Sober ((Drake & Ryann))

[India Nightingale]

The air was crisp and cold, one of the frostier days in the beginning of autumn. It was a sign of the oncoming winter, and India wondered absentmindedly if this heralded any arrival of snow for December. India did not usually pay much attention to the weather, since she spent little time outdoors. However, one element she did enjoy was the snow. Although winter was cold and biting, the snow that sometimes came with it was beautiful. India had never admitted this to anyone, but she loved to sit outside when it was snowing, watching the tiny little flakes drift from the sky to bask the earth with a blanket of white. India had always disliked anything white, the purity it represented distasteful, she felt, but snow was different. Snow soon melted and faded away as quickly and suddenly as it had come. India’s eyes peered blankly up at the current mood of the sky; it was a periwinkle blue, pale and diluted with thin strands of cloud. The setting sun in the distance lit the edges with autumn hues of golden reds and oranges, casting heavy shadows onto any prey it could find. India sighed softly and sat back on the cold bench, wondering how much longer she would remain sitting out here alone in the Courtyard.

India’s first week back at Hogwarts had been uneventful. Her reputation was so well established she was rarely bothered by others, and first years were acute enough to notice India’s glowering scowl as they passed her in the corridors. India still despised her dorm mates as much as ever, which was a mutual feeling, but that was something she had gotten used to over the years. Really, it was like coming home, even though India didn’t see Hogwarts as home. She knew the corridors and the faces too well that the moment she returned, it was as if life had started again. The lessons were new to her, but India had found it easy to settle into. Her classes were much better than her previous five years, having now dropped all the tedious subjects, and she certainly didn’t miss them. India threw herself into the NEWTs work with revitalised energy from the summer, desperate to study until she collapsed. Which wasn’t a joke. India had fainted on several occasions from depriving herself of simple human necessities, just because she was overworking herself. The Library had once again become India’s daily sanctuary, where she spent hours after classes studying, thousands of informative textbooks at her disposal. The librarian had grown so accustomed to India’s presence that when ten o’clock came round, she didn’t bother coming to her and attempting to shoo her away; she knew well now that India would leave when she felt like it, and she never made a big fuss.

The cold was starting to nip at her pale skin. India wrapped her outer cloak around her tighter, not willing to part with nature just yet. This was a rare time when the Courtyard was completely devoid of others, and India wanted to treasure that solitude to herself. It wasn’t that she despised the outdoors exactly... She merely preferred to be inside where it was warm and safe; she felt protected, and she could get on with her work with almost unlimited resources at her feet. India also wished to be alone, and there were so many students outside laughing so happily that it got on her nerves. Inside Hogwarts, India could wrap herself up in her own company in an empty room. Or perhaps with Devil by her side, depending on how the black cat was feeling. Currently, India knew he was off to search for food, just as the other pupils were gathering in the Great Hall for their evening meal. These were the times India, if need be, sneaked out like a thief into the Grounds and the Courtyard. The gentle silence that swayed over the area was so peaceful it never failed to calm India’s raging thoughts.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded from a distance, and India’s head jerked up. They gradually grew louder, approaching her direction, and India tried not to roll her eyes. Her sanctuary infiltrated, she would now have to take her leave. She was rather surprised though; this person had either decided to skip dinner like herself, have a quick lunch, or perhaps wanted to have a hasty later meal. India stood up quietly, straightening out her robes as this mystery person approached. Wanting to get a good view of whom the intruder was, India strained her eyes against the increasing darkness. Autumn’s arrival signalled earlier sunsets. India could make out a familiar tall figure, yet she couldn’t place her finger on who it was. She started to walk towards this boy, who was obviously either in her year or above, preparing to leave and catch a glimpse of him at the same time. However, as she loomed closer to his side, an all too familiar voice spoke quietly. “India.” She didn’t jump, but her eyes did widen as they settled on a recognisable handsome face, tousled dusty blonde hair shielding his piercing eyes. India halted before him, defences erecting themselves automatically as memories bombarded her mind. Chest to chest again, they stood. She only managed to force out a reply after a moments silence.
“Drake.”

[Drake Manning]

For some reason, the thought of dinner just didn't seem appealing to Drake. He sat at the end of the Slytherin table, surrounded by a slew of fifth years who were grating at his nerves. He was tempted to curse one of them under the table, but knew better. Instead, he stood up, leaving his plate of food barely touched. Passing the stares of others, Drake gave a wink to the one girl he remembered from last year. She had been one who had tried putting him in his place after realizing she had fallen for his notorious mask of charm. When he smiled at her almost arrogantly, the look on her face made him laugh to himself as he left the Great Hall.

There were still some moments of daylight left, and Drake had brought along his art book, having tucked it in a pocket on the inside of his robes. Nobody else knew about his art. Nobody. Drake felt somewhat vulnerable at the thought of showing others. He didn't think it really fit with the reputation he had worked on creating either. There was always the chance though that he thought about using it as another way of making himself seem more human and less stone-like. Art could always be a good ploy with women, he figured, but never did much more than consider it as he was more terrified of people finding the real him.

Stepping into some of the sun's last rays, Drake shielded his eyes from the piercing light. The sky was a beautiful color, one that almost made Drake sick to look at. Drake preferred an absence of color; that was why he always did his art in black and white. Something about color just seemed too happy for Drake. It wasn't like him to enjoy something as bright and cheery as a nice shade of yellow or a vivid orange hue. Black and white. That was what seemed to best represent Drake.

When his eyes adjusted to the abundance of orange light filtering through the trees in the courtyard, Drake noticed that there was another person across the cement walkway. He squinted, allowing his vision to focus on the girl who almost instantly flooded his brain with memories of the recent night he had spent with her. India... it was the first time Drake had seen her since their encounter before the school year began. He hadn't been avoiding her, they just hadn't crossed paths again, until now. His curiosity got the best of him, and Drake walked toward her, seeing that she stood as he approached. She didn't seem to recognize him though, until he spoke her name.

"India," he said, his deep voice quickly disappearing into the light autumn wind. She stood face to face with him and acknowledged his presence. Drake remembered that they had said that they would forget all about the night that they had shared, but Drake really wanted to ask her if she even remembered. Part of him had become bitter that India was the one girl who had seemed to avoid the person Drake hid behind. If she had somehow seen through his mask, he wanted to know. It was a scary feeling for Drake, to think that there might be someone that knew the real him. It was a sense of vulnerability, one that he wasn't really happy about feeling. Still, he didn't mention their previous encounter, but instead said nothing, allowing her to make the first form of meaningful dialog. Aside from their brief history, what more was there to say, anyways? Perhaps she would simply walk past him and say nothing. If that were the case, Drake knew he would have to resort to something. He couldn't go on without knowing what India's view of him was. He needed to know if she still saw him in the light of his reputation, and if she didn't, he would have to fix that. Drake didn't like the thought one bit of being revealed for who he truly was; not even if it came in the form of someone like India. Drake needed the security of knowing that his reputation was safe, even if he didn't think India was going to go blabbing about that night anyways.

((For some reason the color theme can't escape me when I am in Drake mode. ))

[India Nightingale]

The air was so thick with tension India felt herself suffocating in it. Struggling to breathe at a normal pace, she forced out words tensely. “... What? Why are you staring at me like that? Say something, for god’s sake. What are you thinking? Because if you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking then forget it. I’m not going to stand here and be stared at like a... like an object.” India folded her arms protectively over her chest, her stance rejecting and distant. Drake’s presence made her skin crawl; not necessarily because of his personality, but because of the incident from the summer, and due to the fact that India was on guard constantly around men anyway. A particularly strong gust of wind suddenly rippled their robes around their feet, and India sought to push her weight to the ground so she didn’t fall. Nature always felt stronger than her; like there was an attractive, magnetic pull to its sturdy silence. India glanced up at the darkening sky, and momentarily felt the powerful urge to defy gravity, like that flock of birds flying overhead in the distance, into the blood of the setting sun.

India turned her attention back to Drake with a fake smirk curling round her lips. “You know, for someone of your reputation, you don’t really live up to it very well. I hear you’re quite the smooth talker, Drake. Do I put you off or something? Am I fulfilling my job as renowned loner and ice princess?” India didn’t know where the cold sarcasm was coming from; she had different sides of cruelty. This was one of them, the times when she sounded cynical, challenging, and yet her demeanour was still as distant as ever. One may think she was warming up to you... thawing her ice and letting you in with a sarcastic joke. India didn’t use this part of her often, because usually her biting, nasty side surfaced, where she could really make someone cry if she wanted to (reserved for younger years when they drove her up the wall) or her silent, snappy self, which tended to thrive in Hogwarts. That way kept her out of trouble, really. People naturally saw her as someone to leave alone, a mute child that could lash out unexpectedly and was renowned for doing so. Drake though... Drake India already knew. And him being just as silent as she was unnerved her so much she had to make up conversation for it, her cynical talk spilling out. She didn’t like sharing her silence. India wasn’t happy about this; Drake had already unknowingly brought out a side to her... her weak, submissive self back in the summer, and she had no intention of revealing anymore.

India hadn’t purposefully avoided Drake when she had returned from Hogwarts. She hadn’t tried to look for him either. Their paths just hadn’t happened to have crossed (well, she had glimpsed him a few times passing through the Common Room, but she had left quite quickly), but now that they had, India was starting to regret having not bothered to avoid him in the first place. She had just thought that when she saw Drake again, she would act normal and pretend nothing had happened, like he had said that morning. India had every intention of never speaking with him again; she really should have just ignored Drake and left the Courtyard. But something pulled at India to converse with him. To see how he would react to her after what had occurred in the past. Her curiosity did not want to be undermined, and India could not refuse it.

“We should stop meeting like this, Drake.” India sniffed and stared at her fingernails with a bored expression on her face. She was nervous in his presence, unsure of how he would react, but India refused to be anyone but her usual self. In other words, not be herself. “Trust me, I don’t take well to knowing men stalk me. I’m off limits.” She glanced up at him, staring Drake straight in the eye coldly. She wasn’t flirting, she hoped he would realise. She was being serious, though perhaps less so than usual. “What I’m good at is breaking men’s hearts.” India added with a thoughtful smirk, sidestepping Drake’s taller body and preparing to pass him by. “I am a ripple. I’m impossible to catch.” She was starting to talk more to herself than to Drake, her eyes scouring the stars that were beginning to appear in their luminescent glory. “I’m a star... impossible to catch.” India stopped her musing, footsteps halting just behind Drake. “Hm... See you round, Drake. Don’t know why you’re skipping dinner.” She stated flatly, before she began to walk again. India knew she had to get away before something stupid happened. She could tell that being with Drake wasn’t a good idea.

((You’ll have to make Drake talk so India doesn’t leave. He doesn’t necessarily have to tell her to stay; just make him talk and India will reply. Drake can really rile her, lol.))

[Drake Manning]

"It's hard to have a decent conversation with someone who can't even hold their own in alcohol," Drake snapped rather quickly after India tried poking at his reputation. If there was anything he would defend relentlessly, it was that very issue. Still, India was rather callous, not much like the last time Drake remembered her. She indeed had been in a unique form that night. The India standing in front of him now seemed more confident, although there were hints of something deeper. Drake tried figuring her out, but it was useless for him to try. Almost as though he was looking into a mirror, the way India handled herself was all too familiar for Drake. She was blocking him with barriers, and as much as Drake knew about putting up barriers, he was sometimes not the best at tearing them down. Now, certain barriers were easy for him. There were some that were typical of most girls, and Drake had learned how to get past them with just a few suave sentences and perhaps a smooth action. But India... India had erected barriers that were unfamiliar to Drake. Either that, or she really was who she appeared to be. But having seen her the night of the alcohol incident, Drake was reluctant to believe that this was the real India and that the India of that night was some random fluke.

Emotionless were her words that followed. Drake simply rolled his eyes with her pompous statements. They were a true tell-tale sign of the mask that he had become so accustomed to. Piece by piece, Drake was starting to see that India was quite a complex puzzle, and something in that realization intrigued him. "Think what you will," he replied rather melodramatically. India had said her farewell and was leaving him there to stand in the courtyard alone. Drake was used to the alone, but what he wasn't used to was a girl seeming to get the best of him. Somehow India had been able to avoid talking about their previous encounter, and then to top it off, she had tried prodding Drake's reputation. He wasn't just going to stand there and watch her leave him.

"Impossible to catch, eh?" Drake was determined to get India to turn around. He wanted her to have to admit that she wasn't the person that she was now showing herself as. He wanted her to acknowledge the India that he had seen that night. Despite having his own methods of hiding himself, Drake was set on getting India to submit to his control. "We both know that all I'd have to do to catch you is give you a few drinks. What then? Who would rescue you then?" Drake knew that he was now being just plain cruel. He had promised India he wouldn't bring it up. But he wasn't thinking about that now. All Drake could think about was finding a way to make India slip back into a position where he could control her. Without having control, Drake was never a happy person.

((A slightly darker side of Drake I suppose... but we both knew it would come out eventually. ))

[India Nightingale]

India’s palms fisted into tight shaking balls of controlled emotion as Drake’s words crashed into her conscience, wave upon wave stronger than the last. It pushed her command further away and drew out her fury, her embarrassment, which flashed in her eyes as she turned slowly around again to face Drake. Her footsteps halted against the cement as her words of farewell were yet again lost to the wind. How many times had she spoken goodbye to Drake and yet, had not been able to leave? “What did you say?” India hissed softly, her arms unfolding and sliding into her pockets to rest there, fists still tightly clenched. India hated Drake so much right now. She hated him for entering her life. She hated him for that night where she had no inhibitions to be herself. But most of all, she hated him for reminding her of her flaws. “What right have you to ridicule me like that?” India asked coldly, “When we all know, Drake, that your ‘seduction skills’ come down to nothing but taking an innocent girl to a bar, getting her drunk, and taking them home against their will.” India knew that Drake hadn’t done anything to her; somehow, she trusted him to have not, despite everything. Yet her better judgement was clouded with the hurt she felt from Drake having pursued the topic she had requested him (and himself had offered) not to mention ever again.

“Look, Drake. I don’t need rescuing. You only ‘rescued’ me that night because you happened to have gotten me drunk, very, very drunk, something which I may add I don’t do very often. I don’t need anyone else. I’m not weak.” India stressed loudly, shaking her head to emphasise her point. “What happened before... it won’t happen again, I can promise you. I’m sober now, and this is the India you are going to get. I’m not like most girls, Drake. That night I wasn’t myself. You’ve got to learn something. India Nightingale doesn’t get drunk. India Nightingale doesn’t have weaknesses others know about. And India Nightingale certainly doesn’t need rescuing by you. Don’t make yourself out to be some sort of... God. Because you’re not, Drake. You’re just another useless and pathetic man who’s out to hurt women – even if you claim that not to be your intention, it’ll eventually happen, if it hasn’t already. These human hearts,” One of India’s hands unclenched and raised itself to place the palm gently against her chest, over the area where the soft rhythm of her heartbeats thudded against her ribcage. “Are made to be broken, Drake. I’m not going to give mine away, ever. And that’s why alcohol will never consume me like it has you. I won’t use it as means of an escape, because let me guess, that’s what you use it for? That wonderful numb feeling... It’s a facade.” India mocked, “That’s why I don’t, won’t, ever need rescuing, because I don’t need other people, and that’s also why I am not going to stand here and be scorned by you for weaknesses I don’t have. Weaknesses I’m not ever, ever, going to acknowledge.”

India stopped momentarily to pause for breath, before looking up again, straight into Drake’s eyes. “You promised, Drake. You promised me we’d never speak of this again. That night, it was a mistake. People make mistakes, I have to realise that, but now it’s behind us, and we were meant to forget about it, never mention it again. I’ll admit that I’m ashamed of myself, but probably not in the way you’d expect. I’m ashamed for being human. I suppose promises don’t mean anything to you, and they don’t mean anything to me either, but yet... a promise is a promise. It’s human.” India’s voice was softer, quieter now, yet it still held a trace of firmness to it. “You made me a promise, but that never meant I needed rescuing. In fact, I need people who have met me to forget me. What you saw that night... forget it. Can you promise me that, Drake?” India questioned. “Can you promise to forget about everything? Can you promise to forget about me?”

((Yay for darkness!))

[Drake Manning]

Drake stood there and listened as India offered a long, drawn out version of her explanation of everything between them. She seemed very... what was it that Drake saw in her? She was convinced. That's what it was. India had done very well at convincing herself that what she said was true. Still, Drake doubted much of what came out of her mouth, or at least he refused to accept it. Finally, when she was done, Drake, able to get a word in, starred at her for a few seconds before replying. "You... you're begging," he said simply, ignoring over half of what she said and focusing on her most recent queries. She was asking him to make her a promise, even after he had already broken the one that he made originally. "Your begging me to promise to forget.... to forgive, perhaps?" Drake raised his brow and looked at India for some sort of reaction.

He began wondering where this was even getting him, and in the end he concluded that if anything, it just meant that India had somehow seemed vulnerable. Whether it was from that night, or for trusting Drake's promise, India now seemed to be vulnerable to him, and her comments only proved this, at least according to Drake. "Let me get this straight then," he continued. "You say that you are not weak, yet you are begging for a promise. You say that I got you drunk, yet you were the one begging for more alcohol that night. And, you act like I'm asking you to give me your heart to break it. All very profound statements if you ask me." Drake had no clue where he was going with this, but he was getting India to open up to him, and that meant that he had at least some power over her if nothing else.

It was an odd feeling, but Drake couldn't help but feel so many things all at once. He didn't want India, but felt like he couldn't have India, which only lead to him wanting her even more; quite a mix of ambivalence. "You know what though," he finally said, shrugging as he figured he had to somehow keep India's trust, even if it was just a splinter of trust. "If you want me to just forget all of this, then fine. I'll forget it. You already don't really trust me, but I can make this promise since you ask." He gave her an emotionless look. "But... yes, there is a but. You can't pretend that you didn't need me that night. You can't escape the fact that I helped you to escape from everything. You can't really forget all that happened, even if we both agree to say nothing of that night." This seemed like the best way for Drake to keep his control. "It's either that, or I don't promise anything," he ended with an apathetic tone.

[India Nightingale]

“I’m not begging!” India snapped loudly, taking an involuntary step forward. How did Drake rile her so much? How could he make her feel so vulnerable and weak? Was it because he was physically stronger? Was it because he was a guy? India didn’t want to think this arrogant, flirtatious Slytherin had anything on her. “There’s nothing to forgive. What’s there to forgive? I’m not asking for your forgiveness. The world doesn’t revolve around you, Drake.” India argued hotly. “I’m daring you. Can you promise people anything, Drake Manning? Or are your words just as empty as mine? Do you go back on things that you say?” India challenged, staring up defiantly at Drake.

“I’m not begging.” India hissed again when Drake repeated the word that almost made her wince. India didn’t do begging; it was a weak notion. “As if I would beg.” She scoffed as an afterthought. “You have not got it “straight”, Drake. In fact, the very opposite.” India started, shaking her head almost helplessly. “You just don’t get me, do you? No one ever does. So maybe I speak using cryptic words, but I’m not being hypocritical. Firstly, I’m not weak and I’m not begging for a promise. You initiated the drinking – you persuaded me to, and therefore got me drunk and I asked for more in that state. And isn’t that what you want, Drake? To take my heart and break it? Because I’m so unreachable, unlike other gullible fools who fall at your feet and make you feel all powerful. How many people have you broken? Hurt? What kind of a front are you putting up, Drake Manning?” India demanded quietly, but angrily. What was worse? India’s silent rage, or her outspoken, crazy, loud wrath? Both were just as deadly. “What have you got to say for yourself? At least I mind my own business most of the time. What have you got to repent for your sins? Don’t make me out to be some sort of... evil person. Everyone has sins.

India almost sighed with relief as their conversation got to a point where she had hoped it would go. Drake was difficult to work with – yet India could detect something hidden underneath. She was curious to know what sort of a person Drake was, but she reeled in her inner feelings and buried them. Her curiosity would be the death of her, and she was still learning in controlling herself so she didn’t get herself too embroiled in other business not hers to be involved in. “So you helped me. Big deal.” India defended coldly. “It just wasn’t my day. Don’t make yourself out to be the hero, Drake. I already said thanks once, you’re not getting another. “I accept you helped me. I accept you rescued me.” She rolled her eyes uncaringly. “So what? So what if I can’t forget it? I can still try. I haven’t forgotten it yet, but I will someday.” India paused and searched for the right words in reply to Drake’s offer. “But fine... I won’t pretend anything. If that’s what you want. I don’t see how that affects you, but fine. It’s not like I’ll search you out. I promise, Drake Manning. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.” India smirked. “And what about you? Promise? To not bring that... situation up again?”

[Drake Manning]

Drake had angered India. There was no doubting it judging by the tone of her voice and the content of her words. Oddly, this was probably the most emotion he had seen her exhibit; at least the most anger. Part of that made Drake grin evilly as she continued to raise her voice with him. Had she only known her yelling was feeding the feeling that Drake had of gaining power he have guessed she leave right then and there. But she didn't. Instead, she kept going, stressing her points and trying to get Drake to admit that he was wrong. She was trying to tame him after allowing him to gain so much confidence in his actions.

As he had been doing, Drake ignored anything that she said in which he either didn't feel like responding to or didn't have something good to say. It wasn't fair, he knew that, but it was the way Drake worked. The only way to manipulate was to be sure to manipulate even the simplest things. It started small and worked its way until Drake had under his control what he had set for in the first place. And, if he couldn't control it, Drake refused to accept the reality until he had manipulated into a way that he did control it.

"There you go, begging again," he said coolly. Drake knew that it would only rile India even more. "But if you insist..." Drake didn't really know what he was promising for sure. Only half of India's words really registered, his mind worrying about keeping control rather than comprehending what she was saying. "If you insist, then I promise that..." Drake's words were cut short as he saw past India, another girl coming into focus. "Ryann Taylor?" he questioned under his breath to himself. Sure enough, it was the same Gryffindor girl that he had somehow lip-locked in the hallway. To top it all off, she ran smack into her pathetic boyfriend right afterwards. Drake almost felt right sorry for the bloke had he not threatened Drake after the fact. Before Drake could get a chance to finish his promise to India, Ryann had noticed him and began to approach them.

When she finally was close enough, Drake couldn't help but notice the sappy smile that Ryann had been flashing him. "Ryann, India. India, Ryann," he introduced quickly, feeling that the combination of the two was somewhat awkward. Then, Ryann spoke, and Drake starred at her with an odd look on his face. Why aren't you with your pathetic boyfriend? he thought to himself.

[Ryann Taylor G6]

It was a nice day outside for fall to have been in full swing. There was a bit of a breeze, but beneath her robes, Ryann was warm and comfortable. She had ventured into the courtyard after seeing Noah down the one hall and wanting to avoid him, she hurried away before he saw her. So far, after the incident in the hallway where she had caught him kissing Drake, she had managed to stay away from him. Deep down, she hoped he wasn't angry but instead jealous. Part of her was afraid to find out though, which was why she kept putting off an encounter with him.

When she entered the courtyard, she was quite shocked to actually see Drake standing across the way with another girl. From the way they were talking though, it didn't seem to be a happy conversation. Curious, Ryann approached, having yet to see Drake after the incident either. She was, of course, less nervous about running in with him than she was Noah. After all, Drake was the one who seemed to actually treat her like she existed as a woman, even it he was known for worse.

Smiling, Ryann looked at India when Drake introduced the two of them. Behind her smile though, Ryann sensed something in Drake that wasn't there when they were in the hall together the few days earlier. She couldn't place her finger on what it was though. "Hi, nice to meet you India." Judging from the fact that Ryann knew India to be in Slytherin and the fact that she didn't seem to be thrilled to be there, Ryann didn't expect a happy reply. Still, she didn't care though, as she turned to Drake.

"How have you been, Drake Manning?" she asked with a smile, tilting her head to the side a bit. "Have you bee working on proving what I asked of you?" she joked, wondering if Drake had even remembered what she had challenged him to. Glancing back at India, Ryann had to wonder what the two of them were talking about. It wasn't her business, but she was rather curious. Was India just another one of Drake's many girls? Maybe Noah was right, or maybe this was just Drake's way of proving his reputation. Slowly, Ryann's smile faded as she looked back to Drake for him to say something.

[India Nightingale]

India put a finger to her temple, which throbbed against her pulse. “Drake…” She started slowly, trying not to appear too angry, too out of control… There was something about Drake that really… really, really, really caused India to want to flip. There were lots of people that got on India’s nerves… in fact, she felt everyone was annoying and not worth her time. However, Drake was different. Drake could wriggle his way under, crawl beneath her skin and scratch and claw away at her sanity. India’s words trailed away however as Drake seemed to be climbing towards the answer she had been waiting so long for, and she stared up defiantly at him, concealing her tense anticipation and hopefulness. However, Drake seemed to lose concentration as his sentence also faded away to nothing… India frowned visibly, opening her mouth to ask Drake why he had stopped and if he was really a coward after all, when he spoke two words that made India’s skin shiver. ”Ryann Taylor?” India groaned inwardly and swung around to face a familiar bright eyed girl. ”Damnit.”

The brunette stood a little away, looking at them both in obvious surprise. Well, India supposed, one would not expect India Nightingale to associate herself with Drake Manning. Drake proceeded to quickly introduce her to Ryann, and India refrained from snorting out loud. She had entered Hogwarts at the same time as Ryann; they were in the same year, despite being in opposing houses. India knew her name, she didn’t need Drake to remind her, and she was sure Ryann knew of her existence too. After all, Skye was in Gryffindor too. Gryffindors knew who India was. “Nice to meet you too… Ryann. Thanks for introducing me to someone I’ve known for over five years, Drake. You smart boy.” India drawled in a bored tone. She was not pleased that Ryann had interrupted their conversation like this, but watched silently as the two conversed. Ryann was smiling at her, and India remained impassive and cold as ever as she stared back unrelentingly. She didn’t take too kindly to false, fake smiles. What intrigued India though, was how Drake and Ryann seemed to be on such friendly terms. A Slytherin and Gryffindor of such different personalities getting on so well unnerved India, to say the least. Was Drake really that good of a womaniser? That desperate to head for Gryffindors? Or was Ryann just plain foolish?

Probably a mix of the three, India concluded in her head as Ryann proceeded to ignore her completely and banter with Drake. Her light tone irritated India, but she refrained from showing it outwardly as she averted her gaze to the sky again. The red had bled completely out of the sky, the sun taking all colour with it and leaving only a pitch-black blanket across the expanse. India tried to ignore the pair’s conversation, yet she found herself listening in intently anyway. Something about this fascinated and annoyed her, and it was all India could do to remain silent. She glanced momentarily at Ryann, and caught her eye. Holding it steadily, India watched as the Gryffindor looked away again. It seemed Ryann was eyeing her up, possibly wondering about her connection with Drake. India didn’t want her reputation tarnished by people knowing she was seen with the infamous womaniser Drake Manning, yet she didn’t care what people thought, and how many people would believe Ryann? She wasn’t a big personality in the school, India doubted she’d spread the word. In fact, India wanted Ryann to stew over in her head what her and Drake’s connection was. If Ryann was indeed one of Drake’s objects, she would find India’s presence threatening, and that to India was amusing. She didn’t belong to Drake, but if it was going to get on this annoying girl’s nerves, then she didn’t mind pretending for a little while. India wouldn’t say a word to Ryann about the truth. No one would know her and Drake’s… “little secret”. Hopefully.

Finally, the conversation Ryann was attempting to make to a brooding Drake caused India to remind her of the fact that she probably couldn’t get anything done with Drake now. She was merely wasting her time now that Ryann had appeared on the scene, and India was more than irritated by her child-like banter. Rolling her eyes expressively, India turned towards Drake, cutting in before he could have a chance to answer Ryann. “I’m off, Manning. I’ll leave you and your girlfriend to talk it out.” Quickly she brushed past Drake, her eyes making purposeful contact with his. “I thought you could do better.” India whispered menacingly, before sweeping away into the night, back into the castle. It seemed she had forgotten all about promises already.

[Drake Manning]

This was not good. Not good at all. Being alone with either India or Ryann, Drake could handle, but the two of them there together made it difficult. Why? Well, because Drake could be whoever he wanted to be around them when he was alone with them. But put together, Drake was unable to play both roles he had established. You could wear as many different masks as you wanted, but to wear two masks at the same time... now that was impossible. Stuck between the two of them, Drake only rolled his eyes at India's smart remark about already having known Ryann. Of course they knew each other; Drake had only introduced them for lack of knowing what else to do.

After Ryann's remark, Drake was going to speak, but he had still been wrestling with the best way to go about his actions. He didn't want to give an inch either way when it came to his reputation. Then, before he could say anything, India seemed to have had enough, rushing past him while muttering some snide comment as she went. He turned, his view following her until she was gone, and then Drake turned back to Ryann.

At that instant, something inside of Drake, something that he really didn't even realize was there, made him almost angry that Ryann had approached him. Normally, he would have used his suave charm, especially seeing that Ryann was only doing what was expected. After all, he had treated her kindly and perhaps even led her on a bit. But Drake was angry; angry that he hadn't been the one to control which part of him could surface. Ryann had caused India to leave, and that put the control out of Drake's hands.

"I don't have to prove anything," he said, somewhat snappy. Drake forced himself to stay calm despite being frustrated with Ryann. "Look, I can't stay. Why don't you just go find Bentley," he said, his mind unable to get past India. Somehow she was able to get at his nerves and drive him crazy in a way that he didn't quite understand. With a half smirk, he turned and left Ryann alone in the courtyard. She was lucky that his true feelings hadn't surfaced though, and once again Drake was able to hide behind his mask as he fought to keep control of everything and everyone around him.