XIII: Snakes

Chapter XIII: Snakes

Draco flopped onto the battered old leather sofa in the Slytherin common room and crossed his arms over his chest with a scowl.

'I can't believe that Mudblood bitch has got me Saturday detentions and banned from Quidditch!' he spat, his eyes glittering with rage.

His faithful cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, made murmurs of agreement as they took a seat either side of him. Draco's humiliation in the Great Hall had been embarrassing and they had slunk down in their seats as Snape barked at him and dragged him to his office. Fortunately, Draco had not noticed his friends' cowardice, pinned as he had been by the intense and angry glare of his Head of House.

'She has to pay for this,' Draco continued, the steely look in his blue-grey eyes so much like his father's. 'First she jeopardises one of our own House by insisting on following her around constantly like a lost Crup and even getting Belakane to stick up for her, then she has the gall to declare undying love for our Head of House! And even he suddenly thinks she's as pure as the driven snow and punishes me instead, sending me to his office in front of the whole fucking school!'

Goyle sneered. 'There's no way that Mudblood is pure. And I'm not just talking about her blood.'

Crabbe and Goyle cackled evilly as Draco's mouth twisted into a cruel smile.

'Yeah, the little slut would need to be buried in a Y-shaped coffin.' He smirked at his own cleverness as Goyle snickered sycophantically.

Meanwhile, Crabbe looked confused. 'Uh? I don't get it.'

'It means she keeps her legs spread open constantly like the filthy whore she is, you idiot,' Malfoy hissed, as the light bulb slowly went off in Crabbe's head.

'Oh. That's clever, that is.'

Malfoy shot him a withering look. 'Shut up, dung-for-brains. I need to think of a way to get back at Byrne.'

Crabbe wisely shut his mouth and began occupying himself by picking the fluff off a Cockroach Cluster he had found in his pocket as Malfoy drummed his fingers impatiently on the arm of the sofa.

After half a minute, Goyle piped up once more. 'Didn't Zabini once say she was quite cute, for a Mudblood?'

Draco scoffed. 'It would take more than cuteness for Zabini to touch a Mudblood.' Then his eyes opened wide as an idea dawned on him. 'That's it! Goyle, you're a ruddy genius!' And with that, he leapt off the sofa and made his way down to the boys' dormitory as fast as he could, leaving Crabbe and Goyle gaping like guppies.

* * *

'So let me get this straight, Draco: you want me to seduce Charis Byrne, have sex with her, dump her like a hot potato and bring back her knickers for you as proof?' Blaise Zabini raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was no secret that he had tons of admirers, but why the hell did Malfoy want him to seduce a Mudblood out of all the girls in the school? Sure, she was by no means ugly, but there was his reputation and the reputation of his House to think of. And as for bringing back the knickers as a trophy – surely if Malfoy wanted to get his kicks from girls' underwear he could borrow some of Pansy's!

'You'll be rewarded for your efforts, Blaise,' Malfoy replied smoothly. 'Do this for me, and I'll get you VIP tickets to the next England Quidditch match, a new broom signed by the whole international squad and all the Butterbeer you can drink.'

Zabini's eyebrows couldn't have climbed any higher. Malfoy was going to pay him? Seducing the pretty blonde Ravenclaw would have been easy enough to do per se. He had perfect confidence in his own capability to get the girl and in his own good looks. It was the possible damage to his reputation that was the main issue here. The reward for going near this Mudblood was high, though, and Draco's offer was indeed sorely tempting. The Malfoy fortune was legendary, as was the influence in Wizarding society that Draco's father held, so Blaise did not doubt for one second Draco's ability to come up with the goods. His motives, however, were something else entirely.

'What's in it for you?' Blaise asked, suddenly suspicious. Malfoy didn't usually offer anything without wanting something in return, especially not something this sought after.

'All I want from you, Blaise, is to do as I've asked. Fuck her, and then dump her as cruelly as you can, and bring me the proof. Let's just call it settling a score for Slytherin, and no-one will think any worse of you for it.' Malfoy smirked. 'So, do we have a deal?' He held his hand out to the other boy to shake, who looked at it thoughtfully for a few moments. Malfoy's father was well-connected enough to get the best seats in the house for international Quidditch matches, along with VIP treatment and the chance to meet the team afterwards, not to mention the value and rarity of the signed broom, and these sealed the deal for Zabini.

'You're on,' he replied coolly, shaking Draco's hand firmly. 'But if you dare tell me I stink of Mudblood afterwards, I'll hex you so badly you'll be shitting slugs for a week!'

* * *

Towards the end of December, the school became noticeably more boisterous and excitable with the impending Christmas break looming ever closer. The Hogwarts Yule decorations were always impressive and festive enough to infect even the most hardened of Scrooges with a little Christmas cheer. However, this year there was more reason for end of term excitement: Professor Flitwick had arranged a New Year's party for fifth years and over at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, strictly dress robes only, and all the girls were already considering what dresses to wear.

It was just after dinner on the last Thursday of the term when Zabini saw his chance to begin the challenge laid out for him by Malfoy. Charis, unusually, was on her own, making her way back to Ravenclaw Tower. And seeing that she was, for once, not shadowed by her Slytherin counterpart, Zabini wasted no time in cornering her at the foot of the stairs.

'Well, hello, Charis,' he purred, flashing her a charming smile filled with white, perfect teeth.

Charis glanced at Zabini cautiously. For a fifth-year, he was tall and well-built and somewhat of a heart-throb around the school, and she would be lying if she said that she had never checked him out before. But he was also a Slytherin and good friends with Draco Malfoy, so Charis was immediately on her guard.

'Blaise,' she murmured, glancing at the stairs, subconsciously looking for an escape route.

'You know, I've always admired you, Charis,' he began, leaning nonchalantly on the banister.

'Me?' Charis was stunned. Whatever could a rich pureblood Slytherin like Zabini ever admire in her?

'Yes, you,' Blaise replied, fixing her with another smile and holding her gaze with his warm, chocolate eyes. 'You've had some stick in your time for hanging around with a Slytherin, and you don't let it put you off at all. Which means you're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. And judging by your Sorting, I would choose the former.'

Charis blinked as she took in his words. Blaise Zabini, Hogwarts heart-throb, was complimenting her! She smiled shyly back, running her eyes over his smooth black skin, his imperious lips and his perfectly chiselled cheekbones. There was no doubt about it, the boy was hot, and he looked and indeed acted far older than his fifteen years.

Blaise noticed Charis' shy smile. He had recognised that look on girls' faces before when a compliment was offered and received gratefully. And he also noticed the way Charis' eyes darted across his face, resting on his mouth.

'So, I was wondering if you'd be brave enough to come to the New Year's party with me,' he continued smoothly. 'That's if you have no other plans?'

Charis swallowed and searched his eyes for any sign of a joke. Blaise was smiling down at her, a smile that extended to his deep, cocoa-brown eyes. There was no Malfoy about or any other Slytherins. He must be serious!

'I, um, I'd love to!' she gasped.

'Excellent!' He glanced at his watch quickly. 'I have to go. I'll catch up with you tomorrow, OK?'

'OK!' Charis replied, suddenly feeling like her feet were full of helium. What had just happened? Had Blaise Zabini, one of the most good-looking guys in the whole school, really just asked her out? Her?

She stood still on the stairs when Blaise had long since turned the corner and had disappeared from sight, and she never saw the smirk on Blaise's face as he sauntered down the corridor that led to the dungeons. This was going to be far too easy, he thought.

'Who has hit you with a Silly Grin Hex?'

Charis spun around and came face to with her best friend.

'Well?'

'Zabini ... Blaise,' Charis started, still smiling. 'He asked if I wanted to go to the New Year's party with him.'

'Zabini?' Morgana repeated. 'Blaise Zabini, fifth year, Slytherin pureblood? That Blaise Zabini?'

'Is there any other?' Charis asked, her smile faltering slightly. What was Morgana on about?

'Blaise Zabini asked you to go to the New Year's party?'

'Yes, he did,' Charis replied, her smile now all but gone. 'Do you have any problem with that?'

'No.' Morgana snorted. 'I just find it peculiar that he asked you.'

'Why on earth is that peculiar?' Charis now felt anger bubble in her chest. Could Morgana not just be happy for her? 'Why should he not ask me? Because I am Muggle-born?'

Now Morgana narrowed her eyes. 'No, but because he is a close friend of Draco Malfoy and normally one of the first to complain that I stink of Mudblood when I've spent time with you.'

'Well, maybe he has changed his mind!' Charis exclaimed. 'Maybe he is just saying those things in the common room so Malfoy won't get pissed at him.'

'Sure, believe what you want,' Morgana replied. 'But don't say that I didn't warn you.'

And with that, she began her descent to the dungeons, leaving an angry Charis behind.

Morgana was the one to talk, Charis thought. After all, she was the one mixing with Dark wizards on a regular basis. Who was she to give advice about being careful?

And feeling slightly disappointed, Charis started climbing the stairs that led to Ravenclaw Tower, wondering why not even her best friend could be happy for her when a Slytherin male finally showed genuine interest in her.

* * *

The last day of term flew by in a whirl of excitement, chatter and fun. Most of the teachers allowed games and tricks to help cheer in Yule, all, that is, apart from strict authoritarian Minerva McGonagall and unseasonal sourpuss Severus Snape, who made their classes work until the very last second. Snape even had the audacity to give his NEWT class a pop-quiz on healing potions.

All day, going to and from lessons and meals, Charis had looked out for Blaise, but there had been no sign of him. And by the time she walked Morgana back to the dungeons in the evening, she was beginning to think it had all been a joke and that she indeed should have taken Morgana's advice.

But Charis still lingered for a few moments after having said a quick goodbye to her friend; with any luck, Blaise would show up.

She was just about to turn to make her way back to her own dorm when she ran into none other than Zabini himself, grinning widely.

'Hello, my sweet little Ravenclaw! I've just been looking for you. What brings you to the dungeons? Fancied some snake-baiting? Or maybe some snake milking?' he asked with a naughty gleam in his eyes.

Charis giggled and looked at him through her eyelashes.

'Well, that would entirely depend on the type of snake I could find down here. Viper, boa or Basilisk? You tell me.' She bit her lip suggestively, eyes twinkling at her daring.

Zabini grinned in response. 'You'd like to find out, wouldn't you?'

'Damn right I would,' Charis whispered as Zabini stepped closer, surprised at her own daring. But something about that boy made her forget her good manners and ignore the little voice in the back of her head that told her to be careful.

'Well, well, well, and how are you going to do that?'

Charis looked up into his deep, dark eyes and ran a finger lightly down his chest. 'I find a spot of slow dancing often encourages a snake into action.'

Zabini exhaled with a little growl. 'Dancing, eh? Good thing that there will be plenty of that at the New Year's Party.'

'That's right. I've chosen a cute dress already.' She smirked, and Blaise smirked back in return.

'You have, eh?' he asked in a drawling voice, slowly backing Charis up against the wall. 'And how does it look?'

'You'll have to wait and see, won't you?'

Charis was right up against the wall now, and she could see his eyes glitter.

'What will you be wearing under it?' he asked, touching her arm lightly.

'What do you want me to wear?' Charis whispered in response. This was not really like her, but flirting with one of the best-looking guys in the school gave her confidence a boost, and she felt light-headed and bold.

'Black silk,' he murmured, his breath tickling her ear.

Charis shivered with pleasure at this as his hands came to rest at her waist. 'As you wish, Mr Zabini,' she replied breathlessly.

'What colour is your dress?' he murmured. 'So I can match the bouquet, you understand.'

Charis felt a bubble of pleasure rise up inside her. He was romantic as well as handsome! This was too good to be true.

'It's midnight blue.'

'Forget-me-nots it is, then.'

She gazed up at him with big green eyes. 'I think I would have a hard time forgetting you, Blaise.'

'I know you would,' he growled, leaning in for a kiss.

Charis grazed his mouth gently before pulling away with a smile. She was, after all, a modest girl. 'And what will you be wearing, Mr Zabini?'

'The finest dark green dress robes money can buy, Ms Byrne.'

'Mmmm. I bet you'll look fantastic,' she purred, tracing her finger back down his chest.

'I look even better without them.' He smirked once more before forcing his lips on hers.

Oh, it felt good! Zabini could kiss well, not like some of the other boys who drooled and lapped with their tongues like Hagrid's boarhound. They kissed eagerly for a few moments, but then Charis pulled away.

'Not here! If Snape catches us we'll be dead!'

'Oh, don't worry about him,' Zabini purred. 'He's gone to Hogsmeade for the Head of House's annual Christmas meal.'

Charis paused to imagine this for a second. She could almost see the glare on Snape's face as he was forced to pull a cracker with Professor Sprout, and she giggled.

'Even so, that man has a sixth sense when it comes to snogging teenagers.'

Zabini grinned once more, flashing his perfect, white teeth. 'We will have to find a way to keep him busy at the party then, since I intend on doing more than just snogging you.'

Gods! Charis' eyes widened with surprise and excitement. Blaise Zabini wanted to have sex with her! The very idea sent a shiver of delight down her spine. She had wanted her first time to be memorable, especially after having been treated like owl droppings by the one man she desired the most. And as far as she was concerned, losing her virginity at a New Year's party with the best looking boy in the school seemed like the perfect way to heal her broken heart.

Don't mess this up now, Charis, she thought. Be brave, be bold. Show him that you want it, too.

She grinned back at him and playfully raised her eyebrow. 'Well, Blaise, I fully intend to see if you were put in Slytherin for a reason,' she breathed.

He hummed happily before grazing her ear with his lips once more. 'Make sure that you really don't forget me,' he said softly.

'How could I?' she whispered in return.

Zabini reached in and softly bit her earlobe. And Charis shuddered with pleasure as he nibbled at the sensitive skin behind her ear.

'Yes, how could you?'

How could you indeed, he thought with a smirk.

* * *

Christmas came and went without much incident for either of the girls. Charis went back to Somerset to stay with her parents, and Morgana stayed at Hogwarts, using the time to read, sleep and mull over her thoughts.

She had a lot to think about, indeed. She had tried to stay away from Snape ever since the incident in the garden of Malfoy Manor, but it wasn't easy. Every time she looked at him, every time he looked at her, she felt a shiver go down her spine, and the memory of his lips on hers haunted her dreams every night. And she would wake up in the middle of the night, her heart racing and her body screaming out for his embrace.

Another thing that made it hard for her to get a full night's sleep was the incessant flow of owls. Lucius had developed the habit of sending her an owl exactly at midnight every second night. Sometimes, they carried just a note to wish her a good night. Other times, they would carry expensive chocolates, sweets or a long letter whose content made Morgana blush. She replied now and then – to be polite, she tried to convince herself – but her yearning for Lucius had mellowed. Maybe, Snape had been right then. Maybe, she had really only lusted for Lucius because he had drugged her. But then why did she stand by the window every second night, waiting for his owl to arrive?

Charis spent some sleepless nights as well, but for entirely different reasons. While she had been crying softly into her pillow during so many December nights, longing for Snape's embrace, she was now longing for Zabini's. The boy had actually sent her a rose for Christmas with a tiny note attached to it: I wish it were New Year's already. And Charis had tucked the note into the back pocket of her jeans and would read it every now and then, smiling happily. She found the pain in her heart from the humiliating incidents with Snape was greatly diminished by the anticipation of her new suitor. And so she spent most of the holiday dreaming of the party and how it would feel to lose her virginity at last.

Before the girls knew it, it was New Year's Eve already, and they – like any other girl in the castle – spent hours in their respective dorms, grooming and applying make-up for the big night.

The girls weren't alone in wanting to look good, however. In the Slytherin common room, the boys were putting finishing touches to their hair and making sure their boots were shiny. And they certainly looked dashing.

'You scrub up well, Zabini,' Montague noted. 'It's just a shame you're going with a Mudblood tonight. I don't know how you'll ever get the stench off your robes.' He smirked at his own joke.

The insult rolled off Zabini like water from a Hippogriff. 'I can always buy new ones, you know. My mother just buried another husband. We have enough gold to buy new robes every day,' he sniffed.

'Why are you going with her, anyway? Everyone knows she's a little slut.' Montague sneered as he tried to flatten a persistently wild piece of hair that was sticking up at the back of his head.

'That's why I am going with her. I am tired of having to tell girls how nice and lovely they are and buy them loads of presents before they let me into their knickers. Byrne is a sure thing. And besides, Malfoy told me he'd get me VIP tickets to the next England match and a signed broom once I've rammed her.'

Montague gave an unpleasant-sounding chuckle. 'Well, it might be worth soiling yourself for that. Just make sure you Scourgify your dick afterwards. You might catch something. God, what is Greengrass doing in there? Bloody girls and their make-up!'

Zabini grinned. 'Maybe she's shaving. You know, down there!'

Montague leered. 'I'll tell you in about ...' He checked his watch quickly. '... two hours.'

'Uh, confident! That's my bro!'

'That's Montague charm, Zabini.'

Their banter was interrupted by the sound of a door creaking open and Morgana standing in the doorway in her dressing gown. The look on her face couldn't have been darker.

'What's the matter, Belakane? No dress to wear to the party?' Montague sneered.

'I don't think that's any of your business, Montague!' she snapped in response. If she had her wand on her, she would hex him into the next century.

'Or is it because your ickle Mudblood fwiend got a date and you didn't?'

Morgana narrowed her eyes. She had warned Charis about Zabini, but her friend had not wanted to listen. Actually, she had been rather curt.

'Don't worry, Belakane,' Montague continued. 'Zabini here will show her a good time, won't you?'

Zabini gave Morgana a smile that would melt butter. It did, however, not affect her in the least.

'Maybe Zabini should be careful,' she growled, shooting both boys a look that could have made the Whomping Willow wither.

'By the time I've finished with her, she'll have a job standing upright,' Zabini quipped, and both boys chuckled lasciviously.

Morgana glared at Zabini. 'Just be careful. If I hear that you hurt her ....'

Zabini raised an eyebrow. 'Are you threatening me, Belakane?'

Before Morgana had a chance to respond to that, Daphne Greengrass appeared behind her in the doorway, like a vision in diamante and olive. Morgana personally thought she looked like a giant bogey, but kept her thoughts to herself as she made way for the girl, who strutted past her regally.

Zabini wolf whistled as Montague performed a comedic double take.

'You look hotter than a dragon's arse. Come here, witch,' he growled.

Daphne gave a silly giggle in response before strolling up to her beau, who gave her a peck on the cheek and handed her a single, white, long-stemmed rose. 'A rose for my rose,' he murmured.

'Aren't you the sweetest,' Daphne simpered, the blush on her cheeks now clashing violently with the olive green of her gown.

Montague grinned smugly, as if Don Juan himself could not have come up with a more romantic gesture.

Zabini picked up his forget-me-nots with a flourish. 'Time to get my own sweetheart.'

Daphne and Montague both chuckled at this comment.

'What?' he grinned, with an innocent expression plastered all over his extremely good-looking face.

'Make sure you scrub yourself afterwards. I don't want you coming back here contaminating the dorm with Muggle germs!' Montague joked.

'Would never dare,' he said imperiously, pretending to dust his robes off.

'You're an animal, Zabini,' Daphne laughed.

'That's right. A snake!' He hissed furiously as Daphne shrieked.

'Come on, petal,' said Montague, grabbing her elbow, 'Let's leave Zabini to his courting.'

Morgana stayed behind, fighting the urge to vomit all over the dungeon floor. The last five minutes had reminded her about why exactly she had turned down any invitation she had received for the party. Slytherin boys were, as a rule, foul creatures, skirt-chasers and show-offs. And she had no desire to go out with one of them and then be discussed in the dormitory. And besides, she had acquired better taste over the last couple of months. Boys were simply not worth the bother anymore.

* * *

Daphne and Montague left Zabini as they passed the entrance hall and stepped out to get a carriage to Hogsmeade. Zabini meanwhile made his way to the foot of the stair of Ravenclaw Tower, where Charis was awaiting him.

His eyes widened as he took in the girl's form. She certainly suited her house colour. The blue satin was elegant, and the dress accentuated her curves, but Zabini was almost unable to take his eyes off her cleavage.

After a few moments, he snapped out of it and bowed, holding out the flowers to Charis. 'My Lady.'

Charis smiled, a warm glow filling her belly. 'Why, thank you, kind gentleman,' she replied in mock-aristocratic tones and took the posy from him. 'They're beautiful.'

Zabini gave her a glittering look. 'They look like weeds compared to you.'

'You're looking particularly ravishing yourself,' Charis noted, admiring the way his expensive, ivy green robes accentuated his tall, athletic frame.

She leaned up and pecked him on the cheek, and as she did so, Zabini's hands slipped round her waist and he pulled her closer, his hand gliding over her satin-clad butt.

'Did you keep your promise?' he murmured, eyes twinkling.

'I always keep my promises,' Charis whispered, gazing deeply into his rich brown eyes.

Zabini let his hand glide over her butt once more, pushing his hips forwards. Already, Charis could feel the beginnings of a bulge, and it sent a shiver through her. She brushed past him a little, just enough to tease him. 'You'll find out for sure later,' she said in a low voice.

'I sure hope so,' he growled, squeezing her bottom gently.

Charis wrapped her arms around his neck in response and kissed him softly.

'Hm, you taste lovely,' Blaise told her when he'd come up for air. Once more, Charis felt like she could burst with happiness. This hot, sexy guy was all hers for the night!

'You know, for a Slytherin, you're as sexy as hell,' she mused.

'Aren't we all?' he replied, one eyebrow raised.

Charis giggled. 'Trust me, sexy Slytherins are few and far between!' There was one damn sexy Slytherin, of course, the Head of Slytherin House himself. But Charis tried not to think of him. Not tonight! Tonight, her heart belonged to the one Slytherin male who actually cared about her and who seemed willing to take down the moon for her.

'In that case, I feel honoured.' He licked his lips, looking at Charis through his lashes. 'Are you sure we must go dancing first?'

Charis gazed back at him smoulderingly. 'Just think how much I'll want to rip your robes off when you've been grinding up against me all night.'

Zabini smirked. 'Once our robes are off, you'll wish you'd ripped them off hours ago.'

He crushed Charis' lips with his quickly before holding out his arm. 'My Lady,' he said again in a deep voice.

Charis took his proffered arm. 'My good Sir,' she replied in her mock-posh voice.

'Let's go dancing.' He grinned.

And with that, they made their way out through the entrance hall and to the front of Hogwarts and slipped into the next carriage to Hogsmeade.