She wears strength and darkness equally well, the girl has always been half goddess half hell.

- Nikita Gill

I pulled my green scarf a little tighter as the cold October wind cut my cheeks. I rubbed the leather gloves I had gotten for Christmas last year so the friction would give me some extra warmth. Why had I agreed to watch these tryouts again?

The players were warming up and I spotted Adrian high up in the sky, throwing a quaffle at the goalpost at surprising speed. He spotted me and flew our way.

"Well, let's give her some privacy, shall we?" Tracey wiggled her eyebrows, pulling Daphne with her. I rolled my eyes at them as they walked away giggling.

"Glad to see you could make it", Adrian said as he jumped off his broom.

"Well I couldn't deprive you of your lucky charm now, could I?" I smirked. He grinned and wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead. Why did he have to be so damn attractive?

"Well, I'm glad you're here, but I would be even more glad if you went to Hogsmeade with me next week", he said.

"You're not going to give up, are you?" I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging on my lips. What was the harm in one date?

"Not until you say yes, darling."

"Well, let's make a deal, shall we? If you get the captain spot, I'll go with you. Look at it as some extra motivation", I smiled.

"Oh, we have a deal Selwyn", he winked before jumping on his broomstick again and flying off. I couldn't suppress the smile when I walked up the stairs to the Slytherin stands. If he got the spot, I was going to do what I had promised myself not to do, but I couldn't help it. I liked him.

"So, had a nice snogging session?" Tracey joked as I sat down next to them.

"Very funny, Davis", I mumbled, readjusting my scarf. Malfoy was flying a couple yards away, putting his gloves on. We hadn't fought since Monday and it was properly weird.

We didn't talk much, but even if he did say something, he wasn't as offensive as he normally was. During Astronomy we had even worked together, which had never happened before.

I just let it happen. I wasn't extra nice to him because of it, but I didn't go out of my way to annoy him either. This past week had been more fun than the previous five, so why mess that up now? This is what I had wanted for the past 15 years. For us to just be civil.

"He's so handsome", Daphne sighed as Malfoy flew off again. After I told her about Malfoy apologizing, her crush was right back where she'd left it. She was distant still, feeling that he should earn her attention back, but she was still in love with the bloke.

"I do not understand you", I shook my head as her eyes glistened.

"Oh come on, Lea. Don't tell me you think he isn't handsome. That's impossible", she said.

"He is handsome, but I just don't understand how you can romantically like him. I hope it's not just because he's attractive."

"Of course not! He's also intelligent and ambitious and powerful and charismatic." I blinked a couple times, having difficulties with matching Malfoy to "charismatic".

We watched as both Adrian and Montague gave their little welcome speech and explained how it would work. I was never allowed to play quidditch as it was not a "ladylike thing" to do. Not that there were any girls allowed on the Slytherin team anyway, but I would have loved to play at least once. I had a very fancy broom, but I was rarely allowed to use it.

The game set off and we politely cheered them on. Adrian was a really good Chaser. He was way less aggressive than the other members of the team and didn't result to foul play. He was very quick and clever, surprising the others every time.

"Stop drooling, Lea", Daphne smirked, nudging my side.

"Says who?" I quipped. She was right though. Adrian was leaving school at the end of the year and I'd still be stuck here for another two. This was not a good idea.

And then Malfoy caught the snitch. I cheered with Daphne and Tracey, surprising even myself. I shouldn't suddenly be nice to him, not after 15 years of him being an arsehole, but it felt nice to not be called out and annoyed every day.

"Come on, let's see who the new captain is", I said and dragged Tracey and Daphne with me. We made our way down the stands again and then silently slid to the side of the field. Snape was talking to the team, but I couldn't make out what he was saying. Snape surrounded by quidditch players was an odd sight in general.

And then Adrian and Montague shook hands, but both had a serious look on their face. But then Montague left and Adrian stayed behind with Snape. That must mean he was made captain. So I was going to Hogsmeade with him next week.

"Hey, Malfoy, good work out there", Daphne said, clearly suppressing a smile. She wasn't the best at the hard-to-get game.

"Thanks", he mumbled, and left. Daphne was clearly a little hurt by this. Why was Malfoy so weird around her? Sometimes he flirted with her and then other times he was completely uninterested. I had to figure out what his deal was.

"So, Selwyn, I believe you owe me a Hogsmeade date now." I averted my eyes from Malfoy to see Adrian's grin.

"Congratulations", I said, smiling slightly. "Well, I keep my promises."

"Great, I look forward to it", Adrian winked and left.

"Eleanor Selwyn, are you going on a date with Adrian Pucey?" Daphne said when Adrian was out of hearing distance.

"I suppose", I mumbled.

Daphne squealed and engulfed me in a hug.

"Get it girl, he's so hot", Tracey said. Their excitement was contagious and I couldn't help but grin too at the thought.

Daphne deserved that too and I had to figure out what Malfoy's deal was before she'd get hurt.

But I didn't speak to Malfoy anymore until Monday night.

I spent the remainder of the weekend in the library to get ahead of my work and even in Potions, there was no competitiveness this time. I kind of missed the banter. As long as he didn't get too angry and lash out, it was funny.

So it was Monday night, just after curfew when we spoke for the first time since the previous week.

We exited the common room to do patrol and I decided to not take my own route this time and just follow him like we were supposed to.

"What are you doing?" Malfoy asked when he noticed, wearing a frown.

"Well this is the way we're supposed to patrol, isn't it? And since you've been tolerable, I figured I'd enjoy it while it lasts." I smiled to signify that it was a joke, but he just looked at me weirdly.

"Well I wouldn't get too used to it", he said.

There was absolutely nothing to be seen in the hallways, which made the walk incredibly boring and awkward, so I decided to just ask him straight.

"Malfoy, can I ask you something?"

"Depends on what the question is."

"Well, you won't know unless I ask", I shrugged.

"Smart ass", he mumbled, but he didn't really seem bothered, so I took that as a yes to asking my question.

"What exactly are your intentions with Daphne?"

"None of your business", he huffed. I rolled my eyes. Why was he so defensive all the time?

"It's just a question, Malfoy. She's my best friend and I care about her. You know just as well as I do that she really likes you. I just don't want her to get hurt."

It was quiet for a while and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. He never revealed much.

"If you like her, great, go for it, but if you don't, I know she's got her hopes up."

"Doesn't matter if I like her or not. I don't do dating", he mumbled. I was about to tell him how ridiculous that was when I realised I was no different. I didn't date either, until Adrian showed up.

"Well if you do like her, I think you should give her a chance", I shrugged. Since when had I become Cupid of Hogwarts?

"Since when are you so interested in my love life, Selwyn?" Malfoy asked and stopped to face me.

"Don't flatter yourself, Malfoy. I'm simply looking out for my best friend", I huffed.

"Well you should look out for yourself. I've seen you with Pucey", he said.

"And what about it?"

"Nothing, just be careful, his friends are questionable and a lot less respectful when you're not around."

I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, but I appreciated that he cared. It was something I hadn't experienced before.

"Are you looking out for me, Malfoy?" I grinned. "Never thought I'd see that day." He rolled his eyes, causing my smile to grow. It was so fun to annoy him.

"Shut it, Selwyn."

"I always knew there was a heart in there somewhere. Or well, at least I hoped there was."

"Seriously Selwyn, you're playing with fire here", he sighed, upping the pace.

"What? Scared of the truth, Malfoy? That you're not always the ruthless arse you portray? I'm honestly giving you a compliment here."

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" Malfoy said, stopping again. "Think you've got me all figured out?"

"Well, I'm onto something here." He stared at me intensely, trying to figure me out. I always had to work extra hard to keep my composure when he looked at me like that. I was good at staring people down, but Malfoy's look was on a whole other level. His stare was so intense, it made me feel vulnerable. But he wouldn't notice. I straightened my back and cocked an eyebrow.

"You know absolutely nothing about me, Selwyn", he whispered before turning around and continuing the patrol.