C H A P T E R T W O
SALAMANDERS
AND OTHER SUCH THINGS Marclay woke early that following morning, knowing she had many things ahead of her to do. She quickly dressed in her robes and placed her folded pajama's inside her trunk. She rummaged through the oak wood trunk and found her wand (Dragon Heartstring, Cedar, 13 inches) and the book, 'Transfiguring the Wildest Things,' needed for this years class with Professor McGonagall. Then she went down into the common room where she found few others scattered around readying themselves for the long day ahead of them.
Most of them were first years, eager to start their classes. The others were various years. She walked by Cho Chang and Terry Boot playing a game of Wizard's Chess, and watched as the black Queen broke down a white Bishop.
She tapped a brick upon the wall and it opened up, revealing the fifth floor hallway. She walked out and the Knight turned, closing the Ravenclaw common's door. She walked down the hall, going up two sets of stairs and down six. She hated that minor mistake Rowena Ravenclaw had made when placing Ravenclaw's common room in the place she had chosen. It was insane, more work then any of the other common rooms, she expected.
This thought dismissed itself from her mind though. Since it was her sixth year, she didn't mind it as much any more and had become use to the climb.
The dining hall was her destination and that was where she stopped. She walked inside the huge room and glanced at all of the tables. There were few students eating, for there were still hours until any classes started. But there were those few who had certain things they had to do before classes. She had to study for her two classes she would be having that day. That way, she knew she would be prepared for what lay ahead.
Because of this, Dumbledore had put a spell upon the tables to keep the food fresh and warm (where needed). All of the tables were full of food, so she made her way to her houses table. In between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, Gryffindor was across the room from her. There she saw many people eating and guessed they wanted to get an early catch on their studies for the year.
Sitting at the Ravenclaw table was Lisa Turpin eating with Padma Patil, both fifth years. She walked over at sat by the two of them and smiled.
"I see you two wanted to beat the breakfast breakout?"
"More then you could think." Padma responded, taking a bite of a cinnamon roll. "I'm trying to dodge Terry, he won't leave me alone."
"Terry sent her owls all summer. He likes her." Lisa explained to Marclay.
"More of being obsessed with me. I think the boy is utterly gross. Just because the both of us are chasers doesn't mean a thing to me." said Lisa, glaring at Padma.
"Whatever you say." Marclay said. She grinned at the two of them. She then scooped hashed potatoes on her plate and an egg. "Give him a chance. Blake told me he was going to be staying here for Christmas."
"As though I would care." Lisa said. Her eyes rolled in an odd fashion as she looked at Marclay. "The boy is obviously going to end up hurting himself."
"Or you." Padma laughed.
"Haha, very funny." Lisa said. "I'm done. I'll see you in Potions, Padma."
"Have it with Hufflepuff again?" Marclay asked, looking up at them as she took a swallow of her butter-beer.
"Always." Lisa said. She grinned and walked away, her plate instantly becoming the shining gold it had been before.
Marclay looked at Padma as she finished her last bite. "See you in awhile. I've got to study our books for this year before Snape drills me on everything I don't know."
"Don't worry, fifth years usually get it easier." Marclay responded. She was finishing off her potatoes then.
"You mean YOU get it easier. Being his niece always gets you out of his fun tests." Padma said, standing up. She turned and walked out of the dining room, leaving Marclay as the only Ravenclaw.
This made it easier for her to read up on her Transfiguration. She opened the book and started reading about the various different incantations she would be rehearsing throughout the year. She found one where she could turn an apple into a salamander and grinned.
A simple way to practice.
She grabbed one of the apples and put it in front of her on the table. "Asmodian Lovarius!" she chanted, swishing and flicking her wand.
She wasn't surprised when nothing happened, for usually on the first try nothing happened. She tried it again and the apple shook slightly, but nothing else happened. She kept on trying over and over again. Although, when nothing happened on her tenth time frustration began to cross her.
"ASMODIAN LOVARIUS!" she yelled, catching the attention of the surround students. A couple of them laughed shortly and then forgot the whole matter. She took in a deep breath. "Practice, don't give up, no matter what."
She then tried again. Boing. The apple shot up into the air and then fell upon the table. A few Slytherins snickered nearby and she let out another long sigh. She put the apple back where she had taken it and started eating her breakfast once more. As she finished a bite of orange pudding the Weasley twins came walking over, their mouths blacker then before.
"Hey Diggle, nice one." Fred said, sitting down beside her. A smirk was planted perfectly on his face as she swallowed the pudding. "I must admit no one's gotten us like that before."
"I, along with Fred, was very stunned. I cannot believe you of all people would try that on us." George chimed in, the same evil smirk on his face. He had sat down beside her on the opposite side and had his arm on the table. His finger tapped the hard wood carefully as he focused in on her.
Fred reached over and slapped the back of his head. ("OUCH!") "I thought you told me to do this?"
"Do what?" Marclay asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.
"We were wondering if you would mind telling us how you make your- what did you call them? Inkly's Drops?"
"Inkling Gummy Drops, but either way." she said. "You just put a hollow in them and inject ink inside. Butter-beer flavored ink- why?"
"Just curious." George replied. "Can we use it for our joke shop? It would be on of our joke candies."
"It's entirely up to you." Fred added.
"Sure." she responded. She knew why they had those played out looks on their faces now and it amused her. "I have no reason for using them any ways."
"Good." Fred said. "Now we have our eighth addition to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."
"Weasley's Wizard Whats?" Marclay asked, looking at them confused.
"Wheezes." George said. He pulled Fred out of his seat and yanked him away. "Thank you, be seeing you soon."
"Yes, be seeing you soon. If you think of anything else let us know. I'm sure we can use it!" Fred called out to her as George pulled him away from her table. "Why'd you do that? We could have gotten more things out of her you know."
"Oh hush your mouth. We'll get more ideas then her. We're doubled, remember?" George declared, just as they reached their own house table.
"Those two are far below their age level." Blake said, sitting across from Marclay at the table. "If only they realized they would be leaving Hogwarts in one year to join the real world. Their brothers were actually serious about their school work."
"They just like to have fun. Who can blame them?" Marclay questioned, raising an eyebrow at Blake. "By the way, hullo."
"Good morning." he said, looking towards the teachers table as Dumbledore sat down beside Professor Flitwick. "Now tell me, what were they talking to you about?"
"Not much." Marclay said. "They just wanted to know what to expect from my uncle this year. Everyone wants to know. Just like they ask the Jasc's if Dumbledore will be in charge again the following year."
"And what is the answer?" Blake asked.
"What it is every single time they ask. I'm not telling them. They can surprise themselves." Marclay said, watching him pick up an apple.
"It's best to study ahead so you're prepared instead of asking whoever you can."
"What were you studying?" Blake questioned. He was focused in on the book she had in front of her. "Transfiguration I take it?"
"That is my first class." Marclay said. "And personally I cannot wait until it starts. I need to ask McGonagall about the proper pronunciation on a spell."
"Which one would that be?" he asked, biting into the apple. Marclay looked away as he chewed, down at her book.
"This one here." she said. She looked up at him and then looked once more. "Blake?"
He wasn't where he had been, but his apple was on the table. She stood up and leaned over the table, thinking he was playing a trick on her. Then it dawned in her head that he wasn't the type. "Blake? Where are you?" she called, looking around.
It took her a moment, but she suddenly had a shock hit her. She looked at the apples and saw that the one she had been practicing on wasn't there anymore. "Not now! Please no!" she mumbled to herself, moving over the bench and hurrying around the table to where Blake had been.
Where he had been sitting, just like she had expected, lay a salamander. She picked him up and held him to her face. "Oh no! I've turned my boyfriend into a reptile!"
"What was that?" Professor Snape asked. He just happened to be walking by to the teachers table when she said it. She looked up at him surprised.
"Er- Uncle Severus," she said, forcing a small smile on her face. "I er- accidentally turned Blake into a er-"
"Out with it girl!" he demanded, keeping his voice low.
"Blake is now a-" she pushed the salamander out to her uncle's face, closing her eyes and turning her head.
"Serves the boy right. I always knew he was cold blooded." Professor Snape replied, taking the salamander out of her hand. "Do you realize what this could cost you. Let me take him up to Dumbledore. I'm sure he can help with it."
Professor Snape then walked past Marclay and towards Dumbledore. He turned halfway and looked at Marclay. "Well, aren't you coming girl?"
She still stood in the same exact position, as though she didn't want to see the damage she had caused. The truth was, she didn't want to know what Blake would do to her once he was himself once more. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with the entire Hufflepuff table looking at her strangely. She forced a smile at them and then turned and followed Professor Snape up to Dumbledore.
Once they reached him, Dumbledore looked at Marclay amused. "Well now, Miss Diggle. Your first act of humor. I was wondering when I would see someone of Snape's family become a prankster. Now, what shall we do to bring Mr. Underwood back to his regular self? Know any counter-spells for your little trick Miss Diggle?"
"No P-Professor Dumbledore." she said. "I didn't even realize I had put a spell on the apple. I was trying to transfigure it Sir. I didn't mean to, I swear I didn't."
"It's all right dear." Dumbledore assured. "You've just pulled a Weasley, nothing out of the ordinary. I just wish Professor McGonagall was here. She would know the exact counter-spell."
"I didn't want to pull a Weasley, I swear."
"She's absolutely right. No niece of mine would even think of associating with those sullied Weasleys. It is not of our nature." Professor Snape offered, his tone dry and dull. "She's too smart to actually try to pull something they would."
"Well, if I am correct Severus, your very own niece did already pull a Weasley this year. Just look at half of our students mouths, well only two because of her, and then ask her how it happened." Dumbledore stated, smiling gleefully at Professor Snape. "Although, I do think she was trying to catch those two boys off guard and that is exactly what she did."
"Did you Marclay?" Professor Snape asked, looking down at her with his cold eyes.
"Yes, It was just meant for them though. You know I would never pull a joke like that on so many students."
"She's exactly right." Professor Flitwick joined in.
"Now, as for Mr. Underwood. What will we do about you?" he asked, looking down at the green salamander. He stood up and brought his wand out from his robes. "Asmindio Levarin!"
The salamander suddenly started growing at a rapid pace and turned back into Blake. He was in the middle of the table, right in a pie.
Dumbledore started chuckling to himself and looked at the boy. "Now, if I do say, I love peach pie, but peach pie with a wizard's robes isn't very good."
"Seriously, Albus." Professor Snape said, looking sternly at the old man.
Blake looked around for a moment and then focused in on Marclay. A smile broke upon his face and he started chuckling himself. "Good one. I've never known you to actually think of something like that." He picked himself up off of the table and looked at his robes. His face got a disgusted look upon it and he looked over at Dumbledore. "Thank you for turning me back into myself, Sir."
"On the contrary, I must thank you for giving me a laugh." Dumbledore said, patting the boy on his shoulder. "Now, I suggest you go change out of those robes into some cleaner ones. I don't think many would find it attractive of you to be walking around with pie on your bottom."
"Yes, Sir." Blake said and walked out of the dining hall.
Marclay looked at Professors Snape and then Dumbledore. "I think I had better go, too." She then followed Blake's path out of the dining hall, making sure to grab her wand and book, of course. She quickly exited the doors and started up the main stairs to where she would go back up to the seventh floor. As she made it up to the second, she could hear sounds behind her, which caused her to stop and look down the stairs. Doing so, she spotted Fred and George running up after her.
"Brilliant, bloody brilliant!" Fred exclaimed. "I've never known anybody to actually pull such a trick on a Head Boy! Especially a girl like you! You're going to go down in history as the good girl that got expelled!"
"And that's something to be proud of?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest and looking down at them. "I almost risked my education and relationship with Blake. But I guess that I should have known from your example that it takes a lot more to get expelled."
"Are you saying we're trouble-makers?" George asked.
"That is exactly what I am saying." she declared.
"Well, I think it would take a lot less to just come out with it. Now, I was wondering how you figured that out so easily when it took the two of us six months to learn how to bewitch a treat." George said. "Then it took us another month to learn how to make it come undone within a few seconds. Of course, we know you haven't figured that out yet."
"How do you know that?" she asked.
"That's the thing, we don't." Fred said. "So, we want to know if you do."
"I don't." she replied, turning and going back up the stairs. "And even if I did I wouldn't tell you I did. Now, I was wondering, why do the two of you insist on bugging me? I have more important things to do then lolly-gag around with you."
"I needed to tell you, on behalf of Madam Hooch, we have a Quidditch meeting tomorrow after our midday class." George said. "In her classroom, like always."
"Like always? As though you would know, Weasley." Marclay said, turning to go up on the stairs going leading to the fifth floor. "Now I have things to do. If I must, I'll see you at dinner time."
George snickered to himself and headed down the stairs. Fred hurried after him, his evil smile showing.
She stopped dead on the sixth floor, hearing Fred and George's muffled voices. "She likes you, I know she does. Just think about how she looks at you." she heard one of the identical voices say, and unsure of which one she held her hand over her mouth to cover up a laugh.
"Yes, well, it's probably you she likes. No one can tell the difference between us two."
"She can, trust me."
"Yes, well, everyone knows YOU like her." one of them said, laughing. Then their voices faded to where she couldn't hear them to find out which liked her. She laughed, knowing she didn't like either of them- or did she? She shook her head and knocked the thought from her head, hurrying back into her normal pace.
Soon she found herself in front of the Knights and took out her wand.
"No need my dear, just the password this year."
She smiled at the Knight. He spoke rarely, yet whenever he did he rhymed. "Hickledot." she said, putting her wand back into her pocket.
"Good morning, Sir Linchton."
"Have a good day, Miss Marclay." he responded, swinging open to reveal the gap in the wall. She walked through it and into the common room. She hurried through, paying little or no attention to the people inside. She hurried up the spiral staircase to the room she shared with four other girls.
She walked inside to see Cho reading her own Transfiguration book. Marclay climbed into her four-poster and opened her book to the page she had left off on. She winced at the spell she had cast and went on reading, knowing never to disturb another Ravenclaw when they were studying.
Meanwhile, the Slytherin common room was busy as usual. Kellie and Bree were sitting on a couch, going over their Charms homework. Bree was discussing to Kellie the proper way to say a charm that would block a flying object, but Kellie wasn't listening. She was too worried about other things then Charms homework. Like the Dark Mark for example. Why had it been showing more and more lately? Was You-Know-Who getting stronger?
Kellie was also thinking about trying to be a better Slytherin. She often wondered why the Sorting hat put her in Slytherin to begin with! Sure, she was a pureblood like the rest of the Slytherins, but she didn't seem to have that nasty attitude like the others. Maybe she could spend more time with Draco and learn from him. He was her boyfriend after all, but she had been treating him horribly. At that moment she knew she had to make it up to him somehow.
"Kellie? Are you listening to me?" Bree asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah, continue," Kellie replied, immediately drowning out Bree's continuing explanation.
Before they knew it, it was lunch time and the Slytherins got up from their various spots in the room and left to go to the Great Hall. Kellie and Bree walked down together, passing other students on their way. They were seated on the far side of the room with the rest of the Slytherins. Kellie sat down next to Draco and Bree sat next to Kellie. Kellie immediately turned to Draco to talk to him.
"I've been thinking, Draco," she started.
"Really? About what? Is that hard for you to do?" he replied with a sly grin on his face. Kellie ignored his comment and continued.
"I know I haven't been the best person towards you, but I know I can be better. I did a lot of thinking upstairs in the common room and maybe you can show me how to be a better Slytherin?" Kellie suggested.
"You mean, you want me to SHOW you how to be a better Slytherin?" Draco asked.
Kellie just looked at him.
"Alright, I will. First lesson, no talking to Gryffindors, unless it's to make fun of them. Us purebloods don't want to get filthy by those Mudbloods. Take that Granger for example."
"Good, I hated Hermione anyways," Kellie said as the golden plates in front of them suddenly appeared to have steaming food on them.
Kellie smiled to herself and started eating. Perhaps this would be a good year after all. She pulled out her schedule from her pocket and placed it in front of her, studying it closely.
"Oh no! We've got Potions next with the Gryffindors!" Bree exclaimed, leaning over to look at the sheet of parchment.
"Yeah well, at least Snape favors us anyways. Besides, it quite fun to watch that Neville blow up stuff as usual!" Kellie exclaimed as her fellow Slytherins joined in a laugh.
"What do we have after Potions?" Draco asked.
"Transfiguration, again with the Gryffindors. But next is Defense Against the Dark Arts with Hufflepuffs so that shouldn't be bad!" Kellie explained.
Draco and Bree nodded and went back to eating. As Kellie chewed her food she looked around the Great Hall, eyes gazing and studying people. Her eyes fell on Harry seated at the Gryffindor table. He looked up and smiled at Kellie. Kellie didn't return it, but instead looked away and started talking to Draco who sneered at Harry. Harry frowned and continued eating, wondering what that was all about.
When they were finished eating, Kellie, Bree, and Draco went back up to their dormitories to get their books for their next classes. As they entered the Potions class, most of the Gryffindors were already there.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Mudblood, the Weasel and the famous orphan," Draco greeted Hermione, Ron, and Harry as Kellie, Bree, and the other Slytherins sniggered.
"Back off, Malfoy," Harry said, while Hermione held back Ron who looked ready to pounce on Draco for his Mudblood comment.
"Why should I?" Draco retorted as Kellie now stood next to him, arms folded across her chest and the same sneer as Draco plastered across her face.
Harry threw a dirty look at both Kellie and Draco before taking his seat and waiting for class to begin. Kellie, Draco, and the other Slytherins took their seats on the other side of the room as Professor Snape came bursting through the doors, ready to begin class.
"Today, we will be discussing some of the most deadly potions that could ever be created. To begin with, who can tell me what I would get if I mixed lizard tails, eyes of frogs, and the hair of a werewolf?"
Kellies hand flew up into the air before Hermione's. They both looked at each other as Professor Snape called on Kellie first.
"Yes, Miss Jasc?"
"I believe, Professor, that those ingredients would make a sleeping potion so strong that it would take years to wake up, if you ever do," Kellie answered.
"That is correct, Miss Jasc. 5 points to Slytherin."
Kellie smirked at Hermione, whose mouth was hanging open.
"Better close that mouth of yours, Granger. Unless you want to catch flies," Draco said as the Slytherins once again laughed along with him. Kellie could of sworn that Professor Snape was actually smiling himself.
Hermione immediately shut her mouth and the class went on.
As soon as Potions were done, Draco and Kellie headed off together to Transfiguration with professor McGonagall.
"Nice work back there, Draco!" Kellie exclaimed.
"Thanks, you weren't too bad yourself," Draco replied. "I think you're actually getting the hang of this!"
Kellie blushed at such a nice comment coming from him and they continued on their way down the corridor towards the Transfiguration class.
As professor McGonagall droned on and on about how to turn a quill into a lizard, Kellie put her face in her hands and sighed. The class was too boring. Professor McGonagall finally gave everyone quills to practice on, which was much more interesting than listening to her ramble on.
"Now, say these words and it should work for you if you do it properly and were paying attention," she said, looking at Kellie as she said the last part about paying attention. "Repeat after me, Quillious Lizardo!"
The class did as they were told and Professor McGonagall finally let them have a go at it on their own.
"Quillious Lizardo!" Kellie said as she swished her wand and the quill instantly turned into a lizard and started crawling across her desk. Kellie stared at it in amazement.
"Well done, Miss Jasc! 5 points to Slytherin!" McGonagall said with a smile on her face.
Kellie glanced at Hermione, who's quill had merely sprouted legs, and smirked once again. Hermione glared at her then turned her attention back to Professor McGonagall who had them take notes the rest of class.
Class was finally over and Kellie walked out feeling quite proud of herself. For once, she was answering questions first and doing things the right way. She had never been a good student, but had always had many friends. She was never a very confident student so this brightened her day in a very good way.
Bree came running down the hall shouting something Kellie couldn't understand. She turned around and came face to face with Bree.
"What? What is it?" Kellie asked.
"There's been an attack on some students," Bree said, her voice full of fright and worry. "It's really serious."
"Who?"
"There were three of them," Bree explained as they headed to their final class of the day. "One was Cho Chang, you know, the Ravenclaw."
"Cho Chang?" Kellie stopped and exclaimed.
"I think so. Another was Colin Creevy and the third I think was Ginny Weasley."
"Are they ok? How bad is it?"
"That's the thing that's weird. Cho and Colin passed out but when they woke up they don't remember anything!" Bree exclaimed.
"Ok, that's odd. But what about Ginny?" Kellie asked.
Bree's face fell and she looked at the ground. "They can't find her. She's disappeared. It's really scary."
Kellie began to think. Who would do this to some students? What was happening at Hogwarts? Obviously, it had to have been bad, because at that moment, Professor McGonagall came down the hall, face full of worry, telling everyone to go back to their dormitories. Kellie and Bree looked at each other an shrugged. They made their way back up to the Slytherin common room and sat down on a couch, still talking about the attacks.
One of the older Slytherins, Noah Alexander, came into the room.
"Have you found the girl yet?" Pansy Parkinson asked.
"No, but we're still looking," Noah replied.
"Do you think they'll cancel Quidditch?" Bree asked Kellie.
She shrugged and replied, "Probably. Unless Ginny turns up sometime soon. I wonder where she is?"
"I don't know. Do you reckon You-Know-Who has her?" Bree asked.
"Possibly. I heard he has been growing stronger and with the Dark Mark showing more and more, who knows where he is. He could be plotting his return right this very moment!" Kellie exclaimed.
"This is so not good," Bree said.
That night everyone was to have dinner in their dormitories as a safety precaution.
"Hey maybe if we get lucky, they'll cancel classes!" Draco exclaimed.
The Slytherins cheered. The thought of canceling classes definitely made them a bit happier.
"But what if he comes after us next?" Bree asked with a worried expression on her face.
"He won't. We're all pure-bloods and we all know that he goes after the Muggle-borns first." Kellie reassured her.
"But, Kellie, I am not a pure-blood," Bree whispered to her.
"You're not? I thought you were?" Kellie said.
"No, my mum's a witch but my dad's a Muggle. I'm not safe anymore, am I?"
"Don't be silly. Of course you are. And remember, Dumbledore's still around. As long as Dumbledore's around he won't hurt you."
"Yes, but he's already gotten to 3 students," Bree said glumly.
Kellie didn't know what to say to that.
After dinner was over, many students went to bed in high hopes that classes would be cancelled. Kellie climbed into her four-poster, saying goodnight to Bree, and pulled the curtains around her bed shut. She lay down and soon drifted to sleep, full of worry and concern for her friends.
SALAMANDERS
AND OTHER SUCH THINGS Marclay woke early that following morning, knowing she had many things ahead of her to do. She quickly dressed in her robes and placed her folded pajama's inside her trunk. She rummaged through the oak wood trunk and found her wand (Dragon Heartstring, Cedar, 13 inches) and the book, 'Transfiguring the Wildest Things,' needed for this years class with Professor McGonagall. Then she went down into the common room where she found few others scattered around readying themselves for the long day ahead of them.
Most of them were first years, eager to start their classes. The others were various years. She walked by Cho Chang and Terry Boot playing a game of Wizard's Chess, and watched as the black Queen broke down a white Bishop.
She tapped a brick upon the wall and it opened up, revealing the fifth floor hallway. She walked out and the Knight turned, closing the Ravenclaw common's door. She walked down the hall, going up two sets of stairs and down six. She hated that minor mistake Rowena Ravenclaw had made when placing Ravenclaw's common room in the place she had chosen. It was insane, more work then any of the other common rooms, she expected.
This thought dismissed itself from her mind though. Since it was her sixth year, she didn't mind it as much any more and had become use to the climb.
The dining hall was her destination and that was where she stopped. She walked inside the huge room and glanced at all of the tables. There were few students eating, for there were still hours until any classes started. But there were those few who had certain things they had to do before classes. She had to study for her two classes she would be having that day. That way, she knew she would be prepared for what lay ahead.
Because of this, Dumbledore had put a spell upon the tables to keep the food fresh and warm (where needed). All of the tables were full of food, so she made her way to her houses table. In between Slytherin and Hufflepuff, Gryffindor was across the room from her. There she saw many people eating and guessed they wanted to get an early catch on their studies for the year.
Sitting at the Ravenclaw table was Lisa Turpin eating with Padma Patil, both fifth years. She walked over at sat by the two of them and smiled.
"I see you two wanted to beat the breakfast breakout?"
"More then you could think." Padma responded, taking a bite of a cinnamon roll. "I'm trying to dodge Terry, he won't leave me alone."
"Terry sent her owls all summer. He likes her." Lisa explained to Marclay.
"More of being obsessed with me. I think the boy is utterly gross. Just because the both of us are chasers doesn't mean a thing to me." said Lisa, glaring at Padma.
"Whatever you say." Marclay said. She grinned at the two of them. She then scooped hashed potatoes on her plate and an egg. "Give him a chance. Blake told me he was going to be staying here for Christmas."
"As though I would care." Lisa said. Her eyes rolled in an odd fashion as she looked at Marclay. "The boy is obviously going to end up hurting himself."
"Or you." Padma laughed.
"Haha, very funny." Lisa said. "I'm done. I'll see you in Potions, Padma."
"Have it with Hufflepuff again?" Marclay asked, looking up at them as she took a swallow of her butter-beer.
"Always." Lisa said. She grinned and walked away, her plate instantly becoming the shining gold it had been before.
Marclay looked at Padma as she finished her last bite. "See you in awhile. I've got to study our books for this year before Snape drills me on everything I don't know."
"Don't worry, fifth years usually get it easier." Marclay responded. She was finishing off her potatoes then.
"You mean YOU get it easier. Being his niece always gets you out of his fun tests." Padma said, standing up. She turned and walked out of the dining room, leaving Marclay as the only Ravenclaw.
This made it easier for her to read up on her Transfiguration. She opened the book and started reading about the various different incantations she would be rehearsing throughout the year. She found one where she could turn an apple into a salamander and grinned.
A simple way to practice.
She grabbed one of the apples and put it in front of her on the table. "Asmodian Lovarius!" she chanted, swishing and flicking her wand.
She wasn't surprised when nothing happened, for usually on the first try nothing happened. She tried it again and the apple shook slightly, but nothing else happened. She kept on trying over and over again. Although, when nothing happened on her tenth time frustration began to cross her.
"ASMODIAN LOVARIUS!" she yelled, catching the attention of the surround students. A couple of them laughed shortly and then forgot the whole matter. She took in a deep breath. "Practice, don't give up, no matter what."
She then tried again. Boing. The apple shot up into the air and then fell upon the table. A few Slytherins snickered nearby and she let out another long sigh. She put the apple back where she had taken it and started eating her breakfast once more. As she finished a bite of orange pudding the Weasley twins came walking over, their mouths blacker then before.
"Hey Diggle, nice one." Fred said, sitting down beside her. A smirk was planted perfectly on his face as she swallowed the pudding. "I must admit no one's gotten us like that before."
"I, along with Fred, was very stunned. I cannot believe you of all people would try that on us." George chimed in, the same evil smirk on his face. He had sat down beside her on the opposite side and had his arm on the table. His finger tapped the hard wood carefully as he focused in on her.
Fred reached over and slapped the back of his head. ("OUCH!") "I thought you told me to do this?"
"Do what?" Marclay asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.
"We were wondering if you would mind telling us how you make your- what did you call them? Inkly's Drops?"
"Inkling Gummy Drops, but either way." she said. "You just put a hollow in them and inject ink inside. Butter-beer flavored ink- why?"
"Just curious." George replied. "Can we use it for our joke shop? It would be on of our joke candies."
"It's entirely up to you." Fred added.
"Sure." she responded. She knew why they had those played out looks on their faces now and it amused her. "I have no reason for using them any ways."
"Good." Fred said. "Now we have our eighth addition to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."
"Weasley's Wizard Whats?" Marclay asked, looking at them confused.
"Wheezes." George said. He pulled Fred out of his seat and yanked him away. "Thank you, be seeing you soon."
"Yes, be seeing you soon. If you think of anything else let us know. I'm sure we can use it!" Fred called out to her as George pulled him away from her table. "Why'd you do that? We could have gotten more things out of her you know."
"Oh hush your mouth. We'll get more ideas then her. We're doubled, remember?" George declared, just as they reached their own house table.
"Those two are far below their age level." Blake said, sitting across from Marclay at the table. "If only they realized they would be leaving Hogwarts in one year to join the real world. Their brothers were actually serious about their school work."
"They just like to have fun. Who can blame them?" Marclay questioned, raising an eyebrow at Blake. "By the way, hullo."
"Good morning." he said, looking towards the teachers table as Dumbledore sat down beside Professor Flitwick. "Now tell me, what were they talking to you about?"
"Not much." Marclay said. "They just wanted to know what to expect from my uncle this year. Everyone wants to know. Just like they ask the Jasc's if Dumbledore will be in charge again the following year."
"And what is the answer?" Blake asked.
"What it is every single time they ask. I'm not telling them. They can surprise themselves." Marclay said, watching him pick up an apple.
"It's best to study ahead so you're prepared instead of asking whoever you can."
"What were you studying?" Blake questioned. He was focused in on the book she had in front of her. "Transfiguration I take it?"
"That is my first class." Marclay said. "And personally I cannot wait until it starts. I need to ask McGonagall about the proper pronunciation on a spell."
"Which one would that be?" he asked, biting into the apple. Marclay looked away as he chewed, down at her book.
"This one here." she said. She looked up at him and then looked once more. "Blake?"
He wasn't where he had been, but his apple was on the table. She stood up and leaned over the table, thinking he was playing a trick on her. Then it dawned in her head that he wasn't the type. "Blake? Where are you?" she called, looking around.
It took her a moment, but she suddenly had a shock hit her. She looked at the apples and saw that the one she had been practicing on wasn't there anymore. "Not now! Please no!" she mumbled to herself, moving over the bench and hurrying around the table to where Blake had been.
Where he had been sitting, just like she had expected, lay a salamander. She picked him up and held him to her face. "Oh no! I've turned my boyfriend into a reptile!"
"What was that?" Professor Snape asked. He just happened to be walking by to the teachers table when she said it. She looked up at him surprised.
"Er- Uncle Severus," she said, forcing a small smile on her face. "I er- accidentally turned Blake into a er-"
"Out with it girl!" he demanded, keeping his voice low.
"Blake is now a-" she pushed the salamander out to her uncle's face, closing her eyes and turning her head.
"Serves the boy right. I always knew he was cold blooded." Professor Snape replied, taking the salamander out of her hand. "Do you realize what this could cost you. Let me take him up to Dumbledore. I'm sure he can help with it."
Professor Snape then walked past Marclay and towards Dumbledore. He turned halfway and looked at Marclay. "Well, aren't you coming girl?"
She still stood in the same exact position, as though she didn't want to see the damage she had caused. The truth was, she didn't want to know what Blake would do to her once he was himself once more. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with the entire Hufflepuff table looking at her strangely. She forced a smile at them and then turned and followed Professor Snape up to Dumbledore.
Once they reached him, Dumbledore looked at Marclay amused. "Well now, Miss Diggle. Your first act of humor. I was wondering when I would see someone of Snape's family become a prankster. Now, what shall we do to bring Mr. Underwood back to his regular self? Know any counter-spells for your little trick Miss Diggle?"
"No P-Professor Dumbledore." she said. "I didn't even realize I had put a spell on the apple. I was trying to transfigure it Sir. I didn't mean to, I swear I didn't."
"It's all right dear." Dumbledore assured. "You've just pulled a Weasley, nothing out of the ordinary. I just wish Professor McGonagall was here. She would know the exact counter-spell."
"I didn't want to pull a Weasley, I swear."
"She's absolutely right. No niece of mine would even think of associating with those sullied Weasleys. It is not of our nature." Professor Snape offered, his tone dry and dull. "She's too smart to actually try to pull something they would."
"Well, if I am correct Severus, your very own niece did already pull a Weasley this year. Just look at half of our students mouths, well only two because of her, and then ask her how it happened." Dumbledore stated, smiling gleefully at Professor Snape. "Although, I do think she was trying to catch those two boys off guard and that is exactly what she did."
"Did you Marclay?" Professor Snape asked, looking down at her with his cold eyes.
"Yes, It was just meant for them though. You know I would never pull a joke like that on so many students."
"She's exactly right." Professor Flitwick joined in.
"Now, as for Mr. Underwood. What will we do about you?" he asked, looking down at the green salamander. He stood up and brought his wand out from his robes. "Asmindio Levarin!"
The salamander suddenly started growing at a rapid pace and turned back into Blake. He was in the middle of the table, right in a pie.
Dumbledore started chuckling to himself and looked at the boy. "Now, if I do say, I love peach pie, but peach pie with a wizard's robes isn't very good."
"Seriously, Albus." Professor Snape said, looking sternly at the old man.
Blake looked around for a moment and then focused in on Marclay. A smile broke upon his face and he started chuckling himself. "Good one. I've never known you to actually think of something like that." He picked himself up off of the table and looked at his robes. His face got a disgusted look upon it and he looked over at Dumbledore. "Thank you for turning me back into myself, Sir."
"On the contrary, I must thank you for giving me a laugh." Dumbledore said, patting the boy on his shoulder. "Now, I suggest you go change out of those robes into some cleaner ones. I don't think many would find it attractive of you to be walking around with pie on your bottom."
"Yes, Sir." Blake said and walked out of the dining hall.
Marclay looked at Professors Snape and then Dumbledore. "I think I had better go, too." She then followed Blake's path out of the dining hall, making sure to grab her wand and book, of course. She quickly exited the doors and started up the main stairs to where she would go back up to the seventh floor. As she made it up to the second, she could hear sounds behind her, which caused her to stop and look down the stairs. Doing so, she spotted Fred and George running up after her.
"Brilliant, bloody brilliant!" Fred exclaimed. "I've never known anybody to actually pull such a trick on a Head Boy! Especially a girl like you! You're going to go down in history as the good girl that got expelled!"
"And that's something to be proud of?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest and looking down at them. "I almost risked my education and relationship with Blake. But I guess that I should have known from your example that it takes a lot more to get expelled."
"Are you saying we're trouble-makers?" George asked.
"That is exactly what I am saying." she declared.
"Well, I think it would take a lot less to just come out with it. Now, I was wondering how you figured that out so easily when it took the two of us six months to learn how to bewitch a treat." George said. "Then it took us another month to learn how to make it come undone within a few seconds. Of course, we know you haven't figured that out yet."
"How do you know that?" she asked.
"That's the thing, we don't." Fred said. "So, we want to know if you do."
"I don't." she replied, turning and going back up the stairs. "And even if I did I wouldn't tell you I did. Now, I was wondering, why do the two of you insist on bugging me? I have more important things to do then lolly-gag around with you."
"I needed to tell you, on behalf of Madam Hooch, we have a Quidditch meeting tomorrow after our midday class." George said. "In her classroom, like always."
"Like always? As though you would know, Weasley." Marclay said, turning to go up on the stairs going leading to the fifth floor. "Now I have things to do. If I must, I'll see you at dinner time."
George snickered to himself and headed down the stairs. Fred hurried after him, his evil smile showing.
She stopped dead on the sixth floor, hearing Fred and George's muffled voices. "She likes you, I know she does. Just think about how she looks at you." she heard one of the identical voices say, and unsure of which one she held her hand over her mouth to cover up a laugh.
"Yes, well, it's probably you she likes. No one can tell the difference between us two."
"She can, trust me."
"Yes, well, everyone knows YOU like her." one of them said, laughing. Then their voices faded to where she couldn't hear them to find out which liked her. She laughed, knowing she didn't like either of them- or did she? She shook her head and knocked the thought from her head, hurrying back into her normal pace.
Soon she found herself in front of the Knights and took out her wand.
"No need my dear, just the password this year."
She smiled at the Knight. He spoke rarely, yet whenever he did he rhymed. "Hickledot." she said, putting her wand back into her pocket.
"Good morning, Sir Linchton."
"Have a good day, Miss Marclay." he responded, swinging open to reveal the gap in the wall. She walked through it and into the common room. She hurried through, paying little or no attention to the people inside. She hurried up the spiral staircase to the room she shared with four other girls.
She walked inside to see Cho reading her own Transfiguration book. Marclay climbed into her four-poster and opened her book to the page she had left off on. She winced at the spell she had cast and went on reading, knowing never to disturb another Ravenclaw when they were studying.
Meanwhile, the Slytherin common room was busy as usual. Kellie and Bree were sitting on a couch, going over their Charms homework. Bree was discussing to Kellie the proper way to say a charm that would block a flying object, but Kellie wasn't listening. She was too worried about other things then Charms homework. Like the Dark Mark for example. Why had it been showing more and more lately? Was You-Know-Who getting stronger?
Kellie was also thinking about trying to be a better Slytherin. She often wondered why the Sorting hat put her in Slytherin to begin with! Sure, she was a pureblood like the rest of the Slytherins, but she didn't seem to have that nasty attitude like the others. Maybe she could spend more time with Draco and learn from him. He was her boyfriend after all, but she had been treating him horribly. At that moment she knew she had to make it up to him somehow.
"Kellie? Are you listening to me?" Bree asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah, continue," Kellie replied, immediately drowning out Bree's continuing explanation.
Before they knew it, it was lunch time and the Slytherins got up from their various spots in the room and left to go to the Great Hall. Kellie and Bree walked down together, passing other students on their way. They were seated on the far side of the room with the rest of the Slytherins. Kellie sat down next to Draco and Bree sat next to Kellie. Kellie immediately turned to Draco to talk to him.
"I've been thinking, Draco," she started.
"Really? About what? Is that hard for you to do?" he replied with a sly grin on his face. Kellie ignored his comment and continued.
"I know I haven't been the best person towards you, but I know I can be better. I did a lot of thinking upstairs in the common room and maybe you can show me how to be a better Slytherin?" Kellie suggested.
"You mean, you want me to SHOW you how to be a better Slytherin?" Draco asked.
Kellie just looked at him.
"Alright, I will. First lesson, no talking to Gryffindors, unless it's to make fun of them. Us purebloods don't want to get filthy by those Mudbloods. Take that Granger for example."
"Good, I hated Hermione anyways," Kellie said as the golden plates in front of them suddenly appeared to have steaming food on them.
Kellie smiled to herself and started eating. Perhaps this would be a good year after all. She pulled out her schedule from her pocket and placed it in front of her, studying it closely.
"Oh no! We've got Potions next with the Gryffindors!" Bree exclaimed, leaning over to look at the sheet of parchment.
"Yeah well, at least Snape favors us anyways. Besides, it quite fun to watch that Neville blow up stuff as usual!" Kellie exclaimed as her fellow Slytherins joined in a laugh.
"What do we have after Potions?" Draco asked.
"Transfiguration, again with the Gryffindors. But next is Defense Against the Dark Arts with Hufflepuffs so that shouldn't be bad!" Kellie explained.
Draco and Bree nodded and went back to eating. As Kellie chewed her food she looked around the Great Hall, eyes gazing and studying people. Her eyes fell on Harry seated at the Gryffindor table. He looked up and smiled at Kellie. Kellie didn't return it, but instead looked away and started talking to Draco who sneered at Harry. Harry frowned and continued eating, wondering what that was all about.
When they were finished eating, Kellie, Bree, and Draco went back up to their dormitories to get their books for their next classes. As they entered the Potions class, most of the Gryffindors were already there.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Mudblood, the Weasel and the famous orphan," Draco greeted Hermione, Ron, and Harry as Kellie, Bree, and the other Slytherins sniggered.
"Back off, Malfoy," Harry said, while Hermione held back Ron who looked ready to pounce on Draco for his Mudblood comment.
"Why should I?" Draco retorted as Kellie now stood next to him, arms folded across her chest and the same sneer as Draco plastered across her face.
Harry threw a dirty look at both Kellie and Draco before taking his seat and waiting for class to begin. Kellie, Draco, and the other Slytherins took their seats on the other side of the room as Professor Snape came bursting through the doors, ready to begin class.
"Today, we will be discussing some of the most deadly potions that could ever be created. To begin with, who can tell me what I would get if I mixed lizard tails, eyes of frogs, and the hair of a werewolf?"
Kellies hand flew up into the air before Hermione's. They both looked at each other as Professor Snape called on Kellie first.
"Yes, Miss Jasc?"
"I believe, Professor, that those ingredients would make a sleeping potion so strong that it would take years to wake up, if you ever do," Kellie answered.
"That is correct, Miss Jasc. 5 points to Slytherin."
Kellie smirked at Hermione, whose mouth was hanging open.
"Better close that mouth of yours, Granger. Unless you want to catch flies," Draco said as the Slytherins once again laughed along with him. Kellie could of sworn that Professor Snape was actually smiling himself.
Hermione immediately shut her mouth and the class went on.
As soon as Potions were done, Draco and Kellie headed off together to Transfiguration with professor McGonagall.
"Nice work back there, Draco!" Kellie exclaimed.
"Thanks, you weren't too bad yourself," Draco replied. "I think you're actually getting the hang of this!"
Kellie blushed at such a nice comment coming from him and they continued on their way down the corridor towards the Transfiguration class.
As professor McGonagall droned on and on about how to turn a quill into a lizard, Kellie put her face in her hands and sighed. The class was too boring. Professor McGonagall finally gave everyone quills to practice on, which was much more interesting than listening to her ramble on.
"Now, say these words and it should work for you if you do it properly and were paying attention," she said, looking at Kellie as she said the last part about paying attention. "Repeat after me, Quillious Lizardo!"
The class did as they were told and Professor McGonagall finally let them have a go at it on their own.
"Quillious Lizardo!" Kellie said as she swished her wand and the quill instantly turned into a lizard and started crawling across her desk. Kellie stared at it in amazement.
"Well done, Miss Jasc! 5 points to Slytherin!" McGonagall said with a smile on her face.
Kellie glanced at Hermione, who's quill had merely sprouted legs, and smirked once again. Hermione glared at her then turned her attention back to Professor McGonagall who had them take notes the rest of class.
Class was finally over and Kellie walked out feeling quite proud of herself. For once, she was answering questions first and doing things the right way. She had never been a good student, but had always had many friends. She was never a very confident student so this brightened her day in a very good way.
Bree came running down the hall shouting something Kellie couldn't understand. She turned around and came face to face with Bree.
"What? What is it?" Kellie asked.
"There's been an attack on some students," Bree said, her voice full of fright and worry. "It's really serious."
"Who?"
"There were three of them," Bree explained as they headed to their final class of the day. "One was Cho Chang, you know, the Ravenclaw."
"Cho Chang?" Kellie stopped and exclaimed.
"I think so. Another was Colin Creevy and the third I think was Ginny Weasley."
"Are they ok? How bad is it?"
"That's the thing that's weird. Cho and Colin passed out but when they woke up they don't remember anything!" Bree exclaimed.
"Ok, that's odd. But what about Ginny?" Kellie asked.
Bree's face fell and she looked at the ground. "They can't find her. She's disappeared. It's really scary."
Kellie began to think. Who would do this to some students? What was happening at Hogwarts? Obviously, it had to have been bad, because at that moment, Professor McGonagall came down the hall, face full of worry, telling everyone to go back to their dormitories. Kellie and Bree looked at each other an shrugged. They made their way back up to the Slytherin common room and sat down on a couch, still talking about the attacks.
One of the older Slytherins, Noah Alexander, came into the room.
"Have you found the girl yet?" Pansy Parkinson asked.
"No, but we're still looking," Noah replied.
"Do you think they'll cancel Quidditch?" Bree asked Kellie.
She shrugged and replied, "Probably. Unless Ginny turns up sometime soon. I wonder where she is?"
"I don't know. Do you reckon You-Know-Who has her?" Bree asked.
"Possibly. I heard he has been growing stronger and with the Dark Mark showing more and more, who knows where he is. He could be plotting his return right this very moment!" Kellie exclaimed.
"This is so not good," Bree said.
That night everyone was to have dinner in their dormitories as a safety precaution.
"Hey maybe if we get lucky, they'll cancel classes!" Draco exclaimed.
The Slytherins cheered. The thought of canceling classes definitely made them a bit happier.
"But what if he comes after us next?" Bree asked with a worried expression on her face.
"He won't. We're all pure-bloods and we all know that he goes after the Muggle-borns first." Kellie reassured her.
"But, Kellie, I am not a pure-blood," Bree whispered to her.
"You're not? I thought you were?" Kellie said.
"No, my mum's a witch but my dad's a Muggle. I'm not safe anymore, am I?"
"Don't be silly. Of course you are. And remember, Dumbledore's still around. As long as Dumbledore's around he won't hurt you."
"Yes, but he's already gotten to 3 students," Bree said glumly.
Kellie didn't know what to say to that.
After dinner was over, many students went to bed in high hopes that classes would be cancelled. Kellie climbed into her four-poster, saying goodnight to Bree, and pulled the curtains around her bed shut. She lay down and soon drifted to sleep, full of worry and concern for her friends.