A/N: Sorry this took so long! After a major writers block, getting my ass kicked at rugby (well, I'm a bit bruised up anyway), graduation being only a month and a half away, and my recent and very strong obsession with it took forever to get this chapter to come together. Sorry if it is a wee bit lame here and there, but I really tried! Maybe now ideas will rush in and the next chapter will rock your socks. I find it amazing that so many people (over 600) have read my story, yet I've only gotten twelve reviews. Come on! It's not that hard to review, even if you don't like it. I still want to hear what you've got to say. Hopefully you'll enjoy chapter 7: Planning Revenge and the Start of Romance.

Peace out.

Bella reflected wryly on the powers of gossip. Since a few weeks back, the Slytherins had mockingly started calling her 'Princess,' after hearing Firenze's remark to her. Little did they know that a month later, people of the other houses would start calling her princess as well. Not out of maliciousness like her house mates, but as a friendly joke referring to her verbal battles with Malfoy; the so-called "Prince of Slytherin."

I guess it helps to be on good terms with almost everyone in the other houses, Bella thought.

Word had also spread about her demonstration in McGonagall's class last week. Students from first to seventh years kept approaching her in the hallways. A bit tiring really.

Could she teach them?

Was she available for private tutoring?

Would it be possible for a demonstration?

How could it be possible that a mudblood could do what most pure bloods in the same year couldn't? This coming from her fellow Slytherins. Bella had a lot more respect for Harry in how he dealt with his fame; being gawked at all the time was really annoying.

She had gotten detention with Professor Snape for that evening after making some cheeky remarks in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Honestly, she never could direct her annoyance in the right direction when she could really get in trouble for it. Part of her genetic make-up, she supposed.

Not to mention that Malfoy had been acting in the same strange manner for the past week. Bella frowned thinking about that. He had been pleasant to her, almost like they had been best mates since primary. There I go again, using local lingo in my thoughts. I hope I don't do that while talking. Just that morning Draco had walked with her down to breakfast and they had discussed Quidditch; Bella being a newly converted fan.

And that weird attraction to him seemed to be ever increasing. Especially now that he was letting his hair fall about in a messy fashion. She knew each strand was meticulously planned, but it didn't detract from what was an extremely sexy look.

Thinking about his golden gorgeousness got Bella's mouth to watering. She did appreciate well put-together men (mmmm...muscles), but she so wasn't into the shallow types. Who was she kidding? Of course she was, at least on a physical level.

Thinking about gorgeous men, thoughts of Fred and George shimmered to the surface. Now there were two men that she wouldn't have a quibble about. But being Ron's brothers as they were, she would have to watch where she stepped with that issue. But oh boy did she want them. Both.

Jesus, Bella! She thought to herself. Stop being such a pervert. And you know you can't have both, it'd be a might strange considering they're twins.

But that's exactly why I want both, she argued with herself. Could it really get any better than that?

While lost in her thoughts, Bella paced the half-opened hallway. There were large windows, but no glass in the panes, leaving it open to the elements. Today though, was a fine day, with the sun high and bright with puffy white clouds slowly moving across the sky.

Bella leaned against one of the open windows, inhaling autumn's crisp air. There was a Quidditch match tomorrow between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, she hoped that the weather would cooperate and hold as it was, it being the first game of the year and her first time seeing a match.

As she stood there a bit longer, stalling until she had to go find Professor Snape, voices floated up to her ears from below. One she recognized instantly as Draco's, the other was another of her house mates, Zabini.

"So how are you coming on our bet?" Zabini asked.

"It's going a lot slower than I expected, but she's not going to hold out for long."

By now, Bella had focused her attention on the conversation, maintaining a casual facade to anyone who happened to be passing by. Who and what bet were they talking about?

"It'll be worth it though," she heard Draco saying. "I'm about ready to throw her on the floor and take her next time she strolls by in those shorty-shorts of hers."

"You need to laid man, why don't you go find Pansy and get rid of the sexual frustration?"

"Because the stupid cow's convinced we're getting married come the end of the school year. I'm avoiding her like the Dragon Pox. Plus, that will make it all the better when I finally get Bella into bed."

Isabella stopped herself from inhaling sharply in surprise. He had a bet that he could get her to screw him? Fuck that! Her breathing was becoming shallow from rage and she saw the world through a red haze. She was halfway down the stairs on her way to break Malfoy's jaw when a devious thought hit her.

Two could play at that game.

Malfoy thought that he was in control of the situation, the fucking Prince of Slytherin. Well, weren't people now calling her the Princess? Equals on the playing field, so to speak. Returning to her previous position at the window, and watching Zabini and Malfoy walk through the courtyard below, a malicious smile crept onto her features and her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Plans for revenge whirling around in her mind, Bella didn't hear the quiet footfalls approaching, and nearly jumped out of her skin when a hand landed on her shoulder.

"By the Holy Jesus!" she yelped, holding a hand over her heart. "You nearly made my heart stop!"

Once her heart rate slowed down a bit, Bella realized that she knew that devilish grin. "Fred." The one word said wryly with an underlying amusement. "I should have known."

"And a fine sight you are as well," he responded, slinging an arm companionably around her shoulders. "How'd you know it was me and not George?"

"You have that freckle on your neck. And George has a slightly thinner face."

"Well, aren't you the observant one," Fred teased. "What were you thinking about so intently? A bull elephant could have snuck up on you in that state."

"Nothing really important," Bella lied. No use in getting him riled up. Despite her resolve to keep an emotional distance between her and the twins, Bella found herself relaxing; something she hadn't been able to do in the past year. "What brings you to Hogwarts? Not testing products out on the students anymore are you? Hermione warned me the minute we left yours and your brother's shop last week."

Fred's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Now there's an idea. I hadn't thought of that excuse yet."

Bella chuckled softly. "So what are you doing here really?"

He stalled for a moment and watched the courtyard below. Three magpies darted past the window. "There's some kind of muggle saying...I can't remember what it is though. Something about the number of magpies flying by having special meanings."

"No clue," Bella shrugged her shoulders. "But you're avoiding my question."

"More like...tactical maneuvering I'd say," Fred debated, more out of habit than anything else. You didn't grow up with several siblings without learning to squabble somewhat peacefully at times. Not with his mother anyway.

"Fred..." Bella warned.

He sighed with amused resignation. It was kind of funny when girl barely reaching the top of his chest implied giving him an ass kicking. He seriously doubted her 5'3" frame could take down his 6'2", but he wasn't going to forget she had brains; and a wand.

"I told myself that I was just reporting to Dumbledore, but..." Fred paused, looking down into her expectant eyes. He hadn't realized when he'd seen her before that her eyes were so blue. They were the color of twilight; that blue hue just before the stars come out.

"But?" she prompted.

"I realize now that I was hoping all along that I would get to see you."

Bella blinked. Say whaaa? Fred had come here to see her? "I think I heard you wrong. I thought you said you'd come because you wanted to see me."

Fred blushed scarlet and scrubbed a hand through his shaggy hair in embarrassment. "No, that's what I said," he mumbled.

Bella continued to stare at him in confused fascination. Did this mean that he liked her? As more than a friend? Butterflies started dancing in her stomach with excitement. As she continued to look at him, she saw that a light scattering of freckles dusted his nose and cheekbones, and his mouth was sensual, but firm. I bet he's an amazing kisser, she sighed to herself. Little did she know that Fred was thinking along the same lines.

Bee-stung, that's what his mother would call Bella's mouth. Her lips full and slightly pouty, just begging for someone kiss them, nibble on them a bit. And before he thought it through enough to decide against it, Fred gave into impulse and did just that.

She was surprised, but only for a moment, before she melted into the kiss. Bella's mind went completely blank, and all that registered was his lips and the sensations created in her body. He nipped her bottom lip lightly, then moved to kiss the sensitive spot just below her ear. Standing straight again, and gazing at her expression, Fred grinned in satisfaction. She still leaned into his body, her hands resting on his chest. She returned his look with eyes that were cloudy with desire, her lips a wee swollen from his kiss.

I knew he'd be an amazing kisser, was her only thought looking into his ocean blue eyes. The laughter of some students below in the courtyard brought her back to reality and she grinned wryly at herself. "Hmmm...now that was unexpected." Suddenly her eyes widened. "Oh my God. Fred, what time is it?"

Fred looked at his wristwatch. "Um...about five of seven, why?'

"Ack! I'm going to be late for detention! Snape's going to kill me!" She whirled around to make a mad dash for the dungeons, but Fred caught her wrist.

"Come to the shop next Hogsmeade visit. I'll take some time off and we can go do something together."

Bella nodded. "Okay, I will. Sorry Fred, but I've really got to go."

She dashed down the corridor and disappeared from view. Fred leaned against the window frame he had found her at and let his mind be consumed with the memory of her lips against his. Then he sighed heavily.

What on earth was he going to do about his brother?