Wanting Something More
Chapter Three: Wanting School
Blaise Zabini had known, from the moment he walked in to the house without his sister his so called father was going to be livid. Well if he found out about what happened that is. Not only had his darling little sister been, rather unpleasant towards Draco, she had outwitted her father once again. He looked over to his best mate and sighed, seeing him torn between smirking and rage. He hoped he could get him to leave before Brittany or his parents returned.
"You know if you were not so pushy she might come around and actually treat you like a person." He offered as they set their supplies down.
"Yeah, she might. Why should I though? She's you're little sister Blaise talk some sense into the girl. She acts like I'm some creeper." Draco grumbled. "You know I would never hurt her."
Blaise nodded his head in agreement. "She's never listened to anyone about you before. You must have done something when we were kids, she's always disliked you."
Draco flopped down onto one of the plush couches and rolled his eyes. "Or perhaps she's just playing hard to get." His voice was just teasing enough that Blaise did not sock him in the eye. Pushing the Brittany card with his best mate was a dangerous gamble.
Blaise sat in a chair and began double checking to make sure they had actually managed to get everything on the list. "I doubt that. She'll never go for you man. You're too much of a man whore. I hate to say it but all those girls gossip. Some are lying, but still you have slept with a fair number of the sixth and seventh years. Besides who knows what you may have picked up." He joked back.
"I'll have you know I am perfectly clean. I have made sure to check regularly. If they catch anything it's after they've thrown themselves at me. I prefer the untainted ones anyways." He reasoned.
Blaise gave a snort and looked at his friend directly in the eye. "Yeah, yeah. What was with that comment about taking care of your future wife?"
Draco knew he had to tread lightly or risk brotherly wrath. Blaise had long ago made it clear he protected his sister from the male populous ferociously. "Well a guy can dream. Besides we'd be brothers." He snuck a look out of the corner of his eyes and backed down. Blaise was giving him the look that meant he was pushing it. "It was a joke. She did threaten to kick me in the nuts. In front of Potter no less."
Blaise let it slide. "You really got to ease off Draco. You've had this odd obsession with my sister forever. You slide into creeper territory more and more."
"What can I say. She's just got something that intrigues me. I'll back off don't you worry." Draco pacified his best friend with a wave of his hand. For now.
"Fine. You should probably be heading home though. Brittany was in a mood when you two left off she might make good on her promise if you're here when she gets back." He teased. "Or maybe Nix will muscle you out of here."
"That Ravenclaw wishes he was half the wizard I am!" He shot back, angered by the male who always got in his way around Brittany. Blaise and he had history, he would place nice for him. Phoenix Rivers was a little rich brat who happened to be somewhat intelligent. He also had a knack for saving the girl who would be his, and her evil, destructive, violent friend.
"Be careful who you say that to. Scarlett and Britt won't take that one lightly." Blaise shot back. "If anything you should thank Rivers. He keeps most of the males of the two of them anyways."
"He can have the violent she devil. He just better keep away from your sister." Draco growled.
"Now you sound oddly like me. I'd welcome Rivers. Father might even approve as well." He shrugged. "Either way it's not up to me."
Draco smirked as he stood from the couch. "I highly doubt that." He moved towards where he set the books down. "I have a feeling he'd much prefer me to him."
"Yeah, well mother still wants Brittany to marry for love." Blaise offered standing up and moving towards the front door with his mate.
"Yeah. Like she's got any say in the matter." Draco laughed as he Blaise opened the front door.
"Just because you're father runs you're family, does not mean Moris runs ours. I'm not sure what his game is, but I'll bet our mother would not let him ruin our lives. She acts as she was raised, but Brittany got her temper and stubbornness somewhere."
"You are far too tense Blaise. You really need to get laid. You're taking everything so seriously." Draco tried to sooth as he walked out the door to apparate back home. "Once we get to school you should look into that. I'll even give you first dibs on one of the Greengrass sisters."
"Oh go home you man whore." He grumbled.
"Fine. I'm going. Tell you're sister to save me a seat on the Train." Draco called out.
Draco had apparated and Blaise shook his head and slammed the door. Fat chance you creeper. Once we get back to school he'll got back to normal. He has plenty to keep himself occupied. Poor man whore is probably just suffering withdrawal.At least he had accomplished his goal. Draco was gone and his parents were not even home yet.
"Blaise, Brittany. We're home my darlings." His mother called.
Father must be working late. Good. "Coming mother. Brittany's spending some time with Scarlett and Nix. You know how she is about setting them up." He laughed as he moved to great his mother in a rare moment Moris Zabini was not around.
Brittany and Scarlett returned home expecting angry parents. For some reason all they found was Blaise. He smiled at both of them kindly. Brittany then knew her brother had taken care of everything and kept her parents from getting angry. He was always protecting her and getting her out of her own messes.
"How'd you do it?" Brittany asked.
"I made sure I riled him up enough he went home before mother and father returned from work." Blaise smiled.
Brittany hugged her brother, dropping her bags filled with school supplies. "You're the best."
"I am glad you finally noticed." Her brother teased.
"Well I for one am ready to go put my supplies away." Scarlett declared.
"I agree." Brittany smiled.
Both females went upstairs and put away their school things. Both returned downstairs only to find Draco with a huge smile on his face. Brittany and Scarlett looked at each other, masks of dread appeared on both their faces. When Draco Malfoy looked like that, something bad was about to befall them. Malfoy happily smiling was one of the signs of the Apocalypse after all.
"What's wrong with you?" Brittany asked taking a risk.
"You'll find out soon enough." Draco stated mysteriously.
"What the hell does that mean?" Scarlett grumbled. She hated mind games; she was never very good at them.
"You'll have to wait." Draco smirked before walking off towards the study. "My dear."
Brittany and Scarlett immediately sought Blaise. They looked for him all over the house. Finally they found him sitting in the library, just reading peacefully.
"Why the hell has your best friend so excited?" Brittany asked.
"I have no idea." Blaise admitted. "Wait, when did you see him?"
"Just a few minutes ago." Brittany grumbled.
"Damn!" Scarlett cursed. "He came back just to be a freaking stalker creeper."
Blaise wanted to bash his head into a wall. Or punch his friend to let him know his sister was off limits. "I'm sorry Britt I thought I had sent him home for the night."
"You just better watch. He's going to turn into some, serial rapist or something one day." Brittany shivered.
"Now you're over reacting. It'll be fine. Just go over to Scarlett or Phoenix's or Seth's. I'll warn you ahead of time if he's coming over. Well when he tells me." Blaise patted his sister's head. He's the one that needs to get laid. I think I'll owl Parkinson. She if she wants to keep Draco busy. Either she gets in his pants or she annoys him into hiding. "It'll be just fine."
From that point on Brittany and Scarlett avoided Draco. They mostly escaped to the safety of Phoenix's house. Thankfully he also disliked Draco, as did his family. So they welcomed the two with open arms, whenever they had the chance to visit. The last few weeks before school flew by quickly. Finally it was time to go back to Hogwarts.
"Hurry up!" Scarlett and Brittany called out to Phoenix.
He was in turn busy trying to trip Draco. "Oh fine."
Phoenix walked back over to his friends and the Silver Trio boarded the Hogwarts Express. They were looking around for anyone who looked somewhat familiar. Soon enough they found a compartment with one of their friends. Seth Black was a nice sixth year Slytherin, who happened to be Draco's cousin. Fortunately he was a total opposite from his cousin.
"Seth!" Brittany cried out as she pounced on her friend.
"Hello Britt. How has my dear cousin been treating you?" Seth asked kindly.
"He's been smirking like none other for the last two weeks." Brittany explained. "Do you know what's up with him?"
"Not really, but Uncle Lucius seemed very proud of himself today when I saw him." Seth explained. "The prick is up to something. The whole family is."
"I wonder what those snakes are planning?" Scarlett commented.
"You know technically speaking you three are also snakes." Phoenix teased.
"Yeah well, we're good snakes, those are deadly evil snakes of doom." Scarlett shot back
"Of course, Scarlett. Either way whatever it is, Draco better leave us alone this year. I might need to beat some sense into him." Phoenix threatened.
"You and me both." Seth agreed.
The trio placed their trunks into the compartment and took their seats. Brittany sat next to Scarlett, while Phoenix sat next to Seth. The four chatted about their summers for a while, and of course ragged on Draco for a bit. Seth had been off visiting friends in France so he had some fun stories for everyone. After a few minutes there was a commotion outside the door.
"Move it Potter!" Draco's voice was heard shouting from right near the door. "You and your little gang are taking up too much space."
With that Seth and the Silver Trio popped up and slammed open the compartment door. They saw Draco with Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and Blaise standing on one side, the Golden Trio on the other. Both sides were glaring at each other, well Blaise was looking around bored and annoyed, but that was beside the point.
"What is your problem Malfoy?" Phoenix growled.
"Back off Rivers, I'm a Prefect as you well know." Draco stated haughtily.
"So am I." Hermione and Ron stated together.
"I'm also a Prefect so it's evenly matched." Pansy added.
"So what Granger, Weasel, are you going to do something about it?" Draco shot back.
"I swear to god you power hungry prick, if you don't back the fuck off I will ruin you." Brittany hissed her blue eyes shinning angrily.
"Oh I highly doubt that." Draco purred.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Brittany asked suspiciously.
"You'll find out soon enough." Draco laughed.
"You prick, I ought to hit you in the nuts with a Quaffle, again." Scarlett threatened.
"Let's just go guys, we're not getting anywhere with all this." Blaise suggested.
"Are you serious Blaise. Just because she's your sister does not mean she can get off the hook for insulting my Drakie-Poo." Pansy whined.
"I am not your Drakie-Poo, Parkinson!" Draco yelled out angrily.
"Seems like your only getting the attention of a pug Malfoy. Too bad you seem to want one of the most attractive Slytherins as your own." Seth teased.
"You really think I'm one of the most attractive Slytherins Seth? I never knew." Brittany answered, knowing the ploy instantly.
"You have the best personality. That far outshines you from the rest." He responded with practiced ease.
"Stop it you'll make me blush." Brittany teased.
"Watch yourself Black, just because you're my cousin does not mean I have to be nice to you. You back off of Brittany now." Draco declared.
"Just piss off Malfoy, clearly you're out numbered." Harry stated.
Draco looked around and realized that he was in fact out numbered. His gaze stayed on Brittany for longer than necessary. Everyone noticed this, and she glared at him angrily. Pansy looked quite jealous and grabbed Draco's arm and began dragging him away. The Golden and Silver Trio laughed, along with Seth. Blaise turned and gave an apologetic look at his sister. Brittany in turn gave him a small nod in acceptance of his apology.
"It seems that Malfoy's gang is still as full of themselves as ever." Harry chuckled.
"My brother is not full of himself!" Brittany growled. "He's the one who got Draco to back off."
"No that would be what we did!" Ron shot back.
"Do you honestly think that Draco Malfoy would back off because of you Potter?" Phoenix asked amused.
"Yes I do." Harry defended himself.
"Then Malfoy is not the only one full of himself." Scarlett chuckled.
"What was that Nott?" Ron shot back angrily.
"I said that Malfoy is not the only one full of himself. And apparently you are also deaf." Scarlett chuckled.
"You Slytherins are all the same. Stuck up and annoying." Ron yelled.
"On the contrary, I was only defending my brother, yes I agree Malfoy's gang is full of himself, but my brother is not. Besides I have friends in all four houses, can you say the same?" Brittany shot back.
This silenced the Golden Trio immediately. The Silver Trio had won this round, and were quite pleased with themselves. "Hah." Scarlett taunted.
"Hey Britt let's just go back into the compartment. I never finished telling you about France." Seth put in knowing that he would be the voice of reason to split up the arguing trios.
"Alright I have another headache anyway. Malfoy always gives me one whenever he opens his big annoying mouth." Brittany grumbled. "Besides I want to hear you tell me how pretty I am."
"Oh you are the most beautiful flower in all the land." He shot back with a smirk. Over acting as much as he possibly could.
"Oh Seth, I must admit you are the most wonderful Slytherin male I have ever met. Take me away from this place." She cried out attempting to over act her friend.
With that Brittany turned to go into the compartment. She suddenly stuck her hand in the air and caught the flying note sent for her. She opened it and read it quickly.
Brittany,
I found out some bad news, it has to do with Draco.
I know why he was so happy. We need to talk after
the feast. It's extremely important.
Blaise.
"Just when we were having fun. Stupid Malfoy. Let's go talk about France guys. I need something to get that git off my mind before he ruins the start of the new year." She sounded dejected.
Brittany sighed and threw the note to the side. She opened the compartment door and walked in stiffly. She was followed by Scarlett, Seth and Phoenix were left outside with the Golden Trio. He turned to them and sighed.
"Just because Scarlett and Brittany are Slytherins does not mean you should hate them. They have enough stress in their lives, and I can guarantee Brittany's is about to go up. So back off, or I'll come after you. Besides your brothers would not be thrilled you are tormenting one of their friends, Weasley." Phoenix said before he walked back into the compartment and closed the door.
"She's actually pretty fragile you know. I've known Brittany for years. She puts on airs or acts like it's fine, or like a loon." He motioned to indicate earlier. "She really is a good person. Some Slytherins are, just like some Gryffindor girls are bigger sluts than Slytherin girls." Seth saw Ron about to blow and added. "Lavender. I meant Lavender Brown. Just, never mind. I'm leaving."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood there speechless. Harry picked up the note and read it, with Ron and Hermione reading over his shoulders. They all wondered what Malfoy now had planned.
Harry instinctively knew that this up coming school year was going to be one of the weirdest and most trying yet. He had already been over loaded with information this summer. The war was coming eventually. He just wondered what had Voldemort not attacking him out right. Snape explained that while Dumbledore had left instructions he had other ideas. Dumbledore made miscalculations that wound up with him dead. Snape had no intentions of winding up with the same fate.
After he had used the Pensive and seen the truth, Harry knew he and Snape needed to have a nice long chat. That had inevitably ended in Harry yelling, and fighting him, verbally. However Snape pushed him to see the truth. Dumbledore was preparing for a war he knew would land on Harry's shoulders. Snape was not willing to coddle him as Dumbledore had from the beginning. He protected Harry, but only intervened when he had to.
Eventually Harry realized why Snape had turned to become such a strong ally. He loved someone so much and had lost her. The only tie to her left was her son, him. So he did what he had to, he made sure Harry would survive. So after many hours speaking with the man they had come to a sort of truce. Harry would act as he always had, as would Snape. He would do what was needed while Snape twisted Voldemort's plans in so many knots he could train him personally.
Snape had even hired a Potion's Master who had long ago studied under him. She was his contact, and threw him had many of her own. In addition the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was going to be helping to train Dumbledore's Army. Snape was giving Harry more aid then Dumbledore had done in six years. It was still hard to grasp. He was coping. His sleep was still a mess, but he could pass that off to Hermione and Ron as Voldemort. Harry was ready for school. At least during this time he would be preparing for war while Voldemort was left unaware. Harry was even willing, grudgingly, to admit that the sneaky, careful, cunning planning of Snape might just be what they needed to win.
Now here he was and Malfoy was being a prat as usual. It almost brought some sense of normality to the situation. He figured mucking up Malfoy's plans might just give him an outlet for all the pent up stress that had been haunting him. Though it seemed Harry was not his target anymore. Perhaps after the incident in the bathroom Malfoy was more wary of him. Or he was ordered to leave him be. Either way, he planned to at least try and enjoy his last year at Hogwarts. He was fast reaching the end of his innocence and adulthood loomed over head. If he ever survived the war.
Twice now he encountered the Zabini sister and her friends facing off against Malfoy. All things come in three's so he was almost giddy for the next time he Zabini and Malfoy would face off. Perhaps he even had an ally in her. He would keep an eye on the situation. School life at Hogwarts was always something he looked forward to. This year was looking to be the most interesting yet.
Edited 1-10-16