(Disclaimer: I own nada of Harry Potter)

Chapter 2: Spiking My Interest


The morning sun lingered for longer than Victoria would prefer. Rolling over on her side and releasing a weary groan, she forced her eyes open as the light beamed across her face. She silently cursed whoever drew the curtains around the dormitory. It took her a while to muster up the will power to get up from her bed, but she managed to roll back over and release her bed spread. Upon throwing the blankets off her heart took a solid leap as her pulse raised rapidly.

"What the actual fuck are you doing in my bed?" Victoria cried out startled as she clutched her chest.

Lavender was sitting upright on the bed, her legs crossed and her hands in her lap, as if she was minding her own business… on somebody else's bed. "The usual- waiting for you to wake up."

"Damnit Lav, you nearly gave me a heart attack."

Lavender smiled playfully as she grabbed one of Victoria's arms and pressed two fingers on her wrist, checking her pulse. "Still alive…"

"And you'll be dead if you ever do that again." She quickly released herself from her comfortable position, well it was before she noticed an intruder in her bed… then hurried off towards the girl's bathroom to wash up. Her bare feet smacked against the tile floor lightly as she undressed herself on her way to the showers.

She slipped her hand towards the knob and turned on the warm water, eventually sliding herself between the curtain and allowing the full force of the shower to fountain over her body. The lukewarm temperature felt pleasant on her bare skin, and soothed her heart to a calm pulse. As she washed out the shampoo in her hair, she looked up into the faucet, allowing the shower to rain down her neck and slick he hair back.

It was one of those days she'd rather stay in the warmth of her shower, than actually get out and do something. Fighting the urge to stay for another fifteen minutes, she turned the shower off and wrapped herself in a large white towel.

When she returned to the dormitory, Lavender was already dressed in her Gryffindor uniform, sitting on the floor towards the large floor mirror braiding her strawberry blonde hair. Victoria passed Lavender in the mirror and she looked back smiling playfully.

"Look at you good-looking." Lavender said as she tied her braid off and stood up.

"Please, don't make me blush." Victoria replied exaggeratedly while fluttering her eyelashes.

Lavender traveled around the room and sat on Victoria's bed, throwing a uniform skirt on the covers. "Gonna be a good day today."

"Yea? Why's that?" Victoria asked as she clasped her bra and slipped on her skirt.

"Because…. We've got Divination today." Lavender practically squealed with excitement, while Victoria groaned in disappointment.

"Hell, that class is so pointless."

"Woah, definitely not pointless."

"Yea? 90 percent of her predictions are deaths that have yet to occur…"

Lavender sat up from the bed looking a bit hurt, "Fine, just wait- I'll have predicted our deaths and help us prevent them."

"Isn't the point of prediction is that it will come true no matter what?"

Lavender puffed out her chest and grabbed the white towel Victoria left on the floor, twisting it loosely and whacking it against Victoria's legs.

"Ow! Hey- hey! Lav- stop!" Victoria yelled as she ran in circles around the dormitory.


The two descended the steep steps down the grounds towards Hagrid's hut that perched itself at the edge of the forbidden forest. The two formed a small group with the other awaiting Gryffindor's and Slytherin's, forming a half moon circle around an unfamiliar face.

"Who's that?" Victoria whispered to Lavender, though her mate just shrugged in confusion.

The woman looked around the group and smiled down at the students. Her tall brown hat pointed directly towards the sky, her large brown and green robes draped over her like a tent, and her wand still in her hand, the wood twisted in odd curves and angles. She clapped her hands together softly, "Good! You're all here! I am your Care for Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Grubbly-Plank."

"Excuse me, Professor…" Victoria called out.

Grubbly-Plank acknowledged her and raised her eyebrows upon question.

"Do you happen to know where Hagrid is?"

Yet once the question was spat out, she turned away from it. "Well now, I've got a special lesson set up for toady… I know you've all left off by forbidden forest creatures, and well- I've decided to arrange a special activity." Professor Grubbly-Plank beamed at the students as she walked behind the hut and appeared within moments holding a thick reign made of rope, leading a beautiful white mare towards the students. It's long silver white hair swayed brilliantly over its short haired body, creating ripples of ivory glister as it trotted its way forward. Upon getting closer to the white mare, Victoria was surprised to see a thin, glittering silver horn sitting at the base of its skull. Everybody stared mesmerized at the beautiful beast as it kicked its head back lightly, causing its hair to flow more brilliantly than before.

"Now, they only really like the women's touch… so I'll have to ask the boys to sit this one out… but the girls may come here and pet the creature." Professor Grubbly-Plank stated as she ran her hand down the long nose of the unicorn.

Lavender pulled on Victoria's dress shirt, her eyes glazed with a hazy glare at the creature. "Let's pet it!" She took off towards the unicorn, raising her arm eagerly to get close to the animal.

A few moments later, Victoria could feel a light presence stop beside her. "Why aren't you out there with your foolish friend?"

Victoria turned to notice Draco Malfoy standing beside her with his arms across his chest, his eyes forward on the group of classmates petting the unicorn.

"Sorry? I was under the impression your friends were just as thickheaded as the next guy. Have you actually spent time with Crabbe?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"At least I don't waste my time with mudbloods." He said as casually as it could sound coming from him.

"Excuse me?" She had turned to completely face Draco, her eyebrows pushed together taken back by the sudden comment.

"You heard me. Sad to see a pureblood go to waste." Victoria watched as his clearly defined jaw turned from view while his eyes met hers in an odd cold connection. "I suppose you're not all to blame. Our kind has been dirtying up our blood for years."

Victoria's jaw clenched as adrenaline pulsed through her veins; she outstretched her arms and pushed him back, hard. He nearly lost balance with the sudden movement, and the group of Slytherin's standing behind him trailed to the two. Most of their wands were out and pointing at Victoria, while Draco looked amused with himself.

"What do you think you're doing, McKinnon?" Pansy narrowed her eyes.

"Why is it whenever Malfoy and I have things to settle- you come along. Are you his pet?" Victoria commented pertly.

Pansy took a few steps forward, her face etched with annoyance as she looked into Victoria's grey eyes, her wand still and pointing upward at the little defiant black haired girls chin. "Watch it." She spat grimly.

"Quite the scene you're making, Malfoy." A familiar voice taunted.

Pansy looked up from their locked eyes and Victoria trailed her glower to a tall boy in his Gryffindor uniform, his hair just as untidy as the first time she saw him, and his round spectacles reflecting her surprised gaze.

"Well this is new. Potter and McKinnon?" Draco laughed disdainfully with his Slytherin group.

"Don't you have anything better to do than to pick fights in the middle of class?"

"Maybe you should keep this rebellious one of yours on a leash then?" Pansy said poking Victoria in the chest with her wand.

"Do you always mask insults with humor?" Victoria's whimsical tone pushed Pansy off the edge as she pushed on Victoria's shoulder, causing her to retaliate. Draco stepped in with his wand out, though Harry was quick to get in the middle. His outstretched arm separated the two fighting girls, and the other stopped Draco from moving any closer.

It was odd to think this sort of thing right now, but Victoria could smell the bold blend of alpine air and smooth suede emanate off Harry's body. Her eyes trailed up his figure, she couldn't deny he looked fit; probably from all those years he played quidditch. His carved jawline contoured his face brilliantly; and suddenly she found herself shaking her head from the thoughts. Quickly the world around her repainted itself as she noticed Pansy lowering her wand and taking a few steps back. The group of Slytherin's shifted off and Harry lowered his arms. What had happened?

Victoria watched Harry closely till his head turned to meet her eyes. Carefully she darted her gaze elsewhere, but couldn't help but to return to his face; which formed a smile.

"What?"

He smirked, "Didn't even reach for your wand."

Victoria shifted her hand to the band of her skirt, where her Burmese blackwood wand stayed securely attached to her hip. "Yea… well… some battles don't require magic to win." She shrugged uncomfortably as the two stood there, his eyes analyzing her interestingly. "What is it?"

"Nothing, you just remind me of someone."

"A girlfriend perhaps?" Victoria teased, though the words sounded better in her head than coming out from her lips.

Harry shook his head rubbing underneath his chin, "No… Not sure what it is."

Victoria stared at him blankly. She had met plenty of new people throughout her years of Hogwarts, but she reckons this is the first time she actually met someone quite interesting; and that was setting aside all the 'boy who lived' crap she'd hear day in and day out from students and the newspapers. She wasn't sure if most people did, but she couldn't help but not think of Voldemort when he appeared around her. He was quite amusing even without the entire school wondering if he was the heir of Slytherin (which Victoria never believed anyway).

Lavender appeared at her side clutched at her arm, "Woo! Time for Divination."

Victoria groaned as the two turned towards the castle, looking back at Harry who was now accompanied by Hermione and sending a short-lived grin. He raked his fingers through his hair and raised an eyebrow evoking interest.

Something Victoria hated more than Divination, was the trip to the actual classroom. It was on the complete other side of the castle, requiring a trip to the north tower which included a dozen stairs… then a bloody trap door she had to yank down and climb up through by a ladder. The only thing she enjoyed was being able to sit on the large rounded cushions the professor provided as seating areas for the students. The two scanned the room; the floors were covered in small sectional maroon and blue carpets, massive light cancelling wine coloured drapes hung from the windows and the ceiling. Small round tables were perched along each floor level of the room, with a clear crystal ball in the middle.

"Over there!" Lavender said as she pointed towards the back of the room.

There sat a girl, skinny with long wavy dirty blonde hair and large (and weird in Victoria's opinion) dirigible plum-shaped earrings. She was looking out the window that shined light on her pale face, giving her a natural highlight that made her look more appealing from the view.

The girls walked up to her, taking their seats at the small round table. "Hey Luna, how've you been?" Victoria asked as she set aside her bag.

Luna turned her head, her eyes calm and hazy. "I suppose I've been alright."

Luna Lovegood… there was much to say about Luna Lovegood; most of which would be snide comments from students who didn't really know her like Victoria did. The two met in second year after charms class; Victoria caught a few Slytherin boys calling her 'Loony Lovegood' and laughing at their cruelty, so she decided to step in and well… fight it out like she normally did. She'd been meaning to try out a new hex she'd learn from Fred and George anyways, so all in all, the entire situation played out in a satisfying way as the two boys ran off covering their large growing ears, and unstoppable drooling mouths. They'd been mates ever since.

Lavender hurried to get her textbook out, 'Unfogging The Future'. Victoria snorted silently at the title; such a stupid name.

"How's your father doing?" Victoria asked.

Luna smiled delightedly on the subject," Father's great! He's come up with an amazing new story for the Quibbler. Proud of him, really."

"Yea? What story?" Lavender said in disbelief.

Though Victoria and Lavender were Luna's good friends, they didn't necessarily believe in everything she believed. For instance, Nargles… an extinct creature that infest mistletoes and are known to be notorious thieves; but not to Luna, nope they were very much still around and stealing her belongings left and right. Though the two would never tell her this, they tried to show interest as best they could.

"A man tipped off my father about Sirius Black being a reclusive rock star Stubby Boardman. How interesting, huh? All this time we've been seeing him as someone else!" Luna smiled amiably.

"Right…" Victoria nodded painfully. Stubby Boardman, hermit rock star uses false identity as Sirius Black, one of the most wanted murderers in the wizarding world; so wanted in fact he was on the news in the muggle world. Now that she thought about it, there hasn't been much news about the whereabouts of Sirius Black since before the tournament. Had he been caught?

A group of newly arriving wizards interrupted her developing thoughts as Harry Potter walked in the room with Ron Weasley by his side. The two slumped into their cushions (looking as thoroughly bored as Victoria) and rested their heads on their hand.

"Good afternoon my dear class!" Professor Trelawney greeted in a slightly shaky voice.

The class returned their greetings in unison, Lavender a bit more excited than the rest.

"I am glad you all could join me again this year."

"Yes, amazing we're still here." Ron snickered to Harry. Victoria laughed silently as Professor Trelawney shot a look towards the two boys from the corner of her eye. It wasn't a secret, Trelawney had predicted the deaths of Harry more than anyone else in this class- and there he was, sitting in that very cushion, breathing, very much alive.

"I am happy we've gotten this far, for this is one of my favourite subjects! Prediction-with-stars!"

"Here we go." Victoria muttered to Lavender, rolling her eyes.

"I hope you've all brought your books!"

Lavender lifted her book off the table, tapping on the cover as if it was some great achievement she wanted recognition for.

"Turn to chapter 16, and being to read 'The Future That Lies Above'. Once you are finished, you may start on your projects, the objectives will be right here on the board." Trelawney pointed to the large board that held the instructions for their project, and proceeded to sit down at her desk of which she began to caress a clear… very clear… crystal ball.

Victoria slammed her book on the table, opening the pages till she reached chapter 16.

'The Future That Lies Above:

Astrology studies the movements and positions of celestial objects for the means of divining information.'

She took a deep sigh, forcing her eyes to remain on the page.

'Specific planets that were to represent themselves with the stars they were associated with are seen as indications of multiple divine definitions.'

"This is rubbish."

Victoria's eyes looked up from the page as Harry shook his head and closed his textbook. Why did he suddenly get her attention? She'd never looked up from her potions book when he shared verbal brawls with Snape during class. Maybe that was because it was ordinary for her to hear; its not like she let Snape do the horrible things he had a tendency to do either. In fact, she'd gotten detention once and 80 points from Gryffindor for calling Snape a 'Big nosed jerk' because he nearly made Neville break out in tears.

A few moments passed when Trelawney finally realized Harry had put his textbook down and was starring off into the crystal ball in front of him. Not looking for anything in particular, just occupying his eyes till the end of class.

The professor slowly approached the two boys, hunched over their table with her hands fiddling with the many rings on her bony fingers. "What's the matter, dear boy? Unable to find your planets predictions?"

"I'm sure it'll all mean death anyways." Ron snickered quietly; though Trelawney heard, looking at him with widened eyes behind her thick round glasses.

Victoria jumped from her seat once the bell signaled class was over. "Thank Merlin" she thought.

"We'll see you later then."

"Bye Vickie."

Luna and Lavender waved on Victoria as they descended the long staircase down the north tower to their next class.

Now that she had a free period, and her friends were off doing something else- she figured it a good time to visit the owlery.

She began to slowly descend the staircase, her black hair trailing behind her. She couldn't wait to see what Elise had to say about her last letter. Probably is going to put in her two cents about Harry, and something about her mother wouldn't approve; at this point she was freely thinking stupid thoughts she didn't even care to finish in her own head. She rolled her eyes at the thought of it all. Stopping to stuff her Divination book in her bag she looked out the coloured stained windows to notice a few small figures standing outside the north tower. Squinting to see who they were, she noticed two Slytherin's… one unmistakably as Pansy Parkinson (She had always made a stupid stance when she tried to look tough), bullying a younger Hufflepuff.

Victoria huffed as she turned her attention away to quickly descend the rest of the staircase. To her surprise her head smacked into someone's chest, as her bag fell from her loose grip and books began to spill down the stairs. Victoria looked up rubbing her nose to notice a Gryffindor boy clutching onto the railing to prevent his fall.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry…" Victoria said dipping down, scrambling to get her things situated in her bag.

"No, no that was uhm… that was my fault." The boy said sincerely as he dipped down to help pick up her fallen items.

Hastily grabbing the quills that tried to roll down the steps and the pieces of parchment that wanted to unravel; she shoved it all back in her bag. She looked up, noticing the boy holding a photograph in his hand and examining it with sudden interest.

She reached out and grabbed the photo from him, shoving it inside her bag.

"Sorry." He said, noticing her sudden urgency and rosy cheeks.

The two stood up, his hand flopped over with the Divination book she failed to completely put in her bag. "Cormac."

She grabbed the book from his hold. "Victoria."

He bowed his head, biting his lower lip as he quickly glanced up.

'Wow' She thought. She couldn't help but notice how straight his teeth were, and how green his eyes were considering he neglected to break their contact with hers.

"So what's a pretty girl like you hurrying off angry for?"

She raised an eyebrow. Cheesy lines like that never got Victoria going, there was no point in trying- Ernest MacMillan had probably used every line in the book. Though he was undeniably handsome looking; he had the whole blonde hair, green eyes, manly look going for him; so she decided to play around with the interest.

"What's a guy like you walking alone to the north tower for?"

He leaned up against the stone wall with his outstretched arm; "Figured I'd earn some brownie points with the teacher."

"You weren't in class today?"

"I'm a 6th year, our classes don't match up."

"I see." Victoria said as she dipped under his arm and descended the steps behind him, briefly turning around to catch his amused grin, "Have fun with that."

"Hope I bump into you again then."


Just before Victoria continued off into the owlery, she stopped at the foot of the stone steps and rummaged through her bag to take out her pack. She placed the smoke in between her lips and ignited it with her wand, inhaling deeply as she took a long drag from her much needed cigarette, exhaling all the stress that seeped through her lips in a puff of smoke. It was such a bad habit, but Victoria had a tendency to fall for bad habits. One of which, Elise would most likely note, was walking down the from the owlery now.

"Mind if I join?"

Victoria held out her pack as Harry grabbed a smoke and ignited it between his lips, leaning against a stone pillar.

"Didn't know you smoked."

"I think there's much you don't know 'bout me."

Victoria raised her eyebrows fully amused, "Oh really?"

Harry exhaled a plume of smoke, digging his free hand in his pants pocket. "Just how I reckon there's much I don't know 'bout you."

She snorted at the comment; what a cheesy way to get to know somebody. "You don't want to get mixed up with a girl like me…" Victoria couldn't hold the grin that played on the corners of her lips, "I'm a rebel, haven't you heard?" She teased in a playfully mischievous tone.

"That's perfect because, I just got weeks of detention for standing up to Umbridge. So I guess that makes two of us." Harry cracked a smile as he took another puff.

Victoria stared up at him, fuck he looked so damn cute leaned against the pillar, his fitted dress shirt untucked, the determined set of his jaw, his untidy hair giving a slight messy look to his appearance- and her newly fond trait of his to mess up his hair even more.

Harry tossed his cigarette and turned towards her, reaching out his hand. Her heart began to pound what felt as fast as a train as she felt his fingers touch her hair. They streamed from the midsection of her head to her neck.

"You're getting leafs in your hair."

Victoria picked up her jaw she subconsciously let hang loose, and took one last drag of her cigarette before throwing it aside.

"Thanks." Her voice broke as she tried to bashfully turn her attention elsewhere.

"So… I was wondering…" Harry said as he kicked his toes on the rocky ground, dirtying up his black shoes. "If you wanted to go to Hogs-" His voice trailed off as a small brown barn owl hooted from above and landed on Victoria's shoulder. She untied the blue letter attached to the owl's leg and rubbed the top of its head affectionately. "Thank, Belle." The bird flew off towards the owlery.

"Sorry, I've got to take this. She sort of freaks if I don't." Victoria wasn't lying, but she was thankful for the intrusion; her lips couldn't take any more anxious gnawing, and boy did Harry make her nervous. She treated him to a small coy smile before heading off towards the owlery and opening her letter.

'Victoria,

Happy to have got your letter, and thank you for the heads-up but I've got to ask anyways- have you gotten yourself into any trouble yet? I am quite happy to hear the school is teaching you more than the upcoming dangers of what is out there, you children need a break from all that worry.

Mrs. Brown and I are going on a short vacation to France next week, so unfortunately I won't be able to receive any owls during the time being, but that isn't an invitation to get yourself mixed up with Malfoy again. I will let you know when I am home.

Also, stay away from Potter, dear- he'll only get you into more trouble.

Love, Elise'

Victoria rolled her eyes and dismissed the letter. She didn't agree with the way Elise saw things- people- the outside world. It drove her mad listening to her judgement, and having to at least hear her out because well… she was her aunt, and she didn't have to take Victoria in; but she did. There are just some things Victoria can't give up, even If she tried. She was hardheaded and stubborn, which was an open door to picking fights with the Slytherin's, particularly Malfoy, including other habits Elise hadn't even known about. One thing she could add on that list now was there was no way she could keep herself from being around Potter.


XX

Authors Note:

All i can say is wow. I appreciate all the support from every-one-of-you, really helps me keep writing. Let me know in reviews on the new upcoming chapters. Sorry my uploading will be a tad slow, college is starting up again. Thanks again, enjoy!

- M