Author's note: Hey guys! Disclaimer! New chapter whose excited?! Sorry for the long break couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. R&R Wonderful peeps!
Chapter 19
Albus and Aries were still laughing about Scorpius's entrapment as they walked to Care of Magical Creatures. They discussed which treats they wanted to use against the Slytherin girls and finally decided a particular devious combination of long lasting boil taffy, which was only treatable by a potion found at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and true-blasto beans, which will cause the pair to blurt out their deepest secrets at the most inopportune times.
"Now how are we going to get them to eat em? Its not like they're going eat anything we give them, and we can't just put the candies somewhere they would eat them. There'd be no way to control who was affected." Albus pointed out.
"Yea but there has to be a way. Wait what about Scorpius? He could say he stole the treats from some older students and wanted to share them." Aries stated with glee.
"Wouldn't he have to eat some too?" Albus asked.
"Well yea but come on every answer's going to have some consequences luckily those are consequences I'm prepared to live with." Aries answered shrugging.
Hagrid talked about the various creatures that lived in the forbidden forest. From niffers to unicorns. His lecture just droned on and Aries and Albus snuck to the back of the group and started to inch towards the edge of the forest. They made sure everyone else was focused on the lecture and ducked into the dark forest.
"You know during the day its really not that creepy. They really shouldn't call it the Forbidden Forest. It just makes people want to know what's going on inside," Albus pointed out trying to put on a brave face. The sunlight streaked down through the canopy of leaves above them casting long shadows that seemed to twist and turn on their own. A slight autumn breeze caused the branches to sway and creak. Albus fought with himself to seem calm and collected. Aries on the other hand just glanced around in wonder. He wanted to find some of the creatures Hagrid was tell them about.
Magical creatures had always fascinated Aries. His mom's cat Crookshanks had originally sparked his interest. Crookshanks was by far smarter than any average cat and had taken to Aries since he had been old enough to walk. Always watching out for him and helping to keep him out of trouble. Crooks had passed away peacefully 4 years ago and it had hurt Aries deeply. His mom had tried to help and got him a soft orange kitten he named Fireheart, but it wasn't the same. He didn't have the same bond and in fact the kitten had taken to Gemini more than him but that wasn't saying much seeing as how Fireheart still attacked her on a daily basis when they were home.
Aries hadn't gotten a familiar to come to school with him but that was mainly because none of them seemed to fit. Toads were creepy, cats just seemed to fall short of his expectations and owls while practical just didn't seem like the right pet for him. He was hoping to maybe find a wild creature and tame it. Hell his uncle's godfather had found Buckbeak so maybe Aries's perfect pet wasn't something you could find in any old shop. He and Albus wandered around the entrance of the forest, close enough to run back to class and pretend they had been there all along but still far enough in that they could look for creatures. Every little sound caused Albus to whip his head around or jump and honestly he was surprised he hadn't started shaking.
"Look Aries we can't stay here long you know eventually Hagrid is going to walk around the class and notice we aren't there. I know you want to have some crazy familiar, but I just don't think we're going to find one our first time out here. Limited time mind you. Lets just go back to class." Albus pleaded after a while, hoping his friend wouldn't notice that he mainly wanted to go back because his nerves were shot.
"Fine. Guess it was crazy of me to think that I would find something. We can go back but I think we should sneak out here tonight. We could invite Gem. You know how she loves sneaking out and hunting for creatures. Besides she doesn't jump at every little sound," Aries agreed shooting a smirk at his best friend. Albus bristled and stalked back towards the class without even responding. Aries rolled his eyes at his friend's sensitivity and started after him but before he reached the edge he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He pulled his wand and whipped around.
Just a few feet further in Aries could make out a dark figure huddling beside a tree. Aries squinted his eyes as he tried to get a better look at it but then it disappeared as if it had never been there. An eerie feeling settled over him like he was being watched from all directions, his skin prickled with awareness and nervous energy. He backed up towards the entrance keeping his wand out in front of him and scanning the trees around him. Everywhere he looked it seemed like there were hidden eyes following his every move. Finally, he just couldn't take it anymore, so he turned and ran full force out of the forest.
Aries was so busy running while looking over his shoulder that he didn't see the fact that he was fast approaching his class. He wound up running full force into his classmates causing several people to fall over and spill their books and supplies.
"Mr. Granger just whacha think yer doing boy?" Hagrid growled as he lifted Aries off the ground before helping other students.
Aries glanced around looking for Albus to help him out but Albus just avoided his gaze as he was still upset at Aries's earlier comment. Aries struggled to come up with an answer that wouldn't get him in deeper trouble.
"Well uh you see I was just…..Oh I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of any of the amazing creatures you were talking about so I went to the edge of the forest but uh well I thought I saw something and I wanted to ask you about it. I was still trying to keep my eyes on where I'd last seen it so I could show you and well you know the rest," Aries gestured towards the pile of mixed up school supplies before dropping down to help sort it out.
"Ahh a boy after me own heart. Now you can't be going inter the Forbidden Forest because it's dangerous. Lots of creatures would as soon eat you as greet you. Now class we will meet her again on Thursday. If yer have any other questions just come down to my hut. Also write a 1-page paper on one of the creatures I talked about today." With those words Hagrid waved the class back towards the castle. Aries couldn't help one last glance at the Forbidden Forest as he passed by it. He almost screamed when he saw a pale white hand extend towards him from the shadows beckoning him closer with its steely claw tipped fingers. Aries took off like a shot to go and find Albus.
"Albus there's something in the forest. Like something evil." Aries after pulling Albus into a secluded alcove. He explained what he had seen and Albus just gave him a look of amused disbelief.
"Look Aries you got scared and your mind played tricks on you. Nothing else to it. Now let's just relax, alright?" Albus stated in a patronizing manner as he patted Aries shoulder.
"I wasn't, alright I was scared but that's not what this is. That thing is dangerous I just know it. Something is off. I think it was a person, but I can't be sure. Should I tell McGonagall?" Aries fretted.
"No come one man there's no way. You probably imagined it alright. Lets get out of here. We have potions again." Albus pointed out. "And that would be a great time to let Scorpius know what the plan is."
"Yea okay. Maybe your right. We can check it out later tonight anyway." Aries replied shrugging as the pair headed to the dungeons.
Scorpius and Gemini were already sitting at their desks and Gem looked like she was bursting with excitement to receive Slughorn's thoughts on her preparation. Scorpius saw them enter and pointed at the table next to them which he and Gemini had saved.
After they were seated Scorpius inched closer and whispered, "Your sister is crazy you know that? She's already made a study sheet that basically covers any free time she could possibly have. Is that normal?"
"Yea that's just Gem. She gets it from our mom but be careful or she'll make one for you." Aries replied with a soft chuckle. Since Scorpius was already in whispering range they quickly let him in on the plan.
"You know your sister already scolded and threatened me that if I help you two in any way she is going to make my life miserable. She said she would threaten you two but then you would have to do it solely on principal." Scorpius pointed out sheepishly. "And honestly your sister is more than a little scary. Maybe we should let her handle this one."
Albus and Aries looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "Sure Scor I'll just stand by and let people pick on my sister. Because that's the kind of brother I am. Look we don't need your help just don't say anything to Gem alright?"
Scorpius nodded and slid back over to Gemini who eyed him suspiciously.
"What was that about?" She asked turning her full attention on Scorpius.
"Well I just wanted to ask them if you were normally this study heavy. Honestly Gem we're in a magical school don't you want to take a little time an enjoy yourself?" Scorpius asked trying to keep the focus on her studying.
"I like to be prepared there is nothing wrong with that." Gemini snapped at him before refocusing her attention on the door.
Marie and Elise came in and scanned the classroom obviously looking for Gemini. When their eyes finally settled on her Marie's face started to turn red as she took in how much lighter Gemini's hair was and the fact that her face was clean. The pair of girls walked over to Gemini and Scorpius's table and Marie scowled at Gemini.
"You're in my spot. Scorpius agreed to be my partner in Potions just this morning over breakfast. I was surprised I didn't see you. Did something hold you up?" Marie asked in a sugary sweet voice while her eyes shot daggers at Gemini.
"Yes, actually some foolish new idea to use a new hair style. Someone, no idea who, thought it would be funny to dye my hair. Although honestly I quite like it, but it was a little dark before, so I fixed it. But if you think Scorpius would rather be your partner why don't you ask him to move?" Gemini responded in an equally sweet tone toss some of her shiny brunette curls over her shoulder and making sure to hit Marie in the face.
"Well of course you like the hair color it must remind you of your filthy mudblood mother. Why don't you scurry back under whatever rock you crawled out of and leave us alone? No one wants you here. Scorpius is just taking pity on you because of who your mother is. There is nothing else you could possibly give him other than a status bump for his family," Marie snapped loosing the sweet tone. Scorpius made sure that he was ready to grab Gemini and make sure she didn't start yet another fight but to his surprise she merely smiled at Marie and shook her head.
"Did you know that you're small minded? Very very small. Its like if it doesn't fit into your picture-perfect world it shouldn't exist. Scorpius is my friend and I believe, truly, that it has nothing to do with his family. Now your 'friendship'" She used air quotes around the word, "that you have with him? That I can believe is due to family politics. You don't scare me and honestly your pranks are beyond subpar. My uncles are Fred and George Weasley okay? If they saw this," She gestured to her hair, "Or the dirt you charmed onto my face they would shake their head at the lack of imagination. You think that you are going to run this school? Be the little Slytherin princess everyone adores? Don't make me laugh because in order to be that you would need to have a personality that doesn't send everyone who's ever known you running for the hills at the sound of your dainty heels 3 yards away."
Elise just gaped next to Marie her eyes as big as saucers as Gemini cut down her friend with nothing more than words. Marie's temper flared and she lunged at Gemini determined to put that disgusting filth in her place and the two of them fell onto the floor. Scorpius moved to intervene, but he also noticed Gemini wasn't fighting back she was letting Marie attack her and just seemed to curl in on herself.
"Miss Parkinson just what is the meaning of this?!" Bellowed Professor Slughorn his face was contorted in utter outrage and his hands were shaking. Marie completely blanched and she glanced around worriedly but then a plan formed in her mind.
"Well Professor she attacked me. Just like she attacked Goyal at the welcome feast." Marie exclaimed raising to her feet, "I was just defending myself."
"Defending yourself my butt!" Aries exclaimed rushing to his sister's side. "She instigated the fight professor Gemini didn't lay a finger on her." Mummers of agreement called out from the fellow students.
"That's not true you're only saying that because she's your sister," Elise exclaimed, "Gemini went out of her way to be rude and cruel to Marie and she threatened her. But Marie knows how to defend herself and that's what you saw professor."
"Liar!" Albus snapped slamming his potion book down on the table. "You and Marie were the ones that cast spells on her this morning. She didn't even want to come to breakfast! And Gemini never threatened you at all."
"ENOUGH!" Slughorn bellowed silencing the class. Aries helped his sister to sit up and took in her appearance. Somehow during the fight Gemini earned a black eye and a split lip so she definitely looked the part of the victim but there was something gleaming in the back of her eyes and a slight curve to her lips which told him that this had been no accident. Slughorn approached Gemini who started to tear up and her lower lip quivered.
"Are you alright my dear? Do you need to be escorted to the hospital wing?" Slughorn asked in a soothing voice. Gemini nodded and buried her face in her brother's shoulder seeming to be hiding her tears. She pulled back and wiped her cheeks before looking at Marie with something close to fear.
"Well I g-guess you win Marie. You can sit next to Scorpius," Gemini through a soft tremor into her voice and allowed Aries to pull her to her feet. "Just don't hurt me anymore."
As Aries escorted his sister out Slughorn's announced that Marie and Elise needed to go see the headmistress for repercussions for their actions and attempted deceit Gemini made sure to catch Marie's gaze and shot her a smug smirk and mouthed 'Gotcha' before leaving the room.
Authors Questions: Thoughts? Did you like what I did? What is the final memory? Excited to find out? Any ideas? Any thoughts? R&R
