The Dark Lord's Bride (Draco X OC)

The First Test

Ariana's POV

I woke up at the crack of dawn, around 5, and decided to rouse Malfoy from his peaceful slumber. 'God, he looks so cute with his messy hair,' I thought, shaking him awake.

"What is it, Aria? Let me sleep; we still have time till class starts," he groaned.

"I'm sorry, but I need to go back before anyone finds out, and I need to hide these bites you gave me," I explained. Draco sat up, agreeing, "Okay, I'll see you at breakfast then," yawning.

About to leave, I turned back and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for last night," I expressed before making my exit.

Back in my room, I dressed and headed to the Great Hall.

Choosing to perch with the first and second-year juniors up front, they were the only souls not giving me the cold shoulder.

Harry and Hermione skipped breakfast, presumably to avoid the awkwardness.

As I ate and shared stories with the juniors, Ginny called me from behind. "Ariana, hey listen to me," Ignoring her attempts to engage, I stood up and started to leave.

Ginny went all out with a dramatic apology in the Great Hall, unleashing a tearful symphony as she admitted her wrongdoing. Her voice was so loud it practically made me flinch.

"ARIANA, HEY, LISTEN UP. I'M REALLY SORRY, ALRIGHT? I DIDN'T MEAN A SINGLE WORD I SAID LAST NIGHT, "AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT SLAP AND THE WHOLE 'BITCH' THING. YOU WERE RIGHT, I'M JUST A DUMB GINGER!"

Ginny admitted, expressing remorse for her earlier outburst. I shot a cold glance back at her, and there she was, all teary-eyed.

Without a second thought, I opened my arms wide, and she dove right into a full-blown, sobbing hug, continuing her melodramatic serenade.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything," She pleaded between sobs.

"It's fine. I forgive you. It was a nice slap, though, the best I've ever had." I assured her, adding a touch of humor.

Ginny chuckled through her tears, and just like that, the Hogwarts drama took an unexpected turn towards reconciliation.

"I didn't kiss Harry." I asserted to Ginny. "And I didn't put my name into that fire either," I added, and she nodded, seemingly satisfied with the clarification.

Later, I found myself in a newspaper interview with Rita Skeeter. She oozed charisma and mischief, shaking hands with the quartet.

"What quirks lurk beneath those rosy cheeks? What mysteries do the muscles mask? Does courage lie beneath those curls? In short, what makes a champion tick?" She probed, gesturing toward all of us.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Rita selected Harry to join her for a broomstick compartment chat. After a while, he returned, and I couldn't help but ask, "How did it go?"

"Disastrous. All the best," Harry replied with a tired sigh. Soon, Rita called me in for my turn and I went into the cramped cupboard.

"So, how are you feeling, princess?" Rita inquired. "Not good," I confessed.

Rita, always fishing for scandal, then asked, "So, what is your relationship with our young Potter?"

"We're friends." I smirked and coolly responded. The interview continued, adding another layer to the ever-growing Hogwarts drama.

"Rumors say that you guys are always together," Rita Skeeter prodded. "Ms. Rita, what are you implying?" I asked amused, crossing my legs.

"Given that the princess herself said it, I'll cut to the chase. I've heard whispers about a *cough* intimate relationship with Harry Potter," Bhe brazenly inquired, and I couldn't help but flash a chilly smile.