The Slytherin common room had never looked so welcoming after the long train ride of listening to a typical speech from Draco about how much he hated muggles and how wonderful his Christmas has been. I personally couldn't wait to rub my holidays with the Malfoy's in Pansy's smug little face, but a bigger worry was stirring in the pit of my stomach. Had Harry used the cookie? The bad feeling that seemed to hover around me hadn't gone away, but that didn't mean he hadn't used it. What if, after all my warnings, he had wasted it? I tried to tell myself I shouldn't care so much – if he wasted it, that would be his problem, and the consequences that would come with it would be none of my concern. But I couldn't help but feel that whatever bad thing is about to occur, Harry's going to be involved, and he's going to need that cookie.
I felt almost a sense of ease as the familiar green and silver tapestries glowed with the light from the lake above, the fire warm and welcoming. I wasn't looking forward to being in the dorm room again half as much – Pansy certainly hadn't been missed. Although it did feel good to see Daphene again. We met in the common room and exchanged small smiles.
"How was your Christmas?" she asked me.
"Good," I nodded, "yours?"
"It was great," she beamed "I got a new cat! Want to see?"
"Sure," I nodded, and she hurried me off to the dorm where a cat basket was sat on her bed. She unlocked the latch on the basket and opened the front. Green eyes glowered at us from within as the young tabby slowly made his way out, stretching with a yawn and showing off his sharp claws.
"He's cute, right?" Daphene said excitedly.
"Yeah, really cute," I agreed. I'm not really that keen on cats, being honest. I prefer Chara and Βοήθεια. What's cooler than a talking snake? I bet this tabby cat can't talk.
Daphene picked the tabby up and cuddled him to her chest. The cat looked more than a little displeased, and (as I quickly noticed) more than a little fat.
"He's brilliant, Midnight," Daphene said, her excitement still having not dipped "His name's Prince. It was a complete surprise! I had no idea until I lifted him out of the box. He's just so cute, though, right?! I just melt every time I look at his face." I nodded. I'm beginning to remember why I prefer to be on my own rather than with other people.
"Dinner will be soon, are you coming?" I asked in an attempt to change the conversation away from Daphene's new cat. And 'Prince'? Really?
"Yeah, I'm starving," Daphene said, putting Prince down on her covers and putting the carrier under the bed. We turned around to leave, and of course Pansy just had to walk in.
"Oh," she said, nose in the air "it's you. Have a nice Christmas did you?"
"It was wonderful, Pansy. The Malfoy's and I had a great time. Thanks for asking," I said with a sickly sweet smile. She huffed.
"Well, my parents got me the latest hat from a brand new designer, all the way from Italy."
"Well I guess when you can aparate it only takes ten seconds to get there," I smirked. Her face went red with fury as she stepped to her bed and opened up her suitcase, bringing out a large feathery hat that was coloured dirty green and a neon yellow.
"It's the latest look. All the important people in life will be wearing it pretty soon."
"Yeah, that puke green perfectly matches your face," I smiled, and for a moment I thought she might attack me, but she merely huffed again.
"Say want you want, you ignorant little mud-blood lover. You'll see soon enough."
"Oh I'm sure I will," I said sarcastically before leaving, Daphene following close behind. We snickered at each other as we walked down the stairs to the common room where Draco was boasting about his new broom.
"Should we ask him if he wants to come with us?" Daphene asked.
"Nah, he'd probably be annoyed if we interrupted." I shrugged. To be honest I've had enough of Draco for the time being. I'm hoping that when we get to the dinner hall Harry will be there so I can ask him whether he's used the cookie or not, just to ease my thoughts.
We talked as we walked to the Great Hall – or rather, Daphene talked and I pretended to listen. There weren't many people in yet, but the food was out and the people who were there were already tucking in. I just stopped myself letting out a sigh of relief when I saw Harry sat at the Gryffindor table. He was of course accompanied by Hermione and Ron, but I could easily get him on his own to talk to him.
Daphene and I sat at the Slytherin table and started to eat. We were about half way through when the trio stood to leave.
"I'll be back in a minute," I said quickly to Daphene and got up, hurrying over to them just as they reached the doors.
"Hi," I said pleasantly, making them all turn to me.
"Hi Midnight," Harry replied almost immediately "Did you have a good Christmas?"
"Yeah it was alright. Did you?"
"Yeah it was great," Harry nodded with a smile. I looked to Hermione and Ron.
"Yeah, a good Christmas," Hermione nodded. Ron merely grunted.
"Good I talk to Harry for a second?" I asked, slipping in just a little bit of charmspeak.
"Sure," Ron grunted, turning to leave. Hermione followed him.
"We'll see you in the common room Harry," she said as they left.
"That didn't take a lot of persuasion," Harry commented.
"I have a way with people," I shrugged "anyway, I wanted to know, well I was just curious as to whether you'd used the cookie yet or not." I said with a sheepish smile.
"The cookie? Oh, no I haven't. It's upstairs in my trunk so it doesn't get broken. Why, should I have used it already?"
"No, no, actually I'm really glad you haven't." I paused "I've just had this bad feeling lately, and I wanted to know that you still had the option of the cookie if it came to it,"
"Yeah, I still have it." Harry nodded "What, what do you mean, a bad feeling?"
"I don't know, it's probably nothing," I shrugged "anyway, I've got to get back to Daphene. I'll catch up with you soon though, yeah?"
"Yeah. See you later Midnight."
"Bye Harry," I returned to the table and sat next to Daphene again.
"What was that all about?" she asked me.
"Tactics, Daphene. Tactics."