Resident Closet Explorer

I

To Turn a Profit

"Miss Vanderkay," Rose Weasley's head jerked back at the sharp sound of Henrick Henwick's voice. It took her a second to remember she was sitting in Advanced History of Magic and another to realize that her Professor's tone was not directed at her. Shifting minutely in her seat, the red-head could see Belladonna Vanderkay, her thick dark hair covering her from scalp to butt in soft waves, with her face planted on a table.

"What's it?" came the groggy response as the black hair fell to reveal droopy hazel eyes and a red line approximately the size of a text book binding across an otherwise unmarred forehead.

"Care to join the class?" The edge of mocking in his voice was ruined by the redness of his face. Hufflepuff, his former house, was not always known for hiding emotion.

"Sure, sure," she murmured lazily, "What subject are we studying?"

"The House-elf revolt of 1930's Italy," he glowered a vibrant crimson, which Rose secretly compared to one of her curls. The same color. "The same topic we have been on for the better half of a month. This will be on the O.W.L.s."

"Right," Bella yawned largely, laying her head upon Bradley Christopher's shoulder. For his part, Bradley was stuck between looking smug at the beauty currently draped across his body and looking distraught at the glares he was receiving from his Professor. The rest of her apathetic reply was slightly muffled by his deltoid but distinctly sounded like, "Continue."

"Twenty points from Slytherin," Henwick's stinging reply caused Rose to flinch and adjust her green necktie. "For apparent lack of preparation for class. Maybe a bit more time sleeping and a bit less spent with fellows like our dear Mister Christopher and you might earn an O.W.L. or two."

Not even this insult roused Bella from her quiet dozing.

Ignoring everything in that general direction, the Professor continued class as if there had been no interruption. Soon, Albus, to her right, and Scorpius, to her left, answered three questions a piece earning thirty points for the House of Salazar and erasing the earlier blunder.

But as the class of fifth year Slytherins focused undivided attention on their previously peeved teacher, Rose couldn't help her blue eyes being drawn to her most colorful dorm mate. Belladonna Vanderkay was certainly a sight to behold. She had never in all the years of attendance and many detentions on the subject dressed in accordance with code. She wore the uniform of course but not necessarily up to par. Her white oxford was untucked, hanging haphazardly over her plaid green skirt, which was just a tad too short for Rose's taste, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a green tie loose in the collar. A bit of silver chain with dangling onyx hearts was draped about her waist. To complete the outfit, her legs were covered up to mid thigh in green and silver stripped stockings. No shoes or robes. Rose wasn't even sure of the reasoning behind that choice.

Bella's body sagged limply against Bradley in a distinct sleeping pattern except for the right hand which moved in slow scrawling movements across her green skirted lap. Rose leaned backward behind Scorpius to observe more closely. It appeared that Bella was writing on a parchment under the desk.

Class began to let out, startling the red head. Albus began gathering their books and notes (she would have to get his later). Scorpius took her bag, slinging it over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Bella leaned up to whisper into Bradley's ear. A rogue smile broke across his dark features before he ran from the room, tugging Bella by her tanned wrist. A scrap of parchment fluttered to the ground in their wake.

Rose waved off her male companions with a promise to catch up; slowly she crossed the class to look at the paper. It was written in Bella's handwriting and what was written was most peculiar. The ideal pen scratching was every answer to the questions Henwick asked.

What exactly was Belladonna playing at?

Dinner that evening was a rather boring affair. Albus sat blindfolded at Rose's right, not really eating anything as usual, sharpening his seeker skills by catching balls of paper she had enchanted to fly at him from different directions. Rose finished her third helping of pudding and leaned her shoulder against Scorpius, who smirked down at her ruefully.

"Spent most of the afternoon in that closet," the loud boasting of Bradley Christopher disturbed her peaceful moment. She could see him gesturing proudly to the shining emerald lip prints on his cheek. The obnoxious laughter of fifth and sixth year boys was grating on her nerves.

There were catcalls and wolf whistles as the topic of conversation strolled past the gathering of cavemen, with a wide smile and skewed stockings. Bella stopped for a brief but animated conversation with a group of older girls which resulted in her producing a small tube of purple lipstick to trade for one of the girl's coins. With a lingering smile, she continued on to the next group at the table, Rose's little trio.

Rose took in the other girl's appearance. Her shiny black curls were in a careful disarray around her olive toned face and rose tinged checks. The green speckled brown eyes were bright and sparkly. But, of all her features, what stood out clearest were her full lips which were painted Slytherin green, Bella's signature.

"Rose," Bella greeted warmly before launching into a sales pitch. "Care to buy a tube of Mark-Your-Man?" She raised a tube of crimson red lipshine as Rose raised an equally red eyebrow. "It comes in all eight house colors, purple passion, and tickle-me-pink. You can mark Scorpius as yours once and for all."

Scorpius stiffened under Rose's shoulder; she straightened as he tried to use his platinum locks to cover his pink cheeks and averted stony grey eyes. "Scorpius and I aren't together," Rose drawled in her "I'm a Slytherin and know how to use it" tone, her glacial blue glare fixed to Belladonna's face.

"Well then, perhaps a Broom Closet Directory," Bella smiled bright white teeth, bringing out a small parchment map with doorway lined in green, blue, and red. "All the broom closets in the castle. Green is empty, red occupied, and blue means a professor is close by. For quick snogs with random blokes between classes."

"Rose isn't that type of witch!" Scorpius's head snapped up with his roared statement. His hand smashed onto the table with a resounding smack.

"I still haven't quite gotten the charm to make it react sufficiently to prefects though," Bella continued as if not interrupted while Rose soothed Scorpius's abused hand between her own silently assuring him she wasn't offended.

"Bella, we are Prefects," Rose reminded her dorm mate sharply.

"Oh, then you won't mind the inferior model," the sales woman beamed.

"No, thank you," Rose replied curtly.

"Alright," still smiling, "Remember Resident Closet Explorer for all your dating and gift giving needs. I'm off to Gryffindor to see what young minds will think of my charming products."

"Stay away from my little brother," Scorpius said sternly. "The last thing I need is your products corrupting Serpitius."

At the sound of Serpitius's name Albus jerked his blindfold up and was hit squarely in the forehead with an enchanted ball.

"Oh, I'm not the one corrupting him," Bella's hazel gaze on Albus as she took her leave.

"What does that mean?" Scorpius ran a hand hurriedly through his messy hair.

"No idea," Rose attempted to distract him as Albus schooled his fierce Weasley blush.

Thanks to my muse and editor and personal sanity, Princess Padfoot! And the hilarious conversation in my bed that led to Henrick Henwick and his very un-Hufflepuff features.

Please blame her for most of the good ideas I have! Next chapter coming soon, as in as soon as I translate some sentences into Italian!

Thanks again for Reading and Reviewing (if you do, I will smile!)

Mini Moony

MM