traviswj :: Thanks for your last two reviews! And that's good to hear; now that Valentina and Balthazaar had finally met, he'll be written in more frequently. =D
Aurianmule :: Thank you! The lack of reviews is probably because I marked it as rated M and I haven't written any sex scenes which, chronologically, won't happen until later. Way later. Lol =)
rose nine :: Aww! Thanks! I wasn't planning on making an OC story, but I didn't want to completely take control of an already-existing character and mess them up (because I know I will) by giving them characteristics that suit my fancy. And hahaha, Valentina is going to be even more annoying in the next few chapters-especially to Balthazaar and Snape-which may or may not be a good thing. We'll see. =X
blind-saint :: Lol that was my first impression of Gryffindors. XD Yeah, I'm trying to cover school years using only 3-4 chapters each, since they will be a bit longer than my usual chapters. Overall, yes, I'm guessing it will be pretty long (that's what she said), but it's only because I want to build up to the sex scenes rather than jump into them. Also, I'm planning on keeping Snape in character, since I'm strictly sticking to the books, and it won't seem right if I disregard the fact that he's slow to trusting people and whatnot. Thank you for your reviews, by the way. =) they're very well-appreciated and I'm more than happy to clarify and explain my plans for the upcoming chapters. Cheers!
Author's Note: Is it weird that I read Snape's dialogue in Alan Rickman's voice? =O
"I can't wait until I go back to school," Valentina said to Balthazaar as they walked down the cobbled street of Diagon Alley. It was a cheery place, despite the flyers of Sirius Black that were plastered about. She had been right about the floo powder bit, but she had been right about Diagon Alley itself, as well; every store they passed was as interesting as the last. Balthazaar could never say it aloud, but he was envious of the students who were there to buy books and potions and robes for school. I wonder how it would be if I had gone to Hogwarts, he thought to himself. Valentina pulled him into a shop called Madame Malkin's Robes for all Occasions.
"Do you think I should get a medium-length skirt or a small?" The young heiress asked Balthazaar as Madame Malkin went out back to get more skirts.
"Er..." He eyed the dangerously short hem of the smaller skirt. "Medium?"
"Oh, you're no fun," she scoffed, sticking her tongue out at him. She did, however, buy the medium-length skirts.
"Is that Harry Potter?" Balthazaar whispered to her as they passed a shop called Broomstix. She momentarily eyed the skinny, bespectacled wizard who was staring, transfixed, at the prototype Firebolt that was on display.
"Yeah, that's him," she replied. "He's in my house at school. I've never spoken to him."
"Are you planning to?"
"Nope."
"Why ever not?" He asked, surprised.
"Why should I?" She scoffed. "I'm not going out of my way to talk to someone, even if that someone is Harry Potter. Without good reason, I doubt he'd ever go out of his way to talk to me either."
"I guess," Balthazaar shrugged. She dragged him to Twilfitt and Tatting's, where she tried on a myriad of clothes, shoes, and accessories. The uptight witch there had given Balthazaar a harsh look when he entered, but was forced to smile politely when she noticed that he was with Valentina. In all seventeen years of his life, Balthazaar had never gone shopping with a girl before; it was strange and new to him. Valentina had not gone in with anything specific in mind to buy, so she basically went throughout the whole store to see what suited her fancy. It would have been completely boring for him (as she had the habit of picking up every single article of clothing and staring at it for hours until deciding whether she should try it on or not), but she would regularly model the outfits and ask him what he thought of them. To this, he would always respond positively and be awarded with a charming, heart-warming smile.
"These wizards and witches," Balthazaar began, bringing up something that had been bugging him for awhile. "Do they know who you are? A Corleone, I mean." She paused before answering.
"No... but only because I don't do flash photography," she finally replied, shrugging. "My name is as famous as it gets, but there's never been a face to it in the papers. For security reasons, of course." In his opinion, the way she carried herself probably was a dead giveaway that she wasn't just some pretty face casually strolling through Diagon Alley. The young heiress held herself straight, balanced. Her strut was proud and confident, giving her an almost regal appearance. Valentina suddenly gave him a sly wink and held on to his arm. "Why? Do you want people to be jealous that you're with me? I'm easily the prettiest witch here." He almost dropped the bags he was holding for her.
"It's not that," he mumbled, flushing with embarrassment. "I just imagined that you'd be getting special treatment, being a Corleone and all." For an instant, Balthazaar saw her lip curl, but it disappeared so fast he thought he had imagined it.
"What, you mean you expected them to organize a back-to-school shopping parade for me?" She laughed. "You know, I'd really enjoy that. But knowing that I'd be going back to Hogwarts and seeing my Master... that's good enough for me." He learned not to ask questions about that again. She was obviously not attention-hungry as he had once thought.
"Ugh... look what she's wearing," Valentina muttered, jerking her head towards a young witch in green robes. "Two different shades of the same color? I'd rather jump off a cliff."
"It doesn't look that bad," Balthazaar said, clearing his throat. Not an attention-seeker, he thought. More like a smarmy, know-it-all snob.
As they left for Chateau de Leon, Balthazaar had to admit that it was a good day, save the fact that he had to argue with her about who was paying for two of Florean Fortescue's ice cream sundaes. She reluctantly let him at the end when she noticed that people had begun to stare. Afterwards, however, she had bought a second sundae with a repulsive mountain of available toppings added onto it. Needless to say, it ruined his appetite whenever he thought of it.
"Will you miss me when I'm gone?" She asked as they said goodbye to each other at the steps of Chateau de Leon.
"I guess," he replied without thinking. She blinked, taken aback by the nonchalance of his answer.
"Fine, then," Valentina huffed, recovering quickly. She tossed some keys at him. "For the front gate, the front door, and all the gardens."
"You're trusting me with complete access to your estate?" Balthazaar asked incredulously.
"Let me add that there will be hell to pay if anything happens to Chateau de Leon," she said in a threatening tone. "This, right now, is the only thing that I legally own and treasure."
"I'll keep that in mind," he mumbled, ignoring the shiver that had gone down his spine. She grinned and shook his hand, the previous conversation gone from the atmosphere.
Balthazaar lay in bed thinking about the month he spent with Valentina. She was chatty, condescending, and unbelievably spoiled. But there was something about Valentina that made Balthazaar look forward to every day with her. It will be awhile until I see her again, he told himself. And I'm still not sure whether that's good news or bad. Sighing audibly, the young wizard drifted off to sleep, dreaming of potions, robes, and a pretty witch whose childlike pout made his heart melt like Florean Fortescue's ice cream sundaes.
"Valentina!" The young heiress turned to see fellow Gryffindor, Colin Creevey, rush up to her with three people whom she guessed to be his parents and his little brother Dennis.
"Hey, Colin!" She greeted, giving him a hug and a swift kiss on the cheek. She curtsied politely to his parents and smiled briefly at the small boy next to them.
"Colin has been telling us so much about you," Mr Creevey explained, reaching out to shake her hand. "I had my doubts about you when he said you were the heir of the wealthiest company in the world, but after reading his posts on how nice you are to him, well, I'm downright ashamed of myself."
"And you're so pretty!" Mrs Creevey exclaimed, giving Valentina's cheek a quick pinch. Valentina's mouth twitched, confused on whether or not to smile. Silvanus and Flavia were never as casually affectionate as the Creeveys were, but it kind of gave her a warm feeling inside. The two Gryffindors waved goodbye to the Creeveys and got on the train.
"Valentina?" He suddenly asked.
"Mmhmm?"
"Is it okay if I sit with Tristan on the ride to Hogsmeade station?" Valentina exaggeratingly put a hand to her heart.
"It's not because I have cooties, is it?" She asked dramatically, feigning shock. Colin shook his head quickly.
"No! It's 'cause—"
"Oh my gosh, Colin," Valentina laughed exasperatedly. "I'm just kidding! You will sit next to me at the feast, won't you?"
"Of course!" He grinned and rushed off to join Tristan and two other second-year boys, leaving the young Corleone feeling awkwardly alone.
"Is it possible to get any more pretty than you already are?" George crooned at Valentina as they stepped into her compartment on the Hogwarts Express. She giggled at the compliment.
"What a deliciously golden tan you're sporting there, Valentina," Fred winked, following his twin.
"Oh stop it, you two," Valentina laughed, hugging and giving each swift kisses on their cheeks. "You both are pretty tan yourselves."
"Ah, the beauty of Egypt," George sighed as the twins put their trunks on the ledges above their seats.
"Oh, I totally forgot y'all went to Egypt this summer," she lied, remembering the small bit in the Daily Prophet on the Weasley family.
"Funny how things worked out last year," Fred pointed out. "Ron and Harry got into that bit with our Ford Anglia and the Whomping Willow, our father faced this ridiculous inquiry at work, then Ginny got possessed by You-Know-Who."
"But right after that, mind you," George continued. "Our father wins seven-hundred galleons in the Daily Prophet's annual galleon drawing."
"The oddest thing is that our father doesn't quite remember entering the annual galleon drawing this past year," Fred said softly in an secretive tone. "How peculiar is that?" Valentina cleared her throat and emptied her mind to prevent any emotion to give herself away.
"Does he usually enter the drawing?" She asked. Fred thought for a moment and answered.
"Yes. Every year, but-"
"He must've forgotten then," she said quickly. "It's like breathing. When you're doing something over and over again, you're not really aware of doing it anymore."
"I reckon that's a bit of a stretch for something that happens once a year," George laughed. Valentina rolled her eyes and pouted just as Ginny walked in.
"Hello, Valentina," she grinned, giving her a quick hug. She turned to her brothers and frowned. "Ron told me to get lost."
"Oh, don't listen to him," Fred tutted consolingly.
"How was your summer, Ginny?" Valentina asked as the three settled in.
"It was all right," replied Ginny, who also sported a very healthy tan. It was a pleasant change compared to her pasty complexion back in June when she had last seen her. As the three recalled their holiday, Valentina slipped into her thoughts-revolving mostly around Professor Snape. In just a few hours or so, I'll be able to see him again, she thought dreamily. I wonder if he missed me, too.
"What was that?" Valentina suddenly asked, realizing that the three had been looking at her in response to something.
"Er... I said we should get into our robes now," Ginny replied.
"Oh, right. Sorry. I was thinking about something."
"Or was it someone?" George winked. Valentina blushed crimson.
"Hush up, I was thinking about whether or not I forgot my dragonhide gloves," she lied, fanning herself to get rid of the pink tinge still on her cheeks. She rushed out of the compartment, not failing to hear the twins' sniggering as she closed the door behind her.
Valentina and Ginny came back in time to catch the friendly witch with the Honeydukes Express trolley. As expected, Valentina bought most of the cart for the four of them to share. After an hour, however, the three Weasleys politely refused her later offers of candy, mostly because watching her eat the plethora of sweets was far more interesting than eating it themselves.
"The wealthy Corleone sitting with poor, blood-traitor Weasleys? What a surprise," Draco sneered as he opened the compartment door with Crabbe, Goyle, and-to Valentina's disgust-Pansy. The twins immediately stood up, their wands at the ready.
"You're just jealous because she'd rather sit with us than with you," Ginny snapped, also drawing out her wand. Valentina remained sitting and eating, her eyes merely gazing at Draco's face. He seemed a bit hurt at what Ginny said, but recovered quickly.
"As if Draco would want to be seen with the likes of her," Pansy shrieked with laughter.
"Goddammit, Parkinson," Valentina scowled, violently tearing open a chocolate frog. "Draco, if you're going to go around bullying people, don't bring her." She nodded towards Pansy, who was glaring murderously. "She's so fuckin' annoying. Far from intimidating." Patience Ross is a better bully than this pug-faced excuse for a witch, she thought. Pansy opened her mouth to argue, but Draco shushed her and motioned for his friends to leave. He then closed the compartment door, giving Valentina a hint of an apologetic look. In return, she pursed her lips and focused on removing imaginary lint from her perfectly black robes.
As the sky grew dark, the four Gryffindors sat in silence, anticipating the familar surrounding of Hogsmeade station. Unexpectedly, the train slowed to a stop.
"That's not right," George muttered, looking out. They were obviously not anywhere near Hogsmeade.
"I'll go check it out," Ginny said, slipping out of the compartment.
"Maybe there's a cow on the tracks," Fred joked.
"Or a troll," George added.
"Is it just me or is it getting a bit cold?" Valentina asked, shivering slightly.
"I think it's just you, Val—" Fred stopped, realizing that he could see his breath as he spoke. "Bloody hell..." Valentina felt a strange tug in the back of her head, trying to place the cold feeling with a closed memory.
"Dementors," she muttered. The twins, looking out the window to see what was going on outside, did not hear her. Sitting with her hands on her knees, Valentina closed her eyes and emptied her thoughts. But as the temperature dropped, it became hard to do so. Think of Master Snape, she told herself. You'll get to see him in a while, just pull yourself together. As she heard the compartment door slowly slide open, the black void of her mind began to grow sad, depressing thoughts.
"What are you doing here?" George snapped at someone at the door. Valentina opened her eyes to see Draco standing there.
"Er... I-I," he stuttered, glancing at Valentina. She saw concern in his eyes. The twins, however, mistakened it for fear.
"Get a move on, then," Fred added. "Run along to your own mates if you're scared." Draco gave him a scathing look and rushed out, slamming the compartment door shut.
"Annoying git," George scoffed. He turned to Valentina and patted her on the back. "You all right? The train's moving again."
"I'm fine," she murmured. She looked down find the knuckles on her hands were shockingly white. The short ride to Hogsmeade station was silent and tense.
"He's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" asked Colin after the new first-years were sorted into their appropriate houses.
"I guess," Valentina replied. Her attention was focused on Professor Snape, who was glaring venomously at the repulsively disheveled Professor Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Immediately, she already decided that she didn't quite like the new teacher, as her Master's obvious hatred had forced him to ignore her. "I bet he's going to be like Professor Lockhart," she sneered.
"Valentina!" Heather gasped. "That's an awfully crude judgment."
"It's not my fault," she said. "Look at him. Look at the state of his robes. If he can't even dress properly, how do you suppose he'll pull himself together for class?"
"Lockhart dressed well," Flora pointed out as she reached for the gravy.
"Whatever," Valentina muttered, realizing that her friends weren't going to side with her on the discussion at hand. She looked over at Draco, who was reenacting Potter's dementor encounter on the train. Why did he come back to my compartment? She asked herself as she sprinkled an unhealthy amount of sugar onto her pumpkin pie. Her four friends sitting near her knew well enough to look away during dessert.
The next morning was so delightfully cheerful that last night's dementor "attack" on the Hogwarts Express was long forgotten. To Valentina's dismay, the second-year Gryffindors weren't scheduled for Potions until the following day. That's not going to stop me from seeing him, she thought as she planned to stop by at his office that night.
"Valentina," said Helena. "As a friend, I'd like to point out that your diet is far from healthy." The young Corleone looked down at her English muffin which was buried under an abnormally large helping of jam.
"Tell me," Valentina smirked. "Are my teeth perfectly white?"
"Yes, but—"
"And have I gained any weight whatsoever since you last saw me?"
"Well, no, but-" Valentina grinned, forcing her friend to drop the subject.
"Come on, Helena. We'll be late to Professor Lupin's class."
The young Corleone refused to admit it, but she thought the classroom looked pretty cool compared to how it looked when Professor Lockhart had decorated it. The smiling portraits of their last professor were replaced with interesting skeletons of magical creatures and thick, leather-bound books which looked mysteriously appealing. Despite all this-in addition to the interesting lecture being given-Valentina found herself falling asleep.
"The Knockback Jinx is a very simple, but quite useful spell," Professor Lupin explained. Valentina twirled her wand to keep herself awake. "To make the spell more effective, one must wait for the wand's tip to turn red-violet from blue after the incantation is said." Easy as pie, Valentina thought sleepily as her professor walked to the front of the class.
"All right, repeat after me: Flipendo!"
"Flipendo!" The class chorused back. Valentina opted to yawn instead as she continued to twirl her precious heirloom.
"Once more, with more feeling," he urged. "Flipendo!" The young Corleone, already annoyed by the constant repetition of the basic spell and the lack of enthusiasm of her classmates, sat up and barked the incantation.
"Flipendo!" The moment she uttered the first syllable, the young Gryffindor realized that she had been twirling her wand. And just as the whole spell had been said, the now red-violet end of the wand pointed itself at her. Valentina's lips formed a perfect 'O' as she felt the wind being knocked out of her and the curious sensation of being thrown back a few meters. Her face burned red as she lay flat on her back, staring up at the high ceiling of the classroom. She sat up slowly and blinked her surroundings back into focus. No one laughed, but—to Valentina—they all seemed like they wanted to.
"I should have mentioned that twirling one's wand isn't the best idea when learning and reciting a new incantation," said Professor Lupin as he strode over, offering his hand out to her. This broke the ice; the class broke into muffled laughter.
"You think?" She snapped and stood up on wobbly legs, ignoring his helpful gesture. Though she knew she was overreacting, her unreasonable dislike for him grew after every second. He gave her a small smile.
"It seemed a little redundant to point out—"
"Are you trying to call me stupid, Professor?" Valentina glared daggers at him as the class began to settle down and awkwardly watch the heated dispute. He looked genuinely hurt by her accusation.
"Of course not, Miss Corleone, I'm merely—"
"Whatever." She walked back to her seat, grabbing her books and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I'm excusing myself. Good day, professor." Ignoring his attempts to call her back, the young heiress stormed out of the classroom, face still burning with embarrassment and eyes burning with anger.
"You're a bit too quiet for your own good," Severus drawled as he pored over a batch of essays. After the evening feast, Valentina had barged into his office and sat herself on his armchair, seething in silence. Avian had flown over to nip affectionately at his mistress' fingers, but was completely ignored. He heard her mumble something incoherent.
"Speak up, girl," he snapped, now annoyed with her disagreeable behavior.
Valentina lifted her head and said, "Professor Lupin is a-a—" she frowned as she searching for a word to describe him. Giving up, she simply relayed the morning's events for him. "I hate him," she mumbled somewhat lamely afterwards.
"It's foolish to spit out words that lack feeling behind them," he said softly, his lip curling. "I doubt you understand the true meaning of hate."
"And you do?" She scoffed. Eyes flashing, Severus stood up quickly and walked towards her. Each step was made with deliberation.
"To be filled with a feeling so strong that it consumes your very soul, that is hate. To live every waking day wishing suffering and eventual death upon someone, that is hate. To feel that there will never be a compromise no matter how much you will yourself to try, that is hate." His face was inches from hers. "And you know nothing of it." Valentina was looking at him with a strange look. Respect? Fear? She frowned and looked away.
"Mea culpa, Master Snape," she apologized. His eyes softening, Severus took her chin in his hand and tilted her face upwards. In addition to the regret from her outburst, Severus was surprised to see that desire was also swimming in her chocolate-brown eyes. Foolish girl, he thought. What exactly does she expect from me?
He released her and said evenly, "Go back to your dormitory. I have pressing matters with Mr Malfoy and the headmaster this evening."
"What's wrong?"
"And to think that the rumors would have been caught by your gossip-hungry ears by now," Severus sneered. Valentina pouted at him.
"Master, don't make fun. I've been trying to kick the habit."
"If you must know, Draco had a little accident during one of his classes this morning."
"Is he all right?" He noticed her quickly trying to hide the concern in her voice.
"He was attacked by a hippogriff," he replied simply, letting her figure it out on her own. He had given her a lesson about the beasts when she was young and wondered whether she still remembered it now. Watching her eyes widen with understanding, he smirked.
"I should go then," she mumbled, curtsying. "Goodnight, Master Snape." Dreadful character on that girl, Severus thought to himself. Her talent to mentally grasp concepts so quickly, however, is almost comparable to that of Miss Granger's. Almost.
Valentina quietly rushed to Hospital Wing to visit Draco Malfoy. I'm just curious about how he got the hippogriff to attack him, she assured herself. It's not like I care how he is or anything like that.
"I have a message from Professor Snape to Draco Malfoy," said Valentina to Madame Pomfrey.
"All right, then. Five minutes." Valentina casually slipped her hands in the pockets of her robes and entered the infirmary.
"Nurse? Is that you?" She heard Draco call out. "I asked for lemon in my tea. Not honey-oh. It's you." Valentina gave him a small smile and sat at chair near his bed, eyeing his heavily-bandaged arm in its sling.
"How's your arm?" She asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"Painful." He made a face. "I'm in complete agony."
"I call bullshit on that," she scoffed. Draco looked at her in surprise. "What'd you do to provoke the beast? Refuse to bow?"
"I didn't do anything!" He exclaimed, looking slightly appalled. She smirked and gave him a knowing glance. "All right... I may have insulted it a bit, but I didn't think that oaf of a teacher was serious when he said they were dangerous." Valentina laughed at him. "Stupid-looking brutes," he added disdainfully. There was another awkward pause.
"Thank you," she said suddenly. "For coming back to my car on the train."
"I dunno what you're going on about, Corleone," he muttered, looking away.
"Right." She stood up. "It's a shame we can't be seen talking to each other and whatever."
"It's nothing personal—"
"I know. Honey in your tea is good for you, by the way. It helps you sleep... Anyway, see you around, Draco." With Draco's stare piercing the back of her head, Valentina left hospital wing.
It had been a few days since Draco returned to his classes. Valentina's Master, however, was far from happy.
"Didn't you hear?" Flora whispered to Valentina and some other second-years during their Charms lesson. "The third years were covering boggarts with Professor Lupin, and-you know what boggarts are, don't you?"
"Yes, yes," Valentina snapped impatiently. "Go on."
Flora, who enjoyed testing her friend's patience with juicy gossip, laughed, "Merlin's beard, Valentina, don't get your damn knickers in a twist. Anyway, Lupin had Longbottom go first. And you know what his boggart turned into?"
"Do you have to be this suspenseful? I'm dying here." Flora ignored her.
"Snape."
"I still don't get why—"
"And—I'm not exactly sure how the it happened, but—next thing you know, the boggart is Snape in Lady Longbottom's taffeta petticoat and what have you." Nearby students who had been eavesdropping snorted into their books. Valentina forced a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Oh, the clever devil," she said through gritted teeth. "Remind me to take a page out of Professor Lupin's book." Valentina, now curled up in her Master's armchair, watched as he brewed a potion she could not quite identify. His scowl seemed more intense than usual, but his potioneering skills were unaffected by whatever emotion he was overcome with. She watched his experienced hands carefully slice and measure an ounce of Dragon Liver.
"So... what are you making, Master?" She asked as he reached for Wolfsbane.
Without looking up, Professor Snape responded, "Seeing as you have already forgotten the only condition I have given you, let me repeat it once more. You, my dear, can only stay as long as you stay silent and out of my way. That includes unnecessary chatter, breathing loudly, and asking questions about matters that do not concern you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master," she mumbled, standing up to study the various jars of God-knows-what along the shelves of her Master's dimly-lit office. I don't think I've ever been so bored in my life, she mentally complained. And it's not like he's going out of his way to talk with me either. Overcome with the conceited notion that she wasn't the center of her Master's attention, Valentina grabbed her bag and headed for the door.
"Goodnight, Master," she said over her shoulder. Professor Snape made a shooing motion with his hand and, quite offended, Valentina slammed the door shut behind her.
"I can't wait until next year," Heather sighed dreamily one evening. Valentina, Helena, Flora, and Heather sat near the fireplace in the bustling common room doing their transfiguration homework.
"Why? What's next year?" Valentina asked, trying to keep her tone as even as possible. She blamed her irritable attitude on her Master, whom she hadn't gone to visit since the night she stormed out of his office.
"Valentina, I swear you ignore us half the time," sighed Helena. "When we're third years, we're allowed to go to Hogsmeade."
"And do you know what's there at Hogsmeade?" Flora asked, smiling ear-to-ear. Valentina blinked at them stupidly. Flora's smile faded. "Everything, Valentina. Everything."
"There's The Three Broomsticks, which is rumored to have the best-tasting butterbeer," Heather explained. "Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop—"
"—Zonko's Joke Shop—" Flora added.
"—Hogsmeade's Hairdressing Salon—" continued Helena.
"Are there any candy stores?" Valentina interrupted, looking a bit more interested in the topic. Her three friends looked at one another.
"Well, there is Honeydukes," Heather said slowly. "The food from the Hogwarts Express' trolley comes from there."
"Really?" Valentina broke into a grin.
Helena pursed her lips and, in a matter-of-fact tone, asked, "Did you know there's a disease one can get from splurging on sweets?"
"Is it the 'happiness disease' by any chance?" Valentina suggested innocently. She and Flora high-fived each other.
"Oh, how mature," she scoffed, shaking her head.
"What... a... tasty... spider," said a deep male voice. The quality of the was quite peculiar; similar to how a radio would sound if it were stuck in-between stations. Valentina made a face and turned around. There was no radio that she could see; Gryffindors were sitting about, doing homework, reading, or talking to one another. The quidditch team had also come back from practice.
"Can I get your Charms book, Valentina?" Heather asked. "I forgot mine upstairs."
"Hmm? Sure." She turned around to hand her friend the textbook when a commotion started behind them.
"CATCH THAT CAT!" She heard Ron Weasley yell. A ginger-colored blur shot from beneath a table and chased after a smaller, grey-colored blur. George had grabbed for it and missed. Spectators who were far from the action were laughing amongst themselves at the scene. Valentina, however, sat with a scowl marring her usually calm face and her mouth slightly agape as she stared at the large cat who was furiously swiping at the ugly rat under an old chest.
"Dirty... creature," the voice continued threateningly. "I know... you are-" Just as the voice became a bit clearer, Hermione Granger suddenly grabbed the cat around its middle and dragged it away. Ron pulled the rat out from under the chest and the two argued furiously until Ron stomped into the boys' dormitory.
"Are you all right, Valentina?" Flora asked, peering into her friend's face.
"The cat—" she stuttered. "It—did you see—"
"Oh, it didn't get the rat," Heather crooned, gently patting Valentina's arm. "Don't worry." Valentina cleared her throat and shook her head.
"I, uh, I'm going to bed," she mumbled, standing up. "Headache." Catching her friends exchanging worried glances, the young Corleone rushed up the stairs to the dormitory.
Balthazaar stared blankly at the bare, white wall as the familiar prickling sensation of a tattooist's needle dug into his back. Shortly, the soft whirring sound stopped and he resisted the urge to turn around.
"What's going—OUCH!" Balthazaar looked over his shoulder at the furious, but still quite beautiful, face of Charlotte Deacon, Liam's cousin. She had hit him smartly on the back of the head with a rolled-up newspaper. "What'd you go and do that for?"
"That was the fifth time," she snapped. Her yellow-green eyes flashed dangerously. Balthazaar wasn't easily intimidated, but Charlotte's wrath was something to steer clear of. "I can't do this fuckin' outline with you sighin' all the time. What the bloody hell is your problem?"
"Be gentle, Charlotte," Liam called from the back office. "He is my best mate, after all. Don't tell me you aren't enjoying him."
"Sorry, Charlotte," Balthazaar mumbled, accidentally letting out another sigh. He recoiled slightly, expecting another slap to the head, but she simply straddled him from behind and wrapped her well-toned arms around his naked torso.
"What's wrong, love?" She purred. Like all the testosterone-pumped men who came into the shop to get inked, Balthazaar enjoyed the attention he was getting from the beautiful tattoo artist. Valentina Corleone, however, had unintentionally rooted herself deep into his thoughts.
"It's nothing," he lied as Charlotte kissed his neck. Before Balthazaar could push her away, Liam appeared at the doorway.
"Get off him, you tart," he laughed. "I thought you were with that bloke—what's his name? Patrick, was it?"
"Piss off, wanker," she snapped, moving back to her chair. From the offended tone of her voice, Balthazaar could tell she was still with Patrick. That's good for her, the young wizard thought to himself. Stunningly beautiful and clever as she was, Charlotte had the tendency of dating guys who either lacked in appearance, intelligence, or both. In Balthazaar's opinion, Patrick was a bit more on par than her previous beaus. Though, she had always held a space in her heart for her cousin's dear friend.
"What's all this anyway?," Charlotte asked, continuing the outline of Balthazaar's tattoo.
"My family's coat-of-arms."
"Royal-looking thing. You're lucky I get a kick out of inkin' you, detailed as it is."
"I'll gladly pay—" She pinched his arm with her hot-pink, painted nails.
"Quiet, love. I'm tryin' to work here." He obeyed reluctantly.
Valentina woke to the sound of a light tapping. Moving the bed curtains aside, she spotted Avian at the window. She silently pounced out of bed and opened it.
"Sorry, amicus," she whispered, stroking the smooth feathers on the majestic eagle's wings. "Why aren't you with Master?" Avian held out one of his golden talons to show her the tiny parcel there. She took it and opened it, revealing a perfect miniature conch shell. A small piece of paper with the word "Engorio" was inserted into the slit.
"Engorio," she whispered, tapping her wand against the small shell, which immediately grew to the size of her head. Her breath caught in her throat as she remembered her trip to Barcelona with Professor Snape. With a smile of content, Valentina closed her eyes and put the shell to her ear, listening to the calming sounds of the waves as her heart fluttered at the thought of her Master.