Kindred

~Chapter 6~

Over the next week all the students were busy settling into the routine of the school year. Arianna had little free time to spend with Draco, however she spent a lot of time with Hermione as well as Harry and Ron. She learned a lot in that week, not in class but out of it.

She was coming to understand so much about the dynamics of the relationship between the three as well as their relationship with Draco. They also helped her as best they could understand the odd family life of the young man she found herself so desperately in love with.

One evening, after completing their essays for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arianna and Hermione sat in their room. Arianna was standing behind Hermione, brushing the girls long brown hair in an effort to help her tame it. "You know Ari...I've noticed Draco hasn't called me...mudblood all week. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?" she asked arching an eyebrow and watching the redhead in the mirror.

As always Arianna's face softened and the faraway look in her eyes appeared just as it did anytime anyone mentioned Draco Malfoy. "Maybe...I'm sorry that he is so mean to you guys but..." she sighed as she sprayed Hermiones hair with a mist from a bottle.

"You love him don't you?" Hermione observed.

Arianna smiled "You truly are a bright young woman aren't you Hermione?"

"I suppose...sometimes I wish I were less smart and more..." she trailed off.

Arianna cocked her head "More what Herm?"

"More like you...beautiful," she sighed.

"Oh honey! You are...You just need to learn a few tricks," Arianna asserted.

Hermione laughed mirthfully, "Some things are hopeless Ari."

"Is not!" Arianna laughed.

"Are you going to the Quidditch tryouts tomorrow? You can watch your man in action," Hermione said changing the subject.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Arianna sighed as she pinned Hermione's hair up. Well what do you think?"

Hermione looked in the mirror and squealed. "I love it!"

The next day the two girls sat in the stands as the Gryffindor Quidditch hopefuls took the arena. They watched as did many other students. Arianna was watching the field intently when she caught a flash of green out of the corner of her eye as the Slytherin team made their way to the stands to watch their rivals. The whole team sat together and Arianna saw Pansy scoot as close to Draco as she could manage. When the brunette reached out and smoothed down the front of his robe Arianna felt the flash of anger jump in her veins. "That little hussy!" she spit.

"Don't worry about her Ari, she can't hold a candle to you," Hermione whispered.

Pansy threw a smirk at Arianna as Draco brushed her hand away. She knew that Narcissa Malfoy would never stand for a half blood in her family and she only had to wait to find out if it was true. In the meantime she wasn't giving up.

Draco's voice broke into her thoughts, he was babbling on about the tryouts. They needed to replace their beaters and then the team would be set.

Arianna studiously looked away from the Slytherins and concentrated on watching her own house team. So intent on not looking over at them she missed the movement until he was directly in front of her, blocking her view of the pitch. "Afternoon princess," he murmured.

Her eyes lit up "Draco!" she exclaimed reaching for his hand.

He took it and sat down in front of her "Are you going to stay and watch me?" he asked quietly.

Her eyes sparkled "I wouldn't miss it," she whispered.

Hermione made a big show of standing up and sweeping her arms out, obstinately cheering the tryouts, but her movements effectively blocked most everyone's view of the couple next to her as her robes billowed.

Draco smiled and quickly leaned in and kissed Arianna. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need luck," she murmured her lips tingling from his kiss.

He stood then and glanced over at Hermione. "Thanks...Granger," he said tightly.

Arianna and Hermione watched the rest of the tryouts, it wasn't too long before Ron, Ginny and Harry joined them to watch Slytherin perform.

It was still early afternoon when the tryouts ended, the five of them made their way back to the castle. When they stepped inside Draco was waiting in the foyer. Lifting himself off the bench he walked toward the group. "Arianna...may I speak with you?"

"Certainly Draco," she answered. Turning to her friends she smiled "I'll see all of you later."

They all murmured goodbyes and moved away. Arianna looked up into those smoky eyes and smiled "You were wonderful," she whispered.

He blushed. "Thank you." It made him feel better than he ever had when she complimented him. He attributed it to the fact that despite the numerous compliments he had received no one had ever meant them. Not the way she did.

Draco offered her his arm "Will you join me for a stroll around the grounds?" he asked. They had several hours before dinner and he wanted to spend some time with her. They'd barely seen each other over the last week.

Ari felt her heart skip a beat, she hadn't been able to think of anything but Draco and had ached to be with him. "I would love to take a stroll with you," she responded a smile lighting up her beautiful face.

They made their way out the door and away from the castle. The day was warm and bright and he smiled down at her as they walked. "How are you getting on in Gryffindor?"

"Everyone in Gryffindor has been very welcoming and helpful. Thank you for making an attempt at being nice to them...especially Hermione. She has been nothing but wonderful to me since I've arrived," she said with a gentle smile on her face.

Draco stopped and faced her. Running a hand through the white-blonde locks that fell across his forehead he sighed "I am trying Ari...it's just that..." How did he explain to her that everyone expected him to act a certain way but he simply didn't have the heart to do it any longer.

Arianna could feel the frustration radiate from his body as she settled her hands on his chest. "Just what Draco...you can tell me anything you know that," she murmured encouragingly.

Draco glanced up at the castle then back to her. "What they all think of me...Ari, I'm not like that. Now that the worst of the influence in my life has been removed...well. I feel a bit lost at times. I used to know exactly what I wanted, exactly who I was at least what I was expected to want and who I was expected to be. Now..." he sighed heavily.

"That's all changed. If you had met me then, you would have despised me just as they do."

Arianna reached up and cupped his cheek. "I could never despise you Draco...I see the real you, the person that is hiding inside of you aching to come out... let go of the past and be who you want to be. Don't let the past rule you," she whispered tenderly.

His chest tightened. She was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He took a deep breath "With you by my side, that certainly seems possible," he murmured.

Arianna brushed her thumb against his lips. "I wouldn't want to be any where else."

He closed his eyes and bit back a groan. When he opened them she could see the hue had darkened considerably as the desire burned behind their gray depths. Framing her face with his large hands he dipped his head and took her lips in a fierce kiss.

Arianna's body seemed to melt into his as she leaned into the kiss her arms going around his body pulling him closer. She felt his tongue sweep against hers as his hand slid into her hair holding her head still. Sighing she lost herself in his kiss.

The feel of her body against his had his heart thundering in his chest and his body burning with the need he felt for her. Never before had he wanted anyone as much as he wanted her. Dragging his lips from hers he gulped in fresh air and drug his lips across her jaw to her ear "Arianna...for the love of..." he hissed fighting to keep his tenuous grasp on self control.

Arianna felt his hot breath against her ear. "Draco..." she whimpered digging her fingers into his back as she fought to keep her knees from buckling.

He pushed himself away from her "We have to stop," he murmured looking out over the lake. He had promised himself he would not behave this way with her. One touch of her silken skin and he was teetering on the brink.

"I...I'm sorry..." she whispered feeling the tears prick her eyes. "When I'm with you there isn't anything I want more then to be in your arms."

He didn't have to look at her, he could hear the tears in her voice. He turned back to her "And I in yours...and more...so much more. I have no right Arianna...not until..." he trailed off, letting the unspoken thought hang between them.

Arianna squared her shoulders "So...if it turns out that I am not a pureblood, you will leave me?" she asked fighting the nausea that threatened to overwhelm her.

He cocked his head "Honestly Arianna...I don't know. I mean it's what is expected of me, I don't want to lie to you."

Arianna raised her chin a notch. Hardening her heart against the pain she felt. At least he was being honest. His honesty didn't make it hurt any less. "The perhaps it should be Pansy here with you... At least with her you know what your getting," she said surprised at how strong her voice sounded. Without another word Arianna turned and walked back towards the castle leaving Draco staring after her his mouth hanging open wordlessly.

No one could see him sink to his knees, the tears sliding silently down his pale skin. How could he make her understand. He didn't know who he was yet, who he was truly born to be. Was he truly the arrogant, selfish Draco he'd been brought up to be or was he the man she saw...whatever it was she saw he felt certain she loved him. Was he worthy of her love?