The Slytherin Queen

by the gray rose7

A dark cloud appeared over the magical world. The Dark lord was back, no matter the denial of the ministry. And Rosalind knew it. She knew that a war was coming, and she knew that her housemates were likely to fight. So would she. But for no noble reason. Rosalind wanted revenge, and revenge she would have. By any means necessary.

32. Chapter 32

A/N: Sorry for the wait, and thank you so much for the reviews. I hope you enjoy, and of course, feel free to review.

Chapter 32: Swear

---

There are many situations in chess that one could deem most dangerous, but perhaps the one that is most dangerous is the situation in which I found myself now. The Check.

It would be perfectly logical to assume that this situation is dangerous for the one who finds himself cornered, but many overlook the danger that is posed to the one attacking.

Power is exhilarating. Power is enthralling, power is a potion. And to win is to hold the power. Yet to win, is to have a cool head as well, to think. I have yet to see a witch or a wizard that is able to function well under the influence of a potion.

One single move. I had one single move and the battle would be over. Ending in my win, or in my loss.

Now, my Dark Lord, we play once more, and the victor's prize is but one: The Slytherin House.

The next night, the third night of our talks, I sat with my familiar in silence, every move carefully planned out. This was the crucial battle, mistakes were simply not an option.

I still wore my school uniform, and I had adjusted it with utmost care. I chose to discard my robes, as it was by far too hot by the fire, leaving two buttons undone on my shirt, my mother's necklace glistening in reflection of the embers in the hearth, the emerald casting wonderful light on my couch. I put my left foot behind my right one, joining them in the ankles, held my back straight and folded my hands in my lap. My hair had been pulled up in a tight bun, aging my face a bit, showing my seriousness.

I was a Queen, and had never made more effort to appear as one up until that night. It was crucial.

Serpen had wrapped himself around me, his head coming to rest on my shoulder. He had been instructed briefly as to what we would do tonight, and had accepted the game with mirth. It had been ever so long before he had been given a chance to play.

We were silent, and we waited for our little pawn to come to us.

"Good evening…" started Draco, but faltered a bit in his words as I looked up at him, focusing my eyes on his "Rosalind?"

His greeting turned out to be a question with the way his voice changed and I indicated with my hand to the armchair opposite me.

"Have a seat." I spoke, keeping my voice carefully void of any emotion.

He seemed quite worried at that point, but did as he was told, sitting down obediently.

Serpen moved from my left shoulder, slithering across the back of my neck and settling on my right shoulder, him too focusing on Draco. I reached up with my right hand and stroked his head, still silent, still observing.

Draco was well trained, well-educated and brought up as a perfect pureblood, and his anxiety was, as a consequence, almost perfectly hidden.

But I could still see it.

"As you are aware Draco" I spoke and he seemed relieved that I had chosen to speak, ending the uncomfortable silence. "I am of noble lineage. "

I stopped at that, inclining slightly with my head "As are you. I am sure that you will agree that those of noble blood, those who have influence, wealth, and most of all will, have a certain responsibility to our less privileged kin. I wish that you know that my heart will always be with my House, and my kin. Shall I take it, cousin, that your heart lies with family as well?"

He blinked at me, surprised at the course our conversation had taken.

I waited, and after a moment, Draco composed himself enough to answer "Of course."

"I am Rosalind Valeria Kersey, daughter of Desmond and Crysanthia, granddaughter of Kenneth." I spoke, my tone rising and my chin lifting in pride "I am the Slytherin Queen. And I wish to ask of you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, to be my heir. It would be my honour to have you serve as my Prince."

Something glowed in his eyes and he opened his mouth to respond, but Serpen hissed, stopping him.

"Settle down love" I spoke, once more reaching up, laying my hand shortly on his head. "We agreed that you would not interfere." Our agreement was a bit different. "But Draco, we have a problem."

"I will be honest with you Draco, I have no particular dislike towards mudbloods or halfbreeds. You are well aware of whom I associate myself with." He seemed to tense up at those words "but I hold no particular love for them. What I wish for is tolerance, but not at the expense of our blood. We are mighty, we are ancient. And that should teach us tolerance in our might."

I stood up at that, looking down at him as he still sat there, his eyes wide.

"I am sorry Draco, but I do not believe that you are worthy of leading this house, not yet. " I closed my eyes for a moment, genuine regret flooding my mind "However, I do believe that you can be better, that that blood, that magic that is our legacy is a token of your true power as an individual. Prove me to be correct Draco, and we shall rule again."

I turned around at that, walking away, leaving a conflicted boy behind, giving him that little push.

Checkmate.

"Rosalind!" called Draco and I stopped, slowly turning around "I am worthy of my blood."

I smiled at that, turning around, my message silent. Prove it.

And thus fell the great, dark King. Long live the Queen.

---

I won, there was no doubt about it, but as I climbed the staircase to my dorm that very same night, I was aware that another battle awaited, one that I would win with much more difficulty. If at all.

As he was bidden, Greyclaw waited for me, perched on the railing at the foot of my bed, his yellow eyes glistening, focused and attentive.

I caressed his head in passing, and retrieved three sealed envelopes from my nightstand. I had used the seal of my family, which had been enhanced by magic long ago, so that not one person, save for the recipient of the letter, would be able to break it.

I went through the envelopes until I found the one I was looking for, and I stared at the letters, anxiety taking over me. What if he chose that he did not want to read my message? What if he chose that he did not wish to talk to me? Would luck have it that now, out of all of the times he had been presented with the chance, he had chosen to give up on me?

What if I could not save him?

No. I thought, and quickly reached into the drawer once more, finding some ribbon and then spun on my heel, walking back to Serpen and Greyclaw, thankful that my dorms were empty this one time.

Serpen completely ignored the existence of my owl, still gloating over his role in scaring the young Malfoy heir, and thus earned me undivided attention from Greyclaw. I reached forward and he stretched out his leg, offering it to me and waiting patiently for me to finish fastening the envelops to his leg.

"There are there envelopes here" I spoke, addressing my owl as I tied my first envelope to his leg "for three recipients. Daphne Greengrass, Astoria Greengrass and Blaise Zabini."

At this name, Serpen raised his head, a silent question in his mind. Naturally, that boy was in great favour with my familiar, and the curiosity that radiated off of the snake was undeniable. I decided to attribute the spark of jealousy that appeared in my mind to the tiresome task I had completed mere minutes before.

"Forgive me for sending you out this late at night my friend" I spoke, now working on the third, and final envelope " but I trust none but you with completing this task. It is vitally important that you are not intercepted, these letters must reach their recipients. Them alone."

I looked up, and noticed that Greyclaw had tilted his head in observance, his attention fully devoted to my words. I reached forward, and stroked his head once more "You know what to do."

He gave me a hoot, and I stepped back, allowing him to spread his wings fully, and watched him take flight, headed for a closed window.

I waved my hand once, and the window opened, just in time to allow my owl exit. The cold air that seized the chance to seek its domain in my room enfolded me, making me shiver in a second, and I flicked my wrist once more, closing the window.

I reached my hand up, running it through my strands, and sighed, meeting the emerald eyes of my familiar, who was still waiting for a response.

Instead, I chose to ask a question.

"Will he come if I ask?" I whispered, knowing that the silent message was understood with utmost clarity. Had I gone too far?

A hiss. A reassurance given without a moment of hesitance.

I was not so certain.

---

I watched as the hands moved on the ancient clock in our common room. One forty five.

It was an hour since I had chosen to take residence in my couch, Serpen the only company I had in the dark room. The fire had died down in the hearth, and now only the embers remained as witness of a once hospitable flame.

I'd know in fifteen minutes, for better or for worse, I'd know.

The letters were clear in their instructions; meet me tomorrow at two o'clock in the morning, come alone, burn the letter.

Simple. Clear. Allowing for no mistakes, simply a choice.

Serpen napped with his head in my lap, completely serene, as if he knew something I did not, as if he knew that there was no reason to worry. Yet there was, and worry I did, my stomach twisting and turning a million times, my mind thinking of every single thing that could go wrong this night, imagining how they'd decline my offer, already seeing them dead on the battlefield.

I wanted to move, I wanted to jump out of my own skin, rarely having felt this kind of anxiety. They had to accept. It was a matter of life and death.

A soft sound of feet meeting the stone floor behind me brought Serpen out of his nap and he woke, moving from my couch and down to the floor. My heart skipped a bit as I counted, and as I found that there were only two sets of footsteps. Female footsteps.

I stood up slowly, pulling the cloak I had chosen to wear that night closer around me, turning and seeing two figures make their way towards me.

One was taller, and had pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, holding hands with a smaller figure, who too chose to hide her face. My smart cousins.

I reached up, and pulled my hood down, revealing my face. The two girls mirrored my movement, and I found myself face to face with Daphne, who appeared calm, collected. But I could see a hint of fear as well behind that carefully composed mask of hers, and as my eyes moved to Astoria, I found that she had made no effort at all to hide her fright. She was pale, had bags under her eyes and a tight grip on her sister's hand.

She was not afraid, I concluded, she was terrified.

And I did not say anything yet.

"Good evening cousins" I spoke, and chose to address Daphne, relieving my younger cousin of her worry. "I thank you most sincerely for coming tonight."

Daphne narrowed her eyes at me for a moment, and I could see that she was reading me, judging, scrutinising.

"You thought we wouldn't?" she asked and Astoria looked up, her wide eyes focused on me, her small hand shivering.

"I knew you would." I smiled at her, tilting my head to the side in a show of sincerity.

Of course, I was lying. I doubted my cousins, but not as Daphne had assumed, their loyalty. I knew they were loyal and I knew that there was great love for me in their hearts, but I also knew that they were scared, that they were children, and that war was no place for children. But by being close to me, by refusing to take the Dark Mark, they were endangered, and I had to make sure that they would be able to defend themselves once I was no longer here to play that role for them. Sadly, that time was ticking ever closer.

Daphne still had her eyes narrowed at me and I flinched slightly as I heard the clock behind me chime. It was two o'clock.

Her eyes softened as she too seemed to understand that I was disappointed.

Yet I could not dwell on the sentiment. I had lost one of them, but I still had my two very alive cousins in front of me. I could still save them.

"Linda" called Daphne, having both her sister and me look at her "is… is someone else coming?"

Is Blaise coming, that's what she wanted to say. And Astoria knew that as well, and she turned to me, an expectant look on her face, seemingly believing that I would have an answer to her sister's unspoken question, her fear momentarily forgotten.

I looked away from her at that, and to Serpen who had found his place beneath my feet, his eyes focused on the staircase of the male dorms, his faith in the boy unwavering.

"No Daphne, tonight, it will be the three of us." I spoke, and then turned my back to them, fixing a stoic expression on my face. "Come along, we cannot talk here."

I moved forward, deciding to forget that I had even sent out that third envelope.

"Didn't you say that Blaise was going to come?" whispered Astoria to her sister, thinking that I was far enough ahead so that I could not hear her.

"I don't know love" whispered Daphne back to her sister, doubt evident in her voice.

Somehow, I knew that she was not likely to drop the subject this easily.

"I think he'll come" whispered Daphne to her sister, deliberately rising her volume so that I would hear her as well.

"I suggest ending this discussion Daphne" I spoke, slowing in my step so that I was walking alongside them, yet made no effort to establish eye contact. Serpen gave a hiss of solidarity with Daphne and I glanced at him "You too Serpen. The boy made his choice, there is nothing either of you can do to change it. Nor should you attempt to do so."

Another step, and before Daphne could retort, undoubtedly coming to the boy's defence, a voice spoke up behind me.

"And what choice would that be Rose?" asked Blaise, and I stopped in my steps at the sound of his voice. My breath hitched and I turned around to face him, following the example of my two cousins. "Because I recall having made at least a dozen in the past half an hour."

Anger bubbled inside of my heart as I took notice of his appearance. His hair was dishevelled, as if someone had run their hands through it repeatedly, his shirt was buttoned up wrong, messy, leaving the top part of his chest exposed, his belt had not been fastened neatly, his pants were wrinkled. He dressed in a hurry, I concluded, and wondered which one of his whores had to bear to part with him tonight.

"Blaise." Spoke up Daphne, relief clear to all present, yet not in the least shared by me.

"Is that so Zabini?" I snarled "I am terribly sorry to have pulled you out of the undoubtedly warm bed that you shared with another whore tonight." His eyes darkened at this, showing his anger "Was it very difficult to decide to accompany us tonight?"

"Linda!" exclaimed Daphne, horrified at my words. She had such an innocent mind. That, or unbelievable amount of faith in the boy, possibly both.

"Why Rose" spoke he, lifting his chin and looking down on me. I was going to butcher him "there never really was a choice for me, was there?"

"I would have been more than pleased to find that you had chosen to remain in your bed tonight Zabini." I snapped at him, and Daphne appeared next to me, leaving her sister and taking my hand, trying to restrain me.

"I have no doubt that that is so, I see that you've already decided to leave without me. That's a bit rude of you Rosey, wouldn't you say? Not waiting for your third guest, but tell me, " he spoke, and made a show of looking around himself, making my palm itch for my wand. "where is the honoured forth guest? Is your boyfriend not coming?"

Astoria glanced at me, shocked, and I felt murderous rage bubble inside me.

"Let go of me Daphne!" I hissed at her, and then turned on Zabini "I do not have the custom of waiting on guests that are late. And you are the last guest we were not expecting!"

"Really Rose? " spoke Zabini, sauntering closer to us "But is that true for those of more, ah, noble linage as well? "

"Blaise! Stop talking-" tried Daphne but I could not bite my tongue any longer.

"Let him Daphne." I hissed "He doesn't care whom he hurts along the way, as long as he can make some biting comment about me!"

He let out a deep, rumbling laugh at that, but there was no mirth to the sound. Only mockery.

"Me Rose? Me?" he laughed, his dark eyes focusing on me "I think you have us mistaken, because I never made a conscious effort to hurt you!"

"And I-" I started to say, but Astoria interrupted me.

"Linda!" she exclaimed, and I noticed that her hands were shaking. "Please."

I felt my face relax at the sight of my scared cousin, and I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a slow breath, and walking over to her, now free of Daphne's death grip, and taking the hand of my shivering cousin.

"I'm sorry dear cousin." I spoke, smiling at her, and she gripped my hand tightly in response, drawing close to me.

Daphne had approached Blaise and was talking with him in hurried whispers, or rather, talking at him, since he seemed too focused on me to pay any attention to her.

"Come along Daphne "I spoke, continuing to walk forward, "we have already wasted enough time on petty words. "

Astoria and I took the lead, and as we turned the corner, and I was sure that Blaise and Daphne could not hear us, I leaned closer to my cousin and whispered "There is nothing between me and Draco."

Astoria looked up at that, her eyes becoming wide and her cheeks flushing.

I gave her a small smile and continued "there never was, and I promise you that there never will be. But I can put in a good word for you."

"Linda I… I.. I'm not" stuttered the girl, looking down, her fear once more leaving her mind, embarrassment replacing it.

I heard steps behind me and I tugged on her hand whispering down to her "Shush now child."

I could hear Serpen hiss behind me, having chosen to accompany Blaise and not me, once more leaving my side for the boy.

We walked in silence, in pairs, and after a rather torturous walk, found our way to the old Potion Master's office, and I walked up to the head chair, taking a seat and saying "Have a seat."

Daphne and Astoria sat down promptly, as they were bidden, and Zabini took his time, slowly sitting down and settling in a half-seated, half-laying position, with his hands on the arms of the chair and a sardonic smile on his face.

I met Daphne's eyes briefly, seeing that she kept glancing at me and Blaise in turn, and then moved to Astoria, who was staring at the desk before me. I didn't trust myself enough to look at Blaise.

"I realise that it is late, and that you are most likely tired, and for choosing this time, I must apologise. Yet this precaution is needed." I spoke, and placed my hand on Serpen's head, calming his, and my nerves.

"I have summoned you tonight to speak of a grave matter." I continued, staring at my hand and then raising my head, meeting each pair of eyes focused on me at that moment "You know, as do I, that the Dark Lord is back, and tonight, I must tell you that he is building an army. There will be a war… And there will be resistance. And I'm sorry, but you will have to choose a side."

I sighed, and focused on Daphne first.

"I am sorry Daphne, but I must ask. Have you any intention of joining the Dark Lord?" I asked, and watched as indignation bubbled in her eyes.

"Linda! " exclaimed she, angered, outraged, shocked. "You know very well with whom my loyalty lays. Where you go, I'll go."

"No questions asked?" I inquired.

"Not one." Responded she, raising her chin in pride. I smiled at her, and turned to Astoria.

"Astoria, dearest cousin, the question is the same, have you any intention of joining the Dark Lord?" I asked, and she stared at me for a while, before saying.

"I-I-I, won't leave your side." Whispered she to me, focusing on her hands in her lap. "I believe in you Linda."

I gave her a smile as well, before mentally forcing myself to turn to Zabini, who was observing Astoria, without that awful smile on his face.

I simply stared at him for a moment, before he ever so slowly turned to face me, the smile once more pulling his lips up. "Oh, is it my turn Rose? Ask away."

He indicated with his hand, but as I opened my mouth to speak, he saw it fit to interrupt me.

"But you won't believe a word I say, will you Rose?" he spoke, his eyes full of malice, provoking murderous rage in my chest "I'm not to be trusted am I Rose? Nothing I do can change that stubborn mind of yours."

"Then why try?" I sneered at him "Why subject yourself to such a torturous experience?"

"I must be a masochist Rose. Or… well, there is another word for it, I wonder if you could suffer saying it?" mocked he and then pointed to his chest. "It has to do with the heart, and I'll even give you another clue, it starts with l. Can you guess the word Rosey?"

If he was saying what I thought he was saying and judging by the wide eyes of my cousins, he was, I was going to smite him. How dared he mock me so?

"Stop mucking about Zabini!" I hissed at him and he produced a mocking sort of snort in my direction "I have no time for such foolishness! Are you, or are you not going to join the Dark Lord?"

He let out another rumbling laugh at that, and I was moments away from reaching for my wand.

"Blaise." Called Daphne, "Remember what I told you!"

Yet, her words were in vain, for the boy paid her no mind.

"The Dark Lord?" laughed he, his eyes once more meeting mine "Why ever would I do so Rosey? I already suffer at the hands of a Queen, why seek another tyrant? I would be truly mad to do so."

"I am not sure that was a no Zabini!" I hissed at him, feeling Serpen nudge my hand with his head.

"No Rosey? " smirked he, "That was a no. As much as I wish it so, I cannot bear to leave your side, just as young Astoria here. I must be insane."

I gave him a death glare at that, but settled for only that, focusing my attention on the desk, on which I placed three bracelets. I observed them for a moment, their thin silver chain sporting a small metal plate, just like the one I had around my own wrist. There were no words on them, and they had been enchanted by me personally. I could allow for no mistakes.

A heartbeat, and I flicked my wrist, having the three bracelets move towards the end of the table, stopping in front of their three recipients.

"These bracelets are a token. " I spoke, still observing them. "War is upon us. There will be violence. There will be death. And you must know, by associating yourselves with me, by not taking the Dark Mark, by not choosing Him… you place yourselves in danger…. Mortal danger."

I glanced at Astoria at that moment, and noticed that she had turned deathly pale at my words. Her hand gripped that of her sister tightly, to the point of pain.

"Yet there is a way out. As you are aware, I am a skilled dueller, and tonight, I offer you my knowledge, my skill and my mentorship. If you take my offer, I can guarantee that you will survive. But know this, if you accept, you promise me loyalty, and I am afraid that loyalty is for life. Think about the stakes here, think about what you wish to do." I spoke, and allowed them a moment in silence.

I stroked Serpen's head silently and noticed a hand reaching for the bracelet.

I looked up to see that it was Daphne and I spoke up. "No."

She seemed startled at that, and I elaborated. "You have to swear first- Daphne Greengrass, do you swear to abide my words, to receive my training and stand by my side against those who seek to destroy our peace, literally and otherwise?"

She stopped for a moment, and then she took the bracelet and placed it around her wrist.

I looked up to meet her eyes and hear her say: "My loyalty to you has always been strong, Linda, I swear."

The bracelet shone a faint purple light, and Daphne seemed surprised.

"Thank you cousin" I said, and gave her a small smile, which she returned.

A minute passed, two, three. I was beginning to be a bit worried because Astoria would not look up, and her hands had not stopped shaking since her sister had sworn.

"Linda." Spoke she finally, still staring at the floor.

"Yes Tori?" I asked, and she reached forward suddenly, violently, and clasped the bracelet around her wrist.

"I swear!" she exclaimed "I-I-I know you won't l-let me die."

I observed the faint purple light that shone on her wrist, and then focused my eyes on her.

She was staring back, her gaze seeming to be able to penetrate every wall I had put up so carefully, seeing into my very soul. Whatever she saw there, it made her swear, and I was infinitely relieved that she had done so.

"Tori.." I spoke, giving her another small smile "on my life, you will make it out of this war alive. Both of you will."

I glanced at Daphne at that, who seemed to read well into my unspoken words.

"So will you!" exclaimed she, and I knew all eyes were on me.

"Of course." I replied, and I knew well, as did they, that I was lying. But before they could call me out on it, I turned to the last person in the room, who was observing me with his keen eyes, seemingly looking for something.

I remained silent, and so did he, engaging in a staring contest.

"Well?" I snapped after a while, unable to stand the silence for a moment more.

Serpen hissed once more, a warning to me to keep my anger in check. Apparently, I was losing control.

"Yes Rose?" asked the boy, making me wish to hex that sardonic smile off his accursed lips.

"Are you trying to test my patience Zabini?" I hissed at him, my hand curling into a fist.

"Why ever would I test you Rosey?" smiled he , indicating with his hand "I already know how impatient you can get."

He stopped there, sighing dramatically "You get ever so violent Rosey."

"Shall I be violent then Zabini?" and he laughed once more, this time managing to sound more angry in that sound than he would have had he chosen to yell.

"Linda…" whispered Astoria, but I paid her no mind.

"Why Rose, give it your best shot." Smirked he, "I hardly believe there is anything more you could do that could surprise me. Well," smirked he, licking his lips once in a rather suggestive manner "I'm lying. There are a couple of things that come to mind."

I was going to butcher him, by Merlin I was.

"Are you going to swear? I don't have the whole day Zab-" I snapped, but got interrupted once more as the boy jumped forward in his seat, the smile gone from his lips, his hands gripping the arms of his chair tightly in his effort to restrain himself.

"Blaise!" hissed he in that awful tone of his "My name is Blaise!"

There was silence for a moment and I stood up, focusing on my cousins.

"Daphne, Astoria, please leave the room. I need to talk to your classmate." I said, and then turned to him, responding in the same manner "alone."

The girls looked worried, possibly because both of us looked like we were going to rip each other's throats out.

"Linda I don't think…" spoke Daphne, but Tori was already on her feet, knowing this tone.

"Don't think." I hissed at her, and then wished to slap myself for using that tone, my eyes still focused on the boy that was staring at me with such ferocious emotions.

"Daphne." I spoke, and turned to her, noticing that she was slightly hurt by my words "I'll lose control, please , just go."

"Come along sis." Spoke Tori, this time taking the lead and grasping her sister's hand. "Give them time to talk."
Daphne stood up, looking worried still, and turned her eyes away from me, to where I knew the boy sat. "Blaise, please don't."

There was silence for a moment, and she sighed, turning and leaving with her head lowered, as if she carried a great burden.

I waited for the doors to close, and then pulled out my wand.

"Ah, here we are." Spoke the boy and I focused on the wood of the doors, waving my wand and casting wordless spells, concealing our words.

I closed my eyes for a moment after completing the task and turned to see that Blaise was-stripping.

He unbuttoned his shirt and was in the process of taking it off.

"What in the name of Merlin are you doing?" I hissed at him, fighting a losing battle with my eyes who kept wondering to his chest.

"Which curse will it be this time?" asked he, having discarded his shirt, making a step towards me. " The Cruciatus curse? The Skin boiling curse? The Affligo Charm? "

He stepped forward with every curse he counted, and I mirrored his movements with steps backwards.

"You are ever so creative Rose, I just thought I'd make it easier for you." Spoke he and pointed to his chest, right to the middle of it. "My heart is here Rose. Fire away."

"Don't be ridiculous Zabini!" I hissed at him, focusing on his face and watching it morph in furry.

"Do you call him by his name Rose?" asked he, making a step forward. "Or is he Malfoy too?"

My lips pulled up in a sneer and I turned on my heel, marched up to the desk and snatched the bracelet.

I spun on my heel and returned to stand in front of him, holding the bloody thing out for him to take.

"Are you going to swear?" I hissed at him, but he stepped forward, ignoring my words.

"Did he?" asked he, and made another step, so that I had to pull my hand back to avoid touching him. He noticed this and laughed once more.

"Swear Zabini!" I hissed at him, now finding him much too close to me.

"Why Rose?" asked he, "Why must I swear?"

"Swear!" I hissed in reply, my mind going blank.

"Tell me Rose" spoke he and I had the distinct urge to run, as fast and as far as I could from him, from this accursed war, from life itself. "is it really just the Slytherin house? Is it not him whom you are trying to save? Are we all just tools? Means to an end?"

"You have no right to question me!" I snapped.

He let out a rumbling laugh and I could see his chest shake with the movement .

"Haven't I? Say Rose, do the rules apply to him too?" asked he, and reached forward, taking a hold of my arm and pulling me forward so that I stumbled, crashing into his chest. "Would you like him to be in my place now?"

He was cross, but I was murderous.

I took a step back, but allowed his hand to remain there, not minding it in the least in my rage.
"That's rich coming from you!" I hissed back "tell me, which of your whores did you share a bed with tonight?"

"There's only one girl I'd like to see in my bed Rose." Sneered he, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "I don't have a need for any other. You can guess who I am talking about."

"Poor girl, whoever she is." I sneered right back, "I can't imagine a worse misfortune."

"Really?" asked he, "I hear Draco isn't as good in bed as I am, I'd reconsider my choice if I were you."

"I did not choose Draco!" I said, feeling ridiculous for having the need to explain myself to him "Nor would I ever choose you!"

"How close of a cousin is he?" snarled the boy "Second generation? Third? Fourth? Say, would it be like sleeping with your brother?"

I was going to kill him.

"I don't know, why don't you ask your mother, I hear her fourth marriage was to a second cousin!" I snapped at him and he pulled me closer, leaning forward so that he was in my face, anger shining in his eyes.

"You crossed the line there Rose." Snarled he, and I felt his breath on my nose.

"Me?" I snapped "You have been nothing but obnoxious to me this night Zabini, what in the name of Merlin is your problem?"

A moment of silence, and he leaned forward, making my chest constrict and my breath come out in irregular bursts. His nose was pressed against mine , and his lips were an inch from mine.

"I'm jealous Rose." Snarled he, closing his eyes and wrinkling his forehead "I am fucking jealous of him. And you… you shiver in fright if I get this close, even if you know, you bloody well know, that I'd rather bite off my hand than hurt you!"

Now that he mentioned it, I noticed that I was shivering, as if I were cold, but I was sure that this reaction had nothing to do with cold or fear.

"Rose…" whispered he, and pressed his forehead against mine.
A heartbeat, and one more, and for once, I wanted him to stop teasing me and fulfil the threat in his actions.

"Did he kiss you?"

One question, one simple question that had my mind go blank.

I had no conscious thought when I stepped back from him, forgot that I had a wand in my sleeve, and had my hand shoot up out of its own accord, my open palm meeting his face with a loud slapping noise.

The impact hurt, and the pain sobered me up.

I turned on my heel, not looking at him, and stormed out of the room, past a confused Astoria and a frightened Daphne.