Chapter 2
Crazy Madness
"Children are you prepared to see into the beyond?" Prof. Trelawney asked as she tip toed into her class room.
Many groans were heard throughout the class room.
"I'm willing Professor" I spoke up, Skylie and Sonja both gave me this look as if they were saying 'what are you doing?'
I shrugged at them.
"Alright my child, your hand please" I placed my hand out for Trelawney to grab it; I was a little hesitant at first.
"Your lines seem a little shaky, my dear but I can see pretty clearly, your life will change, not by your own faults but by someone else's" Trelawney closed my palm and patted it gently. I just nodded as she walked away.
My life will change but not by my own faults, what the hell did that mean? I really couldn't care at this very moment, it was Friday and this after noon Skylie and I had to find clothes for Slughorn's party and of course Sonja would tag along.
Trelawney predicted that Lavender Brown's rabbit, Binky, was going to die, big whoop. I know that Brown loves Divination, but I guess she wasn't expecting that kind of prediction. I laughed slightly, which was cruel, I knew if my Ginger was going to die I'd be upset to, but this wasn't Ginger and this wasn't me so it was funny.
I heard Sonja laughing also, but quietly.
"So Tay, you got any idea for your dress?" Skylie asked me in a whisper.
"For sure" I replied "all blue" I added smiling, "what about you?" I asked I replied.
"Definitely black, maybe with a bit of red" she told me.
I took a while for the lesson to finally end and once we heard the bell, Sonja, Skylie and myself were out of there. My Slytherin robe swayed behind me.
"Ok so Tay, you want a blue one and Sky you want a black one" Sonja said double checking. Skylie and I nodded in unison.
We walked the stone path into Hogsmeade, looking through a couple of stores before my eyes landed on 'the dress'
"Guys over here!" I yelled
"What is it Tay?" they asked running over
"I want that one" I told them pointing to the blue dress in the widow.
"Then go in and buy it" Sonja advised.
"K, come on" I grabbed both their arms and dragged them in there, but as soon as I did I froze. I saw the blonde figure that had been haunting my mind since the train ride.
"What's Malfoy doing in here?" I questioned, Skylie looked at me with concern.
"I don't know Tay, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about" she reassured me.
"Yeah" Sonja agreed, "just go in try on the dress, buy and get out" she added.
"Oh yeah Sonja, very encouraging" I told her sarcastically, I looked over at where Malfoy was standing it didn't look like he was leaving anytime soon.
I turned back to Sonja and Skylie, "but good plan" I smiled. I asked the shop keep if she could get the dress for me, which she did, and then I went over to the change rooms and tried it on.
"Does it make my butt look big?" I asked them as I stepped out of the changing room
"Tay that is the most common girl question you could ask us" Sky said laughing
"But does it look good?" I questioned.
"Of course it does" Sonja told me, I smiled at her. I turned around to look in the mirror. My dress was a baby blue colour, strapless and was ruffled from the waist down. I really liked it so I quickly went back in and changed back into my Slytherin robes, when to the register and bought it. Only twelve Knuts. Bargain. But as we left I looked around to make sure that Malfoy wasn't there.
"Ok Sky, your turn" Sonja and I told her.
"I've found it!" Skylie exclaimed as she gripped onto my arm.
"Ah, Sky, nails nails nails!" I yelped.
"Oh sorry" she smiled as she let go. She ran to the shop window and glued her face to it.
"Aww that's pretty" Sonja commented.
"I agree, Sky you should bye it" I prompted
"Yeah" Skylie muttered mesmerized by the black dress. After a minute or two, Sonja and I shoved her inside.
"You almost done in there!" Sonja called to the close curtain
"Almost!" Skylie shouted back. I sat there shivering a little, I don't know why but I was nervous. Then I heard the door bell chime. Malfoy walked in. What would he be doing in a dress shop? I questioned.
"Is he following me?" I asked myself quietly.
But he didn't look in my direction, just went straight to the counter, I could see him talking to the owner; the owner smirked with delight and went to fetch something. I just kept watching I couldn't turn away. She quickly came back with a diamond necklace. 'For Pansy, no doubt' I thought to myself. Malfoy nodded his good bye and then left.
"Oi!, Tay you with us" I turned around to see both Sonja and Skylie waving their hands in front of me.
"Yeah, Yeah I'm with you" I mumbled, "can we hurry up please, I want to head back to the castle" I told them sighing.
"Alright" Skylie hesitated; she quickly changed and bought her dress. We made our way back up to the castle.
I laid on my bed in the girls dormitories; I shared the room with four other girls. Pansy, Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode. To bad I wasn't with Sonja and Skylie.
"Ginger, what am I going to do" I asked my cat, patting her. "I mean I have no one to go with tomorrow" I told her, she meowed at me and I smiled softly. "Your right, I still have Skylie, your such a smart kitty" I laughed rubbing her chin, she purred in response. Ginger then moved down to the end of my bed curling at my feet.
"I agree with you Ginger, time for bed" I said moving under the covers, turning over and switching off my light.
"Did you hear there holding Quidditch Beater try out's on Wednesday" I heard Theodore Nott say as I sat at the Slytherin table that morning.
I leaned over the desk to where Theodore sat.
"Hey Theo, do you reckon they'd let a girl play Beater?" I asked grabbing a blueberry muffin.
Theodore chuckled quietly.
"Tayla, my dear friend, no girl has ever tried out for the position of beater come to think of, there are not many girls on the team, the only one I can thing of is Millicent and she's the Chaser" he told me.
"So, if I went down to the pitch, who would I have to speak to?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"That would have to be Malfoy he's team captain and Seeker, but trust me Tayla, I highly doubt he'd let another girl on the team, especially if she's trying out for Beater" Theo laughed again.
"We'll see" I muttered to myself, biting into my muffin. Three minutes later Sonja and Skylie joined me for breakfast.
"You better eat quick Sky; remember no classes this morning because of Slughorn's party, we have to get ready soon" I told her seriously.
"Alright, alright don't rush me, I just woke up five minutes ok" she mumbled, banging her head down onto the table.
"Herbology homework" Sonja whispered sitting beside me.
"Sky, if you hate Herbology why did you pick it?" I asked her shaking her shoulders.
"Hmmmmmuhhhmmuhhhhmmmmm" she spoke to the table.
"What did she say?" I asked Sonja quizingly.
"She said because Care of Magical Creatures was full and it was either that or Muggle Studies"
"Oh" I replied, "well come on Sky, up sa daisy" I pulled her with me as I stood.
"Banana" she muttered grabbing one as we left the great hall.
"Ok, Sky if you don't hurry up I'm going to Densaugeo you and you'll have extremely large teeth for a month!" I banged on her dorm room door.
"Ok, I'm ready!" she called opening the door.
"Finally" I said pushing her out of the portrait.
"I don't see why you had to rush me Tay" Skylie told me fully awake now.
"Well, Sky I didn't want to be late" I told her, "this is a big thing for us, you know we might be added to Slughorn's favorite student cabinet" I laughed "beside there's only going to be five Slytherin's there, you, me, Flora, Hestia and Blaise, we're going to be completely out numbered by those Gryffindors" I told her.
"Ok, ok" she said as we continued walking down the hall.
"See, I told you we'd be out numbered" I muttered to Skylie as we walked through the door.
"I didn't disagree with you Tay" she replied. "Oh bananas" she smiled running over to the food table. I shook my head laughing quietly.
"Hello Tayla Martin" I heard from behind me. I turned around to see Luna 'Loony' Lovegood.
"Hello Loon-Luna" I corrected, "Ah, what a very interesting dress you have" I smiled slightly.
"Why thank you, daddy bought it just for this occasion, who did you come with?" she asked with her head slightly tilted.
"Oh, um no one, nobody asked me" I replied
Luna shook her head at me.
"Marcus Belby said he was going to ask you, but he was sought of scared and he wasn't accepted to this party" Luna said dreamily.
"Right" I muttered "so who did you come with?" I questioned softly.
"Marcus Bel- Oh I came with Harry Potter" she smiled, I smiled back uneasily.
"But anyway, Marcus Belby, who of course is from my house, said he would of had a better chance to ask you if you were in Ravenclaw, everyone in my house talks about you Tayla Martin, gets quite annoying really" I just stared at Luna as she kept talking. "You're intelligent, just as much as Hermione Granger, although I believe you have a better chance in study" she paused for a moment.
"You have wit also, but I guess, you just weren't made for Ravenclaw, your Slytherin's Hermione Granger, hmm oh well bye Tayla Martin" she waved then walked away. I waved after her backed was turned.
Skylie came back with a weird look on her face.
"Why were you talking to Loony for?" she asked taking a bite of a banana.
"I wasn't talking to her, she was talking to me" I replied trying to keep my cool.
"Hmm whatever" Skylie walked off again.
Then I saw Blaise and Pansy.
'Why did he bring Pansy for, isn't she with Draco?' my mind asked itself.
I decided to make myself known and go talk to them.
"Hey Pansy, Blaise"
Blaise gave a quick nod, but Pansy said nothing, she was ignoring me.
"No one care to ask you, did they Martin" she enquired.
"Excuse me?"
"Why would anyone ask you anyway your pathetic" she said now looking at me.
"I saw you yesterday Martin, does Glitter and Sparkle ring a bell, you were there helping Moss buy her dress, yet you couldn't keep your eyes off Draco" I stared at her shocked, where was she while I was there?
"Now Martin, there's no need to be jealous, just because Draco would go after me and not someone revolting and sickening like you". That hit the spot. I could feel the water works come on. With that I grabbed the ends of my dress and ran from the party.
I sat there in the hallway for maybe about two to five minutes I was guessing. I knew Pansy was a fake; she didn't want my friendship at all.
"I swore to your mother I would protect you" I turned my head at the sound of Prof. Snape's voice.
"I don't need protection, I was chosen, and I can do this myself". It was both Malfoy and Snape, what were they doing down there? I could see Malfoy turning to walk away; I quickly wiped my tears as he approached nearer to me.
"What's your problem?" I looked up yet again, to see Malfoy's heart shaped face; his voice was blunt and uncaring.
"Why would you care?" I asked in return wiping my eyes again.
"Who said that I do, I just wanted to know why you were kicked out of Slughorn's party?" I stood fiercely.
"For your information Malfoy" I spoke his name as if it were a disease "I was not kick out, I stormed out".
"How do you know who I am?" he asked in astonishment
"Well it's not that hard to recognize the one and only accused teenage death eater of Hogwarts!" I spat, "and who exactly are you?" he asked of me.
"Tayla Martin" I replied folding my arms.
Malfoy advanced on me a little staring me down.
"Well Tayla, I'll tell you now it's none of your concern nor your business to know what goes on in my personal life". He looked me dead in the eye, as if he was upset and lonely.
"Then why bring your personal life into school?" I asked smugly.
Malfoy snorted, "you know what, I like you, it's to bad that your not good enough for me" he smirked as he placed his cold hand underneath my chin. My mouth dropped slightly as he walked away.
"What's that supposed to mean!" I called after him, my tears completely dry. He didn't turn back.
"Tay, Tay are you alright?" I felt these freckled arms wrap around me, I nearly tumbled over.
"What are you on about Sky?" I asked as she let go.
"Back there with Parkinson, I saw you run off crying, but don't worry I got a good knock in for you" she laughed, I laughed with her.
"She thought I was after Malfoy" I chuckled trying to lighten the mood, which helped.
"What that's crazy" she commented.
"Yeah, I know but she also said I wasn't worth his time and they he would never get with someone as revolting as I was" I placed my head on Skylie's shoulder.
"Whatever Tay, you know your better then her, her names Pansy for Merlin sake". I giggled at her last comment, "come on she's left with Zabini anyway, lets go have fun, I think Hestia gave Flora some fanged Frisbees". I nodded as Sky dragged me back.
I would never tell her about my confrontation with Malfoy.
Tuesday. The day after Slughorn's party, it was early morning and I decided to get up early so I could finish my Defense against the dark arts homework.
"Tay why are you up so early?" I heard Sonja asked as she made her way down to the common room.
"I had some homework I needed to finish" I replied, turning the piece of parchment over.
"Oh ok" she said going back up the stairs.
"Hey Sonja" I called her
"Hmm"
"After classes to you reckon you and Sky can come down to the Quidditch pitch with me? I want to get some practice in for the try outs tomorrow" I told her.
"Oh, yeah sure" she mumbled quietly, going back to bed.
I raised my hand yet again
"Yes, Miss Martin" Prof. Snape said.
"Sir, what if we happened to be in muggle London, and a muggle tried to you know attack us, we wouldn't be able to use our magic would we?" I enquired; Snape looked at me for a moment then finally answered.
"First of all Miss. Martin, this is Defence against the dark arts, not Defence against muggles" he told me, the whole classed laughed behind me.
"Second, why would you go to muggle London anyway?"
"It was just a ques…"
"Enough, everyone turn to page two hundred and one". I flipped to the page and raised my hand.
"What Miss. Martin"
"This is about centaurs sir, centaurs aren't evil" I stated.
"Would you like to come up and teach my class Miss. Martin?"
"No Professor" I replied. I heard the whispers spreading.
Why couldn't Skylie or Sonja pick this class as well?
"Then he said that centaurs were the most violent creatures in the wizarding world". I sat down with Sonja and Skylie on a grassy patch for lunch.
"Tay, its Prof. Snape your talking about, everything he says is right, so if you argue with him, he'll most likely take your grade down" Sonja told me seriously.
"Oh no now I'll get an E on my exam paper"
"Now you know why we never picked Defence against the dark arts" Skylie added, "you're a smart girl so Sonja and I both know you'll get an O" she said.
"I sure hope so".
Sonja gave me a quick pat on the back.
"I don't know what the sorting hat was thinking Daphne; you know I think she would have been better off in Hufflepuff". Sonja, Skylie and I walked into my dormitories to the sounds of giggles. I knew Pansy was talking about me again; I tried to ignore it as I went to fetch my broom.
I saw Ginger lying on my bed, sleeping. Sonja quickly went over to give her a pat, trying not to wake her.
When we came back down with my broom in hand. Pansy and Daphne were still sitting there. I noticed that Pansy had a black eye.
I nudged Skylie slightly. "Good job" I whispered laughing.
"What are you three laughing at?" Daphne asked turning to us.
"Oh nothing just admiring Pansy's eye" I replied, "now if you'll excuse us, were heading to the Quidditch pitch" I added walking out of dormitory door.
"Like we care!" I heard Pansy call.
"Ah, Tay I don't mean to pry but your not going to do this with actual bludgers are you?" Sonja asked as we walked onto the pitch.
"No don't worry I've already go this figured out, you two are going to throw this muggle soccer ball at me, as I fly around the pitch ok" I chucked the ball to Sonja.
"Ok" she replied.
"Now I know there not the same but I guess it'll work" I told them.
"Tay, how did you get a muggle ball into Hogwarts?" Skylie asked.
"Oh I summoned it from my place" I told her as I mounted my broom, Skylie just shrugged.
As I flew up I pulled my wand from my Slytherin robe pocket.
"Accio large tree branch" I pointed my wand to the tree branch which was on the ground, well I couldn't use a proper Beaters bat yet, I didn't have one.
I guess you could say Sonja, Skylie and myself, were out there for a few hours and we were doing pretty well, I deflected the soccer ball nine times out of ten.
I slowly descended to the ground.
"Tay, we reckon you've got this in the bag" Sky said as both Sonja and Skylie rapped their arms around me.
"Today's the day Ginger" I told my cat as I changed into my Quidditch robes.
"Meow"
"Well, today I tryout for the Quidditch team" I stated proudly.
"Meow"
"They'll have to let me on the team, but that's only if they have any baboons trying out also".
"Meow".
"Ok wish me luck" I said walking out the door.
"Tayla, you'll be the only girl out there" Skylie stated.
"I know Sky, but I'm not worried I'll just see what happens" I told her calmly.
"Ok it's your funeral".
"Malfoy look over there".
As Skylie and I made our way over, Blaise Zabini pointed to us and I could see Malfoy turn around.
"Martin, what a surprise, what do I owe the pleasure of your presence" Malfoy smirked.
"I'm here to try out for the team" I stated, with my hand placed on my hip.
The boys all started laughing as soon as my sentence had finished.
"Martin, this is no fashion parade, you better go back to your dorms, before you get hurt" Malfoy told me.
"Why won't you let another girl on the team Malfoy, I'm sure Millicent could use the company, or are you just scared" I smiled.
"Millicent is a Chaser not a Beater, besides a girl like you wouldn't be able to handle it" he chuckled.
"She can to" Skylie piped in, "she'd be able to kick your asses any day".
"Alright, Moss if your so keen, Martin can go first" Malfoy said.
"With pleasure" I smirked as I mounted my broom. This was going to be a long day.
"Your doing great Tay!" Skylie called from the stands. The boys kept throwing the bludgers in all different directions and I reversed each one, I could see the look on Malfoy's as my feet touched the ground.
"Have you eaten your words Malfoy?" I asked coyly
Malfoy chuckled as he walked up to me.
"I must say Martin, I'm surprised very surprised". I smiled up at him.
"Well, I think we have a new Beater" he stated. As I looked up at him, in shock I could see a different person, was this the same person who said I couldn't handle it? And was this the person who every one claims is a death eater? I wasn't quite sure.
"Thanks Malfoy" I told him.
"You better be worth ever knut Martin, our first game is tomorrow, Hufflepuff so its up to you and who ever else I pick to make sure we win is that understood" he stated seriously.
"But, I thought it was you who had to make sure we win, I mean you are Seeker after all" I told him.
"There's no need for your smart mouth Martin, now tomorrow don't be late" he said and then stalked off.
"Tay I knew you would make it!" Sonja said as we walked through the corridor.
"Yeah those boys aint got nothing on you" Skylie laughed.
"Do you have any clue of who the other Beater is yet?" Sonja asked.
"I don't know" I said honestly, "maybe either Grabbe or Goyle" I added matter of factly.
"Of course Malfoy would let either of those buffoons on" Sonja told us.
"But we know there's only one Beater he can trust" Skylie smiled.
Thursday.
"Sonja, I can't believe this is happening, what happens if we lose to Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff!!" I received a hand across my face.
"Tayla Martin, you'll do fine, who was the one saying they wanted this more then anything else in the world?" Sonja asked dramatically.
"I did" I mumbled.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that" Sonja said placing her hand to her ear.
"I did!" I said louder.
"That's the spirit, now come on Sky's saving me a good seat".
Breathe in. Breathe Out. I truly needed another slap in the face.
"Ladies and Gentleman, here's SLYTHERIN!" the slammed open and me and my team mates flew out. I could hear boos from the Hufflepuff's and cheers form the Slytherin's.
I looked down to see Malfoy, 'shaking' hands with Zacharias Smith.
"The quaffle is about to be released, and off it goes!" I heard the commentator call.
"The game is on". I watched on as Hufflepuff's and Slytherin's were flying around. I could see that Goyle was already sending the bludgers out.
"Ohh and there goes Susan Bones!"
One of Goyle's bludgers hit, Susan right it the mid section, I cringed grabbing my own stomach. I could see that Megan Jones was after Millicent, so I swooped down and sent the near by bludger onto her tale.
Half an hour into the game and Malfoy and Smith hadn't spotted the snitch.
"Today would be nice" I spoke as the Quaffle flew over my head. I had sent about to more bludgers until I heard.
"ZACHARIAS SMITH HAS SPOTTED THE SNITCH!!!".
'Come on Malfoy' I thought to myself. I think he must have heard my thoughts because two seconds later I saw him flying after Smith.
"Martin look out" I heard Goyle say, next I see is a bludger coming towards me.
"Ow, ow, ow!" I muttered as I opened my eyes, I looked around the room, to find myself in the Hospital Wing. I tried sitting up but it was too painful.
"You might want to lay back down Martin" I jumped a little.
"Ouch!"
"I didn't mean to frighten you". I turned my head to the right and I saw Malfoy sitting beside my bed.
"What are you doing here?" I asked dazed.
"I'm here to make sure that your own bludger didn't kill you" Malfoy stated sternly, I closed my eyes a little, my whole body hurt.
"You need to rest Martin, I'll leave you be" Malfoy said standing.
"Wait Malfoy, why do you care that that bludger it me?"
"I'm team captain, I need to take care of my team mates don't I?" he fired back, "the bludger hit you pretty hard, I didn't know whether you were dead so I bought you up here, Madam Pomfrey said you had a broken rib, but she cleared that up, she told me to let you rest, so I'll let you do that" he said, with what I thought was a smile.
"Thanks Malfoy, hey did we win?" I asked.
"You bet we did". With that he walked out the door.