The Daemon Diaries
Little Miss English Nerd
Chapter 6
"Thank you for your cooperation," McGonagall addressed us the next morning. "I promise all of you that this will worth the current troubles. Now, your head of house will hand out your schedules, so please sit by year at your house tables."
Everyone got lost in the hustle and bustle of the moving students for a moment, but I finally found my way to the Ravenclaw table with Padma. Flitwick came around and gave us our assignments, though we weren't in the same common room.
"Oh well, you've still got Charlie..." She said with a wink.
I blushed and nodded, looking over the list, mentally going over each person.
1) Draco Malfoy
What's up with that kid? Obviously bipolar...oh well, he's still one of my favorite characters...er, people? Never mind.
2) Lavender Brown
Oh, okay...well, she's an epic flirt, but she can't be worse than some of the girls from my old school...
3) Blaise Zabini
Holy crud, queue the heart palpitations...
4) Clara Fulton
Yups. Hmmm...I wonder how I managed to get into the same common room as Charlie? Maybe he pulled something...he is a Slytherin, after all...not that I'm complaining!
5) Michael Corner
He's in Ravenclaw, too...don't know much about him, though.
6) Ernie McMillan
He's a prefect, I think...Hufflepuff.
7) Seamus Finnegan
Oh, he always blows stuff up...should I be worried?
8) Susan Bones
Errrr...she's a Hufflepuff...she got splinched during apparation tests, right?
9) Dean Thomas
Gryffindor, dated Ginny Weasley...
10) Theodore Nott
Isn't he the Slytherin that yelled at the Hufflepuff yesterday? Why are there so many Slytherins and Gryffindors? Oh well, it seems like a decent group...no Slytherin girls, at least.
Now that you know your group, go meet them in the highest room of the tallest tower.
"What the-? Is this Shrek? Padma, do you know where-"
But Padma was nowhere to be seen. In fact, half of the students had already left to find their respective dormitories while I'd been so absorbed in my own little bubble of thought. I caught Charlie's gaze from the Slytherin table, and he nodded to the hallway outside.
"Good morning," he said once we met up with each other.
"G'morning," I mumbled through a yawn.
"Not an early riser, I take it?"
With a smile, I shook my head. "No, not usually."
"So, we have to go meet everyone at the astronomy tower. There's an observation deck there, and that's probably what they mean."
"Oh, right, I knew that..."
As we made our way to the tower, he lightly grabbed my hand in his as we walked. My cold palm clashed magnificently with his warm hand, and it felt rather wonderful. Neither of us said much, but we just kept walking, oblivious to the few people who saw us. It felt as though we were in our own happy little world...a few worries still plagued my mind, but I felt relatively good.
I decided not to question what my relationship was with Charlie and just "go with the flow:" guys don't tend to like clingy, desperate seeming girls.
"Alright just one more flight of stairs...maybe our common room is up here?" Charlie queried with a pleased expression. "It'd be a great place to just hop off of...and fly, of course," he added at my worried face.
We found most of our group waiting at the top of the stairs near a large bay window.
"Thank God you're here," Ernie Macmillan exclaimed. "The bloody portrait won't let us in until everyone gets here; we're still waiting on Nott and Malfoy-"
"Who are also here," a voice said from down the stairs.
The two aforementioned Slytherins slithered up the flight of stairs and posed pompously on the perimeter of the posse. (A/N: Yay for alliteration!)
"Well? Let us in, you bloody fairy." Malfoy glared at the picture
The portrait was, indeed, of a fairy, though there was no bodily fluid in sight.
"I need some form of affirmation that you are all who you say you are," the fairy replied in a squeaky voice. "You are all required to profess a secret; I am basically a lie detector, and I'll know if any of you are saying something false."
Nott looked furious. "What the devil is wrong with you? Let us in!"
"Not until every one of you tells the group a secret; I will determine whether or not the secret is good enough for you to get in. Also, if any of you reveal a secret to someone outside of this common room, you will find that...certain things will happen."
"Great!" Ernie flopped to the ground and sat against the wall.
We all followed his lead, sitting in a sort of circle and waiting for the first person to start.
"I sleep with a teddy bear called Mr. Chuckles," Seamus admitted ashamedly.
Dean followed. "I used to hate Harry for taking Ginny away, but I'm okay with it now."
"I KISSED NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!"
We all gasped and stared at Susan, who clasped her hand over her mouth and went completely (and I mean COMPLETELY) red.
"Really? Was he a good kisser?" Lavender questioned. Susan nodded. "Anyway," Lavender continued, "I was only with Ron Weasley to make Hermione jealous; I wanted to have something she couldn't, though that plan didn't work out very well..."
"I'm deathly afraid of chickens," I muttered, hearing the group's laughter.
"I picked my nose until I was ten," Nott admitted reluctantly.
Malfoy coughed. "I watched A Very Potter Musical and enjoyed it."
My eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, really? Did you see the sequel?"
"Yes! It was hysterical! Remember the part with the whole, 'Hermione can't draw, Hermione can't draw,' thing? That was my favorite. And Lauren Lopez was a rather comical version of myself, I must admit." Then Malfoy seemed to find his 'cool zone' again. "But, of course, I only watched it because there was nothing better to do...pffffffft..."
"I visited New York City last summer holiday, and my family and I saw the musical 'Wicked.' I'm obsessed with the soundtrack, and I keep a copy in my trunk." Michael Corner blurted out with an embarrassed expression.
"Charlie?" I questioned. He seemed to be greatly troubled, and hadn't confessed anything.
"Um...my greatest fear is...dying alone and young."
"Alone and young?" Lavender piped up. "Shouldn't it be old?"
"No, young," he determined. "Anyway, are those secrets good enough for you, portrait?"
"Oh, please call me Sparkles. And yes, they are. The password is 'sassafras.' Have a nice day; classes are cancelled again today, but you are required to stay in your dormitory and learn more about each other. I was also told to inform Clara Fulton that her meeting with Professor Wilkins shall be at 8:00 this evening."
"Thank you."
The common room was revealed; decked out in neutral whites and blacks, it looked rather spiffy. Huge bookshelves lined the walls, leaden with books about "communicating feelings" and "cooperation." Oh brother. A sitting area was in the middle of the room, containing comfortable looking chairs and couches with abstract black and white patterns, all sitting on top of a luxuriously soft white rug. Two doors were located in the far right corner, while the pair of staircases up to our dormitories stood in the middle, one labeled "Ladies," and the other "Men."
"I call the bed next to the window!" I announced, racing up the stairs with my heavy baggage in tow.
"Not if I beat you there!"
I quickly glanced over my shoulder, seeing a panting Lavender Brown in pursuit. Squealing, I upped my speed, reaching the black dormitory door first. I threw it open, streaking to the bed like my life depended on it.
"Okay...fine, I'll...take the bed...across from you...it...is...the closest to...the...bathroom..."
Laughing a bit at my worn out, huffing and puffing roommate, I smiled at her and began unpacking my things into a little set of drawers located on the right. The room was also black and white; the curtains around the bed had a retro, spotted pattern that complimented the black bedspread nicely. A ladder that led to the stargazing deck where all students took astronomy was located near the doorway. I laid Sir Theodore on my bed, realising with a quiet giggle that he and Theodore Nott shared a name.
"Well, I'm going to head downstairs, now. See you later?"
"Yeah," Lavender said with a smile. "Oh, and I was wondering...would you like to do makeup or something sometime? Not that you need help, but I could show you some things to do with your hair and eyeliner..."
"Sounds great." I waved pleasantly and set off down the stairs again.
The three Slytherin boys lounged there, Charlie on the sofa and the other two in the armchairs, propping their feet up and looking suave. At my entrance, the Daemon grinned widely and his peers sneered.
"Hey Clara," Charlie greeted.
I blushed but smiled all the same. "Hi..."
"So, Fulton, how does it feel to be a Muggle in Hogwarts?" Malfoy questioned.
"Just fine, thanks."
I took the extra seat next to Charlie, crossing my arms and rolling my eyes at the snobby Slytherin. As I opened my mouth to say something else, an owl flew through the open window on the left side of the fireplace. Landing on the arm of the sofa, the bird held its leg out to me. After we had called down our other dorm mates, I cleared my throat and began reading.
Dear Draco Malfoy, Lavender Brown, Blaise Zabini, Clara Fulton, Michael Corner, Ernie MacMillan, Seamus Finnegan, Susan Bones, Dean Thomas, and Theodore Nott,
I hope that you are well and settled; over the course of the next year, a few different things will happen.
1) There will be random inspections of your common room to check for cleanliness, so please stay prepared.
2) Certain activities will be implemented, both school related and not.
3) The House point system is now by common room, not Hogwarts House. Don't let your new house mates down.
4) You will need to supply your own suppers on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday; there is a door that leads to a small kitchen in your common room. The refrigerator will be fully stocked, and you may assign duties among yourself. As for other meals, you will be sitting at smaller tables with your house and only one other dormitory. The arrangements will change periodically.
5) This is a graded course. At the end of the year, you and your other house mates will take a survey pertaining to this assignment. Please be ready; get to know the people around you, and forget about prejudices.
Good evening,
Headmistress McGonagall
"Well, this is just spectacular," Nott grunted, leaving his armchair and going up to his room.
The rest of the people dispersed, each with their own opinions on the matter.
"Well, this'll be exciting," I mused, looking at Charlie and Lavender who had remained.
"Definitely! I heard a rumor that they'll be using Polyjuice Potion!"
"Lavender, you can't be serious," I shook my head.
Charlie shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. They did say that the potion would be used for some kind of 'Ministry Testing,' so maybe they'll test it on us?"
"Welcome to my office, Miss Fulton. I'm Professor Wilkins."
Hell-oooooo Professor Wilkins.
He looked to be in his thirties; casual hair, some stubble, and bright blue eyes. I gulped a little bit and smiled embarrassingly at him.
"Hi, I'm Clara. Not that you didn't know that, of course, but I...I should probably just shut up now." I stuttered out the whole sentence, looking at the floor. Clearing my throat, I began again. "Anyway, how are you going to help me...erm, 'unlock my wizarding potential?'"
"Very good question. If you'll have a seat there, we'll begin."
The seat sat in the middle of the mostly empty room, reminding me of when Harry and Snape had been having Occlumency lessons. My throat felt a little dry, but I made my way over.
A hand on his jaw, the Professor began to walk around my chair, rubbing his stubble in a very attractive, maybe even -dare I say- sexy manner.
"You look like the typical Ravenclaw, Miss Fulton." He started in a low voice. "For these classes, however, you must take on traits from all of the classes. You will have to be wise like the raven, brave like the lion, docile like the badger, and clever like the snake.
"Now, this process has only been completed fully four times, as you probably know. It involves a lot of memory resurrecting...basically, I have to find whatever caused this blockage in your brain. To do that, I must go through nearly all of your other memories to reach it, as the event probably happened when you were no more than a baby. The more recent memories will 'play' very fast because they're most fresh on your mind, but after the last three years or so, things will get more difficult.
"You'll have to be trusting. I can't make that happen, but I do promise not to expose any of your secrets to the world. This will be between you and me only. Are you ready to start?"
He stood in front of me, wand in hand, with raised eyebrows.
With a slightly forced nod, I agreed.
"Legilimens."
The first few memories were the most recent, and they whizzed by with barely a thought. After a few year's worth of normal, irrelevant memories, things began to slow down.
She snapped at me, ever more angered. "Clara! Get down here now! We're going to be late for the funeral!"
"Coming, Mom! Calm down for Heaven's sake!"
I raced down the staircase in my black dress, trying not to slip in the high heels.
"Alright, we've gotta go. Get out to the car; I'll get your father."
Her face was pallid, eyes closed, hands crossed at her breast, and skin as wrinkled as ever. I held back a sob as I stared at the dead countenance of my beloved grandmother.
The sadness overwhelmed me so much that I couldn't even focus on the remembrances that wouldn't do her justice...I only caught bits and peaces of the various speeches.
"Joanne lived a stupendous life; she will forever be remembered for her loving and compassionate nature...a true honest-to-good woman who will always be loved and missed..."
"Though the years pass by and fade, our memories stay fresh as spring flowers..."
"Amen."
The dirt fell on the coffin with a residual THUD. Back and forth the shovels moved, each time making my heart hurt all the more. The tombstone bore her name, birth, and death dates. A simple rose was engraved upon the surface. Just before the tomb was completely sealed off, I dropped in my white rose, tears trailing down my cheeks as my parents held me close.
Even then, in reality, tears fell down my face. A feeling of absolute anger suddenly clenched on me. How dare they do this!
"No! Never again!" I shrieked, jumping out of the chair and knocking his wand from where it was pointed at my head. "This is sick! Who wants magic anyway? I don't want to remember that! I'm sorry, but you wizards are twisted and wrong and-and just plain sick!"
As I was running from the room, his voice echoed back to me.
"Miss Fulton! The consequences will be deadly!"
I sobbed into the common room, hoping that no one would be there to witness.
Just my luck; the whole "house" sat around the fire, gawking at me as I came in.
"Clara? Clara, what's wrong? What happened?"
His voice was concerned, but I couldn't care less.
I hissed through clenched teeth. "You wizards are awful. Leave me alone, Zabini."
I ran up the steps to the dormitory, hearing the worried teenagers behind me.
Arriving, I grabbed Sir Theodore and climbed up the ladder that led to the rooftop. A moment later, I threw the bear from my sight. As what I'd done sunk in, I gasped.
"NO!"
I ran to the edge of the observation deck, almost losing my footing on the smooth stone. I shook like a leaf, looking frantically over the edge for the well worn bear that my grandmother had given me when I was a baby.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!"
Collapsing on the cold roof, wind whipping everywhere, I wrapped my arms around my head and wailed.
I let the exhaustion overcome me and fell asleep, succumbing to comforting dreams.
The first thing I noticed when I awoke was warmth.
My sore, itchy eyes stayed closed, and though I could feel the wind tossing my hair here and there, I didn't feel as cold as I should have. Something was clutched around my middle, and a steady thumping noise thudded under my ear. I knew I was no longer lying on the roof alone.
"Charlie?" I mumbled, keeping my eyes shut.
"Hey, sleeping beauty. Finally awake?"
I nodded and cracked open one eye, realising that Charlie had his arm around my waist, and my head on his chest, facing away from the wind. A warm green blanket was wrapped around me, though I still shivered a tiny bit. One of his velvety wings was folded lightly over the blanket, holding me to his side. He rubbed my arm lightly, looking down at me with an extremely worried expression on his face. My cheeks positively burned, though it would be an utter lie to say I wasn't thrilled with the situation.
"Sorry," I muttered, voice thick with sleep as I avoided his gaze. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. Forgive me?"
He deliberated. "Well, you did call me 'Zabini,' but I'll let it slide. You're forgiven."
"Thanks."
A silence fell over us for a few moments, and I snuggled into Charlie's side a bit more.
"Clara, what happened? What did Wilkins say to make you so upset? Did he do some-"
"He didn't do anything. I just don't want to get my magical abilities."
His heartbeat sped up, piquing my interest. "W-why not?"
"He has to search through all of my memories...he made me remember my grandmother's funeral."
"O-oh. I'm so sorry."
I had tears welling up in my eyes again. "It hurt so badly. I was only thirteen when she died...I used to see her almost every Saturday afternoon...and I try to shove the bad memories away, but whenever I see Sir Theodore-"
"Sir Theodore? As in, Nott?"
"No, as in, my teddy bear..." I trailed off before I remembered what had caused me to break down. "Holy crap! I threw him off the roof!"
I pulled myself from his arms and ran to the ledge, looking over the short wall for something I couldn't see. I began to freely cry, shaking and almost-hyperventilating as he tried to say something from behind me.
"Clara-"
"He's probably in the middle of the Forbidden Forest!"
"Clar-"
"Or maybe in the lake?"
"Clara!" He interrupted, "I can go get him, if you want."
I wiped my eyes on the back of my sleeve, sniffling. "Y-you can?"
"Yeah, it should be easy. I'm a Daemon, remember?"
He smiled at me, moving to the wall.
"Oh...I kind of forgot...but what if a teacher sees you?" I hiccuped.
His warm, deep eyes met my red ones, and he shook his head. "I've gone out at night hundreds of times, and I want to do this for you. Honestly, I'll be back in like a minute. Just stay here, okay?"
With that, he was gone in a whir of wings and wind.
I leaned on the divider, feeling completely drained. Holding my hands together in front of me, I looked up at the stars through puffy lids, not recognizing any of the constellations but enjoying their utter beauty. Something moved in my peripheral vision, and I tilted my head to look at a smiling Charlie. In his hands, he held Sir Theodore. He strode over, placing the bear in my arms and standing by my side.
"You're amazing," I said, stroking Theodore's fur. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
He looked happy, but there was something in his expression that troubled me.
"Charlie, what's wrong?"
He debated for a moment, but then shook his head. "Nothing. I'm fine."
"No you're not. I know you better than that. You're always making me feel better...can't I do something for you?"
"I..." He clasped his hands in front of him and nodded. "Yeah. Just promise me that you'll keep trying with your lessons with Professor Wilkins."
Narrowing my eyes, I looked up at him. "Why?"
"Because I don't want you to pass up this opportunity...I promise you that you won't be disappointed when the time comes."
I could tell that that wasn't all he wanted to say, but I nodded anyway. Biting the side of my mouth, I promised him that I'd go through with it.
"Great!" He said, back to his cheerful self. "Now, why don't we both get to bed? I'll see you in the morning."
I finally blurted out what had been nagging me since I'd found out who he was. "Charlie? I have a quick question...why do you care so much? I mean, I'm a Muggle...er, Muggleborn...and you're a Pureblood Daemon who can hang out with anyone he wants...why didn't you just bring-"
"You obviously don't see yourself very clearly, Clara Fulton. You're a fun, pretty, witty, smart, amazing girl who has been a great friend to me, and I'm not going to just forget that because of blood statuses...besides, you're my ma-" He caught himself from saying something with a cough, puzzling me further. "You're an amazing person."
Leaning against his shoulder, I looped my arm through his. "Ditto."
We stood there for a moment before I let go, muttering a faint, "Good night."
"Sleep well, Clara."
"Thank you for coming to me, Miss Fulton." Professor Wilkins said with a smile. "Believe me; this will all be worth it in the long run."
I nodded, allowing him to once again dive into my memory bank.
Nothing too horrible was remembered; just some normal days, a bit of social and familial drama, and a few of my high school crushes. After a while, he pulled his wand away from my head, casting a spell that placed the already-sorted memories aside, so that they wouldn't have to be sorted through again.
"Lunch is almost over; I suggest you get to your next class."
I started walking toward the door, but he called to me.
"Miss Fulton! I almost forgot! If you could also find someone else that you trust...someone who can preform occlumency. Almost all of the seventh year students have been well-trained from the war, and it would be an immense help if you could work on this between our classes together. Once you find someone, please bring them to my office during our next meeting. Have a pleasant day, Miss Fulton."
Who can I trust with my memories? I pondered during divination, gazing into the crystal ball intently. I mean, sure, Charlie's there if I need him, but for some memories, I'd be more comfortable if it was a girl...maybe Padma?
A face appeared in the orb, making me gasp insanely and slightly flail my arms. Hermione's face had been as clear as day until I'd freaked out. My seven other classmates glared minutely at me for breaking their concentration, and I muttered an apology.
"Miss Fulton? Is everything okay?" Professor Stoker asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Professor!" I whispered excitedly, "I just kind of asked the ball a question, and it answered!"
"Really? Are you sure?"
I nodded enthusiastically, smiling widely. "Yes! Positive!"
"Congratulations, Miss Fulton. It seems that you might just have a seer in you yet."
"Hermione? Could I talk to you for a minute?"
I caught her elbow and her smile, and beckoned her out of the crowd of hungry students. After I'd explained my situation with the lessons, and the vision in the ball, I asked her if she could possibly help me sort through some memories.
"Oh my word! You saw something in the ball? That's lovely! Maybe you're a seer!" The sweet brainiac exclaimed. "Of course I'll help you! How about we meet up in the seventh floor corridor on Saturday morning at 10:00? I'll take you into the Room of Requirements, and then we'll get started. Wait, when are we meeting with Professor Wilkins, again?"
"Tomorrow night at 7:00. He said that it will merely be an instructive time where he teaches you the spells and whatnot, and with your brain, it probably won't take long at all." I threw my arms around her and gave her a huge hug. "Thank you so much! You're awesome!"
"My pleasure!" She squeaked. "Can you let me breathe, now?"
"Sorry, my bad!"
We both lightly laughed and headed toward the Great Hall for lunch.
A/N: Greetings! Hope you all liked this chapter and all the Clarlie (Clara/Charlie) fluff! More fluff and occlumency/power discovery to come!
Please review, and have a great weekend!
Hearts,
L.M.E.N