*J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter!

*Hope you guys like this chap! Leave a review :) Happy St. Patty's Day!

*Title of the chapter comes from 'Stay' by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko. That songs sort of reminds me of Belle!

I'm about to step onto the lift at the Ministry when someone catches my eye. I turn around slowly, hoping it is who I think. Simon can wait.

I begin to walk faster, partly elbowing my way through the crowd, muttering apologies of 'Excuse me, pardon me, and I'm sorry'. If I wouldn't look like a total idiot, I would have taken off running.

"Holden! Holden!" I call, reaching forward to take his arm. Holden's shoulders go stiff and he turns around slowly. He doesn't look at all too pleased to see me.

"What, are you following me now? Get away from me," Holden says, staring down at me with a disgusted look. I barely pay it any attention.

"Are you here to visit your father? I remember you used to do that sometimes-"

"I said to get away from me." Holden's jaw clenches.

I knew he would be angry with me still, but I expected him to calm down a bit. In fact, he seems even angrier.

"Can't we talk a moment? I need to talk to you," I plead.

"I don't care," Holden snaps. He looks away in disinterest. Other people are going by, and some are starting to look on. I would hate for either of my parents, especially Dad, to see me speaking to Holden.

"Please, just come over here," I gently lead Holden to a more secluded part of the Atrium. I take a deep breath. "I was wrong for doing what I did to you, I know that. And I was being stupid, and selfish, and everything you said I was. You just don't understand Holden, how much I loved you, and how much it broke my heart to think that you didn't feel the same. But you were right, no one on this planet loves me better than you do."

Holden looks skeptical. He shakes my hand off his arm. "Not even Teddy?" he questions, his voice biting.

I shake my head vigorously. "Of course, not. You were right about him. Teddy is a terrible liar, and you have to believe that he started this, not me. Everything you said about him is true. If I hadn't been so stupid-"

"You probably can't help it by now," Holden interjects, crossing his arms.

I ignore Holden. "I changed my mind. I don't want us to be broken up, and you can't seriously want that either. Do you really want to give up seven years?" I ask, searching for some sort of forgiveness in Holden's face. I don't find it.

"You ended the relationship, not me. I wasn't the one who cheated. I was open with you, and you went behind my back. And then you blamed it on me." Holden reminds me.

Everything he says is true, and it makes me feel immensely guilty.

"I know, and I'm sorry."

"What the hell is saying 'sorry' going to fix? You just don't understand how much you messed up, do you?" Holden demands. I can tell by his body language that he wants to yell at me, or do something to really get his message through to me. He can't, though, because he's in public.

"I do, understand Holden, and I regret every last bit of it! But, all those times you told me you loved me, you can't just stop in an instant, can you?" I ask.

Holden doesn't answer, and that scares me.

"I've been doing some thinking, and all those times you were hurtful to me, or you belittled me, I overlooked that because I loved you. People who love each other can overlook some of those things," I tell Holden. "Like last week when you- you grabbed me. I did at first, but now I don't care about the bruises. Because those go away. But if you leave me, I'll never forget that."

Holden shakes his head slowly. "You overlooked it because you realized how much of your shit I deal with," He informs me.

"Because you love me," I add quickly. "Right? Holden, please say-"

"You don't even realize how pathetic you're being right now, do you?" Holden asks, looking at me with genuine interest for the first time. "When I said we were over, I meant it."

"You can't have," I whisper weakly, my lower lip trembling.

I frown slightly, looking at Holden. I may be wrong, but it feels as if he enjoys making me feel terrible about myself. Why is he acting like this?

"You have no idea how much I regret this," I say again.

Holden shrugs. "I could say the same."

"I changed my mind about marrying you."

Holden raises his eyebrows. "Well, it's too late for that, isn't it? Y'know, I am rather glad that you said no. It's the only smart decision you've made so far."

I'm trying to think of something to say when someone behind me clears their throat. I can tell it's a man.

"Is there a problem, Miss Malfoy?" Simon steps forward and makes no point to hide the look of disgust he's giving Holden. "You seem to be having a bit of trouble making it to my office."

"I was on my way," I say quickly, directing my attention back to Holden.

Holden cuts a glance at Simon, then narrows his eyes at me. I almost forgot they hated each other. "Really, Belle? That's low, even for you."

What is he talking about? Of course, I never told Holden about my 'working for' Simon. It was Teddy I told.

"Simon and I... we aren't..." I stammer. "It's not what you think!"

An amused look crosses Simon's face. "I must say, McKinnon, you seemed nervous for a moment." Simon turns to me. "The two of you don't seem to be the loving couple you were made out to be." It's sad that he's correct.

Holden gives me a scathing glance. He probably thinks that I told Simon about us. "Holden, I never said anything-"

"Save it," Holden cuts me off. "Do whatever you want, I don't give a damn."

Simons makes a 'tsk'ing noise and shakes his head. "Now, now, that isn't how we speak to women," he chides in a condescending tone.

It's taking a lot for Holden not to explode. He's looking between Simon and I like he can't decide which of us he wants to hit the most. "This doesn't concern you, Simon." His voice is clipped.

"Considering the fact that Miss Malfoy was supposed to be in my office five minutes ago, this does concern me. As of now, she's on my time. Later on this afternoon, you can resume your little beratement party. However, until then, you'll have to put it on hold," Simon informs Holden, stepping in front of me.

I can't tell whether or not Simon is defending me, or he's just looking for an excuse to put Holden down. I'm not too comfortable with either. I don't know what reason Simon would have for defending me, considering he's always been just as rude.

Holden doesn't say anything. He turns and walks off. "Holden!" I shout after him. "Hol-"

Simon puts his hand out to stop me. "Desperation isn't at all attractive."

"I'm not trying to be attractive," I snap.

"All the better," Simon replies. I'm not sure what he means. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to go back to my office."

"Fine," I mutter, following Simon like a small child. He turns to look back at me a few times, but says nothing.

Once we're in his office and Simon shuts his door, I turn to face him. "Why did you do that?" I demand.

"Do what?" Simon questions, playing stupid.

"Approach Holden and I. Couldn't you have just waited?"

Simon shakes his head. "Miss Malfoy, I expected you in my office at noon. You weren't there, what was I to do?" He asks simply, idly tidying the papers on his desk.

"I don't need you to come hunting me down. I can handle myself," I inform Simon.

"You didn't prove that so well, the way you let McKinnon speak to you," Simon counters.

I'm tired of people using Holden's words against me. "You've been more rude to me than he ever was," I point out.

"I'm also not in a relationship with you."

"Which is perfect reason for you to stay out of this. Why do you even care?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

Simon glances at his papers again, then at the filing cabinet. He looks anywhere but at me. "You remind me of someone is all," he says nonchalantly.

"Who?"

Simon's eyes meet mine again. They're blue, but a different blue than Holden's. "My first wife."

I smirk at Simon. He must be joking. "You aren't much older than me. You can't have been married and separated already."

Simon folds his hands on his desk. The harsh look he gives me tells me he's completely serious. "I don't understand what you find amusing."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you were serious. Why did your marriage end?"

Simon gestures to the chair in front of his desk. This is the first time he's ever offered me to sit. I take him up on it.

"Honestly, I didn't love her at all," Simon admits. "And I'm sure she knew. I cheated on her multiple times, my side of the bed was always empty."

"You slept with all your interns," I say, remember Simon telling me so. "I think you have a problem with that."

"Please, there were only eleven," Simon informs me. Only?

"That's still a very high number. So you cheated on your wife because you didn't love her?" I ask.

Simon nods slowly. "Yes, and no. I figured if I pushed her away enough, she would get the message eventually. That wasn't the case."

"What happened?" I don't know why I'm so interested in Simon's story, or why he's even telling it.

"It seemed to only bring her closer to me. She begged and pleaded with me to love her back, and it was downright pitiful. I hated seeing it, and it made me dislike her more. It disgusted and bewildered me that she wished to be loved so badly by me when I cared absolutely nothing for her. If she didn't want better for herself, I didn't care to want better for her, either. The way you were pleading with McKinnon reminded me of her. Just don't ever do it," Simon tells me.

I don't know what to think. Does Simon really care what happens to me more than Holden? "Simon, what happened to your wife?"

Simon puts his hand to his chin. "I'm not positive. I was finally able to have one of my lawyer friends dissolve our marriage, and she left. I never heard from her again. Granted, I haven't really cared to."

"It was an arranged marriage, wasn't it?" I ask.

Simon nods solemnly. "Yes, and it was nearly impossible to obtain a separation. I was almost sure one of us would have to die to finally be out of that marriage."

When Simon says this, I think of Scorpius. What if they're friends now, but he grows up to dislike Daisy as much as Simon disliked his wife? What if he feels so trapped in his marriage that he purposely does things to hurt Daisy? I don't want Scorpius to end up like Simon, especially at such a young age.

"I'm sorry," I apologize. From the way he behaved, I assumed Simon was completely satisfied with his life. He sure acted like there was nothing better than being pureblooded.

"There's nothing that can be done about it. I've answered your question, now Miss Malfoy, I'd quite like you to answer mine."

"Okay."

"Now, we both know you aren't pureblood," Simon begins.

"And you love to seize any opportunity to remind me," I reply derisively.

Simon shakes his head. "I wasn't going there. I was going to ask, since you are in no way obligated to, why do you want so badly to be involved with McKinnon?" he questions.

I'm prepared to respond, but I don't think my usual 'because I love him' will sit well with Simon. "Comfort," I answer. "I've known Holden for so long, and I would like the think I know him better than to think he would give up on me."

"You believe you know him better than to think he could be rude to you?" Simon clarifies.

I nod.

"Did you ever believe I could be civil toward you?" Asks Simon.

"No. I never thought you were anything more than a blatant racist."

Simon tilts his head slightly. "I'm not a racist, Miss Malfoy. I simply understand how the world works. Some of us are expected to have certain beliefs, and we must uphold them. Besides, muggles and half-bloods are a different thing altogether."

"How do you think half-bloods ever came about? Because of muggles."

"I can respect some magic blood better than I can respect none. My point is, you never truly know anyone. No matter how much you think you know someone, they always find a way to surprise you."

"They certainly do," I agree.

Simon and I make eye contact for a long moment. I can't understand his expression. It's as if he's studying me, but he's looking into me rather than at me.

"I've never looked at you closely before," Simon says.

"Oh."

"Your eyes are absolutely captivating. I can't help but say that you're a rather attractive woman," he tells me. "Do you believe so as well?"

I don't know how to answer. I look the way I look. "I suppose..."

Simon sets his quill in its inkwell. "You don't sound so sure."

"I'm not sure about many things," I admit.

I feel Simon's hand on top of mine. His fingers are cold. "Your cheeks are flushed, Miss Malfoy," Simon informs me, his voice low. "Is something the matter?"

"Shouldn't we be working?" I ask hesitantly.

Simon looks for a second like he doesn't remember why I'm actually supposed to be here. "We're busy at the moment. Let me ask you another question. Why did your relationship end?"

"We had slight differences," I say vaguely.

Simon isn't convinced. "Everyone has their differences. From the way McKinnon was behaving, you did something," he reasons.

The way Simon looks at me, it feels like he's prying the answer out of my mouth. "I... I slept with someone else," I respond slowly. I don't dare mention Teddy's name.

Simon's smirk comes back to his face. "Well, I must say, that's a side of you I never expected. Do you see what I mean? People are surprising. You aren't like my ex-wife at all. She would have never thought to level the playing field."

I shake my head. "I didn't cheat on Holden to get back at him."

"No, you're too good for that sort of thing, aren't you?"

"I hope so," I say quietly.

Simon's eyes meet mine. "I don't believe you are." I really wasn't with Teddy to spite Holden. That was the last thing on my mind. Simon stands up and walks around his desk, tugging my hand slightly and urging me to stand as well.

"Do you know what I believe?" Simon questions, looking down at me.

"No..."

"I believe that you really aren't as naive as you like to think you are. I know it from the way you've spoken to me. You're brilliant, Miss Malfoy, much more than I'm sure you're given credit for," Simon tells me.

Simon is right. Everyone seems to feel the need to treat me like I'm stupid and can't make any decisions at all for myself. "You treated me like an idiot," I point out.

"I'd assumed if you were smart, your mother would have found a better job for you than an internship," Simon replies. "But then, I heard the way you spoke about your family, and I realized that you actually knew something about the world."

"I know enough to be aware of how unfair the world is. And not just for people like me and my mother. For everyone," I say. I don't think it's fair that people are classified by something that isn't even controllable, like blood. Something so petty can determine the course of your life.

Simon moves his hand to touch my face. Instinctively, I flinch. When I do it, I feel disgusted with myself almost. If Simon notices something, he ignores it.

"You and your mother have something in common," Simon tells me. Being so close to Simon gives me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Excuse me?"

"You both have a talent for charming pureblood wizards." It takes me a second to realize what Simon is saying.

"I'm sure it's completely unintentional."

Simon seems to be considering something. "May I kiss you, Miss Malfoy?"

I try to think enough to formulate an answer, but Simon's face is so near mine that I can't concentrate. Teddy and Holden never asked to kiss me, they just did. At the same time, though, I can't forget how uncomfortable Simon's made me feel before, and how he most likely has no sense of commitment whatsoever. He's dangerous. But he understands.

Simon curves his palm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. I can feel him watching me, reading the indecisiveness on my face. I feel like he can see everything I'm thinking and read my emotions as easily as a book.

I open my mouth to say something, but before I can get words out, Simon's lips crush against mine in a deep, suffocating kiss, leaving me no choice but to return it. The fresh pine smell of his cologne fills my nose, and smothers me almost. His hands slide forcefully across my body, ripping my robes away to allow him better access to my hips and making me feel exposed. When Simon's forceful hands don't quit roaming, I pull away. Simon's eyes open in shock.

"I'm sorry, I can't," I apologize, fixing my robes. I feel warmth rising to my cheeks again. "Not this soon."

Simon is absolutely bewildered. "What are you talking about? I've known you for-"

"A few weeks. And you've only been civil to me for about a half-hour. That's far too soon to do anything with you. I'm sorry," I say again.

"It isn't fair to tease me," Simon tells me, his tone begrudging.

"I'm not teasing you. I'm just trying to make better decisions. I don't want to have sex with you- not here, not this way," I tell Simon, hoping he won't be too angry.

"How could you possibly ask me to resist you after you kiss me like that?" Simon questions, running his hand through his hair.

"Like this. Please, Simon, I don't want another ruined relationship, and I'm sure you're tired of sleeping with random women as well. If you aren't, how can I expect you to treat me any differently?"

Simon seems to be contemplating it. "You confuse me," he says finally.

"How so?"

"It's quite obvious that you understand the makings of a relationship, yet you can't seem to apply them to yourself."

I know that Simon is talking about Holden.

"I'm trying to sort it all out," I inform Simon. "There was more to Holden and I than sex."

"Remind me, Miss Malfoy, how did that relationship end for you?" Simon questions, raising his eyebrows.

"Don't put that on me. I cheated on Holden. I had just as much to-"

"Come to lunch with me this afternoon," Simon offers.

My mouth hangs open. Did Simon just... "What?"

"Lunch, this afternoon. Come with me," Simon repeats. "Or have you lost all grasp of the English language?"

I blink a few times just to make sure this is still reality. "No, of course, not. Absolutely not," I answer.

Simon seems offended. "A simple 'no' would have sufficed. But why not?"

"Holden and I just broke up. I can't go out with you. This is just too much. How about we do what we're supposed to be doing and get some work done?" I face my back to Simon, finding myself upset with him.

He takes hold of my hand. His fingers are gentle. "I don't have anything for you to do today."

"Then let me go home."

"You're still mine for the next two hours," Simon reminds me, his voice low.

"Well, you should think of something to do so I'm not sitting here twiddling my thumbs like a damn idiot."

"I can think of plenty of things." Simon presses his body against mine and place a kiss on my cheek, then the spot between my neck and collarbone. A shiver runs down my spine and I bite my lip.

I let my eyes close. "This wasn't...what I was...talking about."

"Miss Malfoy, when was the last time you cleared your head entirely, and just relaxed?" Simon questions, his lips grazing my ear.

"I... I don't remember," I answer honestly. Perhaps that's a bad thing, but I have many things to worry about. I don't have time to 'just relax'.

"It's no wonder you're so tense, then," Simon murmurs, his hands working my shoulders. I won't admit that it feels amazing. "You need some loosening up."

"Simon, please don't-"

"But I'm drawn to you now, Miss Malfoy," Simon tells me, his nose buried into my neck. "You're so very fascinating, I'd like to figure you out."

"You've implied that you've already got me figured out," I remind Simon.

"Yes, but not entirely. And I intend to do exactly that."

My muscles tense again as one of Simon's hands trails from my shoulder to my lower back. "Why?"

"Now it wouldn't be any fun if I told you, would it?"

"I'm not looking for fun."

"That may be your problem. Don't think," Simon whispers, walking slowly around me until we're chest to chest again.

"I can't help it," I reply.

Simons smirks at me. "I could fix that."

He leans in to kiss me again, but backs away as someone knocks on the door. Simon gestures for me to stay put as he opens the door.

"Mister Malfoy," he says loudly, in a professional voice. I look up in interest. I can't hear Dad well, but Simon's nodding like they're having a conversation. "Yes, of course you can have a word with her. Might I add that your daughter is quite a pleasure." I notice the suggestive undertone in Simon's voice and pray that Dad doesn't.

"Thank you, Simon," Dad responds.

Simon beckons me over to the door. The expression on Dad's face seems rather urgent. "What's wrong?" I ask cautiously.

"I need you home right now," Dad tells me, wasting no time at all.

A look of confusion crosses my face. "Why, what happened?"

Dad sighs. "Isobelle, can we not?"

I purse my lips and look at Simon. He nods his assent. "Fine, I'll be home in a moment. What about Mum?"

"She's at home already," Dad's tone suggests that's the issue.

I turn around dumbly to face Simon. I'm almost positive Dad knows nothing, but it's still rather uncomfortable for him to be here. "I apologize, there seems to be an emergency at home." I don't know why I tell Simon that, because I'm sure he just heard my entire conversation with Dad.

Simon shakes his head slightly. "It's no problem at all, Miss Malfoy. Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon," I reply, following Dad out. I wonder why he won't tell me what's happened.

(A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I'm sort of throwing around the idea of Belle/Simon in my head, I sort of like it. Any guesses as to what happened?