This is going to be a bit of a long author's note, as I feel that I need to address a few issues. I don't do this often, so please bear with me.
Firstly, I've received my first fanart for this story *happy dance* Thank you so much, animechick247. If you guys want to check it out, you can view it on Deviant Art under the user name of Animechick247. Sorry, fanfiction won't let me post links.
Now some have voiced concerns that this story is going to turn into some sort of twisted pedo tale. Absolutely NOT. As I have clearly stated in the beginning of the story, the romance will only happen in later years, when Lauren is practically an adult in the wizarding world. Well, physically at least. These feeling developing is all Lauren and very much one sided.
Now onto Lauren herself. Yup, she is very much a rough-around-the-edges, step-on-your-toes, ballsy kind of gal, but personally I am quite fond of her. I suppose I could have made her this perfect Mary-Sue whom everyone adores, but...where's the fun in that ;-) Her perspective will change as she goes through some experiences, but I have no plans on changing her.
And to my Anonymous reviewer who aptly used the name 'Hate Myself', I am going to take a page out of Lauren's book and extend to you the proverbial and very stiff middle finger and continue on with my 'unoriginal' story. Us authors on fanfiction write for the sheer enjoyment of our beloved characters, movies, books, etc. There is no need to tear a person down. If you don't like it, don't read it.
So on that note, a huge thank you to the following for reviewing the last chapter: PrismRootStarlight, Guest reader, SparrowSky1, Ladyxx (for both reviews), Tobiramamara, animechick247, pineapple-pancake, TardisGhost, Friedbananas, Estel Ashlee Snape, CygnusRift, ColdOnePaul, szaboalexandra1991, Cat2k10, A5mia, d'elfe, Milly Kanzaki, and TheRosePond. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Here is the next chapter - I hope you enjoy it :)
Lauren trudged behind the group that were now making their way to Lockhart's office, wondering how she had been unfortunate enough to end up in this predicament.
So much for staying out of events...she thought bitterly.
The hair on the nape of her neck stood up and Lauren glanced over her shoulder to see none other than Severus Snape following close behind her, watching her intently with a guarded and shuttered expression that gave away none of his true inner thoughts.
Lauren, still feeling an immense amount of ire towards the Potion Master, tore her gaze away and focused instead on the bushy brown hair that belonged to Hermione Granger walking in front of her as they shuffled into the dimly lit office of Gilderoy Lockhart. Lauren caught sight of many of the portraits of the real life prancing peacock hastily dodging out of sight, their hair done up in bright flamingo hued rollers or hair nets.
As Dumbledore laid the petrified cat upon the polished surface of the desk, Lauren and Harry's eyes met at that very moment over his hunched form. Although there was very real fear evident upon his wide-eyed features, there was no mistaking the suspicion intermingled in there as well as he stared back at her.
Hmm, he suspects me of doing this...
They stood around in a circle as Dumbledore and McGonagall bent over the petrified Mrs Norris, studying her intently. The air was punctuated by Filch's wracking sobs and by Lockhart's far-fetched theories of what could have killed the cat, unsurprisingly reverting to his boastful and outlandish 'heroic escapades'.
Lauren bit her tongue, wishing nothing for nothing more than to cut the man down with a few razor-sharp retorts. But right now she was a prime suspect and, as such, it was best to keep a low profile for the time being.
Best not to make things worse for myself by saying something stupid...Honestly, how do I find myself in these situations...
Her gaze drifted and, of its own accord, was drawn to Snape, who was standing half in the shadows the candles had formed, a dark scowl furrowing his pale features as his irritation with Flockhart grew more and more pronounced with each passing moment.
Lauren frowned as she studied him. Snape looked almost ill, his features pinched into taut lines that suggested a man who was troubled deeply by something. Or maybe it was simply bad lighting, but Lauren's gut instinct told her this was not the case.
Surely our fight did not bother him that much. We've had our spats before and it's never troubled him to the point of looking visibly ill...
Sensing her gaze upon him, Snape's head snapped up, his obsidian gaze locking with her own. The moment shuddered to a halt and the very air froze in her lungs as his penetrating gaze bore into her, pinpointing her to the very spot and holding her captive. It would be so easy to become forever lost in those dark fathomless depths like a lone vessel navigating the raging swirl of the ocean.
Lauren swallowed thickly and tore her gaze away.
No, Lauren. You're going to have to stamp down these feelings. It's only going to lead to heartache in the end...
Suddenly sensing another pair of eyes upon her, Lauren glanced over in the direction of the Golden Trio, fully expecting it to be Harry who was watching her with a mistrustful gaze. To her surprise, though, it was Hermione who was observing her keenly, her brows furrowed in thoughtfulness as she mentally tried to piece together all pieces as to what was actually going on.
Thankfully that group possesses some working brain cells in the form of Granger, and she will at least gather together all the facts before jumping to conclusions.
Dumbledore finally straightened up, his movements garnering everyone's attention almost immediately.
"She is not dead, Argus," the Headmaster stated calmly as he addressed the distressed caretaker.
Filch dropped his hands from his face, his watery eyes glistening with tears. "Not dead?" he choked out. "But why is she all...stiff and frozen?"
"She has been petrified," Dumbledore explained as he peered at Filch over the rim of his half-moon spectacles. "How, I cannot say..."
"Ask him!" Filch screeched, pointing a finger at Harry.
"No second-year could have done this, Argus."
Filch, his grief fuelling him in another direction in an almost neck break speed, rounded on Lauren instead and spat, "Ask her then! She has Mrs Norris' blood all over her."
"It's not blood," Lauren retorted through clenched teeth, her declaration casting a spotlight upon her and causing everyone to stare at her.
"Liar! You killed her!" Filch looked like a man possessed, almost demented.
"Argus, please calm down," Dumbledore placated.
Lauren, though, wasn't going to stand meekly aside and be accused of murder. Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she glared dagger at the repulsive Filch, her temper rising to the forefront. "It's red ink, you bloody moron!" she snarled. "And if you don't believe me, ask that soon-to-be exorcised poltergeist, Peeves. This is his handiwork!"
Filch was about to protest, but Dumbledore held up his wizened hand, immediately silencing the other man. The Headmaster then strode towards Lauren, his garnet red robes shuffling with his movements, and Lauren tried to instinctively step back but before she could react, he swiped a gnarled fingertip across her forehead, causing it to come away bright red.
The room held their collective breaths as the Headmaster raised his fingertip to his nose and sniffed at the substance before rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
"Miss Ward is telling the truth, Argus. This is, indeed, red ink." Dumbledore rumbled as he regarded Lauren, his bright blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "A story that can be confirmed by Peeves, I am sure."
"But...but..." Filch stammered, clearly intent on having someone to blame. "Then it must have been him!" he screeched, his face turning a blotchy purple as he pointed a yellowed finger once more at Harry. "You saw what he wrote on the wall...He found...in my office...he knows..." Filch stammered over his words, his face screwed up as he struggled to finish his sentence. "He knows that I'm a Squib."
"I never touched Mrs Norris!" Harry exclaimed. "And I don't even know what a Squib is."
"If I may interrupt," Snape interjected smoothly, stepping fully into the circle of light the candles cast. He had donned his usual severe expression that warned others not to dare interrupt or contradict him, and the effect was immediate, for Filch immediately spluttered into silence. Snape clasped his hands behind his back and drew himself up to his full height, tall and imposing as he addressed the Headmaster. "Perhaps the children were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." He paused for what others might perceive as dramatic effect, but Lauren thought she glimpsed a brief flash of unease cross his features at the realization that his words could be perceived as coming to Harry's defence, and he hastened to rectify that mistake. "But we do have a set of suspicious circumstances here. Why were they in the corridor in the first place, and not at the Halloween feast?"
Lauren observed in silence as the trio launched into the story of the Death Day party, Snape proceeding to grill them with questions meant to trip them up and contradict their alibis, thus ensnaring them in the trap he had weaved for them. This was the part Severus had to play to perfection, being the foul loathsome Professor. He had to be utterly convincing in his hate for the boy so that in later years his motives couldn't be questioned.
Having toyed with the Trio enough, Snape abruptly turned his attention on Lauren. "And why were you absent from the Halloween feast, Miss Ward?" His tone had taken on a hard edge, one that hinted at his vexation.
"I was at the library looking for a book – a book that has conveniently been checked out," she stated, levelling Snape a pointed look.
Something akin to annoyance, as well as alarm, flashed across his features as he stared back at her, his lips pressing into thin lines of displeasure.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, effectively diffusing the moment and causing everyone's attention to focus on him instead. "Mrs Norris can be cured. Professor Sprout has recently managed to procure some mandrakes. As soon as they have reached their full size, I will have a potion made to revive her."
"I'll make it!" Lockhart immediately piped up. "I must have brewed a hundred Mandrake Restorative Draughts -."
"You'll end up poisoning the blasted cat and kill her for sure," Lauren interrupted snidely. From her peripheral vision she thought she may have seen Ron cover his mouth with his hand to stifle a giggle, which earned him a sharp elbow to the ribs by a less than amused Hermione Granger.
"And need I remind you," Snape added icily, cutting down Lockhart more effectively and efficiently than Lauren ever could, "who the Potion Master of this school is."
A very awkward silence followed, Lockhart wisely remaining silent under Snape's infamous glare.
Lauren thought she discerned a shadow of an amused smile twitch at Dumbledore's lips before he turned to Harry, Ron and Hermione, dismissing them for the night. They left hastily, all too eager to get the hell out of there, and Lauren couldn't much blame them.
"Severus, could you please escort Miss Ward back to her room," Dumbledore stated, suddenly sounding fatigued.
Snape gave a curt nod of his head and strode towards the door, holding it open for Lauren. She didn't really want to follow him, but she didn't particularly fancy remaining here in the same room as Lockhart. Her accusations of murder would definitely become a reality.
With a defeated sigh that echoed throughout the room, she strode out into the gloomy corridor, Snape closing the door firmly shut behind them.
"We need to talk, Miss Ward," Snape stated. "But first..." He withdrew his wand from the sleeve of his robe and before Lauren could figure out his intentions, he cast the cleansing spell upon her, effectively vanishing the red ink. He slipped his wand back into his sleeve, and that drawn tightness overtook his features once more.
Lauren frowned as she stared at him, immobile as she was sure she was missing something; something very important.
Snape met her gaze with a steady one of his own. "Please," he added, the word so softly spoken that Lauren almost thought she had imagined it.
Lauren was stunned at the hint of vulnerability that foreshadowed that simple word; a simple word that wasn't such a simple word for Snape. It truly was a testament of how much their argument was eating at him that he would ask her nicely. Their fight, Lauren had to admit to herself, didn't settle too well with her either. A gut-wrenching fear had settled in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of losing the friendship they had built together.
And it's because I value our friendship that I cannot give in to these feelings...
Lauren gave a single nod of her head.
There was no discernible change in his expression, Snape remaining guardedly shuttered as he turned sharply on his heel and strode down the corridor, Lauren following closely behind. They walked in silence, Severus slowing his pace enough for Lauren to keep up.
They made their way down to the dungeons, their feet leading them to the Potion classroom and to Snape's office beyond. He bypassed his study and, instead, made his way to the door leading to his personal chambers. Lauren hesitated for a split second as he held the door open for her, but quickly recovered and entered Snape's living room.
The fire was crackling invitingly in the hearth, casting a warm glow upon the the room and chasing away the chill and shadows of the creeping night. As she stepped further into the room, Lauren's gaze was drawn to the vast selection of tomes lining the bookshelf, the leather covering worn and well-read, clearly well versed by the man who owned them. Her attention was caught by the objects resting upon the mantle of the fireplace. There was an palm-sized orb glowing an ethereal, swirling, misty blue, and a small matchstick sized box embossed in gold that was tinkled softly, sounding like a wind chime pealing in the far distance.
"Please have a seat, Miss Ward."
Snape's words, though softly spoken, jolted Lauren from her thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder at him, disconcerted that this was the first time she was being offered to remain in this room and sit down and actually have a conversation with him.
Oh boy. This is serious...
Her insides jittery with nerves, Lauren made her way to the loveseat, settling stiffly upon the plush cushioning, Snape seating himself shortly after in the armchair opposite her. He crossed his legs, knee over knee, and steepled his fingers in front of him as he observed her with those dark penetrating eyes.
"I think we need to discuss what happened earlier," he stated after a long pause had passed between them. "In particular, I want to know exactly how this bond is affecting you."
Lauren eyed him, her heart starting to hammer in her chest. "Why?" she asked guardedly.
"Because, Miss Ward, a magical bond between a witch and a wizard is not supposed to affect a person; mentally, physically, or otherwise. The fact that it is doing so is worrying, and I need to know in what manner it is affecting you."
Lauren shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not because he was pressing her for an answer, but because she now realized that her growing feelings for the Potion Master were not a byproduct of the bond.
Fuck! So these feelings I am experiencing are real...This is not good.
"I'd...rather not," she mumbled, shifting again.
She expected him to lash out but, surprisingly, Snape remained uncharacteristically silent as he stared back at her.
Lauren decided to deflect before he could press his advantage, which she was sure he was planning to do. "What I want to know is why you are being so secretive about this bond? What is it about it that scares you so much?" Lauren pressed. "Because something is clearly bothering you, enough so that you refuse to tell me the full extent of it."
Snape dropped his hands into his lap, his lips pressed into a thin line of displeasure that not only was she refusing to answer him, but was now pressing him for an answer. He was quiet for the longest moment and Lauren expected him not to answer her.
"I didn't want this bond to begin with," he muttered bitterly, that drawn tightness shadowing his features once more.
A few seconds ticked by as his words sunk in, causing a sharp pain to lance through Lauren's heart at the knowledge that the one person he truly would have desired to have this bond with was long since dead.
Lauren tamped down the crippling ache in her chest and tried to answer as rationally as she could under the circumstances. "I didn't ask for this either, Professor Snape. But neither of us have a choice in the matter, so we need to sort this out."
Snape mulled her words over and then visibly drew himself up, his composure slotting neatly back into place. "I am... concerned about the meaning behind it."
Lauren waited for him to elaborate, and when he didn't she stated, "That wasn't an answer."
Snape sighed and rubbed tiredly at his forehead. "No, it wasn't. A bond like this should not exist between us, especially considering that you are, physically, a child." He practically spat out the last word, his revulsion evident.
Lauren frowned hard at his words, at first wanting to parrot the usual diatribe of not being a child, but something else about what he had said started to seep into the recesses of her mind and begin to trouble her.
"So a magical bond is not formed between children then, but rather adults?"
Snape stilled, and she could discern his own discomfiture. Finally he gave a single nod of his head.
Lauren arched a brow. "Go on. Explain."
Snape closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "How do I explain this without you getting the wrong impression?"
"Try me," Lauren stated evenly. "I do, after all, possess my adult mind."
Snape opened his eyes and dropped his hand to lap, levelling her with a scathing glare. He then drew in a deep breath and exhaled through his nose, making his nostrils flare. She could practically discern his internal struggle as he warred with himself about whether to answer her or not. "If the old tales are to be believed, a magical bond is a very rare occurrence, and is only formed between two...compatible people."
"Two...compatible...people," Lauren slowly stated, her mind whirring a mile a minute. The conclusion she came upon sent ice coursing through her veins. "So it is...what? A soul mate thingy. I thought you said it wasn't!"
From this vantage point, Lauren could understand now why this bond was troubling Snape so much. It was highly unethical that a grown man be bonded to a child, a young teenager, especially considering how all of this could be misinterpreted.
But that was not all that was troubling Snape about this. His heart still very much belonged to Lily Evans, and his guilt at having developed a bond with another would feel like the ultimate form of betrayal. Snape, for all his faults, was loyal to a fault, and had given Lily his heart a very long time ago. No other could replace her. Not even Lauren.
"No, Miss Ward," Snape snapped sharply. "I told you not to get the wrong impression. I meant two people that are compatible magically."
Lauren regarded him shrewdly for a few poignant moments. Outwardly he appeared cool and collected, but there was just something off about him. He was holding himself too stiffly and, if his almost expressionless features were anything to go by, he was Occluding heavily. Professor Snape was either outright lying, or omitting a hell of a lot of the actual truth.
"What else aren't you telling me?" she pressed.
Snape stilled, almost becoming statue-like.
"What else aren't you telling me?" she asked again, leaning forward in her seat, her movements sending her waves falling over her shoulder. "You're leaving out a hell of a lot, Professor Snape. A bond is formed between two adults – not children – so that leads me to believe that there is a hell of a lot more to it than what you wish to tell me. Both morally and ethically. And if it was just a bond between two magically compatible people, you wouldn't be so troubled by it. So what is the actual truth? No bullshitting me this time."
Snape's already dark eyes grew a shade darker as his own anger rose to the surface. "What are you refusing to tell me, Miss Ward?"he countered, arching a supercilious brow.
Lauren clenched her jaw and slumped back in her chair. They were at a stale mate once again, neither willing to budge on their stance.
"Fine, if you don't want to tell me..." she snapped, starting to rise to her feet.
Snape blew out an air of exasperation. "I know that you wish to know more about the bond, Miss Ward, and I know that you don't trust me -."
"I do trust you," Lauren stated firmly and without a second's hesitation as she settled back into her chair. "I trust you more than you know."
Snape paused, his eyes narrowing. Clearly, not very many people had ever told him that, and with conviction too. "Then I need you to trust me on this, Miss Ward. There is a reason why I am withholding the entire truth from you."
There was something about his tone of voice, the silent yet urgent plea, that made her pause and really consider what he was saying. If this certain knowledge made Snape this ill at ease, she was sure she wasn't going to like the answer either, one way or the other.
"How bad is it really?" she finally asked.
Snape swallowed thickly and dropped his gaze. His discomfiture was answer enough for Lauren.
"Fair enough," she said with a resigned huff. Even if she did want to know the answer – which she wasn't so sure she did anymore – Snape would not budge and tell her. "Do you ever plan to tell me, though?"
"Not anytime soon, if I can help it," he muttered, pressing his middle and index finger against his temple and massaging the spot. "And I must ask you to cease searching for the answer. I can assure you that you will not like what you learn. It is...unsettling."
Lauren eyed him, his warning causing reluctance to settle within her. Finally she gave a nod of her head.
Appeased, Snape continued, "Now can you please tell me how this bond is affecting you, Miss Ward. It is imperative that I know."
Lauren bit her bottom lip, clasping her hands in her lap at the sudden change of topic – a topic she had wanted to avoid altogether. "Um, let's just say that I came to the realization not too long ago that it's not the bond that is affecting me. Just...something else. Trust me, you don't want to know."
It was Snape's turn to frown at her words, and Lauren fervently prayed that he would not put two and two together.
I need to distract him.
Her mind scrambled for a change of topic and quickly landed on one.
"About tonight...You were an ass. More so than usual."
Snape glanced down and studied his clasped hands, his features neutral. "Simply put, you caught me at a bad time, Miss Ward. This is not...an easy time of year for me." This statement was a lot coming from Snape.
"What is it about tonight..." Lauren asked and then trailed off as the answer came to her crystal clear clarity.
Halloween...The anniversary of Lily's death...Oh bugger. It's no wonder he was brooding in his study. And I came along and made it so much more worse.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, now unable to meet his gaze, which she could sense boring into her now that he realized she knew the truth.
A long, prolonged and uncomfortable silence ensued, Lauren studiously avoiding Snape's gaze.
Finally he remarked dryly, "Well, we have a more pressing issue on our hands, Miss Ward, and I wish to discuss it."
Lauren, grateful for the change of subject, glanced up. "Such as?"
Snape leaned forward in his armchair, resting his elbows on his knees as he clasped his hands in front of him. His glossy black hair fell like a gossamer curtain around his features, the stark black framing his pale face.
"You know the truth about the Chamber of Secrets." This wasn't a question.
"Yes." Lauren wondered where he was going with this.
Snape regarded her for another moment before asking, "Are you in any danger?"
Lauren blinked, taken aback by this uncharacteristic show of concern. "I...don't know. I guess I'm in as much danger as the rest of the Muggle-borns here, though I will try and stay out of it all."
This did not seem to appease Snape. "You have a knack for finding trouble, Miss Ward. Do you know how to protect yourself against whatever this is?"
Lauren debated about whether it was safe to tell him. Finally she replied, "Mirrors."
Snape quirked a brow; this was clearly not an answer he had been expecting.
"Gazing directly at...it will cause certain death. Glimpsing the reflection, however, will petrify a person or animal."
"The cat..."
"Saw the reflection of...this thing through the pool of water on the floor and thus was petrified," Lauren explained, trying hard not to let slip as to what the monster actually was.
"Ah," Snape mused, leaning back in his chair. Lauren was uncertain whether he had pieced together that they were now dealing with a Basilisk or not – Snape was a hard man to read at the best of times. "Do you have a mirror to carry around with you just in case?" he finally asked.
"Yes. It's in my trunk, but I'll get it out tonight and carry it on me at all times."
Snape gave a nod of his head. "In the meantime, we have to wait until the Mandrakes have matured before I can begin brewing the Restorative Draught," he muttered to himself.
"Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that?" Lauren stated as she settled more comfortably in her chair. "Surely you can buy an adult Mandrake somewhere, or order an already-made potion. Why do we have to wait for these ones to mature before you can begin brewing the potion?"
Snape gave her a small, thin smile, and she noted the subtle change in his posture as he relaxed as he reverted to Professor mode.
"Mandrakes are rare and hard to come by, and only have a short life cycle, dying out once they have produced seedlings. Professor Sprout was very lucky to get her hands on a batch of them and, as such, will be breeding them to keep the school supplied with them throughout the coming years."
"But surely potions have been made and can be purchased?" Lauren asked, her curiosity burning. She always did enjoy talking shop with him.
"No," Snape stated simply. "The restorative properties of Mandrakes are only effective when used almost immediately, the potion only having a very short and almost non-existent shelf life. That is why we have to wait for the seedlings to mature into adulthood before we can make the Restorative Draught and administer it as soon as possible."
Well, that's inconvenient...
Lauren nodded in understanding and then perked up as an idea came to her. "Can I be there with you when you brew the draught? I really want to see how it's made."
Snape eyed her and then a slow, almost please smile curled his lips. "Of course."
Lauren returned his smile, a warm, gushing sensation flooding her as the air now cleared between them and that their friendship was now reverting back to its usual form.
"Now I should point out that both you and Potter are going to be the subject of some interesting gossip for the foreseeable future," Snape noted in all seriousness.
"Wouldn't be the first time," Lauren countered, unconcerned.
Snape regarded her for a moment and then rose to his feet, now standing before her like a dark spectre of the night. "I'll see you Friday evening for our next lesson."
Lauren, taking her cue, rose to her feet as well. "I'll be there."
She strode towards the door, but paused, her hand curled around the door handle. Uncertainty overcame her; their fight, as well as their reconciliation, still very fresh in her mind. Lauren didn't want to say something that could be misconstrued as something more, or misunderstood in any way.
"Good night, Miss Ward," Snape stated in his softly spoken voice that slithered along her skin.
Lauren glanced over her shoulder to see the Potion Master regarding her with a soft edge to his features, and a small smile playing upon his lips.
A smile of her own graced her lips as she sensed that he was also as relieved as she was that they had made up.
"Good night, Professor Snape," she murmured before exiting the room.
~oOo~
As predicted, the following week Lauren was subjected to numerous and blatant stares, not to mention hushed whisperings that followed in her wake.
"Just ignore them," Tracey cited as they strode down the corridor.
Lauren shot her a look. "Idle gossip has never bothered me, Tracey."
"Idle gossip is one thing – being accused of murder is another."
Lauren blew out a weary sigh. "For the last time, it was ink, not blood. And has anyone seen Peeves? I am so going to exorcise him when next I see him."
"Isn't that a form of murder?" Draco asked, suddenly having appeared next to Lauren as they made their way down to Transfiguration.
"You can't kill a ghost, Draco," Tracey chided.
"But if you exorcise it, are you actually killing killing it, like killing it permanently, or are you just sending the ghost elsewhere?"
Both Lauren and Tracey came to a halt, both eyeing Draco thoughtfully.
"What?" he asked with a shrug. "It's a good question."
"Yeah...it is. That's why it's surprising that it came from you," Lauren stated.
"Hey!" Draco retorted with mock sullenness.
Lauren glanced over at Tracey and then back at Draco. "You should ask Tracey – she's the brains of the group."
"And what am I?" Draco inquired.
Lauren wasn't quite sure when exactly it had happened, but Draco was now an honorary member of their little club, now having established himself as their fellow friend. His associations with Crabbe and Goyle were getting less and less as the days went by. And somehow, their friendship was working out quite well. Draco wasn't as contemptuous as what she had originally thought, nor was he as vile as he portrayed himself to others, and Lauren had to wonder if it had something to do with being among friends who could give him the right guidance and leave a positive impact on him.
"Backup, in case anything happens to Tracey," Lauren quipped.
"Gee, thanks," Tracey muttered.
"You're still my number one choice," Lauren assured.
"Gee, thanks," came Draco's equally sarcastic reply as they resumed their trek to Transfiguration.
They passed through a few more corridors in companionable silence before Lauren turned to Draco and asked, "So tomorrow is your Quidditch match against Gryffindor. Nervous?"
That infamous Malfoy arrogance reared its ugly head as Draco lifted his chin and stated haughtily, "Why should I be concerned about playing against those buffoons? This is going to be easy. I'm so going to wipe that smug smirk off Potter's face when we win the match."
"That's the spirit," Tracey muttered, sounding anything but encouraging. "But do I really have to be there? I don't fancy sitting out in the cold watching a ball being tossed around."
"If I have to go, then so do you," Lauren stated firmly.
Draco gave them both a wide grin, knowing that there was no way they could, or would, back out of this now.
Saturday morning dawned, bringing with it the first Quidditch match of the season. Lauren and Tracey made their way down to the rapidly filling stadium, dark thunder clouds looming over the horizon and threatening to douse them all in a torrential downpour.
"Draco owes me big time for this," Lauren muttered as she and Tracey found some seats.
Soon the match started, the Slytherin team zooming by in a hazy blur of green and silver on their new broomsticks, their speed unparalleled and causing the rest of the Gryffindor team to appear as though they were at a standstill.
"On the bright side, with those broomsticks this match should be over soon," Tracey muttered as she kept glancing at the black clouds drawing nearer.
"The Snitch has to be caught first," Lauren pointed out.
"Well, that should – what's up with that Bludger?"
Lauren turned her attention back to the match and saw the tampered Bludger doggedly going after Harry. It was taking all of Harry's skills to avoid it, and Lauren had to wonder where Dobby was hiding at as he tried to save/inadvertently kill Harry. His methods to protect the Chosen One left much to be desired.
As the game progressed, Lauren alternated between watching Draco fly, which she had to admit was quite impressive, and watching Harry be hounded by the Bludger. Soon it started to rain, fat heavy drops landing on their heads. Tracey, always prepared, opened up her emerald green umbrella trimmed with a fetching silver, and Lauren scooted closer to her friend, the two girls watching the match from the safety of their house-proud umbrella.
"That Bludger really has it out for Harry," Tracey muttered.
"Yeah," Lauren murmured in agreement.
Soon the whistle was blown, signalling a time-out. After a brief intermission, the game resumed, Harry valiantly dodging the ever persistent Bludger as he searched for the elusive Snitch.
Suddenly there was a collective gasp as Harry zoomed towards Draco, looking for all the world as though he was going to attack the other boy.
"What is he doing!" Tracey cried, covering her mouth with her hand.
"He's spotted the Snitch," Lauren moaned, her stomach dropping when she realized that Draco would never live this moment down. Logically, she knew this moment needed to happen, but she had been secretly rooting for Draco, even though he would have been insufferable in his gloating victory.
Sure enough, Harry made a wild snatch, his hand curling around the golden Snitch and narrowly missing Malfoy, whose eyes were as wide as saucers.
The stadium erupted into a roar of victorious cheer.
"Oh my," Tracey bemoaned with a shake of her head. "Draco is not going to take this well."
Draco did, indeed, look absolutely livid. But it was nothing compared to having to witness Marcus Flint yelling and berating a red-faced Draco in front of the entire school. Lauren's heart went out to him in that moment.
"Come. Let's go and wait for him and cheer him up," Lauren urged.
"I don't think anything is going to cheer him up after that," Tracey pointed out.
About an hour later Draco stormed in the Slytherin Common room, his clothes mud splattered and soaked, and a thunderous look twisting his pale features. He paused when he spied Lauren and Tracey, who had decided to wait for him on the couches by the fireplace. The moment hung in the air as he waited with weariness for them to tease him or tell him off.
Lauren patted the seat next to her. "Come join us, Draco," she said kindly.
Draco blinked, a look of uncertainty crossing his features. But coming to a decision, he crossed the room and sat himself down next to Lauren with an audible squelch. Lauren and Tracey shared a look.
"So are you going to tell me what a loser I am?" he asked sullenly.
"No. I wanted to say that you flew really well today," Lauren stated, clasping his shoulder.
"Yeah, but I didn't even see the bloody Snitch right on top of me," he grumbled. "Potter did, though, and ended up winning the match."
Lauren studied the blonde boy next to her. Though he was clearly seething from his loss, there was no denying the hurt and shame simmering below the surface.
"I may not know much about Quidditch, Draco, but I watched you and I can assure you of this: you are en exceptional player. You are skilled and talented when it comes to the sport. Do not doubt yourself because of this one little setback."
"But Potter still won," he said, crossing his arms over his middle, his fair brows pulled down in a deep scowl.
Lauren threw Tracey a helpless look, feeling as though her words of comfort weren't getting through to him.
"There will be other opportunities to win, Draco," Tracey piped up. "And I promise that both Lauren and I will be there to see it, even though we detest watching the game. But we'll be there every step of the way, that I can guarantee you. Right, Lauren?"
Lauren was immensely grateful for Tracey's fitting words, for it had somehow brought a small smile to Draco's face. She hastily nodded her head in agreement.
"You bet."
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"And, on the bright side," Lauren quipped, "Harry's stuck having to regrow the bones in his arm." Turning to Tracey, she added pointedly, "Still think Lockhart's the greatest?"
Tracey had the grace to flush and look away, causing both Lauren and Draco to grin at her discomfiture.
Soon a comfortable silence descended upon them.
Tracey was the first the break the silence. "In the meantime, I'm still trying to figure out if exorcism is considered murder, considering a ghost is already dead."
Draco burst into laughter and Lauren joined in. Tracey lowered her book enough for Lauren to spy the pleased smile on her face that she had managed to cheer their friend up.
She caught Lauren's eye and gave her a wink. A sense of contentment flooded Lauren. She was surrounded by two people whom she now considered good friends. It was a stark contrast to her life from before, where she had little to no friends to speak of that she could turn to in times of need.
This is not the life I asked for, but maybe it's the one I needed.
As she watched her friends, Draco in particular, a thought occurred to her.
Maybe this change isn't for my benefit only...
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