[friends], if only for awhile [arty]

[Andromeda Malfoy]

Andromeda layed on her bed contently. her diary out as she wrote and the picture of her in James's arms smiling abck at her. Every few minutes the photographed Andi and James kissed and she felt a tingling sensation in the piit of her stomach. her green quill sooon needed more ink and she got off her bed to find the ink bottle in her trunk. Digging around she found it and unscrewed the lid. Once Andi finished writing she closed the diary and hid it under her matress. taking the picture she layed back in her four poster bed and hugged the picture close to her heart. Sighing contently, she thought of the past couple days. She was sure half the school knew by now.. her brother had suspicions and for once, they were right. She had met another guy named Laefe who was really nice. He seemed to understand that her brother was an asshole... and like so many others, he checked her out alot. Ofcourse it didn't help she had been in a white bikini, that revealed alot and was basically see-through But still.

[Arturo Leonard]

Arturo had just come into the dorms to see Andromeda in her dreamy state; an enemy that Arturo had been bitter with, yet now only hope sprang into her lifeless feeling body. She prayed that Andi and James stayed together so James would not be hurt; she was a big enough person to put away the bitterness and try again, to make James that much happier with Arty's knowledge of the relationship. Arturo walked in as if she had seen nothing and smiled towards Andi, she would try her best but if it failed it was not her fault. She looked toward her bed right across form Andi's. On te bulletin were picture of her and the Potters, Weasleys, Delacours, and a few friends from different houses. She smiled weakley towards the one with ehr and James as young kids before Hogwarts changed them.

"Hey Andi, what's up?" Arturo smiled more strongly toward the other Slytherin, she was curious if Andi knew that Arturo knew the secret. Arturo didn't invade Andi's bed space without an invitation, another unwritten law for all students, just like so many others that many still broke. Arturo just hoped for the best, sucked up resentment and carried on. Giving the benefit of doubt, Arturo actually considered the girls had things in common.

[Andromeda Malfoy]

Andi heard someone come in and she pressed the picture to her chest, so the other Slytherin girl could not see. Seeing it was Arturo she however lifted it back up and pointidly ignored the girl. Arturo was disliked by most Slytherins, especially by Andi. But Andi had more reason, it was obvious whenever the girl was near James her feelings. And for that, Andi despised her. Andromeda was suprised to hear her talking.. and calling her Andi. usually it was Malfoy, or Andromeda.. but never once had that girl called her Andi. Andromeda wondered why teh girl made an effort.. had James told her? surely not. He had almost as much to lose as she did.. okay, well maybe not. Andromeda narrowed her eyes, but decided to play along. After all, James would be happier if his best friend that knew could be in the same room as his girlfriend without them killing each other. Andi forced a weak smile Um, Hi.. she said quietly. Sitting up she let her eyes go back to normal. Their shocking green peircing Arty Why are you being nice to me? she asked quietly.

[Arturo Leonard]

Arturo watched the girl sit up, she of course had hid the picture but relaxed when it was just Arty in the room. She gave a losided smile and listened to what Andi had to say; it wasn't as bad as Arturo had thought would come. Her muggle clothes were still on, jeans and her signature layered top; she was actually very muggle looking right then but she had goen out to Hogsmeade to get a few drinks and do her homework before the weekend was up, without James she figured out she'd best be friends with Andi. "Well...Since I know the secret, I thought it would be easier for him if we weren't at each other's throat every damn minute we are near." Arturo could help but laugh, her explaination was pretty weak but truth be told with the knowledge of the relationship, Arturo was tired of try to make sure she stopped herself from fighting and the best way to end it was friendship and truce.

Arturo even accepted the fact that if they weren't friends, neither were they enemies. She hesitantly moved to sit on the edge of the other girl's bed and looked into her bright green eyes; no matter their comments thrown at one another, Andi was pretty, her eyes were like their own jewel inside the white area of the eyeball and the pupil. Arturo remembered wondering two years ago if it was a charm Andi used to spruce up the emrald color, she still wondered it but now she appreciated the allure of true Slytherin the girl gave off. "So are we at a truce? I swear I cna keep secrets better than James." She gave a lopsided grin and hoped it didn't look like a grimace at all. For James, for James, for James....she's not that bad.

[Andromeda Malfoy]

Andi gaped at Arty. So she did know. Damn... Andi would have to have a little talk with James I swear.. that boy is the worst secret keeper ever. she said smiling lovingly. She put the picture down, face up, sighing as she looked at it. Andi shrugged Yeah.. I suppose it would be.. it's hard dating someone who everyone in your house hates.. she said quietly. Offering Arty a friendly smile. She wasn't that bad? right.. besudes.. it was for James, so ofcouse she could make an effort.. You know, for any other guy I would not care whether his friends liked me or not.. but. James is.. special. Ofcourse it's a truce she said sliding closer to the other girl so, lets try to be friends? she asked, watching her carefully. Arty, I think everyone can keep secrets better than James she teased. Laughing gently. Andi bit her lip.. she might as well apologize for everything she had ever said to the girl. It had been alot after all. Arty.. I'm really sorry for all the things I've said over the years.. some things I didn't want to say.. I was basically forced.. my family and everything.. she said looking down. Picking at a loose thread on her jeans.

[Arturo Leonard]

Arturo smiled and nodded; she hardly told him something that was to be a secret but she had to let out. She laughed softly, she was fond of her best friend but between her and Andi it was a friendly kind of fond, nothing confusing like Arty was experiencing. "Well, he didn't bluntly tell me, I more guessed and well then he confirmed it with a Does everyone know?!" Arturo laughed at her impression of angry James, he was a hoot to be around. Arturo smiled to the girl, she had empathy because she was basically experiencing the same thing only a tad different. "Just like being in a house where everyone hates you..." Arturo said it quietly but it was audible.

Arturo let Andi come closer, she nodded to the girl's words. "Yea, lets." She tried to seem chipper but it wasn't exactly her thing. She just smiled and waited to see what would happened. Arturo was tacken aback when Andi apologized. She almost was at losss for words. "Thank you Andi...I guess.... I'm sorry too, those rude things I said, they were never true, they were pure anger." Arturo shrugged and smiled, so they were both bitches, alot in common so far.

[Andromeda Malfoy]

Andi laughed thats even worse. she said shaking her head, grinning lovingly at the thoughts of her stubborn boyfriend I suppose I can forgive him though she said sighing happily. Rveryone seemed to notice she was happier lately, and she was.. Andi nodded yeah, but atleast you can escape the rest of the Slytherins in the summer.. I have to live with Frae in the summer too. She's always over with Matty, sometimes with me... your friends are supportive.. Mine are because I'm rich, have a hot brother and have power she said sadly. She wished sometimes she came from a family who didn't have pride, or felt better than everyone else. She came to realize that because of James.. Andi smiled, good.. she would be friends with her. Score one for Andromeda! Andi nodded yeah. I guess this is hard on both of us, your friends are in different houses and you want to be with them, mine are in this house and I want to get away from them she said. Sitting fully on her bed she crossed her legs. Sighing she closed her eyes momentarily. Arty can I tell you something? she asked quietly. She had nobody else to tell, nobody else wuold understand.. she knew she had not been dating James for long, but Andi thought she was in love.. she knew she was in love. Whatelse would this be?

[Arturo Leonard]

Arturo smiled kindly, since she was a year older now she almost felt like an older sister for Andromeda, she needed one probably. "Well, it's not too big of a shocker, really, soemthign was bound to happen between the rival families, plus, the Potters aren't bitter towards your family, its just your father." Arturo shrugged and smiled again, families were so difficult. Friends must be even worse when they were always around, Arturo did have the Slytherin house to hide in when she was angry with any of her friends; poor Andi. "You could always come visit me, we'd be aorund the Potters and Weasleys but your dad wouldn't have to know..." Arturo wasn't sure what she was doing but she felt for the fourth year, she had no escape. Arturo's family was connected to the Delacours, they essentialyl had money as well; she knew about friends who used people but she didn't have that kind, she didn't show off her money but people knew she was part of the Delacours. "Yea, friends who are around for money suck." Arty looked down at the picture and smiled, the two looked really good together, Arturo was happy if James was happy, and he was.

"Naturally I sneak into Gryffindor to hang with Adam and the others but occasionally I love being away from them, they get crazy." Arturo laughed at poking fun of her family and friends. At teh mention of a secret, Arturo stiffened but then relaxed, what was Andi planning on telling her? Arturo was curious and excited. "Shoot. It won't pass through my lips once it enters through my ears." It was like a little promise, not unlike the muggle I cross my heart and hope to die promise. Arturo thought it was funny how they say that then break it easily.

[Andromeda Malfoy]

Andi shrugged the parents might not be, But Adam has made it clear he does not like me.. he hates my brother. she said softly.. and my cousins Melia and Esme she added. Andromeda laughed My father would know. My brother has all teh Slytherins and even some of the Ravenclaws watching me like a hawk! Dominick and Esme are the worst probably she said smiling thanks for offering though. Besides, I doubt any of them would like me.. My great aunt, and middle namesake tortured Adam's mom, and killed Teddy's... plus killed Sirius Black.. she said sadly. It was annoying how the past members of familys made it hard for the future members. Andi nodded, I have alot of those.. but they get whats coming to them eventually.. they either realize I'm not half bad, or realize I won't buy them stuff and leave. Andi sighed, picking up the picture of her and James she looked into it before glancing back to Arty.. I-I think I'm in love with James.. not that little puppy-love stuff people go through. But real love. she said. Looking down she sighed, shaking her head I-I'm sorry. I probably sound totally stupid... she said, looking at the floor.

[Arturo Leonard]

Arturo smiled widely, Andi knew it like she was Arty's other half. They both knew how each other felt, so had they been such enemies? "The only way you can help is to take a husband who doesn't care about your family and not make the mistake's the others did." Arturo could give great advise when she was ready to or when she needed to. She placed her left hand on Andi's shoulder, gently as she could without letting it fall off. "I know how you feel alot of times, trust me." Arturo shook her head and looked down at the floor. "As for the watching, have you tried to ditch them? Like, my way?" Arturo was the sneakiest in her year and she loved it all so well, she would out wiat anyone and then they would give up, short cuts were the Muaders map which she had seen many, many times; she memorized the shortcuts.

Arturo smiled at Andi; people got what they deserved. "I always tell them off or let them figure out that I hardly give my family my money." Arturo laughed, she could be a little stingy on her money but she always bought the boys what they wanted if she was in the mood. When Andromeda let out her secret Arturo almost fell off the bed. She was seriously falling for James and yet Arturo coudl only stare at her. She knew JAmes loved Andi but she didn't know if it was play love or real love. Arturo shook herhead feverently. "You don't sound stupid, I know how you feel, in a way...But are you sure, positively, sure that is is what you think must be love?" Arty decided she wouldn't go into her confused feelings.