The Art of Persuasion

Chapter 17 : Love is a Bitch

"What about rummaging through the library?" I shook my head once more as I imagined Cliff knocking down a shelf full of books. He let out a whiny groan and threw his head on the table. I sighed at his madness and looked out the window of the Ravenclaw Common Room window.

"I know! Let's destroy my sister's social life." he took on a very wicked grin at the idea, which made me so curious that I agreed. No, it wasn't because at the Ball she tried to flirt with Sirius shamelessly. No, it had nothing to do with that whatsoever.

"Do tell how we would do that." I didn't try to hide my interest. Cliff continued to grin like the Cheshire cat, which reminded me of Sirius. I pushed the thought of being bored without him to the back of my head.

"Well, you see..."

"BEREEEEENICEEE." Cliff screamed in a singsong voice as he skipped towards his sister and her group of friends. I quickly followed his pursuit as I laughed hysterically. Berenice had a look of fear in her eyes but she quickly composed herself and looked at us as if she was above our madness. Perhaps she was but none of the less, Cliff and I still threw our arms around her.

"BERNY, I LOVE YOU." Cliff bellowed. He then looked at a fourth-year friend of hers, whom was scared out of her knickers, and gave her a wink. The fourth year blinked and then giggled nervously at this, while this proved to me that Cliff was indeed bisexual. Heh, go figure.

Berenice tore herself out of embrace and glared at both Cliff and me.

"Uh, what brings you here, Clifford?" she spoke his full name with distaste while Cliff hugged her once more.

"We never talk to each other! I get the feeling you avoid me." Berenice rolled her eyes at this and shot him another glare.

"I wonder why..." she drawled with a perfect bitchy tone. That's how you knew that those two were related. They both could pull off the bitchiest tone known to man. I found myself slightly envious of this tone.

"Oh, it is true?" Cliff asked, suddenly serious. This threw me off a bit but then I remembered Geoff's other name for him, the PMSing Prince.

"Well, seeing how you hang out with the Ravenclaw Reject and cheer for Gryffindor at Quidditch matches and such, I'd say that's a good reason." Berenice gave a slightly bitchy smile to which I spoke up.

"Oh, but I thought you had a thing for Sirius?" I inquired in a falsely sweet voice that reminded me of Clara White. Berenice shot me a look that came across as "Bitch, please."

"Sirius Black is a different matter. Speaking of which, are you two still dating? I saw that you two had a spat." my smile grin wider while hers strained a bit.

"We're engaged." I lied, without thinking, to be honest. Cliff let out a splutter that sounded like laughing but he quickly covered it up as coughing. Berenice looked slightly shocked but then suspicious.

"May I see your ring?" she asked in a fake, curious voice. I thought for a second and then a story popped into my head.

"Sirius is shopping for it right now. That's why he's home for the holidays." I explained, lying with no effort. Wow, I guess living a lie makes you a good liar; that lie being that I'm Sirius's girlfriend.

...

It is a lie, right?

"Oh, I see..." Berenice said in a tone that still sounded suspicious. I smiled so much that it made my face hurt. My God, how does White do it?

"Anyhow, dear baby sister, Evelyn and I must venture off since to be honest, you're all boring prudes." Berenice's friends took a look of aghast and then they scowled. Cliff started to walk off but paused. He turned towards the girl that he winked at.