Not a Couple

"Hogsmeade?" asked Raven incredulously. "You want me to go with you to Hogsmeade this weekend?" Okay, she'd been exaggerating when she said she'd hex him if he talked to her again. She'd just been angry.

Damian fidgeted slightly under her gaze. "That's what I said, isn't it?" he relied, his tone missing its usual snark, something that didn't escape her notice. "Celeste told me to ask you to join us. So, are you coming with us or not?"

Raven studied him for a while before shrugging. "Why not?" Her eyes narrowed. "But I'm not doing this for you, Wayne. I'm doing this because your sister isn't the insufferable asshole you are."

Well, that was no surprise to Damian. People often preferred his sister to him due to her being quiet friendly despite being a snake. "Fair enough." He met her stare and was taken back. Had her eyes always been that lovely shade of amethyst?

Raven's eyes shifted awkwardly. "So, I guess I'll be going..."

Damian snapped out of his stupor. "Right, bye." He rushed out of the library as quick as he could, his face hot and his heart racing.

What the hell was that? Why was he staring at her like some insipid moron? There was no way he found her attractive... right? Damian shook his head, retreating to the Slytherin dorms. He was letting his sister get into his head. There was nothing between him and Raven Roth.

Really, there wasn't.

OoOoOo

What was wrong with her?

As Raven thought back to what had happened in the library, she considered going to the infirmary for a check-up. For a mere five seconds, she had found Damian Wayne handsome. Where did that even come from?

Trekking up to the Ravenclaw dorms, Raven was beside herself. She hated Damian Wayne, didn't she? So why was she having these thoughts? Sighing, she stopped in front of the Ravenclaw portrait. The riddle for the day read:

I'm at the beginning of the end and at the end of time and space. What am I?

Raven rolled her eyes; these got easier and easier every year. "The letter 'e,'" she answered. The portrait immediately opened to her and she entered.

Her Head of House stood in front of her, smiling brightly. "Raven," she greeted, handing her an envelope. "Your mother sent you a letter."

Raven took it gratefully. "Thank you, Professor Prince."

When she had been taken in by her father, he had prohibited all contact with her mother. So during her first year, Professor Prince had offered to have the letters sent directly to her before she gave them to the young witch.

Raven went up to her dorm, which was empty since she was the only female Ravenclaw in her year, and read the letter.

Dear Raven,

I know you don't like him, but try not to get in anymore fights with this Damian Wayne boy. Remember, you're better than him and he knows that. He's simply jealous. If I were you, I'd keep hanging around his sister. Show him that you're a better older sibling than he could ever be. That'll really show him.

I've also gotten word that another one of your brothers has graduated Durmstrang Institute. Be careful, my dear. There's no telling what your father will do now that he's out of school. You may have a spy on your hands.

Stay safe and keep doing your best.

Love,
Mother

Raven smiled as she finished the letter. She quickly wrote a response back and handed it to her black owl. "Here, Nevermore." The owl took it and flew off. She settled onto her bed, contemplating what her mother said.

If another one of her brothers really has graduated, it must be Jacob. She shuddered at the thought. Jacob, despite them being related, always made some sort of sexual advance on her every time she saw him.

Her mother was right. She ought to be careful if he was the one spying on her.