Authors Note: Yay another chapter! Hope you all are doing great :)

Disclaimer: I don't own crap.

WARNING: Adult language (I know these warnings must seem stupid and they kinda are BUT they are necessary sometimes haha)

On with the show!

Raven called Alduin down from the rows of owls sleepily nestled in their nooks. He gave a depressed little hoot at her while obediently holding out his leg, clearly bemoaning the fact that he was to be sent on an errand.

"Yeah tell me about it handsome. It sucks for me too. At least you get to fly about having a gay old time with your little owl friends." She said, tying off her letter and giving him a scratch under the beak. Alduin nipped her finger affectionately before spreading his huge wings. A few quick flaps and he was on his way into the cold dawn.

"My my. The little bird rises before noon and it's not even class day. I should document it." Came a smooth drawl in her ear; Draco having glided silently up from behind. Raven jumped, releasing a startled gasp before spinning around to meet his laughing gray eyes merely a foot away.

"Fucking Christ, Malfoy! What are you doing skulking about scaring people this early in the morning?" she spewed out, her heart skipping a beat at his intrusion.

(Does he charm himself to look this good all the time or something? There seriously needs to be a law against being that perfect. Oh god, he's doing that little smirk thing. Okay, cool it Rave. Remember you have facial Tourette's syndrome. He's gonna know.)

Draco reached into his back pocket, raising an amused brow when Raven took a small step back.

"Relax; I'm not going to hex you for your insolence." He teased, extracting a small rolled up parchment.

"Yeah…well…like you could." She retorted while he strolled past her to whistle for his own owl.

"Well aren't we in a foul mood." Raven huffed and turned to glare holes into his back.

"I am and it's your fault." She said, putting her hands on her hips. He turned to meet her gaze, folding his arms and his head cocked to the side.

"Oh? And what have I done to ruffle that little skirt of yours this time?" he asked, his eyes taking their sweet time as they slowly traveled over her buxom curves.

(Note to self: If, no when, she's mine, she's going to stay under her robes when we're in public. Oblivious minx has no idea how many boys I've caught staring at those ungodly tight blouses of hers. And if any man should be seeing that much thigh, it should be me.)

He was so busy checking her out that he almost missed her answer.

"You were way off the mark about Blaise." She said, self-consciously tugging down at her skirt. He blinked slowly, raising his eyes from her fiddling hands to pierce her annoyed blue ones.

"How so? Has Zabini been feeding you lies again?"

"Far from it actually. He's been the truthful one, unlike my best friend, so I guess your warning was a bit premature."

"And what's Blaise got to do with Lewis?" he questioned.

"He told me something Gwen wasn't bothered enough to say herself. And don't even ask what it's about, because it's none of your business. Let's just say I found-"

"Hold on." Draco interjected, nearly rolling his eyes at this new turn of events.

(Why am I not fucking surprised? I know you're off your rocker mate, but becoming some gossip slag to break up two girls is laughably low, even for you.)

"Blaise told you. You see what he did, right?"

"What? What are you talking about?" she demanded.

"Gwen must have gotten in his way somehow, because why else would he get involved in something that has nothing to do with him? He doesn't like her so he tells you some awful secret of hers and…wa-la…problem gone."

"I can't believe how ridiculous you're being Malfoy. If Gwen had just been up front with me instead of sneaking around sleeping with some asshole-" Raven clapped a hand over her mouth.

(Good job Rave, way to keep shit on the down low.)

"This is seriously what the fight is all about? Who she slept with? Her sex life shouldn't be any of your business, or at least, shouldn't matter." He said smirking, amusement clearly printed all over his lips.

"It is my business when it's Marcus fucking Flint! It matters because I fucking hate him! He's a cocky bastard who has no respect for anyone, hates muggle-borns for Christ's sake, which Gwen knows about, yet has apparently decided that's fine with her-" Raven stopped, gritting her teeth in frustration at yet again divulging more than she should have.

(How does he do that?)

Draco stared at her for a second, trying to stamp down the shock that wanted to take hold of his features.

"Okay. So she's with Flint. Raven, everyone hates him. He's such a miserable cunt, even he probably hates himself. Still, it doesn't concern you. She's a big girl, yes? Capable of making her own decisions. Blaise wouldn't care either except its perfect fuel for turning you against her. He's a Slytherin darling, we don't play fair." He said, using her distraction to sidle closer to her.

"That's not the point, Draco! He told me which means he's the only one who has my back."

Draco shook his blonde head slowly and Raven realized that he had expertly backed her up against the wall without her knowing. He placed an elegant hand beside her head, the fingers of his other tracing slowly over her shoulder and down her arm. Raven held her breath, trying not to inhale the delicious scent of sandalwood and fresh maleness from his body.

"So bloody stubborn. It's such a shame you're so willing to waste yourself on the less deserving." He whispered, the tip of his nose nearly touching hers, he was so close. Raven swallowed and bit her lower lip in order to hold back the small whimper that threatened to escape.

"Now, who's not playing fair?" she said with a shuddering breath.

"Oh but I am, little bird. I don't need to resort to sabotage to claim what I want. I prefer a more…direct approach." He said, his voice huskily low and sensuous, his lips ghosting over the delicate curve of her cheek.

Raven squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to look at him. This was the same song they've danced to before. She would avoid him and pretend that he didn't stir up any emotions in her. Then he would come along and turn her world upside down and shake out all the feelings they both knew were there. It wasn't fair. She enjoyed being Blaise's girlfriend. She felt comfortable with him. She was content. She knew what to expect from Blaise. He was safe…

(Being content is not being happy and it's not love you foolish girl. You're so intent on being safe that you could be gambling away your shot at the real thing. Draco's here, like he's always been, offering himself on a silver platter each time, but because it scares you to risk your heart on him, you'll live the rest of your life playing it safe…coward…)

A tear threatened to leak through her lashes and she bit harder into her lip to keep any noise from spilling out. Draco, unaware of the voice tearing apart the girl in front of him, wrapped an arm around her waist to bring her closer. His other hand tunneled through her midnight locks, pulling back the silky waves in order to kiss a path down the side of her neck and across her collar bone; his tongue dipping into the small cove of her throat, just barely grazing her jeweled collar.

"I hate what you do to me." She whispered, unable to suppress her words any longer. He brought his head up to look at her, his steel eyes like melted pools of mercury as his thumb swept slowly along her bottom lip.

"That's not true. I can see what you want. Even if you don't. You hate the fact you can't allow yourself to have what you need. What you crave." Draco stated bluntly, his tone dripping with desire, the edges rough with arousal as he examined the pink flush dusting the tops of her breasts, rising and falling with every breath. Raven's hands gripped the fabric of his tight black shirt as if to hold herself up, letting his words trickle down into the well of passionate turmoil in the pit of her stomach.

(It's not fair it's not fair it's not fair!

What's not fair is you denying yourself this. Blaise doesn't make your heart race. Doesn't make your palms sweat with his mere presence. Doesn't force you to think of all the wonderful possibilities if only you would reach out and fucking take it! Draco's the one you want-)

"Shut up!" Raven cried out, the voice in her head finally driving her mental.

Draco stared at her in question, his lips firming as he believed it was in regards to his words.

"You make me crazy." She murmured to herself. Draco smirked at the sentiment, settling his hands low on her hips.

(Oops, I said that out loud didn't i? Damn me to hell. Well, why not do one more crazy thing today?)

Before she could talk herself out of it she brought her hands up to frame his face, then before she knew it, her lips were moving over his almost desperately trying to eat up everything he gave her, hearing a pleased purr rumbling deep in his chest. Raven's throat felt tight and she began feeling light headed, but she pushed on until the pain in her lungs took over and broke them apart.

"I'm sorry," she wheezed, "it's not you…it's me. I want…well…I'll talk to you later about it…promise." She finished in a cough, air slowly beginning to flow easier. She slipped out of his arms and began to walk away, wondering why this shit was happening again.

"I'll be in charms class during dinner. No one would be up there so we'll have privacy. Will you come?" he asked, barely hoping that she would actually say yes.

Raven looked back at him, torn between doing what was right and doing what she wanted. After a few moments, she gave a nod of her head, not daring to say anything more, before hurrying out of the Owlry. Draco watched her go, unable to believe what had just transpired between them. She kissed him. His tongue licked the taste of her from his lips to savor her in his mouth. She was going to meet him. Was she leaving that conniving Italian bastard, finally?

"I won't let her leave any other way."

Raven almost ran to breakfast as if she were trying to outrun the choice she had apparently just made.

(Blaise is nothing but sweet and truthful with me and I'm going to turn around and betray him for what…a few stolen moments with Draco Malfoy?

You have to quit kidding yourself Rave. Were you really planning on being with Blaise forever? You may be innocent where men are concerned but do you want to add idiotic naivety to the list as well?

You're right…I mean I'm right. Christ I am going mental.)

As Raven reached the Great Hall, her heart gave a lurch as she saw Gwen heading her way. The girl hadn't noticed her yet, her hazel eyes fixed on the ground below her.

(Oh god what do I say? I was so horrid to her; she probably doesn't even want to speak to me. Shut up Rave, either way she needs to hear how wrong you were. She didn't deserve it and besides, with what you're planning to do, you definitely owe her an apology.)

Raven cleared her throat to get Gwen's attention. The Slytherin popped her head up, a second of joy lighting her eyes before wariness took over to dull them again.

(I'm so sorry Gwen. I deserve that look. This should never have happened between us...dammit Raven, that's all well and good but now tell her that. Use your fucking mouth words!)

Gwen, mistaking Raven's sudden frown, sadly kept back whatever it was she had wanted to say and not wanting another fight, quickly strode past Raven on her way out of the castle.

"Gwen!" she called out, but it was too late. Her friend was gone. Raven walked slowly to her table and sat down ignoring everyone else. She stared down at her plate, her own appetite denying her companionship. She looked over at her pumpkin juice miserably, disappointed that Gwen wasn't there to steal it this time.

"I miss you."

Draco Malfoy paced back and forth within the dim emptiness of the charms classroom; alternatively glancing out of the window to watch the day grow darker, then at the silent, unoccupied doorway. If Draco didn't know any better he'd think that the odd feeling in his belly was nervousness, but that was silly. A Malfoy man always gets what he wants, and what Draco wanted more than anything was Raven. All his efforts of seduction were finally coming to fruition. She was finally coming to understand who she belonged to…no with. It was hard for Draco to sort through his feelings for this one small, stubborn, beautiful girl. At first it had been easy. The first time they met he'd been captivated by her fine, delicate, almost perfect image; and like an avid collector of rare objects, he wanted to keep her like a priceless piece of art that he could brag about and show off proudly. When Raven denied him, rebuked him…he couldn't understand why. He was blessed with good looks, more money than he knew what to do with, and he was the son of one of the most powerful wizarding families in Europe. Yet she wasn't impressed. That made him angry at first; how dare a simple run-of-the-muck pureblood bitch look down her dainty nose at him, when others his status groveled. But it was fascinating the way she fought and argued with him, always refusing to bow down gracefully to her superior which…made Draco want her even more. Their heated exchanges fueled the fire in his blood, and he enjoyed challenging her whenever he could, just to see her brilliant sapphire eyes flash like lightning.

(Is it lo-…bollocks, I can't even say it. I've never been in love with anyone before. I don't even know what it is. I've never heard it said in my own house, but "like" seems so…inadequate…too weak of an emotion for her.)

Draco paused in his tracks to lean against Flitwick's desk, bracing himself with his arms.

"You're getting soft Draco." He whispered in amusement, a self-deprecating smirk on his lips.

(Well, to keep a good balance, I still pretty much hate everyone else so I guess I'll allow it. Where are you little bird? I'm fucking done with this soul searching nonsense at the moment.)

"Hello, Draco…I'm glad you're here."

Raven's footsteps echoed through the desolate corridor on her way to hers and Draco's private trysting place.

(That's exactly what this is, isn't it? A scandalous rendezvous with another man. Like Romeo and Juliet, or…or Tristan and Isolde. Oh gods, why did I name those? Certainly no happy ending there. Maybe I should just turn around before I get the urge to stick a knife in my chest…)

She walked a few steps back the way she came before her steps faltered.

(Rave, you really are ridiculous sometimes. This is real life, not some tragic romantic drivel. Even if I'm not sure about breaking it off with Blaise, I at least promised Draco I'd talk to him. Just talk. That's it. No deep, intense staring into each other's eyes. No hands holding, grabbing, or sliding all over each other. No lips devouring each other until we can't think anymore…)

Raven gave a shiver, her skin suddenly too hot under her tight, revealing black scrap of a dress, turning around to continue to Charms. As soon as she reached the half way mark, her conscience started nipping at the back of her mind once again.

(If you do this, you and Blaise are over for good. No more picnics, no more brooms, no more trinkets…he'll hate you Raven. After everything he's done for you, given to you…how can you do this to him? He loves you, when you don't even have a clue of what Draco thinks of you.)

Raven stopped abruptly and sighed heavily, looking slowly from one end of the hall to the other. Two ways. Two choices. Two men. One answer.

(Blaise loves you…) whispered the nagging little voice in one last dying attempt to sway her. Raven chewed her lip, her convictions teetering like an elephant on a tight rope. Then she took a deep, calming breath to steady the rivaling emotions, making a decision.

"I don't love him." She said aloud, those four words setting her course towards Draco, a renewed sense of determination in her every step as she followed the path her heart had paved.

"Hello Draco…I'm glad you're here."

Draco's pale brows furrowed in surprised annoyance as he looked over to see not Raven, but Lavender Brown swaying slowly into the classroom, a flirtatious smile gracing her painted lips. Her hungry eyes traveling unwanted along his black tailored trousers and black button up shirt, her smile widening as his cold steel eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing here, Brown?" he asked tersely, not in any mood to converse with this empty-headed Gryffindor slut.

"I could ask you the same thing, Mr. Malfoy." She cooed, stalking closer to lean her hip against a table opposite of him. He ran his tongue briefly over his teeth, wishing he'd had the foresight to bring his wand along to send her right back out the door.

"I'm here because I want peace and quiet, which you have ruined by barging in here quite uninvited. If there's something you actually wanted, take care of it then leave." Draco growled sneering, marching over to the window to put distance between them, placing his palms on the sill to gaze out at the deep shadows strewn across the grounds. Lavender giggled girlishly, the sound of it like disgustingly sweet artificial sugar, as he heard her follow up behind him. The cloying smell of her cheap flowery perfume wafting around him, made him almost nauseous.

"There is something I want, Draco….and you can definitely take care of it for me."

"And what would that be?" he asked in a bored monotone, turning to give her an icy glare.

"I want you Draco. For soooo long. I want you to make a woman out of me."

"Excuse me? Hasn't half your house alone already done the deed? Get out." He snarled, his brows rising incredulously when she ignored the taunt to slowly unbutton her shirt, sliding it off her arms to pool on the floor. He curled his lip in disdain at her blatant display, putting his hands against her shoulders to halt her further invasion into his space.

"Oooh, you naughty boy. You just couldn't wait to put your hands all over me." Lavender breathed out in pleasure, her fingers caressing his.

"D-Draco?" stuttered Raven, who stood in hurt disbelief in the doorway, her blue eyes shimmering as she took in the compromising scene before her. Malfoy ripped his hands away from Lavender, his eyes darting over to Raven in horror, realizing how this must look to her.

"Raven…please don't believe what you see right now. I would never betray you like this." Draco said softly, a note of pleading sincerity in his voice.

"Oh yes…sure. Of course you didn't betray me. I mean it's not like you were standing right there alone with your fucking hands on a half-naked girl! Really Draco, Lavender Brown? I never thought you'd have such low standards!" Raven spat; anguish erupting like a volcano to wipe out the hopeful fantasy she had held onto.

"Huh, well I'm not going to stay here and be insulted by some hypocrite." Lavender announced, snatching her discarded shirt to slip it back on.

"Excuse me?" snapped Raven, borrowing on Draco's earlier words, glaring at the Gryffindor, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. Lavender gave her a snarky, knowing look as she passed by, pulling her last button into place.

"Oh please, you're no better than I am, sweetie. Otherwise you'd be with your boyfriend instead of here, doing exactly what I was about to do. Ta-ta Draco. Come by anytime when you're done with this one." She gave him a wink before striding off to let them stumble through the wreckage.

"Raven look at me. This was obviously a set-up by Blaise somehow. Lavender must have owed him a favor of some sort. He must have had me followed to know where to send her…" Draco tried to explain, his stomach folding in on itself when Raven's tear streaked face turned to stare at him, heartache apparent in every crystal droplet. He hated to see her cry; the expression of disillusionment in her eyes like shattered glass and the quiver of her lips like hot battery acid pumping into his own heart.

(Have faith in me little bird…I can't lose you now. Not when I just got you.) He thought earnestly as his eyes pierced hers, willing her to believe what he was about to say.

"Blaise knows something is going on between us. And just like Gwen he had to get rid of me. Deep down you know it's true so don't let this happen. Raven…I love-"

"I don't want to fucking hear any more of this! I'm sick of the "Blaise is out to get you" paranoia rubbish! You'll say anything right now and you know what? I'm done playing into your fucked up head games. I caught you, Draco. God how stupid and gullible do you think I am?" she shouted, her voice strained, his beautifully lying face swimming in ugly distortion in her new wave of ocean tears.

"Lavender's right. I do have a boyfriend. One that I almost pissed away because of you. I'm going back to him and I'm going to forget all about you, Draco Malfoy. You should do the same." Raven turned around slowly and walked with head held high to the doorway. She was tempted to look back one last time, but the sight of him would be her undoing.

"I love you, little bird." The deep sadness in that one hoarsely whispered declaration was the last thing Raven heard before she began to run, eyes blinded in her misery as she was plagued by what could have been and what would never be…again.

"Okay I did what you asked. I don't owe you anything anymore. Okay? I'm done." Lavender said furtively, her eyes uneasily looking everywhere but at the tall, imposing figure in front of her. Two fingers reached out to playfully tug on a lock of her hair.

"Don't worry; you can scamper off now little rabbit. A deal's a deal." Blaise said, chuckling at the poorly hidden relief flitting across her face as she nodded quickly, turning to walk briskly away. Smiling to himself, he strolled leisurely on his way to the Slytherin common room. As he rounded a bend into the murky dungeons, two strong hands grabbed him by the front of his shirt and violently slammed him into the stone wall. His face hit the cold rock with a resounding smack, causing him to grunt at the pain. Blaise turned his throbbing head slowly, his surprised anger melting into a cold smirk as he identified his attacker.

"Well if it isn't my dear old friend. My, you don't look well. Something the matter, Draco?" he drawled with fake concern, his green eyes taking demonic delight as he surveyed Malfoy's rumpled appearance; the man obviously having just gone through some hellish torment.

"Stop playing your games, Zabini. Did you think no one would know what you're doing? Whenever something goes wrong, you're there. Behind it all, twisting shit to your advantage. First her friends…then me. She's a person you cunt! Not a doll that you play with until its broken then you get tired of it and throw it away!" Draco hissed loudly, his gray eyes like dark roiling thunder clouds. His feet silently stalking closer to Blaise's leaning frame.

"But it's so much fun," he began, using the back of his hand to wipe at the small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, "Ah, you expected me to deny it didn't you? What would be the point now? I've thoroughly discredited you, making you no longer a threat. She wouldn't believe anything you tell her. You and that mud-blood Lewis bitch have lost the game and oh…how you both made it so very easy. I didn't have to do much really. All I had to do was set the stage and let my lovely actors write the script all by themselves. Poor…simple…obedient little sheep; doing exactly what I wanted. I really should give a standing ovation for the show." Blaise finished, giving Malfoy an eerily proud, mad smile. Draco shook slightly with the rage and adrenaline that was racing through his blood, a red film slipping over his eyes to obscure everything but Zabini's smug, gloating features.

"You sick fucking bastard! Someone needs to get rid of a mental case like you and who better than me, old friend?" Draco launched at Blaise, knocking his head back against the stone, grasping the other Slytherin around the neck, his fist cocked back to deliver a punishing blow. Blaise stared back unafraid; low, venomous laughter spilling out like poison.

"Yes, that's it Draco. Vent out all your pent-up anger on me. Blacken my eyes, break my nose; hey, you can kick in a rib if you'd like. Do it. See what Raven thinks of you then." Draco's chest heaved, every breath dragging in and out of his lungs as he gazed down at the man he used to know so well, wondering at what exact point he turned into this maniacal, crazy, fucked-up stranger. He shoved Blaise away from him, his last line the only thing that would save him tonight. There had to be another way to get around him and his connections and scheming.

"As soon as you're content with all the lives you've ruined, your guard will slip, and I'll be there…to fuck yours, mate."

A/N: And there you have it people! Blaise's psycho floodgates have burst open lol Until next time!

Please review!