Unsortable

Chapter 2

He walked out to the living room at seven thirty the next morning, tapping his wand on the coffee pot to start it brewing. Awake without a problem, Draco listened with vindictive glee as his partner struggled through three sets of snooze on her alarm clock. Definitely not a morning person.

They had to make their way together to the Great Hall in a few minutes, and Draco was curious to see if she going to be able to do it.

Her door opened and the sound of dragging could be heard as Aerie appeared. Draco turned with coffee cup in hand to see her slowly head to the bathroom, her clothes in one hand. He struggled to keep a straight face--she was not even awake! The bathroom door closed behind her with a thud and Draco went to sit on the couch...it would be a few minutes.

Ten minutes later, the bathroom door opened again and a transformed Aerie Matthews emerged with a tired smile, fully dressed. Draco saluted her sarcastically.

"I'm rather disappointed, Johnny," he drawled. "You had me believing that I would be greeted with a hex in the morning if I handled it better than you. Ferocity of a kitten, I see."

The scowl that came his way was heated, he had to admit. "The morning is early yet, Master Slytherin. You shouldn't be hit all at once with my bitchy side. There is plenty of time for me to curse you verbally and physically. Don't tempt me."

"Direct that towards the underling idiots out there," he replied, attempting nonchalance though he was impressed by the bitterness in her voice. "We have to go."

"Fuck," she groaned, grabbing her bag. "There has to be a better way to start the day than waking up every morning."

Draco chuckled. "Coffee?"

"Unless it's for pouring into your lap, don't hand me a cup," she muttered darkly, opening the portrait. "Bitter, nasty crap."

"You were serious about mornings," he continued to snicker evilly.

"And you're actually a morning person," she responded. "Expect that some morning time soon you will find yourself hanging from the rafters in your boxers if you continue being cheerful."

"This will be most entertaining," he drawled.

They made their way to the Great Hall for their debut as Head partners. By the time they reached the doors, Aerie had a firmer grip on the better side of her personality and was even saying good morning to students voluntarily. She followed Draco to the Slytherin table.

"Mind if I sit with you and your friends?" she asked softly.

"I don't really care what you do, Paulie," he retorted, catching sight of his entourage Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle.

Goyle saw Aerie walking towards them and sweat immediately broke out over his large face. "I didn't do nothing," he said as soon as the two of them came close.

Draco smiled snidely. "Nothing that requires an apology, obviously, Goyle. Calm down, Matthews is just sitting with us."

Pansy threw Aerie a withering look. "Too good to be Sorted, Head Girl?" she bit. "Don't feel like you have to associate with us normal wizards."

Aerie gave her an equally livid look. "I'm not going to lower myself to the bar that you have just put up, Miss Parkinson. Talk to me when you can be a little more mature rather than instantaneously hostile." She sat down in the seat offered by Draco, who was trying very hard not to laugh at the unpleasant and shocked expression on Pansy's face.

Blaise, on the other hand, had no problem laughing out loud. "Charming," he stated. "Draco, your partner is most interesting." He stood to shake Aerie's hand. "It is wonderful to meet you, Miss Matthews; I am Blaise Zabini."

She leaned across the table to shake his hand and was surprised when he brought it up to brush his lips across the fingers. "Likewise, Blaise. Call me Aerie."

Draco kept his face strictly schooled during this exchange, not allowing the sudden anger he felt as Aerie's hand made physical contact with Blaise. Irrational, he thought, and sent an unmitigated glare towards Professor Slughorn as he passed out schedules.

"What's your schedule, Drakie?" Pansy simpered to his left, latching on to his arm. He had to resist rolling his eyes as she took his schedule out of his hand. "We have three classes together!"

He gently extracted his schedule with a burred, "Delightful." And it was immediately confiscated by Aerie.

"Wow," she said after a second of perusal.

Draco turned away from Pansy, who was desperately trying to keep his attention on her, and looked at Aerie. He arched a brow, waiting for her to continue.

She met his eyes and placed their schedules side-by-side on the table. "Looks like we're in all the same classes."

Blaise glanced slowly between the two of them. "Attached at the hip, then?" He directed his comment towards Draco. Pansy seethed at Draco's side.

"McGonagall's idea of a joke, I'm sure," he replied nonchalantly.

Aerie shrugged. "It doesn't really matter does it? Anyway, I'm going to go say hello to a couple of friends and then help the first years to class. See you in class, Draco." She gulped down a glass of orange juice and took an apple before hopping up and away to the Gryffindor table.

Everyone in the Great Hall stared at her as she plopped down next to Ginny Weasley. Pansy and Blaise turned their accusatory stares at Draco.

"What the hell, Draco?" Pansy hissed. "Why do you even talk to her? She's friends with traitors!"

Though he was fidgeting internally, Draco portrayed nothing but a malicious calm. "She's not in Gryffindor, or any of the other Houses. I don't need who I associate with monitored by others. Besides, she is my roommate; I have to talk with her."

"That's a load of dragon shit," Pansy nearly shrieked. "You have never felt the need to talk with anyone even if you're required to."

"Pansy is right, mate," Blaise interjected. "What's the deal all of a sudden? In this critical time, do you think it wise to even be in the general vicinity of those who oppose the Dark Lord?"

"This is ridiculous," Pansy huffed, getting up. "I'm feeling betrayed, Draco. And unless you are able to make it up to me, I won't speak to you." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "And I mean for you to make it up to me privately." She sauntered off.

Not likely, Draco thought sagely.

"Now that she's gone, I want to say something," Blaise started with a sigh. "Draco, I know you better than you think. You're giving this girl the time of day, so I know that she is of interest to you. Before you deny anything, let me ask a couple of questions. First, is she a pureblood?"

"Yes."

"Good. She's not in Gryffindor, so that's good. Is she smart?"

"She's Head Girl, Blaise; of course she's smart."

"Fair enough. Is she conniving?"

"Exceptionally."

"Then I see no problem, since she is also extremely shaggable. Just do me one favor."

Draco raised a brow. "Which is?"

Blaise mirrored his look. "Keep this low on the radar. Don't let anyone know about it, especially your family. I may be with the Dark Lord, but I don't agree that you can't be happy. If they find out about your interest in her or anything that might develop, she will disappear. I am your friend, after all. And I don't like Parkinson."

Draco blinked in surprise. "Nothing has happened and I'm getting a speech? You're jumping way too far ahead, my friend."

"Just my personal observation."

He chuckled as he got up. "I do appreciate it, mate. So let me make one personal request." He leaned forward. "Don't try to charm her towards your side." He walked away to help his partner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I never thought I would like blond hair, Aerie thought as Draco meandered into Advanced Transfiguration, their first class. She inconspicuously observed his build (well-toned) and simultaneously watched the female reaction in the room, knowing that Draco noticed as well. Every female eye, regardless of House, followed him as he made his way towards the only empty seat in the room--right next to Aerie. The boys just glared with hatred.

"Very interesting," she murmured to him as he sat down. "Even if some of them hate you, they all undressed you with their eyes."

"Even you?" he remarked with a smirk. Aerie mentally cursed as she blushed. "What can I say? They have excellent taste."

"How many of them have you slept with?" she retorted easily. "At least three of the girls in here have looks that say you broke their heart."

Draco donned a hurt look. "Only three? You wound my abilities."

"I'm trying to make you look like a somewhat decent person. It seems I'm failing."

"You wound me again, Johnny. I am a decent person. Along with handsome, intelligent, rich, sexy--"

"Conniving, snide, manipulative, and morally unsound."

He tapped her on the nose with his wand. "You didn't deny a single thing I said. You agree that I'm sexy?"

Aerie blinked in bewilderment. "Were my adjectives not contradiction enough? Nowhere did I agree with your statement. I will agree that you can be a decent person. At least, thus far, you have been to me."

Inside, she was getting exceedingly flustered. This was too intimate kind of conversation to have in a classroom full of people, all of whom (she was sure) were trying to listen in on their exchange. Draco Malfoy did not talk this much with people outside of his house. She could feel the death glares coming from the boys at the table behind them. She knew why. Draco's parents were open supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named; therefore Draco must be, too. It did not help that Draco put on the air of hating anyone but purebloods; in retrospect the glares were completely justified. But behind it all, Aerie could see a good person; it did not help that she was attracted to him.

Draco was about to answer her comment with something sardonic she was sure when Professor McGonagall walked in and class started.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First day finished, and Draco was completely exhausted. It was hard work to continually scoff and demean every person who walked by you--with just your eyes. Plus, he had to restrain himself multiple times from deducting points from first years just for the confused look on their faces. Aerie jumped in right before a Ravenclaw first year burst into tears.

"The Great Hall is two flights down, darling," she cajoled, directing the young girl back down the hall.

As soon as the student turned the corner, Aerie whirled on Draco.

"Really?!" she exclaimed.

Draco stared at her.

"You're Head Boy," she continued without waiting for an answer, "You are supposed to be helping the students getting to their destinations, not glare at them in silence until they cry from fear and confusion!"

"It's not my fault that they can't read a map," he reasoned with a shrug.

"They're eleven years old!" she fumed.

"Old enough."

With a quick glance up and down the corridor and seeing no one, Aerie quickly pushed Draco into the wall. Taken completely by surprise, his response was only to let his jaw drop.

"Since I have your attention, listen up," she started with a nasty smile. "I understand that you feel the need to maintain whatever disgusting reputation you've built over the past six years, but I need you to wizen up and grow up. There are more students hating your guts here than hexes in your repertoire. Hogwarts may be a safe place for children, but it's not for anyone with support for You-Know-Who."

He tried to pick up his jaw to defend himself, but she poked him in the chest. Hard.

"I'm. Not. Done."

His mouth clamped shut.

"If you want to survive this year, especially with all hell breaking loose in the foreseeable future, you need to clean up your act. Just a little bit. Less visibly hostile. I don't want to have to save your arse when some classmate leaves you bleeding in a bathroom."

His mind's eye flew back to the previous spring with a certain spell and slashes and blood and pain. He shivered involuntarily.

Aerie noticed and her eyes softened. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Look. I know you've grown up in hell. You did what you could to protect your mum, but now you have to protect yourself."

He did not say anything.

She sighed with a small smile. "You won't let me, but I'm going to help you."

With a snap under his nose that made him jump, she walked away with a giggle.

The whole experience made him tired. And his world was now completely turned on his axis. What the hell was this girl thinking getting into his personal space and saying that she would protect him? What kind of backwards thinking was that?

Skipping dinner, Draco slumped into his living room and collapsed onto the couch. Silence. Blissful silence.

She was frustrating. Assuming. Intrusive. Brave as hell for getting involved with him. And unbelievably kind-hearted for risking her life after two days of knowing him. He was going to have to re-write what he knew of people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two weeks later the day of auditions dawned with Aerie bursting through Draco's bedroom door and sweeping the curtains open. Aerie was awake early and happy for the first time and she wanted to share it, but she had not been thinking when she intruded into her roommate's room and now was suffering the consequences (if she could call it suffering).

She watched as he opened his eyes and slowly leaned up on an elbow, letting the sheet fall to his waist to reveal exactly what she had expected when she met him--a highly sculpted torso. His white blond hair, ungroomed and tousled, and eyes dark with the last remnants of sleep made Aerie unintentionally awed.

For thirty straight seconds they stared at each other without a word.

Draco's voice made her jump. "For a Saturday morning, you had better be coming in here to climb in bed with me to go back to sleep."

Her brain function came back to her instantly. "I know that you have better pick-up lines than that, lazy bones. If you want me to fall for you, you have to give me something worth tripping over."

An arched eyebrow caused her internal temperature to rise slightly. He waved a hand to encompass his prone position. "This isn't worth tripping over? Johnny, you will fall indefinitely over this. I like the pajamas."

She cursed mentally, completely forgetting that she had not bothered getting dressed before barging into his room. A short tank and short blue shorts was the ensemble to which he awoke.

"You keep dressing like that and I won't stop trying to convince you to join me."

She shook her head. "Stop it. You need to get up. Auditions are today and you and I need to prepare for them."

Draco grabbed his wand and pointed it at her. With a shriek, Aerie found herself in the air and quickly deposited on his bed. She glared at him.

"That's better," he said, and flopped back on his pillows. "I don't need you hovering in the doorway looking so appetizing, thus I've placed you where you would be most comfortable. Now," he talked over her indignant huff as she tried desperately to control her blush, "I don't see why we need to rush when auditions take place at two this afternoon. It's not even nine."

Aerie cursed silently again. "I guess I'm just excited. Hogwarts hasn't done anything like this in such a long time that I find myself wanting to make this amazing. Did you know that we have over thirty students wanting to work on set design alone?"

"No, I didn't," he replied with feigned little interest. "I'm assuming that the list for character auditions is long?"

Aerie knew her smile was blinding; Draco just stared at her. "Over one hundred students are auditioning! I've recruited the majority of the professors to take a part of the list to help narrow down the prospectives so that you and I can have the final say for the leads."

"I don't care who you pick, Johnny," he drawled, placing his hands behind his head, blowing his hair out of his face.

Aerie felt exasperated. "Don't you have an opinion at all? Or a care?"

He shrugged. "About this? Not really. You kind of dragged me into this, if you recall. I don't see this going well."

"This will be difficult, for sure. But I have high hopes."

Draco sat up quickly. "That's the problem you have. You set your standards too high. Don't blame me when you're disappointed."

Aerie was astounded. Was Draco really this glass-half-empty? She leaned back against the bed post and surveyed him with a carefully calculating look. Though she was in complete awe by the perfectly shaped Apollo body before her, she kept the admiration in check as she evaluated his personality. His selfish disdain for others not of his class was clearly resulting from his upbringing by a controlling father. He had total respect for women such as his mother, and manners that were the embodiment of the perfect gentleman. Yet the two clashed greatly in this boy about to reach adulthood.

The loyalties he had with his father (based on fear) and his mother (based on love) were warring inside every time he talked with Aerie; she could see it. His father would have him hex her into oblivion, or just outright kill her for the attitude and back-talk she gave Draco. His mother would find this amusing, she knew. Deep down, Aerie was sure that Draco was a good person and followed in his mother's footsteps. But the fear was literally beaten in to him.

All of this she could tell just by talking with him. A little bit of intuition that came with the blood in her veins. She could crack him. And she would.

She just needed him to have a little faith in people. And she was going to be that person for him.

She smiled. "I'm not letting you ruin my fun, Draco Malfoy."

He snorted. "I know that I couldn't."

"When I do succeed, try not to look too astonished."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After three hours of auditions, Aerie was starting to get discouraged. Though she would not let it show on her face, she felt that the turnout was pretty dismal. Draco was having no problem expressing his glee at the terrible performances.

After the sixtieth student walked out, she finally turned to him in frustration. "I don't need you muttering 'I told you so's in my ear all afternoon."

"I could do better at this with a lisp," he rejoined and smirked from his slouch.

"Pity that you can't audition, isn't it?" she murmured. "NEXT!"

A sixth year Hufflepuff walked in. "I'm Mark Kinnety, and I'm auditioning for the part of Lysander."

"So is every other male," Draco sighed. Aerie kicked him under the table.

"Grow up," she hissed, then said to Mark, "Go ahead, Mark."

The unremarkable boy bowed his head, and when he looked up, he transformed. Looking right at Aerie, he allowed passion to fill his eyes and voice, his stance regal and confident.

"O take the sense, sweet, of my innocence!

Love takes the meaning in love's conference.

I mean that my heart unto yours is knit,

So that but one heart we can make of it:

Two bosoms interchained with an oath,

So then two bosoms and a single troth.

Then by your side no bed-room me deny,

For lying so, Hermia, I do not lie."

For once, Draco was silent. And the only thing Aerie felt was moved. She sat spellbound as Mark bowed his head again and returned to the unassuming student he was before.

Aerie snapped out of it with a dig of Draco's elbow in her side. "Thank you, Mark. That was truly refreshing. We will keep you posted."

She beamed at Draco as Mark walked out. "That is the caliber we're looking for."

And after that, the talent poured in. The next three performances by a Slytherin, a Ravenclaw, and a Gryffindor secured the roles of Demetrius, Helena, and Hermia, respectively. The role of Puck was given to a spritely third year who wowed Aerie with her energy. By the end of the evening, Draco had even given his opinion about the roles of Oberon and Titania.

"All around, it was a wonderful group." Aerie bounced happily down the hall next to Draco on their way back to their rooms. "I really appreciate the little bit of feedback you gave me at the end. I'm happy to see that you cared enough."

Draco scowled at her with little vehemence. "Don't think this will become a regular thing, Matthews."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Small steps, I know. I will get you to lighten up with me. This is going to be fun!"

"You never quit, do you?" Draco muttered darkly.

Aerie whirled on the spot and jumped in his face. "That, my dear Shakespeare, is the point. Why quit? Where is the fun? I don't intend to allow anything to spoil this vision. And I'm bound and determined to make you enjoy yourself."

She turned again, giggled the password to their room, and leapt inside. Draco followed and flopped on the couch. "You are too cheerful. I don't like that in a woman."

She froze by the fridge. Though she did not want to admit it, that comment stung. She shook herself and turned to look at him. The back of his blonde head poked over the back of the couch and she smirked as an idea formed. It was time to catch him off guard. He did not like cheerful? Then she would give him something to drool about. "Oh, really?" she breathed, straightening her posture.

He heard the change in her tone, and twisted his head to glance at her. With a quick pull, her hair tie was out and her hair fell in curls past her shoulders. She cocked her head seductively, biting her lower lip.

"Would you rather I was quieter? Coy?" she asked huskily.

She slowly sashayed toward him, the perfect model walk to his frozen body on the couch. Walking around to the front, she placed a knee between his legs and leaned forward, eyes locked with his shocked ones. She got her lips within inches of his.

"You want me to be naughty, forward, and provocative?"

She never touched him in this whole performance. Just as his hands were reaching forward to grab her, she pulled away with a laugh and skipped down the hall. "I can be anything, however, I like being myself. Sorry that I seem too much for you to handle, but I have no need to impress you, Draco Malfoy."

She giggled at his shell-shocked stare as she closed her bedroom door.

The second it was shut, Aerie collapsed on her bed. What the hell was she doing? Why did she feel the need to show off and why did his little comment bother her? These two weeks had driven her crazy. He may not be evil, but he certainly made it difficult to get along with him. And he was unbelievably gorgeous! She may have said otherwise, but she really did want to impress him. Which was stupid, she kept telling herself, when all she really wanted to do was be friends with him. Right?

She needed to focus on the completion of the auditions. The cast list was posted in front of the Great Hall and rehearsals would start on Monday. That gave her and Draco tomorrow to get everything ready, like the prop list and costume designs. That is, if Draco would help her at all tomorrow.

Too frustrated to think about that anymore, Aerie threw on her pajamas and grabbed a book. Just as she was getting settled in bed to read, there was a decisive knock at her door.

She sighed. "Come in."

Draco hesitantly peeked in, never having been permitted in her room before. Taking a moment to absorb the pictures on the walls and the clothes strewn across the floor, he turned mercury eyes to Aerie reclining on the bed.

"You're a fairly untidy woman," he stated.

She narrowed her eyes. "Is that what you came in here to say?"

"No," he scoffed, nose in the air. "I came here to tell you that the piano you requested is here and in the common room if you wanted to see it."

Aerie blinked at him blankly for a moment. With a sudden squeal that made him jump, she shot out of bed and ran past him, skidding to a stop by a deep mahogany baby grand. Tears nearly spilled at the beauty of it.

"Don't get so emotional," he said softly right behind her.

"I may not be very good, Draco," she said with bliss, "but I love to play and want this chance to be able to continue practicing while at school."

"How long have you played?" he inquired as she sat down and gently touched the keys.

She beamed at him. "Only for three years. Never had the chance to practice at school, so I thought that maybe being Head Girl would provide some allowances." She played a chord softly. "Do you play?"

He shrugged. "My parents thought it suitable."

"So that's a yes. How long?"

"Twelve years."

She slipped in her chord progression. "You've been playing since you were five? That's impressive, Draco!" She got up from the seat and pushed him onto it. "Play something. Please."

"I'm a little rusty," he complained, plunking out a few notes.

"I won't judge," she reassured over his shoulder.

So he began playing. His technique was flawless and the notes pure. Never had Aerie heard the piano played with such feeling. He may have been a prick, but the music was played from the heart. Lilting with sudden changes to the minor key then back again, Aerie had not heard the piece before. For five minutes, Draco flowed through effortlessly on the wings of the melody, his eyes closed.

Aerie watched in wonder, tears unabashedly spilling down her face. She had always wanted to play that way. Without care. With love.

When he finished, Draco stared at the keyboard a moment. "It could have been better."

Aerie choked, causing him to turn to her standing behind him. He looked at her in confusion, hand reaching up to catch a tear on his finger. "You're crying?"

Her eyes were wide, she knew. "Do you realize what a gift you have? The beauty with which you play? That was by far the most exquisite performance I have heard. And I don't even know what it was called."

To her surprise, a blush faintly dusted his cheeks. "Moonlight Serenade. My mother taught me," he admitted.

"My mother taught me something as well, and I think you should hear it," Aerie said, sitting down next to him on the bench. "She said that you can tell a lot about a person and their capacity for love when you listen to them play. She said that love is like playing an instrument; first you learn by the rules, then you learn to throw it all away and play from the heart. Draco, you played from the heart. And I am one hundred percent convinced that you are a good person. With some flaws. But your ability to love like that speaks volumes about the man you really are."

They stared at each other for a moment, Aerie wrapped up in the warmth of his gray eyes. They had lost all of their hard chrome shell and vulnerably held on to hers. Not wanting this to get too far (she knew she would kiss him if they kept like this any longer), she stood swiftly. "My skills pale in comparison."

Draco cleared his throat and stood as well. "Three years is not nearly as long, no. But you can't deny talent when it's there. I'm sure you're good."

She smiled at him breathlessly. "You just keep proving my point."

He suddenly grinned impishly, leaning close, forcing her to back into the piano. "Falling in love with me yet, Johnny?"

She laughed to hide her flustered brain. "Keep trying, mate."

"What if I were to try something?" he whispered huskily in a similar tone from hers earlier, "to make it harder for you?"

Placing a hand on his chest, she gently pushed him away. "Make it worth my while, Lysander."

He backed up easily with a laugh, allowing Aerie to catch her breath discreetly. "How is that? You know you want to kiss me."

She snorted. "Sure, okay. If you say so. Then how about this? You want me to think you're worth falling in love with; make me believe it. If you can get one first year--just one, and not of your own house--to come to me and tell me that you're a decent person. With sincerity, not fear, then I will..." She pondered for a moment.

"Kiss me," he supplied. "You will kiss me."

Her heart froze. "Kiss you?" she managed to say.

He nodded, his tone nonchalant. "It can be in private. But not a quick peck. I want a real, Aerie kiss."

She squared her shoulders. "Deal. But if you can't, you have to compliment every person in the drama department at least once."

He paled. "You're on." He stuck out his hand.

She took it. He pulled her close. "Get ready to pucker up, Hermia." And he sauntered to his room, leaving Aerie to wonder what on earth she had just gotten herself into.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Aerie woke up with a smile and crossed to her desk. Pulling out a piece of parchment, she quickly scrawled a note:

Operation well in progress. Interest established.

Without signing it, she sealed the letter, threw on some clothes, and left her room to head to the Owlery. Passing Draco at the coffee pot, she chirped a good morning before walking out the door.