Author's Note: Thanks for all who have favored and reviewed!
Chapter Ten:
"I've noticed that you haven't been hanging out with your brother care to explain." Snape asked his niece.
She closed her book and sighed. "Uncle Sev. I can't hang out with Harry when he continues to defend a prat."
They were sitting in his private room. This was the first time Corbett's been down there. He finally cornered her in the library alone.
"Are you gonna come and visit me anytime soon?" Severus asked his niece.
At first she didn't hear him because she was absorbed in her book.
He tapped her on the shoulder and chuckled when she jumped.
"Goodness Professor Snape, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Well Potter, I wouldn't be if you would pay attention. Come into my office now." He whirled on his heel and walked.
Corbett quickly followed.
They walked into his classroom, then through a small black door that Corbett never noticed before.
Corbett smiled. They were in his private room, and surprise it was actually warm in here.
He raised his eyebrow waiting for her to continue.
"Is that all you're worried about?" He asked seeing she wasn't going to continue.
"Yes." She whispered.
"Please my dear, don't lie to me."
"Well. It's also about Malfoy. I don't understand him. We were laughing and talking like we were friends, then on the train, Weasley and Malfoy got into it. Harry defended Weasley, Zabini got involved. Then Hermione, I stood up for her, Weasley threw food. Harry and Weasley laughed about it. I said something; Malfoy turned on me and said something hateful. Now Weasley and Harry are mad at me because I defended Mione. Now they refuse to talk to me. Those spineless gits. They ignore me, which I'm fine with. I just thought Harry had more sense than to act like a frigging three year old. I'm also annoyed at the fact that people keep looking at Harry and me like we have a third head. Never mind the fact that we have been here for a month. Can I spend the rest of my time down here; I don't want to go back. Besides its Halloween, I don't want to go to a feast that celebrates the day my parents died."
"Don't you have charms?" He asked sternly.
She sighed. "I guess you make a fair point, even though you aren't really saying it. I guess of have to go."
"My dear, try talking to Harry. Maybe you can reason with him. After Charms, come back here with Harry, and I will have the elves bring you some food."
"Oh alright Uncle Sev." She gathered her bag and walked out.
"It's Win-gar-dium Leviosa!" Hermione snapped at Ron.
They were supposed to be practicing hovering charms. Hermione and Corbett of course already nailed the spell, earning ten points apiece.
Corbett and Harry were partners. Despite being angry at his sister he was impressed at how quickly she was learning the spell. She made their feather hover four feet off the desk.
They were walking out of their Charms classroom. Ron was in a very bad mood.
"It's no wonder no one can stand her. She's a nightmare honest. She is an annoying know it all who has no friends." Ron complained to Harry
Hermione knocked into Harry, startling him. She had tears streaming down her face. She ran off before anyone could say anything.
"Must you be a prat to everyone Ronald? Just because you couldn't nail the spell, doesn't mean you have to be mean and hateful to everyone! She was trying to help you in Charms, and all you want to do is be a downright git about it! How anyone can stand you abnormally large head is miraculous!" Corbett screamed at Ron.
This surprised all of the Gryffindors, Harry and Ron included. Corbett was usually a quite girl.
"Don't you yell at him!" Harry said glaring at her.
"Oh shut up Harry James Potter. You're just like him!" Corbett shouted stalking off after Hermione.
They went to their next class.
Harry felt guilty when he didn't see his sister of Hermione turn up.
'They must be late. I'm sure they'll show up. Probably just want us to feel guilty.'
The History lesson continued and still no Corbett or Hermione.
"Mione?" Corbett asked walking into the bathroom.
"In here Cor." Came a quite whisper from the very last stall.
She walked out of her stall wiping her tears.
"Ron's right. I have no friends. I'm just a bossy-know-it-all. And I ruined any chance you had with your brother."
"Aw shucks Mione, we were bound to fight anyways. I'm sure we will kiss and make up like any other siblings."
"I still feel like it's my fault."
"It's not. I think I scared our fellow classmates though. I started to scream at Ron when you left. To say they were surprised would be an understatement."
Hermione chuckled. "It's always the quite ones."
"Agreed Mione. Who would suspect us?"
"Not that I'm not grateful, but why aren't you at the Great Feast? I'm sure it's starting now."
"I don't want to go to the feast. My parents died on this day. It doesn't feel right." Corbett whispered sadly.
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't think about that."
"It's fine Mione."
On the way to the Great Hall for the feast, the Gryffindors were still talking about the scene between Corbett the quite girl and Ron.
Harry was gawking at the Great Hall. A thousand live bats were fluttering in the hall. A thousand more swooped over the tables in low clouds, making the candles in the pumpkins stutter.
"Hermione was crying when Corbett came in. She kicked us out. They won't come out of the bathroom." Parvati said to Harry.
Harry felt a twinge of guilt. He yelled at his sister because she defended her friend. He was a crappy brother.
"Think we should go apologize to them?" Harry asked looking uncomfortable.
Ron's stomach growled. "After the feast."
Harry finished piling his plate when Quirrell came sprinting into the hall, terror coloring his features.
""Troll- in the dungeons- thought you ought to know." He said before collapsing.
There was of course an uproar in the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore shot off several fireworks to silence them.
"Prefects, lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!"
"Headmaster why should the Slytherins go to the dungeons, of there is a troll in the dungeons?" Zabini asked.
Harry didn't want to admit it, hut Zabini had a point.
"Just follow orders." Nott said annoyed.
"Follow me! Stick together first years. No need to fear if you follow my orders! Stay close to me." Percy said.
They passed different groups of people going in different directions.
"Oh no! Corbett and Hermione don't know about the troll." Harry said panicking.
"Oh fine! But we better not get caught by Percy!"
Ducking down they joined the Hufflepuffs, then broke into a run down a corridor.
They turned a corner to go the girls' bathroom when they heard footsteps.
"Oh no, Percy." Ron muttered.
They hid behind a large stone griffin.
Harry stifled a gasp when he saw Snape.
"Why isn't he down in the dungeons with the rest of the teachers?" Harry asked.
They quietly shuffled to the next corridor.
"He's headed towards the third floor." Ron whispered.
Harry was about to respond when he saw the troll.
They shrank back into the shadows.
Ron had to stifle his gasp when the troll passed into the moonlight.
The troll stood over twelve feet tall, it's skin granite gray, it's lumpy body like a boulder. On top a bald head perched like a coconut. It had short thick legs like a stump, with flat horny feet.
The troll stopped next to a doorway and peered inside. It paused for a moment then slouched slowly into the room.
"The key's in the lock, we could lock it in."
"Good idea mate."
They rushed to the door and slammed it shut, then they locked it in.
"Yes!" They were about to walk away when they heard Hermione scream.
"Oh no. We locked it in with the girls." Ron moaned.
They unlocked the door and ran inside.
"Do something!" Corbett screamed jumping out of the way of a swinging club.
"Confuse it!" Harry said to Ron.
"Oy pea-brain!" Ron hissed.
"Move Mione." Corbett screamed as the troll turned towards Ron.
Harry took a running start them jumped on his neck.
Corbett jumped on his arm trying to distract the troll from Ron and Hermione.
"Run! Go get the professors!" Corbett screamed trying to get the petrified people to move.
Harry stuck his wand up the troll's nose, while Corbett poked him in the eyes. The troll roared angrily.
At the same time they jumped off.
Ron held up his wand and shouted: "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The club flew out of the troll's hand, rose higher and higher up in the air, and slowly fell down on the troll's head with a sickening thump.
The troll swayed on the spot and fell. Corbett and Harry barley got out of the way just in time.
"Did you lock the troll in with us Harry?" Corbett whispered.
"Not intentionally." He whispered back.
"Is it dead?" Hermione asked.
"Don't think so. I think it's knocked out."
Harry bent to retrieve his wand. "Ugh troll boogies."
"Begs the question of why you stuck your wand in his nose? I aimed for a finger in the eyes."
"I was not putting my fingers up that things nose."
They were interrupted by a sudden slamming and running footsteps.
Corbett and Harry went to stand next to Ron and Hermione who looked just as frightened as the two of them.
Professor McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell came running in.
Snape bent over the troll. "He's just knocked out."
"What on earth were the four of you thinking?" McGonagall said angrily.
Corbett kept her eyes trained on Snape. Ron was looking at his shoes, Harry was looking at Quirrell. Hermione was the only one brave enough to meet her gaze head on.
"You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Snape gave them a piercing stare, his eyes lingering on Corbett. She looked at him, and tried to keep his expression a blank as possible.
"Please, Professor McGonagall, they were looking for me."
"Miss Granger!"
"I thought I could deal with him on my own because I read about them. Turns out I was wrong. Glad those three thought of me. " She said indicating to the three stunned students. "If they hadn't thought of me I'd be dead. Harry jumped on the troll's back and stuck his wand up his nose. Corbett jumped on his arm and poked him in the eyes. Ron used a levitating charm and knocked out the troll."
"In that case Miss Granger, what were you thinking tackling a mountain troll on your own?" McGonagall asked stunned.
Hermione hung her head in shame. Ron and Harry looked at Hermione with respect.
"Miss Granger five points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"But-"Ron began
Harry, Corbett, and Hermione silenced him with a pointed look.
McGonagall continued on as if she wasn't interrupted. "I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all. Go back to the tower. The students are finishing the feast in their houses.
Hermione left.
The head of Gryffindor turned to her remaining cubs. "Well, I will say you were lucky, not many first years can tackle a mountain troll. You each get five points for Gryffindor. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."
They hurried out of the chambers, and didn't speak until they were in the common room.
They looked at each other awkwardly. "Thanks." They all said.
"Why would they begin the season in November?" Harry asked.
"They're nuts." Ron said rubbing his hands.
Corbett was using a hover charm on the glass of blue fire Hermione made.
They were standing with their backs to it getting warm when Snape limped over to them.
"Aw crud." Ron muttered.
"What's that you got there Potter?"
Harry showed him Quidditch Through the Ages."
"Library books are not suppose to be taken out of school. Five points from Gryffindor. Hand it here."
Harry reluctantly handed it over.
As soon as he limped out of their line of sight, Harry stated.
"Bet you that git mad up that rule."
Corbett groaned. "I just realized that I didn't do my potions essay. Dang it!"
They looked at her stunned. "How can a potions prodigy forget to do her Potions homework?"
"Are you ill?"
"Did you inhale too many potion fumes?"
"No. I'm just- I have to go. Don't want a detention with Snape."
She sprinted away from her friends. That was a lie. She didn't really forget to do her essay. She just needed to escape. She didn't want to hear Ron insult her uncle; she did promise she would keep his cover a secret, no matter how many people insulted him, she couldn't tell anyone. She ended going to the library to get some reading done. Just to get her mind off of things. For the moment anyway.
Corbett opened her potions book intending to read when she saw Draco Malfoy enter.
She ignored him hoping he would go away when he sat at her table.
"What the heck you want Malfoy?" She asked in the coldest voice she could muster.
He flinched. "I wanted to apologize for what I said on the train. It wasn't right of me, I know that. I just got so mad at Weasley and your brother. I was honestly trying to be civil to everyone; in all fairness Weasley started it. Granted Blaise had no right to be a prat to Granger when she was trying to be friendly to people. Granted I shouldn't have retaliated when Ron threw that pasty, or I shouldn't have baited your brother. Nice shield work by the way, that's a very high powered spell. When you casted it I was proud of you, and I meant it when I said it then. I defiantly mean it now. It's amazing how powerful you are considering you grew up with muggles and all. But you do live with Aunt Claire and Uncle Sev, they are pretty powerful people. I'm sorry for being mean to you when you were trying to defend me, but that's not how I was raised. I was raised in the old ways; the men were supposed to defend the ladies. You know chivalry? I guess I did overstep my boundaries quite a bit. I do applaud you on your ability to insult me and make me feel horribly guilty at the same time. I do regret what I said about your parents. I'm very fond of you, I see you as my friend. I can understand highly if you don't want to be friends with me anymore." Draco finished the last part in a whisper. She watched him run his hand through his hair. He wasn't doing it to be arrogant, she observed, he was doing it because he was nervous.
"What? You want to be friends with me, even though I'm a Half-blood?" She asked coldly.
"I don't care about that. That was something said out of anger. I think this whole blood thing that divides the magic community is ridiculous. It's wrong, and I want nothing to do with it. I was actually hoping you and I would be sorted in Slytherin together. The only one who I actually talk to is my best mate Zabini."
Corbett paused choosing her words carefully. "Then why do you hang around bullies like Crabbe and Goyle and Pansy? Lord knows they are obnoxious as I'll get out."
"I guess it's expected of me. My father even talks of me marrying her." Draco shuddered at the thought.
"But you're only eleven. How can he talk of marrying you off so young?"
"Well because she is a pure blood. That's part of the reason." He added at the dark look she gave him. "My family and her family go way back. They see us as beautiful, powerful and rich add to the fact they think we will also make good children." He added darkly.
"You don't get a say at all? That seems absolutely horrible. If being a pureblood consists of that, then I'm glad to be a half-blood. It seems to me that they need to reinvent their ideas. Hermione Granger is muggle born and she's the brightest witch in our year. Seems like she has Parkinson beat. I could care less about blood, as far as I'm aware, if it weren't for muggles, then with Wizarding world would be wiped out."
Draco smiled. "I agree with you. I don't want to marry someone that I could be potentially related to. It seems wrong to me on so many levels."
Corbett gagged. "That is disgusting."
"I hate being a pureblood sometimes. I have to do so many things that are expected of me. It drives me mad."
Corbett sighed. "Why not break away from tradition Draco and become your own person?"
"I don't want to disappoint my father. I want to follow in his footsteps, besides I don't think I have a choice."
"Rubbish! Everyone has a choice. It's called freewill. I think everyone has a choice Draco."
"Choice is a luxury."
"If you truly believe that then your life is going to be so miserable. I think people have choices. Always. You can either make your own choices and decisions, or you can give up on yourself and be the person people expect you to be. I thought you would be smart enough to be your own person. But I guess I was wrong. If you want to spend your life being a puppet, then go nuts Draco. But remember choice is a gift that no one can take away but you."
"For an eleven year old you're wise."
"For a pureblood, your life sucks. I forgive you by the way. Please try not to insult me or Harry or Mione further."
"What about Weasley."
"I should probably include him since he's my friend, but his temper drives me up a wall. He speaks without thinking, and he offends people so easily. Everyone should try to be civil to one another."
"So does this mean we are friends again?" Draco asked innocently.
Corbett who was beginning to stash her book in her bag paused, "More like acquaintances."
Draco smiled softly. "I'll take that versus you being angry at me."
"Goodbye Draco." She grabbed her bag and left the library.
Draco sat pondering her words for a long time. By the time he made it back to the Slytherin dungeons, night had fallen.
Author's Note: Hope you liked the talk between Draco and Corbett
Thanks PureAngelEyes for the lovely reviews. Lol, I didn't realize about the fact that there were twins in the same house . Now we have Gred and Forge, and Corbett and Harry! Thanks for being so loyal! Your reviews keep me writing.
Thanks xXMizz Alec VolturiXx for your review