A/N: Oh, wow… this chapter is insanely long. Sorry for that. I honestly could have gone on and on forever, but I did manage to find a good stopping point. But hey, hopefully you won't complain too much, huh? I am really trying not to do too much copy and pasting. You've probably already read it from Lily's-ish point of view. Same story with a different tense and POV… same story but different. Make sense? Hope you enjoy. Oh, and if anyone wants to know where we are at in the original, we are on chapter 8 (about half way through). So, I don't know how well I am doing at keeping it pretty even keel with the original. Oh, and random formatting code shouldn't be a problem this time around, I hope.
Disc.: Manipulating characters since late 2007.
All Things Quidditch
I was up early that next morning, almost eager to start my day. I headed down to the common room to wait on Darla. I would have rather walked with Damon who waved as he passed me by, but I knew that I needed to face facts that I was stuck with Darla and I needed to make the best of it. The thought stuck in my head, almost as if it was suddenly a burden I could no longer carry. Darla was going to be my wife, and here I was thinking I was stuck with her. Maybe part of my unwillingness to give up Lily stemmed from my unhappiness at my arrangement. I shook my head, knowing that it couldn't be that simplistic. I knew, deep down, even if I would never admit it. I liked Lily.
Darla finally bound down the stairs, her hair perfect and her uniform well pressed. She smiled at me, and I knew that while I was not smitten with her, Darla was head over heels in love with me. I felt guilty that I couldn't love her back, not like that. The fact of the matter was if it hadn't been for the betrothal, I wouldn't have given Darla a second thought. Together, we walked along the halls, climbed the stairs, on our way to the great hall. Darla kept up an insane amount of talking, discussing things from her irritation at her roommates for being so bright eyed and cheery in the morning.
"That Lily, I swear," Darla said shaking her head in disgust. "How anyone could ever greet the day with so much… so… so much…"
"Exuberance?" I offered Darla as she tripped over her words. Darla looked at me and nodded.
"Yeah, it's just mind boggling," Darla continued without a beat. "And she's not even that special, though everyone makes her out to be. I mean, sure, she's Harry Potter's kid, but he's nothing special either. Right place at the right time, my mum always says."
"Mhmm," I replied politely as I listened to her rant on about the whole Potter clan. I didn't mind her disgruntled words about James or even that middle brother of theirs, Albus, but the minute Darla's criticism against Lily started to get nasty I spoke up. "Darla, you know. It's not very Slytherin to talk bad about other Slytherins."
"Oh, yeah," she said hesitantly. She paused and I rushed through the doors of the great hall. My eyes swept the room, landing on the Slytherin table. Damon and Lily were sitting there, talking. Both glanced at me, a guilty look on their faces. Damon instinctively leaned back as I turned and pushed the door open for Darla who looked pretty miffed that I had headed through and not held it for her.
"Swell," Darla muttered under her breath as we hurried to the table. I took the seat directly next to Lily and Darla looked like she was about to kill me. She made a noise, a mix between a snort and a grunt.
"Darla, here's your plate," I said immediately as I placed a plate on the other side of me, eager to have Darla sit down and quit hovering over me. I felt Lily cringe as my arm brush hers. Today was the perfect day to sit by her. Any other day, she would have excused herself to go somewhere, anywhere, else. Unfortunately, Lily had to stay put and wait for Professor Perkins to pass out our schedules, so she was stuck sitting next to me. We sat in silence for a moment, the awkwardness spreading out before us.
"Try outs are on Saturday," I reminded Damon as I grasped at anything to talk about. The silence was getting to me.
"I know," Damon said nodding. "I was just telling Lily that she ought to try out. I think she'd make one hell of a beater." I paused a second, frowning. Lily and Quidditch?
"Isn't that dangerous?" Darla asked sweetly. I could see through her façade, as if she was really concerned for the well being of Lily, but I remained quiet.
"I think Lily can handle herself," Damon said laughing.
"So, you're thinking of trying out? Which position?" I asked curiously. At least there was some conversation going, even if I didn't think that Lily should be playing Quidditch.
"I was thinking beater, since it's always been a great source of release for me," Lily said simply, flatly. I hesitated, my eyes on her. Beater? That couldn't be right. She was too small, frail. The other beaters would snap her in half.
"Usually beaters are a bit larger, muscular," I said diplomatically. I figured, if she was going to try out, she should be in a position that was better match to her size. "Your size would be more fitting of a seeker or chaser."
"I'm trying out for beater," Lily said emotionless. She shoved a piece of bacon in her mouth and started to read the back of a cereal box, ending the conversation. I glanced at Damon, trying to see if he could talk some sense into the stubborn girl next to me, but he just grinned and shrugged. Lily looked up as Professor Perkins stopped behind her.
"Miss Potter, your schedules," he said. "I think I will need to add Miss Goyle to your services, seeing as how you didn't do as well as I expected Miss Goyle."
"I'm sorry professor," Darla said sweetly. "I will strive to do better. It was just womanly problem, you know?"
"Ah, well hopefully those problems will not keep you from classes," Professor Perkins said handing the schedule to Darla. He flipped through and pulled out two more schedules. "Mr. Malfoy, Mr. West, remember this year is your O.W.L.s and I know you will do your very best."
"Yes sir," we all said as we looked at their schedules. I had a decent course load, not too easy, not too challenging
"What electives are you taking?" Darla asked as she leaned across me, placing her hand on my thigh purposefully. I felt my body clench in a rather unusual way, not quite pleasure, not quite pain.
"Divination and Care of Magical Creatures," Lily said indifferently.
"I'm surprised you didn't take Muggle Studies," Darla said with a cruel twist to her face. Lily laughed as she stood suddenly. Damon and I both looked at her.
"You must forget," Lily said with a slight tone of sarcasm. "I am the anti-Slytherin. I'm practically raised like a muggle when I'm not here. See you in potions, Darla."
I watched as she walked towards the door, my eyes trained on her. Unexpectedly, she turned and headed towards James, her schedule in her hand. She talked briefly with him, smiling and being the bright and cheery Lily that I so dearly missed as my friend. It hit me then. More than these feelings that I had for her, I desperately missed having Lily as my friend. I watched her laugh with her brother, and I really missed the sound when she would laugh with me. I was pathetic.
Lily chatted with her brother for a bit more before she practically skipped out of the great hall, an easy smile on her face. It was then that I truly realized that I missed my friend Lily more than I missed the stolen opportunity at a future with the auburn haired girl.
That first week flew by in a blur. O.W.L. years had always been touted as tough, and they were not kidding when they said that. I didn't know exactly who 'they' were, but they were correct. I had tons of homework from each class, and I felt like I was already drowning. My silver lining was Quidditch tryouts on Saturday. I woke early, eager. I knew the captain, Malvo Flint, wouldn't dare let a great player like me go, but still I wanted to do my best and prove my Malfoy worth.
I had to say that I was surprised when Darla stood near me, trying out for the team. I didn't ask her about it but I hadn't taken her as genuinely interested in playing Quidditch. I wondered how much of her interest had to do with the fact that Lily was trying out. Darla looked up at me, grinning, and I smiled back at her as Flint appeared before the long lines of Slytherins trying out, clipboard in hand.
"Alright, Slytherins," Malvo Flint said as he entered the Quidditch pitch. He carried a clipboard as he paced back and forth in front of the large group of us. I watched him as he checked the names off of the players. He eyed each of us, barely hesitating on me. I was probably a shoo-in. I watched as Malvo stopped in front of Lily frowning at her. "How old are you?"
"I'm a third year," Lily said calmly. I watched them carefully.
"Kind of runty, aren't you?" He asked. I was shocked that he was almost challenging in his words. I knew that he couldn't seriously think that she would be good on the team. Aside for a few pickup games with her year students, I hadn't really seen any noticeable talent.
"Possibly," Lily replied almost cheekily. I was surprised when I heard him laugh and continue walking, marking on his clipboard. I kept my face stoic as she looked down at me, almost surprised to see me there. I internally groaned as Damon grinned at her and gave her a thumb up. Lily grinned back at Damon and looked straight forward.
"Alright, let see what you have. West, beater, Malfoy, chaser, E. Goyle, chaser, D. Goyle, chaser, Potter, seeker, Bridges, keeper," Flint said. "Team up with me. Russo, keeper, Haughton, seeker, Wilson, Lacy, and O'Neil as chasers, and your two, whatever your names are, beaters. Alright, let's hit the skies."
Having known that Lily wanted to try beater, I wondered if she was terribly disappointed in being tried as a seeker. Personally, I thought that it was a better choice for her. Her dad was a great seeker in his day, even my dad reluctantly admitted to me that much. I took off to the sky, Darla on my tail. It would be weird to play chaser with her, but I would do my best. Elena and I already were used to each other, so play was going to be easy between at least the two of us.
I kind of forgot that Lily was off being seeker, falling deep into my chaser role than I ever thought possible. Darla kept dropping the Quaffle, until the point where Elena and I shot each other a look that we should probably not give her the ball anymore. Elena threw it over Darla's head, much to Darla's annoyance, and I caught it deftly.
Out of nowhere, Haughton was near me, and then I saw her. I held my breath as Lily sped by me, her body moving so fast and her so close that I felt the whip of her hair against my face, stinging slightly. I exhaled as Malvo sent a bludger towards her and missed, it cracking against my shoulder and knocking me from my broom. For once, I was thankful that I tended to fly low and the five foot fall was smarting, but not nearly as bad as it could have been.
I watched and internally cheered as Lily caught the snitch. Haughton screamed foul, but Professor Wood sided with Lily on the score before he berated Lily for her daredevil flying. Malvo flew towards me, to see if I was ok. I nodded, standing, before he could ask anything. I didn't need him thinking that I couldn't take a hit, protective gear or not. Malvo nodded and called the tryout over. He sent everyone off to the locker room. Darla skipped along merrily beside me, not having even broken a sweat.
"Did you see my baby get hit? I swear that Flint was trying to knock him off his broom," Darla said as she headed in to the showers. I caught Lily rolling her eyes as she headed towards the showers, herself, much sweatier and dirtier than my Darla. I grinned as Darla's voice fluttered back towards the main locker room. "Did you see it, Lily?"
"Mhmm," I heard Lily reply without the indignation that Darla obviously felt for my slight. I laughed and headed towards the boys' showers, eager to get a hot shower before all of the hot water was used up. I was lucky. Most of my shower was hot, for which I was grateful, and I stepped out into the main locker room. Darla was waiting for me, her face smiling.
"Are you ok?" she asked as she eyed my shoulder, as if she could see through my shirt. Damon laughed as he walked by.
"My boy, Score, is stronger than that," he said as he passed us. Flint walked out of his tiny captain's office and looked over the few of us that were still there.
"Malfoy, can I talk to you?" Flint said to me. I nodded once, leaving Darla with Damon. I followed him into the office, taking the seat across from his small desk. Flint sat down, pushing aside his roster.
"What can I do for you, captain?" I asked casually as he flipped through the papers on his clipboard.
"I want to run some things by you," Flint said to me as he looked up. "First of all, and don't take this wrong, but I can not fathom Darla being a good Quidditch player. I don't want you to take offense to that, but she just doesn't seem like the type. She was terrible at ball handling."
"No offense taken," I assured him. I was thinking the same thing.
"I just don't have time to teach something that comes naturally to much better players," Flint said to me. I nodded in agreement.
"You have to make the decision that is best for the team," I told him. Flint looked at me for a second and nodded.
"I am thinking of keeping West and Elena for the team," Flint said. "And you, of course."
"Thank you," I said simply.
"I have to fill three other spots," Flint continued as he looked at the roster. "I wanted your opinion on a few players."
"Which ones?" I asked curiously. Flint continued to scratch names off the list. He didn't look up.
"What do you think of Haughton?" Flint asked me. I thought about him.
"He's good, a little hot headed, but nothing that can't be used to our advantage," I said while he nodded.
"And what about Collins?" Flint said. He clarified for me, "The fourth year boy with spiky hair."
"I don't really remember seeing him play," I confessed. Flint looked up.
"He wasn't very good," Flint confirmed. He hesitated. "What about Potter?"
"Lily?" I choked.
"Yeah, I mean, I know she's small as hell, but quick and light," Flint said. "I was thinking seeker."
"Uh…" I said unable to think. He was actually considering her for the team. I swallowed. "I think she was actually more interested in a position as a beater."
"A… beater?" Flint asked incredulously.
"Yeah," I said.
"But she's so… small," Flint laughed shaking his head.
"I agree," I said quickly. "And you already have Nice as a seeker."
"Still," Flint said as he looked at me. "She comes from great Quidditch lineage, and she's got talent that can't be taught."
"True," I agreed. "She'd make a good addition to our team."
"But, beater? Really?" Flint said thoughtfully. "I am going to post the second round list first thing in the morning for tomorrow afternoon."
"Ok," I said nodding. Flint grinned at me and dismissed me, turning back to the roster before I even climbed free of the chair.
I didn't say anything to Darla or Elena that evening at dinner, though my eyes flickered to Lily once or twice almost reflexively. She was sitting with Kate and Shale, eating and occasionally talking to Damon who was near me. I would look up as she spoke, almost as if I was hoping that I'd catch her eye. I knew she was still pissed but I hoped that maybe, if she possibly made it onto the Quidditch team, she could one day stop hating me and start being my friend again. If all I could have was friendship, then so be it.
She smiled at me and instinctively I looked behind me, thinking that there was no reason for her to smile at me. I glanced to Darla who was focused on pushing her food around her plate, then to the random person next to me, who was looking off in the opposite direction. I glanced back at Lily and she laughed at my hesitant smile. She turned back to Shale and continued to talk. It caught me completely off guard.
I found myself thinking about her for a good bit of the night that night as I lay in my bed, trying to sleep. I had pulled Damon aside, telling him what Flint had said about round two tryouts. Damon was confident that he and I would make the final cut, but he did think it was a good thing that Flint was willing to give Lily the chance at second round tryouts. He, like Flint, agreed that she could be very valuable as a player, especially with her lineage.
I dressed early the next morning and headed down to the bulletin board to see the list officially posted with the second round of tryouts. Below my name was Lily's name, scratched into the parchment with Flint's heavy hand with ink. Darla stepped up beside me, running her manicured finger down the list. I glanced at her as she made a face.
"I didn't make the team?" she asked almost hesitantly, seeing her sister's name on the list but not her own. She paused at my name and then her finger hovered over Lily's name. "Lily did but I didn't?"
"I kind of like the idea of having you in the stands, cheering for me," I said quickly, not wanting her to go ballistic on me. She made a face and turned on her heel. I didn't watch her go but I heard the echoing slam of her dormitory door.
"Wow, she's pissed," muttered one of the sixth years that was standing next to me. I laughed as I glanced up just in time to see Lily slide towards me, her still donning pajamas. I caught her easily, her hands encircling my neck as she struggled not to fall. Her eyes widened as my arms wrapped around her waist, steadying her. I felt my heart take off in my chest and where her hands touched my neck I felt a jolt of electricity.
"Honestly, Lily," I teased as I released her waist and loosened her arms from around my neck. The last think I needed was Darla walking in on that sight. Lily was flustered, blushing a deep crimson. "If you wanted a hug, I would have been more than thrilled to comply."
"I wasn't hugging you," Lily retorted though her eyes widened in surprise at my offer. I had to admit, I was surprised at it, myself. "I was coming out here to see if I had really been put on the call back list."
"You have," I confirmed as I grinned at her. Lily turned away from me and to the list, her finger running down the list of call backs until she landed on her name. I was surprised when she hugged the sixth year that had previously made the comment about Darla being pissed. I had almost expected her to wrap her arms around me and I hated the thought that I was eagerly hoping that she would. I missed hugging Lily, and accidentally hugs were nothing compared to the hugs we used to share.
I watched as she cheered again, pulling free of the sixth year and practically dancing excitedly up the stairs. She looked so happy, so free. I wondered how happy she would be if she made the team. For the first time, I really wanted her to make the team. I wanted to be her teammate, because teammates were friends by association and then, maybe, things could go back to the way that they were before Lily saw me kiss Darla and everything became this dramatic mess.
During that afternoon tryouts, we actually had to suit up in our Quidditch uniforms. I watched as Flint dug around to find the smallest set of Quidditch robes in our training robes. Lily pulled them on over her clothes, they were still too large and she rolled the sleeves up. She stood down the line from me and looked straight ahead as Flint walked along the path, teaming us out. Flint and I were on one team, and Lily was on the other.
"Potter, suit up for beater," Flint told her. I stared as she nodded and headed towards the bin that had been wheeled out with all the padding and gear for the various positions. I nearly laughed as she began to pull on the wrist and shin guards. Even our small spare set was too loose on her thin framed wrists and shins, but in a pinch, they'd make due. I watched curiously as Lily took the beater club in her left hand and for the first time I realized that she was left handed.
"Ok, Malfoy, West," Flint said quietly as he drew us away from the opposing team. "I know this seems really unethical, but I need to see how Potter reacts to multiple player gang up."
"Er, you want us to gang up on Lily?" Damon asked uncertainly.
"I know, it sounds awful," Flint said as he roughly shoved his hand through his hair.
"Yeah, it does," I agreed with our captain, but I could see his purpose. If she was going to be on the Slytherin team, she couldn't be the weak link or burst into tears if she was ganged up on. I caught Flint's eye and nodded.
"Makes sense," Damon agreed without a further explanation. Professor Wood glanced our way and blew his whistle, sending us all into the air.
If I had not witnessed Lily in action, I wouldn't have believed that someone as slight as she could have been an affective beater. She was quick, even with the bat in her hand, easily defending her team's chasers while knocking well aimed bludgers at my team's chasers. Play after play, Flint would send a hard hit bludger towards one of her chasers. No matter where she was, Lily would zip over there and knock the bludger back towards one of us.
More than once, I actually dropped the Quaffle to avoid being bludgeoned by the bludger. Her hits were precise, and if I didn't know better I would have thought that she was actually targeting me. I knew she was aiming for chasers, but I seemed to get an inane amount of them sent my way. I was getting ready to score what seemed like my fifth goal in a row when Professor Wood blew his whistle. The snitch had been caught and the game was over. My team had annihilated the other and both sides of the tryout teams hit the ground in graceful moves.
"That was wicked intense," Damon said nodding toward Lily who had walked ahead of us into the locker room.
"Seriously," I agreed. I grinned at him. "We kicked some major ass out there today. At least you and I know we're both on the team."
"Hell yeah," Damon laughed as sat on our benches by our locker, beginning to pull off our protective gear and tossed it in the bins. I glanced over at Lily who was sitting on the bench across from us, her fingers hesitated as she pulled off her borrowed gear. She looked disappointed as she stood and dropped her things in the bin, heading towards the showers.
"Potter," Flint said loudly. "I want to see you outside now."
"Ok," Lily said as she glanced uncertainly at me. I looked away quickly, not wanting to let anything go. I knew Flint was going to tell her that she was on the team. With the way she played today, I knew that he'd have to be a stupid to not let her be on the team. She was an awesome seeker the day before and surprisingly good as a beater, which was saying a lot. I didn't watch as Lily followed Flint out of the locker room and back to the pitch. I headed to the showers, not letting curiosity get the better of me.
I was standing in front of my locker, getting dressed the rest of the way when Flint approached me, still sweaty and in need of a shower. He grinned at me and waited until I finished tying my tie. I looked at him, my eyebrow raised.
"I offered Potter a place on the team," he said.
"Oh?" I responded with grin, as if I didn't expect it.
"Beater," Flint continued without missing a beat.
"Beater, really?" I said. I was surprised. She wasn't the typical beater physique, but then again, that could work to our advantage. I grinned as he nodded.
"Well, see you at practice," Flint said as he walked off towards his office. I nearly laughed. Lily and I were going to be on the same Quidditch team. She'd have to get over her anger towards me. I waited for her, standing against my locker with my arms casually crossed. I had left my hair to air dry, the way I liked it, and I knew that she noticed that first about me when she stepped up to her locker, her eyes on me. She bit her lip slightly and turned to her locker, pulling out her bag. I wondered what she was thinking, but I knew that unless she told me in words, I'd never figure it out. I'd probably never really figure her out.
"Congrats on making the team," I called to her as she slammed her locker and walked towards the exit doors. She stopped and looked at me.
"Thank you," she said hesitantly as she went to continue out the doors.
"Are you going to stay mad at me forever? Even though I don't know what I did?" I asked her remorsefully. She may not have been ready to forgive me for whatever I had done, but I was ready to take full blame if it increased the likelihood that we could be friends. It came suddenly, this desire to bury the hatchet. She stopped again and looked at me, biting her lip again.
"I'm not mad at you," she said to me quietly. I had to strain to hear her words. "Just disappointed in you, that's all. I'm disappointed." Lily exited the locker room without another word. I grabbed my bag and headed out of the doors quickly. This was not over. Obviously I had screwed up somewhere, done something more than just kept my relationship with Darla quiet. Something I had done had Lily disappointed in me and I intended to find out what.
"Lily, wait up," I called to her as I chased after her.
"Baby! There you are!" Darla called out shrilly over the grounds, heading straight past Lily. I groaned as Darla snaked her arms around my neck and kissed me. For once, I was thankful that Lily didn't turn around.
"Darla, hey," I said gruffly.
"Ooh, are you cranky today?" Darla teased playfully.
"Just a little tired and annoyed," I admitted as I pried her from me. Darla looked slightly affronted.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked me as I looked towards the space Lily had disappeared from.
"I…" I started.
"Hey, Malfoy! A word?" Flint said interrupting me. I sighed a audible sigh of relief. Lucky for me, Darla took it as a sigh of frustration.
"See you later, Baby," Darla said kissing my cheek and running off towards the castle herself. I turned to see Flint jogging up to meet me. He had, thankfully, decided on taking a shower; his hair wet.
"Yeah, Flint?" I asked, careful to keep the edge of annoyance out of it.
"Look, I need a favor from you," Flint said quickly as he stopped in front of me. "I was intending on taking Lily to the Quidditch shop in Hogsmead next Saturday, but Professor Wood's called a meeting of all the Quidditch captains and I can't take her. All the gear we have here is way too big on her and she needs some well fitting gear. I was wondering if you'd mind taking her."
"Oh," I said stupidly. I don't know what I expected when Flint asked me for a favor.
"So, will you do it?" he asked me again, as I had yet to answer him.
"Oh, yeah, sure," I said recovering quickly. I shrugged indifferently. "No problem."
"Thanks," Flint said as he turned to walk away. He stopped and turned back to me. "Oh, and get her a broom. Slytherins can't compete on standard school brooms. She was fast as hell on one, amazingly enough. Could you imagine how quick she'd be on a premium broom?"
"No, I can't," I admitted.
"Just add the stuff all to the Slytherin house account, will yeh?" Flint said as he turned again to leave. He stopped a third time and looked back at me. "Thanks again, mate."
"No problem," I called as I turned and headed towards the castle. I didn't want to give Flint a fourth chance to turn and talk to me some more. I headed down to the dungeons, thinking I should probably just tell Lily Flint's intentions before she found out from someone else. I stopped for a moment, thinking. I wondered, silently, if maybe that was why Lily was so pissed at me. I wondered if it wasn't that I was dating Darla, but that she found out from someone other than me.
I pressed forward, almost heading to the common room when I remembered that Lily was supposed to help Kate and Darla with potions to bring their grades up. I turned quickly and went to Professor Perkins' classroom. Sure enough, Lily was in the classroom, supplies spread out on the black table before her. She was lighting a giant cauldron with her wand.
"Hey Lily," I said as I entered the room. The last thing I wanted to do was sneak up on her and give her a good reason to hex me.
"Hey," Lily said in almost a grunt unbefitting a lady of Slytherin. I nearly laughed at her greeting but thought better of it. I slowly entered the room, careful not to be too loud or too quiet.
"Flint wants me to take you down to the Quidditch shop on Saturday to make sure that you get the right fit," I told her as I stepped up behind her. There was no sense in dragging out the news. Lily looked up, surprise crossing her face. I smiled slightly, uncertainly and she breathed in a trembling breath. I didn't know what to make of it.
"Oh, okay," Lily said finally after what seemed like the longest delay in the world. The words came out a bit constrained and I smiled again, nodding. At least she hadn't flat out told me that she'd rather be dead than go.
"Good then, it's a date," I said suddenly without thinking. Lily looked up at him surprised, raising an eyebrow. I started to back peddle immediately, realizing my wording error. "Well, not a date, you know. Not a date-date. It's just uh… two of us doing something for Quidditch."
"Okay," Lily said in what almost came out as a laugh. The doors opened to both the classroom and Professor Perkins office. Darla squealed in an unintelligible way and flung herself at me, her mouth suctioning to mine quite unpleasantly. My eyes were wide with shock and I saw Lily and Kate exchange a look and the play gagged on their fingers before erupting into giggles.
"Mr. Malfoy, shall we leave these three to their work?" Professor Perkins suggested as he raised his eyebrow. I was relieved to be able to release Darla and I bolted out of that classroom as quickly as I could possibly go. As it was, Lily was already assaulting my senses without even either of us being aware. The last thing I needed was Darla assaulting my body, and in front of our head of house. Professor Perkins and I walked silently along the corridor together.
"Your Darla is sure a… aggressive one," Professor Perkins said in a serious voice. I glanced up at him warily and he laughed.
"You're telling me," I said in what came out in an unintentionally defeated sounding voice.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I wish you both the best," he said smirking as he turned towards the left while I continued towards the common room. Damon was waiting for me, grinning.
"This is going to be an interesting Quidditch season," Damon announced to me as he gestured towards the bulletin board. The Quidditch roster was up, written in Flint's hand again. There, below my name was Lily's name. We were, as it were, mates again… even if only in Quidditch.