A/N My best friend and I were walking a few weeks ago and were referred to as a 'ginger tribe'. After everything I've heard over the years, that was a new one:') This is kind of a rogue chapter, and I've probably moved everything on too fast but oh well. Enjoy.

English teenager dictionary:

Pull = Snog

Fit = Hot/good looking

Chapter 16

It was nearing the end of summer – and it had been a usual one. Quidditch and reading. The only thing that changed slightly was Reece. Mr Yaxley had at one point described it as the 'couldn't care less teenager stage'. It is known to most of us as the rebellious phase, if you will.

Reece sat at one end of the large, wooden dining table and Yaxley sat opposite. Arrow had just served breakfast, so Reece was digging in to the full English and Yaxley was slowly crunching down on a slice of toast while reading the morning paper that had been delivered.

"Sirius Black?" He asked the former death eater as he eyed the paper. On the front of it was a photo of a man that Reece didn't recognise. It was rare that Yaxley wouldn't tell him who someone was, especially if they had been a former associate. "You never mentioned him." Yaxley folded up the paper and placed it in front of his goblet, sighing in thought as he did so.

"I never mentioned him because I never knew him." He replied mysteriously. "Sirius Black," Yaxley seemed to drawl the name with disgust. "Was not a death eater. Apparently he informed the Dark Lord of Potters whereabouts, but I highly doubt it. That man right there," He pointed down at the paper with a stern index finger. "Is a blood traitor with nothing to show for it." Reece nodded his head in agreement, swallowing a sudden lump in his throat as he did so. He had committed acts that a traitor would commit at Hogwarts, and couldn't help but feel nervous. The hostility that people like Mr Yaxley had towards everyone who wasn't pure put him on edge. "Well enough of that, I should really be at work already. If you'll excuse me." Yaxley rose from his chair slowly, gripping both arms of it tiredly.

Mr Yaxley disappeared by the means of apparition after grabbing his briefcase and Reece slumped into the cushioned chair. He was bored. Bored out of his mind in the house he was in.

"Arrow." Reece called lazily. The resident house elf appeared within an instant and looked up at the boy expectantly. "I'm proper bored, do you mind setting up the floo?"

"Will master Yaxley mind sir?" Arrow questioned cautiously as she moved towards the large fireplace that was attached to the wall behind the seat that was earlier occupied by Yaxley.

"It's the last day before I go to Hogwarts, Arrow. I've got my school supplies and everything but I don't want to spend the day sitting around." Reece whined petulantly as he wriggled in his seat slightly.

"The floo is ready for you sir." She said while approaching him with a small pot full of powder that wouldn't get him dirty. "Are you going straight away or are you going to get changed first?" Reece took the pot of powder out of her hands while standing up; then looked down at his clothes. He was wearing a tight, plain white t-shirt that emphasised his large arms with a plain black leather jacket over it, as well as a pair of washed black jeans and black combat boots. As previously mentioned, rebellious teenage stage.

"Are you trying to say that I don't look good?" Reece teased.

"No, not at all sir." Arrow said sincerely as they both stepped towards the floo. "Do you have any money?" Reece was thankful for the reminder and checked his pockets. He had three galleons on hand – definitely enough for the day.

"Yeah, I've got a few galleons." He replied with taking a large pinch of the powder from the pot. "I'll be back before dinner." With that, Reece handed her the pot and stepped into the fireplace.

Reece strolled casually through Diagon Alley. There were parents and children hustling and bustling everywhere trying to purchase last minute school supplies. One of his favourite things to do during this was get in their way, then apologise politely for the inconvenience caused. But soon even this became boring, and it wasn't even midday. He'd been everywhere, everywhere except The Leaky Cauldron. Reece walked inside suavely, but then wished he hadn't. It seemed that the flaming Weasleys, along with Harry and Hermione had decided to take up residence at the large table. They were all incredibly busy speaking to one another, so Reece kept his head down and managed to slip past them. He sat on the far stool, keeping away from the irritatingly noisy family. Family.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" A voice grunted. Reece stared down at the bar, his head resting in his hand.

"A gin with juniper berries." Reece mumbled quietly. The man frowned and looked at the boy. He didn't look as young as most students in his year, but he still looked a little underage.

"You look a little underage."

"Here's a galleon." Reece hissed as he placed a galleon on the wood he was resting on. "Go get me, Reece Lestrange, what I asked for." Although the bartender was insulted, he actually accepted the bribe and brought the drink over moments later. He stared down at the small cup for a moment, then took it into his free hand and threw it back without hesitation. Reece felt an instant burning sensation in his throat. He had sampled some of Yaxley's drinks, but this stuff didn't even compare. Reece was about to wave the man who served him back over, but was stopped as his attention was drawn towards a beastly ginger cat that scampered past his feet. A few moments later the cat was being pursued. "What possessed you to buy that ghastly thing Granger?" He uttered under his breath.

"Lestrange?" Hermione asked quietly in disbelief. She had now completely forgotten about the cat and was approaching the boy on the barstool. Reece turned his head to the side while swallowing the taste of the alcohol and smirked at her. She leant sideways against the bar and looked down at him. He had improved looks wise over the summer, and she had most certainly become a sight. "What are you doing here?"

"Getting a drink, what does it look like?" Reece retorted. "I'm not even going to ask what you and the ginger tribe are doing here."

"Well there goes my hope of you changing over the summer and becoming a nicer person." Hermione scolded quietly. "You sounded different in your letters."

"Yet you sounded the same." Unknown to everyone, the two had been owling frequently over the summer. They had a lot in common on the academic side of things and were able to talk easily over letters about other things as well. Reece had everything on the line talking to her – and often regretted it after. But while they were conversing, she made him smile, and wasn't afraid to challenge him. He liked it; enjoyed speaking to a mudblood. "Always have to be the smartest, don't you Granger?"

"I like the challenge." She admitted as the cat scurried past once again.

"If I end up with cat hair on my jeans I'm going to be pissed." Reece scowled as it made its way over to the large table.

"I thought you already were." Reece frowned in confusion. "Drunk, that is." She elaborated while glancing at the small cup. "That doesn't look like it had juice or butterbeer in it." The know-it-all tone in her voice was clear as she observed the boy in front of her.

"I've only had one." He mirrored the tone, adding a cheeky grin. Hermione scrunched up her features playfully but her attention was soon elsewhere due to the calling of Ginny Weasley. "She's turning into a right gobby bitch." Reece muttered in annoyance as she smacked his arm lightly.

"One minute Ginny." Hermione said politely as she turned her attention back to Reece. "Do you want some company? It can't be fun sitting here on your own."

"I should probably be off anyways." He sighed, puffing up his cheeks while looking back at the empty cup. "It's not like you'd want them to have a go at you for talking to me." Reece stood up, making sure his back was in the direction of the Weasleys.

"Okay." Hermione said in a tone that sounded slightly disappointed. She began to move away but was stopped by his sudden, impulsive words.

"No hug? C'mon Granger I thought we were closer than this." Reece's statement was oozing confidence and he noticed Hermione blush as she moved some hair away from her face. She stepped forward hesitantly and wrapped her small arms around his neck loosely. He followed, wrapping his arms around her torso lightly and lowering his neck so that his head was hovering above her right shoulder. "If they see my face now, we're both fucked." Reece whispered.

"They'll probably disown me for the day, but I think Mrs Weasley will be out for your blood." Hermione muttered thoughtfully as her grip around his neck tightened slightly without her realising. He laughed off her statement quietly, not wanting to draw attention to their current situation.

"It's like you think that only your friends would target me Granger. If they knew that I was even on speaking terms with you, I'd be labelled a traitor. Even my bloody guardian would kick me out." His chin lowered to rest on her shoulder. Hermione could tell that he was seeking comfort, but she wasn't exactly sure what for. Yes, he had said that it was a risk even talking to her, but was that all? It couldn't be. The arrogant bully Reece Lestrange was never one to show any form of weakness, in front of anyone. So why was he doing this now? Was it the small sum of alcohol?

"Hermione." Reece groaned as he heard the voice of Mrs Weasley calling from not too far away. The people who she surrounded herself with were so frustrating. They wouldn't leave the girl be. They were always there.

"You'd better get back over there." Reece said dejectedly as he reluctantly removed his arms from her midsection. "I'll see you at school." He mumbled as Hermione smiled at him sympathetically. Reece made his way towards a back door, and Hermione made her way back to the table. She was going to have a hard time explaining that one.

He head home straight after, furious with his own actions. It was as if he was possessed whenever he was around her. Ignoring Arrow's welcome, Reece ran up to his room and slammed the door shut behind him. A blood traitor. That's what he was. And this time it wasn't an empty conversation with the pretty mudblood. It was actual physical contact, and Reece liked it. There was just something enticing about her soft, caring expression. Something attractive about the fire that often appeared in her eyes during confrontations with Malfoy and the Slytherins. Wait, pretty? Enticing, attractive? Well shit. He didn't. He couldn't. Reece gripped his now messy hair roughly and tugged it in frustration. But he did.

He fancied the Gryffindor mudblood.

After arriving at the platform on his own, Reece ended up in a compartment with Daphne and Pansy. Throughout the journey the two girls repeatedly complained about the weather, as well as boys. Reece grumbled excuses during their rants, but eventually he left them to discussing Pansy and Draco. She was still after him, and Daphne was trying her best to give her tips.

"Maybe not be overly forward with him." Daphne suggested, treading lightly on egg shells. "He comes across a little reserved when it comes to girls, if you get what I mean."

"He's a complete nob-head." Reece said suddenly. Both of them turned to look at him in shock as this was one of the first times he had spoken during the journey. "Honestly, you could do a lot better Pansy."

"Well he's the best I can do Slytherin-wise." Pansy snapped in annoyance. "It's not like anyone in any of the other houses will look twice at someone in green." Her tone softened slightly as she spoke this time. For a split second he felt a rope of disappointment tug at his heart. She'd never look at him.

"So you wouldn't go for me?" Reece asked with mock hurt. He stuck out his bottom lip, his brown eyes looking at the two girls across from him. Both of them shrugged. "Alright, fine. But I will accept the challenge."

"No one's issued a challenge." Pansy frowned as she went back over her words in her head. "Oh. You really think you could get someone that isn't in Slytherin to look twice at you?" Daphne snorted in a not so ladylike manner as Pansy grinned mischievously. "If you can pull a girl from another house by the end of the year, I owe you two galleons." Reece was about to accept the terms but she continued before he could do so. "But. If you can't, you have to pull Millicent Bulstrode on the last day." His eyes opened wide in horror as she outstretched her hand. Snog that disgusting creature? Then again, he was a Quidditch player. He was smart. And he was fit. Reece smirked and shook her hand softly.

"I accept the bet. Now be honest," The tone change was obvious as his playful expression disappeared within an instant. "Am I really that bad? You two treat me like I'm your brother or something."

"No." Daphne cut in as Pansy opened her mouth to say something. "It's just Pansy likes Draco and I like…" She trailed off, not wanting to admit who she fancied. The two smirked at her knowingly and the blonde eventually gave in. "I may have a small crush on Zabini." Reece nodded casually, dropping the conversation. But Pansy began to squeal in excitement and that was when he completely zoned out and left the two to talk about boys again.