In Her Shadow (Sam, openish)

[Rafe Colby]

Since the incident by the Whomping Willow with Sam, Rafe's obsession with her had grown even stronger. He now followed her nearly where ever she went. He couldn't follow her into her room anymore, but pretty much everywhere else was fair game. He hadn't even attended one of his own classes in weeks. He was always following her to her classes and hiding in the back. The stupid teachers hadn't even noticed yet.

Right now, Sam was on her way to another class, it might have been Arithmancy. He wasn't even sure anymore; he was completely losing all touch with reality. Sam was his one thought, from the moment he woke up, until the moment he went to sleep at night. And he usually dreamed about her as well.

She was walking with some of her friends, and one of them turned around, so Rafe quickly ducked behind a suit of armor and waited.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

(Hope you don't mind me butting in)

Since that night he found Sam in the classroom, vulnerable and asking for help, he'd been spending more and more time with her. She had called him a friend, and he found that he couldn't stop acting like one since. He knew who had hurt her, even if she would never admit it, and he noticed that Rafe seemed to be everywhere. So he tried to see to it that he never had the oppertunity to catch her alone.

It had been Rabastan that turned around, in fact, but Rafe ducked out of his line of sight, and Rabastan turned back to the group around Sam, though he kept quiet.

[Samantha Montgomery]

She wasn't completely oblivious, but for the first time in a long while she wasn't sure what to do or how to handle things. She was more than grateful for Rabastan's presence and since the night of Rafe's attack Rabastan had stuck to her side.

At first she was mildly worried that he was going to turn big brother on her, and while it was partly true, she found she didn't worry about it anymore. In fact she loved his company, but unlike other girls she didn't fawn over him nor did she bat her eyes. It was almost as if he truly was her guardian angel and she must have been the only girl at Hogwarts who didn't want to jump his bones. Perhaps that was why in some twisted way they were becoming real friends. She knew there were things he kept from her, it was more than obvious. She suspected that part of his appeal was that mystery, however she knew she was safe with him, and one day she hoped he'd feel as safe with her. She could never betray Rabastan after that night, now he was firmly in her heart and though it would have been amusing to see Samantha protecting the "big bad wolf", she was very mother bear to him as well.

She turned the topic of conversation away from herself and others picked up. She didn't have much time out of the spotlight, however when Rabastan turned she had a shiver race down her spine and it made her curious. "What's wrong?" she asked turning toward him then looking behind her.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rabastan didn't want her to worry, and it bothered him that she seemed to suspect something was up right away. So he shrugged. "Thought I heard someone call my name, but I guess not." He didn't bother flashing his award winning smile at her, since that probably would have really alerted her to the fact that something seemed out of place for Rabastan. But as far as he could tell, nothing was wrong at all. There was no one there, and he'd just had a funny feeling.

"What were we talking about?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

A brief frown marred her brow but she turned it quickly to a smile. Regardless of what was or wasn't wrong, she was undoubtedly safe in his company not to mention the crowd around her.

"Same old." She flashed him a natural grin that indicated a drop in her facade of perfect socialite. Of course around her people were talking about the latest gossip, and the look on Sam's face told how much she truly cared. Still it was a role she played well and she would continue to play well for the rest of her life. It was only brief solitary moments with family or certain friends did she feel safe letting the facade die. "I've been meaning to ask you, my birthday is coming up. It's my first with my father and naturally he's overdoing things with another ball. The Lestranges will undoubtedly be invited, but seeing as how we're friends now I thought to secure your presence personally." she teased.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

"Those were a lot a flowery words for just asking me to come to your party," Rabastan said, teasing her. He'd grown up in the same high society kind of life, where in the familiar hierarchy, he ranked above his own mother. He could speak in flowery sentences himself, if he wanted to impress.

He was somewhat... surprised that she asked him. Touched, maybe? The feelings he had for her were strange in that he wasn't aiming to get in her pants. It wasn't usually how he felt around girls. Honored, maybe that was a better word.

"I'll be there, Sam. Thank you," he touched her hand briefly, catching her attention again. "You'll be careful to be sure that he's not invited, right?" She would know who he meant.

[Rafe Colby]

Rafe's ears perked up at the mention of a party. Of course, he already knew when Sam's birthday was. He had tried very hard to impress her last year on her birthday, and she had once again ignored him. It was frustrating. Why didn't she want him? Did she want Rabastan Lestrange? Was that why he kept hanging around her?

He moved out from behind the suit of armor, ducking behind a corner so that he could continue to hear their conversation. He had to know more about this ball.

[Samantha Montgomery]

She wasn't sure what it was she saw in Rabastan, true he'd be very easy to love, and he was even easier on the eyes. She could see why most girls fawned over him, but while Sam would admit that he was attractive, she almost relished this new bond even more. Friendship, a true friendship.

She smiled at his acceptance the giddiness in her eyes that she refused to show anywhere else, until it doused completely at the mention of Rafe.

She nodded and averted her eyes, " He won't get an invite...but..." she bit her bottom lip, "..that's never stopped him before..."

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rabastan frowned. Didn't muggles have something that required creepers like that to stay away? Orders or something lawful like that. He wasn't sure, but Sam needed something like it. While she couldn't come out and tell him, he knew without a doubt who had attacked her that night. And Rabastan, while stealing potions from the supply cabinet, had unwittingly been involved. And now he was going to stay involved.

"That's fine." He gave her a little, half smile. "I'll make sure to quietly let him know he's not welcome... if he shows up. And don't worry. I know how not to make a scene."

[Samantha Montgomery]

In an unguarded moment there was something akin to love in her eyes, nothing practiced, but it was a look to make a guy feel ten feet tall, and she actually believed in him. He had the power to keep Rafe away, he also had the power to keep her reputation safe, and he was doing both and she didn't really know what she did to deserve it.

She leaned into him slightly and sighed, "Can I keep you?" she asked wearily. More and more she allowed him into her life letting him see the girl behind the socialite. The girl that was slightly vulnerable and in need of the friend he was offering to be.

She closed her eyes for just a moment letting the safety and ease set over her shoulders, but when she opened her eyes she caught a curious or rather jealous look from a different girl who was walking with them, and Sam straightened up and gave the girl a look of her own. When the other girl backed down it took everything in Sam's power not to crack a grin, but she had a feeling Rabastan could see it in her eyes.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

"Oh, don't do that," Rabastan said, faking a groan when she asked if she could keep him. "I refuse to be your lost little puppy. Really, I do."

He was teasing her, and he didn't plan on leaving her on her own... and certainly not while Rafe was still a threat. Nope, he was definitely involved now.

At the straightening of her body, he glanced over and watched the brief exchange, shaking his head slightly. "Sam, you're ruining my game. Unless you want me...?" he added, a cocky smile on his face, but he was still teasing her. She was... well, he needed to protect her, not add to the problem.

[Samantha Montgomery]

She simply grinned at his being a lost little puppy, as if anyone could turn Rabastan into a puppy, that thought was preposterous.

Then she rolled her eyes, " Oh yes, I want you I need you, please make me yours." she batted her eyes at him in a ridiculous way and buffeted his shoulder "It's impossible to ruin *your* game Rabastan."

[Rafe Colby]

In his hiding spot, Rafe was getting twitchy. He could only hear snippets of the conversation, so he didn't know exactly what was going on. But Sam and Rabastan had been standing very close to each other for a while, and it annoyed him. He didn't notice other people who were walking nearby; Sam, as always, had his full attention.

Just what was Rabastan doing hanging around Sam? Was he interested in her? Was Rabastan stealing Sam away from him?

They certainly looked close, and it was killing Rafe. He had a hard enough time getting her to pay attention to him and take him seriously, but if he had to compete with the likes of Rabastan, the situation was well and truly hopeless.

The mere idea of it put desperate thoughts in his head. He thought of kidnapping her, keeping her prisoner until she came to love him as he loved her. Or maybe if he could get rid of Rabastan somehow. And if all else failed... Sam was pretty much all he was living for at that moment. Without her, why bother living at all?

He had to do something. He had to make her love him.

[Samantha Montgomery]

She finished teasing him and turned her attention to the others around her, when that familiar chill crept up her spine, someone was watching her. Her smile wavered, but her head was still high and her chin up, besides she was with Rabastan, and he wouldn't let anything happen to her, she believed that now.

[Rafe Colby]

Rafe was getting very frustrated. What was it with Lestrange, anyway? Why was he hanging around? Rafe had thought that Lestrange had decided he wasn’t interested in pursuing Sam. And yet, these days it seemed that he was close to her almost constantly. Had he changed his mind? Or had he decided to appoint himself as Sam’s protector? Either way, it simply wouldn’t do. He was going to have to find a way to get Lestrange away from Sam. As long as he remained by her side, Rafe couldn’t touch her. He was starting to get desperate. He was sure that if he could just get Sam alone, he could make her see that they should be together.

His eyes went to study Rabastan from a distance. Perhaps there was a way to get him away from Sam. Maybe he just needed a reason….