Hello and welcome to my newest story. I was randomly listening to Disney music, and came across the song Poor Unfortunate Souls (the version by the Jonas Brothers) and was struck by the idea for a story! Many of the lyrics are in here, used as dialogue. I'm pretty impressed with myself. Hehehe. As always, I own nothing except the plot and my OC. Please don't sue me, I'm broke.
Arietta sat on the floor of the abandoned girl's bathroom on the fourth floor of the Hogwarts castle. Her waist length black hair was tied in a messy bun at the back of her head, emerald green eyes concentrating on the boiling cauldron in front of her. The sleeves of her white blouse were pushed up to her elbows so as to not get anything on them that might stain. A green and silver tie hung loose around her neck.
"Is it almost done yet?" A young girl with blond hair cut into what should have been a cute pixie cut, had her face been a bit less pudgy, a yellow tie, and watery blue eyes questioned for the fifth time in as many minutes.
"Like I have said every other time you've asked. Not yet! Be patient. These things take time. It's a very technical potion. One slip and you'll end up heavier, rather than thinner. Do you want me to make a mistake, Helga?" Arietta slashed the girl with a sharp glare, irritated from being continuously distracted.
"N-no! And, like I said, it's Penny." Penny stuttered, frightened by the girl in front of her.
What seemed like eternity later to Penny, but what was in fact only thirty minutes, Arietta extinguished the fire with a wave of her wand, "Done! Now, your vial, please. Thank you." Arietta took the small glass vial from the other girl, filling it with the pale pink potion. She held it out to the other girl, only to pull it back when she reached for it. "Ah, ah, ah. Payment, first, my dear." Penny reached into her pocket, pulling out three gallons. Arietta took the money, placing the vial of potion in exchange. "There we go! All settled then. Don't take the whole thing, now. Too much weight loss isn't good. One table spoon should get you down a size. You know where to find me if you need more." Penny stood, stumbling as she ran from the bathroom. Laughing to herself, Arietta pulled more vials out, bottling the rest of the potion. "There, now I have enough to last a while. As long as no one gets overly desperate."
Arietta didn't look up from her breakfast of eggs and sausage as those around her conversed. Her roommates were gossiping, as usual. Garbage, as far as Arietta was concerned. She ignored them, moving a pancake onto her plate and drowning it in strawberry syrup.
"Looks like someone took a thinning potion." Arietta was brought out of her musings, glancing up to see what the chatter was about now. There, just across from where Draco Malfoy sat, was little Helga. Or, was it Jenny? Arietta scrunched her brow, unable to remember the poor girl's name. Not that it mattered, of course. As always, Arietta's potion had worked to perfection. The blond girl, nervously trying to talk to Malfoy as at least three sizes smaller than she had been. Where before she may have been seen as slightly overweight, she now looked nearly anorexic. Hm. Obviously she ignored my warning. Stupid girl. Malfoy snarled at the girl as he insulted the girl's looks. Helen ran from the room, tears streaming down her face. Ah, perhaps I should start remembering names…
"Did you see that, Arietta? Penny tried to ask out Draco! Stupid little 'Puff. Even thinning potion isn't enough to make her mugg pretty." Sitting next to Arietta was a tall, thin brunette. Her hair reached just past her jaw, which was sharply slanted and ended in a point. Her eyes, hazel in colour, were far too large for her face and sat below eyebrows that had been plucked into near nonexistence. A small, crooked nose sat in the middle of her face, right above a small mouth with thin lips.
"Really, Mantodea. Do you really think you're one to be insulting others based off their looks?" The speaker had white blond hair reaching just past her shoulders. Ice blue eyes sat above a regal nose. Painted red lips, plumped by use of one of Arietta's potions, pouted as she picked at perfectly manicured fingers. She was the shortest of the three, standing at only 5'3.
"No need to be rude, Falena!" Mantodea glared at her short friend, stabbing at her plate blindly.
"Like you were? Honestly. The girl just got rejected. Have a heart." Falena said, trying and failing to keep a straight face. "But! Did you see her face?"
Arietta stood, no longer wanting to be around the irritating cackling. At the question from her roommates, she merely told them she wanted to go to the library to finish her Potions homework for the weekend. Both nodded, going back to their conversation.
Arietta walked down the hallway, not really paying attention to where her feet took her. The year had only begun the week before, and already the teachers had piled them with homework. It made sense, in a way, as they were to be having their NEWTs that year. To make it worse, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was absolutely worthless. The woman wouldn't allow them to have their wands out in class, forcing them to read the Ministry approved textbook for hours.
It was because she was distracted, thinking about the horrid toad of a teacher, that Arietta didn't notice someone following her until they spoke. "It didn't work." She froze, turning slowly with a forced bored expression on her face. "It didn't work."
"I heard you the first time, you know. And what do you mean, 'It didn't work'? You've shrunk a good three sizes, at least. Not very healthy, by the way."
The girl glared at her, and only then did Arietta notice that the girl had her wand at her side, hidden only slightly behind her skirt. "It didn't make me beautiful enough! Draco still rejected me! YOU SAID IT WOULD WORK!" She raised her wand, hand trembling.
Arietta heard footsteps approaching from behind her, ignoring them as she said scornfully, "It did work. It's a thinning potion, not a beautifying potion. Idiot." Arietta didn't even attempt to block as the girl sent a Stupify at her. She was knocked backward into a wall, hitting her head and causing her vision to blur.
Three people ran around the corner, disarming the angry girl. Two identical ginger haired boys knelt down and asked if she was alright. She shook her head, grimacing as the pain caused her to black out.
Arietta came to her senses, bright white light shining into her eyes and a pounding in her head. "Ah, awake are we? Come on, dear, sit up." Madam Pomfrey put an arm around her shoulders, helping her to sit up. Looking around the room, Arietta noticed Professor Snape standing across from her bed and a pair of twins sitting next to it.
"Well. What happened, miss Hood? These Weasleys said they found you stunned in a hall. Is that true?" Professor Snape demanded.
Arietta nodded slightly, stopping when the world swirled around her. "Yes, Professor. I didn't see who did it though. I was thinking about my homework and was hit from behind." Snape nodded, swishing his cloak as he exited the Hospital wing.
Arietta raised an eyebrow as Madam Pomfrey instructed her to take a dose of a potion. Swallowing, and gagging, Arietta stared at the door Snape had exited through. "Quite the dramatic exit. Was that really necessary?" She mused to herself, only remembering that she wasn't alone when she heard two separate voices snicker.
"A Slytherin, making fun of Snape? Never thought to see the likes of it, have you Freddie?" The twin on the left asked his brother.
"Never, Georgie. Now, little Slytherin, why were you attacked?" Freddie, the other twin, said, looking to Arietta with a questioning look on his face.
"Why didn't you defend?" The first continued.
"And why didn't you tell who she was?" They both finished at the same time.
Arietta was slightly irritated. It was quite difficult, keeping track of which of them was speaking. "Just because I'm a Slytherin, doesn't mean that I worship the ground Professor Snape slimes on. Don't really like him, actually. It may seem like he prefers all Slytherins, but we all know it's only the Death Eaters children he dotes on. As for why I didn't defend, if I had, she would keep trying and there's no point in having that nuisance in my life. Not telling, well, that would be bad for business, you know. Can't go giving away my client's information, there are general confidentialities I like to keep." Arietta answered their questions, leaning back on the stacked pillows.
"So, you're really the one, huh?" The right one started this time.
"Who is supplying people with different potions-"
"That allow people go get what they want?"
"We've heard you're pretty nasty-"
"If your 'clients' don't follow through with their part of the plan."
"Say you're kinda strange in the head, too." They both finished.
"Good God. Must you do that? It's quite irritating, and more than slightly confusing. If you must know, yes. That would be me. I admit that I've been a nasty. They weren't kidding when they called me kind of strange. But, this year, I've decided to mend my ways. I've repented, seen the light, and plan to make a change."
The twins raised their eyebrows, in sync with each other. "Then what was with Penny's sudden weight loss?" The right twin, Fred, asked.
"That was all her fault, took far more potion than she should have."
"What do you mean when you say you've decided to make a change?" George continued with their questioning.
"Well, you see, I know a little secret. It's a talent that I've always possessed. Now, don't laugh, but I plan to use it on behalf of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed." Arietta said, mumbling "pathetic" under her breath. "All those poor, unfortunate souls. In pain, in need. Penny longing to be thinner, a certain one wants to get the girl." Arietta trailed off, glancing at the twins out of the corners of her eyes.
"And you plan to help them?" Fred asked in disbelief.
"Yes indeed. They always come flocking to me crying 'Will you help me, pretty please'?" Arietta smiled fondly at the memory of all those that had begged on their knees for her help.
Before the boys could ask any further questions, Madam Pomfrey shooed them out, saying visiting hours were over and Arietta needed to sleep.
With another potion in her system, Arietta nodded off, visions of identical twin gingers dancing in her head.
"Well? Which way do you want to pay, in money or favors? Go ahead, make your choice." Arietta stood before the quivering second year boy. "I'm a very busy person, and I haven't got all day. It won't cost much."
"Alright, miss Arietta. I'll do whatever you want me to!" The small boy said, clutching at the much taller girl's robes.
"Well, well. What have we here?" A voice called out.
"I believe Ari here is torturing an ickle second year." An identical, though slightly rougher, voice answered.
"That's not very nice, Ari. You should help them, not scare them." They said in tandem.
"You're wrong!" The little boy cried, "Miss Arietta was just agreeing to help me with potions." Arietta placed her hand on the boy's head, a slight smile on her face.
"It's fine, Jimmy. I'll see you in the library on thursday an hour before dinner, alright?" The young boy nodded, hurrying off and mumbling about his name not being Jimmy.
"So, the big bad Slytherin isn't so bad after all?" One twin said.
"A Ravenclaw asking for help from a Slytherin instead of one of their own? Scandalous." The other snickered, an arm going around Arietta's shoulders.
The first twin wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning down to whisper into her ear. "Never would have thought you would help someone of your own free will."
Arietta rolled her eyes, stepping out of their arms and spinning around to face them, walking slowly backward. "Who said it I did it for free, though. If someone wants to cross the bridge, my sweet, they have to pay the toll. You should know that by now, George." Arietta turned on her heel, walking away.
Fred and George watched the sway in her hips as she walked away, only noticing when she was out of sight that she had known exactly which twin George was.
Snow was falling. Most of the school, from third year up, had gone to Hogsmead for the first trip of the school year. Arietta, however, was just leaving an early morning detention with the toad known as Umbridge. Not looking as she walked, she slammed into a large body as she rounded a corner. Two hands grabbed her shoulders, holding her close as she regained her balance. "Didn't expect to see you here, Ari." Arietta looked up, only slightly surprised to see Fred's face only inches from her own. Pulling away, Arietta turned her head, hiding her reddening cheeks behind her hair.
"Oi, what's this now?" Her complexion darkened further, thinking they had spotted her blush. She was surprised when a large hand grabbed her left, holding it up so both twins could see the words carved into the back. "I must respect my betters? Where in the bloody hell did you get this from?" George asked, his voice shaking with controlled fury.
Fred leaned over, inspecting the damage. "Looks like what happened to Harry. Did you have detention? With Umbridge?" Fred's eyes jerked to Arietta's face in shock.
"Indeed. She didn't quite like it when I informed her how absolutely useless she was. She was especially furious when I said that I wished Lupin would have been able to return, as when he was here we actually learned something." Arietta shrugged, trying to take her hand back but failing when George tightened his grip.
"I don't believe my ears. A Slytherin complementing Lupin?" Fred's eyebrows shot up and George smiled, catching on to the joke.
"All those explosions must have damaged our hearing. There's no way a pure blooded Slytherin would want Lupin back."
"I'll have you know, not all Slytherins are bad. And, not all Slytherins are pure bloods, either. As much as they like to let on. In fact, there are even a few muggle borns." Arietta informed the twins, finally giving up having her hand back.
"Doubt that." The two said at the same time.
"I know for a fact there's at least one."
"Oh?" Fred started.
"And who would that be?" George finished, rolling his eyes.
"Me." The two boys stared at her, mouths dropped open. Arietta laughed, "Close your mouths, you're going to catch flies." They snapped their mouths shut.
"How did you get placed in Slytherin, then?" George pulled on her hand, leading her down the halls.
"You should have realised by now. I'm cunning, and I'll do whatever it takes to get what I want. You don't have to have pure blood to be ambitious." Arietta smirked, sticking her nose in the air. They just laughed. "Where are we going, by the way?"
"We're going to a meeting." Fred said, grabbing Arietta's other hand.
"What's a Slytherin doing here?"
"Why did Fred and George bring her?"
Arietta sat between the twins in the Hog's Head, ignoring the other students not so quiet whispers. They were interrupted as a young girl, probably fifth year, with frizzy brown hair cleared her throat. "I'm sure you're all wondering why I asked you here. I've decided, we need someone to actually teach us how to defend ourselves, as our professor clearly isn't going to."
"And why do we even need to learn?" One boy asked.
"Because, You-know-who is back." Harry Potter said, before anyone else could answer.
"That's rubbish, Harry. There's no way he's back! The Minister himself denied it." The same boy said, determined.
"I wouldn't hop on the Ministry bandwagon so fast." Arietta interjected.
"Oh, and why should we take a Slytherin's word for it? Huh?" The boy's friend spoke up, sneering at Arietta.
"Because I'm in Slytherin, you dunce. I've heard talk from some of the students. Not sure exactly which ones, as I've never really wanted them to see me listening to them, of course." Arietta calmly replied, leaning back against Fred's arm around her shoulders.
"Right then, as I was saying. We need a teacher. Someone who has already faced you-know-who. Harry will teach us." Hermione, as George had whispered in Arietta's ear, said. "Anyone that agrees should sign this paper, so we know who all to contact when we find someplace to hold the meetings. And don't worry, I'll make sure no one finds it." Arietta stood first, walking over and taking the quill from Hermione. Fred and George followed, smirking at their younger brother's shock.
Arietta, George, and Fred stayed behind with the trio as the rest of the students left to do whatever it was they did. Gaining Hermione's attention, Arietta pointed at the paper. "You should curse that, so that we know if anyone tells. And don't worry, Harriet, I won't tell anyone about this." Arietta put a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
Hermione was surprised, "Actually, I already did that. And, my name isn't Harriet, it's Hermione."
A few months past. The DA had sporadic meetings and Umbridge passed a new decree disbanding all clubs. They were just finishing with one such meeting when the Weasley twins approached Arietta. Christmas break was only a week away, and the twins were questioning Arietta on what she would be doing.
"I'll be staying here, as I do every year."
"Why?" They asked, tilting their heads to the side.
"I prefer not to go back to an empty house if I don't have to. My parents aren't usually home. They travel constantly, and don't see the point of losing money just to spend time with their disappointment of a daughter." Arietta shrugged, uncaring. Fred and George exchanged a look over her head from their positions on either side of her.
They informed her the next day in Charms class, in which they sat together, that she was going home with them for the holidays. They refused to take no as an answer.
"I've noticed you've been keeping company with those Weasleys." Mantodea sneered at Arietta from across the table. It was breakfast the day that she would be leaving with said Weasleys for Christmas break. "You might want to be careful. Don't want to be thought of as a traitor, would you?"
Falena nodded, agreeing with her friend. "Dea is right, you know. Draco's seen you walking with them quite often. Said to tell you it's a bad idea to get in with their type. They associate with mudbloods, you kn-" Falena was cut off by Arietta pulling her wand out.
"Don't use that word." She snarled, standing.
"Ten points from Slytherin! For threatening your own house!" Arietta smirked.
"Come now, Professor Umbridge. Ten points? I was clearly about to rearrange her face."
"Fifty points! Back talking a professor. How dare you? You'll have detention with me as well, Christmas Eve at eight." Umbridge smirked, quite impressed with herself.
"Unfortunately, Professor, that's not going to be possible. Ari will be with us, at the burrow on Christmas Eve." Fred said as he and George finally reached Arietta's side. Fred slung his arm around her shoulder as George slid his around her waist.
Umbridge's face glowed red with fury as Professor Dumbledore started laughing. "Perhaps, in the spirit of Christmas, you let miss Hood off with a warning?" Glaring at Dumbledore, Umbridge sat down, stabbing at her plate.