...Flying Practice..., ...closed...

[Adrian Callisto]

As Adrian walked beneath the threshold separating him from the changing rooms to the Quidditch stadium, he felt a small wave of relief, along with a bit of excitement. After Slytherin's victory in the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup last year, he had been nervous about coming back out in to the stadium, afraid that might have been his last moment of glory. He had never been much of a Chaser during his fourth year, and had been more then happy when the Captain the previous year, a burly seventh year named Harold Wiggins, had suggested that Adrian move to Keeper. Adrian had welcomed this suggestion with open arms, and low and behold, he had held Ravenclaw to forty points in the final match of the previous season. Because of his performance, he had been named captain of the Slytherin team for this year, and although he knew that this honor was deserved, he couldn't help feeling like he might not be able to repeat his great performances of the year before.

With one glance around the empty stadium, though, he knew that he was wrong. He could continue on with his performances from last year, and even improve upon them. He knew that the national teams had keepers who could hold the other team scoreless some nights, and that's what Adrian's dream was to accomplish this year. Hold one of the opposing quidditch teams (even Hufflepuff, though he would prefer Gryffindor) to no goals. He knew this would be a difficult task, but was not daunted in the least. He knew that he could accomplish this, and that if he put his mind and body through the rigorious training that was required to become a world-class keeper, then he might very well get to the professional quidditch level some day.

He glanced down at his right hand, in which he held a broomstick. It looked to be realatively new, and obviously well-kept. Adrian knew that it was originally a firebolt, but he seemed to be the only one outside of his family and a certain individual in Diagon Alley who knew that. His father had bought a Firebolt, and had brought it in to a specialty shop to have it modified. His father had dubbed the upgraded broom the "Icebolt" because of his consistent proclaimations about how his son was "Cold as Ice" when it came to keeping the quaffle out of goal. Adrian had quickly become tired of his father's boasting, but had trudgingly put up with it for the last year or so. He knew that if it wasn't for his father, he wouldn't even have a broom, or be playing Quidditch on a house team.

Glancing up at the clear night sky once more, Adrian smiled, and mounted his broom. Kicking off the ground, he felt at once that he was back at home on the broom. He performed a few quick dives, as if chasing a Snitch. He had played Seeker one game in Fourth Year, and had somehow managed to find, and catch, the Snitch. Adrian had covered this game in his head many times, and had finally decided that although catching that snitch was great fun, that he felt more of an adrenaline rush from playing Keeper.

Adrian broke off these thoughts, and attempted to keep his full concentration on his flying. He did some streaking from left to right in front of the goal. Frowning, he realized there wasn't a whole lot he could practice out here without a few chasers to take shots at him. Sighing to himself, and doing a few laps around the stadium, he flew high up in to the night sky, and preceded to dive down, reaching a quite high velocity, before pulling up, mere feet from the ground. He smiled, finished one more lap around the stadium, then landed his broom in the middle of the stadium, and dismounted.

Having proved that his fears were indeed unfounded, he sat down in the middle of the pitch, and laid down, using his hands as a pillow. His broom rested next to him, and he watched some fireflies floating around above him. Smiling, he felt that this was going to be a great year, and that nothing could ruin it for him, from the rise to power of that idiot, Draco Malfoy, to the prospects of Gryffindor possibly beating the Slytherin team in Quidditch. His lack of worrying wasn't from his lack of caring, though. He knew that Malfoy and his little bitches were thousands of miles away, in terms of their interest in him, and that there was no way that Gryffindor was going to win the Quidditch Title this year, not with that joke of a seeker Aldridge. He'd heard rumors that they were making her the captain, and he hadn't been able to stop laughing for five minutes. Adrian closed his eyes, and knew that he was going to have a great year...

[Calyx Aldridge]

Calyx had been bumped up to Captain of the qudditch team this year, something that surprised her because she was only a 6th year. Yet... it wasn't unheard of. Least to say her parents were extreamly excited for her. Her father was a qudditch fanatic, and her mother just loved watching the two talk about it non-stop. So they had given her they're graces when they found out. Her father even went out and bought her a new broom... not that it was hard. They were quite rich, not that Calyx liked to flaunt the fact, she was just happy it tended to keep her family in good graces with "The Lord Draco." Yet... she would spit on the man's face if she ever met him. She thought he was the worst thing to even happen to the Wizarding World. Her parents thougth diffrently, but Calyx was a bit to young to actually remember much about Voldemort.

If she thought about it, her entire life was in the middle of a war. Untill she was 6 there was Voldemort to worry about, not that she was one to care since she was young. And then from 6 untill 16 she had to deal with that vugal Draco person. She had never gotten to know the peaceful times before Voldemort or Draco. So she was used to deaths, fighting, and things like that.

But now she was back at Hogwarts, something her mother worried about... it was a breeding ground for Draco's followers. But every year Calyx would promise her mother she would never fall in with that crowd, and she would fight anyone who tested her on that. Which she was known for. She ended up spending a lot of time in denetion for fighting. It was just that those stupid Slytherin... they were so... annoying, dumb, stuck up, well you get the idea.

Now she was heading out to the pitch she had it on good authority that the Slytherin Captain was practicing and she wanted to get an idea of how he was doing so far this year. She had climbed up to the top of one of the watching towers before he got there and just sat there, arms on the railing, head on her arms. Thankfully he didn't notice her. She watched him pull seeker training moves, she snorted and snuched her nose at him. He wasn't a very good seeker... at all. Then just watched him lap the grounds. He seemed like he wasn't exactly rusty... but he still wasn't going his full speed. 'Well Damn...' she thought to herself, she wanted to get a good test of how fast he was. Well she'd just have to wait untill another day to find out. She watched him as he layed down on the grass and smirked. 'Slacker' She thought to herself. With that she got up and walked down the stairs of the tower. She wondered if he had seen her get up. And wish she would have stuck around to see his face if he did.

[Adrian Callisto]

Adrian hadn't seen anything, his eyes had been closed. But, he had heard something, which sounded an awful lot like footsteps. He wouldn't have much cared, but after about five seconds of thinking about how good his life was going to be this year, he'd started to get bored, and this was a perfect excuse to get back up, and return to reality. He slowly pulled himself to his feet, and grabbed his broom in his left hand. He wasn't precisely sure he knew where the footsteps had come from, but they'd been from above him, that much was for sure.

Again, he almost decided to let it go, and just head back up to the common room for the night. He was sure that the fire was lit, and the flames would dance, creating silhouettes across the common room. He was also sure that there'd be several fourth and fifth year females sitting around the common room, most of whom probably had a crush on him, and would be more then happy to fool around a bit. As interesting as that sounded to Adrian right now, he still wanted to figure out who'd made those noises. For all he knew, it could be a huge fan of his, and he might get a bit further then just fooling around. Contemplating this, he smiled, and walked toward the nearest observation tower. He wasn't sure if this is where the person had been, but it was his best chance, he supposed. If they had been in a different observation tower, he reasoned, he wouldn't have been able to hear them. As he strode towards the tower, he thought for a moment, and then decided it would be to his advantage to reach the bottom of the stairs before the person coming down did. This thought caused him to quicken his pace, and he arrived at the foot of the tower a few moments later. He now heard the footsteps even clearer, and had made up his mind that they were too light for those of a man, that this was probably a girl. He smiled, and hoped it was one of his fans. He could really use a work out, and the type he was looking for had nothing to do with Quidditch...

[Calyx Aldridge]

Calyx had been mulling thoughts over in her head, stratagies, having to pick the team this year, if she would be any good. It was official that she woudl have to win the first game, or else she would be so down on herself, and probably most of the house would be down on her, she would probably not be in qudditch the next year. Not unless they pulled off an amazing up from behind victory. But... they were going to win so there was no problem. 'Ya no problem... exactly. Right... ya.. right.' She told her self in her head. 'Oh.. go me. I have to give myself pep talks already and year hasn't even really started yet.' Shaking her head she sighed and just walked down the last few stairs. Her black hair was up in a few diffrent spins and swirls today so hair was kind of going everywhere, but she made it look good. She was also in her muggle clothes still, she hadn't felt to change out since classes hadn't started yet. Her mother had to have her shipped up a bit early since there was no way she was going to be able to make the train.

She was in a rather muggle vintage skirt that went a little past her knees, it was red and black and pleated all over. She was also in a black ripped up tank top, and rather large black boots that went all the way up her calves. She knew she wasn't exactly the "Poster girl" for gryffindor fasion... she liked to do things her own way. But that didn't seem to put her out with anyone. She still made captain of the qudditch team didn't she! Not that that had anything to do with her clothing options... but still it was a point.

Finally Calyx was able to reach the bottom of the stairs and who to her surprise and displeasure was there, but Adrian Callisto himself. She just glared at him. She had seen that face as she had came down that "Oh a girl, I'm going to get laid tonight" look.

"You discust me." She said flatly. She looked him over and laughed a bit. Just shaking her head she moved to walk around him. "By the way... I'm glad you decided not to keep the seeker spot... you would be discracing the position. Not that you do Keeper much good either." As she got behind him she grinned. She hoped it was enough to ruffle him, it was so funny to see Slytherin's all mad about something. It was so cute how they would get all red in the face and then give threats about their daddies doing something about it. Yet... she knew Adrian was a bit diffrent than most slytherins, but still it didn't change the fact that he was a stuck up, cocky, man whore. And the house didn't do him any good either.

(sorry they've been so short, I'm a bit tired.. so normally they're better)

[Adrian Callisto]

The moment the female figure stepped off of the stairs, Adrian's heart dropped. It wasn't a fan of his, it was Aldridge, the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. He glanced at her clothing, and decided that she was probably the only student in all of Gryffindor, and most likely all of Hogwarts, who looked like she bought her entire outfit at Hot Topic. This thought brought a small smile to his face, as he was fully aware that everyone at school knew his thoughts on the trashy muggle clothing that was sold at Hot Topic.

This caused him to glance down at his own clothing, and seeing his blue and white Diesel T-shirt, his Gap Denim Jeans, and his Pink Converse All-Stars left a smile on his face. He knew that he was quite stylish, and that lots of people around Slytherin, and even in other houses wore muggle clothing like his while they were on holidays and during summer vacation. Of course, he hadn't seen this personally, but word had it's way of getting back to Adrian, and he of course was jubilant, but he didn't show it. Hiding his emotions was something that Adrian had become good at.

This was actually one of those situations where he defintely couldn't say what he wouldn't ve honestly liked to. While he honestly didn't quite understand why Calyx hated him so much, he personally didn't despise, hate, or even really dislike her. He'd learned long ago that these emotions were wasted, because they didn't really make the object of the discontent any more likely to stop behaving in a way which offended. So, hating, or talking shit, or whatever, towards someone, just continued the cycle, and made the situation worse for everyone. In fact, Adrian actually thought that Calyx was rather attractive. Of course, he would have someone remove both his eyes and his tounge, and would ultimately die before he would ever tell anyone that, but it was true. He was from a rich pureblood family, a line that had all been in Slytherin, with no exceptions. How would it look to everyone, his friends, his family, and the wizarding community in general if he were to ever admit to having a crush on this girl, a hardcore Goody Gryffindor if he'd ever seen one. It wasn't just that, but there was the Quidditch Rivalry, and the several run-ins his friends had with her friends over the last few years. But, yet, he still spent most of Potions class sneaking glances over at her, though he wasn't sure why.

Her wardrobe wasn't anything special, and he even considered it crude in some cases. But, he knew that there was more to her beauty then old, ugly clothes could cover up. It was just something about her personality, the one that shined from her when she was talking to her friends, or to her Quidditch Team. It was a personality that he never saw directed at himself. Instead, he saw the hatred, the anger, the contempt. He wasn't sure if it was simply because of him being in Slytherin, because he like to be dressed in the latest fashions, or because he could be stuck-up occasionally. He supposed he would never know, and as he heard her piercing comments, he stopped for a moment, wondering how she could be so cruel. Then he remembered that he was the one who found her interesting, and she probably just saw him as another piece of Slytherin trash.

He glared at her, his face showing no anger, but annoyance. He turned, and watched her walk past him. and his face changed from a glare to a smirk. "Well." he began loudly, making sure to catch her attention as she increased the distance between them. "I don't even play seeker, and I'm still better then you. You couldn't pull off one of those dives if your life depended on it... and trust me, with your flying skills, it would." He paused for a moment, his face turning to a smile. "Also, if I remember correctly, it was my excellent keeping skills that held Ravenclaw to forty points in the final Quidditch Match last year, which gave Slytherin the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup. I mean, if my memory doesn't fail me, it even kept Gryffindor down by sixty points, although your team did crush Hufflepuff by just over two hundred points. I expect I have to give you some credit there." Adrian paused, and then decided that they were alone. He glanced around the stadium just to be sure, and seeing nobody, turned back to Calyx. His face changed from it's former mocking smile, to almost what one would consider a genuine smile. "Although, if truth be told, I would give your team a fair chance in our match this year. I know that I have more returning players, but if you hold a decent tryout, you should be able to hold your own. Our seeker isn't with us this year, graduated, not that he was much of a catch to begin with. You slaughtered him last year, and that's saying something." Adrian chuckled for a moment, then looked serious again, but the smiled remained on his face. "That, and from what I've heard, we haven't got a great crop of seekers to choose from this year. Seems like they're all slow, and none of them can dive worth a shit." Adrian frowned for a moment, and then it dawned on him, what he had just said.

He'd admitted weakness. His parents had taught him never to do this, as had the unspoken rules within the Slytherin House. He hated himself right about now, and wanted to cover it up with some sort of horrid insult, but none came to mind, and he didn't think he could bring himself to say something like that, at least not now. It felt like he'd spilled his soul, everything he'd ever stood for, and he was thoroughly ashamed of himself. Glancing down at his feet, he kept his eyes there for a moment, before looking back up at Calyx. There was a look in his eyes, and while it was riddled with regret, the look was not sad, but maybe better described as hopeful...

[Calyx Aldridge]

As Calyx walked by she couldn't help but notice he had been looking her wardrobe over yet again. He always seemed to do that. She knew... well the entire school knew, that he hated the muggle store hot topic. And she really didn't give a bogarts brain what he liked or not. It discusted her that he would wear such preppy clothes, as much as it disgusted him about what she wore. She happened to like what she wore, it kept her unique. It let her show out the side of her most people just refused to see. Yet, she had to admit he probably liked what he wore too. But she had the feeling he did it to start trends, and to show off how popular he really was. Yes, Calyx was what you could concider popluar around Gryffindor... but it was because of her personality, and what she did. Not because of her family, or what she decided to wear that day.

The rivalry between the two had seemed to have started since the day they set foot on the Hogwarts Express for the fist time. They just hadn't hit it off to well. He had been showing off to some of his other 11 year old friends, something that bugged Calyx to no end, so she had made a snide comment to make a few laugh. And walla, a fude was formed. Then of coarse the two were in a few classes together, where Gryffindor and Slytherin's rivalry was obvious, and Calyx couldn't help but lead the charge at times. And then there was the fact that they had joined Qudditch in the same year, on the two most opposing teams. And now they were made Captain the same year. Well it was just asking for trouble now wasn't it?

It was just something about him that infuriated her. It was just like... He was so, "I'm better than you." and he was just so... Slytherin-ish. Well on some things, on others not so much. There was the fact that he didn't seemed to give a tiddily wink about Draco Malfoy... which should couldn't help but like him if only just an tid bit more. But still there was something there, something she just coudn't put her finger on that drove her insane when it came to him. One of her friends even said he drove her so mad because she liked him. Which was proposterious... he was, annoying, stuck up, not to mention he was a man whore! And he was Slytherin, what girl... the captain of the Gryffindor qudditch team no less, actually liking a Slytherin, the captin of their qudditch team. It was just plain stupid, and she had told her friend that.

As Calyx started kept walking past him, swinging her hips, which happened to be a trademark of hers. Her friends always picked on her about it, but she didn't do it on purpose... well not normally, it was just how she walked. She had to swing them a bit because she did take fairly long strides. Stopping she just stood slanting a bit and crossed her arms on her stomach. She didn't turn around to him but just smirked. "Oh my dear, dear boy. You know nothing about seeker, nor will you ever. So you might just want to shut up before I have to show you how much better I am."

Finally she turned around to him, a bemused smirk on her face. "Oh but deary, didn't you notice what an off day Ravenclaw was having? Still, they had to be doing pretty bad to loose to you. But that was the only reason you won. And Hufflepuff, yes they were easy. And thankyou." Shrugging she looked back to him after watching a butterfly float on by. "Yes well... I have no explaination for the game between us, and I do give you that win," Raising a brow at him she chuckled. "Oh my Adrian, we have much more than a fair shot."

Calyx was shocked actually, he was actually starting to talk to her like they were on the same qudditch team, telling her what a sorry group of seekers it seemed like they had this year. This was good information, very good information. How, or why he let it slip she doubted she would ever know, but she was just glad he did. This was amazing news! 'Thats his first mistake of the year.' She thought to herself happily. Hopefully it was a sign to how the rest of the year would turn out.

Calyx watched as he looked ashamed at what he had just said. 'And he rightfully should!' She thought to herself. Yet when his eyes came back up that hopefull look in them, it was something she was not expecting... and didn't like it one bit. She turned around again a bit flustered and shoved her arms across her stomach again. Her mind was whirrling. 'What in the world was that look about?' She thought to herself... it was so, un-him. She was very unnerved.

[Adrian Callisto]

If Adrian would have been able to make his foot kick his own face, he would've. What the hell had he been thinking, trying to talk to Calyx like she was just some normal girl. He didn't quite understand what had taken a hold of him, but he didn't like it one bit. He wasn't so much concerned about mentioning his lack of seekers to her, because she was going to find that out in a few weeks' time, regardless. He was also going to figure out what the Gryffindor Team's weak points were, as well. It came down ot strategy, and executing that strategy effecitvely, just as it always had in Quidditch. It never amounted to anything more or less, really. Once you were in the air, all the one-ups you thought you had on your opponent dissapeared, and Adrian knew quite a bit about that. It was what had held him back during third year. Attempting to analyze people too much, rather then doing his job, and keeping the opposing chasers from scoring.

But, it wasn't really quidditch, either. He believed that he might be losing his nerve. Maybe it was a lack of knowledge, and maybe it was knowing too much, but he just couldn't understand how he could so obviously go out of his way to be somewhat kind to this girl, and she could turn back and be just as cold as she had since they'd met. For someone who was supposed to be a model Gryffindor, an example of the traits that members of the house should practice, she sure acted like a bitch much of the time. He would've liked to believe that maybe she misinterperted what he said, but he very much doubted it. She had probably seen what he said as a weakness, and pounced on it, much like an animal of prey. For a moment, he pictured her turning in to a Leopard or Tiger, and jumping at him, and he didn't have a hard time with the thought, either. It seemed perfectly feasible to him.

Realistically, though, he felt like he wanted to die. He had laid himself out on the line, and had gotten totally shot down. After five years of the bullshit between them, he figured that maybe nothing could change the current status quo. Perhaps after something has been existant for that long, a type of dislike, bordering on hatred, which had led to a fair share of arguments, pranks, stand-offs, and confrontations, maybe it was just human nature to keep on going like that, without change. After all, humans aren't known for their tolerance to change. But, he thought that was probably a wrong prediction, as well. He was able to bring himself to speak to civily to her, which is more then she could ever say for herself. She was the one who started their rivalry, feud, whatever it was, and maybe she would have to be the one to finally decide to end it. Because, Adrian knew that he had been ready to put it behind them quite a while ago.

He glanced back up from his shoes, and just stared at Calyx's back for a moment. He noticed she had her arms crossed, and wasn't sure what exactly her problem was. Obviously, what he had said hadn't meant anything to her, and he knew that the tone of what he said wasn't exactly mean, or hurtful, so he couldn't figure out... then it hit him. She had turned away after he'd looked at her, straight in the eyes... apparently, that had given something away, something which she did not wish to share, or let him know that she'd picked up on. He just wasn't sure what she was thinking, but he thought he had an idea... he continued to stare at her back as he thought, and he wished that she would turn around and face him, so he could at least get an idea of what she might be thinking....

He realized now, as he thought about it, that it was defintely social pressure that had kept the feud going for as long as it had. He remembered how his friends had pestered him to play some sort of trick on her, or to attempt to injure her before their Quidditch Match last year, and how he had refused, and yet awoke to find out that Calyx had been distributing rumors about how many house-elves he'd slept with in the last year. Adrian hadn't even been upset by the rumor, since while most folks had a good laugh at it, they knew it wasn't true, was just more pre-match banter by the opposing sides. He wouldn't doubt that her friends had pressured her in to starting those rumors, especiallly since at the time, he hadn't considered her much of an intellect. Sometimes Adrian wished he could just leave all the social pressures behind, and be who he wanted to be. His clothing accurately reflected him, he knew, but that was about it. Under the flair, under the glitter, he was really a pretty good guy, and he was well aware of that. But, he could have never left that side of him show, and hope to keep his reputation safe. He wondered if Calyx thought that was as well. Maybe he was stuck-up, like she had said, and like the look in her eyes showed him, whenever they'd seen each other in the past. But, just maybe, she was just as stuck-up, and just as much of an asshole, because she acted the exact same way he did most of the time.

He wasn't sure, and he had no idea what to do. He pondered it, flipping ideas around in his mind, before he finally found a tiny tidbit of information that helped him in his decision on what to do next. He knew that she already thought he was a weakling, an idiot, after what he had just said about his Quidditch team. The look in her eyes showed him that alone, he didn't need more evidence. He figured that he might as welll put it all out there, since nobody was watching, and he supposed that she had a right to know the reason that he'd sat and stared at her for the last five years wasn't because of her unique choice of clothing. He took a step forward, drew in a deep breath, and spoke. "Uhm... Calyx. I've got something I'd like to put out there, and I know you're not going to want to hear it, and think I'm some sort of fucking joke, but I'm going to say it anyway, because it's something I'd like off my chest, after all these years." He paused, giving her a moment to comprehend what he'd just said, and then continued, a bit more cautiously this time. "Over these last five years... I haven't been starting at you because I hate your wardrobe, as I so cliamed. I've been staring at you, because even though you're not blonde, you don't dress in the latest fashions, and even though you're not in Slytherin... I think that you're... beautiful...." He stopped here, wondering if he should continue. Pausing for a moemtn, he contemplated whether or not to continue, and how exactly to handle saying how he felt in the most pure manner possible. "I've just never been able to bring myself to say anything before. I know that you would just sit there and laugh, and tell all your friends, and make a big joke out of me. My reputation is at stake, and as much as reputation doesn't matter to you, you know damn well that it matters a lot to me, being wealthy and all. I never found the proper time, if you understand what I'm saying... I really.... just..."

He stopped there, not being able to speak any further. Even now, though, in the aftermath, he felt he'd said exactly what he'd wanted to, and this brought him a bit of peace inside, regardless of what she might say next.

[Calyx Aldridge]

'What was that look about?' She thought hurriedly again, for about the 7th time that second. It was driving her mad. He never looked like that, ever. He never had to look, hopefull, or whatever in the world that was. And even if he did, he never, NEVER looked at her that way. It was always annoyed glances, or aggrivated stares. The only time they actually looked at each other was when they were having a staring match in the middle of class. He had seen him look that way a couple of times, when he was picking up yet another one night stand. It was all a "Oh I'm so cute, come home with me look." Just to draw them in. Like a bug going towards the light. He was a big bad bug killing light, and all the helpless girls were just little bugs flocking to him.

She felt better at that thought, him being a bug killing light. Very amuzing actually, she would have to try that hex next time he sneezed at her wrong. She knew she was very... touchy when it came to him. But he deserved it, he was such an ass to her. He was always trying to ebarass her in class, or to end up breaking her arm or something the day before a match. Yet... for some reason she didn't think they were all his idea, yet she knew some of them were. Since the same thing happened with her. All her friends tended to push on their rivalry. Sometime she just felt like a half time show people flocked to go and see. She felt like she was a carnival attraction more than a person at times.

Twisting a leather strap haning from a lacing on her arm she chewed on her lip nervously. Why was she getting all worked up. It was a look, just a look. Nothing weird about that, she got looks all the time. A lot of times from the very few boys she had drooling over her. She didn't really know why... it was so... annoying. She wasn't even all that good looking. At least she didn't think so. Yet... most girls didn't think so. Well some did and said they didn't so they could get more compliments, girls like that got on her nerves. Yet as she thought about it she had the feeling he was staring at her. 'Why...' She thought. 'Dosn't he have some dastardly evil deed to get done today? Why can't he just leave me alone.' She thought annoyed. It was obvious that they had nothing to really talk about... they were rivals. The most of a conversation they ever got to was just yelling obsenities, hexes, and jabs at one another. So why was he still haning around. Some of his fan girls were probably going to send out a search and rescue mission soon.

She heard him take a step forward and her mind buzzed. 'No, STOP! Stop right there. No more moving! Turn around and run away like a good annoying little Slytherin.' Yet her lips wouldn't move. She couldn't seem to get out a word. Calyx was rooted to the spot as he seemed to pour out his heart to her. This could not, NOT be happening. It just coudln't. She pinched her arm to make sure she was awake. 'yes, I'm awake... well damn. What to do?' She thought. Finally he stopped. She scrunched up her nose and turned to him face in a smirk. She knew what sheh had to do.

"Awww!" She said sweetly. "Isn't that adorible! It looks like the Slytherin has a crush! And no less on a Gryffindor, how cute. Wont the school just love to here this! You just can't keep your mouth closed today can you?" SHe said almost laughing. She couldn't believe she was doing this... it was horrible but she had to. She just couldn't, could not! Like a Slytherin... and she wouldn't let him desecrate himself by liking her either. She knew she wasn't going to tell the school, or anyone for that matter. He just had to think she was going to. That was all. She knew he heart wasn't in the banter, but she had to make it look good. She just couldn't see him throwing away everything... maybe in his 7th year for something... but he still had a lot of time to go. And if word got out... well they wouldn't be as well liked any more. She smirking she looked down her nose at him. That normal playful twinkle in her eyes. Gone. She blew him a kiss and then started to waltz by. 'Well...' SHe thought to herlself. He had better have bought that.'