Another Big edit here with a new scene at the end.
Edited 1-14-2016
Wanting Something More
Chapter Seven: Wanting Strategies
"Alright, let's try to sit together." Scarlett whispered.
"Yeah, I really do not want to deal with many people." Brittany added.
"Alright." Seth agreed.
The trio walked into the room and found three seats together. Sitting down quietly they began scoping the room. The room appeared to be the same. Nothing had changed as drastically as the Potions Classroom had. Fortunately it seemed this Professor would at least be normal. Their first year teacher, Lockhart was a terror, Lupin was amazing even though he was a werewolf, Moody was strange, and very obviously an imposter, Umbridge was a pain in their ass, and Snape was just strange as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
People were scattered about and many eyes were upon Brittany. Kari had a smirk plastered upon her face. The news had already begun being spread. This was not good for the already struggling witch and her friends. Males were looking at the once untouchable Slytherin Zabini Sister, as up for the taking.
Seth stepped closer to Brittany and glared at the males who were staring at her. Scarlett spotted Serena by some desks and walked over to her. Brittany and the others followed suit. Brittany sat next to Seth again, while Scarlett sat next to Serena. Seth looked over to the Gryffindors and blushed a little when he saw Ginny Weasley. She was sitting next to Heather Ljuden. Brittany waved at her, and She waved back.
"Why are you friends with her Heather?" Ginny asked her friend.
"She is actually very nice Ginny. She's not like other Slytherins." Heather responded.
"If you're sure. I am going to take your word for it."
Brittany watched her friend look at Ginny with adoring eyes. She hoped the boy worked up enough courage to ask her out someday. They would make such a cute couple.
"You really should just ask her out." Brittany sighed.
"She's right. You look a little pathetic blushing while taking glances at her." Serena added.
"Besides you've liked her since first year." Scarlett declared.
"It's not like you have asked out Gabriel, Serena. Scarlett you have yet to ask out Phoenix, too. You've liked them for years as well." Seth shot back.
"He has a point." Brittany laughed.
The two females glared at their friends and blushed. Both turned around in their seats and stared ahead to the front of the classroom. Seth and Brittany just laughed silently at the reaction. Neither noticed the looks they were getting from the rest of the class.
Footsteps were heard from beyond the door. The class sat up straighter. It was time to meet the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Alexandra Anya walked into the room with grace and poise. She looked beautiful with her flaming red hair in a nice bun. Her chocolate eyes looked kind. She was smiling peacefully. A foot from her desk she managed to trip on her high heels.
"Son of a monkey!" She growled. "This is the last time I wear high heels."
She whipped out her wand after taking off her shoes. She set them on her desk and glared at them. She turned to the entire class and sighed.
"I was really hoping you would not have seen my klutzy side today. Oh well. Watch your first spell of the day. Efflixi Heels."
She waved her wand and the shoes exploded into tiny sparkles of light. With that their new professor turned around. She smiled kindly and rubbed her hands together triumphantly. She looked down and blushed.
"Accio Slippers." She stated as she waved her wand again.
Slippers came zooming into the room as she used the chalk to actually write on the chalk board. Alexandra Anya, was now on the board. When her red slippers arrived she stepped into them and sighed happily.
"I'm Professor Anya, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts. I may be a klutz, but I know how to wield a wand. You will not be forced to fill out parchment upon parchment for this class. But there will be writing. I hate sitting for the entire period, therefore each day will consist of thirty minutes of duels at the end of class." She explained.
Brittany her hand. "Yes, what is it, Miss?"
"Brittany Zabini. I was wondering if we might be able to use more advanced spells than our age group allows?"
"Excellent question. The best way to learn is to experience it first hand. I heard of that catastrophe of a fourth year you had with Umbridge. I can guarantee if you know the spell and it is not one of the unforgivable curses, you may use it here. Your brother warned me about that last class. I look forward to your duel Miss Zabini." She declared. "Any other questions?"
When no one raised their hand she smiled. "Well to get to know you all I have decided to let you all blow up your very own ceramic statue of Umbridge. This spell only works on inanimate objects, so be careful."
Professor Anya levitated a statue in front of each student. They all looked just like their fourth year professor, Umbridge. Many angry feelings were stirred within the teens. She wrote the spell on the chalk board. Efflixi. Many students were confused as to what the black line meant.
"Each of you will tell me your name each time you try the spell. We shall do this in order starting with the first row." Professor Anya explained.
A Gryffindor raised his hand. "What is it Mr.?" Professor Anya asked.
"Gregory Miles. What does the blank line next to the spell mean?" He asked.
"Excellent question Mr. Miles. The black line is for the inanimate object you wish to blow up. Similar to the Summoning spell, only you are blowing it up not summoning it to you." She explained. "Let us get started then."
With that the students began trying to cast the spell. Very few of the students were actually able to accomplish blowing up the statue, on the first try. Ginny, Heather, Seth, Serena, and another Gryffindor succeeded. By the end of class everyone had destroyed the statue. It was quite the accomplishment.
"Alright now it is time for dueling. Any volunteers?" Professor Anya asked hopeful.
Brittany raised her hand. "I'll duel someone Professor Anya."
"Very good. Are there any volunteers to face Miss Zabini?" She addressed the class. No one raised their hands. "Well do not all volunteer at once." She sighed.
No one raised their hand for a simple reason. With her being Draco Malfoy's fiancée, to fight and injure her meant his wrath. That was definitely something many people did not want to have to deal with. Add to that many males did not want to injure her. This would place their chances with the now available Zabini sister in jeopardy.
Heather would have faced her friend, if it were not for the desire to settle a score with Serena. The two had dueled before and Heather lost. She wanted to see if she would be able to best the girl now. Seth did not want to face his friend because he wanted to duel Ginny. Scarlett was willing to face her best friend, only if no one else was willing. She knew how smart and cunning Brittany could be.
Ginny looked around the room and decided to speak up. "I'll duel her Professor Anya."
"Excellent. Miss Weasley, Miss Zabini, get ready to duel."
The two girls walked over to the dueling platform and stood on it facing each other. They both bowed and smiled. When Professor Anya gave them the signal the duel was underway.
"Expelliarmus!" Ginny shouted. A blast was sent towards Brittany.
"Protego!" Brittany exclaimed just in time. A protective barrier went up and shielded her from the blast.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Ginny called out.
Brittany ducked and avoided the spell and sent her own back. "Congelo Corpus!"
Ginny tried to avoid the spell but was unable to get out of the way in time. Brittany smiled in victory. She bowed to a frozen Ginny. Brittany walked over to her and waved her wand.
"Liberum Corpus." With that Ginny was able to move again.
"That is an advanced seventh year spell. How did you learn that spell Miss Zabini?"
"It was in a book in my library at home last summer. I read about the spell, and then practiced it at home." Brittany explained.
"How many spells were in this book?" Professor Anya asked intrigued.
"Only a few, it was a diary written by my grandmother. It had mostly diary entries, but there were a few spells."
"It shall be interesting to see what you can do then." Professor Anya praised.
"That was fun, short, but fun. I could not let it go on for a long time. I'm sorry Weasley, but other people need to duel too." Brittany stated while holding out her hand as a peace offering.
"It was a nice duel. I will need to keep my guard up next time. Now I know what you can do." Ginny responded shaking her hand.
"Alright who is next?" Professor Anya asked the class.
After duels had gone on for another twenty-five minutes, class was over. It was quite an interesting first day with their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. The Gryffindors headed to the Transfiguration Classroom, while the Slytherins were off to Charms.
"I hate Charms." Scarlett complained.
"Oh come on it is not that bad." Serena stated.
"I agree with Scarlett. Charms is not easy. I have no idea why I get Defense Against the Dark Arts, but fail at Charms. I understand the material, and still struggle." Brittany admitted.
"It's because with Defense Against the Dark Arts your fighting more so than anything. Now with Charms you have to use you intellect and also talents. Also your wand work is abysmal when it comes to charms. You lack the intricacies." Serena explained.
"Which is why you are so good at Charms. Yet you are still good at Defense Against the Dark Arts." Scarlett complained.
"Oh stop your whining." Seth grumbled.
"What is the matter with you?" Scarlett asked offended.
"You are getting on my nerves alright. Jeez." Seth explained.
"I think he may just be upset with the fact that he was unable to duel Ginny." Serena pointed out.
"That's not it!" Seth exclaimed.
"I think he is stressed because he has wanted her for a long time. Now with Potter and her splitting up there may be a chance for them." Brittany told the two confused females.
"So you are just nervous or what?" Scarlett asked now concerned.
"It is not that. Just leave me alone alright." Seth grumbled.
"I think we better drop the subject." Serena advised.
"Yeah I agree." Brittany agreed.
"So we are having Charms with the Hufflepuffs, right?" Scarlett asked.
"Yeah." Seth said.
"Too bad it's not with the Ravenclaws. You'd be able to have Phoenix help you out." Serena laughed.
"Not before you have Gabriel help you." Scarlett shot back.
"We'll see your boys in Herbology next period. So both of you drop it." Seth grumbled.
"Just drop all subjects pertaining to love, romance, and boys." Brittany requested. "I do not really want to deal with it either at the moment."
"Alright." The two girls agreed, somewhat reluctant.
The four entered the Charms classroom, and took their seats. Charms went by slowly for Scarlett and Brittany, who did not do well in the class. Seth was off in his own world thinking about something that seemed to be bothering him. Through out the entire class Brittany noticed looks directed at her. Angry glares from females in her house, pitying looks from the Hufflepuff females, and of course the males were all looking her over, one idea in their minds.
Once the class was over, Brittany and Scarlett all but ran out of the room. Seth was still acting strangely, and Serena watched her friends shaking her head. Once they reached the Herbology Greenhouse they looked for Phoenix and Gabriel. They spotted the two talking to each other quietly.
"Hey!" Brittany called out to her friends.
Phoenix and Gabriel looked up and smiled. "Hey." Phoenix responded.
"Hello." Gabriel whispered.
"What were you two talking about?" Scarlett inquired.
"We were talking about the rumors being spread about Brittany." Phoenix explained.
"Someone said that you're getting a fortune if you marry by the end of the year." Gabriel elaborated.
"I guess what Snape said is going around then." Brittany smiled.
"Now all we need to do is find you a good male." Scarlett declared.
"Oh yes, that will be easy to do." Brittany sarcastically shot back.
"Oh it will happen." Serena replied optimistically.
"What's wrong with Seth?" Phoenix asked curious.
"He's thinking about something. I have no idea what it is though." Brittany told him.
"He's been this way since we left Defense Against the Dark Arts." Scarlett further explained.
"That's too bad. How was Professor Anya? I heard she was nice." Phoenix asked.
"She was very nice. I bet this year will be like second year." Brittany responded.
"Another Lupin. That will be a nice change." Phoenix agreed. "How was Charms?"
"It sucked!" Brittany and Scarlett replied annoyed.
"I could tutor you." Phoenix explained.
"Really?" Scarlett asked hopeful.
"You can tutor Scarlett. I think I will ask my brother to tutor me." Brittany explained.
"Alright. One on one tutoring is easier anyways." Phoenix agreed.
Just then Professor Sprout walked into the Greenhouse. Class was then started and the group was split up. Scarlett was hiding her slight blush, while Brittany hid her smirk. Serena rolled her eyes at the strange girl. She had her own love life to worry about, yet she was worrying about setting up her best friends. Seth was still off in his own world. Gabriel was keeping to himself as usual.
Once class was over it was finally time for lunch. Blaise had promised to meet with his sister. Brittany knew that her brother wanted to talk about strategies to get out of the arranged marriage. Brittany parted from her friends and went off to look for her brother. Searching for him, she soon located Blaise with none other than Professor Snape.
"I realize that it will be a difficult endeavor. You must succeed though." Snape declared.
"I thought you would want your godson to be happy." Blaise replied somewhat taken aback.
"I do, but my godson can not be with her if he is to become the next dark lord. I would not make anyone suffer through such a thing, unless absolutely necessary" Snape explained.
"Alright professor. Thank you for your help this morning. I am sure Brittany appreciates it as well." Blaise thanked him.
"What a coincidence brother. I do thank him for getting Williams out of my face. I can not believe I was ever friends with that girl." Brittany stated walking up behind her brother.
"Ah! Brittany you scared me. What the hell are you doing?" Blaise asked his younger sister.
"I was looking for you silly." Brittany laughed. "You wanted to talk to me right."
"Yes. Let's go for a walk." Blaise told her. "If you'll excuse us professor.."
"Yes, of course. With the loss in the family I expect to see you being very protective of your younger sister. My condolences to your situation Miss Zabini." Snape stated before walking off towards his office.
Blaise smiled and Brittany rolled her eyes. She choose to hold her tongue and pretend she did not hear anything but that last line. Blaise looked somewhat guilty, but figured what his sister did not know would not kill her. The two walked around the grounds and made sure no one was near them. The crisp autumn air surrounded them as the held hands and walked together.
"Brittany, we need to get started on this right away." Blaise stated after a few minutes of calm silence.
"I know, I just do not know how to do it all in less than a year." Brittany admitted.
"So you are worried about what is happening." Blaise surmised.
"Of course I am. I have to get someone to fall in love with me and propose by the end of my sixth year. In addition father has to approve of him." Brittany grumbled. "Any male worth anything to father would not come near me because of your stupid pig-headed best friend."
"I think I may just have a way to get you some worthy suitors." Blaise stated mysteriously.
"Oh really? And what hair brained idea is that?" Brittany asked, dreading the answer.
"How about a tournament." Blaise suggested.
"Pass." Brittany responded after the last syllable left Blaise's mouth.
"Oh come on. It would prove he was worthy." Blaise stated.
"Yes and Draco would kick all their asses. No one from Slytherin would be dumb enough to do that." Brittany replied.
"How about someone from Ravenclaw. That McCallister guy." Blaise suggested.
"He is way to shy for me, besides I think he already has a thing for Serena." Brittany explained. "And do not suggest Phoenix."
"I know, I know. I could talk to some friends and get you on a date with Oliver Wood." Blaise suggested.
"Oh come off it. I would not date him. He's really good looking and all, but he would not give me the time of day. I am your sister Blaise." Brittany reasoned.
"Fine then what do we do?" Blaise asked her. "Put your cunning to good use."
"I have been, all throughout Charms. I have something to ask you about that later though. So what if I just agree to date people." Brittany suggested.
"That was the best you could come up with?" Blaise yelled shocked.
"I was trying to participate in class as well!" Brittany shot back.
Seth then came running up to the pair. He was huffing and puffing. Blaise had a strange look upon his face. Seth ran over to the pair and smiled. His face was less pale and he seemed more normal.
"I know what you can do. You can be friends with Ginny, you can be friends with her and then get one of the Gryffindors to fall for you." Seth declared.
"How am I supposed to do that?" Brittany asked him confused.
"I am not entirely sure, but you are friends with her brothers, and her best friend. It cannot be that hard for her to accept you. Then you can get into the good graces of the Gryffindors. If a guy really likes you from Gryffindor then my cousin will not be able to get in the way. No Gryffindor cares about what Draco Malfoy says, right." Seth explained.
"Is that what you were thinking about the entire time?" Brittany wondered.
"Yeah." Seth admitted sheepishly.
"And once I am friends with Ginny you want me to put in a good word for you?" Brittany asked.
"Come one you know no one can resist once you start your matchmaking." Seth begged.
"Even though the idea is partly selfish. As you want me to persuade her towards you. I guess that I can do that. If all else fails I will still get a new friend." Brittany agreed. "I mean I spent a while with Potter, what harm could there be with trying with the youngest Weasley?"
Blaise still had a strange look on his face while his sister hugged her friend. He kept looking at Seth's face and smiled. That hair reminded him too much of a certain Gryffindor that would piss off his best friend greatly. Now to see if Blaise Zabini had the matchmaking skills his younger sister had.
"I sent an owl to mother that first night and saw you as we passed. It seemed like a good talk. Potter even offered me his help if we agree to a truce." Blaise offered with a knowing smile.
"Wait, what?" Seth wondered his mouth hanging open.
"I ran into him in the owlry. We talked for a while and he showed me his owl. It was not anything major." Brittany offered.
"You should have said something!"
"You would have teased me." Brittany lips formed a pout."
"Yes, but that would have been helpful information. Now you have to befriend Ginny." Seth demanded.
"Oh fine. I would like it known this was your idea if it all goes horribly wrong." Brittany added.
"Deal. I'm going to go find Scarlett and Nix and let them know." Seth agreed before dashing off to find their friends.
Harry had finally finished all of his schoolwork form earlier the day. He decided he needed some air. Taking the lighter class load helped. He only had Transfiguration and Charms after lunch. Right now both he and Ron were free. Ron was still working on his schoolwork so he figured he would give his friend some space. He walked the grounds and kept to himself as best as he was able. Finally reaching a courtyard he saw the two Zabini siblings and moved towards them.
Blaise saw Harry first and he smiled broadly. "Yo, Potter. Speak of the Wizard."
Harry watched as the younger sister turned to face him. "Hello Potter. How was you're first day back?" She asked politely.
"It was alright. No issues yet. I even riled Malfoy up this morning."
Blaise smirked. "I had heard about that. Told him to keep his wand in his pants."
Brittany looked between the two males confused. "You had a fight with Malfoy? What about?"
"Oh you know all about their first of the year bouts. Normal male issues." Blaise covered for Harry, who looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Brittany then groaned. "I'd really like to stop needing to say that to you Potter. Maybe one day we'll have a conversation where that does not happen."
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "One day." He smiled at her. "So your mood seems to improve any good news?"
"I might have a way out of this mess." She explained excitedly. "My mother has convinced father, that if I find a suitable male to marry before the end of the school year and he proposes father will break off the arranged marriage."
Harry whistled. "That's still a pretty big task." Harry's mind thought about her marrying some random bloke and became curious. "You have a boyfriend?"
Blaise slowly stepped away from his sister, wanting to watch how they interacted. "No. I have not really had time for males. Besides Malfoy has run any interested party off before."
"I'm surprised he let's you spend time with so many males then." He smirked. "The bloody git can't stand competition."
"No he can't. He once tried to run Seth off, but he found out Seth wants another girl. He has for years actually." Brittany explained while moving towards a bench and sitting down. She patted the seat next to her like in the Owlry. Once Harry sat down she continued. "Phoenix loves Scarlett and Scarlett loves Nix. Gabriel has a thing for Serena, and Louis, a childhood friend is gay." She surmised. "Those are the only males I really spend time with.
Harry processed the information. His smile widened uncontrollably. "So you're single then. Any idea who the lucky wizard is going to be?"
Brittany deflated a bit and shook her head. "No, we haven't gotten that far. And with all the rumors it's going to be really hard to find someone who will want me. Well someone I can trust wants me for the right reasons. Because of Snape helping everyone thinks I'm due to inherit some fortune."
"Why's Snape helping you?"
"I have no idea. He's always been pretty nice to me. I've never really known why he does the things he does." Brittany shook her head.
"Well you are a Slytherin."
"One who prefers trying in school to actually attempting to get into his godson's pants." She joked. "I'm doing alright in Transfiguations, but I've been struggling with Herbology and Charms. Potoins and Defense Against the Dark Arts are my best subjects. I dropped everything else."
"Smart move." He replied.
"So have you thought about my offer." Harry pressed. He wanted to know if she considered him for help.
"Heather always talks so fondly of Ginny. I was hoping if we spent sometime together we could be friends. She spends a lot of time with boys." Brittany flushed. "Not in that way. I meant she's a tomboy and she has a lot of older brothers and she has good taste in men from what I've seen. I was hoping that she may or may not have a few suggestions of guys I could consider." She rushed.
Harry looked at her strangely for a few minutes. "You want to use her?" The idea sounded even worse outside of his mouth.
"No!" Brittany shouted flinching back. "I just never thought to try and apporach her. Malfoy's always run off anyone who did not want to stick around. If he can't do that he'll send his whores to do so. What with Malfoy being associated with my brother I just did not want to run the risk of either flat out rejection because of Malfoy. I also did not want to cause her pain. Malfoy would have tried to make her life miserable." She hung her head. "If not for that prat I probably would have tried talking to her."
Harry moved his hand to Brittany's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Sorry. I just am used to people getting close to my friends with ulterior motives. You at least have a good reason to do so. Though don't tell Ginny that. I could talk to her if you wanted."
"Oh really. Thanks Potter." Brittany smiled brilliantly at him. She played with the strap on her school bag to resist the urge to hug him.
"It's no problem. We're still really good friends." Harry smiled back.
"Aren't you two still dating?" Brittany wondered.
"No. We weren't right for each other. We broke it off after Dumbledore's Funeral." Harry admitted. He suddenly did not want Brittany Zabini to think he was still with his surrogate sister.
"Oh, well at least you two are still good friends." Brittany offered awkwardly.
"Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"With what?"
"Nothing, never mind. So, how did you like Professor Cortana?" Brittany changed the subject.
"She's amazing. The best replacement Snape could have picked. I might actually pass my Potions N.E.W.T." Harry smirked. "She even told all the Slytherins that she would not favor them."
"She did that in our class as well." Brittany leaned in and whispered. "I think she wants to make it fair for the House Cup."
"Oh Gryffindor will win it again this year." Harry shot back.
"We'll see about that." Brittany teased.
"I'd like to see Slytherin try."
"Snape is still the headmaster you know."
"I thought you wanted to win legitimately."
"Well, it helps to have him in you're corner." Brittany laughed. "Though don't tell Blaise I hope you cream Slytherin at Quidditch. Just to rub it in Malfoy's face."
"Oh, I plan to." Harry promised. "I might even catch the Snitch for you. That would set him off. He's a real wreck when he's pissed."
Brittany flinched at that. "Don't do that. Never use me to anger Malfoy. You won't like it."
Harry was taken aback at her sudden change. "What do you mean? I've seen him pretty livid."
"Just trust me. You think you've had it bad. Try being his obsession who refuses to give him what he wants. Then see how much father his anger can reach." Brittany admitted with a shudder. She looked around and had seen a few Slytherins milling about. "I should go. Nice talking with you Potter. I'll see you around sometime. Hopefully with either more people around or in a less accessible location."
Before Harry could more than reach out his hand in protest Brittany was up and moving away as if her life deepened on her. What did I say wrong? He wondered, slumping forward on the bench. "We'll that went all wrong."
"What'd she run off for?" Blaise asked from the base of the tree.
Harry nearly jumped. "Oh sorry Zabini. I almost forgot you were there."
"So I noticed. What did you say that had my darling sister running off in such a hurry?" Blaise pushed himself off the ground and moved towards Harry.
Harry raised his hands as he stood as well. "I don't really know. I joked about saying I catch the Snitch for her to piss off Malfoy. Then she warns me not to use her in my fight with him. She says it will be worse if I do and ran off spooked."
"Ah. Yeah. I had to beat him up over it once. He'd done something to her a few years ago. She came to me begging not to bring him over anymore but refused to tell me what happened. He never told me either. Only said she was being a bitch and he made sure to show her she was not allowed to do that. I beat him before he could even pull out his wand. He agreed to back off my sister after that. She never came up to me asking to make him leave after that I think he learned his lesson."
Harry processed the information and began to shake a bit. "He didn't force himself on her or anything?"
"I told him if he had or he did I'd make him regret it."
"Doesn't the whole marriage thing mean he's forcing himself on her in the future then?" Harry pointed out.
Blaise then shook with rage as well. "I never thought that far ahead. Now that prick better watch himself."
"The offer still stands Zabini. I can help you protect her." Harry held out his hand.
Blaise looked at it and smiled. "I appreciate it, but I think I can handle him. If it get's to be too much I'll take you up on it though. I'd rather not be ostracized from my other friends. You understand."
Harry was a little put off. He relented though. Six years of friendship was hard to throw away. "I'll be here if you change you're mind Zabini."
"You'll be the first one I find." Blaise promised. "Thanks Potter. It's good to know we have a few allies in this."
"Your sister is a good female. I'd hate to see Malfoy try and taint her." Harry replied with a determined scowl.
"Well said. I better go find him before he gets it in his head to go hunting down my sister." Blaise replied.
Harry nodded his head and began walking in the opposite direction. He had more information on the 'Zabini Issue.' He wondered what males he knew of as good candidates. He wondered why Brittany Zabini had not asked him herself. Though he supposed, A girl might know better. They talk about those things more than I think about them.
Harry had mentally noted that he could be on that list as well. He came from a well known family line and had quite the inheritance. His ego happened to add in his own fame as well. He was not a pure-blood though so he shrugged it off. Besides would she even want me?