Chapter 8: Taking Chances
Monday morning saw Reina standing at the entrance to the owlery, rereading her letter to the headmaster one more time. She had chosen to ask the headmaster himself about the spell for a few reasons. The first was that she was positive that Dumbledore would be the most understanding of all of the staff members. He was well aware of what she and Kira had gone through over the summer, and she also had the feeling that the old wizard would understand her reasons behind the request. The second was that Reina was not naïve. She was quite certain that Dumbledore did not adhere to Ministry rules and regulations nearly as strictly as he let on. If that was the case, then Harry would not have achieved half the extraordinary feats that he already had in school and Umbridge would pretty much run the school. Her final reason was obvious. If anyone could figure out and perform a spell like the one she needed, Albus Dumbledore could. And he could probably do it faster than most.
Satisfied with the contents of her letter, Reina sealed it in a simple envelope and attached it to the package she had with her containing the two pendants. Entering the owlery, Reina was met with the irritated screeching of cranky owls. Many were school owls, but she spotted who she was looking for in the far left corner of the small tower. Watching her step so as to avoid tripping, Reina made her way over to Tobias. She stroked his peppered feathers gently, remembering all the times she used to come up here to have him deliver letters to her mother. Tobias hooted quietly as if he knew what she was thinking, nipping her finger affectionately in reassurance. Reina smiled and tied the package to his extended talon, stroking him one last time before stepping back and watching him take flight in what she guessed was the direction of the headmaster's office.
--
"Why didn't you just give the necklaces to him in person?" Blaise asked his friend during potions later that morning.
"Because I did not want to explain everything in person," Reina replied calmly glancing at the classroom door. Snape would be there any minute to begin another irksome session of double potions with the Gryffindors.
"Why?" Blaise prodded.
"I just didn't," Reina said in exasperation. Blaise backed off as Snape glided silently into the room. Reina heard Pansy's sickening giggle from the back of the room but didn't turn to investigate. Upon hearing her name and something about a bad hair day, Reina turned to glare at Pansy.
"I knew it," Reina muttered when she'd turned to face the front once more.
"Knew what?" Blaise asked softly.
"My hairbrush was missing this morning," she told him inaudibly. "Pansy must have taken it last night."
"Your hair looks fine to me."
"That, my dear Blaise," Reina whispered with a small smile, "is what separates me from muggles."
"A hairbrush?"
Reina laughed quietly. "No, having magic."
"Today you will all brew me a Befuddlement Draught," Snape announced, his emphasis on "attempt" telling Reina exactly what her house head thought of the Gryffindors' chances of success. Judging by the "humph" from directly behind her, Kira picked up on it as well.
"Maybe we'd pass if he stopped teaching," Ron whispered, earning a glare from Hermione.
"Since I have no desire to grade such a large quantity of certain students' poor excuses for potions this time around," Snape continued menacingly, "I will be pairing all of you incompetent Gryffindors with a more proficient student from my house."
Cries of outrage and protest erupted from the mouths of Slytherins and Gryffindors alike. The Gryffindors could not stand the idea of working with a Slytherin who would sooner push them into the cauldron by "mistake", at least, that's what they thought. Many Slytherins felt the same way, although some including Reina were more concerned about their grade; Snape's enmity toward Gryffindors was a secret to no one.
"Silence!" The effect was instantaneous, as each voice in the room cut off. "Now, when I pair you, you will obtain your materials and begin immediately." Sneering, Snape proceeded to assign partners. Groans were heard constantly as he ran down the list, while those waiting silently prayed for mercy.
"Longbottem, Zabini." Reina watched as Blaise proceeded to tell Neville quite forcefully not to touch anything.
"Crabbe, Weasley." Hermione gave Ron a sympathetic pat as Crabbe rose and headed to an empty station, cracking his knuckles as he went.
"Summers, Parkinson." Both sisters tensed simultaneously, praying that he meant the other. Not Pansy they both thought. Seeing the tension and understanding the confusion Snape specified, "Kira Summers."
Reina sighed in relief as Kira groaned in defeat, Harry laughing quietly at Kira's plight.
"Potter and Malfoy," Snape drawled, effectively silencing Harry's mirth.
"But professor–"
"Five points from Gryffindor for your impertinence, Mr. Potter."
"Keep it up, Potter," Malfoy said, coming up behind Harry. "Just stay out of my way."
Reina kept staring straight at Professor Snape, not wanting to see who was left, although she had a pretty good idea.
"Reina Summers and Miss Granger." Reina let her head drop to the table with a quiet thump. She hates my guts Reina thought miserably. Well, at least we can't fail this assignment.
"I'll get the materials," she heard Hermione say tartly. Reina just waved a hand to show that she heard.
Hearing shuffling behind and beside her, Reina lifted her head…and almost slammed it back down. Kira was still behind her, but Pansy had joined her with a look that said she would rather kiss a flobberworm. To her left, Reina saw that Malfoy had stationed himself and Harry right next to her station. She was stuck partnered with a know-it-all that hated her, and she was within an arms length of the two people that she really couldn't stand to be around right now. There is no way that this can get any worse she thought dejectedly.
Hermione returned to place two cutting knives, the ingredients, and the rest of the materials they would need in the center of their table. "Look," Hermione said before they began, "I take my grade seriously. So as long as we focus getting this potion done, there won't be a problem between us."
The Slytherin in Reina refused to let the Gryffindor genius have the last word. "My turn," she said matter-of-factly. "Even if I am a Slytherin, you don't have to act like I'm going to turn around and hex you without warning. I care about this grade just as much as you do."
Reina spotted Malfoy smirking over Hermione's shoulder. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
Harry snorted. "Problem, Potter?" Malfoy snapped. Reina, Kira, and Hermione all shook their heads before turning to their potions.
…………
Reina gave a small sigh of relief as the double period neared its end. She and Hermione had just finished brewing their potion. The entire process had gone along smoothly, with only a few glares passed between them on occasion. To the right of them, however, Harry and Draco were constantly arguing, making both girls wonder how the two had even managed to complete the potion. A quick glance back told Reina that her sister had in fact managed to both brew the assigned potion and refrain from knocking Pansy unconscious. The little toad had been trying to goad Kira into a fight the whole time. Garnet-amber eyes drifted towards Blaise near the back of the room. Catching her watching, Blaise wiped imaginary sweat from his brow in a gesture of relief, causing Reina to laugh softly. Blaise had commanded Neville to sit back and observe only after the boy had caused a small explosion, Merlin only knew how. It was surprising but everyone had gotten through this grueling potions lesson.
Hermione cleared her throat, getting Reina's attention. Reina turned, giving the brunette one of her disparaging what-do-you-want-now looks. "Here," the Gryffindor said handing Reina a small glass vial. "Give this sample to Professor Snape."
Reina glared. "I have no intention of taking orders," she made clear, "but I'll let it slide this once, seeing as I want to finish up just as bad as you do."
Hermione hmphed as Reina's right hand snatched the sample vial. Turning around, Reina made her way to the front of the room. Before she had even made it half way there, Reina felt a searing pain in her right hand, causing her to gasp in pain and release the vial not even noticing as it shattered on the cold dungeon floor. It was a couple of minutes before the pain receded enough could Reina stop cradling her injured hand. Looking to see what had caused her such pain, Reina's eyes widened in horror. There fading quickly were the blood red words Death Eater.
"What are you doing?!" Hermione exclaimed angrily coming up behind her. Reina quickly hid her hand in the sleeve of her robe, hoping that no one would see the vicious red words that were now quickly fading.
"Nothing," Reina replied flinching at how small her voice sounded. "It just slipped, that's all." Get it together, Rei the raven-haired Slytherin reprimanded herself. She shakily made her way back to her station after obtaining another glass vial, ignoring the feeling of her classmates' stares. She loathed being the center of attention, and everything seemed to happen to her. She was like some magnet for trouble. Reina caught Kira's worried gaze and immediately looked away, not wanting her sister to see just how shaken up she was.
Reina turned to the cauldron that contained her and Hermione's potion. "Reina, are you alright?" came a smooth concerned voice.
Reina looked at Malfoy, coldly responding, "I'm fine." She returned her gaze to the cauldron in front of her stirring the contents briefly before getting ready to poor some into the new vial. "Not like it matters to a prat like you, anyway," she muttered under her breath.
The blond opened his mouth to object when the ladle clattered to the table, Reina letting out a pained gasp. The searing pain had returned and, forgetting about Malfoy's presence, she lifted her sleeve, revealing the same two words…Death Eater.
The glint of red on her skin caught Draco's eye. "Reina, you're bleeding!" he exclaimed. Reina began to panic as Malfoy moved to grab her right hand.
"It's nothing," she assured him, moving her hand out of reach. "It's just a scratch, really!"
Malfoy sighed in exasperation. "Just let me see your hand," he commanded grabbing hold of her wrist and lifting her sleeve.
"Get your hands off of her, Malfoy," Kira growled from behind them.
Malfoy ignored her and turned to examine Reina's hand. The raven-haired girl gave a mental sigh of relief as she saw that the words had faded once more, leaving nothing but a slightly red area on the back of her hand. "See, Malfoy. Nothing," she told him smugly, trying and failing to escape his grasp.
"Malfoy, you have three seconds to get off of my sister," Kira warned.
The blond continued to inspect the irritated area on Reina's hand.
"Three–"
Blaise gave Reina a questioning look from his station, but she just shook her head. She tried once more to get out of Malfoy's grip.
"Two–"
"Let her go, Malfoy," Harry piped up taking a step forward.
Malfoy, seeing that there was nothing wrong, moved to let her go. Reina bit back a pained gasp.
Oh no she thought.
Silver eyes widened in horror as they watched two bloody words etch their way over Reina's pale skin.
"One–"
"What is the meaning of this ruckus?" came Snape's irritated voice.
Malfoy snapped into action. "Professor, she needs to see Madam Pomfrey immediately!" Before Snape could question him, Malfoy showed him Reina's hand.
Only Reina saw the flicker of surprise in Snape's eyes. "Mr. Malfoy, escort her to the hospital wing now. I will follow shortly," Snape ordered. Turning to the many students now watching the disturbance he snapped, "The rest of you, get back to work!"
"What's going on?" Reina heard Kira ask worriedly as Malfoy tugged her out of the room.
"I don't need to go to the hospital wing," Reina insisted as she was pulled along by Malfoy. "It's already fading."
Malfoy stopped and turned to face her. "This is the third time in the last few minutes, isn't it?" he pointed out. Reina's silence confirmed his guess. "If you don't go to Madam Pomfrey, this will keep happening and eventually scar. Is that what you want?" Again, Reina was silent. "That's what I thought."
The two continued on their way, although Malfoy was no longer dragging Reina along behind him.
Draco… she thought.
………
Reina watched as Madam Pomfrey examined the blood red words on the back of her hand. Draco stood by the bed she was sitting on, only his eyes displaying the worry he felt. Madam Pomfrey had been examining Reina's injured hand for at least five minutes, and both Slytherins were beginning to get antsy.
"And how long did you say this has been happening?" she asked for the third time.
Reina sighed impatiently. "It started a couple minutes ago, right before the end of Potions," she reiterated. "The…words appear, fade, and then almost immediately reappear. I don't know what's causing it."
Madam Pomfrey nodded. The two Slytherins watched as she performed a few spells to stop the words' appearance, her expression growing darker and darker as each one failed to work.
"Does it hurt?" Draco asked after awhile, breaking the tense silence.
Reina shook her head mechanically. "Right now it's really just numb," she told him as her thoughts drifted elsewhere. She had never seen something like this or read about it anywhere, and although there were a couple people she suspected she didn't want to say anything until they knew what the cause was. For Reina, the most frightening part of the entire ordeal was the thought that the words could end up being etched into her skin permanently. The thought sent a shiver down her spine. It was almost a bad as having the actual Dark Mark.
The sound of footsteps and the hospital wing door bursting open brought Reina's floating attention back to the present
In came a concerned Blaise and a shaken up Kira. Behind the two worried fifth years walked a tentative Harry and Ron with a miffed looking Hermione. Reina looked at Gryffindor's golden trio with irritation; she knew they had only come because Kira had.
"Wow," Reina commented dryly, "before you know it I'll have a bigger fan club than you, Malfoy." The blond in question smiled briefly before scowling at the golden trio who were fidgeting by the doorway.
"Rei, what happened back there?" Kira asked. Her voice remained calm, despite the obvious worry in her hazel eyes. Reina watched Blaise from the corner of her eye as he glared at Malfoy, who'd tried to shift closer to Reina's side. "Rei?" came Kira's voice once again.
Shaking herself slightly, Reina showed Kira her hand. There was a brief moment of silence as Blaise watched over Kira's shoulder. Reina flinched as the words re-etched themselves into the back of her hand, a reaction which Malfoy didn't miss.
So much for numb, the blond thought as the appearance of the crimson words elicited a gasp from the younger Summers sister.
"What the…?!" was Blaise's startled reaction.
Just then, the door opened for the second time to reveal a livid Professor Snape. Kira backed toward Harry, Ron, and Hermione as Snape immediately went to check on his injured student. Reina jumped slightly when the potions master appeared by her side, for she had been watching her sister intently. The raven-haired Slytherin had seen a look of recognition flicker in Kira's hazel eyes upon seeing the angry red marks magically appear and fade.
Getting straight down to business Snape turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Have you found what's causing this?" he demanded, indicating Reina's hand.
"I've heard of such an occurrence, but it is quite rare these days," Madam Pomfrey responded calmly. "In darker times, when blood contracts were more prevalent, the contracts would be signed with blood quills. These quills would actually extract the blood of the signer and use that in place of ink." The three Slytherin fifth years saw Snape's coal black eyes darken at the healer's words. "As a potions master, I'm positive that you are aware of the magical and binding properties of blood. Signing in blood made the agreements practically impossible to break."
"But I haven't signed or written anything with a blood quill," Reina interrupted.
"It's possible to enchant blood quills to draw blood from another person, even if that person isn't writing with it. Most of the time a strand of the victim's hair is wrapped around the quill as a sort of medium or focus," Draco explained mostly for Reina's benefit. "That's why blood quills are only sold on the black market."
"You would know wouldn't you, Malfoy?" Blaise snapped.
"Blaise, don't antagonize him," Reina said through gritted teeth. It was getting harder to hide the pain. In response to Malfoy's information she said, "My hairbrush was missing this morning. I think Pansy took it, but she doesn't have access to anything like a blood quill, right?"
Malfoy shook his head. "She's a pain but she doesn't have the means to get something like that."
Reina turned to see her sister whispering furiously to Harry. Kira looked irate but it seemed that Harry was adamantly refusing to give in to whatever she was saying. Reina strained to listen better, although by this time their voices were rising.
"Harry, tell them," Kira pleaded.
Harry shook his head. "I won't give her the satisfaction," he replied.
"Harry, tell them!" Kira demanded this time, drawing the gazes of Blaise and Malfoy.
"No."
"HARRY, TELL THEM!!"
Snape and Madam Pomfrey turned to the quarreling Gryffindors. All eyes were on Kira and Harry.
"Tell us what, Mr. Potter?" Snape drawled.
"I-It's nothing, sir," Harry stammered.
"Oh for the love of Merlin," Draco said in exasperation. "Swallow your irritating Gryffindor pride, and just tell us whatever it is!"
Harry opened his mouth to retort. "She's my sister, Harry!" Kira exclaimed angrily, cutting him off.
The Boy Who Lived looked down, hiding the warring emotions on his face. "Will you just spit it out already?!" Reina demanded, the strain becoming evident in her voice. 'This isn't exactly a soothing feeling."
Harry looked up in resignation. "I had a detention earlier in the year with Professor Umbridge," he began. "She had me write lines—"
"The point, Mr. Potter," Snape pushed. "Time is of the essence."
Harry glared but finished. "She had me write with one of her 'special' quills. It left me with this." Harry held out his left hand and turned it palm down.
There, scarred on the back of his hand, was the phrase I must not tell lies.
Absolute silence dominated the room, save for an initial horrified gasp from Madam Pomfrey.
The first to break the silence was Malfoy, and Reina could detect the anger that he strained to hide beneath a calm tone. "So Reina isn't the only one she's doing this to?" he clarified.
Harry nodded, albeit reluctantly. "It's her method of punishment," he confirmed. "During detentions she makes you write lines with one of her quills until she thinks the message has 'sunken in'."
"And where does she hold these detentions, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked curtly.
Kira placed a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. Nodding his appreciation Harry answered, "In her office."
"Poppy, I will let you know when I am finished," Snape stated. This said, the potions master swept promptly from the Hospital Wing. The remaining occupants did not question where he was going. Madam Pomfrey moved to the fireplace in her office to await word from Snape.
"Thank you, Harry," Kira said after a moment, the relief and sincerity in her voice audible to all present.
Harry nodded, and he looked as if a great weight had been lifted from him.
"Why didn't you tell a Professor before now?" Blaise asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
As Harry responded, no one seemed to notice Reina shut her eyes and fail to bite back a gasp as the pain she was trying to suppress got the better of her. "I didn't want to give Umbridge the satisfaction of knowing that she had gotten to me and I'd involved other teachers."
Too busy with trying to ignore the pain, Reina did not hear Harry's response to Blaise. Suddenly she felt someone kneel in front of her to take her hand, placing the tip of their wand upon it and muttering a word softly under their breath. Opening her eyes to look at her hand, Reina watched as it was briefly bathed in a soft blue-green light. The pain from the vile words was numbed by a cool feeling. Looking up, Reina was met with Draco's silvery gaze.
"Better?" he asked softly.
Reina nodded. "How did you do that?"
"My mum showed me some healing spells over the summer," he replied, keeping his voice low so the others wouldn't hear.
"Thanks," Reina said sincerely. Draco nodded in acknowledgment.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?!" came Blaise's angry voice.
Draco practically jumped away from Reina at the sudden interruption. "I'm helping her out," was his scathing reply, "seeing as all of you are too caught up in your own little conversation to see that she's in pain!"
Reina placed a calming hand on Draco's arm, silently urging him to cool down.
"And why, in the name of Merlin, should it matter to you how she feels?" Kira inquired angrily. The blond Slytherin's audacity appalled her.
"You've already rejected any offers of friendship she's extended!" Blaise continued.
A sharp intake of breath halted any further argument, as all eyes moved to focus on Reina. "The words aren't returning," she told them with relief. Kira was at her side in an instant, and for a moment they were back to simpler times, when one of them would fuss in a motherly fashion as the other recovered from an injury. Even Hermione, who had been standing aloof the whole time, had to smile at the bond the two sisters shared.
"I think you should leave, Malfoy," Reina heard Blaise quietly but sternly advise. Malfoy didn't reply, but after a moment Reina heard him make his way to the door.
Wait Reina silently implored. As if hearing the thought, Draco stopped at the door and looked back. Silvery grey eyes met garnet-amber ones and look filled with silent understanding passed between them. Finally, Draco nodded slightly before turning and leaving the room. They would talk later, when they had a little more privacy.
No sooner had he left the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey came bustling out of her office with bandages in hand. "Professor Snape has informed me that he has taken care of this as soon as I get you bandaged up."
"NO!" Reina and Harry shouted simultaneously.
"We can't give Umbridge that satisfaction," Harry protested.
"Besides," Reina added, "it won't accomplish anything. The ministry won't let her be kicked out of Hogwarts."
Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips in disapproval but eventually agreed to not mention anything this time. Instead, turning her attention to Reina's hand she said, "Unfortunately, the…marks will not completely fade."
Reina grimaced.
"There's not really anything I can do for the scarring," Madam Pomfrey continued as she bandaged Reina's hand, "because the injury was magically inflicted."
The raven-haired girl nodded in defeat as Madam Pomfrey finished wrapping her hand. "I want you to stay here for a couple of hours," the mediwitch instructed kindly. "That way, I can make sure that you are indeed fine."
Looking at Kira and Blaise standing silently off to the side Reina said, "You guys can go ahead."
"We don't mind staying," Blaise told his friend.
"Speak for yourself," Reina heard Ron mutter.
Turning her attention back to Blaise, Reina shook her head. "I'll be fine," she reassured, "really."
Kira searched her sister's eyes for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Alright, see you at dinner then," she agreed before enveloping Reina in a strong embrace. The golden trio watched for a moment before turning and leaving the Hospital Wing. Blaise and Kira eventually followed suit.
Reina sighed, finally dropping her façade to reveal the weariness she actually felt. Pulling her legs up onto the bed she'd been sitting on, she finally laid back. She didn't want to think about Umbridge or her injury. All she wanted was to rest for a little while. One thing's certain Reina thought. It's time to take Ginny up on her offer. Reina was done letting Umbridge walk all over her.
With that decision made, Reina shut her eyes, blocking out as many thoughts as she could.
--
Half an hour before dinner that day found Draco Malfoy sitting in the Slytherin common room by the fireplace, staring into the flames as Pansy cuddled and crooned beside him.
"You know, we should head down to dinner soon, Drakie Poo," Pansy said in a sickly sweet voice. Malfoy didn't respond. "C'mon, at least Summers probably won't be there. She's probably in the Hospital Wing crying. Serves her right, that little bi—"
"Enough!" Malfoy snapped, standing abruptly. "How dare you do something like that to her!"
"But Drakie, she humiliated you in front of everyone," Pansy reasoned. "That foul, loathsome—"
Malfoy cut her off. "If you ever pull another stunt like the one you pulled today," he threatened, "I will hex you until you're in so much pain you'll be begging for mercy!"
With that, Draco stomped angrily out of the common room.
...
Draco stalked down the dungeon corridors. He didn't know where he was going and frankly, he didn't care, as long as he was far away from Pansy. It had taken every ounce of patience he had not to slap her.
Draco stopped.
Blaise's words earlier that day resounded in his head. You've already rejected any offers of friendship she's extended!
Draco growled to himself. He had been so stupid. She had offered him genuine friendship and he had acted as if she was offering nothing more than a worthless piece of junk.
Unable to contain his frustration any longer, Draco turned to the nearest wall and drove his fist into it. The pain that resulted made him regret the choice immediately, and Draco gingerly cast the same soothing spell on his now bruised knuckles that he'd cast for Reina earlier.
"Wow, angry much?" came a familiar sarcastic voice. Draco looked up to see Reina standing a couple feet away. "So, care to tell me why you've decided to take up wall punching?"
Draco shook his head. "It's nothing. How are you feeling?"
Reina shrugged. "I've been better, but at least it doesn't feel like somebody's dragging a knife through my hand."
Silence ensued. Draco didn't know what to say after all of the animosity that had existed between them the past few weeks. Thankfully, Reina decided to make the first move instead.
"Why did you help me today, Draco?" she asked bluntly.
"I-What?" Draco stammered, completely caught off guard.
"I'm tired of playing this ridiculous game with you," Reina vented. "One minute you're a likeable guy and the next you're the biggest arse in London!"
"I…"
"I can't take any more of your split personality," she went on. "I'm dealing with enough as it is. I want to trust you, I really do. But I can't do that if everything about you is a puzzle. So I ask, why did you help me?"
"I was wrong when I turned you down," Draco eventually admitted. "You were the first person to offer me friendship without condition, and I didn't know what to do. I wanted to accept, more than I've wanted anything in a long time, but the Malfoy name held me back."
Reina opened her mouth to comment on just what she thought about the Malfoy name when Draco boldly placed a hand over her mouth, shocking her into silence.
"All of my life," Draco explained, "I have been raised to believe that companionship is weakness, that the only thing that other people are good for is personal gain. Until I got to know you, I believed my father's words. Now, when I have the chance to experience actual friendship firsthand, I can't."
And suddenly, Reina understood. "You're afraid of what your father will think…what he would do if he found out that you were showing such 'weakness'."
Malfoy hesitated before nodding. "Weakness is not something my father takes lightly."
Reina reached out, wavering for a moment before gathering her resolve and a placing a hand on Draco's shoulder. "A young boy once told me that I shouldn't hide who I am because of anyone else," she said gently. "He was right. I never really got a chance to thank him for his words and for being there for me that night."
Reina watched in pleasant surprise as Draco's lips slowly curved into a small but genuine smile. "So…start over?" she offered, extending a hand.
Draco looked at the unique girl in front of him before taking the proffered hand. "Draco Malfoy," he reintroduced.
The raven-haired girl smiled as they shook hands. "Reina Summers. Pleased to meet you."