Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter!

The next few days passed in a bit of a daze for Arianna, at least. She and Albus continued to see each other, mostly in private. Talk had started, but nothing concrete. They had just been seen studying at the same table or laughing in the hallway. Now, a week before the Yule Ball, neither one of them had an official date.
Albus was sitting in the Gryffindor common room with a very smug Hugo Weasley. Not only was he kicking Albus' ass at Wizards' Chess, but he was going to the Yule Ball, publicly, with Olivia Zabini.
"Albus," came a distinctly feminine voice. Albus looked up as Jessica Finnigan plopped down on the couch beside him.
"Yes?" he asked, then looked to the board. "Knight to C-5," he muttered, though all hope of actually winning had fled from his mind. He turned his attention back to Jessica as he waited for Hugo to make his move.
"Can I ask you a huge favor?" she asked, eyes wide in pleading. Albus noticed vaguely that she shot Daniel McLaggen a rather nasty look during the question. Albus nodded hesitantly, hoping the favor was somthing easy.
"Well," Jessica started rather quietly, "I was going to the Yule Ball with Daniel, but he dumped me yesterday," she explained in a voice close to a whisper as she blushed a bright red.
"That was rude," Albus noted as Hugo examined the chess board.
"Bishop to F-3," the red-head said, then smirked. "Check mate," he added.
"Anyway," Jessica interrupted impatiently. "Can you go with me?" she asked without further pretense. Albus stuttered helplessly for a moment.
"Well, I-uh-I don't know," Albus mumbled.
"Do you have a date?" Jessica pursued.]
"No, but-"
"Just as friends," she added hastily. "Please don't make me look like an idiot," she begged.
"I-well, alright," he relented. He knew his parents would give him hell if he refused and word got back to them. The Finnigans were family friends, after all.
"Thank you!" Jessica practically squealed, throwing her arms around him in a hug. Albus hugged her back a bit awkwardly, patting her back. Merlin, Arianna was not going to like this.

"Are you kidding me, Albus?" Arianna demanded. "You're taking Jessica?" she asked, slamming her Charms book shut with unnecessary force.
"Well, yeah. I didn't know how to say no," Albus mumbled, looking up from his Charms book as well, drumming his fingers on his leg. They were back in the Room of Requirement, this time a couch and a table the only furnishings.
"It's quite simple," Arianna spat with unintended venom.
"She's a friend, Ari," Albus sighed. "Her boyfriend was a real arse," he tried to explain.
"Sounds familiar," Ari said bitterly. "You've got a thing for damsels in distress, don't you?"
"I don't have a thing for Jessica, we used to date, but-" he was cut off before he could continue.
"I've already turned down two guys, Albus. We agreed not to take dates," she pointed out. "And now you're taking your bloody ex!" she snapped.
"Just so she doesn't feel...alone, I guess," Albus muttered.
"Well guess who's going to feel really freaking alone?" Arianna asked, acid dripping from her voice.
"Ari," Albus said quietly, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, I should have said no," he relented. Arianna sighed unhappily.
"How long did you two date?" she asked.
"Almost a year," Albus admitted, worrying his bottom lip, wondering if the obvious question would follow.
"Did you two...shag?" Arianna asked hesitantly, blushing as she did.
"Yes," Albus flushed, deciding that being honest with her was the best idea at the moment.
"Brilliant! You're basically bringing an escort!" Arianna exclaimed, face red in embarrassment.
"Ari, it's nothing like that. You know how much I care about you," Albus reminded her. Arianna nodded, suddenly realizing the magnitude of what she was feeling for him. It wasnt some petty crush. It wasn't a fun fling. She had really and truly fallen for him, and that was why she felt like she was going to cry at the thought of him pulling some pretty girl across a dance floor. She wanted it to be hear, and she didn't care what people thought. What she didn't know was how deep his feelings went in this whole thing.
"Just so you know, all bets are off," Arianna finally managed.
"What bets?" Albus demanded, pulse picking up as he released his hold on her.
"I mean that, so I don't feel like a loser, I'm goig with someone. I've gotten two offers, maybe one still stands," she mused.
"From who?"he asked.
"Johnathan Rice from Ravenclaw. We have Double Potions together," she explained hastily. "And the other one, I won't consider."
"Who?" Albus asked again, urgently.
"Micheal," Arianna giggled at the thought.
"So, Rice, then?" Albus mused, though grimacing slightly.
"Maybe," Arianna shrugged, an interesting plan forming. "I guess I'll see."
"I suppose I should be jealous," Albus grumbled. Arianna smirked, turning slightly on the couch then positioning herself in his lap, eyebrows arched.
"Are you?" she asked.
"Maybe a little," he murmured, kissing her lightly. Arianna sighed dramatically, squirming on his lap, feeling him stiffen beneath her. Albus grabbed her waist, stilling her.
"Only a little?"
"Only," Albus smirked. "I know you're going to be wanting me the whole night," he chuckled.
"Arse," Arianna laughed.
"It's sexy. Blondes like it," he twitched his eyebrows at her.
"Maybe a little," she allowed. She gave him a quick kiss. Well, it was meant to be quick, but it turned into a rather insistent snogging session. Her hips were moving against his, her breath coming in quick gasps. It took her a while to realize that his hand had snaked under her skirt and was gently rubbing her center. Color flooded her face as she moaned loudly. Merlin, that felt marvelous. She knew that she should be protesting, but as his fingers slipped past her knickers all she could do was rock her hips and try not to make too loud of noises at the feeling of having any part of him inside of her.
"Oh, god," she murmured, fingers in his hair as she dragged his lips to hers.
"Should I stop?" he asked.
"No," Arianna said quickly, feeling a tightening in the pit of her stomach. It made her yearn for more. "Don't," she added for emphasis. She cried his name not ten seconds later as waves of pleasure crashed over her, and she buried her head in his shoulder, a sound close to a whimper escaping her mouth.
"I've got to go," she mumbled, kissing his neck. "It's getting late," she added.
"Do you have to?" he demanded as she pulled back, his lips immediately on her collar bone. He began nibbling on the skin, only relinquishing his grip when he had left a sufficiently red mark.
"I'm telling Scorpius who to murder," Arianna teased as she got off of his lap, kissing his cheek. "Thanks," she added with a blush.
"I enjoyed every second of it," Albus assured her, watching her leave with a stupid grin on his face.
Upon reaching her common room, Ari set to writing a letter.
James,
I know you don't know me hardly at all. In fact, you might not remember our only run-in. I was with Albus at Hogsmeade, and you kind of caught us snogging. You really were quite marvelous at getting a rise out of your brother, and I was wondering if you'd be willing to help me again. We're still...together, but for complicated reasons, he's taking the Finnigan girl to the Yule Ball.
Be my date? Nothing romantic, I swear. It'll be fun, and you don't even have to dance with me. I just want to get under his skin. He's still intent on keeping us a secret.
Please, please, please?
Thanks,
Arianna
Arianna smirked as she sent off the owl, hoping for the best. Maybe, just maybe, she could really get through to Albus once and for all.

Well, guys! I actually liked that chapter! I haven't decided if James will agree yet, so input is appreciated!

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Cunning and Ambition