Bloody. Mother. Of. Merlin. When did life get so much harder than homework? Draco was sitting in the damn common room trying desperately to get any of his work in order because it had spiraled utterly out of control and he was pretty sure half his professors were about ready to skin him alive. He never let his marks suffer! This stupid bloody year was going to be the death of him, and he wasn’t even through that dreaded ball yet.

The blonde started on his Defense essay, knowing Snape would be the least forgiving of his professors. His mentor and Godfather liked to push him to his limits, but the man really should take a good look at his Godson before deciding he could handle the extra stress right now. He was about ready to crack, and Snape’s rage and disappointment were the last things he needed on top of everything else.

Thoughts of Sky and Leyton swam through his mind and he bit the inside of his cheek, trying to focus. He did not need to think about his ex and his lover, nor the hell they both were being put through thanks to him. Perhaps it wasn’t the smartest thing to be so open about the relationship he had with his cousin, but Draco simply didn’t give a damn anymore. People were always going to judge him for everything he did, so why should he hide anything, especially something he wasn’t ashamed of in the least?

He growled as he realized he just wrote ‘the’ twice in a row. Dammit. He really needed to bloody focus! Why couldn’t he get his mind to stop wandering? He’d tried to do the work with Leyton around, but that was just too bloody distracting for him to even pretend he’d get a single thing done. Now he had no excuse. What the hell was so hard about getting some work done?

With a heavy groan, Draco threw his quill at the shit essay he’d started and ran his hands through his disheveled hair. He needed to get his shit together so he didn’t flunk out of school. This was his sanctuary at the moment, in all reality. He wouldn’t survive at home once word reached the Dark Lord and/or his father. Not to mention Leyton’s relations. Oh bollocks. Luca was probably out for blood by now. ”Bloody fuck, Malfoy. Concentrate! You aren’t a bloody first year.”

He was so focused on pulling his hair at the roots that he didn’t even notice another sixth year approaching with an evil glint in icy blue eyes.

Orion entered the common room in that cocky, arrogant swagger of his, hands in his pockets. Nothing about the boy hinted that anything was possibly wrong in the world. For the most part, the sixth year had managed to stay out of the swiftly changing winds lately. But that could really only last so long.

For the past five years the boy had enjoyed taunting others, mocking them and crawling under their skin with his words and the things he knew about them that he shouldn't. It was one of his many talents. Like a true snake, Orion was silent, but deadly.

For five years, the Ice Prince of Slytherin had ruled the snake pit, no one ever daring to even so much as raising an eyebrow at the Malfoy heir. Why would they? Everyone in the house knew the blonde was the most powerful and influential of them all. What Malfoy said went, and that was that.

So why was everything shifting so suddenly? The arrival of Riddle had caused a complete upset in the balance of things, and Orion was having much too much fun learning and exploiting things about his housemates he had picked up on. Sure, almost everyone had heard the rumors regarding the two cousins, but it wasn't like they were hiding it now was it?

Regardless of everything, his own relationship with the Ice Prince had never been exactly friendly per say. For the most part Orion was left to his own devices, and usually passed along information about various people to the blonde when necessary. But with only one year left at school after this looming over his head, the boy thought it might be a good time to get more involved with things before it was too late.

So when he saw Malfoy pulling at his hair in frustration, his usual mocking smirk curled his lips and he sauntered over, seating himself in an open chair without asking or announcing himself. Lounging in it, the boy looked very much at ease and comfortable, and his cruel blue gaze didn't look very reassuring as far as his intentions went. But they never did. "My first guess is usually a lack of sex has an effect on concentration problems, but since we all know that isn't you're problem.." Orion trailed off, eyes gazing at the other boy knowingly. It wasn't a secret anymore that the two cousins fucked like rabbits, and Orion wasn't going to pretend otherwise.

"You know Draco, if you were going to give up the goods, you could have at least gave them to a fellow snake. But to give them to Potter. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth for all of us." Orion explained with a mock sigh, as if some great tragedy had struck because of it. But of course, it had. Never had Slytherin house been so out of balance as far as leadership went. While he had no intentions of taking up the reigns, someone needed to, and that someone needed to be Malfoy.

Orion would never admit it aloud, but he did respect the blonde. Having followed the other boy's lead for the past five years had never steered him wrong, and there wasn't many people who could instill fear in a person with a single look like Malfoy could. He cared even less about the cousin sex scandal. Purebloods were known to marry their own cousins, just to stay pure. Granted, Malfoy would have a bloody riot on his hands without an heir, but that was neither here nor there.

Their house was mutinous over the entire situation. Snakes dating lions? The Ice Prince himself screwing his cousin all over the place and not leading them as he had done for years? Everything was going to shit, and with so many Slytherins being prime picks as future death eaters, they all turned to those who had led them this far. Only to not have a leader anymore. Snakes backed into a corner were rarely a good thing. So Orion was hoping to get some kind of clue as to whether things were going to get pulled back together, or fall completely apart. And where exactly he wanted to be in either case.

Oh, lovely. Just bloody fantastic. This was exactly what Draco needed when he was already frustrated beyond belief. As if his worries about completely failing in all his classes weren’t enough, now he had the pressures of being the leader of the Snakes coming from his pretty-faced Keeper. Salazar’s teat. If the boy was so damn worried about who got with Skyler next, why didn’t he just try and control the feisty girl? Then he’d have lost his balls like Verona had that fateful night of patrolling and Draco wouldn’t have to punch him in his pompous face for speaking about her like she was some piece of property.

As it was, the idiot was still here, still talking, and still acting as though Skyler Riddle was some tamable creature rather than the amazing wild cat that Draco knew her to be. He snarled at the other sixth year, shoving his failing work aside and standing up to glare into those icy blue eyes. His own silver orbs danced with a threatening rage that begged the boy to say another thing. Just one more thing to egg him on the rest of the way so he could lose all control and let him have it.

”I didn’t ‘give up’ anything, as I never had anything that would be considered my property. That girl has a strong will that no one will ever control. You’re more than welcome to try if you want though. I’d love to see you lying in a pool of your own blood.” Perhaps he should be less aggressive with Ramellien, but he was already so on edge that he didn’t really have any self-control left. He got up in the boy’s face and poked him in the chest. Hard.

Draco growled at the other boy, jabbing his finger into his chest a couple more times as he spoke in a deadly snarl. ”My sex life is nothing for anyone to worry about. Who I care about is for me to decide, understand? The next snake I hear say a negative word about me or my cousin will be lucky to get out of the hospital wing before Christmas.” The cruelty in his molten orbs was actually rather terrifying. It was a clear sign that Draco could easily be a strong dark wizard if he wanted to be. Good thing he had no desire to follow the ‘lord’ he was supposed to serve.

”Now, you and everyone else had best leave the fail snake alone. Quit making fun of her, quit calling her names, and quit letting that idiot pug decide how people should treat anyone else. If anyone else so much as lays a fucking finger on that girl, I will hurt them so bad they will wish they were dead.”

He glared at the boy, waiting for him to acknowledge the orders that had been given. If Ramellien decided to fight him on his orders, well, he’d be the first example to the house of serpents. Nobody was going to get away with ignoring his orders.

Orion dusted the invisible dust from his shirt where Draco had poked him aggressively, and repeatedly. A smirk slowly curling his lips as he did, and his blue eyes gazed back into the pools of silver lava almost scornfully. "Well, well, well. Do my eyes deceive me, or is it the return of the Draco Malfoy we all know and love?" He replied sarcastically, his relaxed state in his chair not changing one bit even when faced with the raging self proclaimed leader of their house.

The boy provided an eye roll for Malfoy's trouble, a small, amused chuckle passing his lips as he laughed at the blonde's reactions. "Do calm down Malfoy. Merlin, I haven't seen you this so quick to temper since we were second years." Orion taunted slightly, pulling up a leg to rest his ankle over the opposite knee. His casual and seemingly unaffected person making a stark contrast to the other boy who stood above him radiating anger.

"I have little interest in Riddle as one of my conquests. I do not need you to point out to me when a witch is very much out of my league. Believe it or not I've managed to learn how to tell on my own, and I value my life too much to risk it on that witch. Even if she is ravishing." Again, he was taunting the Malfoy heir, but such was the way of Orion, and he thought the other boy should have been used to it by now. Not that there wasn't truth behind his words.

The sixth year pretended to examine the cuticles of on of his hands, the other arm he draped over the back of his chair, making him look even more at ease and relaxed than one had any right to be with a pissed off anyone facing them. "I care very little about what you and your cousin get up to Draco." He spoke in a lazy, bored tone. "I am a pureblood. Incest is just as common in my own family as it seems to be in yours. I have very little reason to judge you on it or to condemn myself to the levels of those beneath me by stating anything negative about either of you for it."

It was rather disconcerting how Orion could both explain away his original jabs in understandable words that were last with both truth and subtle quips. The boy truly was a accomplished at it. He rested his hand on the table almost absently and returned his gaze to that of the blonde who was still huffing and puffing over him. Those icy blue eyes seemed to laugh, finding that of he didn't know better he would think Draco was about to spit fire like his namesake.

One finely sculpted eyebrow arched on his face, his look almost amused. "I feel that's a bit hypocritical, seeing as you refer to her as a 'fail snake', but that is neither here nor there, because the only things I refer to her as is her given name. Perhaps a few choice adjectives like ravishing as well, when it seems appropriate of course." That teasing gleam was back in his eyes, his mocking smirk on his lips, but his tone continued to be bored.

"I find it insulting that you would assume I would allow Parkinson of all people to even grave my thoughts, much less base a decision on anything to do with her. As for the rest, I'm sure Potter is laying more than finger on her, as you so eloquently put it, but I assure you I have not nor do I have any intentions of doing so." Meeting the other boy's gaze again, Orion provided a knowing smirk. "However, I do know quite a few people who you might want to deliver that warning to."

It might seem odd, to offer up such information, but he wasn't the type of bloke to give without getting something in return. Such was the ways of the snake. Personally, he felt it was time for Malfoy to take action. The sooner he did, the better they would all be. Mostly though, Orion just enjoyed when he could put to use the things he knew. Not that there wasn't a reason for it. There was always a reason with Orion.

Draco growled at his companion. The boy always did have a way of talking in circles, and it always irritated the blonde to no end. He was supposed to be the one to speak in riddles if anyone did. Draco was always supposed to know exactly what was going on and he was always supposed to be in control. The fact that he had been slowly losing his control over the snake pit this year was driving him mad, and this boy was only serving to point his lack of control out to him all the more painfully.

”Fine, Ramellien. At least now I can say I gave you fair warning if you do go against your word and decide to mess with the girl in question. I’m far more interested in whatever you can tell me about those who really need the warnings.” He raised a slender brow, wondering just what the boy would be demanding for such information.

If there was one thing they had in common, it was the fact that they never did anything for free. Draco knew that Ramellien would have some sort of motive for helping him out, but he couldn’t say he wouldn’t most likely accept the terms without much consideration at all. He needed an inside man or sorts. It was getting ridiculous how easily the other snakes were walking all over him, and the only other person he could rely on for information was Blaise. That boy had seriously been avoiding Draco since that stupid game when the blonde had gone a bit overboard with Potter and his bookworm bint. He was sure Blaise would come around eventually, but for now he was realizing just how lacking he was in the lackey department.

Draco looked Ramellien up and down, then let out a sigh. ”Alright. What do you want for the information? I think we could strike up a decent partnership here, if you’re as interested as you seem. If order is going to be reclaimed in this snake pit, we have to take out those deceivers amongst us. So…” he looked at the boy with narrowed eyes the color of steel. ”Who all needs to learn a hard lesson?”

Orion smirked, gesturing to the chair his companion had vacated in his anger. His fingers drummed on the table as his eyes made a quick sweep of the room. Quick, but not obvious. Anyone watching that was interested would think he was simply gazing around in boredom. It would do no good to give himself away now would it? Not in the snake pit it wouldn't.

While all snakes were built with the natural ability of cunning and deceiving, it took more talent to outsmart the rest. It was those talents that put those like Malfoy and himself above the rest. The difference was that Malfoy was made for the spotlight. He was born and bred for such duties. Molded for it. Whereas Orion was best at lurking behind the scenes, whilst those unawares of him fell prey to his cunning mind.

At  any given time, the boy was a basket full of knowledge. After all, knowledge was power. It was simply a matter of having the right knowledge filling your basket. Unlike Granger, Orion did not fill his head with useless facts. Anything found in a book could always be found there again. Why would he bother memorizing it? His gaze finished its circuit around the room, not spotting anyone who would it would be detrimental to overhear their conversation. Just a bunch of younger years for the most part, all of which knew better than to so much as look their way.

His smirk widened at that. At least the house had not fallen that far. "If Riddle somehow finds out about this, my name stays out of it. The last thing I need is for her to do some unreversable hex to my bits because you couldn't keep your trap shut." Word of the witch in question performing such an act on one of the Gryffindors in their year had not gone unnoticed by Orion. The fact that it was only proven true by the boy in question laying in the hospital wing for a week was enough to convince Orion that he in no way wanted the half pint witch anywhere near his manhood. The fact that Malfoy was operating behind her back to protect it was enough injury to her pride to put his family jewels in jeopardy should she find it was Orion who gave names.

The boy reached over to lift a piece of parchment, arching a brow at the blonde as if asking permission before he pulled it to him, along with a quill and bottle of ink. Glancing over it, he noted the useless essay his housemate had seemed intent on completing, and he gave the other boy a sardonic smirk. "Seeing as it is already ruined, I'm sure you won't mind.." He trailed off suggestively, dipping the quill in the ink and scratching down a list of names in his elegant scrawl across the parchment.

It might have taken him no time at all, except Orion was having fun testing Malfoy's patience by purposefully dragging it out. With a flourish, he penned off the last name of his list, but did not hand it over right away. "One last thing, and the list is yours. Inquiring minds are curious, as to the sudden vanishment of a feud that has existed since our first year here in the castle. Any particular reason as to where that change is headed? If this is going to be a partnership, I do like to know who I'm in business with."

Draco fell back into his seat and watched the boy as he snatched his essay and started scrawling on it. He really wanted to smack the boy for assuming he wasn’t going to use that attempt at the assignment, but he was more interested in getting the information he needed, so he let it go with a low growl and a glare. ”Right. No name. I’m not all that worried about the fail snake’s anger toward me. I don’t really need to throw anybody else at her feet for punishment.”

His eyes flashed to the parchment, trying to read some of the names that his classmate had written. He was purposely taking longer than necessary, and it was really starting to piss the blonde off. Draco had never been known for his patience, so it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that he was growing quite irritated with the slowness of his companion.

A slender brow shot up at Ramellien’s words, and Draco scoffed at him. ”Isn’t it obvious? Things are changing, Ramellien. For the better, if I do say so, and I do.” He smirked, thinking of all the changes that had happened and were still to come. ”I believe you will find that things are not so clear cut as once was believed. The Golden Boy might actually be a savior, the Snake King a false royal, and the Wizened Wizard the greatest manipulator of them all.”

Draco sat back in his chair, feeling less frustrated as he realized he was going to get the list he wanted and he was going to have another snake for Potter’s team. Sure, the Boy Wonder might need a bit of convincing still, but he was positive Sky could work on that. ”I plan to be on the winning side of things, as I’m sure you do as well. We are too good to follow some tarnished crown or bow before a greedy old fool. Ready to win this war, Ramellien?”

Orion had all but ignored the impatient growling the Malfoy heir did while he had worked on the list of names he would provide the other boy. Make no mistake about it. He would be providing the list over to Draco. If there was one thing they shared in common, it was a protective streak for the things they possessed or cherished. There wasn't much for a pureblood to really cherish, since most of them came from old money and had more than any one person should ever have. So he wouldn't be getting in the way of a Malfoy warning.

Not to mention that the idiots who continued to thrash the younger girl were in for a very rude awakening. Not only did Riddle have Malfoy and Potter backing her apparently, but did so few really pay attention when the old coot of a headmaster gave his speeches? How common did they assume the name Riddle was? If it wasn't the actual witch in question, or Malfoy or Potter who's wands they would be facing, it would be the darkest wand of them all. Orion was quite alright with not facing that one just yet. He still had a good year or so before he was destined to choose one way or the other.

Which was what brought him to Draco in the first place. The quietness between the two former rivals and their well known explosive fights meant more than they seemed. Especially since the handoff of Riddle from Malfoy to Potter. Knowing the blonde's possessiveness, that should have been enough to spark up the feud back into the blazing fire it always was, regardless of whether he was shagging his cousin or not. However, it hadn't, which made Orion think something more was going on behind the scenes with those particular players in this dangerous game of war.

If he was surprised by what he heard, he didn't show it. In fact, his face was completely passive, but his mind worked behind the cold blue eyes he stared out of. No one needed to tell Orion that the old fool of a headmaster was a manipulater. One could see that as clear as day of they knew what to look for. As far as the Dark Lord went, well, that was a choice that was usually forced rather than made. So it was really the last option that came as surprising, mostly because the Golden Boy was well known as being Dumbledore's puppet. Clearly, Draco knew otherwise, and Orion was more willing to throw his lot in with his peers than with the either two options.

He didn't bother hiding his smirk as he handed over the list he had drawn up. "The winner's circle is, indeed, where we belong Malfoy. You may want to share that list with Potter. He may be surprised by a few names on it. We wouldn't want to deny him his own well placed warnings now would we?" It was meant more as a challenge than anything, and he knew the blonde would read between the lines. Orion was a strong leader on his own, but had always followed Draco out of respect the other boy had earned. The same would have to be held true for Gryffindor's Golden Hero. There wouldn't be a snake who would trust Potter after all these years without some reason to, and sticking up for one their own against one of his was a perfect way to turn the tides.

"You'll be happy to note that the younger years still follow your lead. Most of them. Only a few relatives to those on the list that might make things difficult, but it shouldn't be hard to deal with those."