The Exchange – Pent Up Aggression


After a quiet breakfast that she enjoyed, avoiding Draco, Haley made her way over to the library so she could finish up her assignments, all the while avoiding Draco. And once she gave up on that, she ducked out of the library and sped all the way to the common room, making sure to avoid Draco. And just as she reached the door to her room, after checking over her shoulders so she could further avoid Draco, Haley felt a tap on her shoulder from none other than… Pansy.

"You're acting awfully strange today…" the girl noted. "You seem rather paranoid, in fact."

"Oh," Haley smiled, relieved that it wasn't Draco she was currently confronted with. "I'm just trying to get ready for the transformation back. I've some things to sort out and I just needed some time to myself."

"Oh. I guess I'll see you later then."

"Actually, Pansy, you might be able to help me out with something."

The girl cocked an eyebrow. "It's not more Draco nonsense, is it?"

"No. I'm pretty sure I can handle that on my own now. It's about something else." Haley opened her door and held it open so Pansy could go in. The other girl just looked at her curiously. "What are you waiting for? Come on."

"You want me to go into your room…?"

"Clearly."

"What are we going to do?"

Haley rolled her eyes. "Honestly Pansy, if we're going to be friends from now on, you're going to have to learn how to trust me."

"Ugh, fine." The smaller girl stomped past Haley and stopped in the middle of the room. "Here I am. Now what?"

"Would you be willing to take any of these clothes off my hands?"

Pansy was taken aback. "What?"

The taller girl pointed at the pile on her bed. It was made up of the various articles of clothing that she had worn during her time at Hogwarts as a girl. "I've gone through the whole pile and I've decided to keep a few things, like the jackets and some sweaters, and there are some things I haven't worn yet either than I can return, but everything else needs to go."

"You want me to wear your clothes?"

Haley frowned. "Well if you're too high and mighty for them-"

"I didn't mean it like that Jo- Pott-…whatever."

Haley studied the girl. "You've never shared clothes before, Pansy?"

"Of course not. I have my own."

"Well I have my own, but that doesn't stop me from taking a sweater from Ron every now and again."

"Why would you want to?"

Haley sighed. "I'm going to ignore that."

"Again, not what I meant. Really, Potter, if we're going to be friends you really need to stop taking everything I say the wrong way."

"Oh. Sorry."

"But now that you mention it, why would you want to?"

The other girl just rolled her eyes. "What's the problem anyway? I thought girls shared clothes all the time. I know Lavender and Pavarti do it all the time."

"Well consider who I'd be sharing with, Potter. My only friends are boys. And even if I had any girl friends, most of the girls here are twice my size. Look at Blustrode. Do you honestly think I can fit into her tents? I don't think so."

"So then here you go! Prime opportunity to snatch up some clothes from a gal pal of yours."

Pansy walked over to the pile on the bed and glanced at the clothes. "This is really okay then?"

"Sure," Haley shrugged. "I'll have no use for them after this, obviously. Really now, can you honestly picture the real me wearing a skirt day to day?"

"Well it does accentuate the prancing…"

"I do not-"

"Kidding." Pansy smiled smugly. "All right then."

Pansy proceeded to look through the pile of clothes frowning at some articles and placing others into a growing pile next to her. Haley on the other hand tried to finish up her work that she had started in the library.

"I thought you said you had skirts." Pansy commented.

"I do. I just never wore them. If you want to look at them, they're in that bag over there." She motioned to the bag near her door.

Pansy hopped off the bed and peeked into it. "Geez, Potter. Just how much money do you really have? You were really able to buy all this with no problems?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, I inherited my parents' fortunes… as well as Sirius'. So I guess I have some spending room."

"So if you have all this money, why do you still dress in those raggedy shirts you're always wearing?"

"They're not raggedy."

Pansy only retorted with a scoff.

"Look," Haley said, ignoring the noise, "I was brought up having very little. Needing very little. I guess when I inherited all that money, the idea of needing little just stuck me. I never found the need to buy all these fancy things. I'm content with what I already have."

"Whatever makes you happy…" Pansy shrugged, seemingly having lost interest in the topic. She picked up a skirt from the bag, looked at the tag inside, and tossed it into her pile. "I can just buy this from you, right? It'll be the same as you returning it."

Haley shrugged. "Sure."

"So…" the smaller girl glanced at Haley cautiously. "How are you?"

She shrugged. "Fine, I guess."

"Really?" Pansy cocked an eyebrow.

"Of course, not really," Haley frowned. "Just yesterday I was betrayed by someone who I thought was my friend and I've been riding a torrent of emotions ever since I transformed into this forsaken body. Plus, I've just been rejected by the first person I've ever really liked in a long time so not only do I feel betrayed, but humiliated as well. Of course I'm not fine. I doubt I'll be fine for a while. But there's nothing to do about it but move on."

"Well… I can't help with what's already happened… but maybe I can help you in some other way…"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Pansy smirked. "You'll see. Let's go!"

---

In seeing the way the girl ducked around the nearest corner ever time he came around a bend, Draco was sure that Harry was currently avoiding him. This was expected. He knew that she was still hurt by his supposed rejection and would therefore do as any other teen would do in that situation. Draco had expected this so he thought of something else to do in the mean time. This is what had brought him to the Hospital Wing. He had some business to take care of.

Draco exhaled and prepared himself for what he was about to do. With one last shake of his arms, he was ready. "Madame Pomfrey!" He burst through the doors, calling for the nurse.

"Mister Malfoy? What is it? What's wrong?" The older woman stood from her desk, concern in her eyes.

"There's a first year on the grounds. Slipped on black ice. I would've carried him here, but I was afraid he might've cracked something."

"Good, Mister Malfoy. Where exactly is he?"

"Just outside the front entrance. He's with another prefect."

"All right." The nurse grabbed her coat. "Don't worry, first year! I'm on my way!" Without another moment's hesitation, Madame Pomfrey was out the door, leaving Draco behind with the only occupant of the infirmary. He smiled at his performance as he closed the doors behind the nurse.

'That'll give me a few minutes… that's all I need anyway.' And with that, Draco approached the sleeping figure, currently unaware of what was waiting for it. Draco gave the bed a little kick, effectively waking its occupant.

"Morning sunshine." His voice was cold and filled with malice. "Yesterday, you had a taste of round one with my two cohorts. But that was yesterday." Draco cracked his knuckles and leaned over the fearful body that was Leir Valex. "Welcome to round two."

---

"I have to admit, Pansy. I thought you had gone a little mad earlier when you told me what we'd be doing, but I have to give it to you. This does help quite a bit." Haley smiled at the other girl.

"See? I find that whenever I've got stress built up in the masses, it's always best to release said stress with mass amounts of aggression." Pansy held a plate in her hands and threw it hard against the wall.

The two girls had made their way from the Slytherin dorms to the Divination classroom. With the permission of Professor Trelawny and the promise to fix everything they broke, Pansy showed Haley the art of releasing tension via china decimation. Every cup and plate Haley had ever scrubbed that night with Ethan had been a victim to the girls' force.

Apparently, this was a frequent occurrence of Pansy's. "That's why I'm practically an expert at the Reparo spell," she had said with a smirk. Haley was getting in enough practice on the spell herself.

"Okay this time," Pansy smiled, pausing Haley mid-toss, "this time, Draco's sitting over here and the badger is sitting over there." She pointed at two separate seats in the class.

At that, Haley grabbed another plate, one for each hand, and tossed them at the appropriate chairs. She repeated this several times until she was content with all the stress she had released. As the plates came hurdling through the air, Haley laughed at the loud crashes when they finally hit the walls. She certainly felt better than she had earlier. Who knew that age-old violence was the key to feeling better? As her laughter died down, Haley repaired the shattered plates and directed them back into their cupboards. She looked at the smaller girl who had just finished doing the same.

"Thanks, Pansy." Haley smiled at her friend. "This was… surprisingly fun."

Pansy smiled in return. "Well from now on, if ever you have some pent up aggression you need to let out, you can always count on me."

"Thanks. I'll hold you to it."

The two girls thanked their Divination Professor and after getting a quick prediction from the older woman about a flying monkey, they left the classroom. On their way back to the Slytherin common room, Haley was ready to duck behind the nearest corner out of habit in seeing the blond Head Boy, but she restrained herself when she spotted Professor Snape walking alongside him wearing an expression of malcontent that mirrored that of his student's.

"Draco?" Pansy called out. Haley flinched. She didn't really want to be spotted, but she remained where she was nonetheless.

Grey eyes darted in the direction of his name. He quickly glanced at Pansy, but in seeing her companion, his eyes locked with green irises. Haley's own expression turned to one of confusion. Draco saw this and merely smirked his trademark smirk before turning his attention back to the potions master as they continued down the corridor.

"What… happened…?" Haley uttered as she watched the pair turn the corner.

"Apparently, he played an awful trick on Madame Pomfrey."

The two girls turned in hearing the voice. Pansy immediately frowned, but Haley politely greeted the oncoming Ethan.

"Why would he do that?" She asked.

Ethan shrugged. "If I had to guess, it was probably so he could be alone in the room with her only patient. I'm assuming he applied a similar brand of justice on the badger that Blaise and myself did."

"Oh," was all she could think to say.

"Well serves him right," Pansy said, crossing her arms over her chest. "The badger should think twice before messing with us."

Haley frowned. "I think I should go see him."

"Are you crazy?" Pansy turned, exasperated at the other girl. Ethan didn't say a word, but his face mirrored the same emotion as the smaller Slytherin. "After what he did to you, the last thing you should be doing is visiting him in the infirmary."

"It's not like I'm going there to give him a cookie..."

Pansy's frown held strong, despite understanding. "Well you go do what you have to. I'd rather not set my sights on someone so… perverted." She took a long glance at Ethan, making the boy sneer.

"I thought we were past this, Parkinson."

"Oh we are. But I'd rather keep my guard up than be randomly attacked by you."

"As if I'd ever want anything to do with you."

"All right, all right." Haley stopped the pair before they could start hurling insults left and right. "That's enough of both of you."

"Fine. I'll see you later, Haley. I still want to finish going through the bags."

"Right. Later, then."

Pansy turned and disappeared into the common room.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ethan asked. "I mean… it's only been a day…"

"I'm sure. I don't think I'll feel any better if I don't have some sort of closure with Leir."

Having made up her mind, Haley turned and headed for the hospital wing. She soon heard footsteps following after.

"I'm going with you," Ethan determined, falling in step with the girl. "…For support."

"I'll be fine."

"Still…"

The pair made their way to the infirmary doors and walked in. Upon seeing who it was, Madame Pomfrey immediately stood from her seat and stopped the pair.

"No. No more visitors for Mister Valex. Especially from you," she emphasized, pointing at Ethan.

"I just want to talk to him," Haley tried. "I think I deserve that much after what he almost did to me."

"Fine. You can go, Miss Jones, but Mister Maxwell has to wait outside."

Ethan just rolled his eyes. "Whatever…" He complied and stepped back outside.

Once the doors were closed, the older woman looked at Haley. "I'll be sitting right here so don't try anything funny. I had enough problems with Mister Malfoy this morning."

Curious, Haley paused. "What happened? What did he do?"

"Mister Malfoy tricked me into leaving my post by telling me about some poor first year. But of course there was no first year so by the time I got back, Mister Valex's bruises that I had healed from yesterday had returned with vigor."

"Oh…"

"That's some friends you've got there, deary."

Haley smiled. "I know."

"That wasn't exactly a compliment."

Haley quickly suppressed her grin. "So what's going to happen to Draco?"

"I left that to Professor Snape. I believe a detention was in the works."

"Oh."

"I doubt he'll get any worse, though. Knowing what Mister Valex did and all…" The nurse's expression quickly turned to that of concern and pity. "I'm truly sorry that it had to happen to you, deary."

Haley nodded slowly. "Yeah me too… I'll just go see him now…"

Madame Pomfrey cleared her throat loudly, effectively pausing Haley as she was about to enter. "Although I don't condone what he did to you, Mister Potter, please try to restrain yourself from doing that boy any more harm than he's already received."

Again, Haley nodded. "I'll do my best."

The Slytherin entered the ward and her eyes quickly focused on the figure in the bed. He was asleep again, probably to numb himself from the pain it looked like he was in. His face was scratched, his head was wrapped in a bandage, his arm was in a sling and his leg was in a splint. Despite herself, Haley couldn't help but smile at what her friends had done for her. She took a seat on the bed next to his.

"Leir."

His eyes slowly opened and when he realized who it was who had called him, his face was a mixture of joy and fear. "Haley…"

"Don't look so happy, Valex. I'm not here to bring you soup." Her voice was as cold as the glare she was giving him. "I'm under surveillance right now so you should be happy that I'm not allowed to hurt you right now."

"That's a lie. You came to visit me. Despite what I've done, you still care enough to-"

"Shut up." She did her best to remain calm. She quickly got up and bent over the injured boy. "Listen to me very carefully, Leir Valex. You've messed with the wrong person. The pain my friends have put you through is nothing compared to what I'm capable of. Here's a quick history. I'm very skilled at all three unforgivable spells. I've faced dementors and death eaters. I've gone up against trolls, giant spiders, dragons, snakes and mermaids and I'm not talking about the fairy tale kinds. I've gone face-to-face with the Dark Lord himself. I've even had to face obnoxious relatives. You better hope that I never cross paths with you again. And if you haven't figured it out yet, Valex," Haley pushed aside her bangs to reveal her scar, "I'm Harry Potter." She lowered her voice again to a near growl. "You so messed with the wrong person."

As she stood back up, Leir could only stare with wide eyes. "Ha-Harry P-P-Potter?!"

"The one and only."

"S-So those rumors… they were true?!"

"Unfortunately."

Just then, a smile crept up on his face. "But now I know your secret. I'll tell the world how Harry Potter's a girl."

Haley rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "You don't actually think I'm that stupid, do you? I just wanted to let you know what you got yourself into, if only for a second."

"Wha-what are you going to-"

And before Leir could even make a sound, Haley pulled out her wand from her pocket and pointed it at the boy. "Obliviate."

A stream of silver light was released, hitting its target dead on. Leir's eyes momentarily unfocused before returning to their normal state. He stared at Haley for a moment as his expression read that of fear and joy. "Ha-Haley… you came to see me despite what I did?"

Haley smiled at her skill, but quickly returned her expression back into an icy stare. "Technically yes, but that's only so I could give you this." Again, she held up her wand and pointed it directly at her offender.

"Wait! No-"

"Furnuncular!"

"Miss Jones!" Madame Pomfrey fled into the room upon hearing Leir's cry. She looked between the boil-ridden Leir and the particularly smug Haley and came up with her own conclusions. "I thought you merely came to talk."

"I'm sorry. I tried." Haley shrugged nonchalantly.

The nurse merely pursed her lips together and pointed at the exit. "Detention tonight. Go. Now."

Haley did as she was told. Just before she left the room, she heard the nurse say in a rather loud voice, "I don't know how I'll be able to remove these…" Haley looked back at Madame Pomfrey who only offered the girl a small, sly smile.

As she closed the door behind her, Haley grinned, knowing full well that the nurse knew exactly how to remove them. She was happy knowing Leir will have to suffer a bit more, at least until someone finally felt pity for him.

Ethan stood from where he was sitting in the hall as he saw his friend approaching. "Was it just my imagination or did I hear a yelp of sorts?" He asked.

Again, Haley just shrugged. "Pansy was right. Sometimes violence really is the best way to let out pent up aggression."

Ethan simply smiled. "You sure you're a Gryffindor?"

Haley walked along with a spring in her step. "Of course I am. I made sure those boils I gave him were only semi-permanent."

"You really are evil, aren't you?"

"Only when necessary. No one messes with me and gets away with it." Haley stated matter-of-factly.

Ethan nodded, a smile still playing on his lips. "I'll be sure to remember that."


Author's Note/Disclaimer: I own naught the Harry Potter characters, but instead the characters Maxwell, Valex, Mavillian, and McClarin. Yes. And this story. Yes.

Today is a happy day. So since I am happy today, maybe this will make you happy today, although I am sure this would've made you even happier if 1) it had arrived EARLIER (shame, shame on me) and if 2) Draco and Harry admitted their love for each other already and went to their "special" place to have "special" time. Haha. Alas, I've been distracted by a number of… things and this chapter was actually hard to come up with because I didn't even realize what this chapter was going to be. But once I got started, I knew that there's all this crap going on in Haley's head that she needed to get out and thus, she let out her aggression. Or at least some of it. And you might be wondering why she just didn't Obliviate everyone else who realized her secret, but in most cases, she didn't even know when they realized it so it's not easy to erase a memory when you don't even know when it began. Plus, most of the people who know are people she doesn't mind knowing anyway. I guess. Yes. And as for number 2, if they did that this story would be over. Do you really want that now? When there're so many loose ends? I like to keep my laces tied, thanks.

Thanks for sticking with me! P.S. Did you catch the flying monkey? Haha.