Chapter Ten
-1994-
Draco
Today had officially been exhausting. I swept into the common room, from a walk about the grounds, raising a brow at a third year who quickly took the hint to vacate the large, leather recliner, set between the windows depicting the depths of the lake and the majestic hearth which currently emitted cool, green flames for show.
I sank into the chair, watching my fellow Slytherins lazily. The first and second years were all two loud. To my delight, Pansy intervened, telling them to shut up or go to their dorms.
The noise level dropped and soon many students dispersed and I listened contently to the sound of the crackling flames.
Eventually, Theo joined me, having remained later in the great hall after dinner for a speech by Dumbledore I did not care to waste my life listening to.
"What did the old sod have to say?" I enquired anyway. Theo smirked.
"More of the inter-house relations and the new interclass set up some teachers have implemented." I shook my head in disgust.
"There's only one kind of inter-house mingling I'm interested in." Blaise chuckled with a wink as he took another recliner. I smirked at him.
"Agreed." I added but a huff of annoyance alerted me to Pansy's lingering presence.
"Shall we take this conversation to our dorm?" Blaise suggested quietly. "I have Firewhisky."
"Lead the way, good chap." Theo smirked and the three of us left the common room for more private conversations.
"Umbridge, what kind of backwards professor gives fifth years, first year textbooks." Theo muttered after finishing his second glass of Firewhisky.
"No idea, I think my father knows her, worked for the ministry. Worth the pain of her teaching to see Potty, in a state though, isn't it?" I snickered behind my half full glass.
"Indeed, bloody Gryffindors and their carry on." Theo bit out but Blaise only chuckled.
"Something amuses you, Zabini?"
"Gryffindor's in general amuse me."
"Well, what do we do about the lack of wand action in class?" Theo mused.
"It doesn't much bother me, father's been giving me private lessons over the break. I've learnt more from him than I ever have from this pathetic school. I hope Umbridge is good to her word and drags the Ministry in here. They all agree Dumbledore's lost his senses, how can he efficiently run this school?" I finished my small, hate fuelled rant and took a deep sip of Firewhisky , enjoying how it burned like liquid flames down my throat and how the heat had begun to thrum through my veins.
"Point taken." Theo nodded, refilling his glass.
"Now, onto more important conversation, witches." Blaise grinned. "I think I'll endeavour to spend time with that Sophie Roper."
"The Ravenclaw?"
"Yes, she has grown up spectacularly over the break!"
"If you say so." I humoured him, not at all attracted to Blaise's rather voluminous body type.
"Granger's changed too." Theo pointed out and I couldn't help a dry laugh.
"Hardly. Although, can't say I've paid her any attention as you so obviously have."
"Yule Ball?" He raised a knowing brow to which I scowled.
"I didn't realise it was her." I ground out darkly. The mortification that eve of actually considering Granger, not just attractive, but down right beautiful, would haunt me to my grave.
"Hmm, if your father ever found out about that!" Blaise sniggered. "I'm going to snog that witch!" He mimicked the very same, half drunken words I had declared that eve.
"Shut. Up. I can so easily let Daphne know what you did to her young sister?" I added nonchalantly and Blaise had the decency to pale.
"So, how about those new witches?" He changed the subject slightly and I scowled, one new witch in particular crossing my mind.
"What of them?"
"Those two from Australia are lookers, think I'll go after that blonde in Ravenclaw once I'm bored with Roper." I shrugged. "Then perhaps I'll pursue that fiery Gryffindor friend of hers. I reckon she'd be a good-"
"She's not exactly your type now, is she." I interrupted, feeling slightly irked.
"Hmm, perhaps not." Blaise murmured, finishing his glass. "More your type, your into those sorts of witches."
"What does that mean?" I raised a brow, keeping my features passive"
"The type who look like they could be one of the Harpies." Blaise grinned and Theo chuckled. He had a point, I did think quite a few of the Hollyhead Harpies were ridiculously attractive, especially, Sabine Silvaer, their seeker.
"What's your point? It might simply be not a physical but, a maturity which is my type." I replied airily, thinking back to my stay in France. A small smile played on my lips.
"Draco Malfoy, you look like the cat which got the cream!" Blaise smirked, his gaze imploring. I smirked back, taking another sip from my glass.
...
Flanked by Crabbe, Goyle and Knott, I strode down the corridor towards Charms, the days first lesson. It was crowded but everyone else had the sense to move out of my way. Ahead, I caught sight of Blaise, chatting up a blushing Sophie Roper. He really doesn't mess around, I shook my head, passing him to enter the chamber. In charms, I always sat at the back and, made my way to my preferred seat, Theo taking the one to my right.
"Morning, Draco." I half glanced up and nodded to Pansy as she sat in the chair in the row directly before me. A silent sigh escaped me, I'd encouraged Pansy on the train, only to get a shoulder massage, and now she acted like she owned me, again. No one owns Draco Malfoy. I'd need to take a leaf out of Blaise's book and find some witch I could just drop again, especiallyu if that would deter Pansy.
I contemplated the pureblood witches in my year who sat around me. There was the new Ravenclaw and new Gryffindor. There was Paige, also in Gryffindor, she was alright on the eyes and likely easy. Ravenclaw had Isobel who was very pretty but unfortunately, a half blood. I had no interest in any of the Puff girls and other than Daphne, who I knew could make my life too difficult, there was only Sally-Anne in Slytherin I'd maybe consider. I was quite sure Theo had his eye on Felicity, the new Ravenclaw, and I needed to get on both hers and Asher's good sides to aid my task.
No, as snoggable as they both were, I couldn't drop them without losing two sources of reliable information. Paige... was a Gryffindor. Perhaps I should be considering a Hufflepuff? I glanced to the front of the chamber, also noting Professor Flitwick had appeared. They were all bloody half-bloods! Truthfully, I didn't want to taint my reputation with ilk. I found my gaze wandering back to where the Gryffindors sat midway on the right side of the chamber. Maybe I should just put up with Pansy, it was easier than this choosing and I'd still get a snog if I wanted.
"Good morning class, today we are going to begin learning silencing charms."
"Might finally be able to keep Hermione quiet." I heard the Weasel snicker before moaning as the know-it-all punched his arm. "But before we begin, I must insist on new seating for you all."
"Oh no." I sighed, the rest of the class doing likewise.
"Now, if you will all stand please." I watched as Flitwick produced a list, a quarter of his height. "Mr Zabini, you will sit with Miss Roper-"
"Lucky bugger." Theo mused as the Italian wizard grinned, moving to the front desks.
"Miss McQueen, sit beside Mr Potter. Miss Granger, sit beside Mr Knott-"
"You drew a short straw." I smirked, as I deftly stepped away from the intruding mudblood.
"Mr Malfoy, sit beside Miss Asher."
"Not again." I growled out under my breath, sweeping my bag up to move to where the dark haired witch glared at me. "Move, I want the end chair." I demanded, simultaneously shoving her bag to the empty space between her and Longbottom.
"Whatever, you git." She let out a sigh of exasperation, sitting down beside me. I eyed her, she looked far from happy by my presence. How ungrateful.
"Well, haven't I snagged myself a rather charming partner." I murmured lowly. "My favourite little Gryffindor."
"Oh, please do go on with your most charming welcome." She quipped back, taking me by surprise. I smirked, leaning a little closer to her.
"How shall I do that?" I whispered.
"Joke." She bit out quietly and I smirked fully. However she did not fidget at my proximity or blush. This interaction suddenly had a goal, to get under her skin. I sidled up closer and this time noted the slight tightening of her jaw.
"I could charm you into a stupor." I whispered low and suggestively and she half snorted.
"Yeah, sure, perhaps with an imperious curse."
"Shall we try it?" I casually suggested and she actually turned to gaze at me in shock. I might have overstepped a line. "Joke." I added, shifting back to my desk area as Flitwick finally addressed the actual lesson again.
"Now, there are various silencing charms. One can silence another witch or wizard, an entire hall of people or, put up sound barriers to hold sound in one area for privacy reasons or noise control." I already knew this, my father had made me place a sound blocking charm around my piano when at home, sick of hearing any practice scales or alterations to modern songs.
"Today, your task is to silence a canary." He waved his wand and small cages, each containing a yellow bird, floated gently towards each paired off table. I at least did not know how to perform this particular spell. It would surely come in handy to shut up, say the Weasel, who I could hear muttering under his breath from the row behind. Poor Millicent had been dumped with him. She'd sort him out though, even I was wary around that witch.
"The verbal spell is, 'silencio', and the wand movement is a definite horizontal flick right." As one, we all practiced the simple movement.
"Neville, other way, that's left!" Flitwick called out and I snickered quietly at the idiot beside me. "And now, I want you each to silence your canary.
"What about the counter spell?" A high voice called out and I pointedly turned to glare at the insufferable mudblood. Poor Theo, I wouldn't take his place for another four times the quantity of gold in my Gringotts vault, and that was a significant amount if gold.
"I assume you know it, Miss Granger? Of course she bloody well would, I grit my teeth as she launched into a detailed explanation using far more words than necessary. I rolled my eyes and turned away, peering instead at Scarlett who appeared to not be listening, busy watching the canary before us.
She paid me no attention which admittedly irked me. I had more charm and looks than a canary! I casually stretched my arms forward and then brought them back to my sides, purposely elbowing her.
"Careful." She muttered, not lifting her gaze from the bird. What in Merlin's name was wrong with her? Any pure blood witch would be ecstatic for my undivided attention.
"You may begin." Finally! Swiftly I silenced the canary, amused how it froze a moment in surprise, cocking its head quizzically.
"Since you weren't listening, have fun figuring out the counter."
"Dicere." She spoke quietly, carving a neat, small pattern into the air before the bird. It burst back into song.
That was annoying. I narrowed my eyes at her and she must have noticed because the tiniest smile twitched at the corner of her mouth.
"Think you're good, don't you." I sneered down at her.
"No. I just listen." Her tone was bored. It was annoying me. "Silencio." She pointed her wand at the bird and silenced it once more.
"Dicere." I returned its voice, pleased I did not mess up the counter spell.
"Excellent, excellent, you are all getting the hang of it!" Flitwit exclaimed as he flittered between tables, his head the only thing visible. "Those who have mastered it may practice on their partners. This idea I liked so much more.
"Silencio!" I quickly flicked my wand at the witch, as she made to speak. She did so, her mouth forming words but no sound came out. I snickered at that and made a show of placing my wand on the table and leaning back in my chair. Scarlett Asher looked like she might murder me. It was oh so funny. I had her undivided attention now as she mouthed clearly; 'fix it'.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" I raised a brow at her and received a scowl. "Oh, you want me to return your voice? I'll think about it."
"Malfoy, stop being a git." Someone growled out. It was Potter, three chairs further in the same row from me.
"Mind your nose, Potter."
"Dicere!" He pointed his wand around me.
"You prat!" Scarlett spat out, raising her wand at me. "Silencio!" I knew it was coming but I tried to speak anyway, just to be sure I couldn't. Suddenly, she put her hand up, attention fixed on Flitwick.
"Yes, Miss Asher?
"Professor, may I dash out to the bathroom?" No way! She was the picture of innocence.
"Don't you dare!" My threat was voiceless.
"Yes, of course, off you go." With a nod, he turned away and Scarlett turned back to me, a devious smirk now on her face.
"Hopefully I don't get lost out there." Her voice was innocence personified. Enraged, I mouthed at her to counter the spell but she merely pocketed her wand and waltzed out of the chamber.
...
I had a witch to get even with. Scarlett had managed to skive off the rest of the lesson, only returning towards the end, exclaiming she'd gotten lost. I thought perhaps that was true up until she blatantly ignored my silent request to have my voice back. Flitwick gave us homework and she was gone, disappearing among the others, lost in their chatter. I found Theo and made a bee line towards him only to stalk past in disgust. He was talking with Granger!
Blaise was ahead, in the corridor and I stormed towards him, grasping his arm and hauling him away from Sophie Roper.
"What are you doing?" He demanded, looking very much put out.
"Fix my voice!" I mouthed out carefully, pointing at my throat.
"What?"
"I can't speak!" I tapped at my throat, feeling more agitated. When I got hold of that accursed witch, she would pay. Blaise instead burst out laughing.
"Not funny!" I scowled darkly but, to my relief, he pulled out his wand and performed the counter spell.
"I'm going to kill her!" I practically spat out, my voice finally returned.
"Who?" Blaise tilted his head, still far too amused for my dignity.
"Scarlett Asher!"
"She did that to you?" His grin widened.
"Yes."
"Damn, that witch knows how to play." Blaise chuckled.
"So it would seem." I muttered under my breath, wondering just how to get even and show this jumped up new Gryffindor that Malfoys are never to be trifled with.
Scarlett
The afternoon was going well and I felt like I was beginning to settle in. It may have helped that McGonagall taught Transfiguration and, I knew her. She had also picked partners from other houses and I'd been lucky to get a blonde witch called Sophie, from Ravenclaw. She was the same one who played violin in the Finer Arts class.
I'd received daggers from Draco, but nothing more. I hadn't told anyone what I'd done to him in Charms. I had a feeling, if I did, Harry and Ron would find a way to tease him and, although a bit of teasing probably would've done him good, it was wrong. I'd gotten my revenge.
After lunch, I'd had a single Arithmancy and we worked on the history and dynamics of lucky and unlucky numbers and their uses.
Now, I walked with Hermione, Neville and Harry and Ron, in the thankfully sunny afternoon light, to Herbology. The glasshouses were beautiful and enormous. As we entered one of them, the smell of green enveloped me and the trapped heat infused me, reminding me of holidays to the top of Australia.
"Welcome all." A squat, jubilant witch, perhaps in her forties, with a floppy hat pushed don over short, wild auburn curls, greeted us. "Now, first thing, I want you all in groups of four. One house in each group. There was an audible groan. "Right, hop to it and then follow me to the other end of the greenhouse."
Immediately, I turned a full circle, to find Fi. I began walking towards her, weaving around other students as they figured out who they were grouping with. A tall blonde beat me to her. He wouldn't, surely?
I halted uncertainly, watching the exchange quite some feet before me. After a moment, Fi smiled up at the prat and nodded and was met with a polite, pleased smile. Then, said prat, turned and caught my gaze and smirked. I felt frozen in place. He'd just ferreted his way into Fi's terribly placed trust, to spite me. I didn't know what to do, walk away and find another group, because I didn't think I could bear another class with him without seriously jinxing him and screaming, or, join to make sure he didn't mess with Fi?
I chose the former, or rather, the former chose me. Draco suddenly frowned as I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned to come face to face with the other Slytherin guy who was in Finer Arts.
"Hello, I'm Blaise." He smiled warmly enough. "Scarlett, isn't it?" I nodded. "A pleasure." His smile grew. "Care to be the Gryffindor in our small group?"
"Um, sure." I nodded again and received a bright, perfect, smile.
"Excellent! Shall we?" He gallantly held out a hand and I had to laugh at the gesture but, took it anyway. After all, wasn't this about inter-house relations improving? We moved towards the back of the greenhouse where the plants became larger and less friendly, more formidable. Sophie Roper, from Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff guy I didn't know, waited, standing uneasily near an enormous, red petalled flower with what appeared to be hundreds of fangs.
"Now, do we all have our gloves?" The professor asked as I felt movement behind us as the rest of the grouped class milled about. There were collective murmurs and I pulled my new dragon-hide gloves from my bag and pulled them on.
"Today, we will be handling Fanged Geraniums."
"What is our professor called?" I whispered to Blaise.
"Professor Sprout." I held back an amused smile which quickly morphed into one of surprise when Professor Sprout gestured to the great, unpleasant looking, fanged, red flower directly behind us.
"The Geraniums are re-teething. New fangs are growing beneath their current ones and it causes a trifle of discomfort to them and can make them cranky. We need to remove the loosened fangs." I swallowed nervously as I turned, as everyone else did, to survey the formidable plant. "Can anyone tell us what the fangs can be used for?"
"Ripping us apart." I heard someone mutter darkly from behind.
"Yes Neville?"
"Well, they can be used in certain foods and in potions." Neville spoke up from my left and I turned to see he was flanked by three very smug looking class-mates.
"Correct! Now, there is a method to extracting loose fangs and you'll want to pay close attention or you will get bitten. Not to worry though, these plants don't maim, they just have a nip, unless you upset them." Professor Sprout then went on to explain just how to extract said fangs as I eyed the flower behind us, dubiously. "Now then, I expect each plant to be content by the end of this class, any questions, do find me." With that, we were left to tackle one plant per group.
"I'm Ernie, your Scarlett, yeah?" The sandy blonde, Hufflepuff guy introduced himself with a friendly smile.
"Yeah, just call me Scar."
"Scar, I like that!" Blaise grinned. "Has an edge."
"So, um, who wants to do what?" Sophie spoke up and we all turned to face the Fanged Geranium."
"I'm in a mood to play with danger, provided two of you keep our pretty, vicious, friend entertained." Blaise declared and I decided I liked his attitude. "You seem to like playing with fire, Scar, want to help me?" He casually bumped my shoulder and I found myself grinning.
"Yeah, okay. Not sure where you got that idea from though?" He just smirked as Sophie and Ernie set to work, stroking the plants great, flat leaves to keep it pacified.
"Anyone who antagonises the class dragon is going to get burnt." He whispered, eyes flicking to his pratish housemate who seemed content to stand back as Fi, Paige, and a Hufflepuff girl with brown hair and a worried expression, sized up their Geranium.
"I believe, I did the burning." I whispered back and received a low chuckle.
"Indeed, be warned, he will get even." I shrugged, effectively hiding my unease. I was sure he already had, purposely taking Fi, but I was not entirely sure.
"I think this flower's ready for his de-toothing." I decided, noting how it now drooped pleasantly as its leaves were scratched. "I'll get a bucket."
There were a few stacked, tin buckets left on a bench, away from our work space and so I wove around various plants and finding them wedged tightly together, put more effort into pulling one out of the rest. With a scrape, the bucket I wanted came out and I turned and jumped.
"What!" I gasped out, automatically stepping back and hitting the wooden bench.
"You are going to regret what you did in Charms." He hissed out quietly. I raised a brow.
"You got Fi, isn't that retribution enough?" He only smirked and there was nothing friendly about it.
"That was only the entrée, you're going to love the main course." He leaned in and whispered, his words dripping with threat. My stomach flipped but I held my ground.
"Sure, sure." I kept my tone aloof, sidestepping around him and taking my bucket back to the others. Inside though, I was worried. I think I had made an enemy.
…
The week went quickly, lessons and meeting new people and homework taking up most of my time. Before I knew it, Friday was here and that meant Gryffindor Quidditch try outs. Lessons had finished for the day and, nervously, I pulled on my boots and checked my gloves were in my pocket. Finally, I pulled my broom out from my wardrobe and left the empty room.
"Alright Scar?" Ron called out from where he shifted from one foot to another, near the entrance to the rest of the castle.
"Yeah, you?" He nodded forcefully but looked pale, well, paler than usual. "Going for Keeper, right?"
"Yeah. Harry's got detention with Umbridge again, or he'd be there too."
"Silly cow, she is." I muttered. All week, we had learned nothing useful or, which we did not already know in Defence Against the Dark Arts and Umbridge was true to her word, none of us picked up a wand in that class.
"Hey, Scar!" I heard footsteps and turned to see Max, also dressed for try outs, a dark broom under his arm. "Hoped I'd catch you before you left, want to walk together…?" He trailed off, seeing Ron but smiled.
"Yeah, sure. Think we are waiting on Ginny?" Ron nodded in confirmation.
"I'm here!" A breathless voice called out, as the fiery red-head bounced down the stairs to the girl's dorms, broom in hand.
"Right, let's go." Ron announced abruptly and headed towards the portrait entrance.
"Is he okay?" Max whispered from right behind me. I had no idea.
"Nerves." Ginny interjected. "He really wants to make the team."
Outside, I felt a thrum of excitement as we stepped out onto the playing field where other Gryffindors waited while the Slytherins, still in flight, finished their own tryouts. Provided I got on the team, they would be competition, and so I watched them keenly.
There were no witches on the Slytherin team and Ron gulped as one of the thuggish looking Beaters, bashed their ball down towards where we walked. We scattered as it hurtled towards us, only to be deflected by Fred, holding a thick, short, wooden bat in his hands.
"Stupid gits." He muttered as the Slytherins laughed. A shot of gold streaked above our heads and suddenly one of the flyers dropped into a dive, broom accelerating at a blinding speed to pursue the Golden Snitch. It wasn't long before he'd caught the ball, and held it like a prize to the cheer of his team-mates.
"To all those trying out, welcome." Angelina Johnson, the Gryffindor Captain announced. "That, in the air, is our toughest competition. If anyone does not think they can go up against Slytherin, please leave now." Her tone was blunt and after a moment, three younger Gryffindors retreated to the stands.
"Alright, everyone on your brooms, fly a lap of the field to warm up, the snakes should be leaving shortly." Eager to fly, I quickly mounted and kicked off. It had been too long and, although it was a gentle, warm up, it was enjoyable. As we all reached Angelina, we hovered a few inches from the ground.
"All those who wish to try out as Chasers, go with Katie." Angelina pointed to an older witch with straight, dark hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. "All Beater try outs with Fred and George and Keepers remain here along with anyone trying for seeker." We all parted, Ron and Ginny remaining with Angelina and Max going off with Fred and George, I flew over to the group of eight with Katie Bell.
"Right, so has anyone played Chaser position before, away from school?" She asked firstly. "Apart from you, Alicia." She grinned to the dark, frizzy haired girl hovering beside me. No one else spoke, they were all younger, in Ginny's year. One, I was sure was a third year.
"I was a Chaser at my old school." I spoke up quietly. Katie smiled.
"Harry, told me that, I remember now." She nodded. "Okay, all of you get up there and show me what you've got! She tossed and caught the Quaffle in her hand before flying up to the height of the goal posts. I noticed Max, on the other side of the field with two other guys and the twins, taking turns to hit Beaters. I could hear him laughing along with the twins.
"We'll practice some passes and then step up the speed before we start working with goals and Keepers."
An hour later, we had devised and played a small game and, feeling tired, I touched down to the ground along with the others. The Twins, Katie and Angelina stepped aside to decide on who made the cut and the rest of us waited in limbo. I sat down, Max following suit beside me, on the soft grass. The sun was setting now and I was glad it was the weekend. I was looking forward to a sleep in and I needed to send Thorn his letter which I had written on Thursday but had not had a chance to send.
"We've decided." I looked up as Angelina strode forward.
"Seeker will remain Harry, but Ginny will be stand in if needed. Ginny gave a small whoop at this and I grinned. "Keeper is…" I felt Ron stiffen from where he stood behind myself, Ginny and Max. "Ron."
"Really?" He spluttered.
"Yes, but you need to practice hard." Angelina confirmed. "Cormac is stand in." The sixth year muttered dispassionately under his breath as Ron seemed to sag in relief to sit too. Beaters will remain Fred and George, but Max and Andy can be back up."
"Now you have to get in too!" Max whispered encouragingly, bumping my shoulder.
"Chasers are, Katie, Alicia and, Scar." Hearing my name, excitement welled up inside me and I couldn't help but grin. "Romilda, you will be stand in, along with Thomas."
"Yes!" I heard the fourth year, Thomas, exclaim.
"I've scheduled practices for Saturday, Monday and Wednesday mornings at six-thirty-am. Tardiness will get you thrown from the team." I nodded, along with the others. "Well then, see you here tomorrow at six-thirty-am. I want to wipe the floors with Slytherins brooms this year." Angelina grinned as we rose to our feet.
"I still can't believe I made the team." Ron muttered as he walked, seemingly in a daze."
"Yes, but you need to work hard at it, dearest brother. Angelina only picked you because Maclagan doesn't listen." George warned seriously. Fred had stayed back to chat with Angelina and help put the balls away and lock up.
"Way to crush someone." Ron muttered.
"You were good, we all need practice though." Max thoughtfully consoled. "Besides, I'm glad it's you and not Maclagan, he's a bit too full of himself."
"A team has to work well together or it's a failure from the start." I added and Ron looked more cheerful as we stepped through the portrait hole and into the common room.
"Are you doing anything now?" Max asked quietly as Ron flopped down into a rust coloured recliner.
"Yeah, I need to send a couple owls before it gets any later. If I don't see you, see you at practice?"
"Yeah, sure." He smiled as we parted ways to our separate dorms. Ginny followed behind me, taking a door a flight below mine and we said our goodnights.
…
Not bothering to change out of my quidditch gear, I ditched my broom and gloves and snatched up the letter I had written for Thorn, from the bottom of my top bedside drawer and left Gryffindor tower.
It was a pleasant walk up to the owlery and the stars were now coming out as the sky darkened. I paused often at each window of the owlery tower, gazing outside. I touched the glass, shivering a little as its coldness infused through me. A Scottish winter would make an Australian winter look very tame. I knew cooling charms, I would have to learn some heating charms otherwise I would freeze into an icicle.
I continued up the stair and soon, I heard light, calculated footsteps coming down the stair. A blonde figure appeared, too busy gazing out a wide window to see me and I tried to sidestep around him, hoping to slip by unnoticed. I hadn't forgotten his threat. Draco looked half pleasant and then as he made to pass me, our arms knocked on the narrow stair.
"Watch it!" He growled out, whirling on me. Diving my hand into my wand pocket, I wrapped my fingers around it as I bounded up three more stairs, using the height as an advantage. He sneered up at me. "Made the team?"
"Yes, and you?"
"Of course, I was merely practicing this eve." He drawled out. "Looking forward to beating your mottled team. Did the Weasel get on?"
"Yeah, Ron did." I bit back at his condescending questions.
"Where was Potter, too scared to try out?"
"He automatically made the team, you know, being the youngest seeker in an age and all, had the experience." I was merely quoting a fact Hermione had told me but the reaction from Draco was one of dark, unfathomable contempt.
"Yes well, he can thank me for that opportunity." He spat out. "I, on the other hand worked for my place as Seeker, I didn't need to be the Golden Boy." I had no idea what he was talking about and didn't particularly want to get involved.
"Right, well, I have a letter to send." I backed up the stairs, not quite trusting what he would do if I turned my back. To my relief, he began to walk away.
"Asher!" I stopped warily, waiting. "Don't forget to do your Potions revision, I don't want you to make me fail Monday's test." With that, he proceeded down the stair and I rolled my eyes at the back of his head. Such a prat.
I reached the door at the top of the stairs, and pushed it open, entering the enormous, oak raftered owlery. Taking out my letter to Thorn, I whistled for Smidge, hoping she was in, otherwise, I would use one of the school owls.
"Take this to Thorn." I murmured as she gracefully swept down from a high rafter to land on my arm, picking at my Quidditch shirt sleeve. She cocked her head looking almost amused in that intelligent, wide eyed way as I carefully fastened the letter to her leg. She launched off and out the open windows, into the night and I smiled, wondering just how soon my friend would receive my letter."
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