Chapter 7 – Planning a Midnight Rendezvous
Rhia woke with a pounding headache several days later. The past days had been horrible. She saw Sirius Black nearly every day, and he was amused by the whole scenario and her annoyance. Monica was ignoring her since it was first rumored Rhia and Black were dating. Snape still hadn't spoken to her since that Potions lesson. And, all day, girls pelted her with insane questions about what it was like for a loser to be with Sirius Black and why they were never seen kissing. Rhia was going crazy.
"Why do you two keep your relationship so secret?"
"Shut up already!" screamed Rhia, frightening the poor girl away.
"Calm down, darling," said a voice from behind her.
"You call me darling one more time, I swear—"
"You'll what?"
She spun around, pointing her index finger at him threateningly.
"What is it, darling?" he said smirking.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor for lying. Twenty points for mocking a prefect. Get to class, Black."
"You're lucky you scared everyone else away, or else our cover would be broken," said Black nonchalantly.
"Pfft. See you in class, Black." And she left him alone in the hallway.
For the second time since she had accidentally touched Snape's hand, Rhia entered her Potions class and sat down beside Severus Snape. "So are you going to ignore me for the rest of our lives?" she snapped.
"I was considering it for a while."
Rhia glared when she saw Black and Potter enter the classroom.
"Aren't you going with Black?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me you believe that too?"
"Well, then why haven't you made it clear to the rest of the school?"
"I don't know. Then it'll just be all the ditzy girls saying that they knew in their heart of hearts that he would never sink low enough to date me."
"But you're always yelling at him. How can people truly believe you'd sink that low?"
"Why are you defending me? I'm a Mudblood, remember?"
"Better a Mudblood than a blood traitor. You didn't have a choice. He did."
"Will you please study with me in the library tonight?" she asked.
"After dinner?"
"Yes."
"Very well. I shall see you then."
Rhia smiled.
For the rest of the class, they working in silence until Slughorn dismissed them to lunch. Rhia made her way to the Great Hall, determined to find Monica and to convince her as well that she was not going with Black. But Black found her first.
"Good afternoon, darling," he said, taking her hand in his. "How 'bout we have our talk tonight? Midnight in the Astronomy tower." He squeezed her hand, not waiting for a response, and left.
Rhia groaned in frustration and approached the Hufflepuff table to see Monica leaving. She rushed after her out of the Great Hall. "Monica!" she cried angrily, chasing her up the great staircase.
Monica turned on her. "Rhia, what are you doing with that prat? What about the things you said? Were you lying?"
"No! Sirius Black is a good-for-nothing, god-awful, narcissistic prat!"
"Then why are you going with him?"
"I'm not. He just said that to spite me because I ruined what he had with you. Because I ruined his fun. Please tell me you believe me."
"I do. I don't know how I couldn't. But, when I heard that rumor, I was just so angry. I didn't really believe you'd do that awful thing, but it just seemed so plausible."
Rhia smiled. "Well, that's completely understandable. I'd be kinda angry too."
She nodded, a quizzical look appearing on her face. "Why don't you clarify that then?"
"Oh, I don't know. People'll just use that to shove it in my face."
Monica nodded again. "C'mon, let's go to Transfiguration."
