Xaden and Violet had first lesson Transfiguration on Monday. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors were rarely paired together, but when they were, he was thrilled. He knew that they had announced Umbridge's position in the school – she was the new D.A.D.A. professor and what a fucking joke. Xaden didn't think that pink toad would be able to teach them anything useful, especially since she wasn't allowing them to use their wands. Yeah, he had already heard the rumors.

He glanced at Violet out of the corner of his eye. She was favoring her right side, and he briefly wondered if she had had to wrap her left knee again. It wouldn't be the first time. He caught McGonagall staring at him, glaring really, and he turned back to the pig he was trying to silence. He didn't know what on earth he was doing but a quick look around the classroom told him no one else did, either. "Silenco!" Xaden jabbed his wand into the pig and it gave an almighty squeal, running away from him. Rotten luck, mate. He sympathized with the pig.

McGonagall called them to silence about five minutes before the bell was due to ring. "I shouldn't have to tell you that you all need to be on your best behavior for Dolores Umbridge." Her nostrils flared, eyes becoming slits, and Xaden knew she was not happy about the new development in staff than any of the students were. "It looks bad on Hogwarts if the Ministry of Magic doesn't see us at our best. That said, do well to remember you have your own futures to think about too. Your O.W.L.s are quickly approaching; study hard and make yourselves proud."

With that, the bell rang, dismissing them, and Xaden stood to his feet quickly. He shoved his books into his bag haphazardly, determined to talk to Violet if only for a moment. He rushed out of the room after her, catching up to her in the corridor. "Violet!"

From her stiff posture and glare she sent him; he knew she was annoyed. He snickered, controlling his facial expressions after a moment. "What do you want, Riorson?"

"Are you trying out for Quidditch this year?" Xaden asked, keeping his fingers crossed that she wouldn't. He played on his house team and he played brutally at that. He's been known to send opponents to the Hospital Wing a time or two before, and Madam Hooch has thrown him out of matches when his temper got the best of him. He didn't want Violet to see that.

She laughed. "Me? On the Quidditch team? Do you think I have a death wish?"

No. What an odd thing to say. "No?"

Violet snorted, turning to her best friend, Rhiannon, who stood next to them. "Rhi is captain of the Ravenclaw team. But you should know that; you broke her nose last year."

It did look a little crooked now that Xaden looked at it closer. He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry about that, Rhiannon."

"If I remember correctly, we still won that match," Rhiannon replied, shrugging a shoulder indifferently. Xaden chuckled. They had beat them. Wiped the floor with them, despite Xaden's nose breaking attributes.

"You guys did," he conceded. Just then some guy walked up to them – a guy Xaden felt like he should know his name but didn't. Peter. Charles. Xavier.

"What's up, Ridoc?" Violet asked. Wasn't even close.

"Hey, Vi, Rhi." Ridoc said. He turned to look at Xaden, hostility rolling off him in waves. "Are you supposed to be caught dead slumming it with the lowly Ravenclaws, Serpent Prince?"

Woah. Talk about a major attitude problem. And Xaden didn't even know the guy! He supposed the Slytherin's proceeded their reputation but he didn't think he was hated that badly. Principal of the matter. "Uh. Do I know you?"

Ridoc rolled his eyes, looking at Violet. "Are you ready to go?"

Xaden's ears perked up. Go? Go where? He didn't know what Ridoc was referring to. Did these two have a date or something?

"Yeah, I could use thirty minutes practicing in the library," Violet agreed. So it was a study lesson. That's all it was. He tried to push the white-hot jealousy down that rose up the back of his throat like bile. He didn't know why he was so bothered with Violet hanging out with another guy. Except, he did. He was a possessive asshole, and he wanted to be the one to make Violet smile.

"Wait!" Xaden blurted, causing Violet to look back up at him. Shit fuck, abort. He now had to think of an excuse as to why he stopped her from leaving with Ridick. He sighed. "Can we have a minute?" He looked pointedly at Ridick and Rhiannon. Rhiannon was much quicker on the upkeep and dragged Ridoc away from them. He turned to look back at Violet. "I know I've given you no reason to trust me."

"None," Violet agreed with a light smile.

At least she wasn't glaring. He took that as a win. "Can you – I mean are – are you willing to help me? Study?"

She stared at him. "Xaden Riorson asking for help? Has the world gone mental?"

"I mean it, Violet," he smiled, lowering his voice an octave. "I really need to pass these exams, and next to Hermione and Malfoy, you're the smartest."

"And you don't want to ask Malfoy because…?" Violet trailed off.

Xaden sighed. "He's an arrogant dick that I'd much prefer avoiding until on the Quidditch Pitch."

Violet laughed out loud in surprise, tucking her hair behind her ear. He was mesmerized with the silvertip as he always was. "Okay, meet me in the library tonight after dinner. We can study together a few hours each night. But won't this ruin your reputation? To be seen with a Ravenclaw?"

"Honestly, Violet," he blatantly ignored the shiver that ran down his spine when her name was in his mouth. "I have no reputation. I'll see you tonight."

With a boyish wink sent her way, Xaden was walking off, on top of the world.