Aria: *Rises from a grave* Yes! I am back from the dead! Back from my writing block! Procrastination is the best!

Enjoy XD

Chapter 4 - Riddles and Doors

I had found the best little alcove in the courtyard of the castle. The place I'd go for some peace and quiet. It has a stone seat and overlooked the beautiful hills; the occasional windy day is quite soothing as well. A few other people knew about it, but not many people used this particular spot, on a Saturday, at mid-morning. An echoing of footsteps broke my concentration. Annoyed, I looked up to see who interrupted my reading, alas, I found Malfoy, with his back against the wall and looking around the corner. He held his text books and his hair was more tattered than usual.

"Lose something?" I made no attempt to cover my annoyance. The question wasn't seeking an answer, though, I was presented with one.

"Nope, just chilling here, for a bit if you don't mind," He kept glancing between me and the archway. I didn't reply. It wasn't my archway Afterall.

After an extended pause, he asked, "What book are you reading?"

"The Hunger Games," I replied instantly.

"Is it a good read? What's it about?" he sat next to the archway and two feet away from me.

"It's definitely good, it's about…" I had let my guard down and now Malfoy could tell even from my voice I was excited about the book. How embarrassing. Merlin, please, send me an owl that can chase away Malfoy.

"And…" He inquired about the rest, looking at her with a steady gaze.

"Nothing…" I tried to backpedal as fast as possible, think think what would distract him, "I think they found you Malfoy." He immediately whipped his head left around to the archway to find, no one. I quickly make a run for the other corridor and straight back to the Common Room. The door, however, had other plans.

"To enter you must answer this riddle."

Oh, for fuck sake. I groaned while out of breath, which made me sound like I was a dying cat. Hands on my knees as I leaned against the wall. Looking back to see nobody, yet, I took a deep breath and focused back on the riddle.

"The more you take, the more you leave behind, what am I?"

Of course, it's a stupid riddle. My mind drew a blank. The stress of Malfoy potentially following me was interrupting my recall. Why of all the houses did I have to be in Ravenclaw? Actually, why couldn't we just have a password?

"Food, because of the wastage?" I replied.

"Incorrect, try again."

"Crap," I say under my breath.

"Incorrect, try…"

"Oh, shut up you," I snap back.

Scuffing sounds turned my attention to the stairwell. Malfoy came jogging around the corner.

"Good...I caught up...to you," he started catching his breath.

I wanted to be invisible in that moment, just another part of the stone walls. When I didn't reply, he walked closer to the door and it asked him the same question.

Malfoy turned to me with raised eyebrow, "Weasley, why are you still standing out here?"

What am I supposed to say to that? That the Ravenclaw couldn't figure out the riddle to get into her own dorm? And look like an idiot?

"I was just catching my breath," I brushed the comment off.

After a stretching silence, Malfoy asked, "Are you going to answer the riddle?"

I was silent, trying desperately to come up with the answer while pinching the bridge of my nose.

"footsteps," Malfoy answered.

"Correct." The door swings open.

I groaned, now I looked like the only supposedly smart girl with no smarts. I walked straight into the common room leaving Malfoy calling my name behind me. I ran up the stairs and closed the door to our dorm behind me.

"Hey, you alright?" Katies asked from her bed.

"I'm ok, but I completely looked like an idiot in front of Malfoy," I whined as I let gravity take me to my bed face first.

"Wait, wait, wait, now you have to tell me everything."