Caoilfhionn's footsteps echoed around the damp, dimly lit corridor as she made her way through the dungeon and into Professor Snape's Defense Against The Dark Arts' classroom the next day. The damp air was pungent with the smell of earth and ancient dust which had built up over years of neglect in the corners of the hall. Caoilfhionn wrinkled her nose and entered the classroom. The classroom was lit by several naked flames dotted around the walls and a huge chandelier floating above. As usual no-one bothered to turn around to face her as she took her seat near the back and as usual, she preferred this. She relished in the little attention she received from her fellow Slytherins and enjoyed her own company. As an only child, Caoilfhionn had grown up learning to entertain herself and it was no different at Hogwarts. Although she had made some friends within her house, she liked the solitude and usually kept them at a distance. Besides, she was dangerous. It was better that way. Caoilfhionn had made a silent oath never to hurt anyone close to her again.
Across the room Draco Malfoy sat surrounded by his cronies. His friends were yet another example of why Caoilfhionn preferred to have none. Crabbe and Goyle sat either side of him like two enormous bad tempered body guards, casting small hexes at each other and roaring with laughter at the consequences. Pansy Parkinson leant away from Crabbe in disgust as several warts grew on the end of his nose. She grabbed the opportunity to sit closer to Draco who, oblivious to the fact that she was starving for his attention, was arguing with Blaise Zabini about something. The boys were glaring at each other and at one point Zabini reached for his wand but then seemingly decided against it. Caoilfhionn wondered what the feud was about.
As if on cue, the candle flames around the room suddenly flared up as a gust of wind provoked them caused by Professor Snape slamming opening the door. Many students sat up a little straighter as he swept past to stand behind the large oak desk at the front. Caoilfhionn unpacked her satchel, taking out a quill and a few pieces of parchment. She had been unsure at first about Snape's teaching methods when it came to the Dark Arts but became steadily impressed as he subtly glamorized the subject. Like most Slytherins, Caoilfhionn admired Professor Snape and interpreted his sarcastic manner as humorous and appreciated the way he managed to keep students quiet without effort.
"Get out something to make notes on," he said in a soft voice from the front and immediately the room was filled with the sound of Slytherin's searching their bags for equipment hastily. Snape flicked a strand of greasy black hair away from his face with the tip of his wand and with the same movement, several flames were extinguished including the large chandelier above their heads.
"We will be watching a short film on unforgivable curses," he drawled, "Greengrass you are in charge of the film. To the front."
Caoilfhionn watched as the girl reluctantly left her seat to stand beside the projector. With a sneer, Snape started to film and went to sit behind his desk as the lesson unfolded. The film that followed was long and dull and Caoilfhionn did her best to keep her eyes open. In her boredom, she looked around the classroom, stifling a yawn. Most of the students were half-heartedly making an effort to watch the clip but some had given up the pretense altogether. Tracey Davis and Theodore Nott were sitting together throwing paper balls at a few girls in front. Caoilfhionn covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile as one of their victims swiveled in her seat to accuse an innocent bystander who was left bemused by her sharp words. Millicent Bulstrode was doodling on her parchment in front and to her left, another student was fast asleep. Caoilfhionn considered this a brave but essentially stupid decision as once caught, she knew the mistake would result in immediate detention. Distracted by the antics of her classmates, Caoilfhionn had failed to notice the film draw to an end. Daphne Greengrass returned to her seat and the candles were re-lit by a quick flash of magic.
"Your homework is on the blackboard. Make a note of the essay question before you leave." Snape did not wait for his students to finish, instead he gathered his things and swept out of the classroom and own the corridor. Ignoring this strange behavior, Caoilfhionn took her time and left after everyone else. She was looking forward to a quiet weekend in.
The common room was quiet and mostly empty as she arrived. The crackling fire's warmth greeted her like and old friend and she dumped her schoolbag on the nearest table and turned towards her usual spot. To her dismay she found her chair by the window was already occupied by a scrawny second year. Her anger grew as she recognized the boy as one who often sat near her, obviously wanting to take her seat. Wasting no time, she swept towards him, her robes billowing around her in a frightening manner. As she approached the boy looked up and his once cocky expression became distorted with fear as he noted the anger in her eyes.
"Get out." She said simply yet threateningly. Caoilfhionn articulated each syllable with vengeance and took pleasure in the young boy's anxious expression. As soon as he had left, she sat down triumphantly and made herself comfortable.
"Nicely done," came a voice from behind her and Draco Malfoy stepped around her chair and crossed the room to sit with his friends. Caoilfhionn immediately reconsidered her actions. She glanced guiltily at the boy across the room who was lounging in another armchair and then back at Malfoy's retreating figure. His words of praise made her regret her sharp tone with the boy and guilt twisted in a painful knot in her stomach. Caoilfhionn knew she had a problem with her temper and sometimes had trouble controlling it. Fortunately she had been in a relatively good mood when she had told the boy to leave and somewhat tired but what if she hadn't? Would she have been able to manage her temper if she had had a bad day? It would only have taken a split second for her to reach her wand and move him by force. Caoilfhionn shuddered, worried by the capacity of her temper.
At home, her father often called her 'evil by nature' when he was in a nasty mood. She had grown up believing her father's accusations that it had been her who had killed her mother, a great witch, in cold blood. As a child, she had let her bad temper control her actions but since her mother's untimely death, she had been more guarded, fearful of a repeat of the horrible incident which caused her and her father so much pain. The jibe 'evil by nature' became a pet favourite of her fathers' and had recently been adopted by the Death Eaters and Caoilfhionn found her self control regularly tested by the group.
Suddenly a snippet of conversation pulled her out of her thoughts. She had heard her name mentioned from across the room. There was no mistaking it, her name was unique to the school.
"Nah, not invited. Probably because they just locked her dad away. Slughorn doesn't want to associate with anyone in trouble with the ministry. That's why Nott was left out." Replied Blaise Zabini in response to Pansy Parkinson's question.
"And Drake?" she asked, nodding at Draco Malfoy who was sitting a little way from them with Crabbe and Goyle.
"Busy," suggested Zabini but his tone of voice implied he knew more. Parkinson sat back in the sofa looking thoughtful. She was watching Malfoy with an admiring expression, one Caoilfhionn had grown to dislike. She thought the way the girl followed Draco around was pathetic, she would hate to think anyone had that much control over her. He Draco said jump, Pansy would have leapt ten feet in the air just to have him look at her. Unfortunately for Pansy however, Draco did not seem to return her feelings. In fact, he seemed to go to great lengths to avoid spending too much time with her. Recently, he had been hanging around with Crabbe and Goyle more than usual and evading quality time with his usual gang. Caoilfhionn wondered what it was he had been up to.
"Well, better get a move on. My date will be waiting," bragged Zabini, standing up and grabbing his cloak.
"With baited breath, I'm sure. Give her my condolences will you?" sneered Pansy, standing up also.
Blaise gave her a withering look before calling her goodbyes to the rest of his friends and departing through the secret exit. Caoilfhionn remembered the recent excitement expressed by some of the other Slytherins over the Slugclub party and supposed Zabini must have been invited. Sounded like a load of pretentious rubbish to her, but she reasoned that her opinion was probably largely influenced by the fact she wasn't invited. She was very surprised that Draco Malfoy had been left out. It was well known that he was an elite member of the school and Caoilfhionn wondered whether this was a sign of his family's influence beginning to fail after the recent imprisonment of his father.
However, just as Caoilfhionn was considering this, she witnessed Draco Malfoy leave his spot by the fire with haste and head towards the door. He was walking quickly, his eyes never leaving the exit. Without thinking, Caoilfhionn got up and followed him.