Six Steps to Fall, One to Love

Part I: Longing

"Honestly now!" I screamed as Harry, Ron and I entered the library. There was a couple snogging in the back corner of the bookshelves, and as intrigued as Ron looked, it really, truly, was a disgusting sight. "This is supposed to be a place of education," I sighed, plopping my books on the nearest table which earned me a nice dagger-throwing glare from Madam Pince.

"Who said that isn't educational?" Ron grinned stupidly to himself and chuckled with Harry. I rolled my eyes and we all sat down quietly so as not to disturb the "education". It's hard enough having two guys as best friends but two perverted ones with oddly raging hormones makes me wonder why I put up with them.

"Don't be such a prat, Ron... there are - erm - other ways to show your affection and in a library certainly isn't one of them... I have half the mind to tell Madam Pince but I'm sure either way, she'll find out." I wouldn't really tell, not unless I was looking to get hexed or something.

"Oh really?" said Harry with mock interest. If you ask me, Harry has never really been 'here' lately after... well, Sirius. It broke my heart to see his crestfallen face every day and by just his distant expression, I knew there was nothing I could do or say to make him feel better. Just then, Ron rounded on me,

"Well I suppose you being a big expert on Vicky and all, now you're an expert in LOVE?" The tips of his ears were turning red and by the way he was clutching the desk, he was definitely hyperventilating... again. I really didn't feel like answering him, giving him the satisfaction of knowing what was going on in my personal life. I don't ask him where his manly-urges are taking him (not very far I'm guessing) so why should I tell him anything?

"No I'm not saying that! Now stop putting words in my mouth and let's do what we came here to do and that was to study," I said hurriedly and shoved my head into a book. The truth was, I hadn't heard from Viktor all summer... but that's partly my fault because I wasn't allowed to write to him, or so says The Order. Come to think of it, I haven't sent a letter since last year!

Ron gave me a wary eye and then he stood up and walked towards the shelf where the couple was, pretending to be looking at the books but I knew better. What a pig.

I glanced over at Harry and he was absentmindedly drawing circles on his parchment, sighing every once and a while. He'd acted like he was free from thoughts all summer long, joining in on conversations and always being the one to be dying of curiosity whenever the Order had a meeting. Hogwarts was probably just another unfriendly reminder of how he once again lost someone dear to him, only this time, he was able to remember it all too vividly. Everyone could except for me of course, who had to go and get slashed and miss out on everything. I didn't help at all. Aren't I grand?

"So Harry," I began, trying to strike up a conversation, "How was Divination with Trelawney?" I laughed hoping he'd join in but all I got was a preemptive "Uh-huh" and that was it. What a nice friend I have here.

"Harry..." I tried to start again as I leaned in closer. This time, he stood up abruptly and I could see him clenching his fists, trying to retain himself. His brilliant emerald eyes were transfixed by something I couldn't see (I doubt it's a Thestral) and he contorted his lips into a kind of half smile thing.

"Sorry Hermy," he attempted to joke, referring to our encounter with Grawp. His voice was wavering and what he wanted to sound funny came out sounding like an odd sort of death sentence. "I'm starving, I'm going to grab something to eat," and then he walked steadily out of the library doors. Normally I'm extremely accepting when it comes to excuses like these and Harry, by now, has become quite the professional at lying... until this moment. Ron came over and stared at me quizzically. Poor Ron, he most definitely has no brain.

"Guess he was really hungry!" he chuckled, sitting down beside me. I gave him my best 'oh-my-god-I-can't-believe-you-look' and got up, shoving my books into my bag and swinging it over my shoulder. The thing about life is, you don't know how much you truly care about someone until they walk right out of your face and then, it hits you. I feel like I'm having some sort of revelation, but whatever it is, it's wonderful. I may be no expert in the game of love, but someone I realize I love is in pain and needs me... I hope.

"Him being hungry would have made sense a year ago. Harry hasn't eaten since Sirius died."

... *'*

Draco Malfoy ran his long fingers through his silky, silver hair as he positioned himself on his chair in a sexy manner, using his 'simply-irresistible' moves on the girl across from him. Blaise Zambini looked up from her homework and raised her eyebrows so high they were in danger of disappearing into her hairline. She untangled her long legs and stared into Draco's pearl moon-gray eyes and tilted her head, signaling that he had indeed caught her attention.

"Blaise," he whispered as innocently as possible, nodding to her.

"Draco?" she acknowledged and licked her lips.

I got her, he coaxed himself, sure of his catch, all I got to do is reel her in. His perfectly evil little mind was working double time although it needn't have to for Draco Malfoy always gets the girl... or so he believed.

"I say we meet up at the Hog's Head when we go to Hogsmeade this weekend, wouldn't you like that?" Draco drawled, turning on the charm.

Blaise clicked her tongue and smirked at him, shaking her head. "Is that some lame way of asking me out on a date?" Draco sat up in shock at her quick retort and glared at her dismally. He had to go out with Blaise... as head of the dominant house of Hogwarts, and obviously the best looking, he just knew that he would easily get one of the best-looking girls in Slytherin.

"I-"

"You just thought 'how could she say no?' Well what makes you so special?" Blaise knew she was making Draco angry but that's what she happened to like best about him. Playing with his mind was only too fun, practically every girl drooled over him and she must admit, she was one of them. So being asked was a great achievement by girl standards... but why not have a little fun, first?

Draco stood up in one swift flourish and Blaise nearly melted when she saw the familiar fire burning in his eyes.

"What do you think makes you so damn special!" he sneered, looming over her. Blaise received the finishing line,

"-Because you asked me out." That was it, she had him. Draco smirked in spite of himself and sat back down, marveling at her cunning intellect.

"Fine, you're absolutely right," he laughed, "What is it you want?"

I want you to stay bad, Blaise mused to herself, simply adoring every minute of his handsome presence. Quickly she pushed such thoughts aside. He wants me to do something... anything, she considered eagerly. Then, an idea so bold struck her that only a true Slytherin would be able to concoct. She loved it when he acted so wicked and in charge, so that's exactly what'd he'd do for her.

"I have a proposition for you," she stated, packing away her homework and sitting with her hands crossed firmly across her lap. Draco lifted his hand slightly, signaling her to continue. "If you can make one good girl go bad, I'll go out with you," she sat back, allowing her word to sink in. Draco gazed thoughtfully into Blaire's dazzling blue eyes and knew that he had to have her. Conniving minds have to stick together anyways... right? He had convinced himself. His eyes narrowed as he spoke,

"Just what girl are we talking about?" She put her finger thoughtfully to her lips and no sooner had she done so had they spread into an impious grin.

"Hermione Granger."

Draco jumped up again and started yelling at her in protest,

"No freakin' way! I'm not doing anything to a Mudblood, especially Granger! Their kind doesn't deserve someone like me! It's not worth it for some bloody deal!" He turned his back to her and began to trudge away. Screw Blaise and her stupid ideas. Father would kill me if he knew I was even thinking about anything to do with a Mudblood-"

"Consider it a challenge," she growled viciously, pausing for effect. The very word may him stop dead in his tracks. Slowly he turned around to look at her, a small, smile creeping up his face. Blaise lay comfortably on the couch knowing perfectly well that she had hit him where it hurt. Draco rested for a minute, sniggering to himself. Surely father would understand... a Malfoy never backs down from a challenge. He strode up to her and put his strong hands on her delicate arms, pinning her to the chair. Seeing him closer than ever sent chills up her spine and she was almost about to forget the arrangement and just grab him then and there however; she stood her ground. His face was two inches away from hers and she could see every gorgeous feature accented by the flickering firelight beside them.

"You've got yourself a deal," he answered her, his heart pounding anxiously. He moved ever-so-slightly until he was next to her ear and in a whisper as sweet as sugar, he said, "You better have your panties ready 'cause this won't take long at all." With that, Draco stormed purposefully out of the room and left Blaise behind with an overwhelming feeling of longing.