Rave Dragon

Rave Dragon

Chapter Two

Snape held himself over Kaida, his mind returning with his breath. He began running through things he'd had the sense to do, or not to do, during this whole fiasco. He'd obviously not had the sense to keep his hands off the younger woman beneath him, nor had he the sense to lock his door. This bothered him the most. The good news was that he'd had the sense to leave most of his (and her) clothes on, and his arms covered. He hated to think what would happen if Kaida glanced over to see the dark mark staring at her from his arm.

That, at this moment, was burning.

There were many things he'd wanted to do at this moment, ranging from holding Kaida to punishing her. Both he would have preferred to do until sunrise, and at the same time, if possible. But seeing as how the Dark Lord tended to be an impatient man, he gathered her things, took her from the floor by an arm, and unceremoniously escorted her out of his office taking fifty points from Slytherin; none of which he wanted to do.

Kaida sat on the floor, having not gained enough bearings to stand, staring at the door to Snape's office. She was quite surprised that he had disposed of her so quickly, and without detention. But the task was done. Thankfully, most of the students would be at the Room of Requirement already and not have seen the whole mess. She dressed herself fully and made sure most of her hair was in place before making her way to Cyberia. But somehow she didn't think she was up to running the club tonight. She felt... empty.

-///-

"No way, she's Slytherin."

"So? Maybe not all Slytherins are bad. She doesn't really act like one of them, does she?"

"I suppose not..."

"Go on, she looks pretty sad."

"Sure, mate? What if sad turns into bite-my-head-off?"

"Oh, Ron, would you just go?"

"I don't know..."

"Fine, I will." Harry sighed with exasperation.

Everyone knew it was Kaida's last year here and most of the guys wanted to be seen with the "Untouchable Dark Angel" for Valentine's Day. Of course, the trio had no part in this interest, though they did fear a little for Kaida, as well for any boy who upset her. The sixth- and seventh-year boys from Gryffindor decided that the best way to keep her from being a trophy would be to warn her, and maybe even hold a "relationship" with her. After much deliberation they all decided that Ron would be best. He was most likely to have the courage to talk to her, but be too shy to really do anything with her or blab about the relationship. Harry, of course, was back-up in case Ron chickened out.

So, it looked like it was up to Harry. He walked up to her, wishing she'd been further away to give him time to think of what he would say. As it was, he was suddenly wishing Ron was here instead. She looked at him as he came closer, smiling with a soft look he'd never seen her have before. She'd been leaning against the wall all night, watching the other dancers. This really wasn't the Kaida they knew, those who knew her at all.

"What is it?" she asked with a sad smile.

He hesitated, unsure of how to answer her. "See, there's rumors... About you and Valentine's Day..."

She laughed softly. "Oh yes, I know. So the brave Gryffindors decided to rescue me?"

He was caught, and instantly felt stupid. "Yeah, sorry... I guess it was a bad idea."

She shook her head. "Nn. Let's hear your little plan."

He blinked, then laughed slightly. "Well, see, we were thinking one of us could be with you... I mean, pretend to be with you... You know, make you look taken, but not..." He paused a moment, exasperated. "I don't think we thought it through."

She giggled. "Sounds like it." She reached out, caressing the side of his face lightly, then brought him forward, kissing his forehead. "I don't think I'd mind dating the famous Harry Potter. Who's going to be surprised? They already think you get anything you want."

Something about that made him uncomfortable, but he knew better than to throw a fit. "That wasn't exactly what I was thinking of..."

She tilted her head. "No? But it would still work that way, right? After all, just as boys would view me as a trophy, how many pure-bloods would look at you as one? We're sort of saving each other." And giving Professor Snape the escape he wants.

He looked thoughtful. "I suppose so."

She ruffled his hair, gave him a small kiss, and turned him away. "Go see your friends. Meet me in the library tomorrow and we can talk more."

Harry nodded, unsure of what else to say, and rejoined Ron and Hermione.

Ron was first to greet him, of course. "So, what happened?"

"I think I have a date..." Harry shook his head, trying to clear it. She had an odd effect on him, and he had a faint idea it wasn't the one most people described. He felt like he'd just been indulged, the way a child was. Looking back, she looked rather sad and thoughtful in a way he hadn't noticed before. "But I don't think she wants it."

Ron frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I think it means she wants to be with someone else," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Someone she can't be with."

"Well, now that's her choice, isn't it?" Ron commented. "Lots of guys always around her. She could probably have pick of the lot."

Harry looked at him, finally starting to understand. "I don't think so... I think Hermione's right. But I don't know who it could be."

She shrugged. "He could be muggle-born. She is a pure-blood after all, and I hear her parents never were too pleased with her."

Harry thought about it. "I guess that's true..." He frowned. "But I have this odd feeling I'm going to be treated like a child."

"How'd she kiss?" Ron asked, nudging him.

Hermione gave him a look that was thoroughly ignored. "We don't really need to know, Harry."

Harry laughed. "Actually, I didn't really notice."

Kaida smiled watching the three. She'd had friends like that once, though she rarely saw them now. They were all back in Japan with her parents. She hoped to see Akiko again soon. Maybe she could get with her old school group and play tama tatakau, a game she'd introduced to the muggles there. It was like a ground version of Quidditch without the snitch.

She touched a finger softly to her lips. Kissing Harry... nothing was there. She laughed quietly to herself. The Boy-Who-Lived... Only another boy trying to make it in this world, wasn't he? Even if he was to be their savior, he had the same heart as everyone else, right? No, kissing Harry was nothing like kissing... him. She wasn't meant to fall in love. It was only an obsession that came to the point she needed.

But now things were different.

She had to move on, she knew. After all, he wouldn't let her near him again, and most certainly not in private.

Kaida found herself preoccupied for the better part of the weekend and struggled to get her work done. It had become far too hard to concentrate. When Monday came around she walked into advanced potions realizing she hadn't gotten any of the work done. Hopefully she'd done enough extra credit to cover this one assignment, but she still felt bad for not completing it.

She sat at her desk and began pulling things from her bag, not daring to look anywhere but her desk, cauldron, and writings. As assignments were called to the front of the classroom she remained in her seat, hoping he wouldn't notice. Of course, he did.

"Miss Ryu."

Was it just her, or did he sound harsher than usual today? Merlin, that black cloak just in front of her... he was standing right there. She balled her unseen hands into fists, clenching so hard she thought her palms would bleed.

Using what will-power she could, she looked up at him. "Yes, professor?" She nearly cowered once more at the way he was bearing down on her.

"Why don't you have your assignment?"

Quick, Kaida, think! "I haven't finished it yet. I was... doing some research for extra credit." She tried to think of what kind of research that would be, but for the life of her couldn't even remember what the assignment was.

"You need research for extra credit," he began dryly as other students began to snicker around them, "on a review essay of potions we did in the first year?"

Come on, save yourself, you can do it... "Yes sir... I was," she thought a moment, trying to remember what they did the first year, "comparing ingredients from the potions in first year with ones we will likely be doing in our NEWTs, seeing if it's being used for the same properties in each." Did that even sound right? It didn't, did it?

He wasn't buying it. "You've become a disappointment," he said, turning away, the thick disdain dripping from his words.

That struck a nerve. No sooner had the last word come from his mouth did Kaida stand and retaliate. "Have I? Probably no better than my sister, then."

He glanced over his shoulder. "I wouldn't know. I shudder at the thought that more of you exist."

She narrowed her eyes. "Meli Othort, my half-sister on my mother's side."

He finally turned back, snapping at her. "Detention, Miss Ryu. And fifty points from Slytherin." Damn this child to the deepest reaches of Hell should she repeat her first year. He hated to take points from his own house, but it may be the only way she learns. "I'll see you Wednesday at eight pm, sharp. I will not have any member of my house falling under another student's shadow, much less that of another house."

She groaned. "Yes, sir."

The class went on and she heard the shout of Snape's anger at another student. Finally, someone to share detention with her! Or at least, one she was sure of. She heard he gave out detentions a lot, and especially to Gryffindor. Beside her she noticed for the first time the way two of the other students were looking at each other. She couldn't help raising a brow at their responses toward one another, being that they'd hated each other only last week. One of them motioned, the other glared, and they both looked like they hated each other once more. Something about it edged her, giving her the idea that just perhaps the identification spell didn't fully merge with the potion. If anyone found out, she'd be expelled for sure. Her only hope was Slytherin pride, and she was sure it would keep Snape from blabbing.