Hey guys! Well, I figure it's time to actually write something to my readers, so I figured I would!

I'm sorry these chapter uploads are so sporadic; I'm going to start doing them twice a week, one chapter at a time. I've got this whole fic about half-written, and I'm really excited to see what you say about everything that's going to happen... But I'm not going to give anything away just yet! (o:

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anybody in it, as much as I wish I could say I do.

Chapter Seven

For a time, it seemed that my life was going to be nice to me for once. Antonin and I were getting along swimmingly, my friendship with Lorraine was good, my brother wasn't being a pest, and my parents were rather pleased with the marks I had gotten at the end of my third year.

That summer was dull. It rained a lot, and Amycus wasn't around a lot of the time. Even Lorraine's company provided little relief from the boring hours that dragged on; we were expected to sit quietly and not giggle too much when she came over. My parents had decided to make me 'behave myself'. I think they were getting worried that no young Pureblood had offered to marry me yet- though seeing as I was only thirteen, I was more peeved than understanding toward their concerns.

Antonin, though, provided a bit of entertainment. He came around to socialize every couple of weeks- at his mother's urging, he explained, though he confided in me later that he really wanted to see me. Needless to say, I blushed, and he pointed it out, completely ruining the moment.

It was one of those occasions on which I did one of the stupidest things I think I've ever done. Amycus had gone off with our mother, who was scolding him for something or another, and Antonin and I were quite alone at the table in the kitchen. He smiled at me, as if daring me to say something, and so I opened my mouth and requested something that had been on my mind for the past few months.

"Antonin, will you be my first kiss?"

It was an unexpected question, I could tell. My heart rate quickened so that I could almost hear it echoing off the white kitchen walls. He took a moment to respond, looking at me in a semi-bemused way.

"Ally, darling," he chuckled. "You haven't had your first kiss yet?"

He was mocking me, and I could tell. Shaking my head, I scowled slightly at him. "Stop laughing. Plenty of girls haven't been kissed by their fourteenth birthdays."

"I guess not," Antonin replied, his eyes roaming over my face. I think he was slightly surprised at the revelation of my innocence, truth be told.

"So?" I prompted, impatient for his answer.

His lips drew into a thin line and he looked out the window to the garden rather than meeting my gaze. I could feel the word in the air even before he uttered it, softly- "No."

With a frown, I questioned, "Why not?"

"Because, Ally. It's in my power who I choose to kiss, and I'm not about to kiss you."

"But why?" I could detect a twinge of whining in my own voice.

He looked back at me, his eyes so intense and dark that I had to look away after a few seconds. We both knew that for as long as the answer was 'no', there would be no explanation sufficient for me, and so he didn't answer for a long time.

Finally, he spoke, and I could have sworn that there was regret laced into his tone. "You're so... innocent. I'm far from that- and I'd hate to be the one to taint you. You're precious to me, Ally. And so, no, I won't be your first kiss. Do you understand that?"

If not for the serious expression on his face, I may have thought he was toying with me. As it was, there was nothing but sincerity in his tone and expression. I nodded, silently, though I was really crushed by the rejection.

"Good," he smiled.

I didn't talk much for the rest of the day, though. I really had nothing left to say.

---

It wasn't until two weeks into the first term of school that I notice Lorraine getting a bit... too close to Amycus for my liking. My brother, though he annoyed me, was the one being I was ever truly protective of. Lorraine, who had taken to perching on the arm of whatever chair he happened to be sitting in and fawning over him in general, was making me ever-so-slightly peeved.

"Amycus," I finally confronted him one evening, "I've noticed you getting awfully cozy with a certain friend of mine."

"What, Lorraine?" he grinned, though he knew it was.

I glared at him. "Yes, Lorraine. Isn't there some unwritten rule that says you can't date your sister's friends?"

He shrugged. Apparently, Antonin's infuriatingly nonchalant attitude was rubbing off on him after all the time they'd spent together in the dormitory. "Alecto, it's really none of your business who I'm, er, 'getting cozy' with. Besides, with all the time you spend with Antonin, you're being a tad hypocritical, don't you think?"

"Antonin?" I shot back, though I could feel myself blushing. "We're just friends!"

"So are Lorraine and I... as of yet, at least," he smirked. "Don't worry about me, Alecto. Honestly, you're sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong."

"Fine," I snapped, "But don't come crawling to me when she breaks your heart!"

I knew my friend too well to trust her with the emotional wellbeing of my brother. And so, when confronting him failed, I instead cornered her in the dormitory one evening.

"Lorraine, stay away from my brother," I growled as I buttoned up my pajama top.

"Hm?" she replied airily, fixing me with an innocent look.

"You know what I'm talking about. Stay away from him. You're supposed to be my friend- you shouldn't go around breaking my brother's heart."

She laughed. "No one's getting their heart broken, Alecto."

I didn't for a second believe her- with her perfectly pouty red lips and bouncy, shiny blonde hair, Lorraine even looked quite the part of a heart breaker. "Right, Lory, right," I muttered sarcastically. I knew she'd be on to her next crush within the next week or two.

"Don't be such a pessimist. Your brother's old enough to make his own decisions. It's not even any of your business."

Despite my odd sense of foreboding, I just rolled my eyes. "Whatever you say, Lorraine."

If things ended badly, they couldn't say I didn't warn them.

---

Things didn't, actually, end too badly. I think all along they were both just in it for a few snogs or whatever else they could get from each other, and so hardly any caring was involved all along. Lorraine, dramatic as always, came crying to me when they broke up; other than that, though, my worrying had been superfluous.

Antonin thought the whole thing had been rather funny.

"I can't see why anyone would want to date your brother, really," he told me with a grin the day after they broke up. "Ugly genes run in your family."

Pulling a face, I'd punched him in the arm. "Oh, shut up."

"I'm only joking, Ally, love," he chuckled. "You know that the only reason your brother is so ugly is because you're the one who got all the good looks in the family."

"No, actually, I didn't know that," I replied, puzzled. I wondered what possessed him to say such a thing. Then again, he was a well renowned flirt, so I suppose it shouldn't have been terribly unexpected.

Much more softly, he whispered, "It's true, Ally," and smiled at me with that award winning smile.

I could feel myself melting under his dark gaze. "Th-thanks," I stammered, and he took my hand in his, squeezing it gently.

"You've always been such a pretty girl," he murmured.

We were alone in the Common Room, but I still felt awkward, as if I was seeing something I shouldn't- as if he was showing me some inside, hidden part of himself that he really shouldn't be. "Antonin, I should really be getting to bed-"

As if jolting awake, he'd released my hand and responded quickly, "Oh. Right. Good night, Alecto."

I forced an awkward smile. "'Night, Antonin."

After a second's hesitation, he bent and kissed my forehead before swiftly disappearing through the doorway to his dormitory. I lingered for a moment, pinching myself to assure myself that that had actually just happened- and, I found out with a twinge of pain, it actually had.

I'd appreciate reviews and such! Thanks so much to everyone who's read this far-- it means a lot to me. (: I'd like to know what you think, too, so please tell me, mmkay?

Until next time,

Caroline