Chapter 35

The following weeks were spent with Silver researching for Sirius's case and studying for her classes. She had told both Neville and Luna what was going on, as they had both shown their worry for her in their own ways, but vowed them to secrecy.

Draco had been avoiding Silver ever since that night in the common room, something that seemed to please Pansy greatly. The Slytherin girls made it a tradition to have monthly sleepovers, though Silver managed to convince Daphne, Pansy, and Tracy that they didn't need to have makeovers every time. A week before Hogwarts broke for the holidays, Millicent approached Silver in the library. Silver was immersed her case files, which were disguised as Charms homework; thus, she didn't notice Millicent until she sat down across from her. Silver took one look at Millicent before reaching into her bag and grabbing a cookies and cream chocolate bar. She handed it to Millicent, who took it. However, she didn't eat it. Silver looked at her housemate quizzically, before spotting Madame Pince hovering nearby. Millicent subtly gestured that she wanted to talk, so Silver packed up her things and followed her out of the library.

Silver let Millicent lead the way, figuring that she'd have a destination in mind. Sure enough, they approached an empty room on the fifth floor. Despite Silver's many wanderings of the castle, she had never noticed the room before. Curiously, she followed Millicent into the room, her eyes widening once she began processing what she was seeing. The room was another sort of common room, but unlike the two that she had seen thus far. There were pillows of all sizes and shapes scattered around the room, as well as beanbags and puffy armchairs. Overall, the room gave an impression of supreme comfortableness. Millicent sat down in one of the puffy armchairs, which changed colors from a Gryffindor red to a Slytherin green. When Silver sat down in the one adjacent to her, the color became multi-colored; each of the four houses were represented. Millicent looked at Silver's chair in surprise. She hadn't been expecting the multiple colors.

"So what's up, Millie?" Silver asked, pulling an apple out of her bag and taking a bite. She had begun calling Millicent by the nickname a few weeks ago, though refrained from doing so in front of her other housemates. Millicent unwrapped the chocolate bar and took a bite before speaking.

"I know you're working on the Black case. You've done well to hide it, but the trial's coming up in a couple weeks, right?" Silver froze, before nodded hesitantly. "Would memories pertaining to Black's character be helpful? Especially for during the time of the War?"

"It could be helpful to show that he wasn't consumed by the Black madness that seems to take hold of the family. Why?"

"Father tells stories from the days of the War, when he was serving under the Dark Lord. Usually it's only when he's inebriated, but my memories of the stories can be viewed."

"Unfortunately, memories can be altered so aren't always used in a court of law as viable evidence. Since your father was also cleared of being a Death Eater, it would put him into question as well, and it'd be best to avoid that. Plus, since you're still a minor, your memories wouldn't hold as much weight."

"You're a minor too, yet they're letting you defend a man against the whole Wizengamont with no formal legal training."

"Well, I have been backed by both Sirius and Dumbledore. And I have someone from the Ministry assisting in the legalities of it all. It's an unusual situation, but I'm hopeful that it'll all work out for the best." They both ate in silence, before Silver spoke again.

"What else is going on?"

"What do you mean?" Millicent kept her face stoic as she answered.

"You didn't bring me here to talk about the case. Or at least, that's not all you wanted to talk about."

Millicent was quiet for a few minutes. Silver waited patiently.

"Am I pretty?" Millicent blurted.

"You are when you're not constantly scowling," Silver replied. "Why do you ask?"

"A few boys were making fun of me. I punched one of them before they ran off, but that can't take back what they said."

"Boys can be idiots. Did the guy bleed?" Silver asked wickedly.

"Yup. I swore I saw him start to cry, too. Though my toughness makes me less girly, which isn't that appealing to guys. At least that's what I've heard."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. I wish I could fight better. I learned a bit growing up, but it's been so long since I've needed those skills that I'm afraid I've forgotten them."

"I could teach you, you know. Father wanted a son, but got me. He gave me a private tutor who taught me all sorts of fighting techniques, though he stayed away from weapons. He kept telling me we'd cover them once I was older, but then Father fired him before we got that far."

"Well I can teach you a bit of knife-wielding and defense. That much I remember learning."

"That'd be fun. Maybe we could get together over the holiday?"

"Maybe. I'll have to check with Margie." It was quiet for a few minutes after that. Silver had pulled out her sketchbook and was making random doodles of the room.

"How'd you find this room, anyhow?" Silver asked.

"I stumbled across it after Charms sometime last year. I try to come here at least once a week," Millicent answered, returning to her book.

"Millie?"

"Hm?"

"May I draw you?" Millicent looked over at Silver with a look of confusion upon her face.

"Um, I suppose so, but I'm not much to look at."

"Nonsense. You're beautiful." Millicent blushed.

"Do you want me in a specific position?"

"Nah, where you are is fine. Just try not to move over-much. It'll throw off the shadows if you do." Millicent nodded, before resuming her reading. After about an hour, Silver announced, "I've finished it. Do you want to see?" Millicent bookmarked her place before nodding. Silver held it up for her friend to see, causing Millicent to gasp.

"What? It's not that bad, is it? I tried my best, but I've never done a portrait before, so I may be a bit off," Silver said worriedly.

"You...made me pretty," Millicent breathed, coming closer. Silver scrunched her face in confusion.

"I just drew what I saw. So I guess that does make you pretty." Millicent threw her arms around Silver, causing her to drop the sketchbook. As she put her arms around Millicent to return the hug, she noticed the apple scent that lingered to her skin. When they pulled apart, Silver looked into Millicent's face and smiled slightly. Then, feeling brave, Silver leaned closer and tentatively kissed Millicent on the lips. She lingered as she pulled away, before Millicent kissed her again, for a bit longer. Then, they both stepped away from each other, blushing. Neither knew what to say, so they packed up their stuff and started walking to dinner.

Before they reached the Grand Hall, Millicent stopped Silver with a touch on the shoulder.

"Um. Can we pretend that never happened?" Silver's heart stopped for a beat, before she put on a smile.

"Yeah. Um, sure. Sorry, it won't happen again." Millicent nodded, before giving her friend a tentative smile.

"So I'll see you later?" Millicent awaited Silver's nod before heading into the Great Hall. Silver stood there for nearly a minute, before walking past the doors and going to her dormitory without dinner.