A/N: So... my mum keeps asking to read my writing and stuff...

I caved a couple days ago and gave her the link to read this and felt INSTANT PANIC soon after. I immediately read over everything I've posted so far to see how embarrassing it is lmaoooooo.

Anyway, I hope you like it, Mum!

Update: After taking one look at it, she texted me to ask if I could make it into an audiobook smh.

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Turns out, the wait lasted a little over half an hour- definitely too late to make it to Charms class. By the time the twins spotted Malfoy sauntering down the corridor from behind the corner, I had resorted to sitting a step below them and staring blankly down the staircase in boredom, running over what I should say to Dumbledore in my mind.

"There he is." One of them hissed.

I perked up and whirled around to look over the corner through their legs. Sure enough, Lucius Malfoy was there; his heels clicking along the stone floors, decked out in all black expensive robes, and wearing a matching bow in his hair to boot.

The twins and I backed down the steps as Malfoy passed the stairway opening, the man didn't pay us any mind.

Good.

As I watched him go, his cloak swishing behind him, I quickly stood up and shoved my bookbag into the arms of the closest Weasley.

"Hold this." I muttered, then made to follow Malfoy.

"What are you doing?" One of the Weasleys hissed (I'd forgotten which was which). "You can't go after him, he'll catch you!"

"Just hold my stuff for me." I said flatly. "I'll come back for it later."

"Not if you're killed by Mister Malfoy." The other twin said wryly.

"Then you have my permission to sell my school books in my honour." I replied sarcastically. "But only after the announcement of my untimely death."

At that, both twins flashed me a thumbs up with identical grins.

After a few twists and turns down the corridors, Malfoy slowed his stride, probably coming to the conclusion that whoever was behind him wasn't simply walking in the same direction. I didn't slow to match his pace, but continued on until I was walking beside him.

"Good morning, Mister Malfoy." I said conversationally.

He gave me a disgruntled look, sneering a little.

"Miss Potter." He replied in greeting.

Alright, not too bad. He didn't say anything offensive, so he must not want to start a fight. Although, he didn't choose the most respectful greeting- didn't even say good morning back. Still, I could work with this.

Malfoy resumed his strut down the corridor and I matched his speed, wearing a bland smile.

"Do you not have classes to be attending, young lady?" He asked frostily, not bothering to glance down at me as he walked.

Okay, maybe he does hold a grudge.

"I was excused from Charms to go see the Headmaster." I lied, putting a childish lilt into my tone.

"Charms." He mocked, his voice raising in pitch.

Who am I kidding? Of course he holds a grudge.

"And what in the world would be so important that you must be excused from Charms to see the Headmaster for?" He asked snidely.

My mouth twitched, but I kept my expression placid.

"I could ask you the same question." I drawled.

Malfoy pivoted to give me a sharp look, his eyes flashing.

I drew back minutely in surprise. "What? We're heading in the same direction."

Malfoy calmed and stared down his nose at me.

"Evidently." He replied flatly.

Damn, if this guy wasn't on a hair trigger. What's his damage?

Obviously, just judging on his reactions so far, Malfoy was either pissed off or jumpy for some reason. He was definitely annoyed with me, first for showing him up at Flourish and Blotts, and again for sassing him just now. I bet that he was perpetually annoyed with Dumbledore as well, that was a given. Plus, I knew for certain that Malfoy wanted Dumbledore kicked out of Hogwarts permanently and wasn't above threatening people and committing various crimes to do so.

But the question remained, what did he plan to do this time?

I could only assume that it fell along the same objective: make it seem like Dumbledore is irresponsible and should be replaced- and Malfoy was probably going to use his influence somehow to press his claim. He likely had another cursed object of some kind that he could use in place of Tom Riddle's diary…

What if he planned to plant it while he was in the school!

Maybe that's why he was so jumpy! He wanted some place to leave a cursed object without anyone noticing, and because I was there, he couldn't get a chance to do so.

Okay, wait, Madeline. Hold your horses for a moment.

There was no proof that Malfoy had anything, or planned to do anything else to attack Dumbledore. Yes, the possibility of him doing so was quite high, but I shouldn't get ahead of myself by imagining all these dastardly plans and running myself in circles before the man actually did anything. I'll watch him until we get to Dumbledore's office, then I'll inform Dumbledore of the threat- then possibly help out with disposing of Malfoy.

I shivered in anticipation. I hadn't planned to tell Dumbledore about my knowledge just yet, and the idea of him knowing more about me skittered uncomfortably through my mind. However, it really was high time I got around to it; it was already March.

There wasn't really a concrete plan about what I would say to Dumbledore, I just figured I would go with whatever flow the conversation decided to take at the time. Of course, I knew what kind of information I was and was not going to give him. After all, I was only giving Dumbledore these hints because I needed him to help me get rid of the basilisk in the first place- so I would only have to explain the information pertinent to that scenario.

Although, I might have to figure out some kind of explanation for exactly how I have knowledge of this information- but that was why I had told Hagrid that my knowledge was part of my powers from the prophecy. Ideally, Hagrid would have told Dumbledore that tidbit of knowledge and Dumbledore would have already rationalized it somehow with his broader knowledge of magic and whatnot and has now hopefully just accepted that I'm some kind of prophet. Obviously there was the possibility that this new knowledge would have only led to Dumbledore preparing questions for me on that basis. However, I was confident that I could either bullshit my way out of any true explanation or I could just "prophesize" that it wasn't the right time to tell him yet.

I'd imagined what Dumbledore would ask about, but I couldn't be certain what the old meddler would fixate upon. Last year in the hospital wing, he'd been hung up on the fact that I had "planned" to kill Quirrell during our face-off, oddly. I would have assumed the master schemer could have understood my position a little better, as someone who must have contingencies upon contingencies like I did.

Either way, it was stupid of me to think he'd be honest to me. Dumbledore was obviously still hiding behind his old harmless geezer shtick during that conversation- he kept going on and on about putting myself in danger and all that. I would have laughed. As if he didn't already plan to put me in that exact same danger. I bet that he just didn't like the fact that I was thinking for myself and had actually chosen to go down and face Quirrell knowing the moral ramifications of killing the man.

Clearly I would have to assert myself more during this exchange for Dumbledore to actually treat me like an intellectual equal. To do that, I would probably have to emphasize the power that I held in this situation and how much he needed my info to get a leg up for the war. The reality, something that Dumbledore would have to come to terms with, was that this was a situation of supply in demand. Dumbledore needed information and only I could provide it.

I had to cut off my train of thought as the gargoyle that stood in front of the Headmaster's office came into view around the corner. I minutely wondered how Malfoy would be able to access the office without having been told the password.

Suddenly, the man stopped and looked down his nose at me again, a sneer curling his lip.

"I intend for this conversation with the Headmaster to remain private." He said flatly. "You are relieved of your… escort duties."

Pfft, escort. This guy thinks it's all about him.

I flashed him a sarcastic smile. "I'll just wait out here."

Not bothering to give me a reply, Malfoy strode up to the gargoyle and addressed it.

"I am Lucius Malfoy and I wish to speak with the Headmaster." He said sharply, his tone demanding and stern.

To my surprise, the gargoyle obediently leapt to the side, revealing a winding staircase leading up to Dumbledore's office. Curious, I inched a few steps toward the entrance to follow Malfoy's form as he marched up the steps. Before I could get to close, however, the gargoyle jumped back in front of the entrance, blocking my way. I stared at it flatly and huffed, then made to lean against the wall opposite and waited for Malfoy to come back out.

A few moments later, I eyed the gargoyle suspiciously.

"Sherbert lemon." I tried, doing the little jazz-hands motion that McGonagall did in the second film.

Nothing.

Turns out this whole day was going to be one long waiting game.

Sooner than I had thought, Malfoy came back out of the office, looking even more pissed off than he had going in. He only flashed me a snarl before turning on his heel to either leave, his cloak fluttering behind him. I didn't have a chance to go after him because I had to dive through the doorway to the stairwell before the gargoyle resumed its post.

Luckily enough, it worked. Though I'd bet that the gargoyle wouldn't have been so lax had I not been a young and inoffensive student.

I darted up the stone steps up to find a heavy-looking wooden door and knocked confidently.

"Come in, Miss Potter." I heard Dumbledore's voice call out from within the office.

"Did Malfoy tell you I was there or did you just know?" I asked wryly as I opened the door.

I almost didn't finish the sentence when I actually saw the office. It looked almost nothing like it did in the movies!

My eyes widened as I scanned the walls, all crammed with oil portraits of older wizards and witches, presumably the past headmasters of Hogwarts. All the figures seemed to be sleeping in their portraits, but an odd, half-formed memory flitted into mind that I had read somewhere that they were pretending so they could eavesdrop of the goings-on of the office. Of course, that was how Phineas Black carried messages from Dumbledore to the Order of the Phoenix, I recalled.

The office was actually quite large, but a fair amount of the floor space was taken up by various tables holding a myriad of delicate looking instruments- some stationary, others with whirring gears, and some puffing thin wisps of smoke into the air to dissipate soon after. A massive, claw foot desk sat at the opposite end of the office, where Dumbledore sat serenely, seemingly content with letting me take a tour around the room. My eyes darted to a large stand situated beside his desk, where a massive red and gold bird sat- Fawkes, the phoenix.

Dumbledore smiled when I finally met his gaze, his eyes twinkling and dressed as brightly as ever- salmon robes with spangles lining the fringes. "Miss Potter, I was not expecting a visit from you. Not to say that such a meeting is unwelcome, of course."

I gave him a thin, awkward smile. "What did Malfoy threaten you with?"

Dumbledore's face tightened minutely in what looked like concern.

"I can see this is not a social call." He said. "However, Miss Potter, such conversations between Mister Malfoy and I are decidedly not your concern as a student."

"He wants to get you kicked out of Hogwarts." I said flatly. "He already had a plan this summer, in which to use a tremendously dangerous magical object, but I stopped it when I met him in Diagon Alley before the school year started."

The concern on Dumbledore's face grew, and he leaned forward in his chair. "Please sit, I'd like to know what occurred during your encounter, if you'd oblige me."

I nodded sharply and took a seat at one of the two smaller chairs that sat before his desk.

"Here's the deal." I said before he could get a word in. "I need you to help me with something very dangerous that would really help us in a few years. In return, I'll tell you all about Malfoy and his plots to dethrone you."

Dumbledore drew back, a look of mute surprise crossing his face. "I'd help any student in need, Miss Potter, there need be no transaction or bribery."

My brows furrowed in confusion.

"In truth, I am honored to carry out my duty as this hallowed school's headmaster." He continued.

"Well… great." I replied haltingly.

"There is no catch, Adeline, I would not hesitate to assist you in a time of need." Dumbledore said, his voice earnest.

"Thank you." I said awkwardly, then tried to gather up my previous arrogance.

"But you don't even want to know about Malfoy or anything?" I added, my tone disbelieving.

"I admit, such knowledge would greatly benefit me and the school. But I would never force you to tell me anything." He replied.

"...So- so do we have a deal or what?" I asked.

Dumbledore chuckled softly. "There need not be any deal-"

I opened my mouth to interject, but Dumbledore raised a hand and continued.

"-But I will agree to one if it alleviates your concerns."

I paused, then nodded.

"Please, describe to me the specifications of this deal, Adeline." He prompted.

I took a measured breath before I spoke. "I need you to help me… take care of something very dangerous in the school, and if you do, we will have some very useful tools at our disposal afterward."

"Our disposal?" Dumbledore echoed, curiosity coloring his tone.

"Well yes, because it would have been a joint effort and we'll be the only ones to know about it." I replied as though it was simple- which it was.

"And would you be willing to disclose what exactly this task is?" Dumbledore asked gently.

I shook my head. "No, but I'm completely certain that you'll be able to do it."

"I see."

"And in return for this favour, I'll tell you what Malfoy was planning and I can maybe tell you how I know… depends." I added. Unfortunately, my deal didn't seem so compelling anymore.

"I trust that you know of Mister Malfoy's plans through the same means that you were aware of Professor Quirrell last year?" He asked.

"Yes."

Dumbledore sat back in his seat and stroked his beard in contemplation, his gaze suddenly seeming incredibly far away. He was probably weighing the cost to benefits. Or he was thinking about what he could squeeze out of me. Or he was-

"I would like to help you, Adeline." He said finally. "I accept your offer."

I blinked. That was easy.

"Now," Dumbledore added, some joviality entering his tone as he smiled sedately. "What do we need to do?"

"Kill a basilisk." I said flatly.

To my annoyance, he didn't react much. Dumbledore just furrowed his brows in concern and confusion and gave me a measured look.

I sighed, then elaborated. "There's a basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, just waiting for the Heir of Slytherin to come waltzing in and give it a command to kill whoever he wants."

"That is a very significant claim." Dumbledore said gently.

He thinks I'm lying.

"The entrance is in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom in the sinks, and it needs a Parselmouth to open the passage." I added. "Which I am."

"A Parselmouth?" Dumbledore echoed.

"Conjure a snake if you don't believe me." I challenged.

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm not calling you a liar, Adeline."

I took a breath, willing myself to calm.

"'Course, right… anyway, that- that's what you need to know." I stumbled over my words as I cast my mind out to try to remember if I'd missed anything. "Also, I'm worried that Malfoy might try to hide something in the castle while he's here. I walked with him here and watched him but he could be planting something on the walk back while we've been talking."

Dumbledore nodded sagely. "I had suspected that Lucius Malfoy's visit had not such benign intentions simply to threaten me. Worry not, Adeline, I will make sure that Mister Malfoy did not leave anything behind on his way out of the castle."

"Good, thanks." I said.

"But on the topic of this basilisk..." Dumbledore added. "I must consult with some books to measure the best way to face it. A basilisk is no creature to sniff at, it is a terrible and fearsome monster."

I almost made a remark about how I knew and that it had terrorized the school fifty years ago, but I stopped myself from giving that information away for free.

"I'd like for you to come back and meet with me here in a week from now after your classes." Dumbledore said. "Additionally, I trust that you will not take any hasty action regarding the Chamber of Secrets."

"'Course." I replied. "I came to you for that reason."

Dumbledore smiled. "I thank you for your trust in me, Adeline. I suspect it must be difficult to rely on people with the burden of your knowledge resting on your shoulders."

What was that supposed to mean? Was Dumbledore trying to weasel out my allies? Reveal who I confided in and subsequently knew the same information that I did? Probably so that he could tie up loose ends in case he had to take care of me if he decided I was a threat.

"It's easy as long as people don't press me for it." I said pointedly.

Dumbledore's smile weakened, as though my snide reply had physically pained him.

He gave a heavy sigh. "Although it grieves me that you maintain that I hold nefarious intentions regarding you, you have my word of honour that I will respect your right to your own council."

My brows quirked downward in momentary confusion at the statement, but Dumbledore continued before I could reply.

"Now, I believe that you have, regrettably, missed your Charms class, have you not?" He asked. "Most unfortunate, for Professor Flitwick is quite fond of you, he tells me that your charmwork is particularly adept- much like your mother."

The reference to Lily Potter made me pause briefly, not expecting Dumbledore to bring her up.

"Yeah… I've heard. Anyway, I'll get going to class then." I said, getting up from my seat. "See you next week, Headmaster."

"Until next time, Adeline." Dumbledore said warmly. "-And, for future reference, the password for the gargoyle is 'Soor Ploom'."

I turned and gave him a wan smile in reply. "Thanks."

I realized that it was too late to get to Charms when I glanced at a large clock hanging on one of the main corridor walls, with only ten minutes left of the class period. Lunch would start at noon soon, so I resolved to go up to the Ravenclaw common room to get my books for my next two classes of the day, then go down to the Great Hall to eat, then find Fred and George to retrieve the stuff I left with them.

The loud church bells sounded the end of the period just in time as I was headed down to the Great Hall. I smiled to myself as everything seemed to be going my way- I'd just possibly thwarted Lucius Malfoy's next scheme, Dumbledore and I were going to go down to the Chamber of Secrets next week, and I'd finished my Transfiguration essay a few days early.

Everything seemed to be coming up Madeline.

My catlike grin was still on my face as I slid onto the bench at the Gryffindor table between the twins and threw my arms over their shoulders.

I pulled them down to my height and said smugly. "Look who's not dead."

The twin on my right shimmied out of my grasp and looked me up and down in amusement. "Well would you look at that, George, miracles do happen."

The twin on my left similarly ducked out from under my arm and replied. "Thought she was a goner."

"She's right here," I interjected, "And she wants her stuff back please and thanks."

At my words, George leaned over to reach under the table and pulled my bag up from underneath and dropped it into my lap. I blew out a pained breath as the cauldron inside my bag hit my leg a little roughly, then shot George an annoyed look.

"So what did you find out?" Fred asked.

"Better be something juicy, Potter." George added.

I winced at them in an apologetic look. "Not much, to be honest. Malfoy just wanted to talk to Dumbledore and wouldn't let me follow him into the Headmaster's office, obviously. He ditched me at the door."

Fred 'boo'-ed as George threw his head back and made a loud "aw!" of disappointment.

I muffled a laugh as I continued. "Yeah, sorry that-"

I paused as I saw Hermione walk down the aisle to the Gryffindor table just a few seats down from us. She didn't even give me a glance- either she hadn't noticed me yet or was still mad. Well, now's as good a time to any to try to make amends, I supposed.

"Excuse me a moment." I said to the twins as I stood up.

I plastered on a hesitant but warm smile as I sat down on the bench beside Hermione, my back leaning on the edge of the table so that I could face her.

"Hey, I think we should talk." I said, trying to inject some artificial Dumbledore-style kindness into my tone.

Hermione pursed her lips, then turned her head to eye me with suspicion. I held her gaze innocently, somewhat confused. Apparently, she didn't quite find what she was looking for in my expression because her brows drew downward and her expression darkened.

"What do you think we're talking about?" She asked flatly.

My head tilted reflexively to the side, and my placid smile thinned as I tried to catch on to what she was getting at.

"My… 'stunt' at the duelling club." I hedged, keeping my tone confident.

"And, look," I added before she could reply, "I know, I was irresponsible. That was on me, I completely take the blame."

Hermione's expression slackened somewhat, which meant that I was on the right track. My buzzing thoughts calmed somewhat- I had said the right thing. Now onto the rest of the script.

"I shouldn't have used the Confringo curse during the duel." I continued. "It was dangerous and… totally unnecessary- and I get that. It was just, I dunno, I guess I got caught up in the moment, I was showing off, and next thing I know, I wanted to end the show off with a bang."

I looked back up to flash Hermione a sheepish smile, but paused as I noticed her expression. Instead of begrudgingly understanding like I expected her to be, and maybe a little exasperated or something, Hermione's face was slowly forming into a scowl.

"I- did I say something wrong?" I asked.

"Did you-" Hermione echoed in disbelief, drawing back. She huffed angrily. "I'm not upset about whatever spells you used during the duelling club, I'm upset that you even volunteered at all!"

Okay, now I was confused.

"You do this all the time!" She exclaimed. "You just rush into trouble without even giving a moment's thought whether it's even necessary at all! Just because you want to show off! Honestly, do you even think about anyone other than yourself sometimes?"

I began to open my mouth to reply but she cut me off.

"Don't answer that! I already know what you'll try to say." She growled. "Don't think for a second that I didn't know you were up to- trying to manipulate Lockhart into starting a duelling club just so you could show off and make threats. You're not as sly as you think you are."

I paused as I heard whispers starting around us.

"Hermione, people are starting to stare." I muttered, annoyance lacing my tone.

"Let them! If you didn't care so much about this- this persona you constantly try to keep up then you'd realize that you could do so much more! Instead, you keep secrets and plots and- and it feels like you're just using me sometimes!" Hermione continued furiously.

I clenched my jaw, alarm seeping into my veins at her last statement. I huffed in embarrassment, my eyes shifting around the Great Hall to the people openly watching Hermione's rant.

"You keep hinting that you somehow know things about the future and that you need my help but then you turn around and hide everything from me until the last possible moment!" She added. "Last year, you didn't tell me anything about the Stone or Quirrell and I had to practically rip the answers out of you! Then you turned into a completely different person when you threatened Professor McGonagall-"

"Hey!" I seethed, then shot a nervous glance to the staff table where some of the faculty were watching our one-sided conversation unfold with visible confusion and interest. "I get it, you can stop now!"

People were starting to hear and if Hermione spilled any more of my secrets then I would be in quite a bit more trouble than just from an upset preteen girl.

"This is what I mean!" She cried, gesturing angrily at me. "Stop pretending! Stop tricking people!"

"Look, Hermione, I can explain." I hissed. "I'll tell you whatever the hell you want, I'll let you in on what I'm planning-"

"This isn't how you treat your friends!" She interjected. "Every time I mention anything like this, you just try to make another deal with me to shut me up and string me along with your secrets, one after the other!"

I huffed a frustrated breath as I tried to scramble for something to say, something to get her to just. stop. talking.

I brought my hand up to my temple in agitation. "Okay, jus- just- what can I do? What do I do to… make it better?"

Hermione scoffed. "You don't understand, do you? That's not how it works!"

I raked my hands through my hair. This whole situation was flying out of my control. How could I stop it? How could I salvage it?

"I don't understand, okay!" I blurted out, ripping my hands out of my hair to gesture wildly. "I don't understand- I don't… know what I'm doing! I'm just trying to keep everything in line so that everything works and I don't completely fuck up the timeline and I'm just so stressed-"

I cut myself off with a gasp.

Too much, I said too much. That was stupid- shutupshutupshutup- I could smack myself that was so unnecessary! God, I hate myself. I need to get out NOW. Ridiculous- how can I expect to be in control of the situation I can't even control myself!

"I'm leaving." I seethed, practically fleeing the conversation as I jumped up from my seat and threw my bag over my shoulder. I blinked quickly, eyes down at the flagstones so that I couldn't make eye contact with all the people gawking at me throughout the Great Hall. Heat pricked behind my eyes and my face heated up in embarrassment and frustration as I ran from Hermione and my own issues that she had shoved in my face.

I didn't stop or slow in speed as I rushed down the corridors back to the Ravenclaw common room, not even when I almost crashed into people or tripped myself up.

I only stopped for breath once I reached my dorm room. Seething, I clenched a fist around the bedpost and stared into the middle distance as I tried to calm myself down. What the hell was that? Did I seriously just have a meltdown in the middle of the Great Hall because of some child saying she didn't want to be my friend anymore? Jesus, what was wrong with me?

I blinked rapidly as I felt my eyes prick again. Stupid. I couldn't believe I was being so emotional. I've literally spent a decade living in a cupboard and treated like an indentured servant and not once did I even think I was about to cry! All this emotional bullshit only started once I arrived at Hogwarts. What about this damn castle was screwing me up? Over the past two years, I'd cried more than I had in the past ten! Plus, I wasn't even crying about the right things! When Snape killed that troll in front of me, sure, I was a little shaken, but I got over that. Even after I literally murdered Quirrell with my bare hands, I didn't have a strong reaction! But one unexpected conflict renders me incapable of self control?

God, there's something wrong with me.

I carded a hand through my hair as my breathing evened out. Where did that freakout even come from? I'd bet the house (if I had one) that I certainly had some deep seated issues from all the shit that I'd gone through over the past twelve years, but if I was going to keep having these strong reactions, I could kiss any future success goodbye. I knew what was in store for me in my future, and none of my past experiences would even hold a candle to literal torture and war.

Wait, relax, this is only a recent thing, for all I know, it could be a one-off event or something. I thought hopefully to myself. I never thought of myself as an optimist, but right now I could use a little hope, to be honest. Some part of me realized that I couldn't keep over analyzing myself when I barely knew jack-shit about psychology, much less the psychological issues of a victim of fictional reincarnation. The only thing that I could really do was to calm myself the only way I knew how in this lifetime.

Repression!

A weak smile crossed my face at my own mental antics. I tried to be self-aware, I really did, but sometimes my own stress and paranoia made self examination in the moment a little difficult. I needed more discipline if I was ever going to truly master my own emotions and outbursts. Not just the extreme instances like what just happened in the Great Hall, but my little slips to people about the future, too. Fun little jabs were harmless, like saying what people were about to say as they spoke, because I already knew what they'd say- but that blunder to Snape about him having to be on the third floor last year was potentially problematic.

Speaking of, Snape hadn't brought that specific event up at all after it happened, but I could tell that he glared at me with somewhat of a new eye afterward. In the moment when I had run into him, I exclaimed that he needed to be heading to the third floor when I'd cut him off from his intended destination. Snape had caught it and had later asked me why I said so, and I made an absolutely garbage attempt to lie and told him that I hadn't said anything of the kind. He let it drop that day, thank god, but I feared that he'd bring it up at some random time he had me cornered and off-guard.

Even though I'd known the guy as my teacher for two years, and as a fictional character for more than twenty, I could barely even guess what went on in his head. All I knew for certain were his future actions and that his true loyalty would always be to Dumbledore. Paltry information, though I knew would be helpful in the future during Voldemort's second rise to power.

...Hmm, I had let my mind wander.

A tried and true personal calming method, my mind had naturally drifted off to the topic of Snape from the situation in the Great Hall. Now, I wasn't as agitated anymore, though my head was still buzzing a little more erratically than usual from the aggressively depressive emotional high I'd just been on.

Now, back to the Hermione problem.

What had she said back there? I admit that I wasn't quite listening for the beginning part- planning what I'd say and all- also, I wasn't really listening during the end part since I was getting so mad. Middle part it is!

She said she hadn't been mad at me for using the Confringo curse at all, oddly, but for volunteering to duel at all. However, I knew that the duelling club wasn't strictly the problem for her, but the catalyst that had made all my combined offenses unforgivable. She was mad that I kept secrets from her and kept her on a need-to-know basis. Really, I hadn't even noticed that she'd realized that I had been using her, quite stupid of me.

I sighed. As much as I'd like to tell myself that Hermione was just a tool, I'd made a damn promise to myself last year that I'd treat her like a friend. And, for the most part, I had. I'd come to see the girl as a little sister of some kind. It was just that little bit about an international magical terrorist hiding on the back of our teacher's head that I didn't tell her about. Thinking back on it, I still couldn't make myself feel bad for not telling Hermione about that earlier than I had. I knew she'd try to go to Dumbledore or something and screw the whole damn timeline up.

If only I could make the girl understand.

Ugh, was this how literally every adult in any fantasy adventure felt when they kept secrets from the teenage protagonist?

I'd have to make it up to her somehow, but in a way that wouldn't patronize her or put me in a position where I'd have to reveal the course of future events. The more people who knew about the future would just be more variables that I would have to account for who might possibly act unpredictably according to the timeline. It was hard enough keeping track of the small changes I'd made to key characters just by interaction alone.

Speaking of key characters… My failure with the giant chess set last year had made it uncomfortably visible to me that I may need to make more 'friends', namely, Ron Weasley. I had to become closer with the Weasley family through either Ron, Ginny, or the twins, since their family becomes key in the future- plus their involvement with the Order of the Phoenix.

I'd already made steps to become acquainted with Ron through Hermione on some occasions this year, but considering this little conflict with Hermione may span a little longer than I'd thought it would, I might have to scrap that idea- which left either Ginny or the twins.

In the meanwhile, I'll first have to get to my next damn class.