Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter Series. Obviously, my writing is no where near as good as J.K. Rowling's, and it is more sexually charged.
Over the next couple weeks, Albus was slightly embarrassed to admit he had become a bit creepy in his stalking of Arianna Malfoy. Of course, it was completely necessary to do so, and he found that the time she was spending with Micheal was getting longer and longer, and he had a feeling Arianna might do something she'd regret soon, and he found himself hating that idea. Only because he didn't want Micheal's sloppy seconds, of course. Who knows what kind of diseases Michel was carrying around. On Mondays and Wednesdays she went to the library right after class, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays she practiced for the upcoming Quidditch trials. Fridays and Saturdays she spent time with her friends and Micheal. He really hadn't done anything in the way of seducing, or even talking to her. Just a few words swapped here and there, and the only notable bit was that an occasional 'hi' could be exchanged without a fight or sneering insults.
Now, the Monday of the third week of school was the time to actually start, get ahead of Hugo who could barely look at Olivia without stuttering like mad.
"Hi," he said, sitting down at Arianna's library table. Arianna looked up, vague confusion on her face.
"Hello," she said, looking back down at her book. She grew agitated as he just sat there, and she looked back up. "Can I help you?" she demanded quietly.
"No," he shrugged, pulling out his books. "Just thought I'd study, and this table's empty except for you," he reasoned.
"And that table's empty completely," she noted, pointing to a nearby one.
"I'll stay here, thanks," Albus smirked.
"You're a tosser, you know that?" she asked.
"I've got better ways to get off, you know that?" he chuckled.
"I take it back, you're a horny prat," she muttered, flinching as she felt his foot brush hers, though she couldn't call him out, as he hadn't really done anything inappropriate and he didn't even seem to notice.
"These scathing insults really aren't becoming, Ari," he said nonchalantly.
"Don't call me that," she snapped. "There are a handful of people that have that are allowed to do so, and you're not one of them."
"Is Micheal one of them?" he asked curiously, and she glared at him.
"Maybe he is, what do you care, Potter?"
"Tsk, tsk," he shook his head. "Back to surnames, are we, Malfoy?"
"When were we ever on a first name basis?" she asked, feigning curiosity.
"Touche," he allowed, shrugging. He looked up at her, giving her a smile. Arianna arched an eyebrow, looking back down. "I've only seen you smile once, you know that," he commented.
"Is that supposed to make me smile?" she asked.
"Listen, Malfoy, I'm just trying to be friendly," he shrugged. "You could return the favor, or are you too good for that?" Arianna looked up, eyebrows drawn together.
"Fine, Albus," she said. "I'll play this game." She looked up, closed her book, and looked up at him expectantly. "How are you feeling today?" she asked. Albus paused for a moment, surprised at her question.
"I'm feeling just fine," he smirked. He leaned forward slightly, laughing as she leaned back in response. "Do I make you uncomfortable, Arianna?" he asked.
"What makes you say that?" Arianna asked in response, leaning forward again.
"You seem worried about getting to familiar with me," Albus finally said.
"I just don't like you very much," she shrugged.
"Well, maybe you'd like me better if you got closer to me," he suggested, his tone implying something literal. Arianna shook her head at him, rolling her eyes as she got up.
"Every time I'm around you I just want to get further away," she smirked, walking away.
"Keep telling yourself that," he mumbled. He got up and followed her, and she couldn't help smirking slightly as she heard his footsteps behind her.
"What's your problem?" Albus asked when they had exited the library.
"My problem?" Arianna asked, thinking for a moment. "My problem is that you're confusing me," she finally admitted. "And I'm going to go meet Micheal."
"Bloody hell," Albus rolled his eyes. "Don't you get sick of him shoving his tongue down your throat?" Albus asked, chuckling.
"Listen, just because you don't have anyone to snog, doesn't mean you should take it out on me," Arianna laughed, stopping and turning to face him.
"What makes you think I don't have anyone to snog?" Albus asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Well, you're out here stalking me," Arianna said. "It's flattering really," she said sarcastically.
"Well, maybe I'm looking for someone to snog," Albus suggested, taking a step closer to her. Arianna crossed her arms, refusing to step away as he came closer.
"Look somewhere else, Albus," she said coldly, fighting the urge to shove him away from her. Unable to stop herself, she stepped back, only to hit her back to the stone wall. Albus smirked, mirroring her movements. "I'm serious," she hissed as he got closer still, and her face flushed bright red. He put his lips close to her ear, sending a shiver down her back as he spoke.
"Don't flatter yourself," he whispered. Arianna shoved against his chest and he stumbled back a step. He noted the flush on her face with satisfaction. Maybe he could do this after all. "I'll see you around, Arianna," he said with a grin, heading back to his common room.
Arianna gritted her teeth in agitation, hating that her heart was beating oddly quick. She couldn't help giggling as someone pulled her into a broom closet.
"What are you doing, Micheal?" she asked, kissing him lightly.
"Kissing my girlfriend," he chuckled, kissing her back, arms winding around her waist. "What were you doing with that Potter kid?" he asked curiously. "I came to the library to find you," he explained.
"You did?" she asked curiously, pulling back a bit.
"Yeah, I missed you," he said, kissing her neck gently. "I wanted to say hello," he added.
"And then pull me into a broom closet?" she asked, laughing a little.
"Maybe," he said, feigning innocence. Arianna found his light kisses and teasing attitude to be slightly abnormal for him, but rather sweet. "Now, you've yet to tell me, what is it that you were doing with Potter?" he asked. Arianna arched an eyebrow at him, laughing.
"Just talking, I guess," she shrugged. "He was being nice, shocker, I know," she supplied. "Jealous, are you?"
"Nah," Micheal shrugged, "I trust you." Arianna smiled at him, kissing him once more.
"And I trust you," she said.
"Do you really, though, Ari?" he asked, arching his eyebrows skeptically.
"Yes, I do," she said firmly. "I'm just not ready for that," she muttered, looking down self consciously. "Just give me time, Micheal," she practically begged.
"We've got plenty of time," Micheal nodded, looking at her with a smile that made her heart thrum and her face flush slightly. "Now come on, let's go hand out by the Black Lake for a while," he suggested, taking her hand and pulling her out of the closet. They walked for a little while, just sort of talking. She sat down by the edge of the Lake, gesturing for Micheal to sit beside her.
"Kiss me," Arianna told him, and Micheal grinned, unused to her initiating this sort of thing. He complied, winding an arm around her waist as he pressed his lips to hers. For one of the first times she felt the stirrings of something akin to lust, and his light kisses were just sort of irritating her. She pulled him closer, winding her arms around his neck, her lips parting against his. She didn't protest as he pushed her gently down until her back was pressed against the grass.
"Merlin, Ari," he muttered as she slid her hands under his shirt, resting on his abdomen. He reached up and tugged his shirt over his head. Arianna bit her lip nervously as he pulled away, lips on her neck now. She let her hands fall to her sides. She thought instinct was going to kick in, and she would know what to do. All she could do was kiss him back hesitantly.
"Stop," she finally whispered as he undid one of the buttons on her shirt. "Stop now," she snapped as he continued. Micheal sighed and rolled off of her.
"I'm not going to do this in the open by the Black Lake," she said, redoing her shirt hastily, a blush evident on her face. "Stop looking at me like that!" she snapped as she noticed the disparaging look he was giving her.
"Stop teasing me like that, then," he suggested shrewdly.
"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, standing up and straightening out her clothes, tears threatening to blur her vision. "What don't you understand, Micheal? I am not ready to have sex with you. I'm scared," she whispered. Micheal stood up, pulling his shirt back on hastily.
"Alright, alright," Micheal said, placating her. "I'm sorry, alright? I'm not going to lie. I'm used to having sex fairly often," he told her, pulling her into a hug. "And I've got a rather hot girlfriend," he pointed out, laughing. Arianna giggled in response. If Micheal was being honest, there were girls every bit as attractive as Arianna and several more so, but the idea of deflowering Arianna Malfoy was slightly enthralling. Plus, though it irritated him, her resistance only made him want her more. Of course, he was also going absolutely crazy. He was a teenage boy after all, and his hormones were driving him mad in the extreme.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Micheal sighed and Arianna nodded, taking his hand and heading back up to the castle. She dropped it as they reached the castle, gave him a swift kiss on the cheek and then headed back to the common room, going a slightly different path than Micheal.
Cunning and Ambition