Chapter 25

She lay awake all night thinking about Harry. If they hadn't been interrupted she was sure he would have kissed her. What was keeping her awake was the fact that she would have let him, in fact she had been desperate for him to kiss her. She tried to picture Tom when she closed her eyes, but it was becoming harder and harder to see him. She slowly ran her hands over her nightdresses as she lay under the covers, desperately searching for the memory of his touch. As she trailed her fingers over her breasts and her stomach she suddenly found hand landing in between her legs. As she touched herself she finally found Tom's presence. She heard him moan her name and breathe down her neck, but as she pictured his face looking down at her his eyes turned blue. She imaged feeling long brown hair ticking her chest as a pair of large hands grabbed her waist. Her breathing deepened and she covered her mouth to make sure she didn't make any noise. After she made herself finish Anastasia opened her eyes and tried to picture the person she had thought about touching her. It was Tom, but it wasn't. As she started to fall asleep she couldn't get Harry's blue eyes out of her head.

"Miss Marlowe does my classroom look like a dormitory?" Daphne nudged Anastasia awake. She looked up to see Professor Snape sneering down at her. "Ten points from Slytherin." Anastasia sighed, rubbing her temples.

"What is up with you today? Up all night with the chosen one?" Daphne whispered. Anastasia looked across to Daphne, but caught Harry looking at her. She couldn't decipher if he looked concerned or intrigued.

"I just didn't get much sleep." Anastasia mumbled, trying to stop her eyes from blurring.

"Got it." Daphne winked. Anastasia was too tired to argue. As the class ended and they walked down the corridor she noticed Seamus shoot Daphne a smile.

"God, I'm such a rubbish friend I haven't asked about you and your secret lover recently." Anastasia smiled wearily. Daphne turned pink as always.

"It's all good thanks, still unsuspected which is great."

"You know no one would care right? No one tries to mess with you anyway." Daphne laughed awkwardly.

"People don't 'mess' with me because they like me. And I think this may make some people not like me." Daphne whispered as they turned into their next lesson. She walked off leaving Anastasia confused, but before she could try ask what Daphne meant she suddenly realised they were in Potions. She looked ahead to see Harry already in his seat. Anastasia took a deep breath and walked over, taking her seat next to him as quietly as possible. The pair sat awkwardly as the rest of the class sauntered in. Professor Slughorn approached them and leaned over their desk.

"I would like to invite you both to a dinner party tonight." The professor whispered. Anastasia felt her body slump slightly, she was so tired a dinner party was the last thing she wanted to do. "Only for the best students-"

"We'd love to Professor Slughorn-" Anastasia snapped her head towards Harry. "I mean, I would love to , um... Anastasia?" They looked at each other for a moment before she forced herself to smile.

"Of course, I'd be honoured Professor." Slughorn nodded and retreated to the front of the class to begin his lesson.

"Thank you." Harry whispered. "If it's any comfort I'm going to speak to him after the dinner party, so we won't have to do this anymore." Harry looked down at the desk,

"You don't want to help me anymore?" Anastasia whispered, unable to hide the hurt in her voice.

"No no, I mean you won't have to... you know..." Harry motioned his hands towards their seats. Anastasia smiled.

"I don't mind sitting with you Harry." She laughed softly, making him grin. The awkwardness between them fading.

"I have to see Dumbledore later, but I'll come by Slytherin and pick you up after so we can head to Slughorn's together." Anastasia nodded. "Whether or not Slughorn tells me what I need to know, I'm glad you're coming." Harry whispered. Anastasia blushed, still not used to how honestly he'd blurt out his feelings.

"Me too." After a few more moments of silence she felt Harry still looking at her. She turned her head to meet his eyes.

"Aren't you going to even ask what information I'm trying to get out of Slughorn?" She blinked, realising she hadn't even thought about it. She wondered if Tom's rules about had questions had got to her, or if her mind was just too full with questions about getting home. She suddenly realised Harry had just said he had to see Dumbledore. Maybe he was up to something more serious than she had originally thought.

"Well, are you going to tell me?" She asked.

"No." They continued to look at each other, a layer of interest and uncertainty surrounding the pair. Harry was confused how she could agree to help without trying to figure out what she was helping with. He wanted to tell her, but every time he got close he felt a shiver up his spine warning him not to trust her.