Blaise and Draco, both looking equally determined and charming, strode into the Great Hall, Pansy trailing behind them looking very, very amused. They didn't even bother pretending they hadn't heard the admiring sighs coming from the females at the various House tables.

"Always have to go for the dramatic entrance, don't you?" Pansy laughed.

"Of course," Draco said pompously, "it does good for a person's image."

"In looking like a drama queen."

Blaise and Draco ignored her. Their eyes scanned the tables, before they spotted Aria, at the same time.

"Me first, Blaise," Draco smirked, "I didn't get to talk to her last night."

"Go right ahead," Blaise said back, gesturing, "we all know I'll win in the end anyway."

"You wish."

"Oh, just hurry up," Pansy said, giving Draco a nudged. She was looking forward to watching this competition play out between her two favourite boys.  

"Easy, easy," Draco said, "don't rumple my clothes." He pulled himself up to his fullest height and strode to Aria. "Hello," he said, smiling handsomely, "you're Aria Blest, right? My friend Blaise introduced himself to you last night." 

((Damn. Draco must be embarrassed. Oh well. He'll blush cutely.))

Red tinged Draco's cheeks as he realised that the introduction he had so carefully planned had just failed. Oh well. He'd have to make do with it. He plastered on his smile again and absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair.

"That's fine," he assured her. He invited himself to sit beside her and pulled a plate towards him, filling it with eggs, bacon and sausages. "So, how are you liking Hogwarts so far?" 

((That's fine. <3))

Draco was now in full charm-and-flirt mode. "Draco Malfoy at your service," he said graciously, and turning awkwardly in his seat but managing with full grace, he lightly took her hand and dragged his lips over her wrist, much like Blaise had done last night. "Blaise told me your parents worked at the Ministry. I'm sure my father has met yours. What was your father's name again?" 

“Ah, good old Feleti Blest,” Draco smiled. “I’ve met him before. My father has had many pleasant conversations with him, and I’ve been lucky enough to be included in some of them. Although,” he frowned, “-I’m sure he never mentioned a beautiful daughter.” He ran his eyes over her flushed face, smirking inwardly. This was going much better than he had expected, despite the rocky start.

There was a slight awkward moment. “Well, anyway,” Draco said to smooth it over, “we better be going to class.” He gestured to Dumbledore, who was dismissing the students to their first classes. “Blaise mentioned you had Divination with us. Would you give me the honour of escorting you there?” He held out his arm, looking the part of the perfect gentleman.

((Yay! I know, it was so good I cried. D: It's the first movie I've watched to make me cry. Snape omg. I watched it on Harry's birthday. ;) ))

As they walked to the tower that housed Professor Trelawney, Draco made small talk with Aria, telling her about the people of the school, the Professors, the gossip. Looking back, he saw Blaise and Pansy following at a distance, the former looking sullen. He smirked inwardly.

"So of course, we've got one brain of the year," Draco said, sounding slightly sardonic. "Her name's Hermione Granger, and she thinks Divination is trollop. She walked out in third year, can you believe it? She's a Mud- Muggle-born." Dammit. Slip of the tongue. She'd know he was a pureblood maniac and not want to talk to him anymore. He sent a glance her way to figure out her reaction. If she was as much into Pureblood supremacy as he, then it wouldn't be a problem.

Draco stared after her as she hurried away. Dammit. That had ruined any chance he had with her. He had to make it up to her. He knew lies were the best way to patch things up, so he decided he'd apologise and make up some excuse or other when he next saw her. Nonetheless, he was still pissed off.

He felt a presence come up behind him, and he snarled, "Leave me alone, Blaise." 

Blaise chuckled. "Not feeling so confident anymore, Drake?"

"Don't tease him, Blaise," Pansy said, joining Draco in his stride. "I'm sure he'll be the one to get her in the end. He's always had better luck with the ladies than you."

"Ouch," Blaise replied, feigning hurt, "you wound me."

Pansy smiled at his antics. "You know I don't mean it."

They laughed, and it made Draco feel ever more sullen. As they climbed the ladder to Trelawney's tower, he accidentally sent a Trip Jinx Blaise's way. Luckily, he was only on the first rung, so his fall wasn't high, but it still hurt.

"Bloody hell, Draco," Blaise exclaimed, "no need to be a sore loser!" He grinned devilishly. "I'll share her with you when I win her."

Draco gave him a disgusted look and climbed the rest of the way. 

Draco watched as she barged into the classroom and made her excuses, stuttering. Uncouth, but she was pretty. He had to make her his. 

Draco looked like he had been slapped. He went red, and his eyes darkened considerably. He was not used to being embarrassed like this, even if Pansy and Blaise were the only ones listening, and he was very, very angry.

"Look here, Mudblood," he growled, grabbing her arm in a vice-like grip. "You're lucky I'm even paying attention to filth like you. I don't know where you get that attitude of yours, but it stops now. I am better than you-" he said this in the most patronising tone he could muster, "-and it would do you good to remember that." He suddenly let go of her, and put on a pleasant ex
pression. "Otherwise, you know," he continued casually, as if he was talking about the weather, "I'm sure I could just let slip the fact that you're bothering me to my father. He has a good word in the Ministry, you know, and in a matter of seconds-" he clicked his fingers in front of her face, "-your parents could have no jobs and you could be flat on your arse in an alleyway."

He turned from her as if nothing had happened, and went on to listening Trelawney drone.