The Dragon, The Lion and The Serpent

Chapter 5: Bad Combination and Sweet Revenge

Abigail came down from her dormitory, her arms full of books, ready to start her Potions essay. It was her least favourite subject and so she needed to concentrate even harder on it. She much preferred Care of Magical Creatures; her favourite subject. She loved learning about all sorts of animals, whether magical or not and didn't give a toss about Calming Draughts or Murtlap Essence. However, she had no choice but to keep up Potions, since Snape was her Head of House and he expected her to do so.

She sat down at one of the desks in the common room and opened her copy of Advanced Potion-Making. Few Slytherins were around that morning; most were already in the Great Hall for breakfast, whilst the others were still asleep. When she awoke Abigail had received yet another letter from her father, informing her that he had extended his stay with the Malfoys several more weeks in order to meet up with old acquaintances and deal with important business. The letter had not helped Abigail's mood, and she was determined to rescue her father from Lucius Malfoy's claws as soon as she could leave Hogwarts.

Caught up with her essay, Abigail did not hear the common room door swing open, nor two particular seventh-year Slytherins enter. She eventually looked up as she heard their voices, only to find the worst combination of Slytherins before her; Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini.

Although both guys were good-looking, the richest heirs of the wizarding world and could practically get any girl they wanted; they could also be selfish, arrogant and generally behaved like Pureblooded brats. Abigail's previous encounters with Malfoy had proved her point more than once, and as for Zabini - well Blaise, it was different. He was her ex-boyfriend after all, but somehow he was even worse as he constantly used to look up to Malfoy, his role model. This year, however, Blaise seemed to have detached himself of the Slytherin Prince, having gained his own share of power and fear, only to become a git according to Abigail. It was partly the reason why she had broken up with him last year.

Together the two boys surpassed all levels of malice, evil and arrogance Hogwarts had ever known.

She watched discreetly as they noticed her presence and Blaise gestured for Malfoy to leave them. With a wink Malfoy walked back out of the Sytherin common room, leaving her alone with Blaise.

Oh Merlin! What am I going to say to him?

Abigail hadn't spoken to Blaise properly since they had broken up. She had avoided him at all costs since the beginning of the year. But this time, he seemed determined to confront her.

"Abby!" he greeted her enthusiastically, walking up behind her. She merely waved at him from her desk, not bothering to face him. "How's my favourite girl doing?"

She swallowed hard as his overpowering cologne reached her nose and his body stopped mere inches away from her. She could feel his warmth behind her and concentrated even harder on a particular book she had just picked up.

"I'm fine. Just trying to finish this stupid essay -"

"Oh ok," he butt in, looking over her shoulder, trying to see her face.

Right! Thanks for offering your help Blaise!

But all unwelcoming thoughts left Abigail's mind as she saw him, from the corner of her eye, bend closer to her, making his long dark hair brush against her cheek. She shivered as his own cheek brushed against her ear and his thin lips came closer to her neck.

Memories of last year, when they were still a couple, came flooding back into her mind as he started kissing her neck tenderly, in all the right places.

"You look tense baby," he murmured between two kisses. "Maybe I could help you relax a little." He continued his trail of pleasure down her neck, back to ear, nibbling it a bit.

Abigail gripped her book harder as she sensed his breath on her face, but quickly snapped out of it. She pulled her head to the side, avoiding his lips and put a hand on his chest.

"Don't!" she ordered him quietly. "We're not a couple anymore, remember?"

In all honesty, Abigail was being a hypocrite. She might think Blaise was an idiot and claim that she couldn't stand him anymore, but it was only to hide her feelings better. He still made her weak at the knees and made her heart beat faster every time she saw handsome figure. But she couldn't admit that to him - she didn't like his new attitude since the beginning of the year - she didn't like how he scared most of the students and often got into fights with Gryffindors - she didn't like what he had become: Malfoy's right-hand man.

"Don't you have anything better to do than keeping me from doing my essay?" she asked him sharply. It was the only way to make him go away.

He shrugged. "Not really."

"Really? What about shagging Pansy, for example?" she muttered, whilst pretending to have a sudden interest in her Potions textbook.

Unfortunately, he had heard her.

"Jealous, are you?" Blaise arched his eyebrow at her, his blue eyes sparkling with malice.

"What?" she cried out, turning on her chair to face him. "Me, jealous of Pansy Parkinslut? Not bloody likely!"

"Sure Abby, sure," he replied smirking, closing in on her. He took her hand in his own and pressed it against him, causing her to stand up.

"No, seriously stop," Abby said, pushing him back.

"Why? Do you hate me?" he asked softly. He lifted her chin up with his index finger, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"No, I - I don't hate you, Blaise," she replied quietly. His clear blue eyes were piercing through her own, sending her all kind of emotions.

How could she resist him? Most girls would have done anything to be with him! Merlin, why had she broken up with him? The answers to her questions seemed to vanish inside her mind as she kept looking into his deep blue eyes.

"Then what's the matter? Why are you acting so strangely?" he asked, his voice turning cold. "Damn it Abby! I even found out that it was you who stood up to Draco in the Hog's Head!"

He paused, letting go of her face as he took a step back, glancing at her shrewdly.

"That wasn't very - Slytherin of you," he finished quietly.

Scowling, Abigail sat back down angrily at her desk. "Oh I'm sorry! Maybe I should dye my hair green and silver to show you that I do belong here!"

The moment was lost and suddenly all the reasons why she had kept far away from him came flooding back in her mind.

She turned back to her books. "Just leave me alone Blaise!"

But he did not comply and instead leaned over her once again, gripping her shoulders and clearly whispered in her ear. "What Blaise Zabini wants, Blaise Zabini gets."

Merlin's beard, did he actually say that? What an arrogant prat!

Resisting the urge to hex him, Abigail slammed her book shut instead. She quickly got up and gathered her stuff. She wasn't going to spend another second talking to him if he was going to be so full of himself.

"For the love of Salazar, grow up Blaise! We're over, it's finished. You've had all summer to realise it. I don't belong to you anymore! I have an essay to finish, so if you don't mind, I 'm going to leave now!" she cried out, walking over to the door.

She noticed that his eyes were flashing angrily at her now. He wasn't used to people standing up to him, and he hated it, especially when it came to girls.

"And didn't you steal that last line from Malfoy?" she asked scornfully, as she stepped out of the Slytherin common room.

Furious with her, Blaise picked up an abandoned glass on the desk and flung it across the room, into the wall.

"Fuck!"

*****

Abigail made her way down to the library and sat in a corner, far away from the other students who were around. She started opening her books when suddenly she heard voices coming from behind the bookshelf.

"But why are you acting like this?"

Merlin! Can't I get any peace and quiet even in the library!

But curiosity got the better of her and she approached the bookshelf, spying between the books. Behind it sat Granger, Ginny and Harry Potter.

Granger seemed extremely pissed off at them for some reason. "Harry, it's none of your business, ok? So drop it!"

Her cold glare would have stopped anybody else from asking more questions, but Harry didn't seem to care. "Hermione, I'm your best friend. You can tell me everything, you know that."

Granger seemed surprised by his words. Abigail had the same reaction. This wasn't the shy and unconfident Harry she had met a few nights before.

"But this time it's different, ok?" she said more softly. "Look, let's change subject - Ron told me that you met a girl during detention..."

Abigail froze.

"How did that happen?" Ginny asked excitedly. "Tell me everything."

Harry turned red at their questions. "Yeah, I met this really nice girl. We chatted for practically three hours non-stop and I think you guys know her. Her name's Abigail."

Abigail watched as Granger turned a couple of shades paler, whilst Ginny looked at Harry confused.

"I asked her if she wanted to meet up tonight and watch the Quidditch practice."

Before Granger could open her mouth, Ginny did. "Harry that's brilliant! Wow, that girl is sooo lucky! First it was Blaise Zabini and now Harry! - I mean, how on earth -"

"Blaise Zabini?" Harry said puzzled.

"Harry, Abigail's a bit special," Granger continued, kicking Ginny discreetly under the table. "I don't think it's a good idea to invite her like that. You hardly even know her!"

"Yeah I guess," Harry said eyeing both his friends suspiciously, having felt the kick under the table. "I don't even know her last name or which house she's in; but I think she's a Ravenclaw."

Abigail snorted loudly at his last comment and fortunately they didn't notice. She really wouldn't want to get caught in this kind of situation.

"But I'm really glad to see her again tonight, she's interesting to talk to," he added. "But, do you two know her any better than I do?"

Abigail suddenly held her breath in. What if one of them spilled the beans? What if Granger admitted everything she knew?

"I can't believe I'm hearing this," Ginny finally let out. "Harry, we -"

"Know nothing!" Granger continued loudly, staring dangerously at Ginny. "You'll just have to ask her yourself."

Harry continued to eye them, intrigued, knowing something was definitely going on. Ginny rolled her eyes at the other girl.

"Come on you two! We've got classes to attend and I don't want Snape on my back again," Ginny said picking up her bag.

Abigail turned away before they stood up, as it would only require a slight turn of the head for one of them to spy her through the stacks of books. In doing so she bumped straight into something hard, something standing right behind her.

"Spying on Potty and his friends?"

Out of all people in the library, it had to be...

"Malfoy! Where did you come from?" she muttered, pushing past him to return to her table, but he gripped her arm before she could.

"You didn't answer my question."

She wrenched her arm free from his grip. "Well, they were actually talking about -" she started, but stopped. Telling Malfoy that Harry was talking about her would piss him off. He didn't like Slytherins messing with Gryffindors. "Nothing. They weren't talking about anything interesting so that doesn't really count as spying."

She pushed her way past him and back to the table. "I was actually working on my essay. What are you doing here?"

He casually sat next to her. "Well, this is the library and I'm in my NEWTs year, the most important year at Hogwarts, so -"

"Yeah, I get it," she cut in. It was quite weird to be talking with Malfoy after her last encounter with him. What was she going to say to him now?

But Abigail had no time to think about that. She had her essay to finish before the end of today, and she hadn't even started. Snape was going to kill her!

Picking her book up from where she left it, she began studying again, chewing on her quill.

"Need any help with that?" Malfoy asked, taking a look at her essay question. "'The ten different uses of the moonstone in magic potions,'" he read out loud.

Abby scowled as he read it. She had no clue what a moonstone was and just couldn't be bothered to do this essay. "Are you any good at potions?"

Malfoy lifted his head up from her parchment and smirked at her. "Moonstones are very useful for Seers. They develop foresight and telepathic abilities within any wizard or witch, but they are very rare."

Abby smiled at him, taking notes as Malfoy continued speaking.

*****

"You've changed."

Malfoy looked up at Abigail, who had stopped writing. He had helped her out a lot and she had already written most of her essay. Unbelievably, she actually had a fun time with him, discovering just how good a student he was in potions.

"What do you mean?"

"You're less of an insufferable git," she answered bluntly, "you've matured."

Malfoy chuckled softly. "Thanks. But I was never an 'insufferable git' as you say," he answered haughtily.

"Excuse me? There are so many examples of you being a stuck-up little shit that I don't even know where to start!"

"Go on then, I'm listening."

Abby narrowed her dark eyes at him. "Ok," she began. "To start with, how about the beginning of each year, when you used to show off what Daddy had bought for you during the summer - oh and how you purposely became Slytherin's Seeker to annoy Harry Potter, or when you used to poke Granger and call her names every other minute and also how you'd always complain about Dumbledore and his choice of staff every chance you got! How you went to Daddy to get that Hippogriff killed in third year, how you sided with that horrible wench Umbridge in your fifth year. Oh, and how you always talked incessantly about your wealth and family bloodline and rubbed in people's noses - oh and how you kept saying every female student craved after you, plus all that gel you put in your hair just because you thought it made you look cool -"

"Enough, enough!" Draco interrupted, getting the point. "But, don't you still love me for it?" he asked sneakily, grinning at her.

She rolled her eyes in response. "Merlin! You are unbelievable Draco Malfoy!"

"I know," he said leaning back in his chair, "girls tell me that all the time."

Abby couldn't help but laugh. "That's not what I meant and you know it! I'm off to class now! I'll see you again once your ego deflates, which probably won't be any time soon."

She left the library quickly, not noticing Malfoy's smile fade away and his face become emotionless again once she was out of view.

Oh yes, he had her in the palm of his hand.

*****

As soon as classes were over, Abigail rushed to the Quidditch pitch, meeting Harry there.

"Hey Abby! Glad you could make it!" he said to her, holding his Firebolt proudly.

"Likewise," she answered, sitting down on the spectator bench. "How was your day?"

"Ok I guess. I stayed out of trouble though," Harry answered, grinning at her. His green eyes were flashing vigorously as he spoke and he didn't seem as uneasy as before.

But, before Abigail could say anything more, Ron called Harry over from the centre of the field. Ginny was also among the team, but the red head didn't seem notice her.

"Sorry, gotta go. I'll talk to you afterwards, ok?" He secured his gloves around his wrists as he spoke and left hurriedly to join the rest of his team.

Ron winked at him and nodded towards Abigail as he stepped onto the Quidditch pitch.

The practice itself wasn't that bad. The team started warming up before mounting their brooms and circling the field. They were divided into two separate teams and played a friendly against each other, whilst Harry practiced catching the Golden Snitch and avoiding Bludgers.

Abigail had a good time watching the Quidditch. She didn't know much about real Quiddditch in the wizarding world, rather preferring Muggle sports, but she was quite interested.

The practice was coming to an end and everything seemed to be going well until Abigail felt a presence behind her.

She turned around and cursed under her breath as the Slytherin green and silver dressed Quidditch Captain stood before.

Malfoy.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed at him, annoyed. She eyed the Quidditch pitch anxiously as the Gryffindor team landed on the ground.

"I'm here to practice. The rest of the team will be here soon."

He paused, looking up at the Gryffindor Quidditch team. "Question is: what are you doing here?"

He gritted his teeth as he noticed Harry land ahead of them. "Come to cheer on the boy who just wouldn't die?"

"No Malfoy, it's not what you think!"

But it was too late, Abigail watched helplessly as Harry himself came strolling down the field towards them, looking very angry and very confused. He didn't seem very pleased, not pleased at all.

*****

(Harry's POV)

Landing back on the field, Harry noticed his fellow Gryffindor, Dean Thomas looking worriedly at Abigail.

"What the hell is she doing here?" he finally asked Harry.

"I invited her to the practice," he answered casually, heading slowly back toward the changing rooms.

"Are you out of your mind? You invited Abigail Serpent to our practice!" he cried out, waving his arms in the air. Most of the other Quidditch players had already left, but Harry spotted Ron taking care of some brooms, whilst eavesdropping on the conversation.

"Serpent? Is that her last name?" Harry inquired, suddenly uneasy about what he had done. That wasn't a good surname to have. "Hey, I only met her a few days ago!" he said defensively to Dean, who looked back at him dumbstruck.

Dean nodded his head at him. "Harry mate, trust me, she's got a pretty smile, but it's to cover up the poison that she hides behind!"

Harry shifted nervously as his friend spoke. "What do you mean?"

"Man! Wake up! She's Blaise Zabini's ex-girlfriend and her name is Serpent. Surely you didn't think she was a Gryffindor!"

Dean's words cut deep and the truth finally seemed to hit Harry. They both continued to walk to the bench silently. However, Harry was fuming. How could he have been so blind?

Ron ran over to them as fast as he could, red in the face. "Isn't that Malfoy over there?"

Harry looked up and saw the Slytherin Prince himself standing next to Abigail. They were talking and from what he saw, she wasn't exactly telling him to sod off.

"Shit!" Dean called out. "This means trouble. Now she's going to tell him about our new moves!"

Ron's red face turned crimson as he heard Dean's words and doubled his efforts to reach the bench before Harry did.

"No, let me go alone! I won't be long," Harry cried out, walking out alone.

Ron stopped along with Dean and they stared at him incredulously as Harry continued to make his way to the benches.

*****

Abigail paled as she saw Harry's angry eyes glare back at her.

"Malfoy, don't blow this for me!" she hissed quietly. "Please go away!"

But instead the blond-haired devil stepped up her and purposefully sat beside her on the bench.

"Oh, I get it!" he sneered, watching the exchange. "You haven't told Golden Boy who you truly are!"

Even from this distance Harry seemed to be fuming with rage. He probably thought she had been playing with him.

"Merlin Malfoy, just shut the fuck up, ok? Don't make matters worse!"

Again, he refused to do as he was told. "I'm afraid I can't do that Abby," he whispered dangerously and spread his arm around her shoulders just as Harry stormed up to them.

"What is he doing here?" he bellowed at Abigail, eyeing Malfoy with disgust.

Just as she opened her mouth, Malfoy beat her to it. "Hello Potter," he smirked smugly. "Let me introduce you to my friend."

"Malfoy -" Abigail protested, but he didn't let her finish.

"This is -"

"Abigail," Harry cut in. "I know, we've already met. So it's true! You're a - a -"

His disappointed look hurt more than anything Abigail had ever seen. For sure, he loathed her now. It was too late, being a Slytherin and Malfoy's presence had ruined all her chances of becoming friends with the legendary Harry Potter. Not only that, but she had hurt him; the one she had wanted to help. She had thought maybe she could take that desperate look off his face, but instead, she had shattered the last of his confidence, and right under Malfoy's nose as well. At that moment she could've cursed herself.

"Slytherin?" Malfoy hinted. He was taking pure pleasure out of Harry's pain. How could he be so cold hearted? "Of course! Why, didn't she tell you?"

Harry looked straight into Abigail's dark brown eyes. She felt as though he was piercing through her, increasing her guilt and making her feel his disappointment. She lowered her eyes in shame. How could she look him in the eyes with Malfoy cuddling her after what she had said about him to Harry?

"No," he barely whispered.

"Right, no need to get all emotional Potty! I'm sure your Weasel boyfriend can cheer you up tonight!" Malfoy said, highly amused.

Hearing his nasty comments, Abigail glared at him evilly and pushed herself away from him, making his arm fall from her shoulders. But she would let Harry get his own back for that - he had never let Malfoy get away with his insults before. But Harry remained silent, preferring to ignore Malfoy or, more realistically perhaps, scared of confronting a Death-Eater.

Abigail couldn't believe it! Harry Potter was actually letting Malfoy get away with his rude insults. Had he lost all courage?

"Harry, this isn't what you think!" she spoke up truthfully.

"Heard that one before," Malfoy mumbled, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Abigail shoved him hard with her elbow and stood up ready to speak again, but Harry beat her to it.

"No! This is exactly what I think! So, you were working for Malfoy all along, were you? Well, you did a great job Abigail Serpent!"

His sarcasm seethed through every one of his words and they cut through her like a knife.

"You did well Serpent! Your little act could've fooled anybody you know! It certainly fooled me!" he exclaimed, before turning his back to her and walking away.

Frustrated he wouldn't listen to her; Abigail stepped forward, wanting to catch him up. "Harry, wait! Let me explain -"

"Spare me the details, I don't want to hear anymore of your lies!" he shouted, his back turned to her.

His voice rang in her ears and she suddenly had the urge to run after him, explain everything clearly to him, tell him that she was sorry, apologise for Malfoy's behaviour. Just as she meant to run after him, a rough hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back, away from Harry.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Malfoy questioned her dangerously.

She ignored him and continued to watch Harry's dark figure cross the pitch towards the changing rooms.

"Is everything ok, mate?" Ron asked cautiously.

"Everything is perfectly fucking fine!" Harry shouted back, tearing past him. "Let's go!"

They entered the Gryffindor locker rooms and disappeared behind the door.

Hearing his shouts across the pitch, Abigail felt something happen that she had not experienced for a very long time. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.

For fuck's sake, what's wrong with me? I shouldn't even care about Harry! Malfoy's right, he's a Gryffindor after all!

But the tears wouldn't stop, and, although she had her back to Malfoy, she was sure he would soon notice that she was crying.

"What's going on here?" Abigail instantly recognised Blaise's voice, and she quickly wiped the tears off her face.

"Nothing!" she answered quickly. The last thing she needed was for Blaise to hear about Harry.

"What did they do?" he asked Malfoy angrily.

The blond Slytherin leaned back against the bench and nodded at Abigail. "Question is: what did she do?"

He paused dramatically as Blaise raised an intrigued eyebrow at him.

"Our precious Abby seems to be warming up to a Gryffindor," he announced with disgust.

"WHAT! WHO?" Blaise yelled furiously. His eyes turned a darker shade and his whole body tensed up with anger and hate. Everybody knew that Zabini loathed the 'brave and loyal' Gryffindors more than anybody else, and it was quite frightening at times. Abigail still remembered seeing him beat the crap out of Dean Thomas and how scared she was at the time. She had also heard about his encounter with Granger at the Hog's Head and how he had been the one to slap her and split her lip.

"Potter," Draco growled with a hatred that almost equalled Blaise's.

"WHAT? That little piece of -"

"Blaise, he's just playing with you," Abigail cut in, beginning to fear his reaction and glaring back at Malfoy. "Of course it's not true! I was just messing with Potter. Now, would you two just leave me alone?"

Malfoy stopped her before she could run off. "Hold it Serpent! I think you're forgetting who you're talking to! I don't ever want to see you around him again! Do you get that? They are no weaknesses among the Slytherin." His voice was low and dangerous.

"Now, after Quidditch practice, it's dinner time," he continued, "and you will come and sit down with us, whether you like it or not, and Merlin help me if I see you sneaking glances at the Gryffindor table!"

His words infuriated Abigail and for a second she wanted to hex him, but she knew it would only bring more trouble. However, she wasn't about to let him talk to her like that.

"You can't order me around Malfoy!"

"I bloody well can!" he yelled back at her before storming off to the pitch to meet the rest of the team.

His sudden temper scared the wits out of her and she looked quite horror struck until Blaise put a reassuring arm around her and led her, almost against her will, back to the castle.

*****

It was Saturday and Draco finally had time to put his plan into action. Taking a quill and parchment, he started writing to his contacts within the Ministry. He would transfer Abigail's mother into St Mungo's at all costs. It was the only way he could get her to side with him and teach him everything she knew. It would probably take a few weeks before her mother definitely left the Muggle hospital, so Malfoy preferred to keep it quiet, even to Abigail, until everything was completed. He never countenanced the idea of his plan failing, but still he was cautious enough to not risk public humiliation if the unthinkable should happen.

Still, it was going to prove even harder to gain her friendship now that she wouldn't talk to him anymore. Indeed, the Serpent heir had spent most of her time in her room since Draco had yelled at her. She had pointedly ignored him in corridors and spent as much time as she could with the Weasley girl, which pissed him off even more. He knew that the situation was at a critical point, and that he could easily lose her to those Gryffindor do-gooders if he wasn't careful.

She spent her dinners with Blaise and him, but she kept giving them evil glares, muttering under her breath. Potter had looked across at her sometimes, but then hastily turned back to his food when he caught Draco's eye instead. Even Granger had looked over to the Slytherin table, but he had purposely avoided her gaze. The girl just didn't learn, did she?

Being with Granger in the Heads' Quarters had been a living hell since the detention. She had constantly ignored him too. At first Draco was thrilled, until she decided to invite Potter and the Weasel over everyday and kept her blasted Muggle music on till late at night. She knew exactly how to piss him off, and she did it.

Unfortunately, Draco now also spent his nights being haunted by memories of their last encounter. It had felt so good when he kissed her, and it had seemed so right holding her in his arms, that he couldn't forget it. He found himself dreaming about her and her touch more and more, and it was driving him insane. It was a change from all the chilling nightmares he had had since the beginning of school, but his dreams had simply exchanged one form of torture for another kind.

The worst moment had been when he caught Granger off-guard when she watched him, when her soft brown eyes, full of anxiety and pain, would be looking at him thoughtfully with a faint inner brilliance that unnerved him. He had hurt her more than he had thought, but he knew it was best that way. Hell, she was a Mudblood! Something he had been raised to despise and get rid of.

But part of him urged to make up with her and take her back in his arms - feel her body next to him and her lips upon his. The small voice at the back of his mind would try to convince him that his actions were wrong and Draco desperately tried to ignore it each time he saw her and suppress his shudder each time he smelt her light perfume. Nothing could ever happen between them; it was impossible, too dangerous. Besides, what exactly was going on between them? Draco would never know, he could never know. Being a Death Eater had made him hate, kill and cause pain, in essence, learn to obey the Dark Lord's way. Being with Granger was against everything he had ever believed in or done. There was no escape; he could never learn to love, he had come too far.

And so he denied his feelings for Hermione, covering them up with the feelings of hate and disgust he had known all of his life and silenced the small voice which told him otherwise.

Draco came out of his room and found Granger sitting in front of the fireplace reading a book.

Damn, it's Saturday and she still has to be around to bug me!

"Why are you still here?" he asked annoyed.

"I didn't know you cared," she replied in a dull voice.

"Got rid of your goofy friends I see? Please tell me when you intend to invite them next time, so I can get the hell out of here before they ruin my day!" he spat out.

"Whatever," Hermione continued reading her book, not once turning to face him.

It unnerved him how she could ignore him like that. He, Draco Malfoy deserved more respect than that. Just as he was about to voice his opinions again the door to the common room swung open and the Weasel walked in.

"Hermione?" he asked unsure, only catching sight of Draco.

"I'm here!" she answered from the couch.

"What the hell!" Draco shouted from his spot. "Granger, what did I just tell you?"

"Can't remember, I was too busy ignoring you Malfoy!" she replied bitterly.

He looked at her furiously. "Just you wait Mudblood!" He then turned to her red-hair friend. "You out! Now!"

"No way ferret! And don't call her that!" Ron yelled back at him.

"Or what will you do about it Weasel? What would you do to save your precious Mudblood!" he spoke slowly, articulating the last insult clearly.

"You bastard!" Ron started, ready to pounce on him, but Granger got to her feet quickly.

"Ron!" she ordered. "Don't bother with him, he's just provoking you on purpose, can't you see?"

She put her book aside and went over to him, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.

"Need a Mudblood to save you Weasel?" Draco sneered at him. He really needed a good fight right now. He was so angry that he would gladly use the Weasel as a punching ball.

However, Granger only rolled her eyes and tugged at her friend's arm harder as she heard the insults. She finally gave Draco one more dark look before turning around and heading for the portrait hole.

"You'll get it in the end Malfoy!" the Weasel snarled.

"Don't fuck with me!" Draco hissed back dangerously. "Now sod off, both of you!"

Both glaring at him angrily, they left, leaving a furious Draco behind.

Damn those Gryffindors are really a pain in the arse!

Grabbing his cloak, he left hurriedly, heading towards the dungeons and the Slytherin common room. Seeing no one around, he fell back on the leather couch and stared out of the window. He badly needed to cool down, but couldn't help thinking of the Head girl.

Damn it! How he hated her so much with all her noble feelings! "Don't bother with him, he's just provoking you on purpose!" Who the hell did she think she was, talking about him like that? Treating him like some idiot child throwing a tantrum?

Gryffindor bitch!

He heard someone coming down the boy's dormitories and smirked as he saw Blaise Zabini sit down on the opposite couch.

"Draco, we need to talk!" he said sternly.

The Slytherin Prince simply nodded back to him.

"The guys are restless, they've heard about the incident with Abigail and Potter and considering what happened with Granger at the Hog's Head..."

"Well?"

"They want revenge. They're fed up of Dumbledore's Trio getting away all the time and now they're scared the other students will think that the Slytherins have gone soft."

He paused, uncertain whether to continue or not.

"To tell you the truth Draco, some think you've gone soft too."

Blaise had balls to tell him that, but Draco respected him for being honest, although he suspected that it was probably a well-calculated move to provoke Draco into action. Whatever it was, it didn't matter, Blaise could just about get away with it. However, he wouldn't let the others get away so easily. He would prove them wrong; it was time to act and remind Hogwarts just what Draco Malfoy could do.

"Don't you catch anyone else calling me that!" he ordered to Blaise. "The day Draco Malfoy goes soft is the day Hufflepuff win the Quidditch Cup! You got that?"

By now he was seething with anger. Not only was Granger messing with his mind, but she was also ruining his reputation! Getting up, he kicked a chair angrily against the wall. He was going to get her back, and get her back bad!

"As for Potter, we'll get him back through the filthy Mudblood! And trust me, I live with that scum everyday. I know exactly how to get our sweet revenge!"

His steel grey eyes glistened as he worked up a plan in his head. Granger was going to pay for ever believing he could change; he would show her.

A devilish grin appeared on Blaise's face as he listened carefully to him. Draco knew that he was glad he could get his own back on Potter and that the rumours circulating within the Slytherin dungeons were false. Draco Malfoy was still the powerful Death Eater that everybody feared since the start of school, he was far from going soft.

At that precise moment, Draco understood. It was too late for him; too late to expect redemption or try to change. The dark side of his nature, the side he had gotten from his father, had already taken control of his body and mind. He might have had no choice in the matter, causing him to hate the Dark Lord and his father for it, but his soul was already corrupted. It was too late. Now, no matter what happened after he had dealt with Voldemort, he would continue doing evil and evil only. Everything else was dead.

*****

The next day, upon reaching the portrait of the Black Knight, Draco saw Pansy had already arrived.

As she saw him, she gave him her best smile and kissed him on the cheek. "You're late," she teased him.

"Hardly," he replied. "Listen, we're planning revenge on the Gryffindors and, more precisely on the Mudblood, and I need you for it." His steel gray eyes seemed lifeless and he realised that it was scaring Pansy - her eyes were jittering back and forth from his, unable to hold his gaze. He didn't care.

"On the Mudblood? Do you know that bitch gave me detention because she caught me out of bed after hours? She has some nerve doing that to a Slytherin you know?"

"Exactly, that's why I want you to help us in our revenge."

"And what precisely do I have to do?" she asked, gliding her hands up and down Draco's chest. It really annoyed him how she would claim him like that and get in a fight with any other girl who wanted him. Of course, it never prevented him from actually getting those girls, but Pansy always knew how to make him pay for it. But nonetheless, he didn't mind the pug-faced girl; they understood each other and she would always be there for sex. He was glad that he had finally gotten rid of her delusions of love and marriage last year.

"I'll explain later," he answered, kissing her lightly on the lips. "Meet me here after class."

He left quickly before he was late for his next class, History of Magic. Spotting Blaise at the back, he sat beside him.

"Pansy's in," he whispered quietly to him.

"Good. I've got everything organised on my side. The Mudblood's last class is Care of Magical Creatures with the oaf. I thought we could get her on the grounds, near the Forbidden Forest -"

"No," Malfoy cut in. "People could see us there. Better wait until she's in the castle. We'll get her on her way back to the Gryffindor Tower, trust me, I know exactly where."

Blaise kept taking notes with his face down, although Draco knew his ears were perked, curious to hear more about the plan.

"In front of the Black Knight's portrait," he suddenly revealed, "No one should see us there, it's dark and we'll get the others to block off the corridor."

"Good idea," Blaise answered, his blue eyes sparkling with malice. "But what about Potty and Weasel? What do we do about them?"

"They have Quidditch practice tonight, she'll be on her own," Draco explained, watching Professor Binns intently, as though he was following the class. His own eyes had become a darker shade than usual as he thought about tonight. Granger was going to be sorry she even spoke to him this year.

"Draco!" Blaise hissed suddenly.

"What?" he answered, annoyed. Merlin, how many questions did Blaise need to ask?

"What do we do if - if Abigail gets in the way, you know like she did in Hogsmeade with the Mudblood." His voice was unsure and Draco knew he didn't like that possibility one bit. If Abigail Serpent got in Slytherin's way once more, they were sure the others would get her back this time. Slytherins didn't forgive or forget so easily, and it had taken a lot of pulling strings by both Draco and Blaise to get them to forget the Hog's Head incident.

"I'll deal with her if she does."

The two Slytherin friends kept silent until the end of class. Their last class was double Charms with the Ravenclaw and then, show-time.

*****

It was time and Draco was walking with Pansy towards the portrait.

"Just do what you always do," he told her as they approached the scene. Draco could already hear Blaise's voice loud and clear. The couple nestled into the shadows, keeping their eyes on the scene before them as they started to make out.

Draco knew Granger from head to toe; he had figured her out after all their conversations and time spent together. He knew she had some kind of holy faith in him or some bullshit like that, and he would use it against her. He knew her so well that he had planned his revenge around her words. He knew some time or other when Blaise would threaten her, she would call to him -

"You're just a filthy little Mudblood, who's going to pay very dearly!"

She would eventually cry out -

"You know, if Malfoy were here, you wouldn't dare touch me!"

Wrong move.

Blaise lifted his hand swiftly, wanting to hit her, but quickly decided against. Draco smirked to himself. He must have remembered what had happened last time he had hit her.

"I already told you; you aren't worthy enough to say his name," Blaise spat out, "and as for him saving you; well, why don't we ask him?"

Immediately on cue Draco glided out of the shadows, Pansy's arms wrapped possessively around him. He smirked at Hermione, his eyes roaming over her with pure contempt.

It was time he got the Mudblood out of his system and silence that little voice in the back of his head once and for all. She would pay for ever believing that she could alter him, she would pay for kissing him the other night in detention, for making him want her; a Mudblood.

After tonight, she would never dare even look at him again.

"Hello Granger," he greeted her.