The Most Confusing Hogwarts Year

A/N: Okay. You are so lucky I am sick with a sore throat, headache, and stuffy nose, or you wouldn't be getting any chapters. My throat is conspiring against me, I swear. I'm not getting any better, but I should be next week so none until the end of May unless I'm still sick. Happy Mother's Day to all! xD I got to insult my rival in Shakespeare on Friday!

I know I said there would be Draco POV, but I couldn't fit it in! Sorry! xD I swear I have a Draco scene all written out for next chapter.

Enjoy the next chapter of, 'The Meaning of Life!' :)


Lina

I blink for a moment. "Something you'd like to show me? What is it?"

"First, do you swear on the Styx?" Malfoy asks me.

I blink. "Um, I want to know what the hell I'm swearing on, first."

"Fine. I won't show you." He says.

"I swear on the River Styx not to tell anyone! Show me!" I demand. Thunder rumbles after the oath.

With shaking hands, he unravels something from the Room of Requirement. A black cabinet was revealed.

"Is this what you got at Borgin and Burkes'?" I blurt without thinking.

I knew immediately it was the wrong thing to say. His head slowly rises up, his grey eyes meeting my brown ones directly. "And why," He says, his voice dangerously calm. "Would you know about that?"

"Well, er, Harry wanted to know what you were…" I trail off.

He glares at me, and I take a step backward, my hands clutching the zipper of my Quidditch Jersey. "Potter!" He spits out. "Of course he does! Thinks I'm no-good evil scum that should be avoided." He says bitterly.

"How's Harry to know?" I hiss. "He hasn't exactly seen a good side to you yet!"

"Oh, so you agree with him?" Malfoy growls.

"No! I didn't say that at all!" I argue. Why does every conversation we have together have to spiral into a huge argument? He wanted to show me something, and I'm sure I ruined it with one sentence.

Malfoy stares at me for a moment. Then he lunges at me and pins me against the wall. "You're hurting me, slick git!" I snarl angrily, kicking him in the shins, but he ignores me.

"Now, Lina-flower, for once, you'll listen to me very closely." He says furiously, trying to keep his voice in control. "Your life may depend on what I have to…"

The door to the Room of Requirement opens, and Lilly walks in and gasps angrily. "Lina! Is he bothering you? Come over here with me, and we'll leave." She says, holding out a reassuring hand.

"How the hell did you get in here, Schrodinger?" Malfoy snarls, the hatred leeching off him in waves. "You're not supposed to know where to find this bloody place! You're new to the school, remember?" The way Malfoy spit out that last sentence made me feel uneasy.

I decide that sixth year was the most confusing year at Hogwarts. Then there was the fact that this new moody Malfoy was scaring the hell out of me. I think I liked him better as a jerk who hits on me!

"My father went here," Lilly says, her voice hardening. "He told me about the Room of Requirement. I said I wanted to go to the place everything was hidden. Anyways, Lina, I'm ready to go up to the Gryffindor common room if you are. What do you say? Get away from Malfoy?"

I wrench myself free from Malfoy's grip. "The slick git's confusing the hell out of me, Lills. Let's go." I tell Lilly.

"Lills." Malfoy spits after me. "What? Is that your pet name for her now?"

"It's just a bloody nickname!" I say angrily. "You know—what has Lilly ever done to you, huh? Huh? Why are you so damn pissed off that I'm hanging out with her?"

"She has a point," Lilly says loftily, putting a hand on my shoulder. "What have I ever done to you, Draco?"

Malfoy's eye twitches in anger.

"Fine! If you're just gonna be all moody and secretive!" I seethe in fury. "And you're treating me like the world's biggest idiot! Oh—and stop worrying about my damn life, I can take care of myself!" I say, stepping close to him and glaring up at his annoying face.

"I just want to protect you," He begins, his teeth clenched.

"I don't need your protection," I retort. "I want your knowledge. How dare you call me an oblivious idiot without telling me what the hell is going on? Who do you think I am?! Hermione? Anne? A Ravenclaw?!" I pull myself up to my full height, which was actually rather kind of pathetic. He was 6'2 and I was 5'2.

"You insolent Gryffindor," He seethes. We glare at each other, the hatred in our eyes intensifying. All of a sudden, he grabs me, and I grab him back, and we found ourselves in another passionate kiss. Now, I told myself I wouldn't kiss him again, but I felt like I was losing myself in it. I didn't want to admit it but I missed this.

"What the hell…is this relationship?" I mutter once we pull apart.

Lilly clears her throat. "YOU!" Malfoy snarls at her. "You saw nothing! You hear?"

Lilly blinks back her shock for a moment, before smiling sweetly. "Aww! That was so cute!" She simpers. "The way you argued, the tension, the kiss…so much chemistry!"

Malfoy and I exchange odd looks before we stare at Lilly. "It's not like that," I assure her.

"Oh, no, I completely understand." Lilly assures. "Ready to go, Lina?"

I glare at Malfoy. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?" I say, gesturing towards the cabinet.

"You're not ready," He hisses, staring determinedly at the floor. "All I want you to do right now is enjoy your sixth year and be wary around Lilly."

"I see how it is, slick git." I spit. "Lills, let's go."

Who the hell does he think he is? Saying he's going to show me something, changing his mind at the last minute, acting all moody, acting like I'm an idiot, and then kissing me? Ugh. I hate him so much.

How could I get back at the git? Oh, right.

Lilly.

Malfoy, for some reason, hates Lilly. He doesn't want me hanging around her.

So, to piss Malfoy off, and test him, I have to hang around Lilly as much as possible.

Lilly turns around towards me and smirks, as if reading my thoughts. "So, how's that Potions essay going?"


"Okay, why the HELL do you care if we're smuggling dark stuff OUT of the school?" I grumble to Lilly as we had to walk through the sensor to get to Hogsmeade. "Shouldn't you care if we're smuggling the bloody stuff IN?!"

Lilly laughs. The comment, however, earns me a couple more jabs with the sensor.

"Screw you," I mutter under my breath to Filch. "C'mon, let's get in a carriage, we're going to meet up with the others at Honeydukes. Have you been to Hogsmeade before?"

Lilly nods. "I've been there a couple times with my father."

"I swear to the gods, this year is confusing. I'm glad Anne-Banana's settling in well into Hogwarts, but that's the only good thing that's happening. First of all, Harry thinks Malfoy's a Death Eater. Hermione likes Ron, and Ron doesn't like her back, but I ship Romione…let's not even get started on the relationship between Malfoy and I, which should win most messed up…not to mention Harry's starting to stare at Ginny a lot…I mean he's my ex but am I ready to move on? I'm not even interested in anyone at the moment. I'll just be an old spinster. Crap, did I actually say all that out loud? Sorry, Lills, you probably tuned out of that and I don't blame you."

"Old spinster?" Lilly scoffs. "As I remember, three weeks ago, you were eating off Malfoy's face." She says triumphantly as we exit the carriage. "Don't know why, though. I hate him so much."

"Oh, come on!" I say, my cheeks reddening. "Damn you. Damn you, Lills. That means nothing, absolutely nothing…he kissed me. And so do I! I hate him so much."

"But you kissed back," Lilly says, smirking. "But don't worry. Harry, Ron, and Hermione will never know."

We look at each other and press our fingers to our lips, before gracefully exiting the carriages, and secure on our winter coats. "The git hasn't spoken to me in three weeks, not that I'm complaining…"

Lilly laughs.

"Crap," I mutter, staring down at Zonko's Joke Shop, which was completely boarded up.

Lilly and I enter Honeydukes and sigh in relief. "It's nice and warm in here," says Lilly. "Nothing like outside."

"And the smell of chocolate," I sigh in agreement.

Harry waves us over and we slip into the booth where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting.

"Harry, m'boy!" A voice booms from behind us. You see, I was extremely grateful to Harry for these past couple of weeks. He kept scheduling our Quidditch practices during Slughorn's suppers, which sent Ron and me over the moon. Ron had declared it was 'the only downfall of the potions beacon,' the fact that we had to go to these stupid things.

Lilly had gone to all three and told me it was a waste of time. Hermione and I spent hours lamenting over how McLaggen was hitting on her.

"That's three of my little suppers three of you have missed now!" Slughorn says. "It won't do, I'm determined to have all of you!"

"Well, Ron, Lina, and I have had Quidditch practice, Professor," says Harry.

"Well, I certainly expect you to win your first Quidditch match after all your hard work!" Slughorn says. "But a little recreation never hurt anybody. Now, how about Monday night. You can't possibly want to practice in this weather…"

"I can't, Professor, I've got—er—an appointment with Professor Dumbledore that evening," Harry replies.

"Unlucky again!" Slughorn cries dramatically. "How about you two?"

"Ron and I…uh…we procrastinated on um…a Charms Essay, and, um…it's due Tuesday morning, so, yeah…" I trail off. "Long story short, we won't be able to make it."

"Yeah," Ron says, nodding vigorously. "What Lina said."

Hermione smirks. "No way Lina procrastinated in her best subject, and I can always help Ron with his. Besides, I don't remember Professor Flitwick giving a Charms essay for Tuesday. I'm sure they'd love to come."

"Excellent!" Slughorn beams. "I'll see you Monday!" He gives a regal wave before walking out of the shop.

"Traitor." I snarl at Hermione, Ron nodding in agreement.

"I need some of you guys there besides Lilly while McLaggen tries hitting on me," Hermione shudders.

I smirk when I notice Ron looking angry at the mere thought of that. Romione…

After some conversation and purchasing, the five of us decide to go to the Three Broomsticks. We end up running into a barman that looked rather familiar.

"Mundungus!" Harry exclaims, noticing him dropping an ancient suitcase, which had a lot of stuff spill out of it. "Are you selling this stuff?"

"Oh, 'ello, 'Arry," Mundungus says. "Well, gotta scrape a living. Gimme that!" He says to Ron.

"Hang on," Ron says slowly. "This looks familiar…"

"Thank you!" Mundungus exclaims, snatching the goblet. "Well, I'll see you all—OUCH!"

Harry pins him against the wall. "Sirius gave up his house for headquarters. You took that from Grimmauld Place! It has the Black family crest on it!"

"I—no—what!" Mundungus splutters. There was a sudden bang and Mundungus grabs his suitcase and Disapparates.

"Don't worry," I tell Harry soothingly. "We can just write Sirius about it."

"Grimmauld Place?" asks Lilly inquisitively.

"Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix," I explain to her.

"Lina, you idiot! You don't go handing that information out on a silver platter!" Hermione hisses at me.

"What?" Ron laughs. "Is Lilly going to call Death Eaters on us?" Harry joins in the laughter.

"Oh, hello, Voldemort, um, just to let you know, the Order Headquarters is at Grimmauld Place! Oh please, where would Lilly even get access to Voldemort?" I ask, causing the three of us to laugh even harder.

Hermione just huffs and glares at us. "I cannot believe you're actually joking around about this."

"Is there like some sort of secret code to get in?" presses Lilly.

"I'm not sure, I think you have to stomp your foot four times or something like that," Harry replies to her. "I can't believe Mundungus would do that…thieving bastard…"

"Unbelievable," mutters Hermione, shaking her head.

We walk into the Three Broomsticks and I hear Hermione abruptly ask, "Ron, what are you staring at?"

"Nothing," Ron says hastily, but I knew he was staring at the bartender, Madam Rosmerta.

"I expect 'nothing's' in the back getting more Firewhiskey!" Hermione snaps.

"Jeez, you really love your ladies, don't you?" I tease. "I mean, first you hit on Lilly over here, then you have an eye for Lavender, and now the bartender…who's next, Hermione?"

"Not my type," Ron says dismissively.

"I mean you have very compatible personalities," I inform him, the matchmaker in me coming out. "Opposites attract."

"I'll get together with Hermione when you get together with Malfoy," Ron huffs. I frown. I shouldn't have brought that up in front of Hermione. But I glance towards her and notice her face more hopeful than ever before.

"Why are you so hopeful?" I ask her. "He just said he'd get together with you when I get together with Malfoy! You know, something in the never-happening realm! I'm not dating that git."

"Well, I don't know. You're always gazing at the Slytherin table during meals…" Hermione trails off.

"She does," Lilly chimes in. "She sits there, eats, and then her eyes always fall on a specific spot."

"That means nothing, I stare at the Slytherin table because I miss looking at Thalia from there last year," I huff.

"Yeah." Hermione deadpans. "Sure." She and Lilly burst into laughter, while I plot ways to kill them slowly and painfully.

Eventually, we decide to leave and call it a day. We end up walking behind Katie Bell and her friend in Hufflepuff. I think her name was Leanne? Leanne keeps reaching for something Katie was holding, but Katie keeps pulling back angrily.

"It's nothing to do with you, Leanne!" Katie screams at her angrily. Leanne reaches for it once again, and Katie pulls it away, causing the thing to drop on the ground. Before either of them could make a grab for it, Katie starts to slowly rise off the ground, her arms outstretched as the wind blew her hair.

Katie's eyes were closed and her expression was blank. Suddenly, her eyes shoot wide open in fear, and she let out a terrible scream. It was so loud that people could probably hear her back in Hogsmeade.

Leanne screams and grabs on to Katie's ankles, and all five of us rush forward to help her grab Katie's legs. But whatever was holding Katie up let go and she fell on top of us.

Harry and Ron catch her and put her gently on the ground, stepping away as she begins screaming and thrashing once again.

"Stay there!" Harry shouts. "I'm calling for help!"

"What's happening to her?" Leanne trembles, her voice cracked with sobs.

"I don't know," I say helplessly, worried for Katie.

"Get back," Hagrid's voice calls. "Lemme see her…"

"Something's happened to her!" Leanne screams.

Hagrid takes a look at Katie before picking her up and pinning her arms down so she doesn't thrash about as much. He takes off towards Hogwarts without a word, leaving the six of us standing there awkwardly.

"It's Leanne, isn't it?" Hermione asks kindly, putting a comforting arm around her. She nods. "Did it just happen all of a sudden, or…?"

"It happened when that package tore," Leanne says, pointing at it. It was a package, but the wrapper was ripped and something shiny was peeking out.

I reach to pick the package up with a trembling hand, but Harry pulls my arm back. "Don't touch it!" He yells. "I've seen that before. It was labeled in Borgin and Burkes' as cursed. How did Katie get a hold of this?"

"She came back from the bathroom at the Three Broomsticks with it, she said she had to deliver it to somebody at Hogwarts." Leanne sobs. "She looked all funny when she said it…oh no, I bet she's been Imperiused and I didn't realize!"

"She didn't say who gave it to her?" I ask gently.

"No…she wouldn't tell me…and I said she was being silly and not to take it up to the school, but she just wouldn't listen…and…and…" She breaks into sobs, and Hermione and I comfort her as we walk up to the school.

"Hagrid says you six saw what happened to Katie Bell," Professor McGonagall says, standing in front of the doors. "Upstairs to my office at once, Filch? What's that you're holding, Potter?"

"It's the thing she touched," Harry replies.

"Good lord!" Professor McGonagall exclaims. "Filch, take this necklace to Professor Snape at once, but be sure not to touch it, keep it wrapped in the scarf!"

"What happened?" She asks as we make our way into her office.

Leanne begins to tell the tale, and when she was done her sobs were uncontrollable.

"Go to the Hospital Wing, Leanne, and get Madam Pomfrey to give you a Calming Drought," She says soothingly. Leanne nods, the sobs echoing along the corridor as she makes her way to the Hospital.

"Professor, can I see Professor Dumbledore, please?" Harry asks.

"The Headmaster is away until Monday, Potter," Professor McGonagall replies.

"Away?" Harry asks.

"Yes, away!" Professor McGonagall snaps. "But anything you have to say about this horrible business can be said to me, I'm sure?"

Harry hesitates. "I think Draco Malfoy gave Katie that necklace, Professor."

I blink. My mouth is agape. "Excuse me?" I gasp. "There is no proof of Draco Malfoy doing such a thing. He's a git yeah, but not that much of one."

"Miss Quimby is correct, that is a very serious accusation, Potter." Professor McGonagall says. "Proof?"

"No," Harry mutters, talking about the Borgin and Burkes' incident.

As the argument continues on, Professor McGonagall ends it with, "Potter, Mr. Malfoy was not even in Hogsmeade today. He was in detention with me because he failed to complete his Transfiguration homework twice in a row. So thank you for telling me your suspicions, but I need to go up to the Hospital Wing and check on Katie Bell. Good day to you all," She says, holding the door open for us.

"Harry, are you crazy?" I hiss. "Malfoy?"

"Yes, Malfoy." Harry says firmly, his eyes narrowed at me. "Although you'd seem to know a lot about him, wouldn't you?" He accuses.

I huff. "I don't know what you're implying here."

He lost his temper then and there. "Death Eater Consorter." Harry hisses.

I back away, tears filling my eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about!" I argue.

Hermione and Lilly gasp collectively and angrily. "What has gotten into you?!" Hermione yells at Harry, putting her hands on my shoulders. "She's not a Death Eater consorter!"

"It's fine, really…" I say. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone." I say, rushing up the stairs.

"Now look what you've done!" I heard Lilly screech, but I was determined to get to my sanctuary. The Astronomy tower.

I lay down on top of the tower, letting a snowflake melt on my face.

Harry's right. I am a Death Eater Consorter. And that makes me just as bad as a Death Eater, doesn't it?


Gryffindor Girls Dormitory Bathroom

Lilly, as known as Brooke, types in a special code on her compact mirror at night. Her father, Voldemort's, face appears.

"Hello, my daughter." He hisses. "Any…information?"

"Yes," she says. "Draco Malfoy had a feeble attempt on killing Headmaster Dumbledore. He tried to send a cursed necklace through a girl called Katie Bell. He failed. He was this close to telling Alina his mission, but decided against it."

"Pathetic," He spits. "Alina really has corrupted him. Anything else?"

She grins sadistically. "I have found the location of the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters. Alina is just too easy. Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. And Potter said to stomp your foot outside four times to reveal Number Twelve." She adds.

"Excellent, my daughter, excellent…you never fail me." Voldemort smirks.


A/N: So, that was the chapter! No, Lina, it does not make you a Death Eater, Harry's just being an idiot. Just listen to Draco about Lilly and all will be well. Why did you reveal Headquarters?! Ugh. Anyways, some Dralina in this one. Okay, NOW no updates until the end of May!

Please R&R :)

-Ana