Somewhere Over The Rainbow
MY GOD! It's been a while, I'm sorry. Well, like I said before, this chapter was going to come out late, but it came out later than I thought it was. I will spare you excuses. Only know that it dealt with distraction during the writing of the tenth chapter, and family issues. But no matter! I'm back. I rather like this chapter. It has some fluff in it. And it opens more twists.
leceilbleu: Thanks so much! I spent a lot of time thinking about how to develop the characters. And yeah, I get really sick of the OFC's that are Tom Riddle's love interest in most stories. They're all so very predictable, especially the fragile ones, who are also loners, and no one likes. As for the lyrics, well, they're not entirely needed. Though I do plan on having some songs put in specific chapters, as they would be my inspiration, but they are revelevent to that chapter. It's not like I put it in there to show off my awesome-cool music taste or what ever.
BEN-Beyond the Elusive Nomads: Haha, glad you like it. I realize the summary sounds very cliche, but a lot of people like cliche summaries and it attracts more attention. Sometimes unwanted attention, like trolls looking to flame self-insert stories and what not. Though eventually, I may fix it up so it could sound less of a cliche story.
Random Fact:
I got the idea of having them being Keyported to Hogwarts at a Harry Potter Exhibit when I went to a HP exhibit myself. And I thought, wouldn't it be awesome if one of these items were a Portkey to Hogwarts? And since that didn't happen (cause I wasn't allowed to touch anything... Even though I was a fraction away from Tom Riddle's robes from the actual second movie, and I desperately wanted to suckle on the fabric) I went home and started on chapter one.
CHAPTER NINE.
Cigarette Smoke, Basil, and Worn Leather
I found myself kilometers above the ground, nose-diving on my broom, thigh-to-thigh with the Ravenclaw Seeker. We had been circling the pitch for at least an hour, this game never seeming to end at all. From what I heard, Ravenclaw was in the lead by three scores, giving me more pressure. I wished that I had chosen a broom that could handle more speed rather than altitude, but I suspected it would come in handy if the Snitch decided to turn upwards and shoot up into the sky like it did before when I tried to catch the damned thing. Unfortunately for me, it hadn't even done that once since we started playing. Before it could reach ten feet from the ground, the Snitch made a sharp turn, giving me a better advantage at reaching it. In the process of my swift turn, I was able to confuse the Ravenclaw seeker and accidently knock him off his broom, giving me a better advantage. And as I got impatient, I pushed myself a little further up the broom so my hand was now brushing against the wings. I wrapped my legs around the broom making sure I didn't fall off, and continued to push foreword until my hand hovered above the cursed ball. And before the blasted Snitch could jerk into a different direction, I enclosed it into my hand, and before I could process where I was, for I was far too distracted in my triumphant, I smacked my body head first into a wall.
And that is how I ended up in the Hospital Wing.
"Haha, I'm sorry but, hehe," Weasley laughed, covering his mouth in amusement. "It was just like... SPLAT! Haha!" I gave Kay a look, and she took one of the hard pillows and hit the ginger up side the head. "Shut up, Sep."
The damage wasn't too bad. I had a bruise on my forehead, from where my skull was once cracked, along with my arm, though being wizards broken bones and fractured skulls were an easy fix up, and I was fixed by Sunday, which was today. I still had to remain in the Hospital Wing because of the mild concussion I had, and moving around would only make it worse. And if I was in the Hospital Wing, Madam Lambert would keep a better eye on me if I were to fall asleep, despite the fact she gave me something to prevent me from doing so until another elixir finally did it's work on fixing that concussion. Earlier today, I was already visited by my siblings, even Iris surprisingly, Daniel - who gave me some easy Astronomy homework - and Birch congratulating me on winning the game. But I secretly knew that he just wanted to see if I was okay. At the moment, with Septimus, Kathleen, and Fredrick, it was getting dark, and I knew Lambert would be shooing them off.
Speaking of which, the woman came bustling in to do just that. "Alright, youngsters, the girl needs her sleep," when she said sleep, I looked up at her. "The elixir should be done its course now, so you can sleep," she smiled sweetly. Kay stood up first, and went up to the side of the bed, "I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning, or afternoon depending on how long you end up falling asleep. Good night," she gave me a half hug, then followed by Prewett and Weasley. "I'll make sure you don't go and run into walls, I promise," Sep said, receiving another smack from Kay. When they left, I closed my eyes, realizing now how tired I really was from the two days of no sleep at all. Without a care in the world, I fell asleep instantly.
That night, my dream was very clear, and I did remember it. It wasn't the wet dream that I had with a certain Slytherin boy that came now and then, but it was the same dream that I had been avoiding to decipher. The yew tree, the little girl, the dead dove, the cat and the snake cuddling, the doctor. The only thing new in the dream was that as the dove faded to ashes in the palms of the girl's hands, a hand grasped the girl's shoulder. A woman's, with long nails, wide blue eyes, and a purple fog emitting from her form. Though the woman's actual facial features were not visible to me. At this, I started to groggily arise from my slumber, forcing my eyes open so I couldn't look at the woman's unsettling stare. When I did, I became aware of the cold sweat I gave off, and the presence of someone standing just above my cot. In my sleep, I assumed it was someone I knew, like Basil and Hector, but their face was shadowed.
"What... what are you doing here?" I reached out, my eyes still half closed, and felt my hand land on a sleeve. I pulled the figure closer, to get a better look at who he was. I saw the colour green knitted into his robes, and I tried to blink off the sleep. Lestrange? Was this him? With a foggy mind, I tangled my fingers with his cold ones, and mumbled something along the lines of, "You should...should go to your dorm... Before Lam...bert finds you..." My head lolled to the side, and I was once again plunging into the darkness of sleep, but not before I felt the fingers laced in mine pull away only to brush the damp hair off of my sweaty forehead.
When I did wake up, it was well into the afternoon, and I was greeted by the friendly face of Kathleen Vandal, and a tray of food. I was allowed to leave the Hospital Wing around dinner time, with a permission slip to miss my first two classes Monday morning due to my messed up schedule. But I had other things on my mind. Kay knew about the Polyjuice potion I was planning on doing, and offered me the Invisibility Cloak if I needed it to sneak around. After dinner, I took my supplies, and went to the seventh floor to the Room of Requirement. The result of room I got, mimicked that of a potions class room, and I realized that I didn't need to go around stealing supplies if this room provided all that I needed. I was up until two in the morning getting it ready, but it was at that point where it needed to settle for 22 days. Too tired to go back to the dorm, I asked the room for a bedroom of my own, and a door on the left opened up revealing a standard room with a four poster bed. I wonder why anyone would ever want to leave this room.
June 29th, 1986
It was an hour after the concert, at least 2 or 3 am, if Katherine had to guess. Lizzie had ditched her to be with some guy she met there, leaving the partially intoxicated brunette walk home herself. It wasn't such a shock to see a drunk person on the streets of London, though a drunk woman was an advantage that man predators took. She still had some common sense, and didn't take a car home, but she still didn't think of the consequences when she took the short way home through one of the most sketchiest parks in the neighbourhood. Katherine stumbled a few times as she walked, humming a tune she heard from the concert. Luckily, she did not go in pumps, like Lizzie, but some tennis shoes, so walking wasn't terribly hard. Though she did tumble backwards when a man dressed in complete black, and a shaved scalp intercepted her.
"'Ello, doll. What do ye think yer doin' out 'ere in this time of the night?" He asked, his cockney accent thicker than most of the people she met here in London.
"Just walking home. Now if you'll excuse me," she tried to walk around him, but he didn't let her.
"I don' think you'll be makin' home, tonight, luv. Yer comin' wiff me," he grabbed her arms tightly, and grinned a crooked tooth grin.
Katherine struggled, but being that he was large, and she was small and intoxicated, it didn't help much, "Let go of me, you Skin Head!" She tried to kick him, but he managed to flip her around so he was holding her arms down from behind. "Oh, c'mon, luv. It will be ova before ye know it. In fact, I betcha will enjoy it!" Katherine began to scream, hoping that there was one decent citizen out there that heard her and came to the rescue. The man, though, put his large hand over her mouth, "Shut up, ya stupid cunt." She struggled against him, wondering why she couldn't have just take a taxi home instead. Tears began to brim her eyes as the offender began to drag her into the shadows of a large tree.
But then he suddenly stopped, and a second voice was heard. "Let her go, and step away," the voice was familiar, but at the moment, Katherine didn't care who it was as long as they got the man off off him. "You ain't gonna do shit, boy," the man growled, his head tilted upwards as if to get a better look at the asshole that put the hunting knife to his throat. "Are you challenging me?" the other asked, tugging the knife closer to his neck, which shut the offender up. "I'm going to say this one more time... Let her go, and step away."
Katherine held her breath, but felt the large arms loosen on her, and the presence of the Skin Head pulled away. Immediately she stepped away from him and hid behind her savior, who had his large knife pointed to the offender. "Now, you can leave. And if I ever see your face again, I'll use it as dart board. Got it?" The large men glared at the hero, and then at the woman, before nodding and jogged off without another word. Once he was out of sight, the brunette sighed with relief. "I can't thank you enough," she turned and finally got a good look at this face, which caused her brows to reach her hair line. "It's you!"
It was the same rude guy from the alley way earlier this month. When he recognized her as well, his face turned into a scowl, and turned away, "You should stop taking short cuts home, it's dangerous. Especially when you've had a few drinks."
"Hey, where are you going," Kat called, jogging up to catch up to his long strides, "You can't just save my life and run off like that."
"Yes, I can. I'm tired, and I want to go to bed," the man said gruffly. "You should be going home. Isn't your friend missing you?"
"She's occupied at the moment," she replied, walking fast beside him to keep up. "But, seriously. There has to be something I can do to make it up to you. Can I at least buy you a coffee or tea or something?"
"You can repay me by leaving me alone," he turned to her, giving a frustrated look, but continued on until they reached a shed that was used for the groundskeeper that worked at the park. Inside, however, was a homemade cot with some old tarps for blankets, and a sack of sand for a pillow. When Katherine saw this, her brows furrowed in concern, "This is where you live?"
He sighed, "Yes. It is." He was obviously not going to get rid of her easily.
Katherine brought her eyes back to him, "Look, I know this may sound a bit too foreword, but, um, why don't you stay in my apartment? There's an extra room since my roommate moved last week."
The man eyed her oddly, not used to acts of kindness, even if he did deserve it - which wasn't often. He shook his head, "I don't have money to pay rent. No job."
She gave a half shrug, "You don't have to pay rent until you get a job. It's the least I can do for you after you saved my honour and possibly my life."
Again, the man eyed her, contemplating whether or not he should take the deal. He looked back at his makeshift home that he had been living in for the past month, and then back at her. "Fine. But once I have enough money, I'm going to be out of your life."
With a satisfied smile, the girl beamed, "Deal. I'm Katherine by the way. Katherine Bennett," she extended her hand.
The man eyed it warily before taking it, surprised at how small and smooth it was in comparison to his large rough ones, "Robert S- uh, Robert... Bilson."
"Well, Mr. Bilson..." She walked to his side and linked her arm with his and began to walk in the direction of her apartment, "I hope you don't mind cats. Because I have three."
Robert groaned.
As September ended, October began, and Thanksgiving soon approaching within two weeks of the month, signaling the end of my potions tutoring. With the anticipation of Halloween coming closely towards us, my excitement grew larger with every day. The Fright Fight was coming, and I was far more psyched about it than Christmas. For nothing brought me more joy than to strike fear into the hearts of those below me. It sounded evil, sure, and I wouldn't have been surprised had the Hat sorted me into Slytherin for that one joy alone, but it was something I enjoyed since I was 11. There is really no explanation to it. Every Bennett had their odd interest.
I enjoyed frightening people.
Hector likes to watch stupid American Reality TV shows, like The Jersey Shore.
Iris listens to the Jonas Brothers (but admits it once accused)
And Basil loves watching Japanese cartoons, in the language, with no subtitles.
Oh, and for what ever reason, my mom likes Justin Bieber, and I quote, "I like him because he's easy to poke fun at". Which is complete bullocks, because I've caught her several times listening to his songs.
I was sitting in Potions class, writing my 2 foot long essay on the different kinds of love potions. The first hour was spent on this, since Slughorn had to do last minute things to the Amortentia he was brewing for the example of the day. I glanced at the clock above the class room and sighed, still not believing after a month of having this class, that Dumbledore put me in double Potions.
Slughorn cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention as he beckoned over to a large cauldron where a lid was firmly ontop. Immediately we all left our seats to go up to the front of the class as he was about to begin the lesson. Slughorn began to explain the love potion, where it came from and how it was made by a hag in the early 1800s that went by the name of Lavern de Montmorency, who had green skin and brown hair. At that moment, he lifted the lid to cauldron, and revealed a bubbling pink liquid.
"Now, Amortentia, specifically, emits aromas that attract the person. For example... May I ask someone to come up and have a whiff?" Immediately, all the girls raised their hands, save for me. The males just stood there awkwardly. Slughorn gave a soft chuckle, seeing as he was expecting that kind of response. He examined the crowd, and I tried my best to avoid eye contact. Because everyone knows that as soon as you make eye contact with a teacher-
"Miss Bennett, why don't you come here and take a whiff," God damnit, I made eye contact. "And Mr. Riddle, if you don't mind. I'd like to have a boy up here as well." I groaned, but Riddle seemed unfazed, but I highly doubted he felt joyed by it either. We walked up to the pink bubbling substance, and Slughorn beckoned for Riddle to go first. Slowly he leaned foreword until the smell hit his nostrils. "So, what is that you smell, my boy?" The professor asked. Tom eyed him for a moment, before looking at the potion once more. I didn't have read his mind to know that he was thinking this was absolutely a waste of a class, since no one in their right mind would really need a love potion for any other reason other than to get someone to love you out of selfishness.
Clearing his throat, he answered, "I smell... burning wood. Cold rain. And..." he trailed off, sniffing it once more, "I believe green apples."
"Well done, well done," Slughorn dismissed the boy, and then motioned me over. I did the same as Riddle, ducking my head just above the mouth so I was able to smell the aroma. When Slughorn asked, I answered, "Cigarette smoke... Basil, and... I can't really make out the last smell..." I scrunched up my nose, sniffing the air like a dog. When a sudden realization of what I smelt, my face dropped. There was really only one way to describe this smell, and that was... Inflated ego.
My own voice rang in my head to the day I got on the train, and although I had been joking at the time, but in all honesty, that was the only way to describe the smell I was getting.
I looked up, finally noticing everyone's expected gaze on me. I glanced at Riddle, but quickly tore my eyes away and cleared my throat, "a-and, uh, worn leather... Yup."
At the end of Potions, people began to file out, and I was to be one of them hadn't I heard Slughorn call my name. God damnit, Sluggy, why do you this to me? Adjusting the strap around my shoulder, I turned on my heel, and walked up to his desk, "Yes, sir?"
"Yes, I wanted to talk to you about the tutoring you had with Mr. Prewett for the past few weeks," he motioned for me to take a seat, and I did. "You did exceptionally well, and grasped each potion with ease."
"Thank you sir," I replied, not knowing what else to say. I always hated being complimented, it was the most awkward thing ever besides catching your parents having sex.
He peered at me, with his hands folded on the desk, "I don't do this very often, Miss Bennett, only to the best of my students. But I wanted to invite you personally to join my after class club, called the Slug Club."
I tilted my head confusingly, "Sir, isn't that specifically for boys?"
He gave a short laugh, "Yes, well, it is, or was. But after finding out that you had made the Gryffindor quidditch team, I thought to myself... Well, it is about time to be more diverse! After all, the world is only growing foreword, not backward."
"So you're willing to invite females into your group?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Who knew that I was the first woman to make the Gryffindor team, and to be invited onto the Slug Club.
He nodded, "Yes, yes of course. And if you do me the honour of being the very first. I'd be a very happy man."
I thought about it. I really did. Weighing the pro's and con's. Who would be there?
Ambrosius Flume, the Hufflepuff was in the club for a year or two before he stopped going. Why? Well, my guess was because of all the Slytherins that joined. Which meant that probably Lestrange was in it, perhaps even Malfoy, Nott, Avery, Black, and naturally of course, Riddle. Most people would do anything to avoid those they detest at all costs, but the prospect of being the center of attention, the lone Gryffindor girl in a room filled with Slytherin boys, and Riddle would be pushed aside, made me out way the pros in my decision. "Of course sure, I would be delighted."
He beamed, "Wonderful, Miss Bennett. Our next meeting will be Friday, if you wish to come. It is during dinner, but we have our own private meals."
"I'll be there, sir."
"Wonderful, wonderful," he began to stand up. "Well, I believe I kept you for long enough. I will see you tomorrow, Miss Bennett."
"See you later, Professor," I gave a small wave and left the classroom, dimly aware of a shadow that swam across the floor in one swift motion and back into the darkness. I would have inspected it, but I had other pressing matters in hand. I was partially done the Poly Juice Potion, and I still hadn't acquired the hairs from Lestrange's pretty little head. He had another class at this moment, I believed, so I couldn't go out and find him if I needed to. I hadn't seen him since the last time I saw him, which was that time he pulled me into the class room. He had promised me that he would see me weekly, and he did not keep to this. I could only imagine why that is, and the reason being that Riddle or others were watching him like a hawk.
I had some time left before dinner, and instead of filling that time by doing homework, I went to the Room of Requirement and spent the next few hours trying to become an Animagus. There wasn't really any steps to do this, as I tried as many times as I used the Room of Requirement. It was mostly meditation, concentrating on your inner most core, what ever that means. Of course, I had to keep my wand in my hand. The book said once I find my 'inner most core', the chances of me doing it more on demand without meditation were greater. After an hour and a half of standing, eyes closed, and concentrating on the blackness of my eyelids, I gave up. This was impossible. Maybe I just wasn't strong enough.
I left the room, looking around making sure no one was around, and then made my way over to dinner. When I mentioned that I was invited to join the Slug Club, Weasley began to choke on his dinner, "You can't be bloody serious? First quidditch, now the Slug Club? Merlin, Bennett, where have you been all our lives?"
"In 2010," I muttered.
"Sorry?" I looked up at Weasley and shook my head, "nothing."
"I was in the Slug Club," Prewett confessed, "But it was evident that Slughorn favoured the Slytherin members more than anyone else."
"I am not surprised by that," I replied, cutting my chicken breast and putting it in a bun, "From what I heard, the only remaining members are Slytherins."
"Yeah," Fred confirmed, "Riddle, and his whole gang. Good luck with tomorrow then, you may need it."
"Ah, I can handle myself," I took a bite out of my sandwich and kept on talking, "People are far too scared of Slytherins than they should be."
After dinner, I was going to head towards the library to get some work done when I heard someone call my name. When I turned around, I was surprised to see Professor Sarkozy, "Miss Bennett, may I speak with you?"
"Uh, sure," I gave a one-shoulder shrug, and followed her to an empty classroom.
"Now, I would like to know if you had a chance to decipher that dream, the one you keep on having," She took a seat at a random chair in the classroom, and I sat across from her.
"Um, didn't you get my report...?" I shifted uncomfortably, her gaze still so unnerving.
Sarkozy scoffed, "I am not daft, girl, I know a fake report when I see it. Or have you already forgotten that you already told me that you saw a girl and a Yew tree the first time you looked into the crystal ball?"
I inwardly growled at my self. "Right. Well, no, I didn't get a chance to..." I trailed off, as she cut me off.
"Didn't get a chance, or just didn't want to?" she cocked a brow at me, as I avoided her gaze like a child being caught red handed after breaking her mother's vase. With an amused smirk, she added, "I know you are afraid of what it means. A Yew tree in your dreams is never a good sign, however, maybe it is time that you face your fears and find out what exactly this means."
I looked at her long and hard, then back down at my hands for a moment before bringing my eyes back up to her. "Why do you so desperately want me to know what my dream means?"
Sarkozy stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder once I stood up with her, "Because once you find out what it means, then maybe you can make your next step here."
Blinking, I looked at her puzzled, "You know more than you let on, don't you?"
She didn't give me an answer, only a smile, "I'll see you in class tomorrow," and left me standing in an empty class room, completely dumbfounded.
After I found myself in the common room, rather in the Library, alone with a bunch of books settling on my lap, I still couldn't get my mind off of what Sarkozy said earlier today. My fingers began to itch the dream book we had for Divination. My curiosity was growing larger than I would like, and even though the large part of me that kept me from deciphering the dream was still telling me not to read the directory, I did not listen. There were so many questions to what the older woman said, that I couldnt' just sit around and be oblivious. I haphazardly opened the book to the back, and went straight under Y, and quickly finding Yew Tree. I didn't read it, though. When I saw the entire page on the yew tree alone, and the simple words of "sad" and "death" sprung out, I shut the book immediately.
I didn't need to know what that dream was foretelling, and I wasn't planning to worry myself with it's meaning.
I clambered up to my dorm, and showered, my mind brooding on those two small words that seemed to be burned into my memory. After I showered, I went to bed. The dream I had this time, however, was being lost in the woods, surrounded by more bare yew trees. I couldn't get away from them. They were growing, or I was shrinking, and forming horrific faces, wide chelsea grins, and arched malicious eyes. I turned around, hoping to run back the way I came, but when I did, I landed face-first into a chest of someone taller than me. But for what ever reason, I knew who he was, because I remembered me saying, "daddy!" and his arms wrapped around me protectively, and the trees began to fade in the distance.
Friday blew past me. I hardly paid much attention in class, and it seemed Sarkozy was acting as if she hadn't asked me to look up my dream. Before I knew it, it was dinner, and I was making my way down to the dungeons to be in my first Slug Club meeting. When I arrived, I realized that I was probably the last one to come. There were five people there, some I didn't recognize. Immediately I saw Lestrange, who casted me a curious stare, and Tom, who looked at me as if he expected me to come. When Slughorn saw that I arrived, he beamed, "Miss Bennett! So glad that you came. Now, come in, come in, and I'll introduce you to everyone." As soon as I stepped over the threshold, I felt a bad vibe. They were all Slytherins, and I was a Gryffindor. The only female to boot. I can already see this not ending well. But, I like a challenge.
The first boy he motioned to was around my height, with short yellow-blond hair, and squinty eyes that I barely could tell if he had brown eyes or dark green. "This is Arthur Nott, a fifth year," Slughorn said. I extended my hand, as was my instinct when I met someone, but I was rejected. He looked at it as if it was disfigured and muttered, "Pleasure." I awkwardly put my hand down and decided not to further make a fool out of myself with anyone else new.
"This is Camden Avery, sixth year," Avery was a little taller than Nott, with plain brown hair and eyes, and sharp eyebrows. Though, he too had an obvious disapproval look about him. He merely nodded in greeting.
"Bastian Rosier, seventh year," now, how can I describe Rosier? For one thing, unlike the other two, he was ten times more friendlier. And by far, he was the most gorgeous person in the room. He had long sandy blond hair, well passed his shoulders, full lips curved into the most delicious smile, and crystal clear blue eyes. "Plaisir de vous rencontrer, mademoiselle," he took my hand and kissed the back of it, which caused a very shameful grin plaster on my face. Could I just... kidnap him, and take him home with me? "Toute la mine du plaisir, monsieur. Bien que vous ne deviez pas ĂȘtre si formel autour de moi," I replied, after I found my voice. From my fluid French, Rosier lifted his brows to his hairline, "You speak French?"
"Fluently," I replied. I felt the tension built up around Slughorn loosen. I suspected that he was worried that the boys would not like having a Gryffindor girl amongst them. But Rosier was being a gentlemen, and despite him being a future Death Eater, at least he tried to be two-faced so I could feel a bit more comfortable.
"And you know Dimitri Lestrange, and of course Tom Riddle," Slughorn motioned over to the red head and Head Boy. Lestrange was seething, and I could only imagine why. Rosier was openly showing interest in me, while he felt like he should be keeping his infatuation with me a secret. Tom, though, was unreadable. I gave them both a short wave, not knowing what else to do with them since they didn't look like they wanted to show any enthusiasm about me being here.
After a short introduction of who I was, Slughorn went straight to business. "Right, why don't we all have a seat, as dinner should be arriving soon," he informed, and we all broke off our awkward standing and began to take our seats. I looked at the seats warily, not knowing if I should take a seat next to those that I know, which was Lestrange and Riddle, or chance it and sit next to someone new. However, I didn't seem to have a choice as I felt Rosier come to my side, "Come, mademoiselle, you can sit with me, here." The table was a rectangle, not a circle, and he sat me next to him on the far end. Next to him was Avery, and across from Avery was Nott, then an empty chair, then across from me was Lestrange, and next to me on the end of the table was Riddle. Slughorn took the head of the table between Avery and Nott. It was then that the professor looked at the empty chair with concern, "Tom, could you care to explain the whereabouts of Mr. Pocock?" Daniel was in the Slug Club as well? Why hadn't I known about this?
"Daniel had to be absent, as he has a large amount of homework he wanted to get done before the weekend. He sends his apologies," Riddle answered smoothly, as if rehearsed.
"That's understandable," Slughorn began.
At that moment, food appeared before us like in the Great Hall. Though it was less extravagant than usual dinner, and my guess the green pea gourmet soup that lay before me was just a starter dish. However, just when the food appeared there was a knock on the door. Slughorn excused himself and went to answer it, "Albus!" At the mention of the wizard's name, my head shot up to the door.
"So sorry to disturb you, Horace, but I would like a word with you, if you don't mind. I realize this is terrible timing as you've just begun your dinner," the ancient wizard looked inside, eyes laying on Tom for a fraction longer than he did with me. Though it was I who he held more curiosity mixed with admiration at my recent accomplishments. Slughorn looked back at his pea soup, thinking that he might as well heat it up with magic if it did get cold, sighing, he turned back to his colleague. "Yes, yes, it is fine, Albus," he glanced back at us and excused himself, closing the door behind him.
Once the professor was gone, the room was instantly silent, with the only sounds of spoons dipping into the green substance. It seemed like things were often talked about during these meetings, but being that a new comer - one that is untrustworthy - is around them, no words were spoken. That was until Rosier decided upon himself to make conversation. I could already tell he was the social butterfly of the group. "So, Evangeline," he began, taking me by surprise when he used my first name. "Where did you live before this?"
I looked over to him after I had swallowed what I had in my mouth, "Um, just London."
"London, England?" I heard another voice ask, and I looked up to see Nott peering at me with suspicion, "If you lived in London all this time, why hadn't you come to Hogwarts earlier?"
"I was home schooled," I answered smoothly. "My mother is from North America, and the closest school near her was Salam, which was very far from where she was from... So her parents home schooled her, and my mom just preferred for us to be home schooled as well."
"So what made her decide to allow you attend school?" Rosier asked, not before shooting Nott a pointed glare for his rudeness.
I hesitated, feeling Riddle's eyes on me, since he was probably the only one that "knew the truth" sort of speak. "She, uh, didn't decide. She died," I answered, trying my best to look distraught, but I just looked awkward under their watchful eyes.
"Ah, vous chose pauvre," Rosier said sympathetically, placing a hand on my shoulder. "My condolences, mademoiselle. What of your father?"
No one really asked of my father. We didn't really discuss his whereabouts with Dumbledore, so I decided to stick with the truth on this part, "He walked out on us when I was sev- fifteen... Never heard from him since."
I heard someone growl beside me, and when I turned to see it was Tom, I was taken back by the clear sign of emotion at the thought of fathers abandoning their kin and wives, "Muggles... Filthy creatures." Had I been a real wizard born in this realm, I might have been offended. But after 7 books and 6 movies, and a fandom that grew on me for 12 years, his remark did not bother me in the least. It also didn't help that it was Rob he was calling a filthy creature. But for what ever reason, I felt the need to defend him.
"It's not that he's a muggle," I started. "It's just he's a giant prick." At my comment, Rosier began to laugh, and even Lestrange and Avery cracked a smile.
"I didn't know your father was a muggle," Lestrange put in, which I realized was the first thing he said since I got here.
I gave a one-shouldered shrug, spoon the last puddle of green soup, "Not something I go around advertising. My mom's pureblood, if you were curious."
"Oh?" Rosier's voice came to my ear. He was about to ask me about my surname, but I answered before he could. It seemed like I was answering the same questions over and over again every week. I heard Nott mutter something about a blood traitor, which was a bigger impact on me than the muggle comment that Tom made. My spoon fell from my hands and into the bowl, making a clanking noise that made everyone turn to me, "last time I checked, blood didn't have an opinion, so I don't see how one could commit treason to a life source, especially to one that doesn't have a mind of its own. "
My comment caused everyone to quiet, and me to have a smug smile on my face as I leaned against the chair. Yeah, I told off the first Death Eaters, I deserve a god damn cookie.
On cue, Slughorn came back, and our dinner went on. Our conversations were dry, full of tension, especially with the Slytherins. Though I felt thoroughly satisfied with myself. My first Slughorn meeting came to a close, and before we left, Slughorn announced that the next meeting would be canceled, however, there will be a small party the day before Thanksgiving where we were allowed to have dates. Who the hell would be willing to be my date to a Slug Club party, honestly?
After saying bye to my Professor, and to Rosier, I left. I didn't bother saying bye to anyone else, even Riddle, as for the most part, they pretended I wasn't there, especially after my comment about blood traitors. When I got to my dorms, the first thing I did was take a shower, wanting to get the smell of dungeon and Slytherin off of me. When I walked out in my pajamas, Kay was already at her bed, big book on her lap and a foot of parchment, where she scribbled on. When she heard me walk out, she looked up, "How was your first meeting?"
"Uh," I thought, jumping onto my bed. "Alright. Kind of awkward, but I did happen to make one friend...I suppose."
She cocked an eyebrow, putting her homework to the side, "Oh? Who?"
I arched my back, loosening all the kinks in my spine, "Bastian Rosier."
"You serious?" Kay said after a hesitation as it processed, then moving off her bed to come to the edge of my bed. I nodded, trying to massage my back, but I was only able to run the small of it awkwardly. "You realize he is the school's play boy, right? First to Malfoy. Do you need help?" I nodded again, and being a good friend, she got up from her spot, sat down behind me, and began to massage my shoulders. "Play boy? He kind of comes off as... the Slytherin residential homosexual if you ask me," I groaned when I felt her rub over a sore spot. Kathleen laugh, "No, no, Rosier is all about the women. I know quite a few girls that fell for his charms, even in Gryffindor."
"Yeah, well, I can't deny he's gorgeous, and there's no harm in some flirting, but I'm not like most girls," in this time. In 2010, there were a lot of girls with the same mind set as I, and a lot of girls that aren't as easily fooled by a French accent and pretty hair. Sure, there is a large amount, too, but most of those girls fawn over brooding guys with greasy hair and topaz eyes. "You don't have to worry about me," I assured her.
"I won't," she put her elbow on my spine, and paused for a minute, sniffing something. "What do you use to wash your hair?"
"Uhh, I don't really know. I think it's called Green Fae or something like that. Why, does it smell bad?"
She shook her head, "No. Actually, it kinda smells like green apples."
Well, I really hope that was worth the wait! This chapter was actually really fun to write for what ever reason. Next chapter will be up as soon I'm done eleven. With my sister's birthday on Saturday, it may be a little late too, but I'll try to type like the wind. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys are awesome possum! Happy Readings xoxox
Queen T. Jack
Ps.
Two things. One, I updated the pictures of characters on my profile. Theyre sorted my category, (example: THE BENNETTS, picture shows all four bennett children) so it's easier to see. Though some of the images are big, and most of them are high quality. If you desperately want to see them, just send me a PM, or if youre accountless, send me your email if youre willing to share it.
And secondly, I made a horrible mistake with Rob's age. In one of the chapters I mentioned that while Katherine was thirty four, he was thirty six. He was supposed to be forty at that time. They're six years apart.
