The Taming of The Viper

Chapter 5: Chokehold

All that was left was returning the tie. Amicia planned on waiting for Malfoy in the common room, expecting to see him there shortly after dinner. However, an hour had passed and she discovered a flaw in her plan when she realized she had no clue what Malfoy's schedule was. He was in nearly all of her classes- Potions, Charms, DADA, Care of Magical Creatures- but outside of class she had no idea how he chose to spend his free time. Kicking puppies, I bet, she thought coldly. He would have to return to the dorm eventually, so she chose to wait for him in the common room as long as it took, pacing in front of the crackling fireplace and practicing her introduction.

"Amicia Nolander," she stuck her hand out, "at your service."

That's just stupid.

"Nolander, Amicia Nolander," she deepened her voice, "Vodka martini. Shaken, not stirred."

Would he even pick up on the Muggle film reference?

At some point, Amicia had fallen asleep on the green velvet couch in front of the fire, only to be woken up by cackling laughter as Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle entered the room. They hadn't notice her laying on the couch. Not until she stood up, straightened her clothes, cleared her throat, and called out to Malfoy, his name coming out louder than she expected, echoing through the room. A wave of sudden regret overcame her. She wanted to shrink away, preferably disappear entirely.

His back was to her, heading into the boys dorm with his minions by his side. The laughter subsided and Malfoy turned around, his face cold and unbothered. Then he saw her, the odd mousy girl standing aglow in the firelight, and while his face remained cold, there was now a faint glimmer of interest in his eyes.

"Crabbe, Goyle. Leave us," he commanded and the minions obeyed, but with hesitation. Amicia observed the two, thinking they behaved like toddlers, so unsure of themselves that they cling to their mother's skirt. She suppressed a smile when she noticed the damage Ron had inflicted on Goyle's face earlier that day, feeling a swell of pride in her chest.

Draco took a languid step forward, hands in pockets, looking at Amicia like a mouse he'd cornered, "You," he said rather accusingly, "I don't know you. Why is that?"

"Erm, well, it is quite a big place," Amicia chuckled awkwardly. Her heart was racing, thinking he was already onto her. Relax, he's not a mindreader. I think. She clenched her hands into tight fists to keep herself from fidgeting with her sleeves and she cleared her throat, "I guess we've never been introduced," she said as coolly as she could manage.

"In four years?" Another step forward, "I find that odd, don't you?" He too was now bathed in firelight, his skin and hair kissed with an unfamiliar warmth. Draco spoke with a disarming smile, the kind that made you want to open up to someone. It was the first time Amicia had seen him appear remotely friendly, inviting even, but she knew better.

"They do say there's no time like the present," she quoted Hermione's words as she stuck her hand out formally, "Amicia Nolander."

A shiver ran through her when Malfoy took her hand in his, though she couldn't tell if it was from the sheer panic she was feeling or from his touch, which was as cold as that of a corpse.

"That was quite the quarrel you had in the Great Hall, Nolander. Can't say I blame you, though. How anyone can stand being around Potter of all people is beyond me." Still holding her hand, Draco tilted his head in an almost predatory fashion, "Were you really friends with those three?"

Nodding solemnly, Amicia attempted to appear regretful, "Although they've made it very clear that I don't belong there, with them." She truly was regretful. Not for her friendship, but for agreeing to do this.