and he just stares at me.
"I mean where was she supposed to go anyway?" He stops to consider my words before replying.
"I just… wasn't really thinking when I said that." He admits and I gape at him.
Why do I get the peculiar idea that he just got mixed up and thought he was talking to one of his girlfriends?
"Man, you're not helping yourself." I mutter as I see him staring absent-mindedly out of his window.
That sodding Weasley.
She really cannot take a joke.
I mean fine, for a moment there I thought I was talking to someone else and didn't really count my words. So what?
She's not my bloody mother, for Merlin's sake! I don't get why I always have to watch my vocabulary with her.
Because –wait how did she put it?- 'you'll see your guts decorating the walls'. I hear a little voice inside my head.
But I'm telling you I'm sick of it. I treat everyone that way. Why should she be any different? I don't even like her!
I take a look at my friend at the other side of the room.
Friend? Well, surely I don't dislike Al. He's a nice enough dude.
Funny and clever and -though I'd never admit it to him- a very good Seeker. But he's just too nice for me. I need people to prank first-years with and go for a drink. Not rule-abiding, studious kids.
Still, I respect him. He's a level-headed guy and we get along just fine. Which is the main reason why I'm helping him actually.
"Man, you're not helping yourself." He comments and I look away from the landscape.
"Enough with that." I exclaim with a new-found energy.
"We've got work to do." I add and sit on my bed.
"I'm gonna regret this, I swear." He whispers but I discard his cowardly words.
"Like I said before, break her heart." I start with the biggest rule of them all.
"Fine, how do I do that?" He sure has a problem with short-term memory. I mean I just told him yesterday!
I sigh and start all over again.
"If the girl realized you're dying for her she'll never cast a second look at you. So first off you act cool and indifferent." I explain. He nods.
"For instance. She's talking to you. Do never give her all of your attention. Pretend to be talking to someone else while she speaks or just start messing your hair." Not that this guy's hair need more messing but it's just the idea of doing something instead of just gawking at her.
"But not like you usually mess your hair. Which just screams that you want to evaporate from embarrassment. You must mess your hair with style." I take a strand of my hair and mess it a bit while looking very bored and cool.
Suddenly I see Al red-faced and holding his mouth ready to burst out laughing.
I turn my head following his gaze to the door.
Oh Merlin!
Right there I spot Rose-I'll-hex-your-guts-out-Weasley mimicking my moves.
She has a ringlet of auburn hair between her fingers and is seductively playing with it, biting her lower lip at the same time. Her eyes are fixed to a spot over her shoulder which appears to be quite dull cause her long dark eyelashes are falling heavy on them half concealing her blue pupils.
All in all she has the looks of a bored queen avoiding the court fool.
Hell! She's good.
I shake my head to get rid of images of queens and fools and long eyelashes.
That bitch!
"Haven't I told you to never enter my room Weasley?" I hollow at her but she pays me no attention.
"Hey, Weasley! Are you deaf or something?" I shout risking a very brutal death.
"Oh! You were talking Malfoy? I'm sorry. It's just that what you say is hardly ever interesting." She smirks in a way that only I am permitted to smirk and I feel my blood boiling again.
"Why, you little-…" I clench my fists menacingly.
"See, Malfoy? You don't fancy me now, do you? I told you such tricks could never work." That…Arg…
"Get the hell out of my room. You don't get to see my team's tricks." I say remembering our deal.
"Very well." She nods and leaves me alone to handle my nerves.
"Well, you have to admit, she's good at it." Albus comments from his seat and I grumble.
"So you were saying?" He fights to change the subject.
"Right. Well, then there's also the hanging out part." I continue refusing to let Weasley and her cheap tricks make me loose my bet.
"Thomas does ask you to hang out doesn't she?" He whispers a barely audible 'yes'.
"Never agree to it at once." I instruct.
"But, she's just gonna ask someone else." He mumbles.
"Not if you play your part well." I clear up.
"First you go like 'Actually I had a date with someone at that time.' and refuse her offer. But right when she's ready to leave stop her saying 'Maybe if your offer was more promising I would consider it'. Or something in those lines." Albus looks at me with a shocked look.
"You have an entire collection of comebacks and pick-up lines, don't you?" He inquires. Well, what can I say? I like planning my victories.
"Then how come you always sprout all those nonsense when you're with Rosie?" What?!
What-what does he mean?
"I-I don't sprout nonsense to Weasley!" I protest. I don't! Or do I?
"You told her to sod off and you acted like a murderer caught red-handed when she mimicked your hair messing. Then you said –and I'm quoting- 'you don't get to see my team's tricks'. Oh! And by the way, you're blushing…" I am not blushing! I don't do blushing!
He opens his mouth, probably to add some more specimens to my list of embarrassment but I raise a hand to make him stop.
He's right though.
I do make a fool of myself when she's concerned. It's just that she makes me so, so, so mad! And when I'm mad I hardly ever think of what I'm doing or saying.
"Well, I guess it's ok." I say a new idea in my head.
"Besides, Weasley's not a girl." Albus narrows his eyes. He doesn't get it now does he?
"I mean she has the right body parts and the long hair but she's not really a girl." I say exasperated.
"She's more like an encyclopedia with legs." I laugh at the image of an encyclopedia with bushy auburn hair and feet.
"Rose just cares for school that's all. She can be very cool if she wants." Albus reassures me. Though I am far from reassured.
"Yeah, sure…" I snort.
"You can ask Noah Edgecombe if you don't believe me." Who? Oh! I know.
"You mean that poor Hufflepuff she once dated back in fifth year? The one who tripped and fell off the moving staircase and after that was never quite the same?" I chuckle a bit.
"Well, he didn't trip per se. You tripped him. And no, his name was Neil Abbott." I hated that kid. What can we do? One cannot like everyone in this world right? Plus I was unintentionally doing that git a favor. If he hadn't gotten injured he wouldn't have broken up with Weasley. I mean he said it himself after that incident. Dating her was not a safe option.
But wait a sec. If that one's name was Abbott then who's Edgecombe?
"Who's Edgecombe?" I ask sharply.
"Don't tell me you don't remember him?" Albus widens his eyes at me.
"Remember him? Oh, I see. Is he some sort of hero from History of Magic that she's fallen for?" Like I said Weasley loves those knights with the swords and kind faces. I bet she's got a thing for some dead ancient guy.
Well, that would be just hilarious.
"Edgecombe is not Merlin, Scorpius! Don't you remember him from two years ago?" Two years ago?
"Sorry, mate, I'm a sociable person I know tons of people. I doubt that I'd remember Weasley's psychopath of a boyfriend." I say bored. I bet he's some pathetic little sod…
"Noah's not a psycho. And he's not someone you could easily forget. You know, Ravenclaw, Head-Boy from two years ago, best in his year, the tall guy with the dark hair." Huh? Al's right. He does sound familiar.
"The guy who played in that weird muggle play called Hamlet? The Seeker who beat both of us and won the Cup?" You have to be kidding me!
"That one. You know he's training to be an Auror now. He's friends with James, that's how Rose met him." But, but, but… That guy's famous! He would never take a second look at Weasley.
"He flirted with her all the time but Rose was not sure at first. Though she totally adored him after she read what he said in that-" She wasn't sure? Yeah, right! Like I believe that.
"Love letter?" I try disgusted.
"No. Interview. In the Prophet. Last month." Ok, I think I've just heard more than I bargained for.
"There is no way Weasley is dating that guy. I mean isn't he the one who got the prize for the best Auror trainee last year?" Al confirms my suspicions and I begin feeling dizzy.
"I'm telling you, you've made some sort of mistake Al." I repeat.
"No. I've seen them together. As in, you know, really together. In the summer just before school begun. At the back of the Leaky Cauldron. Snogging." Bullshit. Weasley has never been with a guy. Let alone an older, famous guy. No freaking way.
"But, you know Scorpius you don't get to tell that to anybody. Uncle Ron would assassin the poor guy if he knew. They're keeping it a secret." Aha… Well, that's an interesting piece of information… I could use that. Yes, indeed.
"No, you're not telling Uncle-Ron! Cause if you do then I'm breaking off our deal." Albus threatens.
I'm afraid my plans for the big revenge on Weasley will have to wait till I get her diary.
"Whatever. It's not like I believe you anyway." I say shrugging.
"Better yet. Now, I'm sorry but I think our lesson is over." He stand sup and begins leaving.
"Oi, Al! Just a bit of a favor." I speak to his back.
"What?" He asks.
"Well, you know since you're gonna have a huge amount of dates after I transform you, could you like keep count?" Cause you know I need to win a bet with Weasley.
"What for? I only want Alysia." I know that.
"Just keep count. And write the names of the girls in a piece of paper. Ok? You don't have to date all of them." I mutter and sit back on my bed.
As soon as I hear the door closing behind me I sigh in true unveiled annoyance.
Well, that's bloody unfair.
Weasley is dating Edgecombe, miracle kid, Auror extraordinaire and I'm stuck here in this damn school with a dozen of girls who cannot form a decent conversation if their depended on it.
But, wait! Isn't that what I like about all those girls? I mean…
Suddenly I hear a knock at the door and snap up from my bed.
"What is it Weasley?" I growl.
"We have a thing or two to talk about Malfoy. Or did you forget our deal?" Her voice comes from outside my room. Crap! For a moment there I had forgotten.
Merlin, tell me again how did I end up mixed up in two different deals again?
Oh, I started them!
Yes, of course…
Pff… sometimes I really am reckless.
Phew.
Thank Merlin I had Al coming over this evening. Otherwise that prick, Malfoy, would have driven me right to insanity with his singing and page-flipping.
But now that he's done his damage to my cousin it's my turn.
Oh, Merlin even though I'm quite tired I beam even thinking of it.
A kind, sweet, caring Malfoy. Even if it's just an act, it'll be immensely funny to watch. Not to mention direct.
"We have a thing or two to talk about Malfoy. Or did you forget our deal?" I reply to the door since he hates me to enter his room.
Now, it's not like I'm afraid to do it. But I already pissed him off twice today so I'll just back out in this one as a token of good will regarding our deal.
I take a step back to face a grim-looking Malfoy with a scowl instead of the usual smirk.
"You're the epitome of joy now aren't you?" I comment but only mildly. Like I said, we're not pissing Malfoy for today's remaining three hours of contact.
Shit! That's not gonna be easy.
"Yeah, whatever." He mutters and walks to his usual seat in the couch next to the fire. I comply and sit at the red armchair at the other side of the little table in front of the fireplace.
I snuggle comfortably there, enjoying the warmth for a moment. It just so quiet and nice when you've got Malfoy in a bad mood.
I could stay silent like this forever and the fact that I'm rather tired isn't helping me speak either.
"So did you call me for something or am I just sitting here for nothing?" He asks in his oh-so-kind manner. I guess tranquility was not meant to last.
"I do know Malfoy that the only things you enjoy are snogs, money and fame but for the rest of us simple joys like sitting next to the fire in peace are just as important." Again I do not reply aggressively. Because I know that, firstly it's not worth it and secondly I just have this feeling he won't reply to my remarks with adequate comebacks.
"So you're telling me that all this time you weren't talking, you were just enjoying the fire and your armchair?" He asks in an unbelieving tone. Has this person never just stayed in and relaxed?
"I was enjoying the warmth and tranquility and the nice sound of the woods cracking. Actually you should try it sometime." I explain and he just stares at me and then at the fire and then back at me.
"Oh, don't gape at me that way. It's not so bad if you just take it easy for a moment instead of always trying to do anything to have a good time." Nope, he doesn't get it.
"I mean you go out, you drink, you snog girls, you prank first-years, you play Quidditch, you make deals. What the hell?! Stand back for once. Take a breath. Not everything is a race." I finish with a small smile on my mouth.
Funny thing is, you hardly realize it's Malfoy you're talking to when he doesn't speak back.
I like that.
"Stand back and let life pass me? No thanks." He counters. Well, I dunno about that. I shift my glance from the flames and take a look outside the window.
There's hardly any wind tonight even though it's not a warm October. The Black Lake looks stiller than ever, like a piece of glass glued on the surface of earth and the Forbidden Forest seems, as always, quite forbidden.
"Let life pass you?" I try to conceal a laugh.
"Look out there Malfoy. Do you see life passing? No. It's right here." I point at the window and then inside the Common Room.
"Life is where you are." I mutter yawning.
All this talking and cozy feeling is making me sleepy.
"You're not sleeping now are you Weasley?" He asks incredulously and I nod.
"And what about you tutoring me in the ways of the heavens?" He protests. Though it appears like he knows fairly well he has lost his case.
"Well, I'll think of something tomorrow. Like Scarlett always used to say 'after all... tomorrow is another day'." I smile just a little bit remembering Scarlett O'Hara and her impeccable sense of humor and then let loose of my senses.
I really have no idea how long I've been sleeping but when I finally wake up and take a look at my watch I realize it's been over three hours.
It's half-past midnight and as it turns out I did manage to spend the last three hours of the day without killing Malfoy.
Malfoy! Oh, yeah I wonder what he's…
"You're still here?" I exclaim perplexed as I see him at the same place I left him three hours ago.
He takes his gaze from the fireplace and looks at me with fire-red eyes.
"It appears so, doesn't it?" He mutters.
I sigh and close my eyes.
This is so going down to history.
The first time Malfoy was in fact on the side of the angels.
A/N: Well, now I'm just waiting for you to tell me.
Was it good? Was it not? Was there anything you'd rather change in this chapter?
Review and let me know! –Pleeeeease…. Don't make me beg!
Try out the poll!
Kisses and Hugs
Sarah