Chapter Nine

By Claidi

The Slytherins were having a party. The reason was because we were leading in the House Points. Was it always a big fuss? I mean, it is just house points. And so what if you do win the House Cup? You won't win a satchel of Galleons, items, nothing at all. You just get well, a cup. But I joined the party. People brought food. Some were playing games. Others were gossiping. I was taking pictures. Scrapbook. I just thought of it. I took a picture of Vivienne gobbling food. A picture of Pansy actually giving a first-year some juice. I took a picture of Yasmine smiling and not sneering. I would laugh when this gets developed. It wasn't the typical Muggle camera. It was the wizard type. The one whose pictures move when developed. I was laughing too. And the people, satiate and full of butterbeer, pumpkin juice, cauldron cakes, and other kinds of food, went to their dormitories to sleep and rest. It was already eleven forty-five. I was alone once more at the Common Room. I always considered being alone once in a blue moon, healthy. And besides, I wasn't sleepy.  I sat on one of the armchairs infront the fireplace. I stared at it.

The fire was merrily spitting flames here and there. But it was dying. Slowly losing its flame and heat. I blew on it; it was dead. It was a stupid thing to do. There were other sources of light in the Common Room. Lanterns, candelabras, and chandeliers…it was there but unfortunately there wasn't a heater. The fireplace was also called, heat. It was shivering cold. I stared once more at the fire, wishing that my stare would miraculously bring it back to its fiery state. Ridiculous. Then I noticed something. It was near the ashes, almost covered. I brushed the ashes away and picked it up. It was the note I received last night. I gasped. It was supposed to be burned up and disintegrated! The letters and words were there. I could still read it. But at the end of the note, there was another thing. It wasn't present before. Was this note with Dark Magic? A joke? I read it.

don't try to ignore this

you cannot escape this

if you want to know more

go to the forbidden forest

you will know where

your sense knows where

I nodded as if I understood. Then I silently walked out of the Common Room, out of the school, and into the forest.

It was a full moon. I shivered. I wasn't wearing my usual long-sleeved uniform shirt. I was wearing another sleeveless one. Low-necked to be precise. I was walking. What the hell does that note mean that my sense—whatever—would lead me there? Something was thumping on my chest. I looked down. It was my camera, hanging on the cord you are supposed to where on your neck. In my haste, I forgot to put it down. Oh well, no time to go back.

I closed my eyes. Then I saw a place. It was near a huge tree. I walked with my eyes closed. If it meant my sense, I'll give it my sense. I'll walk without me knowing where. I groped through the darkness and felt something. I opened my eyes. There it was, the huge tree, just as I saw it.

"What now?" I grumbled. 

I heard something. I turned and saw a dark figure. My brain told me to scream, to run, but my sense told me not to be afraid. To stay. To listen. I followed my sense. It went to me, or rather, flew to me. I know its feet didn't touch the ground. Then it touched me. Its hand was death cold and I gave an involuntary shiver. I couldn't see its face. All I know was that it was a dark figure that could blend with the night. Then it produced something. I strained my eyes to see. It was a necklace. Simple and made from woven thread. It looked like the Muggle trifle…ah yes, the Friendship bracelet. But instead it was a necklace. Or a chocker, whichever you prefer. It had a pendant. I couldn't see what it was because of the darkness.

Then it disappeared. But it wasn't completely gone. I felt its presence behind me. I felt it put the necklace on my neck. Then it whispered at my ear, "It would give you power. Just think and it would happen." The voice was slithering, high pitched, and felt like a cold blast of icy wind. But I didn't shiver. It sounded familiar. As if I was used to it.

I turned around. I saw nothing. It was gone. Was I dreaming? Hallucinating? I touched my neck. The necklace was there. I wasn't dreaming.

I didn't ponder about it for long. I wanted to be out of the forest. Different kinds of rabid, dangerous animals frolicked in here like rabbits in an open meadow. I walked faster. I saw a light glow from the right. I was curious so I followed it. I heard voices but I couldn't decipher what they were saying. A bonfire was there, and a log. But I heard voices. Whoever these people were, they were under an invisibility cloak. What else could be but that?

I walked slowly and carefully. But I didn't notice a tree root protruding from the ground. Before I knew it, I tripped and fell flat on my face. I was about to scream and curse the stupid tree root so badly but my brain was quicker. People were here and I won't let them see me. I lay on the ground. I slowly got up and quietly brushed away the leaves that clung to me. I hid behind a tree. I heard voices again. I couldn't decipher the words. Then suddenly, it grew louder.

"I love you…" why was that male voice so familiar? Have I heard it somewhere? But this was juicy stuff. I might hear more!

Then I heard no more.

I was about to leave when I thought the invisibility cloak might fall. I should stay and wait to find out who these lovers are. I didn't want to tell on them. Malfoy once told me that he got in trouble because he did that on Potty, Weasel, and the Mudblood who was now in Beauxbatons. I'm not stupid enough to do that.

I was right. Slowly the invisibility cloak fell. I saw red and black heads. When the cloak revealed their faces, my jaw dropped. I wanted to howl with laughter. But I didn't. I just laughed in me. I'll laugh later in the common room.

It was Callista and Ron. But that wasn't the point. The point was they were kissing. Practically sucking their faces with their mouths! I laughed silently. My mouth opened as if it was laughing but no sound came out. Making out! Tears came out of my eyes. This was so funny! I counted. One, two, three, four, five…five seconds and still they weren't finished!!! I laughed silently again but this time my head was thrown back. This IS juicy. I should just jump put and surprise them! But then, I had a better idea. I remembered my camera. I took out the flash option and clicked a few pictures. This was precious! I would develop them myself when I'm back at the Common Room. I took about ten pictures. Hey, it was precious, right?

They were still kissing when I left.

I didn't tell anyone about it. I developed the pictures myself. No one knew. It would be my personal amusement to tell them in their sorry faces.

When I got to the Common Room, I got to see the necklace more clearly. The pendant was a stone. Black and glassy. I was guessing it to be Obsidian. It was cold to touch. And it gave an eerie, mystical feeling. 

It was our last period when I saw them again. Doubles with Gryffindor during Care of Magical Creatures. We were to meet the teacher outside his hut outside. The teacher was the half-giant Hagrid.

The Slytherins don't like him. I don't know why. Or probably because he was Harry's close friend. Speaking of Harry, he and Ron were friends again. Callista was part of their merry crowd again too. She and Ron showed no signs of…"infatuation".

"Good aftanon students!" Hagrid greeted us joyously. Every Gryffindor replied happily. The Slytherins did only because they had to act…like a proper polite students.

"T'day, am going tah guve ya a special lesson. Jus' wait a moment. I'll get the sample." He went to the forest.

"I wonder what joke would Hagrid teach us today?" I heard Pansy grumble.

She was answered rather quickly.

I saw a beautiful chestnut horse. Its eyes were intelligent, and it looked perfect. Its wings were flapping wildly. It tried to fly up but wasn't able too because of the leash. It tried to kick Hagrid but the leash was long. It was a winged horse. My favorite animal. I smiled ecstatically.

"Ooooooh!!!" I heard a stupid voice. It was Lavender from Gryffindor. I looked at her and rolled my eyes. Whatever.

"Now, everybody knows this 'ere creature. A winged horse." Hagrid said.

I didn't listen. My eyes wandered. Pansy and the others tried to look unimpressed. I was impressed and I'm not afraid to show that I was. I spotted Malfoy whispering to Crabbe and Goyle. Oh he's thinking of a way to sabotage it! No way. Winged horses are my favorite and there's no way he would ruin my fun. I went to his direction. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned. We almost touched.

"Malfoy…" I whispered to his ear, "Don't you dare try to do what's you're thinking. Winged horses. You know why."

"Really? My opportunity. Not yours." He replied arrogantly. Even if he was my friend, we disagreed once in awhile. This time I wanted to kick him.

"Don't harm the horses. Leave it up to me. Okay?"

"Fine." Malfoy said stubbornly.

I went back to Yasmine's side.

"Now, I know every one of ya want tah hold this beauty firs'." Hagrid continued, "So any one who can answer mah question will touch it firs'."

I saw the excited faces of the girls. I'll answer that question.

"What breed is this 'ere winged horse?" Hagrid asked.

My hand shot up in the air.

"Only two?" I heard him say. I looked. It was Callista. Hagrid surveyed us, "Ah, the exchange' students." He looked at me, "You der. What yer name? House?"

"Lara from Slytherin," I replied.

"Never thought a Slytherin would volunteer." I heard Hagrid.

Callista looked beaten. I guess she wanted to touch the horse too.

"Alrigh' Lara. What's the breed? And while yer on it, tell me other things about it."

I smirked at Callista. I saw Malfoy and the others stare at me. I raised an eyebrow.

"The breed is Aethonan. It is chestnut in color and popular in Britain and Ireland."

"Yer righ'." Hagrid said happily, "Com' ere."

"Winged horses are unruly and kind of arrogant. They don't want to be touched. But they would allow it if yer trusted. You can ride 'em if they trust you too."

"I know."

"Firs' ya go infront o' them and look down. Then touch its head. Scratch it then maybe, just maybe, it would let ya ride 'em."

"Alright."

I went infront the winged horse. It glared at me. I looked down. I hated looking down. I saw it as a sign of defeat. But then, the horse might kick me. I slowly looked up and met its eyes. The eyes softened.

"Now ya can scratch Chessy's head." Hagrid told me. Chessy? What a pathetic name.

I did. It kind of made its head go nearer. I scratched it. It nudged me.

"Chessy likes ya!"

"Hagrid, I have a question." I noticed Malfoy looked at me amusedly. He knows what I'll do.

"What?"

"Is this the only breed? An Abraxan perhaps. Or a Granian. Or better yet, a Thestral."

 "Ya can't get 'em. Granian too fast. Abraxan too big. Thestral…very rare."

I heard the others gasp.

"What?' I demanded.

"The Thestral is rare, black and has the power of invisibility." Hagrid explained.

"I know about that. But why?"

"Thestrals 're unlucky."

"Oh you're kidding me! As a teacher, shouldn't you disregard superstition and face the facts? Isn't that what you're supposed to do? To lead your students away from all this nonsense! And Hagrid, can you give me a situation in which a Thestral did cause bad luck? And if there was, is there any documented proof?" I told him. He looked flustered, "You should know. You're the teacher." I finished.

I saw the Slytherins look at me with glee.

"I don' get it." Hagrid said. He looked confused.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

"Anyway, We're outta time. We continue on winged horses next meetin'." Hagrid left. I went to Pansy.

"Good show. You really puzzled that half-giant," Janice commented.

I saw Callista walk with Harry and Ron. While in the common room, I picked the best picture and made it smaller so it would fit in my pocket. I had a plan. And this was the perfect time. This was the last subject. A lot of people had come out to have some fresh air. Perfect. An audience.

"Pansy, call the other Slytherins before they go in. I have a show for you all. I wouldn't want them to miss it." I told her.

"Why what would you do?" she asked.

"Wait and see. Tell them to follow me."

I walked to Callista. Slytherins followed me and Gryffindors followed them.

"Hello there, Callista!" I greeted.

Callista glared at me. So did the other Gryffindors.

"You shouldn't have done that Lara." Ron said to me.

"What?"

"That question."

"We'll talk about that later. Right now, it's just me and Callista."

"What do you want?" Callista asked me.

The crowd of students surrounded us. There were no teachers. The other year levels went too so they could see what was the commotion. Perfect.

"I have a story to tell you Callista."

"What, Sleeping Beauty?" she sneered.

"Good, good! I never thought you would sneer Callista. Anyway, my story is about…LOVE."

"I am so interested." She replied sarcastically.

"Once upon a time, a girl named Lara went down to the Forbidden Forest," I heard gasps, "And then she saw a bonfire. And she heard voices. She went closer to investigate. Then she saw you."

I saw Callista's eyes widen.

"Here is the part when the fairy tale book turns it page and reveals a picture. I will now."

I took out the miniscule photo.

"I could really see it Lara." Callista mocked.

"Be prepared Callista." I glanced at Ron, "Oh, and you too."

I took out my wand, pointed it at the photo. "Engorgio." I said.

The picture grew but not big enough to be seen by others. The people near saw the kissing scene of Ron and Callista. The Slytherins howled with laugher. The Gryffindors remained quiet. Callista looked stricken, her cheeks flaming and burning. Ron was purple. Harry was flustered.

"You see Callista, I saw you. Too bad you didn't care whether the invisibility cloak was falling." I made the photo smaller again and placed it back on my pocket, "I happened to be there. And I saw you making out! I swear I thought you were sucking each other's faces!" I heard snickers, "And at the middle of the night! Near a bonfire! All alone! What a perfect…um…romantic scene! Of course I was laughing. I couldn't even control myself. My camera was with me so I took a few shots. If you call ten a few." I smiled at her.

Callista remained cool. "You piece of dirt." She growled.

"You're the piece of dirt.  I couldn't believe it. You should have just followed what I said! Go steady with Potter. Let the two most goody-goody two shoes in this whole school be together! And both of you have scars too."

"How did you know?" Callista demanded.

"Do you think I was blind? I saw it you little twit! During the Quidditch game! Back to my speech. Only a piece of dirt would love another piece of dirt. Callista, I must say you are pretty. Perfect like me. But you are stupid. Stupid!" I walked to her. We were almost touching, "I couldn't believe you would go for flea bitten beggars like Weasley. I couldn't believe you let his grubby lips touch yours. If I didn't laugh, I must have thrown up. Callista, you're making a fool out of yourself. Look at you. You're smart, pretty, I know that everyone in Beauxbatons like you. But no, you leave France, all the achievements left in France. You just made a shame out of yourself. Giving a French kiss to your…beggar boyfriend. I swear I thought you would give him…what do you call it? Right, a blow job."

Callista glared and went red.

"Lara, at least someone loves me. Because I'm human. You…you're as cold as ice! No one would go near you!"

"Is that all you could say? Callista, I don't care whether you go to Hell with Ron for kissing in every corner. The point is he is nothing but a piece of stupid shi—"

"SHUT UP!!!"  Callista screamed and slapped my face.

"That is it!!! You slapped my face for the last time!!!" I slapped her too.

I kicked her. She slapped me.

Then I was restrained. I looked back. I saw Harry's face.

"Let go." I said calmly.

"No. Even if you're not my friend, I don't Callista to be hurt. And I don't want any trouble." He replied as calmly as I am.

I glanced at Callista. She was hissing and spitting at Ron.

"LAY OFF RON!!!" she screamed, "Let me kick her!!! You are just too good!!!"

"Let go Harry," he held firm, "I said, LET GO!!!"

I felt his hands leave my arms. I heard screams, gasps.

"RON YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I DON'T CARE!!! JUST LET ME GO!!!" I heard Callista. Then suddenly, I watched Ron release her. But he was brought up to the air and stayed there.

"Alright. Bring it on Bitch!" Callista shouted at me.

I heard laughter. I turned around. I saw Harry in midair like Ron. Malfoy had tears in his eyes.

"I know this! I did this once to Aunt Marge! It's their scars, Ron!" Harry yelled. 

I didn't bother.

"Let's fight this like true witches," I said.

"Wands out. I know." Callista took out her wand.

"What's your wand Callista?" I asked her.

"No talk. Let's get it over as quickly as possible. Duel now!"

"I mean it. Mine is 13 ½ inches. Yew. Phoenix feather."

"That's not possible!!!" I heard Harry, "That's Voldemort's wand!!!"

I noticed that everybody flinched. Except me.

"Don't say You-Know-Who's name!!!" Ron yelled at him.

"Is that all you could think about!!! We're in midair!!!" Harry replied annoyingly.

"Shut up both you!" I snapped, "This is my wand. Not Voldie's. Crap it!!! Just SHUT UP!!!"

Then they flew higher.

"WHAT IS ALL THIS COMMOTION???"

I looked. It was Professor McGonagall. Behind were the other professors.

They saw us with our wands out. We are in big trouble.