"I'm trusting you, Zabini, don't make me regret it"

♢ ♢

The halls were silent as I sat on a wooden bench in the long corridor next to the Great Hall, but as nice as they were silent, they quickly began filling and the corridors had to stretch to fit the busy students. Many were rushing to their next lesson, looking down at the pile of books in their hand. Others were laughing, pushing their friend into someone causing that person to snarl and snap at them, only making them laugh harder. There was another group of girls, watching as a group of boys strolled down, hands in pocket, a bounce in their step, the girls hearts swooned as they passed, not even looking at them.

I continued to watch as Harry, Hermione and Ron popped into view. Harry spotted me and waved at his other two friends, leaving them as he jogger over. "Hey, how are you?.." He asked quietly, sitting next to me.

With a sigh, I shrugged. "I'm okay..I guess.."

"What Umbridge said was out of order, she's wrong--" He started but I stopped him.

"No one believes us and everyone hates me..." I admitted with a cough. "I feel so alone. This year's going to be the worst..."

He shook his head. "You've got us if you need us, I understand how you're feeling, and if you ever need to talk, I'm here.." He smiled.

"How touching, Potter, I'm sure you won't mind if I steal Olivia off you, just for a few moments?" Snape appeared, his brow raised.

Harry said nothing to Snape as we stood up. "I'll see you later, Oli" He nodded, wandering off.

Snape led me away from the bench, towards the edge of the corridor, next to the wall where he began speaking. "I suppose you're making progress with Potter?" He asked.

"Um, a little..Not much.." I admitted quietly.

Snape shook his head. "Well, Mr. Malfoy demands some information by next week so you best get it to him" Snape said, voice harsh.

"I'm trying! It's hard when everyone hates you" I spat.

He brought his face closer to mine. "Use it to your advantage!" He snapped. "The Dark Lord has specifically made Potter feel isolated in order to help you!" He snarled. "Make him trust you, use what the Dark--" A giggle interrupted him.

"Excuse me, could I speak to Miss Wales for a second?" She giggled, looking at us both.

Snape nodded slowly, "Of course"

"Per leaving the classroom without permission, I have decided to give you 2 weeks worth of detentions. That ought to settle it" She said, voice high. "Please meet me in my office tomorrow" She ordered, giggling before she left.

I scoffed, looking at Snape who had his brow raised. "She was trying to tell me that I was lying and then she started talking about Cedric and I just..I couldn't. I had to leave.." I explained.

"Enjoy your detentions, I'm sure they will be...Most thrilling" He announced finally as he turned and walked away.

Internally, I growled. 2 weeks detention with Umbridge, the joys. I had charms next and didn't fancy being late, Charms was a nice class. If Professor Flitwick couldn't get us to concentrate he'd often let us play games, not that I was in the mood to play games.

Stumbling into the class, I took a seat on my own at the back and as I got my books out, I heard a chair scratch against the floor next to me. "Draco.." I mumbled as I looked at him. "I'm sat here to be alone.."

"I know, that's why I sat next to you...We need to talk.." He said, voice low as Professor Flitwick began.

I let out a small growl. "What now? I've already got 2 weeks detention with Umbridge.."

"Snape spoke to me the other day, he thinks 'us' is getting in the way of your task..." He explained. "He wants us to fake a break up.." He muttered. "He thinks it'd be best if we did it in the Great Hall, in front of everyone, to make it more believable..."

I sighed. "Yeah, I guess he's right.." I nodded. "At dinner?"

He nodded in agreement.

For the rest of the lesson, we didn't speak. It pained me slightly to have to do this, but, we had to. If I failed, I would put him in danger and I wasn't willing to risk it.

♢ ♢

I laughed at the twins before I felt a tap on my shoulder. I'd sat in my normal spot next to Seamus at the Gryffindor table, despite his eye roll as I did. Looking over my shoulder to see Draco, Seamus scoffed.

"Can we talk?" Draco asked quietly.

With a shrug, I stood up. My heart was beating as we began talking, the facade beginning.

He cleared his throat as I inhaled a large breath. "I'm leaving, this isn't working." He said, voice sounding as if it was about to crack, but he played it off.

"What?!" I shouted, everyone's eyes on us as we continued.

He shook his head. "It's not working, I was foolish to think I could love a Gryffindor like you!" He snapped. His voice was getting louder as people dropped their cutlery to watch.

"What do you mean, 'like me'? What have I done!? I've protected you! Defended you! I've lost all my friends for you!" I shouted at him.

He chuckled sarcastically at me as he shook his head. "No, you lost all your friends because you're stupid, and dumb. You actually thought I loved you? How stupid can you get! Slytherin's don't love Gryffindors!" He sounded so confident, almost as if he meant every word he was saying.

I found myself lost for words. I knew this was a show, I knew it was fake but it felt so real, what if this happened one day? Would it play out like this?

"You told me you were different! You promised!" I choked on my own words as I watched Snape enter the Great Hall, watching from behind Draco.

He shook his head. "You were easy to play. If I said jump, you jumped so willingly and blindly. How could I resist? I played you, just like I played everyone else" He yelled.

Snape's brow was raised as he slowly stepped towards us. "I-I-" I stuttered and stammered.

"Pathetic...weak.." He grumbled before he looked around. He shot everyone a look and stormed off, storming past Snap who looked shocked.

I continued to play my part, looking at the ground as I sat back down. No one said a word to me as I looked at the table.

Draco's POV

I raced out of the Great Hall, not bearing to look at her again. Her eyes, her face..Her reaction looked so real. It was as if I'd scared her..It pained me. Shaking my thoughts, I continued towards the designated location. As I approached, I spotted him, already stood there waiting.

"About time, how did it go? Well?" He asked as I approached.

Nodding, I replied. "Well. Maybe a little too well" I sighed.

He furrowed his brows and looked at me with a tilt of his head. "What makes you say that?" He asked.

"Her face.. It was as if I'd actually hurt her" I admitted.

He shook his head. "I'm sure it was just her acting, besides, it might be better for her if she thinks you hate her, give her chance to get to know Harry" Blaise explained.

"Hmm.." I muttered as I thought about it even more. "Anyways, make sure she's alright, I won't be able to get close enough to talk to her now so just see how she's going and report back to me, understand?" I said.

He nodded. "I'm trusting you, Zabini, don't make me regret it" I snarled, my voice quiet.