Harry Potter fanfiction
THE DARK SECRET
Dedicated to BrutieBoots, because she's been waiting long for the continuation of this story (even though this is the rewrite). (:
CHAPTER SIX
AZAZEL
Azazel brushed her lengthy deep violet hair, matching dark purple eyes sparkling back at her in her reflection. Sitting on the bed next to hers, Alixxis applied her eyeliner and mascara, pinning the front strands of her hair behind her head with a fine intricate pin.
"So I hear Slughorn's planning a partner project. Regulus Black mentioned that we would be pairing up today," said Alixxis, standing from her bed to greet Azazel at her side.
"Is that so?" she inquired.
"Yes. And he's mixing Houses. So we're going to be paired with a Ravenclaw. Absolutely dreadful, don't you think?" Alixxis sneered. "Well, I suppose not for you, since your close pal is a Ravenclaw himself."
"True, Thai is one of my closest friends and he's in Ravenclaw, but he's very intelligent, especially when it comes to Potions. If what Black says is true and we are to be paired with a Ravenclaw, then I wish to be paired with Thai. Besides, you wouldn't fancy pairing up with Cain Roman?" A coy grin spread across her full lips as Alixxis rolled her dark green eyes.
"Just because Roman is otherworldly attractive doesn't mean I'm anxious to be paired with him," she snapped, folding her thin arms over her chest.
"But he's intelligent as well. Roman is very well the smartest boy in the entire school. Many would say he surpasses Dumbledore," Azazel added, which earned a scoff from her friend.
"The only man capable of surpassing Dumbledore is the Dark Lord, and you know it. Roman may be intelligent, but he's still a child and therefore not as experienced as Dumbledore or the Dark Lord," Alixxis spat. Azazel chuckled and rolled her eyes, placing her brush down and brushing her long hair behind her shoulders. She tightened her tie and tugged on her Slytherin robes.
"Shall we go?" she suggested. Alixxis nodded and the two trailed out of their dormitories. They were met with Severus Snape, Regulus Black (who was a year younger than the girls), and Linketh Kelgasus, who sat isolated in a tall-backed dark emerald armchair that was placed in front of a tall fire.
"Afternoon, boys," Alixxis greeted. Regulus grinned and Snape nodded. "Ready for Slughorn's new assignment?" Her gaze briefly averted to Regulus.
"Black's mentioned it to me," Snape informed. "Paired with Ravenclaws? Disgusting. I might just burn my robes from being so close to one."
"Lucky it's not Gryffindor," said Regulus. "My Potions class is shared with sixth year Gryffindors."
"At least you don't have know-it-all Roman in your class," sneered Snape. "The bloke makes my gut twist."
"You're merely jealous, Snape. Jealous that someone is better at Potions than you," snickered Azazel. He glared at her.
"Shut it, Zeela Yein. I know you've got friends from that House."
"Correction: friend. And I've known Thai since before we were Sorted."
"Besides, need we remind you of your little sweetheart, Evans? The Muggle-born?" Alixxis's eyes narrowed to slits as she grew the smile of a sly fox.
"Randelle!" he hissed with disdain.
"Anyway, instead of standing here wasting our time here, I'd like to get to class. I want to grab a snack on the way from the Great Hall. Perhaps they've still got some lunch out," said Alixxis. "Come, Azazel. You coming, Snape?" After a brief glare, Snape nodded reluctantly and followed. Alixxis's eyes peered over at Linketh's direction. "Oy, coming, Kelgasus? Or are you going to skip class again to sulk in front of the fire?" She received no response from him. Alixxis rolled her eyes again, and she led both Snape and Azazel out of the common room.
Azazel took the empty seat next to Alixxis as they walked into their Potions class. It was buzzing with Ravenclaw and Slytherin students. Azazel spotted Thai and his mass of curly nutmeg locks towards the back of the room, where she was seated. Near the front of the classroom sat Cain Roman next to the quite bleach blonde girl he always sat with. She wondered who Cain would choose to be partners with. Which Slytherin would he choose? None of the male Slytherin students were fond of him, as they were jealous of both his knowledge and appearance, she knew. Every Slytherin girl would probably die of excitement should he choose one of them, but Azazel knew Cain wasn't into attention, even though he received it every waking moment of the day.
A few minutes later, Professor Slughorn waddled into the room, dressed in his usual velvet robes, combing one side of his white walrus mustache.
"Good afternoon, students," he chimed in a friendly voice. Few, mostly Ravenclaws, bid him good afternoon in return as he made his way to the front of the class.
"Today we will be starting a new project for the end of term," he started, and Alixxis nudged Azazel in the side. From his peripheral vision, Snape eyed the two of them as well. "This project will be done in partners, however I will choose your partner for you." A groan chorused through the room, but Professor Slughorn ignored it.
"Oh God! He'll be choosing our partners for us? How could Slughorn do this to us? He's our Head of House!" whispered Alixxis. Azazel's eyebrows narrowed.
"Your partner will be from the opposite House of you. This will make you grow more familiar with your classmates. After all, I'm sure you know your own Housemates well enough.
"The project will be solely based on what you've learned, and how well you can repeat what you've learned. You are to choose a potion and create it. The potion should be done perfectly in order to pass this exam. As seventh years, you very well know your exams are much more difficult than your other years, as a result to life. Things will only get harder from here on out, young ones.
"Now, with that said"—he clapped his hands together and rubbed them—"I shall begin the pairing!" Another chorus of groaning hissed among the students. "Miss Aislinn Blair …" Azazel's gaze directly averted to Cain and the blonde girl. Afterward, she shifted to Thai, producing a small smile. The two of them were going to be paired for sure. They were of different Houses, and they worked well together. Azazel was confident she and Thai would be partners. In a way, she was actually looking forward to the project.
"Miss Blair, your partner will be … Mr. Linketh Kelgasus." Slughorn's wide smile turned to Linketh. Alixxis stifled a laugh. Azazel noticed Aislinn Blair's face contort with fear. To everyone else, Linketh was a creepy bloke who dreamed of nothing but death and horrors. He was twisted and wicked and cruel. Azazel was surprised that the tender little blonde didn't faint in her seat. Her eyes drifted towards Linketh, who was sitting in the corner at the end of her row. His head was bowed down, thick whitish-blonde curls falling over his mismatching eyes, and he glared at the table, his hands in his lap underneath the desk.
"Kelgasus and the fragile Ravenclaw girl?" questioned Alixxis softly to Azazel. She harrumphed. "I'll bet she's terrified in her knickers at the very thought of having to partner with him. You think she's afraid he'll skin her hide if they're alone?" Azazel narrowed her eyebrows and shook her head, a grin spreading across her lips.
"Oh Alixxis, you are awful. And you've got quite an imagination, don't you? You and Thai share such a trait," she mentioned. Alixxis sneered at the mention of being compared to Azazel's Ravenclaw friend.
"Please, Azazel. Do not compare to such a boy. You're friend is nothing like me, unfortunately for him," she said. Azazel rolled her eyes and ended the discussion. Slughorn continued to pair up students. He'd paired a few more students together, but she, Alixxis, Thai, and Cain hadn't been partnered up yet. Alixxis was getting restless.
"Oh come on already," she groaned. As if Slughorn had heard her, he called her name. She beamed.
"Miss Alixxis Randelle," he called. "I think I'll pair you up with … Mr. Thai Hetzen."
Alixxis almost choked on her saliva and Azazel's jaw dropped.
"Speak of the devil," she muttered.
"Bloody hell! You can't be serious?" exclaimed Alixxis, a little too loud for her liking. Thai glared her way.
"As if I'm any more happier about this, Randelle," he sneered at her. "Professor, I think this is a mistake. Randelle is completely egotistic and doesn't listen to anybody but herself."
"Oh, egotistic am I?" shouted Alixxis.
"I believe I'd be much better suited with Azazel Zeela Yein, professor. Surely you agree," continued Thai. Professor Slughorn shrugged his shoulders and scanned his parchment.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hetzen. I understand you work well with Miss Zeela Yein, but one of the purposes of this pairing is to develop a better understanding of each other. You don't necessarily have to be friends, but it's better to get to know other people outside of your House," explained Slughorn.
"Oh, believe me, professor, I've got a perfect understanding of Hetzen," snarled Alixxis.
"As I of Miss Randelle," snarled Thai right back at her.
"Like I said, it is important to get to know others from your sibling Houses. You may find traits in which you share, same interests, et cetera." Azazel gave Alixxis a look, in which she returned with a scowl.
"I highly doubt it," she muttered.
"And besides," Slughorn continued, "Miss Zeela Yein is already partnered with someone." Azazel's eyebrows raised with interest.
"Who, professor?"
"Miss Azazel Zeela Yein, your Potions partner is … Mr. Cain Roman."