Geminus

Boxing Day morning was spent by Draco at the fireplace of the Slytherin common room. He had received an owl from his mother yesterday informing him that he would be receiving a visit. He had no trouble kicking out Crabbe and Goyle but he was still nervous - he thought it was a foolish risk as he was sure even batty old Dumbledore would be monitoring the Floo Network.

He was just about to give up and go when a male head appeared in the fire causing him to jump.

"M ... My lord? I was not aware that you would...."

"Silence Malfoy, I cannot be here for too long. How goes the project with those Geminus girls?"

Draco winced slightly - he had been dreading this conversation.

"Well, my lord ... er ... I have yet to split them up but...."

"BUT? You have yet to follow your orders?"

"My lord, wait, I have managed to gain the trust of one of them so the plan is still possible."

"Very well Malfoy, you are saved this time. I want those two girls apart - is that understood?"

"Yes my lord."

With a pop Voldermort's head disappeared from the flames. Draco ran his fingers through his hair - he felt physically sick. He didn't know why but instinct made him grab his bag and head for the library.

Kara slipped quietly into the library relieved that no-one was there. She dumped her bag on the floor and curled up on one of the sofas with a potions book from the shelves.

As usual when Kara's head was in a book she became oblivious to her surroundings. She didn't hear the library swing open or Draco storm in, a look of fury etched on his face. Draco didn't notice her either but he was drawn to the table near her which he promptly slammed his bag down on. Kara jumped and looked up, silently watching Draco's back as he muttered to himself.

"Bloody Voldermort with his orders ... what else am I supposed to do...."

He ran his fingers through his hair again as Kara leaned forward trying to catch every word.

"... It's not like I even want...."

Kara didn't notice but as she leaned forward her book was slipping off her lap. Before she could grab it, the book landed on the floor with a loud thud. Draco spun round and flew at Kara with a snarl. He grabbed her and yanked her to her feet.

"How much did you hear?"

"W...What? I didn't h ... hear...."

Kara stammered nervously until it dawned on her what Draco was doing. She furiously shoved him away and drew her wand.

"Don't you dare touch me like that ever again."

Kara's eyes flashed furiously ignoring Draco's apologetic look as it too dawned on him what he had just done

"Besides I'm surprised you can bring yourself to touch such wizarding trash as myself."

Pocketing her wand, Kara turned away and bent to pick up her book. As she stood Draco was in front of her in a flash. He took the book from her and tossed it on the sofa before gently taking her hands - Kara firmly pulled away, looking unimpressed.

"I'm so sorry ... really. I ... I'm sorry for everything."

Draco sighed tiredly causing Kara's angry gaze to waver slightly.

"You can't treat people like that ... especially me."

Draco looked up sharply

"Oh but you can wind me up and then leave me on the middle of a dancefloor?"

Kara raised her eyebrows in silence. She went to walk past Draco but he grabbed her hand again, this time she let him.

"Forgive me, I've just got a lot on my mind lately. Besides it's not like I can treat you exactly how I would like to."

Kara matched Draco's grin.

"That's probably a good thing. I don't think Hogwarts is ready for a Malfoy with feelings."

Draco smirked and stepped closer to Kara until his lips were nearly brushing hers

"Probably not...."

Before he could continue a group of noisy students entered the library.

"... Come with me."

Draco pulled Kara out of the library, grabbing their bags as they left. Neither of them noticed a certain raven-haired girl watch them leave.

Draco dragged Kara in silence through the school, ignoring her murmured protests. He stopped outside the Astronomy Tower but before he could pull Kara in she froze, shaking her head.

"No way."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Come on, we need to talk and this is the quietest place."

Kara reluctantly followed Draco in. As he shut the door she moved away from him and when he turned to reach for her she flinched.

"Hey, did I scare you that much?"

"No, but I really don't appreciate me or my friends being called trash no matter what front you feel you have to put up."

"Kay I said I'm sorry, what can I do? I know...."

Draco got on his knees and threw his arms up beggingly. Kara burst out laughing

"Silly sod - alright I forgive you."

She reached down and pulled Draco to his feet, who took his chance and moved close to Kara as he stood up. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her closer until their bodies touched.

"Hmm ... we haven't been this close since the Yule Ball."

Kara blushed.

"Yeah about that...."

Draco shook his head smiling.

"Forget about it. I had fun at the time although I don't think Harry...."

Kara shocked both herself and Draco by pulling him into a lingering kiss. When they came up for air Draco's eyes were wide with disbelief and amusement.

"Well I didn't expect that. I only came here to talk."

Kara tried to pull back, embarrassed and horrified.

"Well let's talk then."

"Nah, I prefer your idea."

Draco backed Kara against a wall as they spoke and slowly brushed his lips against hers without actually kissing her. Kara parted her lips slightly before raised an eyebrow questioningly at Draco when nothing happened - he smirked slightly.

"I like it when you take charge."

Kara chuckled and pulled Draco forward into another kiss.

It wasn't until the evening that Kara eventually returned to the Gryffindor common room. As she collapsed in the seat next to a slightly sulking Harry Jenna eyed her suspiciously.

"You look a bit flushed?"

"I do? I ... erm ... ran back from the library when I realised the time."

Shooting Jenna a 'shut up' look, Kara turned to Harry who was avoiding her gaze. Kara moved closer to him and nuzzled his neck causing him to smile slightly.

"I'm sorry sweetie. Once I get my head in a book I lose track of time."

Jenna snorted loudly.

"Was the book interesting?"

Kara rolled her eyes at Jenna and gave her a wicked grin.

"Yeah, it couldn't put me down."

Hermione looked up, noticing Kara's slip.

"Don't you mean that you couldn't put it down?"

"Yeah that too."

Jenna sniggered quietly, marvelling at Kara's blatant cheek and the fact that no-one noticed anything. Kara looked back at Harry apologetically.

"I am sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

Harry finally smiled.

"Okay, as long as you do. At least all this work means that you can soon stop spending time with Malfoy."

Kara buried her head in to Harry's chest so she could avoid his gaze.

"I hope so."

---------------------------------

Unfortunately all too soon lessons started back up. Kara was still struggling with her feelings for Draco and arguing with her sister did nothing to help matters.

"He's a Malfoy, not to mention a bloody Slytherin."

Kara turned angrily away from the common room fire and glared at her sister. They were both relaxing after dinner and enjoying the quiet - Ron and Harry were still in the Great Hall and Hermione was working in the library.

"Don't you think I keep telling myself that but he just doesn't act like one when we are alone. Damn him, he's too hot for his own good."

Jenna chuckled at the frustrated look on her sister's face.

"He really has got to you, hasn't he?"

Kara collapsed on the sofa next to her sister with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah, why is it that the first bloke to get under my skin is him? Why not Harry?"

"So he must be a fantastic kisser then? Maybe I should try...."

Jenna pretended to drift off in a daydream silently laughing at the furious look on Kara's face as she rounded on her.

"Don't you dare - he's mine."

Kara clapped a hand over her mouth in horror out her outburst before grinning at her sister.

"Piss off or I'll have to make a move on Oliver. You know that I like men in authority!"

"Oi!"

Kara laughed as Jenna threw a cushion at her. She swallowed nervously before deciding to broach the forbidden subject.

"Jenna ... about Sirius?"

"No."

Kara growled under her breath at her sister's stubbornness.

"Why won't you at least talk about it?"

"I don't want to."

Jenna glared at Kara warningly. Normally Kara would back down instead of risking her sister's temper but this time her own got the better of her. She jumped up and began pacing in front of Jenna.

"You selfish cow - it's not just your own feelings that are at stake here you know."

Jenna flew out of her seat and faced her sister, the anger clearly visible from the pair of them.

"Don't you dare call me selfish. You aren't exactly thinking of Harry's feelings when you're fucking Draco are you?"

Kara reeled as if she had been slapped. Her eyes blazed furiously but she kept her voice low.

"Don't you ever...."

Kara drew her wand at the same time as her sister but before they could cast any spell, the guys walked in to the room

"Hey gorge ... oh."

Harry hesitated and quickly stopped Ron from barging past. The twins turned to face the guys, slowly lowering their wands. Harry shot forward and pulled Kara into a nearby chair, putting her wand on a nearby table in the process. A very reluctant Ron did the same to Jenna trying to ignore her furious glare. Jenna decided she wasn't quite finished and pushed Ron aside and rose from the seat he had led her to. Ron tried to stop her but failed miserably.

"Geroff me, come on Shay - not like you to not finish something you started."

Jenna started to goad her sister, regardless of the two lads' appearance. Jenna's temper seemed far from over.

"Drop it Jen, not now."

Kara gave Jenna a warning glance not to say anything she didn't mean but Jenna ignored her.

"Oh come on Shay - Narla's been itching for a fight and I know just the one who can scratch it. Not afraid are we?"

"Right that's it," Ron intervened bravely, "As much as I'd love to see you two have a bitch fight, I mean I'm only male after all, but it's not like you two to fight so what gives?"

Ron stood between the furious look on both twins faces.

"Sister stuff, so stay out of it," growled Jenna.

Ron threw his hands up in mock surrender.

"Hey don't take this out on me Jen, I'm just trying to stop you two making idiots of yourselves. Although if you do insist, may I suggest those muggle bikini things and mud wrestling."

The twins chuckled lightly lessening the tension in the air. Ron certainly had a way with words, you had to hand it to him - his blatant disregard of what he should have said or rather not said was needed at that moment.

"Somehow I don't think Hermione or Oliver would agree," Kara said lightly, still avoiding eye contact with her sister.

"Oliver might like to watch though, as Ron eloquently put it he's only male after all." Jenna added forcing her bad temper away and the four Gryffindors laughed over the reaction they would get if Hermione ever found out what Ron had just suggested - considering her reaction at the Yule ball it was best not to tell her. Harry and Ron wisely moved the conversation on to the start of lessons.

"... Well the only reason I'm glad we're in lessons again is so we can have Lupin."

"He is very cool."

The twins both piped up in agreement. They met each other's eyes and smiled slightly. They generally didn't stay mad at each other for that long (generally - not always).

"You have no idea - has Harry told you about the Marauders?"

"A little bit."

Kara felt Harry shift uncomfortably beside her - they never really talked about their talk at Hogsmeade.

"Ron...."

"What? The map is the best part."

"The map?"

The girls glanced curiously at Harry who soon had them in stitches with tales of the Marauders and the map they designed. They were all crying with laughter when Harry recalled how the map had insulted Snape in his third year.

"I can't believe it, Lupin was a trouble maker."

Jenna wiped tears from her eyes and caught the wicked grin from Kara which she promptly returned.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"What?"

The twins turned to Ron and Harry.

"I think it is time that the Dream Team makes a return."

Soon all four Gryffindors were plotting their next scheme, all thoughts of any arguments forgotten in the face of mischief. It wasn't until Hermione walked in later that evening that they got distracted. She looked at the grins on the Dream Team's faces and shook her head.

"I don't want to know, do I?"

"Probably best you don't," Jenna piped up before continuing in their hushed discussion. Hermione walked away shaking her head in disapproval and headed up to bed without asking any questions. She was soon followed reluctantly by the others with big mischievous grins planted on their faces.