#*twelve

You were at the Quidditch World Cup because your parents were going and you had no intentions of staying at home. You were supporting Ireland because your great-great-grandmother was Irish. You saw Draco and his father in the distance, and smiled to yourself, Draco was a huge Quidditch fan, being Seeker of the Slytherin team and all, as were you, being the one of the chasers. You also met up with Molly and Emma, their parents both loved Quidditch. Afterwards, when the Death Eaters started rallying, your father immediately port-keyed you and your mother home, where you stayed up all night, worried about everyone else, cuddling Tundra to your chest.

---

You, Molly, and Emma rode together on the Hogwarts Express. Mary Beth was sitting with another Ravenclaw, Cho Chang. You hated Cho from the moment you met her. She was stuck up and you couldn't believe Mary Beth was friends with her. When you reached Hogsmeade you all clambered into the nearest carriage you could find, which was completely empty except for a girl with long, pale-blonde hair and a Butterbeer-cap necklace wearing Ravenclaw robes. Oh, and she was reading a magazine upside down.

"Hello Luna." Says Molly cheerfully as she climbs into the carriage. Luna nods her head; her eyes had a daydream-y look in them.

"Hello Molly, Emma. Who are you?" her voice has the same misty far-away quality as her eyes.

"I'm F/N. F/N L/N." you nod your head politely.

"Oh, I've heard much about you. Your mother was friends with mine, she was in Ravenclaw." Luna turns a page in her magazine, The Quibbler.

Que awkward silence.

"I was almost in Ravenclaw." You say, at a desperate attempt to break the awkward silence.

Luna looks up, and her pale eyes seem to stare right through you. "You would have made a good Ravenclaw, I think." The carriage stops in front of the entrance to the school and you clamber out, Molly and Emma following.

"Luna is a good friend of mine," says Molly, "We should have lunch sometime, and I think you'd really like her."

"I do!" you say surprised, as you follow the throng of people into the great hall.

"Okay, see you tomorrow!" Molly calls over the sea of people as she makes her way to the Hufflepuff table. 

You see Emma sit down at the Gryffindor table as you take your seat at an empty spot at your table. The Ravenclaw table is next to the Slytherin table, and it just so ends up that you and Luna are sitting across from each other. During dinner you strike up a conversation, and in no time at all you were good friends.

---

In Care of Magical Creatures Class with the Gryffindors was your first class back from Summer Holiday, and you would be going down to visit the Merpeople. You each had water-proofed English to Mermish dictionaries that you would be using to try to communicate with them. So on Monday morning all the Slytherins and Gryffindors in your year gathered in swimsuits hidden under their cloaks around the lake. When Hagrid had finished explaining the task every one neared the water's edge and began taking off their cloaks. You were slipping your cloak off when you hear "Oooh, sexy!" and turn around to see Malfoy grinning at you as Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle howled with laughter.

"Why you little..." You mutter as you stormed over to him, pulling your wand out as you went. "What did you just say?" You press your wand to his throat.

"Um," Draco gulped.

"That's what I thought." You wave your wand, and your jinx hits him square in the stomach, and he falls into the water, still fully dressed. Affligo, your favorite payback curse. You laughed with Emma at the furious expression on his face, and besides that he looked ridiculous, still fully dressed and dripping wet.

---

When Professor Moody turned Draco into a ferret you knew he deserved it. When he was eventually turned into his normal self, you confronted him while you led him away from the other students that were laughing at him. Luckily he wasn't injured, only his ego. When Professor Moody started to teach you about the three Unforgivable Curses, you couldn't help but be fascinated as well as horrified. The Curses were bad, but they were a very powerful form of magic. You wanted to learn about them and how to resist them, but you didn't want to perform them.

---

You cheered as the Triwizard Champions were selected but when Harry Potter was selected, you and the other Slytherins stayed quiet. What the hell was Potter playing at now? Throughout the year you were very interested in the Tournament. However, when Harry appeared in the final challenge with Cedric's dead body, you thought you were going to be sick.

---

You and Mary Beth had gotten into a pretty bad row, and ever since she'd been giving you the cold shoulder. Not that you cared. She had plenty of stuck-up Ravenclaw friends anyway. Like that Cho Chang. If you didn't like her before you hated her now. She was so snobby and always acted like she was smarter than everyone else. Plus, her boyfriend was Harry Potter. He'd been a jerk to you since you were a Slytherin, so you figured they were made for each other.

---

"I'd love to go down to Hagrid's with you, but I have detention tonight." You reply. Ever since Hermione had given you a copy of her History of Magic notes (You had fallen asleep that class, you usually took your own notes.) you two had become friends.

"That's okay, I was just wondering. He wanted us to help him with the Blast-Ended Skewerts." She says with a smile and walks away. You had detention because you hexed Millicent Bulstrode because she told Seamus he had ears like an Elf's, to which you took personal offense. Of course Professor Snape saw and landed you in detention straight away.

---

So at seven o'clock that night you showed up in Snape's office, only to find it empty of anyone but Malfoy. "

What are you doing here?" you frown at him.

"I am in detention, why are you here?" he sneers.

"You're in detention too? Great. Just what I need. A night of detention with a self-gratified brat." You growl back.

"What did you just call me?" he roars, outraged. Just then a small paper airplane floats magically into the room and unfolds itself in front of you. Insults forgotten Draco plucks the paper out of the air and starts to read. "'Mr. Malfoy and Miss L/N, I am in the Headmaster's office under an urgent meeting, and will be back soon. However, if I am to return and find either of you missing he or she will suffer rather unpleasant consequences. –Professor Snape P.S. If one of you has in any way injured the other severe consequences will be afflicted.' Huh. I guess he doesn't want us tearing at each other's throats, then, eh?" he laughs.

"I suppose then we should sit down and wait for him." You reply coldly, gesturing to the two chairs sitting in front of Snape's desk. You sit down, remembering the only other time you had been in detention, in which unfortunately, you were also accompanied by Malfoy. In a short while's time Professor Snape came in, dragging another student by the ear.

"Miss Hawkinson foolishly set off a Dungbomb right under my nose as I was leaving Professor Dumbledore's office and will now be joining you for detention as well as loosing twenty points from Gryffindor." 

Malfoy looked positively elated, and you roll your eyes as you watch Emma wrench herself from Snape's grasp, rubbing her ear and glaring up at him. You resist the urge to laugh; Emma's outgoing, adventure-seeking, prank-pulling personality landed her in trouble often. Well at least you wouldn't have to do detention with only Draco for company. 

Snape conjured another chair and pointed to it. "Sit." He commanded. Emma sat, she knew better than to cross him. "Tonight you all will be going through the Potion's store cupboard and sorting out all the moldy, outdated, or mangled ingredients from the healthy ones." Snape smiled menacingly. "The amount of time this task takes is up to you, though I expect it done before morning. I have business to attend to tonight, so I will be leaving you shortly. If I hear tell of any mishaps you will all sorely regret it, whether you were or were not involved, do I make myself clear?" Three heads bobbed up in down in unison. "Well what are you waiting for, an invitation? Go!" Snape snapped.

The three of you hurried to the cupboard and began taking jars off the shelf at random, checking to see which ingredients were still good and which were bad. This continued for several hours, and when you were finished you all helped put them back in order on the shelves. During the task neither you nor Draco spoke, but Emma talked enough for the both of you, and when inquired of you nodded your head or added the occasional "M-hm." When the detention was finished it was eleven thirty-four, and all of you were very tired. Emma bid the both of you goodnight, turning to head for the Gryffindor common room, while you and Malfoy started the familiar path down to the dungeons.

"I can't believe you are friends with that Hawkinson girl, she's a Gryffindor!" Draco exclaims suddenly.

"I don't see why not. She's smart, loyal, friendly, and she doesn't care that I'm a Slytherin. Really Draco, you should take a leaf out of her book sometime."

"What do you mean? I've got friends, and am I a stinking Gryffindor? No."

"You mean Crabbe and Goyle?" you scoff. "They're too stupid to know any better. And Pansy is just madly in love with you." You had reached the flat stretch of wall that hid the Slytherin common room. "Nolunt male inimicus cogites." You say and the wall slides apart like the one in Diagon Alley. "Draco, I think you should take those words to heart."

"What words?"

"Our password you birdbrain, 'Nolunt male inimicus cogites'. It's Latin for 'Do not wish ill on your enemies, plan it.'" You say as you walk towards the girls' dormitories with a toss of your H/C hair.

---

You were diligently taking notes during Potions when a small piece of paper folded like a bird fluttered onto your notebook, nearly knocking over your inkpot. Luckily, Snape was too busy writing on the board to notice. You quickly slipped the paper bird under the desk and unfolded it. Meet me by the tree next to the Lake after Quidditch practice. –D.M.  D.M. stood for Draco Malfoy, that much was obvious. But why he wanted to meet you was a little bit more of a mystery.

So after dinner you made your way out to the tree you sat under almost every day to do your homework. The soft, cool fall breeze rustled your H/L H/C hair as you walked. Red and gold leaves fluttered down around you as you stood beneath the tree, staring out over the lake. A rustling noise from behind tempts you to turn around, and you oblige. Malfoy slides down from a branch and you roll your eyes.

"Okay, I'm here, what do you want?" He smirks mischievously before replying.

"Go to the Yule Ball with me." He takes a step closer to you.

"And what happens if I refuse?" you smirk and step back.

"You," he said smoothly, "Can't say no." He's so close now you can smell him, sandalwood, spruce, vanilla, and hint of peppermint from his breath.

"Yeah, alright I'll go with you." You take a step back and turn to leave. "Hey, Y/N, wait." You can hear his footfalls on the ground behind you and you turn around to face him. He leans in again, all to close for comfort, when none other than Pansy Parkinson storms up behind him. You laugh and take a step back as Pansy grabs him by the shoulders and spins him around.

"Don't you have something you want to ask me?" she asks in a sugary, syrupy voice that was so sweet and thick you could have poured in on waffles. "Uh," Draco looks bemused. "Something about the ball?" She prompts. At that point you turned back to the school. You couldn't wait to hear how that conversation turned out. As you dressed for bed you wondered why Malfoy hadn't asked Pansy. He had told you he thought she was pretty, and you had on many occasions set Pansy up with him for her. Mainly to keep her off your back, but still. They would have made a cute couple, you think as you curl up under the covers. Pansy wasn't back yet, and you were glad you weren't in Draco's shoes when he had to tell her that he had asked someone else.

---

You had been astonished when Draco asked you to be his date to the Yule Ball; you hadn't planned on going, but you had accepted, flattered at his offer. You wore a sleeveless black dress with a coiled silver snake necklace Draco had given you. Everything was lovely, and you two had so much fun, until Draco told you that he had only asked you because he wanted to get rid of Pansy, and that confession certainly left a damper on the mood. You left early, claiming that you were really tired, and went to your dorm room.

After you had changed out of your dress you headed back to the Common Room and you collapsed into an armchair by the fireplace, staring into the flickering fire, contemplating the evening's events. A few minutes later Blaise sits down in the chair next to yours. You automatically stand up to leave; you don't want him to see you upset. As your turn to the girl's dormitories a spell hits you and you freeze, unable to move.

Blaise walks up behind you, laughing. "I wanted to go to the Ball with you, but now I'm going to get something much, much better." 

He slips his thumbs into the belt-loops of your jeans, and then slides his hands over your hips, kissing your neck, softly at first, and your eyes widen with fear. Unable to move, terror strikes you, but you manage to keep a level head. 

He laughs softly and runs his hands up your side, whispering in your ear. "I'm going to unfreeze you now, and you are going to do exactly as I say or suffer the consequences." He relinquishes the curse, grabs hold of your wrists, and begins to kiss you. 

You writhe under his grip, but he only holds you tighter. You instantly get your wits back and kick him in the shins. He howls with pain but relinquishes his grip on you and before he can regain his strength you break away. You run to the girls' dormitories and slip into your room, breathing hard. You collapse on your bed, heart racing. You crawl into bed and begin to cry, scared.

---

The next day you stayed unusually quiet, avoiding eye contact with everyone and eating your meals alone. You only answered questions in class when called on, and your usually skill at Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts was diminished quite a bit. You tried not to stay in the same room as Blaise if you could help it, and you made yourself scarce during Quidditch practice before dinner. You were scared of what Blaise would do to you if you told Snape, who probably wouldn't care one way or the other.

---

At dinner you grabbed some bread, meat, cheese, an apple, and a bottle of Pumpkin Juice and headed out to your favorite tree by the lake. It was cold and snowy, but winter was your favorite season so it didn't bother you much. Since the ground was covered in snow you climbed up to a low branch and dusted the snow off so you could sit. You look out at frozen surface of the lake as you eat, thinking about the homework you had tonight. You hear footsteps nearby and look down to see Draco.

"Where were you at Quidditch practice?" he asks with an accusatory tone in his voice, glaring up at you.

"I didn't feel like going." You say, not meeting his cold grey eyes.

"What is the matter with you? You love Quidditch! What the hell is going on that is so bad you skipped practice?!" he shouts at you, looking furious.

"I..." you look down at the ground, to ashamed to say anything.

"You've been avoiding everyone today, not to mention skipping classes." He frowns at you, but he looks more concerned than angry.

"Climb up here and I'll tell you." You say with a jerk of your head. "There is something you should know." He climbs up to your branch, dusts a place clear of snow, and sits down, still glaring.

"Well? What is it?" he asks impatiently when you don't respond.

"Last night, after I left the Ball, I went to the Common Room and Blaise was there and he..." your voice trails off yet again. The expression on Malfoy's face changed so fast it looked like wax melting.

"He tried to sleep with you." His look changed once again, this time from horrified back to furious.

"He started kissing me, and I barely escaped. He said, he threatened if I told anyone he'd kill me and use the Cruciatus Curse on my friends." You bow your head. Draco slips down from the branch and pulls you down with him.

"Come on. I'm not going to have the best Chaser on the team out of play just because of a self-engrossed idiot. You are going to walk right up to Blaise and give him a good hex." You glance at him, confused, and then slowly the mischievous glint returns to your eyes.

"You're right. He deserves to pay for what he did and I'm not going to sit around moping about it." As you walk back to the dungeons you come across Blaise. It was too perfect. He walks up and slips his hand around your waist.

"Hey Y/N, I was wondering if..." You yank yourself out of his grip and turn to face him. Before he gets another word out you yell out a curse.

"Affligo!" you shout, sending him sprawling on the floor. "That's for last night you egotistical, two faced, lying bastard!" You put the body-bind curse on him and you and Draco step over him (Though Draco kicks him as well,) into the Common Room.

---

On the train ride home you again sit with Molly and Emma, though now you are also accompanied by Luna Lovegood. You and Luna had always gotten along, and when you weren't with Molly and Emma you usually hung out with other Ravenclaws. Mary Beth was riding the train with Cho, and secretly you wished that you could make up. Mary Beth had been your best friend almost your whole life and you kind of missed her. Molly had gone to get some snacks and now you and Emma had gotten up-in-arms about the fact that Quidditch had been canceled that year due to the Tri-Wizard Tournament and were now arguing over who would have won, had the matches taken place at all. Your argument was soon rudely interrupted by Molly returning with a handful of Chocolate Frogs.

"I got some for everybody since—wait, don't tell be you are having an argument about Quidditch again." She frowns, concerned but slightly amused.

"We're just simply discussing who would have won the Inter-House Quidditch Cup, had the competition taken place." You reply, dusting off your jeans.

"But, of course, as you know, Gryffindor would have won." Emma pipes in, though rather aggressively in your opinion.

"No way!" you retort, "Slytherin would have totally annihilated you!"

"But this is ridiculous! The matches never even took place, so why are you both wasting your time and energy fighting over something that doesn't even matter?" Molly never really got the whole competition thing.