"Leah, can I talk to you?" Draco asked, passing Riley as he walked in. I kept my cool glare on and nodded.

 "Yes," I said coolly and he sighed.

 "Stop regarding me like I'm your enemy," he said, though it wasn't angry; it was helpless. I relaxed my clenched jaw and settled for a neutral gaze.

 "Could you just...please..." he started with frustration.

 "Stay away from Crouch, that's all I'm asking," he said finally. 

 "Why?" I asked, my walls up again.

 "He isn't safe... he wants something from you," he said, furrowing his brow in confusion.

 "Well it's not my fault I'm gorgeous," I teased lightly.

 "Not that kind of want," he said darkly and I rolled my eyes.

 "I listened to you Draco, but that doesn't mean I'll act upon it. I'll see you around," I said, and then walked away, and outside to stare at the fountain.

 "Well, look who it is," sighed a girl's voice from behind me. I spun around and smiled brightly.

 "Pansy, what are you doing here?" I asked, hugging her as she reached me.

 "The induction ceremony of course," she laughed and I nodded.

 "Ah, that's right," I sighed.

 "Oh, and by the way sweetie, Happy Birthday!" she cheered, pulling a package out of no where.

 "Aw you shouldn't have... okay give it here," I said, happy I was getting another present. I pulled off the boxes top and saw something that looked almost like a metal spiraled Chinese finger trap. The silver metal spiraled up intricately for about three inches and was embedded with onyx stones. The middle was hollow; sort of like I really long ring.

 "It's beautiful, but what is it?" I asked in confusion. Pansy smiled at me and took the silver...thing.

 "Let me see your wand," she said, and I handed it over. Holding the wand in the middle, she slipped the silver spiral over the end of my wand, fitting it perfectly.

 "It's a wand decoration, it goes on the bottom of your wand...it's sort of like a handle," she smiled, and it went really well with my wand.

 "Oh my Merlin, thank you; it's great," I smiled thankfully and hugged her.

 "Leah?" Draco called from the door.

 "Yes?" I asked and Pansy regarded him with a smile; she didn't know anything yet.

 "Time to get ready," he said solemnly, but I don't know why.

 "Come on Pans, you can help me get ready," I smiled and she followed me inside.   

***

Draco's POV

 "Leah, can I talk to you?" I asked, passing Riley as he walked out, looking quite frustrated. He and Leah were most definitely related. Leah looked at me with cool glare and nodded.

 "Yes," she said coolly and I sighed. I swear she never lets her guard down anymore.

 "Stop regarding me like I'm your enemy," I said, feeling a bit helpless and desperate. I need to fix this, I really do. She relaxed her clenched jaw and settled for a neutral gaze.

 "Could you just...please..." I started with frustration. How can I possibly put this? Crouch is one bad bastard, and I just know he wants Leah for more than her pretty face and attitude; he's looking for something important.

 "Stay away from Crouch, that's all I'm asking," I said finally. Well, that wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be!

 "Why?" she asked; her walls up again.

 "He isn't safe... he wants something from you," I said, furrowing my brow in confusion. I don't really know what he wants, which is the problem.

 "Well it's not my fault I'm gorgeous," she teased lightly. However, I was not kidding and I didn't smile.

 "Not that kind of want," I said darkly and she rolled her eyes.

 "I listened to you Draco, but that doesn't mean I'll act upon it. I'll see you around," she said, and then walked away. Why must you be so stubborn? If only I could prove to her that I really do love her, regardless of what happened only a short while ago. I was walking up to my room when I passed fathers study, only father wasn't in there. Lord Voldemort was sitting with his back to me, and Crouch's eyes were glued to him respectfully; I couldn't see any fear. How stupid of you.

 "Now, right after the induction ceremony, we will be moved into the living room to mingle with the others. People will be making toasts and everything, saying they wish you good luck or whatever," Voldemort said dismissively.

 "It is then that I will make the announcement. You must looked surprised, even scared or angry, and make sure Leah doesn't do something like hex a random death eater. You'll be giving her this," he said, showing Crouch something small that glinted in the light. Voldemort put it back into his robes and folded his hands.

 "Are you prepared for this? Young Draco will undoubtedly be furious, but we will deal with that later. We will also announce her crowning and her being the next heir. I know you can pull this off; besides, you two are meant for each other," he said, and Alex nodded excitedly.

 "Yes, My Lord," he smiled. Voldemort laughed quietly and stood up.

 "Good, now go get ready for the ceremony," he said, and I sped off to my room where I plopped onto my bed. What is this big announcement? I knew it; I knew Leah was in trouble!

Leah, the next heir? Surely Riley can't be happy about that; he's eldest. Could that be the reason he was so angry earlier?

  "Malfoy," said someone, and my head snapped around to see Crouch leaning in the door way.

 "Could you tell Leah it's time to get ready?" he asked me with a friendly smile; I wasn't fooled.

 "Sure," I nodded stiffly, and brushed past him to find Leah. I know she went towards the kitchen after we talked, so that's where I headed. I passed a window, and did a doublet take, seeing Leah outside with...Pansy? Huh, when did she get here? Whatever.

 "Leah," I called, opening the door.

 "Yes?" she asked and Pansy smiled at me.

 "Time to get ready," I said, regretting that suddenly. This was when things were going to get ugly, and apparently, I'd be angry with this.

 "Come on Pans, you can help me get ready," I heard her say as I turned around and headed upstairs to get ready myself. It's now or never; I have to win her over ASAP.

***