Chapter 2: Getting to Know You
Lena was at the Yule Ball dancing with Roger Davies as the girls of Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbâtons all looked on with envy, Fleur Delacour in particular. They twirled around the room without a care in the world, all else forgotten. Three hours later the ball ended and the two of them walked out of the Great Hall to a secluded part of the castle. They stopped underneath the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. He kissed her her. She could still feel his lips on hers…
She woke up grinning. A moment later she remembered that part of her dream had not been a dream at all and that she had, in fact spent half of the Yule Ball and some time afterwards with Roger Davies. Her grin widened.
Sighing happily, she opened her eyes and reality set in. The Yule Ball was over and everything was back to normal. She would never see or speak to Roger again.
I knew it was all too good to be true. Roger'll never even look at me again, let alone spend time with me as he said he would last night. And I'd so hoped to have a friend from another House.
Lena wanted to scream and had to bite her lip to keep from doing so. It wouldn't do to wake up her roommates. The last thing she needed was for them to wake up and start bombarding her with snide comments and questions. Why was life so unfair? Just when she thought she'd finally found someone she liked and who liked her…
Lena mused for a moment on the cruelty of fate. Flinging back the covers in a fit of anger, she got out of bed, threw on her dressing gown and gathered her clothes before stalking out of her dormitory to the bathroom. She nearly ran into Arti who was coming out of the bathroom.
"You all right?" Arti asked looking concerned.
"I feel like the baker's wife at the end of "Moment in the Woods"."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because I've woken up and realized that last night was just a wonderful dream and I'm never going to see Roger again now that the Yule Ball is over and he's come to his senses."
"I wouldn't be so sure. You two were getting alone fabulously last night."
"That was last night."
"If you say so."
"I don't have a choice, do I?"
Arti looked as though she were about to counter the argument but thought better of it. Instead she said "I'll meet you in the common room and we can go to breakfast," before walking out of the bathroom.
Half an hour later, Lena met Arti in the thankfully otherwise deserted common room.
"Have you seen the boys?"
"No. They're probably upstairs."
"And seeing as it's only…nine thirty, there shouldn't be too many people at breakfast."
"Very true."
They walked in silence to the Entrance Hall. The cold, dark dungeons for once matched Lena's mood. At least it'll be over by tonight. They'll forget about the whole thing by the time term starts, since it was a one-time occurrence. And at least he's a Ravenclaw and being Roger Davies, it shouldn't be too bad. I'm sure some of the girls in my House would love to date him, even if they won't admit it.
Lena hesitated at the entrance to the Great Hall, wishing with all her might that she didn't have to go inside. Her mood plummeted further when she saw the four House tables back in their usual places as though last night had never happened. She sighed.
As Arti had predicted there were only a few people scattered across the Great Hall. They walked down the aisle between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables, doing their best to ignore the whispers and stares from both sides. Under normal circumstances Lena was glad that the Slytherins sat next to the Ravenclaws but today it just made things worse. She tried her best to ignore the whispers and stares from both sides, but it was rather difficult to ignore the not-too-quiet conversation that three boys, who were presumably Roger's roommates, were having.
"Honestly I don't know what he saw in her last night. He should have known she was a Slytherin from the start and kept well enough a way from her. Now she's gone and bewitched him into thinking he's in love with her."
"I said this last night and I'll say it again. Fleur went and addled his brains. At least now that all this Yule Ball nonsense is over, he'll come back to his senses. Maybe he'll date Edgecomb."
"Or even Fleur. She's a damn sight better than her," the boy said, jerking his thumb at Lena.
"Ignore them," Arti hissed as Lena was about to retort.
"Easier said than done," Lena replied.
The girls joined the boys at the end of the Slytherin table, nearest the Head Table. The boys broke off their conversation as the girls sat down across from them.
"Late night?" Adrian asked, grinning.
"She didn't come back 'til past 2," Arti supplied.
"Ah."
"Well, according to you, you two didn't exactly part ways right after the ball either."
Adrian blushed slightly. Lena pretended not to notice. Lena tried to quell the pang of jealousy at the fact that her sister and Blaise were now pairing off, leaving her the only single one in the group.
Adrian seemed to sense that Lena didn't want to talk about the Yule Ball so instead he and Blaise discussed the upcoming Quidditch match while Lena moodily poked at her food as Arti chattered next to her.
The quartet finished their meal quickly and got up to go. As Lena began to follow the other three toward the door an older Ravenclaw grabbed her arm.
"Don't think you're fooling us. We know you're just after him because he's popular and you can't get any of those inbred prats to date you. Now that all this Yule Ball nonsense is over, he'll have come to his senses and won't give you a second glance. His first glance was one too many in my opinion."
"You needn't worry about that. It won't be a problem," she said tartly.
With that she quickly left the Great Hall to join the others in the Entrance Hall.
"What did he want?" Adrian asked as they walked to the staircase leading to the dungeons.
"Nothing," Lena replied.
Adrian looked as though he were about to inquire further but thought better of it.
"I hate Boxing Day," Arti said glumly. "Everything fun's over and it gets so gloomy."
"Isn't that the truth?" Lena replied with equal glumness.
When they reached the entrance to the common room, all four stopped, staring at the blank wall for several moments.
"Here goes nothing," Arti said before stepping forward to give the password. The stone wall slid aside with a jarring sound which echoed down the hall.
They walked in and breathed a collective sigh of relief when they found the common room empty. The quartet paired off and then separated and went to their respective dormitories. Lena was glad to find hers empty. She gathered quill, parchment, ink and books, stuffed them into her bag and went quickly back to the common room. The others arrived shortly thereafter and they headed to the library.
"I think your roommates and mine are all gossiping together in the loo."
"I wouldn't be surprised."
"Maybe we can go drown them."
"Or throw them off the Owlery."
"And they say men are violent," Adrian said, shaking his head.
As they turned the last corner and were met by Warrington who, upon seeing the four of them looked pleased.
"Ah, good, Moon, you and Zabini have come to your senses after all and decided to stay away from the filth you were with last night."
Blaise's jaw tightened and Lena's eyes narrowed.
"Filth or not, at least we could get a date, which is probably something you could never acheive," Lena snapped. "I don't think you could even get Mrs. Norris to go out with you, though if you did, you'd make a nice couple. And Colleen and Roger aren't filth, unlike you."
Warrington's hand went for his wand but before he could manage to get it out of his pocket, the others all had theirs pointing at him. Seeing that he was outnumbered, Warrington let go of his wand, glaring at them.
"I'll get you for this, you filthy blood-traitor," he snarled before skulking down the hallway. They watched him go before resuming their trek to the library.
Lena was the first to go through the door to the Entrance Hall. As she turned the corner into the hallway, she ran right into someone. She stiffened expecting the usual "Watch where you're going, you stupid Slytherin," or some similar remark. Instead, a familiar voice said "Hello, Selena."
She jerked her head up to see Roger standing before her. The other three all ran into her from behind and she stumbled forward.
"Hel-hello," she stammered.
"Are you and your friends going to study?"
"In the library."
"Would you mind if I joined you?"
"N-no, not at all."
"I'll meet you there then after I get my books."
"All right."
The group began walking toward the library, earning curious and hostile glances along the way.
"It almost looks like you caught us doing something and are escorting us to Dumbledore's office. Or at least coming along to keep an eye on us," Lena whispered.
Roger chuckled.
"You know, you ought to use that as an excuse. They'd believe you."
"I'll keep that in mind."
They parted ways at the library, Roger promising to return soon. As they turned to go in, a voice called Blaise's name. They looked up to see Colleen coming toward them. Blaise broke off from the group and went to her. Arti, Lena and Adrian left the pair alone and went to their usual table in the secluded corner.
"And I have so much homework," Lena said dejectedly.
"At least you have someone smart to study with now," Arti said.
"I'm not?" Adrian asked looking offended.
"Smarter then," Arti clarified. Adrian looked somewhat mollified.
"Yes, that will be nice," Lena agreed, smiling. "It'll make it so much more enjoyable."
"Like you'll actually be studying," Arti said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "More like snogging."
"Arti!"
"What? Do you honestly expect me to believe that you won't?"
"I just met him last night!"
"So?" Arti shrugged.
Lena sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. "Merlin's beard, why do I put up with you? I should just disown you."
"If you did, you'd be outnumbered two to one. This evens it out."
"I suppose. I'm glad you're here. All of you."
"Me too," Adrian said.
"As am I," Blaise said as he and Colleen joined the trio.
"Hello, Colleen," Arti said brightly. "I'm glad you're here. Maybe you can help me with my Transfiguration."
"I'd be glad to," Colleen said, sitting down in the chair Blaise had pulled out for her.
"I don't like Transfiguration. I can't make heads or tails of it."
"It's not so bad," Colleen assured her. "And I'm sure you're better at Potions than I am."
"Probably not."
"But your antidote worked better than mine did."
"That's just one thing. You're better overall at it."
Colleen blushed. "I'd be better at it if the Slytherins and Professor Snape didn't frighten me so much," she said quietly.
"Snape frightens a lot of people," Blaise said. "I'm not overly fond of him myself."
"At least now I have more friends in that class. If Professor Snape ever has us partner across Houses again, it won't be so bad."
"No, it won't," Blaise agreed.
"I've seen you all here often studying together."
"It's about the only place where we can be alone. The less time we spend in the dungeons the better," Arti said.
"Hear, hear," the other three Slytherins chorused.
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Colleen asked.
"Yes," the other four replied in unison.
"First there are the people. Most of them are stupid, ugly or both. And since we don't think like them, or I should say, since we actually do think, we'd rather not talk to them. Second, there's the place itself, which is wet, dark, cold and bloody miserable to be in. Therefore, we prefer being up here."
"What's the Gryffindor common room like?" Arti asked.
"Well, it's a big round room, since we're up in the towers. It's got squashy armchairs and tables to sit in with a big fireplace."
"I'm jealous," Arti said. "
"I wish we could come see your common room."
"Oh the Gryffindor's would love that," Lena said sarcastically.
"Maybe someday I can take you up there."
"That'd be nice."
"Anyway, we'd better start on our homework before we completely lose our nerve and end up leaving it until the last minute," Arti said as she and the others began pulling parchment and books out of their bags.
"As if you don't do that already."
Arti stuck her tongue out at Lena.
"How do they expect us to get all of this done?"
"Merlin am I glad I'm done with my OWLs," Adrian said, looking relieved.
"You're not helping."
"Sorry."
"You can get Roger to help you. And if you get it done, he can give you a reward." Arti grinned wickedly.
Lena's attempt and failed to kick her sister's leg under the table and instead made a rude gesture at her.
Arti's grin widened. "Well, I thought you'd wait a bit to do that with him, but feel free, I won't stop you."
Lena flushed as Adrian sniggered. Even Colleen was hiding a smile
"Artemis, I swear to Merlin if you don't shut it I'll-" Lena snarled.
Though just what Lena would do, no one ever found out as Roger came up to the table just then. He looked from Arti who was trying to look innocent to Lena who looked murderous and back again, smiling bemusedly.
"You know? My sister's always wanted another sister. Maybe I could take yours off your hands."
Lena looked relieved. "Please. Or maybe we could switch."
"That would be nice."
"I thought you loved me," Arti pouted.
"That's debatable at the moment." She turned to Blaise and Adrian. "You should be glad not to have any siblings. They're more trouble than they're worth."
"I can tell. And yes, I am," Adrian said.
"What took you so long?" Lena asked Roger.
"I had to explain why I was walking around with you to some of my Housemates," he explained.
"And? What did you tell them?" she asked.
"I told them what you were saying earlier, that you looked like you were up to something so I had to make sure you weren't going to do anything."
"Did they believe you?" Arti asked.
"Oh please," Lena scoffed. "Do you even need to ask? People will believe anything about us. If we said that we were going to take over the school, there'd be bedlam within minutes."
"You know? We should," Arti said thoughtfully. "We should take over and then show them that some of us are actually decent people."
"They'd kill us before we could try."
"Would they?"
"I'm assuming they would. If you'd like to test that theory, go right ahead. I don't think I'm willing to take that risk."
"How Slytherin of you," Roger said, grinning.
"Thank you."
"I don't think that can be meant as a compliment in most cases," Adrian observed.
"We'll see if we can change that."
"You go right on ahead. I'm not willing to test that particular theory," Arti replied.
Everyone laughed.
"We just need a Hufflepuff and we'll have achieved inner-House unity," Colleen observed, looking around the table.
"Very true."
"Well my sister's a Hufflepuff. If she joined us, we could achieve inner-House unity. That is, if you don't mind."
"Of course we don't mind," Colleen assured him.
"I'll ask then."
"Sad that it took the Yule Ball for Hogwarts to achieve inner-House unity.
"At least we did, well sort of achieve international cooperation."
"You'd know about that, wouldn't you?" Lena asked, her eyes sparkling. Roger flushed.
"We actually did fairly well," Colleen said. "There's Blaise and me, you and Roger, Hermione and Viktor Krum…"
"How did they end up going to the Yule Ball together anyway?" Arti asked.
"She said he saw her practicing her staff - her guardians taught her and her siblings - and he complimented her on it and they started spending time together and then he asked her."
"Wow. She's that good that Krum was impressed?"
"Apparently."
"And there was also at a couple Durmstrange-Hogwarts couple, and probably more, at least one Beauxbâtons-Hogwarts couple and a Beauxbâtons-Durmstrang couple too," Lena said, glancing at Roger. They exchange grins.
"It's like the Christmas truces during World War I. Except without football and drinking," Roger said.
"What's football?" "What truce?" Blaise and Adrian asked at the same time.
Roger smiled, leaning back in his chair. Lena had the feeling that he was reveling in being in lecture mode.
"Football's a Muggle sport where two teams kick a ball across a field and try to get it into the opposing team's nets on either side."
"Sounds boring," Adrian said dismissively. "I much prefer Quidditch."
"We know," Arti and Lena said in unison.
"Anyway, during World War I, on at least two occasions, the German, French and/or British troops who were fighting each other made a truce that lasted anywhere from one day to a whole week until New Year's. They played cards, drank, had a game of football and had a great time until it came time to start fighting again. I don't know how they did it."
"Unbelievable," Adrian said, looking amazed.
"And like those soldiers, we're right back to hating each other again," Arti said glumly.
"Aren't you a killjoy?"
"It's the truth."
Lena turned to Roger. "How do you know about all that?"
"I like history, both Muggle and magical. And my great-grandfather on my father's side fought in World War I."
"Every generation has its wars," Lena mused quietly.
"We haven't," Arti pointed out.
"True. I hope we never do."
"I'm glad someone else shares my interest in history because these two certainly don't," Lena said, nodding at Arti and Adrian. "But I admit, History of Magic would be much more interesting if we had a different professor."
"I agree. Even for Ravenclaws, Binns is a little dry."
"Oh, I'm glad we aren't the only ones who think like that," Arti said, looking relieved.
"Though I'll tell you, what I really don't like is Arithmancy," Adrian said, frowning at Lena's textbook.
"Oh, it's not that bad, is it?" Roger asked.
"Yes," Adrian and Lena said together.
Roger chuckled. "Am I the only one who decided to take it because I like it?"
"Yes," they said in unison again.
"It was either this or Ancient Runes," Lena said.
"Or Divination. I hear she's an old bat."
"No, that's Snape," Blaise quipped. Everyone sniggered.
"Why she's still here I don't understand."
"No idea. But maybe I should have taken that instead and had less homework to do."
"At least you're not taking it anymore.
"For that I am very grateful."
"I should have taken Divination. Arithmancy doesn't make any sense!"
"Well, here, I'll help you," Roger offered.
"That would be very much appreciated."
Roger set his Potions textbook aside and leaned over to read her assignment. Within minutes, Roger had launched into a rather long explanation of the problem. Try as she might, however, Lena was having quite a hard time concentrating. She kept getting distracted by the fact that his hand was mere millimeters from hers and that his hair was a bit wavier than it had been last night…
"Are you paying any attention to anything I'm saying?" Roger's voice broke through her thoughts.
"No," she replied shamelessly.
Arti and Colleen giggled.
Roger rolled his eyes. "Here," he said, reaching over her for a quill and parchment. He began to write down what he had just explained. "There, how's that?" he asked, when he had finished. She leaned over, to get a better look, her head bumping into his.
"Sorry," she mumbled jumping back and almost tipping her chair backwards.
"Are you all right?" Roger asked, steadying her chair.
"I'm fine. Thanks."
She didn't notice Arti and Colleen exchange knowing looks.
To her relief, with Roger's help, Lena soon finished her dreaded Arithmancy homework. Roger returned to his Potions essay and Lena resumed the Transfiguration essay she had started before the Yule Ball.
Roger of course needed no help and finished his homework very quickly. And between the six of them, the others made substantial progress on theirs. Lena now only had her Muggle Studies and Herbology essays left.
"Must be nice not to have to spend so much time studying."
"Well I do have plenty of other things to do, considering that I'm a prefect and Quidditch captain."
"That's true."
Colleen glanced up at the clock. "It's five. Shall we go to dinner?" she asked as she began putting her things away.
"All in favor?" Lena asked.
"Aye!" Arti and Adrian said enthusiastically.
"All opposed?"
"Nay," Roger said, smirking.
Lena rolled her eyes. "Of course."
"Well, we outnumber you so I say we go to dinner," Arti said, nodding smugly.
"All right, all right, you win," Roger said putting his hands up in surrender.
"At least if we go now, there won't be a lot of people."
"Very true."
They packed up their books and got up to go. But Lena put a hand on Roger's arm. He turned to her quizzically.
"I'd like a word before we go."
He nodded.
"We'll wait for you," Adrian said.
Lena nodded her thanks and the two headed off to an even more secluded part of the library.
When she was sure they were alone, Lena got straight to the point.
"I'm assuming since you're actually speaking to me and have spent the last several hours with me and my friends, that you'd like us to be friends."
"Yes, of course. I said so last night, didn't I?"
"I know. I just…I just wasn't sure you actually meant it," she admitted.
"Why on earth wouldn't I have?"
"When I woke up this morning, I was so happy at having a friend from another House, and it being you, it made it even better. And then I realized that this couldn't be true and that you were only saying that because you had just been with Fleur and were simply looking for some companionship. And since it was the Yule Ball that all the excitement and so on had gotten to you and you'd lost your head. And now that it was over, you'd realize what a mistake you'd made and never speak to me again."
"I'm sorry you felt that, but it's not true. I meant everything I said last night, all of it. I'd like to get to know you and your sister and friends. It's high time I decided to make friends in Slytherin House."
"You really mean that?"
"Yes," Roger said firmly.
"Then I have to warn you, as I'm sure you realize, this won't be easy, for either of us. Your Housemates and mine have made their displeasure very clear."
"Yes," Roger said ruefully, "they have."
"I assume those were the three boys who were talking about me this morning at breakfast."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. They were kinder about it than any Slytherin will be. Speaking of whom, I don't relish the thought of seeing my roommates. It won't be pleasant.
Roger looked concerned. "Will you be all right?"
"Of course. Girls don't typically start hexing each other. However this might be an exception to save the reputation of our precious House," Lena spat.
"Although you are Roger Davies, that has to count for something," Lena continued, ignoring Roger's look of concern. "Well that and, you're a Ravenclaw and only a quarter Muggle - which is more than can be said of some of my Housemates, which I will use to my advantage with the more opinionated - Merlin its nice to be a Slytherin. They're so easily manipulated."
"If you say so."
"I do say so. I'm not exactly a blood-traitor as you aren't a Muggle-born, not that I have anything against Muggle-borns," she added hastily.
"I know."
"But this makes it easier. As Collen's family being mostly magical will make it easier for Blaise too, I suppose. Although since Colleen is a Gryffindor, Blaise might be on the receiving end of some more hostility but it shouldn't be as bad as it could be. But your and her being mostly pure-blood will give us more credence with our Housemates. I'm just glad that I now have a way to keep the boys who wish to marry me at a distance."
"I'm surprised that any Slytherin boy would want to marry you-" Roger stopped and looked at her horrified. "I mean-I didn't mean-"
She smiled reassuringly at him. "I know what you meant. Well, yes, of course, why not? I'm a pure-blood Slytherin, though not exactly what they'd term proper who and there aren't a lot of them of marriageable age so…" Her smile turned happy. "Well, I won't have to worry about that now that we're friends. They'll know I'm no proper pure-blood. Though," she added thoughtfully, "that might make them more determined."
"Why?"
"Slytherins are nothing if not determined. They know that I'm not exactly a pure-blood supremacist, because of my family background. But they don't know how far I am from being one. It would be a triumph for them to say that they married me and were able to make me into a proper pure-blood wife according to their standards. Not that my family or I would allow that to happen."
"I'm glad."
"Me too. And I must warn you, if you're going to be my friend, I'm sure you know that your popularity will suffer as a result."
Roger scoffed. "Since when I have I given a damn - excuse me - about that?"
"I'm glad you think that way." Lena's look turned from serious to speculative. "Although, on the other hand, your popularity might make it easier for us. We'll find out."
"I'm sure."
"Finally our Houses agree on something other than the fact that they hate each other: we aren't suited for one another."
"I can imagine," Roger said chuckling. "So I take you that you aren't too worried about how this will affect how the other members of your House and the school for that matter will treat you?"
"Are you mad? I'm glad to finally be able to show my true colors instead of hiding behind a mask! This is wonderful!"
Roger looked slightly taken aback. "Er, all right then."
"Well, now that that's done, shall we go to dinner?"
"Yes."
They joined the others and headed out of the library. Lena was floating on air. Arti grinned happily at her. They went straight to the Great Hall and again found that it was still quite empty.
Roger scanned the room and smiled as his eyes fixed on someone at the Hufflepuff table.
"I'll introduce you to my sister if you like."
"Of course," Lena said and the group walked to the Hufflepuff table. Roger stopped in front of a girl with brown hair and hazel eyes who smiled when she saw him. She was sitting next to a cute, blonde girl who turned curiously to watch.
"Everyone, this is my sister, Anne. Anne this is Lena-" he stopped and turned to her curiously.
"Lena will do. All my friends and family call me that."
"All right then.
"Nice to meet you," she said, turning to them in turn.
"You too," the Slytherins and Colleen chorused.
"And they've offered you a place in their study group if you like."
"I'd like that."
"We're usually in the back corner of the library."
"I'll look for you there then."
"With seven people, we might have to move to a different table in a more open part of the library."
"Oh what a lovely idea that is. The rest of the students will love that I'm sure."
"Or we could just enlarge the table," Roger suggested.
"Or that," Arti agreed.
They spent almost a quarter of an hour talking together as more people came into the Great Hall. Lena groaned inwardly when she realized how many people there were now. Many of them were whispering and staring at them.
"Well, so much for trying to keep a low profile for a while," Lena said quietly to Roger.
"Yeah," he said. "But at least this might speed things up a bit."
"I don't know if that's good or bad."
"So, did you plan this all along then?" Adrian asked with a grin. "Shove me off on your sister and grab Davies?"
"No, of course not. But I'm glad I did. She doesn't deserve someone like that," Lena said, glaring at Fleur whose laughter rang out across the Great Hall.
"Someone's feeling territorial," Arti muttered.
"So what if I am? It's true. He's too good for her. "
"Mm-hm," Arti said, looking amused.
"Davies treated you well?" Adrian asked.
"Yes, very."
"Good, because if he hadn't, he'd have me to answer to."
"Aw. Someone's feeling protective. Arti, isn't that sweet?"
"A girl could fall in love with a man like that," Arti said gazing at Adrian dreamily.
Adrian blushed. "So," he said, coughing slightly, looking anxiously at Lena. "Er, you don't mind that I…er.."
"Are you trying to ask if I don't mind that you fancy my sister over me?"
Adrian nodded, biting his lip nervously.
"No, I don't mind."
Adrian looked relieved.
"I'm happy for both of you. Although," Lena added with a smirk. "I think you got the worse end of the deal."
"I heard that!"
"You were supposed to." She turned back to Adrian. "Your mother'll be happy."
"She will."
"Speaking of couples," Lena said, turning to Blaise. "I hope you and Colleen enjoyed yourselves last night." Blaise, who was staring fixedly across the room at Colleen, didn't answer. Lena began to hum "Star of the County Down", and still getting no response, tapped Blaise on the shoulder. He jumped and turned to her. She repeated her question.
"We did. Though I'm not sure her sister approved of me."
"I'm sorry."
"Colleen assures me that her parents will."
"That's good."
"It is."
"And your mother?"
"I don't think I will tell her about us yet. And you? I hear you had a good time last night as well."
"I did. And I certainly didn't expect it to turn out like this."
"If Colleen and Davies were able to look past the stereotypes to befriend us, than I hope others will as well."
"We'll see. Colleen seemed to come out of her shell a bit last night."
"She did. I think she might overcome her shyness over time."
Adrian looked slightly alarmed at this. "Just as long as she doesn't get to be like these two," he said nodding toward the girls. "They're enough for me, thank you."
"Hear that, Arti? Apparently we're a handful."
"What else is new?"
The four of them laughed.
"You'd think," Lena said speculatively, "that seeing one sibling or relative in Slytherin and the other in another House would make people less suspicious of us. I mean, Graham Pritchard's cousin, I think she is, is a Gryffindor, Matt Smythe's sister's a Ravenclaw. And Meghan Black was almost sorted into Slytherin and look where the rest of her family and friends are."
"On the other hand, most Blacks and their relatives have been in Slytherin so in this case, it is her and Potter and the rest who are the anomaly."
"Point."
They ate in silence for several minutes during which Lena worked up the nerve to broach the subject which had been on her mind for the last several minutes. Deciding to take the dragons by the fangs, she turned to Blaise again.
"Er, don't take this the wrong way, but its good that Colleen and Roger aren't Muggle-born, because at least that still gives us some credence with our more opinionated Housemates."
"That is true."
"Therefore, we can assure our more opinionated Housemates that we aren't actually in fact, blood-traitors. Don't you love being in Slytherin? It's so easy to manipulate them."
"Oh it most certainly is," Blaise agreed. "Though I'm glad not to have to go through this alone."
"Me too."
Lena sighed. "Why are we doing this?"
"Because it is the right thing to do."
"But why us? Why are we crazy enough to go against the status quo?"
"Because we're the only ones willing to do so."
"Stop being so reasonable!" she snapped with only a little irritation.
"I am merely answering your questions," Blaise replied with an aggravating smile.
"Oh, be quiet."
"Make me," Blaise said with a smirk.
"That's Colleen's job," Lena replied with a grin.
Blaise blushed.
"Sorry, couldn't resist."
"Quite all right."
When they had finished eating, the quartet left the Great Hall. They passed a group of sixth and seventh year Slytherin girls who were sitting at the end of the table closest to the door.
"At least your sister has sense, Moon," Capper sneered. "She stuck with a Slytherin instead of Ravenclaw or a Gryffdindor."
"Well at least both of them have more brains that that oaf you're dating. Honestly what you see in him, I don't know."
"Well!" Capper said before turning back to her friends.
Roger was waiting for her in the Entrance Hall.
"Meet me here in half an hour."
"All right."
"Dress warmly."
"All right," Lena said again before they parted.
Roger went up the marble staircase as the Slytherins went through the door.
"Just for the record, even if you'd been in a different House, I'd still date you," Arti said to Adrian.
"Me too."
As they walked back to the common room, Lena realized hadn't seen any of the fourth and fifth year girls at dinner and assumed they were in their dormitories. She had a feeling her luck had run out and that her roommates would be there when she returned.
Her suspicions proved correct. The other three girls looked up eagerly as she entered the room.
"Well, finally, here you are," Lilith Burke said in long-suffering tones.
"So," Hestia Carrow said. "Tell us why in the world you left the ball with Roger Davies when you had a perfectly good date to begin with. Because Adrian Pucey's much more suitable for you than Davies."
"I lent Adrian to my sister who didn't have a date," Lena explained.
"Well that was stupid," Flora Carrow said scornfully. "Why didn't you keep him for yourself? Even if your sister didn't have a date, at least then you wouldn't have ended up with that half-blood Davies."
"Three-quarters," Lena corrected.
"Whatever. Still not a pure-blood."
"But at least he's not a Gryffindor," Lena pointed out. She hoped Blaise and Colleen would forgive her for using this to her advantage. Though she was a Slytherin after all.
Laurasia Rivers nodded. "Like Zabini was with last night."
"Yes," Hestia sniffed. "Why he had to go with her I don't know. He should have chosen your sister instead and none of this would have happened. And now you two have gone and besmirched the name of the great House of Slytherin."
Oh stop being so bloody melodramatic you stupid cow!
"But at least neither of them are Mudbloods." Lena spat out the last word but for an entirely different reason than her roommates would have suspected.
"Yes, I suppose that's true. They have at least mostly magical ancestry, though not as pure as we'd like."
"But at least both of them are more pure-blooded than some of our own," Lena pressed on. "Like Dursley, I'm sure you wouldn't want my sister to have gone with him."
Only because he's a stupid, bullying brat.
"Merlin, of course not!"
"Or Bulstrode, he's a half-blood."
Not to mention more like Crabbe and Goyle than, say, Roger.
"True. Davies is a better candidate than some in this House. But still, it would have been better if you'd picked someone like Wilkes or Yaxley."
Over my dead body.
"I suppose it could have been worse," Flora Carrow admitted.
"Although for a Ravenclaw half-blood, he's rather fanciable I suppose," Lilith said. "If he were a pure-blood he'd be an almost ideal husband."
"Pity he isn't."
"But at least this leaves more suitable Slytherin boys for the rest of you," Lena said, trying not to smirk.
"That is true. Like Rowle. And Lestrange."
Ugh.
"It's a shame that Viktor Krum had to go and pick that Mudblood Gryffindor Granger-Lupin instead of someone like me," Lilith pouted.
"She must have slipped him a Love Potion."
"I wouldn't put it past her."
Lena knew this wasn't true, and even if she hadn't known, she doubted Granger-Lupin would do something like that. But she let them think what they will. Trying to convince them that Krum was not concerned with Granger-Lupin's blood-status and that he had gone with her of his own accord would have been pointless.
"Well I hope you understand now that even if Davies is somewhat acceptable, it'd be better for you to choose someone else," Hestia said.
Lena ground her teeth.
"If we find someone more suitable for you we'll let you know. I'm sure there are plenty of men out there for you."
"I'm sure," Lena said dryly.
You'll have a better chance of finding a Re'em than you will finding a boy who'll have me or a boy I'd be willing to have.
"Well, we must go to dinner. So think about what we've said, all right? We only want what's best for you," Lilith said.
With that the three girls walked out of the dormitory. Lena let out a sigh of relief.
That could have been worse.
Lena as per Roger's instructions put on a coat, warm socks and boots before going to the common room. Arti sat in one of the chairs in the corner absorbed in a book.
"Well?" she asked as Lena approached her.
"Could have been worse. It wasn't too bad. They seemed satisfied with Roger, although they offered to help me find someone more suitable."
"Lovely."
"I argued that Roger's more pure-blood than some of our lovely Housemates, and at least he it wasn't Dursely or Bulstrode. Not that you or I would go out with them in any case, but for entirely different reasons than they'd think."
Arti giggled. "Of course."
"But for the time being, we have their grudging blessing. Although not everyone would agree."
"No, I don't think so."
"I just hope this will all go away quickly."
Arti patted Lena's shoulder reassuringly. "Something would have come up to make people realize that we were blood-traitors, or close to it. Better this than something else I suppose. Besides, this is Hogwarts after all. It'll be a nine days wonder. Something'll come up."
"I hope so."
"It will. Who knows? Maybe…maybe Filch and Madame Pince will elope."
Lena snickered. "That would be the most terrifyingly wonderful news I've ever heard."
Arti laughed. "They'll have to go on a honeymoon so they'll be out of our hair for a while."
"That'd be fantastic."
"Wouldn't it?"
"And maybe while they're gone we can drown Mrs. Norris."
"Who says Filch won't take Mrs. Norris with him?"
"Who in Merlin's name takes their cat on their honeymoon?"
"Someone like Filch who seems to worship his cat?"
Lena shuddered. "Ugh, that's disgusting."
Arti laughed.
"Why the Carrow twins' parents named them Flora and Hestia I don't know. They should have been named Aello and Ocypete."
Arti giggled. "That's not nice."
Lena turned to look at the clock and jumped. "Sorry, I have to go."
"Have fun!" Arti called as Lena dashed across the common room.
Roger wasn't in the Entrance Hall when Lena arrived. A small part of her brain began to wonder if Roger had stood her up. But she glanced at the clock and realized that it hadn't quite been half an hour yet.
Lena contended herself with looking at the House point counters. She rather liked Ravenclaw's sapphires and Slytherin's emeralds, but wasn't very fond of Hufflepuff's - which she thought might be garnet - as she didn't like the color yellow. Gryffindor's rubies were rather pretty too.
Footsteps came toward her and she turned to see Roger coming down the main staircase. He smiled at her as he neared and she smiled back.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"No, not at all."
"I'm glad you're here."
"Why, did you think I wouldn't be?"
"A little," Roger admitted.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I wasn't sure you'd be here either. But you are. And of course I'd come. Anything to get out of those dungeons."
"Is that the only reason?" he asked, looking wounded.
"Actually, yes," she replied, eyes twinkling. "No, of course not," she said, trying not to laugh. "I'd like to spend time with you since you're about the first person outside of my House who will even speak to me."
"I wish more people would realize that some Slytherins are like you."
"Me too. I don't suppose you're going to tell me where we are going?"
"Oh, it's not some secret location. And I think you'll figure it out soon enough."
With that they headed toward the great oak doors. A blast of cold air hit them as they went outside. He took her hand, pulling her to him as they huddled against the wind.
After a minute Lena realized that they were heading toward the lake. She could see the Durmstrang ship on the lake and the Beauxbâtons carriage beyond it on the shore.
The wind died down which made talking a lot easier.
"Were they there?" Roger asked. He didn't need to elaborate further for her to know what he was talking about.
"Yes," Lena replied glumly.
"And…?"
"As I told Arti, all I had to argue was that you're a Ravenclaw and three-quarters magical and not a half-blood or Merlin forbid a Mudblood." - she grimaced at the word. - "And they did admit that if you were from a more proper family that they wouldn't mind marrying you."
"Lovely, just what I've always wanted."
Lena laughed.
"They gave their reluctant approval though they made it very clear that they expect me to find someone more suitable. Although I did point out, that because I haven't chosen someone suitable, it leaves more for them."
"I bet they liked that."
"They did. Now they'll all be running after the likes of Rowle and Wilkes and others." Lena shuddered. "That'll keep them away from me."
"Something I'm sure you're very happy about."
"Yes. So, all in all, this worked out rather well."
"It did."
By the time they arrived, the wind had ceased. The moon shone, making the snow glisten. She turned to look at the castle and saw that it looked almost silver in the moonlight.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
Roger turned. "It is," he agreed.
"Um…what exactly did we come out here to do?"
"I'll show you. Come on."
He led her down to the edge of the lake. Then, conjuring two chairs, he guided her to one and sat down in the other. Then, pointed his wand at his feet and muttered to himself for a minute before transfiguring his shoes into a pair of skates.
"Just wanted to make sure I did it right," he said before doing the same to her. He helped her up and the two made their way, a bit clumsily onto the ice. They wobbled for a few steps before Roger, taking both of her hands in his began gliding backwards, leading her around the perimeter of the lake.
"I haven't done this too often," Lena admitted.
"Neither have I."
After a few minutes, Lena let go of his hands and began skating on her own, still a bit unsure of herself. Roger skated circles around her with the grace of a dancer.
"Show off," she muttered.
"Anything for you, my lady."
Lena laughed.
They staked in silence for some time, just enjoying each other's company until Lena stumbled. Roger caught her as she fell forward, righting her before she really knew what was happening.
"You all right?"
"Fine, thanks."
They stood staring at each other until Lena realized she was shivering.
"You cold?" Roger asked, looking concerned.
"A little."
Roger looked at his watch with a start. "It's 9:30. We should head back."
He nodded and Untransfigured their shoes and Vanished the chairs before they began making their way back to the castle. They ran the last leg, panting as the stumbled into the Entrance Hall. They leaned against the oak doors for a few moments to catch their breath.
"That was fun."
"I'm glad."
"I wish we could do it again."
"We shall."
"Good."
He pulled her to him and again kissed her on the cheek.
"Good night," he said quietly.
"Good night."
As Lena walked across the Entrance Hall, she stared after Roger until he disappeared up the marble staircase. It wasn't until she nearly ran into the door leading to the dungeons that she got a grip on herself and was able to go down the stairs without falling flat on her face.
When Lena arrived in the Slytherin common room, Arti looked up and sighed at the look on Lena's face.
"Oh, Merlin," she groaned. "This is going to get very interesting."
Lena grinned. All in all, she thought it hadn't been a very bad Christmas.
Aello and Ocypete are the names of two harpies in Greek mythology.
