Bad Blood | Draco Malfoy

t e n

          It's been a few days since the Astronomy homework was set.  All the other pairs seem to have gotten more done than Malfoy and I have, meaning we are very behind.  Every time I've wanted to talk about it he turns his back and joins Pansy or his two lackeys Crabbe and Goyle.  On the Saturday after our first week back from Christmas, I sit in the common room writing to my father to see how he's doing with Belle and Elliot.

          "de Lange!"  Malfoy shouts.  I turn from my place on the common room sofa and flip the letter over, looking up at the platinum haired boy with expectant eyes.  "I've got practice in a few hours.  Meet me in the Astronomy Tower at nine thirty."

          "I've been trying to tell you all week but you were ignoring me," I scoff.  "Trust you to decide all the arrangements, yet I'm going to be the one doing all the work."

          "Shut up and be glad that I've actually thought about this fucking assignment I'm being forced to do with you," Malfoy snaps.  "Meet me at the Astro -"

          "Astronomy Tower at nine thirty today, yes, Malfoy, I'm not deaf!"

          "But you are stupid."

          I shoot him an annoyed look, seeing his signature smirk curl upon his lips.  Malfoy saunters out of the common room, leaving me to continue writing my letter:

          Dad,

          I've only written to you during Christmas, but you didn't reply to my letter then so I'm hoping you are able to respond to this one.

          Hogwarts has been good to me.  I'm in Slytherin, the house Mum was in when she went to Hogwarts.  Tia's in our rival house, and the tension is unbelievable - between the houses, however the pair of us recently had an agrument and we're still not talking.

          I've got two close friends in my house and year, who aren't stuck up and judgemental like the people at Beauxbatons.  The others in my house are alright too, but there's this one boy I cannot stand.  I won't go naming people because you don't know who could pick this up and read it.

          How are you, Belle and Elliot?  Please say he's moved out, and that he's found a place in England.  And please say he's found a girlfriend too.  The boy's too lonely for his own good.  Send my love and take care.  I miss you all!

          Mira de Lange Xxx

***

          I leave the common room at nine twenty and reach the Astronomy Tower five minutes early.  When I reach the top of the tower stairs, I hear quiet voices coming from the landing above.  Slowly, I creep further up and listen in, intrigued to see who's up here.

          "I hope Lav doesn't find out," the voice of a female says.  It's Tia.  Something inside me fizzes with excitement.  What has she gotten herself into?

           "No one better find out," an Irish voice replies.  I remember immediately that this is one of Tia's friends I met last term.  Seamus, was his name?  "If word gets out, they'll all hate us.  Everyone knows how crazy Lavender is for me and Dean is for you."

          "I know... I just want everything to be normal and everyone to be happy," says Tia.  I then hear soft smacking sounds.  It takes me a few seconds to realise Tia's probably kissing Seamus.  I almost scream.  She's dating her best friend's crush behind her back?  I knew that there was a darker side to Tia.  I knew she was a sly little -