Dark Harmony

Chapter 4: To Deal with a Slytherin

Hermione had a plan. A slightly risky plan, to be sure, but a plan nonetheless. She was desperate to get her hands on that book, especially now that it seemed that the Zabini siblings didn't want her to read it. Curled up in the comfiest chair near the fire, she could hardly suppress a small smile of excitement that threatened to creep its way onto her features. All she needed to do was talk to Ginny in order to set her plans in motion. She glanced around the common room. Where was the redheaded Gryffindor, anyhow?

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The redhead in question was currently perched on the edge of the bed of the Prince of Slytherin himself, her eyes narrowed, and wondering how on earth she was going to weasel the information she needed out of the unyielding Draco Malfoy. He was lounged comfortably across the room from her, coolly meeting her blazing brown glare with a steely one of his own. His perfectly formed lips moved to utter a single syllable.

"No."

She let out a frustrated growl before getting to her feet.

"Then we have nothing more to discuss," she said through clenched teeth, sending him one last glare before turning to head towards the door. She got about three paces before finding herself suddenly glued to the spot and quite unable to move her legs. Swiveling her head angrily, she saw Draco sigh and place his wand carefully back into his robes before rising lazily and striding towards her.

He dwarfed her by a good four inches, the top of her head just barely reaching the tip of his nose, but it was common knowledge that when the Weasley women were angry they towered over anyone who got in their way. Ginny glared defiantly up at him.

"Let me go, Malfoy."

He rubbed his temples before meeting her gaze incredulously.

"So it's 'Malfoy' now, is it?"

She shrugged in response and averted her eyes, her mouth set in a thin line and her arms crossed. He growled at her insolence.

"You do know that you're being as infuriating and annoying as your brothers," he informed her, and her cheeks flushed in anger.

"Well I am a Weasley, no matter how much you try to deny and ignore the fact," she said scathingly, and he rolled his eyes, grasping her chin between his thumb and forefinger.

"You're as full of shit as them too, you know," he said before pressing his lips firmly against hers.

She struggled for an instant before giving in to him, twining her arms up around his neck and running her fingers through the silky smooth strands of his silvery hair. She wouldn't give up her argument so simply, and he knew it, but for the time being she was content. Infuriating prat he may be, but the boy knew what he was doing.

He pulled back for an instant, taking in her flushed cheeks, no longer from anger, the stray curls that fell around her face as they slipped from the loose braid that held them, and her swollen lips before reaching into his pocket, withdrawing his wand and muttering a quick counter curse. Mischief sparkled in her eyes, but before she could do anything he placed an arm firmly around her waist and lifted her into his arms.

"Be a good girl, now," he whispered in her ear and she rolled her eyes.

"That's new," she muttered, but he ignored her, carrying her to the bed and dropping her unceremoniously onto it.

"My, your one for romance," she said sarcastically as she stretched out and propped her head in her hands.

He raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

"If you wanted romance you'd by lying on Potter's bed," he told her and she paused a moment before shaking her head and sighing.

"Harry's even more clueless then you are," she told him, lost for a moment in memory.

Draco, deciding that he liked neither the look nor the way she had said Harry's name, glowered at her.

"You would know, I suppose," he sneered, and she shot him an exasperated look.

"I wasn't talking about me, you prat," she said, his jealously both irritating her and making her oddly pleased at the same time.

He merely shrugged, and she leaned forward, grabbing his arm and toppling him onto the bed next to her.

"You're as full of shit as them, too," she started to mock him, but before she could finish he grabbed her and kissed her fiercely.

"Too much talk," he said.

She was in no mood to argue.

An hour later, she lay curled comfortably in his arms, a smile of contentment gracing her pretty features.

"Draco?" she said softly, turning slightly so she could look at him.

His eyes were closed, his mouth relaxed, and he looked oddly peaceful.

"Mm?"

"Why won't you tell me anything more about the Zabini's?"

He groaned and opened his eyes slightly.

"Do we have to start on with that again?" he asked and she nodded, pulling back slightly from him.

"Look, Ginny. Whatever Granger's gotten herself into, I'm sure she can handle herself. She puts up with Potter and Weasley everyday, Blaise can't be any worse then those idiots."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she decided not to comment and instead forged on with her argument.

"It's not Blaise I'm worried about," she said, gnawing her bottom lip.

Slytherin he may be, and sexy as hell, but Blaise Zabini was still just a male. And a teenage male at that. Guys, no matter what their intentions, could be manipulated pretty easily if one knew how.

"Gabriella's the one behind all this," she told him.

She knew both Zabini's fairly well... as well as one could know a Zabini anyhow. They were both enigmas, but she found their company enjoyable. The younger Zabini was quick thinking and witty, and it seemed that nothing could ever ruffle her perfectly calm exterior. Ginny admired her nonchalant attitude, the way she demanded complete respect from everyone, both older and younger, without having to utter a word.

She had known Blaise the longer of the two, and after he had gotten over his initial instinct to try and maneuver her into his bed, they had gotten along quite well. She wouldn't go as far as to say that either of the two were her friends. Their relationship was more one of grudgingly earned respect. She smiled as she remembered.

The point was, with Blaise, she could probably hazard a guess as to what all this was about. As to Gabriella, however, she had no clue. What could she possibly be hoping to gain? Because, Ginny had no doubt whatsoever that whatever it was the beautiful Slytherin was up to, it was for personal gain. The thing was, she didn't know whether it would hurt Hermione, help her, or if she was just a pawn in some bigger scheme that none of them besides Gabriella could see. She sighed in frustration. Draco had to know something.

She looked at him expectantly, and his face assumed a dream-like look. It seemed he was battling some internal conflict, and when he spoke it was slowly, as if still trying to decide whether or not to tell her what it was she wanted to hear.

"Opposed to what you may think," he began, "I don't know much about this 'game' you claim Gabriella Zabini is playing with Granger. Personally, I don't see why she would waste the time. But," he went on before Ginny could interrupt, "it's not my job nor my business to understand why she does anything. The music comment... well you knew well before now what that's all about. Somewhat anyhow. I owed you that, and now my debt is paid, so I don't see why I should share anything else on the subject with you."

"It's called a favor, Malfoy."

"No, it's called gossip, Weasley."

She glared at him, but he wasn't finished.

"So you'll get off my back, I will tell you something. But," he glowered at her, his eyes growing suddenly cold, "if you tell Granger, and I mean it Gin, if you ever utter this to anyone, the results will be more grave then you can imagine."

She rolled her eyes, thinking he was being a bit overdramatic.

"Promise."

"Fine, fine, I promise."

He nodded.

"I know you're worried about Granger, and that you think Gabriella somehow has it in for her. But, no matter what your opinion is, Blaise Zabini is more then a match for his sister. And he would never let anything happen to Granger if he could help it. Especially by the hands of his own sister."

Ginny stared at him, battling with what those words implied and what Draco had actually meant. Was it possible...? She sighed.

"What do you mean?"

He shook his head.

"No more questions, no more comments, no more unnecessary chatter," he said.

"Just because you're horny doesn't mean-" but her complaint was cut short.

After awhile she pulled back to glare at him.

"Every time you don't want to talk about something you just can't snog me, you know," she said, and he raised a brow.

"I'll have to work on that then," he said before leaning into her once more.

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Unable to find Ginny, Hermione headed towards the library, deciding to finish up the Advanced Potions assignment that was due at the end of the month. She couldn't believe that she had put it off for so long, and her conscience was gnawing at her to get it done. Walking in, she spotted Ron and Harry playing chess at a table near the back and headed towards them. The two boys were deep in concentration, though Hermione could tell that Harry was losing horribly. She smiled. He was adamant that one of these days he was going to best Ron at chess. Sitting down just as Ron proclaimed 'check mate' for the third time that day, Hermione seriously had her doubts.

Harry looked up and smiled wryly at her.

"One of-"

"We know Harry," she and Ron said at the same time, and the three of them fell about laughing.

"How many's that today, Harry?" Ron asked grinning.

"Far to many to save face," said a deep voice from behind them, and all three whirled to face the intruder.

Their mirth died and Harry nodded curtly.

"Zabini."

"Potter."

Hermione clutched the edge of the table tightly and Harry gave her an odd look before turning back to the Slytherin.

"I suppose congratulations are in order, Weasley. As I understand it, you are currently Hogwarts undefeated chess champion."

Ron nodded warily, waiting for the scathing remark that was undoubtedly coming. Blaise, however, surprised him.

"Care for a match?" he asked, challenge radiating from his eyes.

Ron was startled into silence for a moment before grinning broadly and gesturing to the chair Harry was currently occupying. He failed to notice Hermione's almost desperate shake of the head or slightly panicked expression. Harry, however, did not.

"Come on, Hermione. I doubt Zabini will appreciate us witnessing his sorry defeat," he said, grinning at the two other boys before turning to her, a very different expression on his face. He was offering her a way out, which she very gratefully would have taken. Except that at that very moment Blaise Zabini reached over and covered her hand in his, eyes boring into hers.

"Actually, Potter, I will feel my victory quite incomplete without witnesses. And I'm sure Granger here would love to watch such an interesting game of chess," he said, smirking at her.

She could do nothing but stare dumbly at his hand, trying to formulate a response of some kind. Finally she nodded, and Harry, staring at her carefully, sat on her other side.

"Right then," he said. "Shall we start?"

---

"Check mate."

Hermione stared at the board. Though she was no expert on the game, as far as she could tell, it had been a fairly even match. If counting the pieces that each boy had lost was any indication, that was. She didn't understand much about chess at all, but what she did understand was that Blaise Zabini had won. She didn't know why, but it seemed very metaphoric to her in some way.

"Good game, Weasley," he said, holding out his hand. Ron shook it, still staring slightly uncomprehending at the board. "I suppose I should have warned you before hand, I never loose."

He glanced at Hermione as he said this, and she gulped, a shiver running down her spine. He got up, nodded at them all one last time, and then was gone. Hermione slumped in her seat, completely unnerved.

Harry stared at her, and decided that whatever it was that was going on with her could wait until she was slightly more composed. Right now, they needed to console Ron and his damaged pride.

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Blaise Zabini nodded curtly at his sister as he sat in the chair next to her in a corner of the Slytherin common room.

"Sister."

She nodded back, expression unreadable.

"Brother."

His eyes flicked to the book that she was reading but, purposely or accidentally he didn't know, she shifted it so he could pick nothing out of it. He regarded her thoughtfully for a moment before cutting to the chase. A Zabini didn't beat around the bush.

"You know what you're up against, don't you?" he asked her, as much a threat as a question.

Gabriella was far too aristocratic to deny that she knew what he was talking about. Instead, she merely laughed.

"The Gryffindor?"

"Me."

She considered him carefully.

"Why, exactly, do you feel the need to get entwined in my business?" she asked him, a question without irritation.

"Your business."

"You are so sure that whatever it is I want with this girl has something to do with you."

"You don't deny it."

She shook her head slightly.

"No, I don't. But neither do I confirm it." She smiled slightly. "She is quite infatuated with you."

"Does that interest you?"

"It depends," she replied. "Does it interest you?"

"That also depends," he said, but didn't elaborate.

Dark eyes challenged blue ones until finally Gabriella broke the silence.

"Why are you so interested in what it is I do?" she asked.

"Why are you so intent on keeping it secret from me?" he replied. Neither of them was willing to give an inch.

"She is merely a Gryffindor. Of common blood no less."

"So why do you insist on using her?"

"Why do you insist on protecting her?"

He didn't hesitate.

"We are Zabini blood. Would you stoop so low as to use one such as her to help you achieve what it is you are after? I protect not her, but our honor. That is low, even for you."

Gabriella smiled slightly. Her brother was Zabini to the core, and lies slipped past his lips as easily as they slipped past hers. Still, it was hard for them to lie to each other, and she gave him credit. Silently, of course.

"It is more, brother, whether you know it yet or not."

His eyes narrowed.

"Shall we fight amongst ourselves then, dear sister?"

She smiled.

"That would be most splendid and interesting. However, for now, I wish that you would stay out of my way."

The threat was evident this time, and he knew that she knew he had taken the book. He leaned forward so that he was inches from her face.

"You are cunning, Gabriella, and determined. But do not yet think to manipulate me. Arrogance is a sure path to defeat." He started to rise. "You have somehow entwined me in your business all on your own, and it is I who must try and untangle this web that you have spun around the three of us. I protect the Gryffindor for the mere reason that she is as in the dark to your twisted dealings as am I. That won't last long sister. Be careful."

She watched him go, her eyes slightly narrowed. He was right. She would have to be careful. He was as cunning as she, and the only advantage she had over him right now was that he didn't know what it was she was up to. She had no doubt that she could pull this off, it just required a slight adjustment of plans.

She smiled slightly. The meeting hadn't been in complete vain. He had all but confirmed her thoughts, and now she was sure that she wasn't making a mistake. It was always better to be sure. She could kill all of them if she wasn't. She opened her book to the marked page, her keen eyes studying the incantation written in bold at the very bottom.