A/N I am very aware that the potions incident happened after the ferret incident. But if you noticed, I purposely left out the dialogue from Malfoy about Moody so that I could put this scene in here. I don't think this will mess up my plot concerning Reece but if it does then oops.

Chapter 34

"Mister Lestrange. Miss Greengrass." Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher, stood before the two with a less than pleasant expression. "You'll be serving your detention with me tonight." She said sharply to the two. "Now I don't care what you've done to get yourselves in this predicament-"

"She's a charmer." Reece muttered under his breath. Professor Vector's speech immediately halted and she glared down at the boy sternly – her eyes resembling those of an owl's as she pursed her thin lips in annoyance.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, Mister Lestrange." Vector said as she opened the door to her classroom, beckoning for the two to follow her as she entered. "You'll be writing lines," She told them as they took a seat at the two desks near to her own. "One hundred times, I must focus in class. You may begin." Reece picked up the supplied quill, lazily dunking it into the ink before scribbling the line with little to no effort. He began writing it for a second time, glancing across at Daphne as she wrote the lines quickly in attempt to get the detention over and done with. As Reece went back to writing the lines Vector rose from her seat, swiftly exiting the classroom without a word and slamming the door forcefully behind her.

"She's a piece of work." Reece chuckled while dropping the quill in his ink. Daphne frowned at him for a moment, something clearly on her mind as she continued to write the words neatly. "Right that's it," He said with a huff, leaning to his right and pulling the quill out of her hands. "We're going to talk. I don't care that we're in detention, we're going to bloody talk." Daphne opened her mouth to object, the obvious irritation in her eyes faltering momentarily once she saw the serious expression on his face.

"Stop it Reece." Daphne hissed. She reached for her quill, only to sigh in defeat when Reece held it further away from her. "Seriously." She whined, attempting to grab her quill again only to almost fall out of her chair as Reece leaned back, holding it even further away from her. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"

"You know exactly what I want to talk about." She couldn't play the oblivious card now. He wouldn't let her. "Tell me why you were being all quiet on the train. And why you said you'd tell me later in the hall." Reece said as he watched her bite her lip in thought.

"Where did you go?" Daphne questioned softly, tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear nervously as she awaited his reaction. "You went somewhere, at the end of the holidays, where?"

"How do you know about that?" Reece asked tensely in reply, his mood changing within seconds as he placed her quill back on her desk.

"My family got a letter." She answered. "Lucky for you Astoria and I got to it before my parents. It was from your guardian Reece, and he said that you'd left without telling him and that he was worried about your whereabouts."

"That's all he said?"

"Mr Yaxley said that he was just wondering if you were with us, and because it was me and Astoria we covered for you and said that you were at our family home. My parents don't know that we even got a letter, and we lied for you Reece. So you owe me an explanation."

"Yaxley's always been a manipulator, he was a Slytherin after all." Reece growled, running his hands through his hair and making it all messy unintentionally. "He knows why I left. It was his fucking fault anyway." He hoped she'd accept the story. But she wanted to know more. "Look we were arguing, a lot. Like we'd always be snapping at each other and it all just exploded one day and that's why I left until school started."

"He didn't put that in the letter-"

"Yeah and he didn't mention his use of an unforgiveable either."

Silence. The tension was suffocating. And the look on Daphne's face said it all. It was a sheer look of sympathy and Reece didn't want it. He was done with what had happened over the summer, and he felt a lot better now that Fleur was here. Yes he still thought about it sometimes. But it wasn't as if he wanted to dwell on it when he could be comforting Granger and hanging around with Malfoy.

"Reece I didn't know." Daphne said quietly.

"Well I didn't want anyone to." Reece answered stiffly. "So now you know, I'd appreciate it if no one else found out." She understood the hint clearly, nodding her head slowly and purposely avoiding looking him in the eye.

"You have a knack for disappearing," Daphne attempted a joke. "I haven't seen you all day – not since outside potions."

"What did people say about me once I left?" He asked, moving the conversation on.

"Not much really. I mean, I think everyone was just shocked." As she spoke Reece sat back in his chair, kicking his feet up on the desk so that his Italian leathers were atop of his parchment. "I know I was shocked," Daphne continued. "To be honest I still am, Reece. Doing that was suicide; even if you had a valid reason for it, Malfoy was still fuming."

"I couldn't stand and do nothing." Reece argued calmly. "Like come on, Snape's supposed to be the teacher and all he did was say something to make her feel worse. I'd expect a comment like that from Pansy, not from a professor. You get what I mean?"

"But it was Granger." Daphne said, her tone laced with casual distaste. "And if she was a halfblood I wouldn't be saying this to you now but; you know she's a mudblood, and I don't know what your end goal is with her but trust me no ending will be a good one."

"Humour me for a moment," He forced a chuckle upon seeing her knitted brows. "What if I had no end goal?" There were endless seconds of thoughtful silence before she answered and Reece wasn't surprised.

"If you have no end goal then – well you're crazy because that knight in shining armour act outside potions was the perfect set up to get something from her…" Daphne's eyes suddenly widened in realisation. "What is it?" Reece frowned in confusion for a brief moment. "What is it that you want from her?"

"She's the key to everything Daphne, don't you see?" Reece replied giddily. "Out of all the Gryffindors her opinion is the opinion I can change. And if I can change her opinion then it'll create a rift between her and Potty and Weasel." He said, covering up his true intentions with some logical goals. "Those two would be fucked without her brilliance Daph-"

"Brilliance?" She questioned in a somewhat knowing tone. "I believe the last part but the rest of it – don't talk to me like I'm stupid. You may be a manipulator Reece but there's no reason for that plan to make her fall out with Potter and Weasley." She paused for a second, observing Reece's flat expression. To her it seemed suspicious. "Well there is one reason I could think of, and it's a bit of a longshot,"

"Oh yeah, and what would it be?" Reece asked. His voice was the epitome of amusement and she just wanted to wipe that smug look off of his face.

"You want her to yourself." Daphne stated bluntly. Reece flinched due to the weight her words carried, but before she could say anything else he began to laugh. It was a forced laugh; one of fear as he considered telling his friend the truth before she found out herself. He was too scared to tell Daphne, believe it or not. She was by far one of the nicest Slytherins but she was still judgemental.

"I see a girl in distress and I act like a gentleman Daph, you're overanalysing this majorly." Reece chuckled as he removed his feet from the desk and picked up his quill. "That whole theory I told you about changing her opinion is bullshit. I don't care about the mudblood." The amount of lies he had told Daphne about his guilty pleasure was sickening. The blonde was one of his closest friends, and all he did was confuse her and chat shit. It didn't matter what he said. Because Reece still cared about Granger more than he cared about himself, and that fact alone gave him doubts about ever telling someone other than Fleur about his feelings for the Gryffindor. Maybe the sorting hat did place him in the wrong house after all. "I was just fucking with you. I helped her like I would help any other girl, and if she owes me a favour now, then I'll gladly cash in."

"You're so confusing." Daphne sighed, picking up her quill and dipping it in the ink. "But you meant to confuse me, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

Reece was seated tightly among the Slytherins attempting to enjoy his dinner when Fleur approached the table, telling him to follow her outside. He had complained, saying that he really wanted to finish his beef, but Fleur wouldn't have any of it and once she glared he gave up.

"The first task," Fleur began, looking over her shoulder to make sure that they were not being followed by anyone nosey. "Eets," She swallowed thickly and it was clear to Reece that she was extremely panicked. "Dragons."

"You're fucking joking." He blurted out accidently; making Fleur quickly shush him and swat the back of his head for his language. "Sorry. That's just – rather unexpected. You got any ideas on how to take one on?"

"Madam Maxime 'as given me a few 'ints, but am freaking out Reece." She said, shivering as the cold breeze penetrated her blue uniform effortlessly. Upon seeing her teeth chatter due to the cold, Reece shrugged off his robes and draped them older her shoulders. Fleur smiled gratefully, pulling the robes over her shoulders tightly and holding onto them as Reece shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. "What eef one burns me? Eet could kill me."

"You won't die Fleur. You're a brave witch, and I know this is the nerves talking to me right now, because deep down you know that you can overcome anything with that wand."

"I 'zuppose." Fleur replied quietly. "This iz why I wanted to talk to you petit frère, you 'ave a way with words." Reece chuckled. He highly doubted that. "Am not joking. I feel better about this now."

"Well I'm glad I could help." Reece said as he kicked a small stone that was on the path in front of them, sighing as he noticed a scuff appear on the toe of his shoe. "So I've been meaning to ask you something,"

"Ask away."

"Would you be annoyed with me if I said I didn't want to make a move on Danielle?" He questioned.

"I wouldn't be annoyed." Fleur replied after a moment's thought. "I 'ope you don't mind me asking – what 'as changed your mind?"

"I'm too attracted to Granger." Reece muttered, scratching at the skin around his nails anxiously as he continued. "Like Danielle is really, really hot; but it doesn't change my attraction to Granger because I like what's on the inside as well as her looks I guess."

"That's cute, but you are naïve, petit frère," He frowned as she continued. "We are only 'ere for the rest of 'zee year Reece, do you really think Danielle is looking for a relationship?" She smirked, her eyes shining mischievously as she elaborated. "Danielle doesn't want a boyfriend – she just wants a bit of fun."

"You're saying-" Reece stuttered uncharacteristically. "You're saying she just wants a friends with benefits sort of thing?"

"That ees exactly what am saying," Fleur laughed. "And what type of teenage boy would you be eef you passed up this opportunity?" She said as she picked up the pace a little, making a gobsmacked Reece jog to catch up as they continued to walk.

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had worked quickly and suddenly Reece noticed that almost every Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw was wearing a duplicate his and Malfoy's crafted badge. Even some Gryffindors had taken to wearing them, much to Reece's amusement.

And after a brutal roasting in the common room about helping Granger, Reece was let off the hook by Malfoy and was therefore let off the hook by the rest of Malfoy's gang. So now he was standing among them to make sure Malfoy knew that his loyalty remained with the Slytherin house. It was quite relaxed; Draco sat in the tree as Reece conversed with Theodore Nott, both of them brainstorming ideas about how to sneak alcohol onto the Hogwarts grounds. In honesty Reece quite liked Theo. The two had quite a few things in common and he wasn't as insufferable as Crabbe and Goyle. He had always seemed like a decent guy, although they had never been extremely close.

It was all calm, until Draco spotted Potter.

"Why so tense, Potter?" Malfoy taunted from his seat in the tree. Harry rolled his eyes and continued to walk, perhaps hoping that the blonde would relent. He didn't. "My father and I have a bet, you see. I don't think you're gonna last ten minutes in this tournament." Draco paused, jumping down from the tree as Reece and Theo moved to flank Crabbe who seemed to be taking up position behind the arrogant blonde. "He disagrees." Malfoy said, swaggering forward with his squad behind him. "He thinks you won't last five."

"I don't give a damn what your father thinks, Malfoy." Potter shouted, moving forward and getting right in Draco's face. Reece had to refrain from chuckling as it seemed the Hogwarts champion had woken up on the wrong side of bed. "He's vile and cruel." Harry continued as he gave Malfoy a push. "And you're just pathetic." Reece knew it wasn't over, even when Potter began to walk away he knew Malfoy wouldn't let his rival have the final laugh.

"Pathetic?" Draco hissed, reaching into his robes furiously and whipping out his wand. Just as he went to hex Potter in the back, Moody suddenly appeared.

"Oh no you don't, sonny!" The ex-Auror yelled, casting a spell on Malfoy. "I'll teach you to curse someone when their back is turned!" Moody yelled as Draco disappeared completely, leaving a blonde ferret on the floor in his place. Reece snorted as the ferret stood on its back legs before quickly moving away from the scene as Moody limped forward. He wanted nothing to do with the DADA professor – or the ferret for that matter. Noticing Professor McGonagall running over, Reece made himself scarce. He didn't want another detention so soon, not after his previous one with Daphne. Speaking of the devil, Reece smirked to himself when he moved past Daphne and Blaise. The two were seated on a bench hand in hand and he couldn't help but feel happy for the two. It was bloody well time they got together and became official.

"Oi! Lestrange!" Reece slowed his pace slightly as he heard his name called but did not stop walking. All of a sudden Millicent Bulstrode was beside him, breathing heavily as she was out of breath due to the sprinting she had to do to catch up.

"What do you want Bulstrode?" He asked coldly as the large girl beside him caught her breath.

"Well you know I'm kind of with Greg Goyle-" Reece sighed as she began speaking. He didn't know the girl very well and he didn't want to. Millicent was always kind of repulsive, and yes there's always the saying: don't judge a book by its cover, but he honestly didn't want to bother getting to know the girl. "Well he just told me about what you were talking about with Theo Nott, and well, I think I'd be able to help you."

"Do you now?" She had peaked his interest now. Perhaps he shouldn't have sighed so soon. "And what's in it for you?"

"Drinking buddies." She chirped. "Drinking alone can get tiresome I admit, even with firewhisky it still gets a bit boring after a while. Pansy won't get drunk with me even if she'll have a bit, and Daphne won't touch the stuff."

"Why not sit and have a drink with Goyle?" Reece asked in a patronising tone. "Wouldn't you get drunk with him if you're 'kind of with' him?" His attention was suddenly drawn from his current conversation as they walked into the entrance hall because in front of him was Granger, and Ginny Weasley for that matter. He'd never see the two by themselves. Potter, Weasley or both would always be lingering and this was too big of an opportunity to pass up. If only he could make Bulstrode go away or- "You know what Bulstrode I'm in. Whenever you whip the bottles of whatever you've got out, I'll have a drink or five."

"That's great." She said happily, secretly shocked by his sudden attitude change as they neared the two Gryffindors that Reece desperately wanted to speak to. "I'll see you around." And with that she turned and walked back outside, much to Reece's joy. He continued to walk and as there were people around he had to make this look like an accident. The two Gryffindors stood in the hall oblivious, talking to one another in a hushed tone as Reece walked past, purposely bumping into Granger roughly and grabbing the top of her arm in a way that seemed hostile.

"Both of you – Astronomy Tower – ten minutes." He growled into her ear, making the situation look like one of hostility to the fourth year Ravenclaws that were wandering past, observing the scene and muttering to one another. Hermione flinched as he grabbed her arm, and as he spoke she shivered. Ginny eyed the two suspiciously as Reece ran his hand down her arm discreetly, brushing the back of her hand with his before setting off towards the stairs. Hermione remained frozen once he had gone and once she finally regained her composure she shot Ginny a glare. The reason? Ginny was giving her the most cocky, knowing look she had ever seen.

"He fancies you-" The redhead said shortly.

"Don't be absurd Ginny!"

"-and I'll get him to admit it when we see him."