‘Please Thea���.’ she prompts, her voice low like a song, and James lets out heavy breath.
‘Please, switch time slots with me, Malfoy,’ is the best he can muster and she and Albus let out a great laugh at the same time which seems to infuriate him even more, his fists clutching at his sides. ‘Fucking hell,’ he whispers as he turns and Bas and Davy follow closely behind as Thea falls back, holding her stomach.
‘Since you asked so nicely, Potter! Happy to oblige!’ she shouts after him but he’s nearly out of sight by the time she gets her last word out and more than a few of the spectators in the crowd seem to be as amused by the interaction as Albus. Others are more disappointed that it didn’t escalate to wands as it sometimes has in the past.
Albus helps her up, out of the grass and she lazily transfigures the blanket into a small napkin which she promptly pockets as she pulls on her jumper and then cloak. Albus straightens his tie as they exit the courtyard. It’s on their way to the greenhouses that he asks her how she was able to convince Scorpius to play along and she smirks and replies, ‘Just had to agree never to sit next to him in class for the rest of term. He seemed keen to agree.’
‘When do you think we can make a similar bargain?’ he teases and she clasps hold of his hand.
‘Never darling. You’re stuck with me forever.’
He’s not disappointed by her answer.
THEA
The skies open up just after dusk and the sunlight is replaced by flashes of lightning that put Magnus on edge. He’s curled up against Thea’s legs as she puts the finishing touches on her letter home and she curses under her breath when the black cat bumps her hand. Her signature smudges, the ink spilling onto her hands, but her reflexes are quick enough that it doesn’t make it onto her perfectly pressed white sheets.
She frowns at Magnus.
‘Settle down, kid,’ she says, her voice soft and he returns her attempts at comfort with a loud cry. ‘Fine, have it your way then.’
He does indeed have it his way as she places the letter on her bedside table, grabbing her tea cup, and he keeps his eyes locked on hers as he kneads the fabric of her pajamas with his claws. She raises her eyebrows but he isn’t content until she feels the sharp sting of one of his nails catching on her skin and she hisses.
He looks pleased with himself as falls onto his stomach, tail floating back and forth slowly.
There’s a window in her room but she doesn’t get much natural light during the day. It’s just close enough to the surface of the Black Lake that the lightning flashes down through it. Every so often she sees various fish swim by and on rarer occasions a grindylow that likes to taunt Magnus. But today it’s virtually empty of it’s usual creatures as the waters slosh wildly from the storm.
Her roommate, Elara Murrow, is terrified that the merepeople might catch them undressing and keeps the curtains closed whenever she gets the chance. But Thea rarely sees them in the dorms, only in the common suspects one of them alerted Professor Slughorn when she and Albus accidentally set the emerald curtains in the common room on fire during first year because they didn’t have nearly enough time to put them out before he found the two of them, curtains ablaze.
They received a week’s detention after that.
But today she’s alone, waiting for Elara to come back from their prefect meeting because that means Albus is back too.
She’s never entirely sure of how she’s supposed to pass the time without Albus. She supposes one day she should learn how to do that sort of thing on her own but unless she thinks maybe she still has time. She doesn’t like to admit he’s the only real human interaction she gets at Hogwarts, but it’s true. And she knows one day she’s going to have to get over that as well.
But not yet, she thinks. She’s not ready to grow up.
McGonagall likes to remind her that she doesn’t have a choice in the matter during their biweekly sessions. They were instituted at the beginning of second year, after the death of her mum. Scorpius has them too only he’s pretty sure he’s not the one the Headmaster is concerned about. She’s not worried about the Ravenclaw Head Boy and whether or not he’s having dark thoughts, whether or not the whispers of other students get to him.
But nobody whispers about Scorpius.
And she doesn’t let them get to her because she’s already committed to this game. This charade that they built for her and she doesn’t like to disappoint. But McGonagall can sniff out the bullshit better than most so it’s impossible for Thea to lie to her of all people. They share that in common and she wonders if that’s why the Headmaster allows her to continue this fine line.
As long as she doesn’t cross it. She knows that. But Thea has no interest in crossing lines. Not those kinds anyways.
Thea’s first meeting of the year reminds her that her time at Hogwarts is coming to an end and that one day, she might actually be able to escape the name Malfoy. Scorpius has already managed to shake the stigma. She wonders if she’ll ever be able to do the same.
The door flies open and instead of Elara she sees Albus and her brow furrows in confusion. He’s panting, his wand in his left hand and Thea taps her fingers as she waits for his explanation.
‘Hide the herbs,’ he says quickly.
‘How did you get up h-‘
‘Later,’ he hisses. ‘Scorpius and Dom are coming with Slughorn any second so if you have any of your herbs lying around, I suggest you get rid of it.’
‘I don’t have anything,’ she says, holding her hands out. He gives her a knowing look but she shakes her head. ‘I swear.’
‘Well it was brought up during the prefects meeting and, well, you know James, he immediately launched into the idea that the Heads should investigate.’
‘He did what?’ she asks, her frown deepening.
‘It’s been all over school. I heard about it from Bas of all people so no doubt the allegations came from my brother. I don’t know why you’d give it to one of his friends of all people. You know he wants to see you sacked from Quidditch.’
‘I didn’t,’ she assures him. ‘I gave something to Roxy in Majorca. It’s not my fault she’s sharing with half the school.’
He eyes her again and she mirrors his look in annoyance.
‘Well they’ll be here any second so you better be telling the truth because you know they’ll kick you off the squad if you don’t.’ He reminds her of the code of conduct as if she doesn’t remember, as if she hasn’t read it herself and signed it every start of term. She’s not an idiot.
James Potter on the other hand.
‘And you should probably, I don’t know, disappear before both of us are kicked off the squad for you being in my room.’
Albus catches on, a little too slowly because he hasn’t done anything questionable since fourth year, and it’s like he’s forgotten he’s a Slytherin completely because he blushes furiously at the insinuation. But he’s quick to leave once the realization hits him and when the door slams closed, Magnus grunts from her lap.
‘Well I hope you’re not hiding anything naughty, kid,’ she whispers and it’s only a few moments before she hears footsteps upon the stone staircase and a knock at her door. ‘Come in,’ she says, her voice raised and she makes sure to sound annoyed because she doesn’t want them to make a habit of this kind of thing.
Dom comes in first and Thea is glad Scorpius is directly behind her because she has no interest in whatever pity game she’s playing at every time she gives her those doe eyes. Slughorn is closeby as well with seventh year prefect Torra Bletchley from Slytherin. Last is James and she can’t hide her disdain when he makes his way inside as well.
‘If I’d known to expect so much company I would have put the kettle on,’ she says boredly as she sips her own tea from her place in bed.
‘Very kind of you, Theodora, but we’re here on more serious business I’m afraid,’ the old man says, missing her sarcasm. She slides her feet off the bed, much to Magnus’ annoyance, and sets
her teacup on the bedside table.
‘Well then, what can I help you with, Professor?’
‘Certain allegations have been made that you are distributing contraband here at school. I of course said this was ludicrous but rules are rules and the prefect council voted that an investigation would need to be made.’
‘Oh?’ she says, glancing at James, her lips narrowed into a straight line. ‘And who, might I ask, made such allegations?’
‘Well, my dear, those matters must remain anonymous, you understand.’
‘Of course.’ She’s amenable as she can possibly stomach.
‘Let’s get this over with shall we?’ says Scorpius.
Slughorn doesn’t speak as he waves his wand and whatever spell he’s trying for produces no results, as expected. Everyone looks rather put out except James who smirks as if he’s about to bury Thea once and for all. But there’s only silence and Thea sighs as everyone looks at each other with the same blank expressions.
Thea frowns as Magnus walks over to the door and nudges James’ leg, meowing at him several times until he gives the cat the attention he wants.
‘If I knew what you were looking for, perhaps I could point you in the right direction,’ she offers sweetly, her eyes still on Magnus and she glares at him and his betrayal. He’ll find a place on the floor to sleep tonight.
‘What about those, Professor,’ James says, and he’s grasping at straws as he points to Thea’s vanity where several vials stand upright in an antique case gifted to her by her grandmother. She’s about to relay a well crafted reply as her heart races but Scorpius answers before she can.
‘Sleeping potions, prescribed by our family Mediwizard,’ he insists. ‘Madam Pomfrey has already cleared them.’
‘Scorpius,’ she hisses and she knows he thinks he’s doing her a favor but the last thing she wants is James Potter knowing anything about her personal life.
‘Yes, I too am aware of the potions prescribed to Miss Malfoy and they have been approved by the administration, including myself. Now, I do apologize for taking up your time, dear. Since our search turned up no results, we will consider these allegations, fruitless and settle the matter privately. Thank you for your cooperation.’
‘But, Professor Slughorn-‘ says Dom and Thea furrows her brow in confusion as Slughorn holds up his hand in response to signify he’s done with the conversation.
But Thea is far from done with Dom if she’s the one who ratted her out to the prefects.
The Head Girl doesn’t meet her eyes again as she steps out and the only one left behind when the others leave is Torra. She’s smiling of course and Thea knows it’s because she thinks Thea has managed to pull one over on them all.
‘One day, Malfoy,’ she says grinning. ‘One day I’ll figure out how you do it.’
‘I don’t know to what you are referring, Bletchley,’ is her response and the girl nods, chuckles quietly to herself, and closes the door behind her.
Elara is still nowhere to be found.
She waits an entire twelve minutes before she leaves the room, grabbing a night robe from the rack on the wall as she slips out into the cold corridor. The dungeons are cold and damp in every space except the living areas. It’s only forty-seven steps to the boys dorms and she doesn’t bother knocking when she finds the door she’s looking for.
Albus is there as is his roommate Rickard Avery. Rick quickly hides something as Thea walks in and she assumes, by the red that flushes in his cheeks and the wide eyes, is porn of some sort. Albus doesn’t look phased because, unlike the girls dorms, it’s easy for her to get in and out without setting off any spells to deter her.
‘Out,’ she says simply and Rickard frowns.
‘This is my room, Malfoy.’
‘I don’t care. Leave.’
He does as she says but grumbles the entire way out and she waits for him to shut the door before she directs her wands at the locks and walks straight passed Albus over to the hutch in the corner that belongs to his roommate. She reaches through the drawers, pushing aside several pairs of green and grey socks before pulling out a small sachet that causes Albus to sigh.
‘You have got to be bloody joking,’ he says and she shrugs.
‘It’s hardly anything to get excited about. It’s only the one and I don’t plan on sharing,’ she tells him he’s shaking his head, deciding whether to scold her or be impressed. ‘That is, unless you care to join?’ she offers.
‘Pass,’ he says, and he always does but she always asks because she loves watching Albus Potter get flustered about rule-breaking.
She stops halfway to the door and spins back around and she doesn’t smirk or scoff so he knows what she’s about to ask is serious.
‘Who reported me?’ she asks and his gaze falls. ‘You made it seem like it was James but it wasn’t him was it?’
‘Thea-‘ he attempts but it’s useless because they both already know he was trying to spare her and for once she understands why.
‘For the record,’ she says, forcing a smile this time and he doesn’t buy it but lets her carry on. ‘She broke up with me.’
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ he asks and she shakes her head.
‘Not tonight, Al,’ she whispers, reaching for the door. ‘Not tonight.’
First Friday has been a tradition instituted by the upperclassmen of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the last seven years. It was originally established through a movement led by Teddy Lupin who became renowned for his campaign of the social, and not simply academic, success of the student body. On the first Friday of school, sixth and seventh years who have maintained a high standard of conduct, are rewarded with an evening of merriment in Hogsmeade.
Now that Rose is seeing it for herself, after years of mystery and secrecy, she’s pretty certain it can be more easily defined as a night of mischief and drunkenness.
She tells Roxy several times on their walk to Hogsmeade that she’d much rather just stay behind but her cousin is relentless in her desire for excitement and so Rose reluctantly follows. She’s smoothing her pale pink skirt at the pleats as they walk and her collar already seems too uptight for the venues of Hogsmeade.
She’s also starting to regret wearing the white blouse.
Roxy’s skirt is red, or rather a more faded maroon that flows around her thighs, showing just a peek of her warm skin before her black socks begin right above her knees. She pairs it with a denim jacket that she often wears when not in uniform. Rose has never got on much with denim. Roxy agrees though still tries to get her into anything besides pastels.
But Rose likes pastels, pink in particular.
‘Try to relax,’ Roxy whispers from her left and Rose gives her a look. ‘What? I’m just saying it won’t kill you to let down your hair and enjoy a night out.’
Rose inspects the auburn curls settled around her shoulders. They frizz slightly at the humidity still clinging to the summer air and she frowns.
‘My hair is down,’ she says and Roxy shakes her head.
‘Just try to be normal. Your homework is done, your bed is made, you have no responsibilities except to get properly hammered tonight.’
‘I don’t think I’ll have much time to get drunk whilst holding your hair back,’ she replies and Roxy gives her an impressed smile.
‘I love it when you’re sassy,’ she says, grabbing hold of her hand. Their polished nails contrast in color.
‘Just promise me you’ll take it easy,’ says Rose, looking around at the crowds of students around them, most as eager - if not more - than Roxy. ‘And if you spend the entire night making out with Lorcan in the corner of some pub I’m walking back to the dorms alone.’
‘Lory and I aren’t speaking,’ she admits and Rose frowns. ‘So you don’t have to worry about that.’
‘Again?’ Rose asks, rolling her eyes. ‘What now?’
‘He’s got his wand in a knot because I didn’t come watch him at Quidditch trials,’ Roxy starts an
d Rose has heard this argument before. ‘I mean I appreciate that he comes out to cheer me on and everything but, to put it frankly, he’s just not that exciting to watch on the field. It’s not like he’s going to play professionally or anything.’
‘I hope you didn’t tell him that,’ Rose says and Roxy shrugs. ‘Rox, I can’t believe you. He’s a guy and guys are sensitive. You’ve probably wounded his pride.’
‘Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side!’ Roxy says, pouting. ‘And anyways, if he can’t be secure enough in his masculinity to take a criticism from his girlfriend, then I’m not sure he’s the guy for me.’
‘Oh please,’ Rose replies. ‘You love having him wrapped around your finger.’
‘Maybe,’ is all she says, hiding a smile. ‘Enough about him. Let’s talk about who we are going to find for you to flirt with tonight.’
‘Hey! You promised!’
‘I promised nothing.’
‘What about all that empowerment stuff you’re always spouting,’ Rose reminds her and Roxy smiles. ‘I don’t need a man to make me happy, or whatever.’
‘Be an empowered woman, my love. But also, don’t be so uptight all the time. It’s time to move on from Salomon.’
Rose doesn’t reply because Roxy knows her well enough to see the guilt in her eyes. The breakup with Sal was long overdue and despite her attraction to him, she simply couldn’t tolerate his arrogance any longer. She isn’t one for stereotypes in general but there simply is something to be said about Ravenclaw boys and their egos.
But still, she misses him slightly and it infuriates her.
‘Maybe it’s just boys in general,’ Rose says. ‘I feel like every guy at Hogwarts is too busy trying to get laid to be a decent human being.’
‘Careful now or you’ll start sounding like Malfoy,’ Roxy says, followed by a laugh.
They’re approaching the village and Rose can see the train station up ahead, but she feels curiosity rising as she slows her steps slightly to pry more out of the girl.
She whispered Page 43
