Note: Apologizing in advance, I'm not a very romantic individual, so please excuse my sorry descriptions of the romantic situations in this chapter. Regardless, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
12:03 a.m. Courtyard, Hogwarts (Monday morning)
Vixen kept her eyes wide open throughout the kiss. Draco's remained shut, his grip on her body tight. His lips were soft, and warm against her pale pink lips. She felt butterflies swarming inside her stomach and felt her knees going weak beneath
her. Before she let herself completely give in to the kiss, he pulled away gently.
Draco remained silent, staring into her eyes trying to judge her reaction. He had a small smile on his face, while she appeared to be nothing but shocked. The kiss was exactly how he thought it would be. It was soft but passionate at the same time. However, he was unprepared for what happened next.
Vixen broke free from his arms stepping back slightly. She then raised her hand and struck Draco across his left cheek with her palm. Draco turned to face her, confusion overtaking him. Vixen turned quickly and left the courtyard, leaving Draco alone touching his face.
9:35 a.m. Muggle Studies Classroom, Hogwarts (Monday)
Vixen sat quietly perched on top of a table in front of Ron, Hermione and Harry. The fourth seat at the table was empty this morning. Vixen assumed it was because of what happened last night between Draco and herself, but she remained quiet. The assignment for the day was to discuss hobbies and family with the muggles.
"So Vixen, what do you enjoy doing?" Hermione asked with a quill in her hand, ready to write down everything she said.
"I dance," she replied.
"Any specific kind of dancing?" Hermione asked.
"No. I just dance," Vixen replied. Hermione glanced at Ron and Harry, but stopped questioning her.
About this time Draco walked into the room, taking his seat at the table. Vixen watched him silently, but he didn't look at her.
"Well it's about time you showed up," Harry angrily said to him. Draco remained silent and just rolled his eyes.
"What's the matter Malfoy? Stay up late attacking muggles with your Death Eater mates, did you?" Ron added angrily.
"Shut up Weasley," Draco said while looking him in the eyes. Vixen could feel the tension growing within the group.
"I'm an only child, you know," she said returning the attention back to the assignment. The four turned to her.
"Yeah. Just me. No brothers or sisters," she added trying not to look at Draco who was now staring at her.
"What're your parents like?" Ron asked leaning forward in his chair.
"My dad is a little rough around the edges. Hard working though. All around he's a nice guy," she said shrugging. Hermione added Draco's name to the groups parchment and began taking notes again.
"And your mum?" Harry asked. Vixen bit her bottom lip.
"Dead," was all she said. The group exchanged nervous glances.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it," she said noticing the awkward silence.
"Please bring your papers up to me class," Professor Burbage said. Hermione, Harry and Ron went together to hand in the paper.
"You mind telling me why you slapped me last night?" Draco whispered while leaning onto the table.
"You mind telling me why you felt that it was appropriate to kiss me?" she whispered back crossing her arms. Draco smirked.
"I had to stop you somehow, didn't I?" he replied.
"I thought you liked me," she said looking into his eyes.
"I do," Draco replied almost instantly.
"Then tell me the truth," Vixen added.
"What do you mean tell you the truth?" Draco whispered looking around Vixen and himself to make sure nobody was close enough to hear them.
"Why did you kiss me? Honestly," she whispered, stressing the last word. Draco exhaled angrily and leaned his head down.
"I needed to give myself a reason," he replied not looking up at her. Vixen became confused.
"A reason for what?" she asked leaning in closer to him. He looked up slightly, his hair falling into his eyes.
He opened his mouth to answer her, when he was interrupted by Hermione, Harry and
Ron joining the two again. Draco pushed away from the table and threw his bag over his shoulder, placing a hand into his jeans pocket.
"Vixen, are you ready to go?" Hermione asked smiling. Vixen looked to Draco quickly receiving a cold, blank stare in return.
"Yeah...I guess I am," she said sliding off of the table top. The girls accompanied by Ron and Harry exited the room, leaving Draco alone.
Draco watched them disappear through the door silently. He couldn't help but want to be with them. He never expected to become friends with Harry, Ron or Hermione after their first year at Hogwarts, nor did he really want to be. But if he was able to leave with them and spend more time with Vixen, he would have happily done it. He rubbed his face with one hand and left the room.
1:16 p.m., Dining Hall, Hogwarts (Monday)
Vixen had sat through Hermione's Monday classes with her so far today, but her mind was preoccupied the entire time. All she wanted was to know what Draco needed a reason for. She wanted answers but now she wasn't sure when she would get them.
Hermione and Vixen were currently sitting at their usual table, enjoying lunch together in silence. Ron and Harry were busy doing something for Hagrid today, so it was just the two of them. Vixen kept glancing across the room at Draco whom was sitting at the Slytherin table.
She looked up when the two large doors of the room opened, creaking loudly. She raised an eyebrow when she saw Jake and Pansy walk in together, talking to one another. Vixen looked back at Draco who now had the same confused look on his face as she did.
Jake and Pansy parted ways halfway into the room. Pansy skipped her way over to the Slytherin table, being sure to throw a small wave Draco's way. Draco rolled his eyes and directed his attention to Jacob who was now standing in front of Vixen, blocking his view.
"Afternoon, ladies," Jake said smiling at Hermione and Vixen. Hermione laughed lightly and Vixen crossed her arms.
"Making friends, Jake?" Vixen asked. He smiled at her.
"You could say that, Vixen," he replied laughing. She raised a mocking eyebrow at him.
"Goodbye Jacob," she said rushing him off. His smile faded and he stalked off down to the end of the table, checking over his shoulder to see her with every few steps.
"You should really give him a chance," Hermione said nudging Vixen with her shoulder lightly.
"I'd rather be taken hostage by a Death Eater first," Vixen replied. Hermione laughed quietly, a little unnerved by the response.
Vixen then directed her attention back to Draco, who was watching her. She smiled, realizing how true her last statement to Hermione actually was. She wasn't ready for any kind of relationship at all, but she couldn't deny that Draco was in fact attractive and quite the kisser. She felt her cheeks get hot, and saw Draco's smirk turn into a wide smile.
5:19 p.m., Hillside, Hogwarts (Monday)
Hermione and Vixen decided to go to the hillside outside of the castle once classes were finished for the day. The girls were lying on their backs with their arms placed behind their heads. The wind was lightly blowing and the clouds above were moving quicker than usual. Vixen took a deep breath, exhaling quietly.
"Hey Hermione?" Vixen said turning her head toward her.
"Yeah?" she replied still focused on the sky.
"I heard Draco talking to his father the other day, and he mentioned something about Snape? Is that a professor or a student or something?" she asked. Hermione turned toward her now.
"He's a professor here. Head of Slytherin actually. I suspect he is also a Death Eater, but I'm not sure," she told Vixen.
"Oh. Well, for arguments sake let's say he is a Death Eater. So why wouldn't he kill me?" she asked propping her upper body up on her fore arms.
"Well, if he is a Death Eater, then he can't let Dumbledore or any other professors find out. But I'm not so sure he is the killer type honestly. He may be unhappy about you being here, but I don't think he would inform a higher power about it," Hermione responded.
"Higher power?" Vixen asked. Hermione sighed.
"Lord Voldemort. It's a long and complicated story. But basically, he is Harry's sworn enemy and one of the most powerful dark wizards of our world," she said. Vixen nodded in understanding.
She rolled back onto her back and continued watching the clouds pass by. She sat up quickly hearing someone yell her name. Hermione also sat up at the outcry. The two directed their attention to the top of the hill to see Draco. Hermione gave Vixen a questioning look while she stood up.
Vixen shrugged indicating she wasn't sure what was going on. The two girls grabbed hands and walked to the top of the hill. They stopped when they reached Draco. He looked at their hands and raised an eyebrow.
"Hope I'm not interrupting?" he said smiling.
"Shut up Draco. What's going on?" Vixen asked. Hermione released Vixen's hand, embarrassed.
"I just wanted to tell you to be cautious around Jacob," he said. Hermione crossed her arms.
"Any reason?" Vixen asked curiously.
"You saw him with Pansy today. Trust me, they aren't friends," he replied.
"You mean like us?" Vixen shot back while smirking. Draco returned the smirk.
"Exactly," he responded. Hermione cocked an eyebrow, oblivious to their discussion.
"Well, enjoy the rest of your evening," he said nodding at Vixen, who nodded in return.
"Oh, and Granger?" he said.
"What?" Hermione angrily shot back.
"Good luck on your Divination exam on Wednesday," he said politely before walking away from the girls. Hermione stood dumb struck before Vixen nudged her.
"Thank you," she yelled after him. The girls made their way back to the common room after laughing about the awkward incident that had just occurred.
12:16 a.m., Courtyard, Hogwarts (Tuesday morning)
Vixen had left the Gryffindor common room at midnight exactly. She was sitting on one of the marble benches, shaking her knees anxiously. She smiled when she saw Draco leaning in the archway smiling at her. She stood up and crossed her arms, cocking her head to the side while maintaining a smile. He made his way over to her.
"Evening," he said stopping a few feet in front of her.
"Morning," she corrected. Draco laughed lightly.
"So...what do you need a reason for?" Vixen asked, placing her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. Draco's smile faded.
"You haven't let that go yet?" he asked sitting down on the bench. Vixen sat next to him.
"Vixen, things are extremely complicated right now. More then you could ever really understand," he sighed.
"I can try," she said placing her hand on his knee, making him sit up straight.
"I'm the villain, Vix. I'm not going to be able to play your hero or your knight in shinning armor," he told her turning to face her.
"Who said I was looking for a hero?" she asked.
"You should be looking for a hero. Every girl should expect to find someone like that," he said furrowing his brows at her.
"Why? So when we get let down every other day by some man that we have put on a pedestal, we get torn to pieces even worse?" she asked angrily standing up. Moments later, her crystal ball appeared in her hands.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked. Vixen said Jackson's name.
"This is what you get when you go looking for a hero, Draco. You get this," she said shoving the ball toward his face. Draco pushed it away from his face, seeing Jackson at a party with two women clutching onto his suit.
The ball disappeared now. Vixen exhaled heavily and rubbed her face with both of her hands. She took her seat next to Draco again.
"I'm not looking for any kind of relationship. There's no way I could handle it right now," she confessed.
"Neither am I. But sometimes you don't get to make that decision. Sometimes, people fall in love when they aren't ready for it," he said leaning in closer to her.
"Like who?" Vixen asked.
"Like me," Draco said after a long pause. Vixen sat back slightly.
"Earlier I said I kissed you because I needed a reason. Vixen, I need a reason to feel the way that I feel about you. This isn't normal. Not at all. I just needed to know that I really do care about you," he told her. Vixen sat quietly beside Draco for a matter of minutes.
"C'mon. Let's go for a walk," she said pulling him off of the bench by his hand. Draco shook his head and laughed quietly, walking behind her.
The two stopped dead in their tracks when a deep voice spoke from behind them.
"Going somewhere, Mister Malfoy?" Snape asked standing in front of the stone archway that connected the castle and the courtyard. Vixen bit her lower lip and turned to Draco.
"Professor Snape, I can explain this," Draco said motioning his hand in front of Vixen and himself. Vixen turned her attention to Snape.
She observed the tall, pale man standing in front of her and Draco. She came to the realization that this man, Snape, was the one who brought her to Hogwarts. She recognized his long black hair and his deep voice.
"I'm not interested in your explanations, Draco," he replied looking at Vixen now.
"Please, sir. I was on Prefect Duty and caught her sitting out here. I figured the rules were the same for her as they were for any other student at Hogwarts, so I came to tell her to return to her room," Draco lied. Snape and Vixen remained focused on one another.
"Are you positive that's what is happening here, Draco? Your father would be so disappointed to hear about your new muggle girlfriend," Snape said raising an eyebrow at Vixen. Draco let out a loud laugh causing Vixen to turn toward him.
"You know very well I would never be romantically interested in a muggle, Snape. Or interested in one at all for that matter," he said laughing. Vixen gave him a startled and angry look.
"Fine. Return to your rooms, now," Snape said striding off into the castle. Draco turned to Vixen smiling.
"Oh, Vixen, no I didn't mean-" Draco began to say after noticing her hurt expression, but he was unable to finish because she stormed off into the castle.
Vixen's heart was pounding in her chest and she tried to fight back tears of anger as she made her way through the corridors. She placed her wrists onto her eyes as she began to sob loudly. She broke into a run when someone grabbed her quickly.
Through her tears she was able to make out Jacob's face. He pulled her into his warm chest, hard. Instead of fighting she continued to sob into his shirt. Jacob kept one arm wrapped around her body and one hand stroking her hair.
"It's going to be okay, Vix," he said soothingly. Vixen let out a loud breath, still crying.
Draco rounded the corner in search of Vixen, but stopped when he saw Jacob holding onto her.
The boys locked eyes and Jake grinned mockingly at him. Draco clenched his jaw and continued up the stairs to the Slytherin common room. Jacob smiled to himself and continued stroking Vixen's platinum hair.
12:13 p.m., Dining Hall, Gryffindor Table, Hogwarts (Tuesday)
Vixen sat quietly at the lunch table today. Hermione, Harry and Ron were too busy discussing classes with one another to notice. She looked across the room to see an empty seat where Draco was normally placed. She then looked down the Gryffindor table to see Jacob laughing with Neville. She wasn't a fan of Jacob, but after he let her sob into his shirt for half of the night, she couldn't hate him.
After she had finished crying last night, she thanked Jacob for being sympathetic. The two then walked back to the Gryffindor common room and parted ways once inside. Vixen snapped out of her thoughts when a hand was placed on her shoulder. She looked up to see Draco looking down at her.
"A word?" he asked quietly. Vixen looked to her three friends, who were now glaring up at Draco. She nodded and left the table.
"I don't like that," Ron said watching Draco and Vixen leave the room.
"He always needs to talk to her about something," Hermione added, her nose scrunched up at the situation.
"Hagrid did tell us to protect her," Harry said with hope in his voice.
"No Harry. We are not going to go spy on Draco and Vixen," Hermione said annoyed.
"I am," Jake replied as he passed behind Harry and Ron. Hermione let out an angry sigh and Ron and Harry looked at her with large, pleading eyes.
"No!" she yelled at them. The two hunched down in their seats.
12:22 p.m., Hallway, Hogwarts (Tuesday)
"What do you want?" Vixen asked before crossing her arms. Draco turned his head at her.
"I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean what I said last night," he told her. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Then you said it because...?" Vixen asked waiting for a response.
"Certain people can't know about what is going on between us," he said.
"And what exactly is going on between you?" Jake angrily yelled striding toward the two quickly. Vixen placed herself in front of him.
"Jake, chill out," she told him, placing a hand on his chest. He looked down at her, his eyes large and his nostrils flaring.
"Don't tell me to chill out! Don't you remember last night?" He yelled at her. Vixen jumped slightly at the anger in his voice.
"Don't you yell at her!" Draco yelled walking closer to Vixen, who was now sandwiched between the two boys.
"Will everybody stop yelling!" Vixen screamed. Both boys let out a frustrated snort.
"Jacob, you need to mind your own business," Draco whispered menacingly past Vixens ear.
"Vixen is my business, blondie," Jake whispered back just as angry.
"Okay, with everyone whispering this is like a creepy porno," Vixen told them. Draco furrowed his brows at the comment, along with Jacob.
"Sorry, but it was awkward," Vixen said shrugging.
"This isn't over," Jake said taking a step back.
"Absolutely not," Draco threatened back. Jacob stormed off down the hallway and around the corner.
He stopped when he noticed Pansy leaning against the wall in front of him with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. He approached her quickly.
"We need to get this plan into action, now," he told her pointing at the ground, stressing the last word.
"It will be finished in about two and a half weeks. Then we both get what we want," Pansy said running a finger down Jake's arm.