a/n: Don't really have anything to say except sorry for the wait. It makes me sad that no one reviews, but I guess beggers can't be choosers.

Chapter 7: Choices and Discoveries

The next morning found Reina sitting in the Great Hall alone, poking dejectedly at a small plate of bacon. Although she didn't know Harry like Kira did, Reina wasn't blind. She could see how happy flying made Harry and the way Fred and George, despite their constant griping, adored the game. To know that they had been banned from flying for life because Malfoy couldn't keep his mouth shut made her feel sick.

Reina nearly had a heart attack as someone placed a hand on her shoulder. Whipping around, Reina saw that it was not Blaise as she had expected from the gentle touch.

"Dammit, Malfoy! You could at least warn me before taking a couple years off my life," Reina said, breathing slowly in an attempt to get her heart rate back to normal.

"My apologies," Draco amended. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Reina sighed. "What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked, using his last name to indicate that she was still mad at him.

Sitting down in the seat to her right Draco replied, "I meant it when I said that I didn't want them to get banned from Quidditch."

"For life," Reina reminded him.

It was Draco's turn to sigh. "I really do want to beat Potter," Draco said, but plowed on quickly at the look Reina gave him. "But the reason I want to beat him at Quidditch is because it's based on our skill, not who our family is or what side we're going to be on in a war."

"In this war, not a war," Reina corrected firmly. "If I am going to be communicating with you at all, then first thing's first. You may not like the great Harry Potter, but I will not let you delude yourself into thinking what he and Dumbledore told the school last year was a lie." Reina rubbed her temple and sighed, something that was becoming a bit of a habit. "There is indeed a war going on, my mother's death is concrete proof of that. Not to mention the extreme measures the Ministry is taking to portray Potter and the headmaster as a couple of raving lunatics."

"Not hard to believe," Draco muttered under his breath. Reina shot him a dark look but did not comment on it.

"If Fudge isn't going to acknowledge the truth when it dances in front of his face," she ranted, "then he better be ready to take responsibility for the deaths that will result from people's ignorance."

"So…does this mean you're not mad at me anymore?" Draco questioned slowly.

"Oh I'm still very mad at you," the raven-haired Slytherin clarified. "But maybe if you refrain from saying or doing anything stupid, I may give you a chance to get back on my good side."

Malfoy mulled over her semi-encouraging words as Blaise walked in with a sullen Fred and George. Giving both twins a comforting clap on the back, the tall dark-skinned Slytherin made his way over to Reina.

"How are the twins?" Reina asked with concern as Blaise sat down to her left.

"As well as can be expected, seeing as they've been banned for life," he told her, shooting a withering glare in Malfoy's direction. "They said Potter took it the worst though. Said they've never seen him this upset, with the exception of Cedric's death." Another pointed look at Malfoy.

"Something you want to say, Zabini?" Draco asked in annoyance.

"Yeah Malfoy, there is," Blaise said, rising from his seat. "This entire thing is your fault! If you had kept your bloody mouth shut, everything would be just fine right now!"

Reina stood, quickly placing a hand on Blaise's chest to keep him from getting within reach of Malfoy. "For the last time," Malfoy growled, "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"Why should we believe you?" Blaise growled back. "You've hated every Gryffindor since first year, especially Potter."

"Leave it Blaise," she urged as she spotted McGonagall eying them from the teacher's table. "As long as he learns from his mistake all we can do is move on."

Malfoy opened his mouth to thank her for understanding when he finally noticed the multiple Slytherins who were observing their little altercation. He debated with himself, be grateful and show Reina he was being sincere or uphold his icy self-assured facade? In less than a second he'd made his choice.

"I shouldn't even be explaining myself to the likes of you two," Draco scoffed. "And I didn't make a mistake. A Malfoy never makes mistakes."

Blaise glared at him even more as Reina stared, the shock and hurt evident in her garnet-amber eyes. These emotions lasted only a few seconds before being replaced by anger. Malfoy flinched at the look but did not go back on his statement, instead adding, "Potter and the Weasel twins deserved what they got."

A resounding slap echoed through the Great Hall, drawing all eyes to the Slytherin table including those of Crabbe and Goyle who had just entered. Draco held his cheek where Reina's palm had made contact, silvery eyes flickering from surprise to humiliation to anger.

"I am sick and tired of defending you and then having you turn around and throw it back in my face, Malfoy!" Reina raged. "If you want to be your father then so be it, but know that you're nothing but a selfish arrogant git!"

Without another word she made to leave the Great Hall, ignoring the stares of the students who had attended breakfast.

Blaise lingered a moment longer, now a bit calmer since someone had hit Malfoy despite his own desire to do so. "Congratulations, Malfoy. You've just successfully pushed away probably the only person to offer you sincere friendship with no strings attached," he said in mock praise. "I don't know why she tried so hard to begin with, but she offered her friendship and you threw it back in her face like it was worthless, like she was worthless! If hurting others is all a Malfoy is capable of, then I pity you."

Blaise didn't wait for Malfoy's response as he moved to catch up with Reina. Crabbe and Goyle, having snapped out of their stupor, were heading menacingly towards Reina from the opposite direction. As she neared at the end of the aisle, they stood blocking her way. "Get out of my way," the infuriated Slytherin demanded as Blaise arrived by her side.

The two brainless body guards just cracked their knuckles, as if preparing to beat her and Blaise to a pulp. Before they could do anything Malfoy's flunkies found themselves with the Weasley twins' wands pointed at them from the side. It seemed that Fred and George had sprung into action as soon as they noticed the two idiots heading towards their friend. "Move," Fred ordered seriously.

"Otherwise we'll turn you into mice for Mrs. Norris," George threatened, the glint in his eye telling them he meant business.

Crabbe and Goyle grudgingly moved aside as Reina shoved past them with a brief nod of thanks to the twins, Blaise once again rushing to follow.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

"I can't believe him!"

"I don't know what else you expected, mate," Blaise told Reina, attempting to console her.

"He's so…so…indecisive!" she went on. "One second he's comforting me and hanging out with us like we're all friends, then he's getting a bunch of people in trouble. Then he goes and tries to apologize, well sort off, and the next second he starts acting like some pompous arse!"

"His reputation is more important, Reina, although I give you credit for trying," Blaise input, sitting on a boulder nearby. She had marched them all the way to the edge of the lake.

"Ugh! It's just so frustrating!"

"You know if I didn't know any better," Blaise speculated, "I'd think you fancy the Slytherin Prince." The glare Reina gave him threatened serious bodily harm. "Or not," Blaise amended.

"So what was it that you were so excited about before the match yesterday?" he said changing the subject.

"What do you mean?" Reina asked, now marginally calmer.

"Well apparently I 'solved your problem' with something I said," Blaise reminded. "Whatever that's supposed to mean."

"Oh right! I almost forgot. It's about Kira," Reina explained. "I figured out a way to be able to get to her if she was ever in trouble, even if she's far away."

"And this idea is…?"

"I was getting to that," Reina scolded lightly. "We both know it's impossible to always keep an eye on her, right? And apparating is out of the question as well, correct?"

Blaise nodded the affirmative to both questions.

"So I was thinking that maybe there's a charm or something that can be put on a normal object, like a necklace or something." At this point, Blaise watched his best friend as she began to pace side to side. "Of course, I would have to find an object to enchant that she would actually have on her at all times."

"Why not just tell her what it's for?" Blaise suggested.

"I can't," she told him, "she'd just think I was being paranoid."

"Have you told her about any of the stuff that's been bothering you lately?"

Reina stopped pacing for a moment. "Well…no. She'd probably say that I'm overreacting and then start saying something about how Trelawney's corrupting my mind," she admitted a bit guiltily. Blaise just shook his head and sighed. "But anyway, if I do find something then I'll probably have to get one of the teachers to help me with the spell, seeing as I don't know of any."

"Reina?"

"And I'd have to-"

"Reina."

"Maybe he could-"

"Reina Selene Summers!"

Reina stopped. "Who told you my middle name?"

"Uh," Blaise hesitated, "your sister?"

"Figures," she said, rolling her eyes. "So what do you want?"

"I just wanted to let you know that there's a Hogsmeade trip set for next weekend," he informed her. "You can look for a necklace or something there."

The dark-eyed Slytherin was unprepared for the sudden hug that came his way, subsequently knocking him off balance and sending them both to the ground.

"You're the best, you know that?" Reina said smiling down at him.

"It's nice to see you smile again," Blaise commented breathlessly, "but could get off of me now? I can't really breathe."

"Oh, sorry," Reina laughed. "My mistake."

"Yeah," was his only response as he rubbed his back. That was going to hurt later.

––––––––––––––––––A Week Later–––––––––––––––––––

The following Sunday found the two Slytherin companions sitting in a corner of The Three Broomsticks, each sipping large mugs of steaming butterbeer. The previous week had been a blur compared to the one before it. After all of the problems with Trelawney, Umbridge, and Malfoy the normal week that had followed had been a sort of shock to Reina. Fred and George had stopped to congratulate her multiple times during the week for the episode in the Great Hall. Although she didn't regret what she'd said or done, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment every time she saw Malfoy. He had returned to being the self-centered Prince of Slytherin that had walked the halls of Hogwarts since they'd all arrived their first year, Pansy clinging to him once more. His quick change in attitude had made Reina feel like the brief moments of good that she and Blaise had seen were all a lie. The oh-so-smug looks that Pansy kept shooting her way were only solidifying that feeling.

"Reina, you're brooding again," Blaise told her, waving a hand in front of her face to break her from her reverie. "You really need to stop zoning out like that…What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Reina mumbled not wanting to face another comment about being obsessed with a certain blond prat. No such luck.

"I think after all these years," Blaise commented slyly, "you're finally falling for Malfoy, just like every other Slytherin girl, and probably even a few blokes."

"I'm not 'falling for Malfoy' as you put it," Reina defended, "I'm just trying to figure out how he can be decent one minute and a total arse the next."

"He's a Malfoy," Blaise pointed out. "Enough said."

Reina shrugged and chugged down the rest of her butterbeer. "And for the record," she said, "'every other Slytherin girl' is only interested in having him sleep with and potentially marry them. All they care about is his family's money and status."

Finishing off his butterbeer as well, Blaise decided to change the subject. "So where are we going now?"

"There aren't many other places to look, really," Reina thought out loud. "We've been to Gladrags Wizardwear, Zonko's, Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, and Honeydukes and we still haven't found anything to use for Kira's gift!"

"At least there were sales on eagle feather quills and packs of pumpkin pasties," Blaise reminded. "Besides, there's still one more Hogsmeade weekend before Christmas, so we could always try again then."

Reina shook her head. "That's cutting it too close, and I don't know how long it will take for one of the teachers to enchant whatever it is," she explained. "I don't even know what spell to use."

"Well, there is this small shop Fred told me about last year," her dark-skinned companion mentioned. "He said he got a bracelet or something for Angelina there. I think it was Madam Diamanda's Regalia."

Reina stood and grabbed her bag, as did Blaise though he had quite a few more. "It's worth a shot."

The Slytherin pair left the warmth of The Three Broomsticks, flinching as a bitter cold wind greeted their exit. Wrapping their green and silver scarves snugly and clutching their bags tighter, the two made their way down Hogsmeade's main street. Heading past Honeydukes and Zonko's they made a left on the side street by Scrivenshaft's, Blaise leading the way.

"Blaise, you know I care about you," Reina piped up, "but it's purely platonic."

"Likewise," Blaise responded easily.

"Then why are we heading towards Madam Puddifoot's?"

"Not Madam Puddifoot's," Blaise corrected, stopping. He turned to his right and pointed. "Madam Diamanda's Regalia."

It was then that Reina saw the sparkling silver sign hanging in front of a quaint looking building. It appeared at first as if it were merely a small cottage that is, until you saw the display window. Even from the outside, Reina could see many pieces of fine jewelry winking at her from the window where they sat in their entire sparkling splendor.

"Um…Blaise?"

"Yeah?"

"Did Fred say how much he paid for Angelina's gift?" Reina asked a note of concern in her voice.

"Uh," Blaise hesitated. "He didn't really say."

"Blaise…" Reina groaned.

"It won't hurt to at least look," Blaise advised. Without further delay, the two made their way into the shop.

Reina immediately felt herself relax as they entered the picturesque shop. It was comfortably warm inside and the faint scent of jasmine seemed to filter through the air, creating a soothing affect. Reina made for a section full of bracelets and necklaces. There were many breathtaking pieces made of onyx, ruby, emerald, topaz, and of course diamonds. One necklace was a band of star-shaped sapphires that glittered in the rays of autumn sunlight streaming through the window. As beautiful as the jewelry was, Reina found the pieces too fancy for her sister, not to mention how much they cost.

Much of the store was the same, breathtaking pieces, but not fit for Reina's needs. Giving up hope, Reina browsed the shop absentmindedly, having lost track of Blaise for the moment. She was glancing at the various ornaments in the counter at the back when a blue shimmer caught her eye. Stopping to get a closer look, Reina's garnet-amber eyes widened. There sat a simple teardrop shaped pendant made of a beautiful sterling silver. The pendant was a ring in the shape of a thumb-sized teardrop. Dangling in the center of the ring was a beautiful pale blue stone, with the entire pendant held by a thin cord of silver instead of a silver link chain.

"A fine piece, that one," said a tinkling voice. Reina looked up to see a small woman behind the counter. "I am Madam Diamanda," the woman introduced. "You look familiar, dear. Have we met?"

"No," Reina responded, "I'm just looking for a gift for my sister."

Madam Diamanda was a small woman, a couple inches shorter than Reina's 5' 6". She had strawberry blond hair that was gently wavy and did not go past the nape of her neck, framing her face in a friendly manner. Her soft brown eyes brought to Reina's mind the image of a kind and gentle aunt that she wished she'd had.

"The stone in that pendant is raw aquamarine," Madam Diamanda explained, removing the necklace and placing it on the counter. "It enhances a person's compassion, faith, harmony, and friendship. It is also known to create a strong bond between the wearer and another person, a bond severed only by death."

"Sounds perfect, Reina" Blaise said from behind Reina, causing her to jump in surprise. "How much is it?"

"This one is 30 galleons and 15 sickles," Madam Diamanda informed them kindly.

Reina balked and turned to Blaise. "I can't afford that! Not right now anyway. Everything mum left us needs to last through the next two years or until Kira and I can get jobs."

"Not to put a damper on things but, even if you could" Blaise pointed out, "how would you activate the spell from your end?"

Reina thought about that for a second, her mood plummeting further as she came up with the only solution. "I'd need one as well." Reina wanted to bang her head against the counter.

"Kira and Reina did you say, dears?" Madam Diamanda asked from behind them. Reina turned. "Your last name wouldn't happen to be Summers, would it?"

"It is," Reina responded warily.

"Merlin's beard! I knew I recognized you, I'd know those eyes anywhere!" the woman exclaimed. "Why, it's been ages since I last saw you! Back then you were both tiny infants in Isabella's arms."

Reina blinked in surprise as her heart stopped. "You knew my mother?" she whispered.

"Izzy and I were best friends when we attended Hogwarts," Madam Diamanda reminisced. "We were both in the same year, different houses. I was a Ravenclaw."

"I didn't know she had a friend in Ravenclaw," Reina said. "She didn't talk much about her school days."

"We lost contact after you and your sister were born, with You-Know-Who running amuck and all," Madam Diamanda explained. Her voice took on a sad note as she said, "I am truly sorry for your loss. Izzy was a dear friend. But what's this about a spell?"

After debating a bit Reina answered, "It's so Kira and I can reach each other at all times. But I'd need another pendant, and I can't even afford one as it is."

Madam Diamanda thought for a moment before brightening. Reina and Blaise watched as she moved farther down along the display case, reaching in to pick something out. Returning to where she'd left the two Slytherin fifth years, Madam Diamanda laid another necklace beside the aquamarine one she'd shown Reina. It was exactly the same in design and shape, save for a deep amethyst stone in place of the aquamarine.

"It's beautiful," Reina whispered.

"This is the sister necklace to the aquamarine pendant," Madam Diamanda told her. "The amethyst stone is said to remove negativity and fear of failure when called upon, giving the wearer strength and a positive energy to lead to success."

"They're both gorgeous," Reina admitted looking down, "but I don't have the money."

"I'll tell you what, dear," Madam Diamanda said gently lifting Reina's chin so their eyes met. "As a favor to Izzy, because I know she would wish for you both to be safe more than anything, I'll give you the two pendants."

Reina was shocked. "I couldn't–"

"It's alright, luv," Madam Diamanda reassured. "If you really wish to repay me, you may do so by stopping in every once in a while when you're in the area."

Madam Diamanda took the two pendants placing them in individual velvet boxes, before putting them in a small bag and giving it to a dazed Reina. "I-I don't know what to say," Reina stuttered as Blaise stood beside her for support.

"You're welcome, dear," Madam Diamanda said with a gentle smile. "It's the least I could do for dear Isabella."

"Thank you," Reina whispered, and she and Blaise turned to leave.

As they turned onto the main street of Hogsmeade, they heard Madam Diamanda call from the door of the shop, "Don't forget to stop by another time!"

"I will!" Reina assured, waving goodbye to her mother's best friend before turning to catch up with Blaise.

"I haven't seen you smile like that since we were sorted," he commented as they made their way back to Hogwarts with the rest of the returning student body.

Reina just shrugged, the smile never leaving her face. "I guess I'm just glad to know that there's someone else out there who's almost like family."