Everyone in the Great Hall watched the Sorting, each cheering equally as members were added to their respective houses. Olivia's younger sister, who had always idolized her, looked disappointed as she was sorted into Slytherin, instead of Ravenclaw like her sister. Iris Zabini looked up and down the table shyly, trying to decide where to sit. Arianna shoved Scorpius and made room for the small girl. Iris smiled happily and sat down.
"You'll love being in Slytherin," Arianna promised. "We're much more fun than Ravenclaws," she added, grinning. "Just don't tell your sister I said that," she winked.
"I won't," Iris said solemnly, nodding at Arianna. "Is it true that Slytherins...snog?" she asked in disgust, looking revolted at the thought. Arianna couldn't help giggling in response, she remembered when she used to think boys were annoying as well.
"Everyone snogs, sweetie," she assured her. "Even your sister," she added in a conspiratorial whisper. "I've caught her once."
"I don't believe you!" Iris exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Tell me that again in a few years, alright?" Arianna requested, eating her food.
"Okay, Ari," she agreed. "You don't snog do you?" she asked.
"Why do you care, Iris? We can talk about this later," Arianna responded impatiently, rolling her eyes at her closest thing to a little sister. She didn't think she could take having one full time. Scorpius was annoying enough, and he was older. Scorpius chuckled at Arianna's exasperation, shooting her a smirk. Headmaster Longbottom introduced Head Boy and Girl, and they both stood up, nodding respectfully, before returning to their meals.
"You excited for your last year at Hogwarts?" Arianna asked Scorpius, feeling a little sad when she realized he would be leaving.
"I'm ready to get out of here," Scorpius said enthusiastically and Micheal nodded his agreement. Arianna looked to Micheal briefly, wondering if he was at all sad. Of course, the chances that they would be together that long were slim, but possible.
"Well, I'll miss you," she said to Scorpius.
"Don't forget me," Micheal joked, laughing a little. "Aren't you going to miss me?" he asked, pulling puppy dog eyes at her. Arianna gave a noncommittal shrug of her shoulders.
"Probably not," she laughed. "But I'm sure plenty of other girls will," she couldn't help adding. Micheal rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"She's probably right, you know?" Scorpius chuckled. "I'll miss you too though, Ari," he said with a grin, wrapping her in a bear hug and ruffling her hair.
"I take it back," Arianna muttered, fixing her hair and punching Scorpius on the arm. "I won't miss that," she said with a grin.
*Gryffindor Table*
"Honestly, I can't believe you two are just leaving me," Hugo said in irritation, crossing his arms. "You're stupid," he frowned.
"Way to be mature," Rose said with a laugh. "It's just one year, little brother," she said, patting his head.
"Don't call me that, I'm a foot taller than you," he pointed out sourly. "Seriously, my sister and my best friend are graduating, and I get to stay here. It sucks," he said the last two words slowly.
"Oh, get over it," Albus joked, looking over towards the Slytherin table for a moment in time to see Scorpius ruffling his younger sister's hair.
"I agree with Hugo," Lily piped up. "Except I have two more years here," she muttered.
"But you get to spend one more year with your favorite cousin!" Hugo exclaimed, smiling.
"No, Rose is graduating," Lily teased, laughing at his dejected expression.
"You're all very mean," he sniffed. "Here I am, trying to be sentimental-"
"Will you stop with the dramatics?" his older sister said, hitting him in the back of the head. "You'll be absolutely fine without us."
"Oh, I know," he shrugged.
Everyone ate, enjoying their first meal back at Hogwarts before heading back to their respective dormitories,
"Merlin, I'm full," Hugo groaned as he walked lethargically to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Well, when you eat like a four hundred pound man, you're bound to feel full," Albus pointed out, snickering a bit. "You know, being a fatty isn't attractive. I'm sure there's a certain witch who won't be interested in you if you're always stuffing you're face."
"Aw, does my little brother have a crush?" Rose asked, giggling.
"Umm..." Hugo mumbled, not knowing what to say. He couldn't very well tell his sister about he and Albus' bet without looking like a complete ass. "Yeah, maybe," he finally said. "So does your darling cousin," he said, shooting Albus an amused look.
"Cute," Rose teased. "Do I know either one of them?"
"It's not that big of a school, Rose. I'm sure you know exactly who we're talking about," Hugo shrugged. "But just let it go," he suggested. "I'm sure you'll find out eventually."
"Doubt it," Albus scoffed. Rose shrugged in response, not caring enough to push them for information. Boys were always so fickle anyway.
Arianna found herself walking through the halls with Micheal later that night, after Scorpius had gone to bed. They had still gone out five minutes apart so as not to raise suspicion.
"Micheal," Arianna began hesitantly.
"What's up, Ari?" he asked, half-smiling as he stopped, pulling her to a stop as well by her hand. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pushing some hair behind her ear.
"I-I was just wondering if maybe..." she trailed off awkwardly, not knowing how to properly voice the next part.
"Yes..." Micheal encouraged, wondering what someone so typically confident was this nervous about.
"Well, would you consider telling people about us?" she finally asked, a hand resting on his shoulder lightly as his hand rubbed her back. He thought, or pretended to, at least.
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Micheal asked her doubtfully.
"Well, why not?" she demanded.
"Umm...other than the fact that your brother is ridiculously protective of you," he said sarcastically.
"Is this really about Scorpius?" she asked him. "He's your best friend, I'm sure he'd support you."
"He's my best friend," he agreed. "There's sort of an unspoken rule. You don't date your friend's sisters," he shrugged.
"So, then why are you meeting me in secret?" she persisted.
"Because, Ari, I like you," he stressed the words impatiently.
"Or you like my body?" she suggested. Micheal rolled his eyes.
"Arianna Malfoy," he said, "why are you so desperate for me to do something wrong? Yes, I like your body, but I also want to be with you." He clenched his teeth in frustration. Never in his life had he met a girl so stubbornly opposed to sex in his life. He was getting awfully sick of waiting on her. All summer, and now she expected him to be a boyfriend, or something.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "Maybe I'm just PMSing," she mumbled.
"Maybe," Micheal allowed, shrugging. "No need to apologize," he said, kissing her forehead. "You should probably head back to the common room," he suggested, not in the mood to persist with this right now.
"You're right," Arianna agreed, kissing him lightly before leaving him there, biting her lip. He always made her feel so guilty, whether she was refusing sex or suggesting they actually date. Merlin, relationships were so confusing. She didn't know why she even bothered.
Cunning and Ambition