Child
of Night
And the Sword of Souls
By
Ara Moon and Jesse's Peanut Butter Princess
-Chapter Five-
Like Venom Through Your Veins
Jab.
"Nimble bimble kimble dong…"
Jab.
"Binka bank!..."
Jab.
"Bikka bakka GRACE GRABADORA McCARTNEY, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"
Grace grinned. "Waking you up."
Arianna groaned. "Why would you ever do a stupid thing like that?"
From nearby, Ace rolled his eyes. "You were the one who decided to keep us up all night singing our National Anthem."
The female brunette pulled herself up as Grace proceeded to kneel besides Shawn and jab her finger at his forehead. She shot a glare at him. "Oh, just shut up and pass me your pants."
Ace blinked. "My pants?"
Arianna rolled her eyes, nodding. "Yes, Ace, your pants. As in, those things you wear on your legs?" Ace rolled his eyes in response.
"I know that, Ari-kun. Why, pray tell, do you want my pants?"
"Because skirts are annoying and evil." Ace shrugged and tossed her a pair.
There was a loud knock on the door. Arianna yawned, going over to open it.
"Err… Ari?" Bryan asked.
She stretched up, pausing and looking at him. "What?"
He grinned sheepishly. "You're kind of… not wearing anything."
Arianna again rolled her eyes and opened the door.
Professor McGonagall stood there, staring at her. Arianna blinked.
"Err, good morning, Professor," she said, opening the door wide. "Would you like to come in?" Professor McGonagall stormed in angrily, shutting the door harshly behind her.
"What are you thinking, Ms. Black?!" she demanded. Arianna blinked.
"What am I thinking what?" she asked, yawning. McGonagall gave her a stern look.
"What are you thinking, Ms. Black, answering your door in the nude?" Arianna shrugged.
"I dunno. What can I help you with?" McGonagall sighed.
"Shawn forgot something with me yesterday. Where is he?" Arianna stifled a yawn with her hand, gesturing to the bed beside hers. She kicked it.
"Get up, Russell, or I'll fish you." Said male groaned, rolling over. Grace continued jabbing a finger at his forehead.
"WILL YOU BLOODY STOP THAT?!" he roared, shooting up. McGonagall blinked. Shawn looked at her and blushed.
"Ah! Professor!" He scrambled from his bed over to her. Arianna rolled her eyes, pulling on her underclothes, followed by Ace's pants, muttering something along the lines of, "Suck up." Shawn shot her a quick glare. Then he turned his sweet smile back to the Professor.
"Thank you so much, ma'am!" he exclaimed, taking the book from McGonagall's hand. The witch smiled.
"Not a problem, Shawn," she said kindly. "I'm amazed that you're even reading this level of Transfiguration text. The books by Abigail Manatora are very, very advanced. If only some students—" she shot a look at Bryan, "—were this enthusiastic about their work."
Arianna grabbed a white shirt from the trunk at the bottom of her four-poster, buttoning it up while attempting to block out McGonagall's babble. Bloody suck up lycanthrophobic git… she thought, angrily buttoning it up. She pulled on the gray overshirt, snatching a gold and red Gryffindor tie from Bryan and pulling it on.
The hazel-eyed witch continued getting ready for class. When she reentered her dorm from the bathroom, McGonagall and Shawn were engaged in a conversation. Arianna pulled on her shoes roughly, tugged on her robes, and shouldered her bookbag.
"See you at breakfast, Grace," she said quickly, and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" she questioned, eyebrow raised. "Breakfast isn't for another half hour." Arianna shrugged, and walked out without a glance back. McGonagall blinked and looked after her.
"Is she always so… moody?" she asked. Shawn shrugged.
"Don't know, don't care." The conversation continued for a few minutes before McGonagall looked at her watch and politely excused herself. As soon as she was gone, Ace shot Shawn a questioning look.
"Okay, Shawn, spill it. What the hell happened?" Shawn shrugged.
"Nothing. Nothing at all," he said in an indifferent, solid manner. The group watched him silently as he opened his book, falling onto his bed.
~*~
Annoying brownnosing prick… Bloody git…
Arianna stormed through the corridors, head down, bag firm at her side as she marched angrily to the Great Hall. She couldn't understand why she was so angry, but she just was.
Thinks he's so hot… I'll show you hot, you insolent little—
The brunette walked into something soft, yet solid, and went tumbling to the floor. She scrambled around, collecting her bag and a large, dusty brown book that had landed beside her in the collision.
"Sorry," she mumbled, not looking up as she gathered the books in a clumsy rush, "I wasn't looking, and--"
"It's quite alright, Ari, really." Arianna paused and looked up. She grinned slightly as she realized that it had been Remus. Straightening herself, she handed him the book, looking at the title with a cocked eyebrow.
"Mysteries of Magical Items by Idala Sakoni?" Remus snatched the book from her hand. "Why on earth are you reading that?" she asked. The elder brunette quickly shoved the book in his bag.
"Research for—for your class," he said quickly. Arianna blinked. He coughed.
"Err—so why're you in such a rush? Breakfast isn't for a while." Slightly paled skin flushed. Remus rolled his eyes with a grin.
"Say, why don't we have breakfast in my office? Won't take you too long to get from there to Charms, and I want to hear all about your first day." Arianna nodded, grinning, and he led her up to his second floor office.
The room wasn't much, but Arianna was in love the moment she stepped in. She immediately rushed over to the first thing she saw, a tank of what looked to be hairy rocks. Remus called out a warning, but it was too late.
She stared at the tank, transfixed, as an odd feeling washed over her. The brunette felt like she would choke from the sheer, unadulterated hopelessness filling her. She wanted to move, to get away, but everything was useless, living was pointless… All she wanted was to lie down right there, give it all up… The rock was now looking up at her with hungry black eyes.
Her father grabbed her by the robe, tugging her away from the tank. He muttered a spell, wand pointed at the tank. The feeling suddenly disappeared. Hazel eyes blinked.
"What the…?"
Remus pocketed his wand, sitting down behind his desk. Arianna collapsed into the chair in front of it.
"Pogrebin," he explained. "They're native to Russia. Pogrebins are known to follow people disguised as a harmless stone. They fill people with utter hopelessness. Once the victim passes out from it, the Pogrebin devours their body."
"Ooooh," Arianna said, staring at it. "You've got the best bloody job in the school," she said with a wistful sigh. Remus raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"Mm-hmm," she said, inspecting a cage of grindylow. "All these interesting creatures… You get to work with everything from grindylow to these Pogrebins to boggarts," she said, eyes twinkling. She turned around, grinning.
"I'm especially looking forward to the boggart lesson," she said, pulling herself away from the creatures and back to the chair. Remus smiled at her.
"And why is this?"
The brunette grinned. "It could do us all some good to know our fears are. That way, we can conquer them." Remus nodded. He waved his wand toward the fireplace.
"Tea?" he asked. Arianna made a face. He chuckled.
"It's not that bad, Ari," he said. He used his wand to carry the kettle from across the room, and poured himself a cupful. Arianna watched as the water made the mixture turn brown.
"I can't see how you Brits can enjoy that. It has no taste. We were right in dumping it into Boston Harbor," she said playfully. Remus grinned, rolling his eyes. No matter where his daughter was, she'd always be a patriot.
The golden-eyed man tapped his desk twice with his wand. Arianna blinked as a house elf scurried in, covered in a ratty pillowcase.
"How can Minky help sir?" the elf asked in her high voice, bowing. The brunette blinked twice.
"A cup of…" he looked towards Arianna, who blinked blankly in response.
"Uuh… hot chocolate?" Remus nodded.
"A cup of hot chocolate, and two plates of whatever this morning's meal is." Minky nodded, stepping back. Shee tripped over Arianna's foot. Said brunette's arm flew out, grabbing the house elf by the back of her pillowcase. However, she didn't put her down. She hoisted her up, inspecting her.
"Never knew there were house-elves at Hogwarts," she said.
"Y-y-yes, ma'am. Many house-elves is here at Hogwarts," she stuttered nervously. After a moment, she put him down. She grinned and bowed sweepingly.
"Thank you for taking such good care of the castle, then," she said. Minky blinked happily at her.
"You is very welcome!" she said, and disappeared. Remus grinned at her from behind his cup.
"So, Ari, how was your first day of classes?" he asked. Arianna leaned back in the slightly ratty chair. She thought for a moment.
"It was… Well, it was interesting, to say the least." She grinned, recounting the events of the past two days.
"I'm rooming with three guys and Grace…"
"Oh, no," Remus groaned. "Remember the trouble you and Karamin's nephew used to get into?" Arianna grinned, and swatted him playfully.
"Hush, you," she said, and he laughed. Two plates of food appeared on the table, and they dug in, Arianna still talking.
"Anyway," she began, "They're all pretty cool. Ace is rather cute, and innocent, to boot. I'd probably go for him if he was interested in the fairer sex." Remus raised an eyebrow. His daughter dug into her eggs hungrily. "Bryan's a tad… dense, at times, but he's good at heart, and Grasser's head over heels for him."
"And Shawn?" Remus prodded. The younger brunette's eyes flashed for a moment, almost undetectably.
"Shawn's, ah… Well, I thought he was pretty cool, but…" The werewolf munched on a piece of bacon.
"…he's stubborn, and hates being outwitted?" Remus finished. Arianna nodded.
"And then there's the whole lycanthrophobic issue…" Remus heaved a sigh, chin in hands.
"Arianna," he began, "you don't need to argue it. People will be afraid no matter what. It's how it's been, and it's how it always will be." Arianna looked down, fists clenched.
"I know! But… it's not fair…" Remus looked at his daughter with a touch of sadness in his eyes, battled by a touch of pride. He reached across the table and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Discrimination is never fair, but we have to brave it." The bell rang, and Arianna scooped up her bag. Walking over, she pecked a kiss to his cheek, and walked to the door.
"See ya, 'tousan. Love ya," she said. Remus smiled at the brunette.
"See you at lunch." Arianna paused at the door, and grinned.
"Oh, and Remus?"
Remus looked up at her. "Hmm?"
"If you hear Ignazio's pants singing, it wasn't me." She smiled and slipped out. Remus smiled as the door clicked shut.
Just like Sirius… he thought, cleaning off his desk. He paused for a moment. But the question is, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
~*~
Arianna made it to Charms several minutes before everyone else. It was taught by Professor Flitwick, a short man that reminded the brunette of a kind-looking goblin (an oxymoron if she ever did see one). She took a seat towards the middle and waited.
The tiny man scrambled from the pile of books on his chair to the floor, and scurried in front of her. "Hello there, Miss…?" he trailed off, expecting Arianna to finish. She complied.
"Arianna Black," she said. Flitwick squeaked.
Slowly, the room began to fill. Arianna growled as Shawn walked by, stubbornly not looking at her. Stupid moronic goody-goody ba—a hand rested on her shoulder. She squealed and jumped, turning around. Brown eyes blinked back at her.
"Jeez, Ari, breathe…" Said brunette took a deep breath as Grace sat down beside her.
"Where were you at breakfast? You missed the greatness of singing pants." Arianna grinned at her slightly.
"Wasn't hungry," she lied in a murmur as class began.
Despite his size, Flitwick seemed to demand respect. "In this class, you will be learning one of the most-used parts of magic; spells, incantations, hexes, and the likes." Arianna spaced out through the rest of the lecture.
Charms was mostly boring for the brunette. The practiced the infamous swish and flick (a movement Arianna could do in her sleep), and a few minor spells to test out their wands. Grace was a natural, laughing giddily as she perfected every spell. Arianna calmed her down considerably, though, after she Lumos-ed Kevin's eyes, causing him to run blindly and trip over Flitwick.
Next came Herbology with Ravenclaw, something the brunette was thoroughly looking forward to. After all, there's something particularly enjoyable about your rival's underpants bursting into song.
"Today we will be learning about the tools used while working with the plants," Professor Sprout announced when they were all settled. She was a kind-looking woman, plump with flyaway white hair.
"Put on your dragonhide gloves, now, children… Yes, yes, hurry along…" The students obediently pulled on the handwear, following the professor for a tour.
"Now this, class, is a…" Grace leaned over with a grin.
"Look at Ignazio!" she whispered, and Arianna complied. Her hazel eyes slid to look as far as they could without her moving her head. The brunette's long hair hid any clue that she was looking at him.
Earlier said Ravenclaw was glaring at Arianna with fury in his eyes. Meanwhile, Arianna was desperately trying to keep herself from laughing, for she feared that if she started, it would take years in St. Mungo's to get her to stop.
The arrogant boy's normally raven-black hair was a lovely bile-green, and his hands were tinted a similar color. Thank you, Marauders, for being mages of the pranking business.
He turned, and Arianna couldn't hold it any longer. She snorted loudly, eliciting a few stares from the nearby students. She bit her lip hard, taking in a deep breath.
On the back of Ignazio's head was a large, purple brush, stuck to his head with honey.
Oh, this is priceless! she cried mentally, shooting a look at Grace. The blonde grinned back at her. So that only the brunette would notice, she waved her wand as if conducting an orchestra.
"Oh…" they mouthed together.
"OH, SAY, CAN YOU SEE?! BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT!?" The entire greenhouse of students burst out laughing as the deep baritone of Ignazio's underpants erupted into song.
Arianna and Grace joined in, conducting side by side. "What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming!"
Magical silver ribbons formed into words thanks to Professor Sprout. (Arianna was thoroughly pleased that the witch could at least have a little fun.) Together, the other students chimed in, "And the rocket's red glare!"
"The bombs bursting in air!" Ace.
"Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there!" The wonderful voice of Angelika Paskins.
"Ohh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave…" Arianna.
"O'er the land of the free…" The Ravenclaws.
"And the home of the…" The Gryffindors.
"BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVE!" Together, they finished, voices blended. From the doorway, Dumbledore (whom Arianna thought had an uncanny ability to appear anywhere on school grounds), applauded.
"Bravo! Twenty points to each of your houses for a wonderful lesson in the beauty of music." The students cheered. Ignazio huffed, rear still singing, though slightly quieter. "Now, if you don't terribly mind, I must borrow your teacher for a moment." Professor Sprout sent him a worried look.
"Don't worry, now, nothing serious. Severus is just in need of some more potions supplies…" Arianna heard him say as the door closed. Immediately the room exploding into chatter, people wandering off into far corners, chatting and looking at all the plants.
The first thing Ignazio did was walk straight over to her, his goons flanking him.
"Black," he said. Although he attempted to sound cold, Arianna was very perceptive, and thus didn't miss the fury buried in his words.
"Vinceguerra," she replied, in a calm, almost friendly voice. Almost. "Lovely underwear you've got there. Didn't know they sold singing tighty-whiteys." Several people nearby sniggered. Ignazio fumed.
"I'll make you pay, Black," he said angrily. "Do you know who I am?!"
Arianna mocked thoughtfulness. "Hrm… A hopeless wannabe with no fashion sense? Or knees, at that." Ignazio growled.
"I'm a Vinceguerra! We're the most powerful family in all of Italy! Lowlifes like you and your murderer of a father don't even deserve to lick our shoes, let alone attend the same school as us." He sneered.
Grace started to form a retort when Arianna said in a frigid quiet, "Don't you ever talk about my father." Grace froze, and stared at her.
"Ari?"
The brunette, however, didn't respond. She had fixed her cold glare on Ignazio. Black hatred had entered her veins like a poison, and she heard every beat of her heart, pumping it through her body.
Like venom through your veins… the voice in her head remarked thoughtfully. She ignored it.
Despite being green-haired and utterly humiliated, one had to admire Ignazio's abilty to keep that haughty air. With every ounce of dignity intact, he said, "Oh? What's he gonna do? Kill me, just like he killed those Muggles?"
"No," Arianna replied, "but I will."
Ignazio sneered. "I knew it," he said. "From the moment I heard your name, I knew you'd be just like him. A murderer. A coldblooded, traitorous murderer. They should give you both the Dementor's Kiss."
For a moment, it looked as if they were going to leap at each other's throats. The students that had gathered around were frozen, waiting for the next move, for fists to fly and hexes to ring in the air.
But neither came.
And in the opinion of every magical-born child there, it was by far worse than either.
Arianna Black bit her thumb.
Several Muggle-borns were staring in confusion. Shawn was among them. When he nudged Ace, asking about the collective gasp that had echoed through the room, he only shook his head, gulped, and whispered, "She's got guts, man."
The brunette continued glaring as she bit down on her thumb, hard enough to draw blood with her right fang. Ignazio was in shock. Then she removed the digit from her mouth and ran her thumb along each cheek, living a smudge of blood along each. She placed the finger in between his eyes, then dragged it down his nose slowly, trailing his front until it rested over his heart.
"For my father's honor," Arianna stated. Her tone was hard to make out, but her face was the most serious any of them had ever seen. "For my father's honor, by my own." Her thumb was still firmly planted on his chest. The pressure caused more blood to push itself out, flowing silently. She took her other palm and placed it flat to her chest.
"For the honor of my father, by my honor. Do you assent?"
Ignazio took a deep gulp. He seemed to be calculating something. The thumb pushed harder, almost bruising the flesh beneath.
"I assent."
"By your wand?"
"I assent."
"By your honor?"
"I assent."
"By your life?"
Ignazio took a deep breath, and stepped into the hole he had dug himself.
"I assent."
Arianna dropped the hand on her own chest. With that hand, she lifted Ignazio's hand, biting the index finger. She then trailed it over the marks on his cheeks, and pressed the wounded digit to her own wounded thumb.
"By blood mingled, I assent."
The brunette released his hand. A tingling sensation ran over their bodies, Arianna's accompanied with a flurry of what looked like black powder, Ignazio's with white. There was a gasp as she raised her arm.
In bloodlike letters on her forearm were the initials, I.V., surrounded by a complex, intertwining tattoo.
The two separated completely, and they dropped the ritual look. "The challenge has been issued and accepted, Vinceguerra," she said roughly. "I have bound you by your honor, your magic, and your life. Don't think you can chicken out." She tapped the mark on her arm twice with her wand.
"This Sunday. Midnight. What's the place?"
"Charms classroom." Arianna nodded.
Meanwhile, Shawn blinked. What the hell just happened? And why couldn't he understand a bloody word they said?! Arianna tapped the mark again.
"You know what happens if you should lose, or miss it, correct?" Ignazio smirked.
"Of course. One does not enter a Bonded Duel without knowing the details, now, do they?" He sneered. "Although, it is a wonder how you managed to even know about Bonded Duels, what with your family's standing… Why, one would have to be of good blood to even know that they existed, let alone initiate one." He gave her a haughty look. "I suppose that there are some exceptions to everything."
Arianna rolled her eyes, tapping his face with her wand, then his abdomen.
"You can wash that off at midnight," she said, ignoring him. "Your mark'll be on your chest, as no one would want to look there." He fumed.
"Why you--!" The bell rang. Arianna marched out, leaving behind a confused and awed greenhouse of students.
~*~
Arianna was sitting calmly at the Gryffindor table as the students from her last class entered. Ace immediately ran up to her, and began shaking her by the shoulders.
"What," shake, "were you," shake, "bloody," shake, "THINKING!" Arianna blinked.
"Ace, breathe." He took a deep breath, and collapsed next to her. He dropped his head into his hands.
"Ugh," he groaned, "Have you even thought about what you've put on stake?" Arianna blinked at him, a large hunk of steak in her mouth.
"Myrph," she replied. He rolled his eyes. "Arianna, swallow." She complied.
"Yes, I did, Ace. Don't worry; they aren't as serious as they seem. They're only really fancy because they're ancie--" Suddenly, Arianna was grabbed and hoisted up by Bryan.
"Is it true?!" he asked excitedly. "You challenged that Vinceguerra twit to a Bonded Duel?!" He was shaking her, too. She groaned.
"I think what's left of my brain is oozing from my ears…" Bryan dropped her and pulled up the seat across from her.
"Sooo… Didja?" Arianna nodded. Bryan's eyes glinted.
Grace sighed and plopped down beside the brunette. Shawn took a seat on her other side, furthest from Arianna. He looked like he was attempting to ignore their conversation.
"Hey Grasser," she said, swallowing a potato. "You okay?" The blonde nodded.
"Mmm. Mind telling us about that stunt you pulled back there?" Shawn's ear was twitching in curiosity. If Arianna noticed, she didn't say anything.
"As long as you don't shake me…" she murmured. Grace raised an eyebrow. Arianna sighed, idly itching at her arm.
"Bonded Dueling is a rather ancient art. Basically, it's a more personal than Wizard Dueling. It was widely used centuries ago, but nowadays, people don't want fighting to be an art. They simply wish to kill, so the art pretty much died out. Only aristocrats and people of high standings learn its ways."
"And so by initiating a Bonded Duel, you insulted the twit's pride by knowing all about something that only rich snobs do," Ace said sagely. Arianna nodded.
"So what, exactly, does this duel entail?" Grace asked.
"Do ya need a second?" Bryan questioned through a mouthful of food.
Arianna shook her head, munching on a long piece of asparagus. "Nope. Like I said, Bonded Duels are more personal, so the duelists fight alone. That's why we were marked with only each other's names." She munched thoughtfully.
"As for what it entails," she began, "we'll duel, obviously. Not too different from Wizard Duels. There are some restrictions and positions, as well as formalities. The bonding marks restrict us from attacking before the scheduled day, and requires that we are at least remotely civil. By the mark's standard, that would mean that we don't inflict serious damage, or kill them. But," she said, grinning, "If I win, he can't insult my family anymore. He'll be disgraced immensely. Also, if I wished, I could steal his magic, his name, and his life, as he swore by those in agreement."
"And if you lose?" Shawn said. Arianna blinked. She hadn't known he was there.
"If I lose," she began, slowly, "he'll be able to do whatever he damn well pleases. The victor has dominance over the loser." They stared. "He could, also, form a bond between us, in any way he chooses. I swore by 'blood mingled.'" Shawn shook his head.
"You can't do this," he whispered hoarsely. "If you lose…"
"I initiated it," she interrupted. "Thus, should I not compete, he's automatically victorious." Grace had a thoughtful look. She quelled it with, "Should he back out, there will be a bond formed between us anyway." Grace looked disappointed.
"Look, I know I'll win, okay?" And with that, the bell rang.
There were many unspoken rules of the school. One was that whenever there was to be a duel (or general breaking of rules), every student would know, and go to every length to keep the teachers from knowing as well. It was simply honor, and for this, Arianna was grateful, as she wasn't swarmed with teachers as soon as she entered History of Magic.
Arianna took her seat as far back as she could manage, closest to the window. She waited for Grace to grab the seat beside her. However, things did not work out this way.
On the way to History of Magic, Arianna was aware of her two blonde friends whispering back and forth. She had assumed that it was about the Bonded Duel, so she had ignored it. But now, as the last bell rang and her three first-year dorm mates rushed in, she realized that she was wrong.
Grace scurrying forward to sit with Ace a row ahead was also a bit of a giveaway.
The only seat left was the one to Arianna's side. The only person not seated was Shawn.
In Hogwarts, there was another rule; if you're plotting something, the class has the responsibility to get involved.
Sighing, Shawn plopped down next to the brunette, with whom he still wasn't quite on speaking terms with. He took out his parchment and quills, silently awaiting Professor Binns to begin.
Professor Binns was possibly the most boring ghost she had ever met. He rambled on and on about nothing that made sense, yet Shawn was diligently taking notes. Grace had fallen asleep on her inkwell. Arianna snorted.
Serves you right, McCartney. Beside her, Ace was flipping through a Yu Yu Hakusho manga boredly. Yawning, she snatched a piece of parchment from Shawn, much to his displeasure, as well as a quill. She dipped it in his inkwell and wrote:
How are you enjoying this?
He rolled his eyes. Picking up his quill, he replied:
It's interesting.
No it bloody well is not, unless you have a kinky fetish for being bored to death.
He blushed. Well at least I don't have a fetish for turning things into vicious midgets.
"Chibis," love. And I have a fetish for fangs. Which is better than listening to weird dead guys babbling about other dead people.
Shawn raised an eyebrow. "Fangs?" he mouthed. Arianna shrugged. He shook his head.
I don't want to know.
Yes, you do.
Shush.
…I thought you were the one not talking to me. Shawn blushed. "Ehh… About that…" he whispered.
"I forgive you," she interrupted with a smile. She then gestured back to the paper.
It's quieter this way.
…You are, of course, aware that there are people snogging in the front row and he's not noticing, right?
She quirked an eyebrow. And is that what you're insinuating we do, Mr. Russell?
The dark haired male blushed furiously. No!
Hazel eyes twinkled. Aww, you're no fun.
Shawn snorted. I'm going to ignore that, Black. So if Bonded Dueling is so rare, then why was everyone so awed by you biting your thumb?
The biting of one's thumb in such a situation is sort of like the magical equivalent of… what do Muggles call it?... flipping someone off, except a hundred times worse. It's extremely offensive. Not ever used in civil meetings, anyway. It was developed from the Bonded Dueling Ceremony, though.
How do you know all this?
How wouldn't she know? Her father was the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher! Dueling of any sorts fit into the "Defense" part of the title. Arianna chewed on her quill thoughtfully, then spat out the bits of feather. Naturally, Shawn wouldn't know that Remus was her father, so… Can't tell you, love. Tis a secret.
Please?
Nope. Sorry.
He pouted. All right, then… You think you're prepared for a Bonded Duel? We're only first years. Maybe you should research a little.
She blanched. A Black? Research? Never!
What about a Russell, then? He wrote, blushing slightly. Arianna smiled.
Sounds good to me.
At long last, the class ended. As Shawn gathered his books, Arianna waited. "What do we have next?" she asked him.
"Quidditch, with Hufflepuff," he replied with a grin. She returned it.
"This should be good…"
~*~
Their final class was anything but boring.
Arianna loved Quidditch, though it was difficult to figure out just why. As she had told Shawn just yesterday, she preferred having two—or in the case of yesterday's discussion, four—feet firmly planted to the ground. The ground was consistent, and you could anticipate the bumps and turns and dips. They sky wasn't any of these. The sky just was.
Perhaps it was the sensation of wind rushing through long hair, beating against skin, drowning her in its invisible immeasurable depths. Or maybe it was giving her control completely over to nature, and the wildness of being at nature's every whim. Sometimes, she even thought that it might just be the tomboy in her, itching to show her worth.
Whatever it was, the brunette loved flying, and was damned good at it, to boot.
Madame Hooch instructed them to stand beside a broom and command it to rise. Arianna was one of the few to land it on their first try. Shawn, surprisingly, was one of the last ones to succeed in making their broom come to them. Kevin was knocked unconscious by his broom, after he became frustrated with it and kicked it. The kick was weak, but nonetheless angered the broom, and as any self-respecting wizard should know, one should never anger an inanimate object.
"Okay, class," Madame Hooch began, "mount your brooms, hover for a moment, and come right back down." Arianna complied, wondering briefly how she could feel just as at home in the air as she was on the ground. She was comfortable with the broom, and as it was the same in return, she had an advantage against her classmates, most whom had never touched a broom, or properly ridden one.
She grinned, assessing her competition. As her "stupid godbrother" (that was the only proper way she could refer to him; "Harry" was too personal for her liking) had left Hogwarts, Gryffindor would need a new seeker. She had experience (Karamin's champion two years running, she thought with a small amount of allowed smugness.) Paired with her born skill, she was an exceptional player.
Shawn was really her only main threat. He had the amazing honing abilities, but his work with a broom was seriously lacking. With a sigh (and a, "Good work, Black!" from Hooch), she landed beside the raven-haired male.
Grace was hovering across from her. "Ari! I'M DOING IT! I CAN FLYYY!" She threw her arms up, laughing giddily. The brunette winced as she watched her friend slide off her broom, sending it flying up and her falling down.
With a yawn, Arianna walked over to Shawn, inspecting his pathetic efforts. She sighed. I hope I don't regret this… she thought, as she began to explain the one thing that gave her an advantage for the Seeker position.
"Shawn," she said sternly, "you're treating it like a quill. A broom is not something you use." Shawn blinked.
"It's not?" Arianna rolled her eyes, walking behind him.
"No, it's not." She placed her hands over his, planting them properly on the broom. "A broom is like…" She paused. Shawn's infatuation with birds sprang to mind. "…like a falcon." His eyes glittered.
"A broom is like a falcon, Shawn," she began. "It's free and wild. To work with it, you must gain its trust." Shawn blinked.
"How do I gain the trust of something that isn't alive?" Another sigh.
"Brooms have a considerable amount of magic in them. From your time in the wizarding world, you should know that, just because something doesn't need oxygen or those things humans need, it doesn't mean that they aren't alive in a different sense." She positioned Shawn on the broom.
"Concentrate, Shawn, not on the broom, but on yourself." He raised an eyebrow. Arianna sighed, but didn't give up. She was very curious about the potential this wizard had, and damned if he thought he was going to waste it.
"Picture yourself flying. You're the falcon, soaring above the crowds of faceless humans below. You can see them, but you don't care. All that matters is the feel of the wind over you, soaring and diving at breakneck speed. Your prey darts about before you. You were born to catch that bird, Shawn. You've got the speed. Now just…" She released the broom. It floated up.
"…spread your wings." Shawn opened his eyes, and looked down in a happy shock. Deep blue eyes locked onto hazel. Arianna grinned at him, giving him a thumb up.
"You, Shawn Russell," she remarked as they carried their brooms to the shed after class, "were born for the sky. Get a better hang on your broom, Love, and I know you'll be the best Hogwarts has ever seen." She made a face. "Even better than my stupid godbrother."
With that, she walked over to Grace as the headed back to the dorms. Shawn stayed behind for a moment, watching her in wonderment. Then he grinned.
Don't worry, Arianna Black, he thought to himself as he met up with Ace. I'll fly for you. And I won't let you down.
~*~
Arianna had headed to her dorm with the complete intent to collapse unceremoniously onto her bed and sleep until dinner. The day had been very long, and the ceremony she performed had been particularly tiring.
However, she never got the chance to.
As soon as she got to her dorm, she paused at the doorway, blinking. Something just wasn't right. She looked for anything that might be out of place.
It was then that she noticed the redhead.
With a polite cough from Arianna, the girl shot up from where she had been previously burying her head into the brunette's pillow and sheets, mumbling contently. She blushed guiltily.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know this was your--" she paused. "Hey, wait, isn't this a boy's dorm?" Arianna sighed, rolling her eyes and stepping forward. She extended a hand.
"Arianna Black," she said. "I'd like to know why you were just molesting my sheets."
Tentatively, the girl took her hand and shook it. She stood from the bed, still blushing.
"Err, ahh—Virginia Weasley. People call me Ginny." Arianna shook her hand.
"Well, Ginny…" she began, when suddenly, Ginny burst into a rampant explanation.
"I'm so sorry! You see, this bed used to be Harry Potter's, and he graduated last year, and I--" she sniffled. "I miss him so MUUUUUCH!" she wailed. Arianna paused.
"Did you say Harry Potter?" Ginny nodded, sniffling. Arianna groaned, walked calmly to the wall, and beat her head against it. Repeatedly.
"First I get that bloody news in the fireplace," she said with a growl, in between hits. "Next, I end up going to the same school as him." Hit. Bang. "Then the same house as him." Smack. Crash. Rattle. "And NOW the SAME BLOODY BED AS HIM!" She growled, smashing it harder.
"I. Am. Not. Bloody. Harry. POTTER!" She grabbed a confused Ginny by the shoulders, shaking her. "DO I LOOK LIKE MY STUPID GODBROTHER?!" she demanded. The redhead blinked.
"He's your… godbrother?" She nodded. "Lucky…" she muttered. Arianna let out a frustrated growl. Ace wandered in, Shawn beside him. She grabbed Ace by the shoulders.
"DO. I. LOOK. LIKE. BLOODY. HARRY. POTTER?!" Ace blinked, and patted her on the shoulder.
"Ari, are you having an identity crisis?" Arianna "AUGHED!" loudly, collapsing onto her free bed, muttering angrily. Ginny slipped out silently.
Bryan walked in, wiping water from his forehead. His shirt was removed. Grace began to drool slightly. "What's the matter with her?" he asked. The brunette only groaned and rolled over.
Ace shrugged. "We don't know. Apparently, she thinks she's Harry Potter."
"Well, when you think about it…"
Arianna growled. "Shut your bloody mouths, you insolent morons," she hissed in a way so similar to Snape it was scary. They closed their mouths promptly. She groaned and rolled over.
"I am not Harry Potter, I am not Harry Potter, I am not Harry freakin' Potter…"
Suddenly, Grace snorted. Arianna sent a glare at her. "What?"
"CORNISH FRIGGIN' PIXIE!" she exclaimed. Ace and Bryan laughed. Shawn sighed and opened a book. Arianna beat her head against her bedpost, reciting her mantra until the hippocampi came home.
~*~
Friday came quickly, and for the most part, uneventfully. Ignazio had, naturally, been sending her as many smug looks as possible, and people everywhere were coming over to question her. Shawn was a constant at her side.
She found herself in her dorm staring blankly at a piece of parchment shortly after Magical Healing. With a groan, she rolled over, scooped up her inkwell and paper, and walked to the Owlery.
The owls seemed happy to see her. She fed them treats and pet them for a while before curling up in one corner of the room, parchment in hand. She stared at the results of an hour's work.
Dear.
The brunette sighed. Dear what? "Harry" was way too personal, "Moron" wouldn't blow over well with Sirius, and "Your Highness" probably wouldn't either. She sighed, doodling on the edges of the parchment, pondering. Resignedly, she just said, "Screw it!" and wrote "Potter" at the top.
The voice in her head snorted. Is that it?
I'm thinking, dammit!
Gasp! I'll alert the presses! Arianna rolled her eyes, and began to write. After about fifteen minutes, she paused to read it over.
Dear Potter,
Survived first week of Hogwarts. You can tell Sirius to celebrate now, and that I've done the Marauders proud. I'm rather surprised that I have yet to be buried in Howlers. Ah well. There's always next week.
A Miss Virginia Weasley sends you her greeting. Actually, I walked in on her molesting my sheets (which, she claims, used to be yours), but I suppose that's her way of saying hello. Or releasing sexual frustration. I don't intend to find out.
Arianna shuddered. "Oh, great, now I can never look at those sheets the same way again…"
It figures that you'd have been a Gryffindor. Actually, Grasser and I were hoping for Ravenclaw, but the Sorting Hat decided it hated us. Honestly, it can be so bloody impatient…
The first day wasn't too hard, actually. Filch made us late for Transfiguration (still can't wait for Vinceguerra to get those detention slips filled out in his name.) I turned Snape into a chibi (see upper left corner of parchment), so he cancelled class, and then the rest of the day's classes were cancelled after Dumbledore called an emergency staff meeting in the middle of Defense.
Day two was, ah… a tad more interesting. Scoped out possible replacements for the missing Seeker of the Quidditch team; seems that only Shawn and I fill the requirements of this year. He'd put you to shame; caught a Snitch with his head buried in a book. Too bad he doesn't trust the broom enough. But we're working on him.
I've got a dormful of friends, and at least one (or two, if you count Cassidy) enemies. Grace and I got shoved into the boy's dorm with two other first years and a second year who Grasser's head-over-heels for. Even though he threatened to turn her into a marmoset.
The brunette paused, turning her wrist with a wince. It was beginning to ache, and the large gold band wasn't helping much, either.
Ugh. The Owlery isn't exactly the most comfortable place to write letters. Couldn't they just get some couches? No, wait, couches equal snogging sessions. Snogging sessions equal not-so-happy owls. But dammit, my back hurts. Arghmaflarg, can I just describe the new banes of Hogwarts' existence in note style?
Grace McCartney: Dangerously spiffy. Bit ditz…ish, but she's my best friend, and can prove rather humorous. Got upset after Ignazio insulted her blood (she's half-blooded; apparently, her "stupid Hufflepuff father" died when she was little), but we got him back. She's brilliant at Charms. And I'll never forget the brilliance of singing underpants.
Ace Young: Everyone's favorite kawaii pureblood. Too bad he's not straight. He's got lovely hair, really, and a beautiful smile. Though he needs sleep. Why, I'll never know. Who needs sleep? Viva la insomniacs!
Shawn Russell: Blushes like a tomato. Wait, no, tomatoes are already red. He blushes like you, Potter. Brilliant mind, excellent honing skills, but blushes like a moron. Too shy as well. But that's nothing a few months with me won't fix, hnn?
Bryan Murray: The jock. What he lacks in brains he makes up with heart. Though he did threaten to turn Grasser into a marmoset. Mmm. Marmosets and crushes. I ought to write a book about that.
I am proud to say that Snape has yet to jump me. Though that's a rather amusing mental picture. I mean, me walking down a corridor, and him leaping out of the closet…
The brunette snorted at what she unintentionally wrote.
You can draw your own conclusions about my Potion's professor's sexual preference from that. I'd rather not ponder that, as my brain tends to get carried away.
Filch needs a sedative. And a stuffed animal. Ah, and mental help. Serious mental help. Maybe even permanent institutionalization in St. Mungo's. Anything that'll make him stop acting like he's got a wand shoved up his…
The door opened. Remus peeked in. "Hey, Ari, it's dinner time." She nodded.
"'Kay. Lemme just finish this letter." He walked over and sat down next to her, looking at the parchment.
"Who ya writin' to?"
"Potter."
"Ahh." He smiled. "Decided to get along with him?"
Arianna looked up at him emotionlessly. "Decided to be dutifully tolerant of him, because he's going to be adopted into the family eventually." She shuddered. Remus grinned.
"Well, don't be 'dutifully tolerant' for too much longer, now. I'll be waiting downstairs for dinner. See you there." He hugged her and headed back out. Arianna picked up her quill.
Well, I've got to go. Remus says it's dinnertime. Send Sirius my love. May your days be filled with rabid emus and a slightly deranged turkey. With rubber pants. Ooh, and a plastic moose.
Marauders for life,
Arianna
She read it over quickly, then added a postscript.
P.S: Think you could send me a list of your favorite dueling spells? I'll, ah, be in need of them by this Sunday. Much thanks, Potter.
Letter tied to the ankle of a medium-sized barn owl and safely on its way to her godbrother, Arianna headed down to dinner.
~*~
Stare.
Stare.
Stare.
A blue eye twitched slightly.
Ha! The hazel eyes they were locked with seemed smug. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Kenneth Arthur.
Oh, bugger off, Black, the blue eyes retorted.
Annoying twit.
Insolent first year.
Brainless third year.
Mind you, I managed to get into Ravenclaw.
And the Sorting Hat sent Cassidy to Gryffindor. Everyone makes mistakes. Even hats.
Glare. Spawn of McGonagall.
Wannabe Snape.
A shudder. Large rabid chicken.
A quirked eyebrow. Flaming stagediving reindeer.
Oversized, three-foot-tall—
You've got a sexy accent.
A blink. "WHAT?!"
Innocent smirk. "I win, love. Pay up."
Grumbling, the male brunette heaved his bag onto his desk. Inside was a large tub of heavy grease, roughly the size of the teen's head. Arianna stared.
"He uses all this on his head?"
Kenny nodded. "Yup."
Arianna blinked, and took the tub. "Merry Christmas, Kenneth Arthur."
The male rolled his eyes. "Do shut up, Black."
"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" Shawn screamed, slamming Basic Defensive Charms on the library table. Madam Pince threw a quill, hitting him square between the eyes. He blinked as it slid down, leaving a long ink trail down his face. "Shh!"
Sighing, Shawn collapsed back to the table. Arianna snickered. Kenny grinned.
"Well, my precious firsties, I must get back to my fellow Ravenclaws. Good luck on your duel, Miss Black." He nodded at her. "May you kick some Vinceguerra ass." Arianna grinned, and gave an oriental bow.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Kenny-san." He waved a quick goodbye, and scurried from the library, followed by Madam Pince's glare. She turned back to Shawn with a contented sigh.
"So, Shawn, what'd we find?" The raven-haired male glared.
"We found nothing. I, however, found this." He shoved a piece of parchment into the brunette's hands. She scanned it over. Expelliarmus… Jelly-legs Jinx… oooh, I liiiiike…
"Beautiful, love," she said, grinning at him. Shawn sighed.
"You were right when you said Blacks don't research…" he muttered. Arianna grinned.
"Oh, we research," she said. Shawn looked up at her. "—when we really want to." Shawn heaved another sigh, head falling into his hands. Arianna laughed, smiling. "Hey, it's genetic!"
"Then who used to do the other research for your father?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"One of my dad's best friends, naturally. He's told me a bunch of stories about how he'd be dragged to the library and then just sit there and try to set the Slytherins' hair on fire while his friend researched." They laughed.
"I'll have to try that next time," she commented with a grin. "Can't break tradition, you know."
Shawn grinned back. "But you can, of course, alter it slightly to, well, let's say… a certain Ravenclaw?" Arianna nodded.
"But of course, love. I wouldn't have it any other way." And then they laughed. In the back of her mind, Arianna thought, You know, maybe we are a bit like Remus and Sirius… Only difference is, we won't end up falling in love…
"C'mon, let's go," she said, grabbing his arm. "Madam Pince looks like she's gonna tear my throat out and beat you with it." Shawn snorted as they walked out the door.
~*~
Sunday morning was chaos.
Arianna had expected to be allowed to sleep in as late as she wanted, which she was thoroughly looking forward to. However, she was woken up at seven by McGonagall pounding on their door, demanding that everyone be down in the Great Hall in fifteen minutes.
Her friends looked worried as they quickly pulled on their clothes. "I'm sure it's nothing," Ace commented as they headed out through the hallways. But from the reaction of the mass population, this seemed not to be the case.
Suddenly, Shawn grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. "Arianna!" he hissed in her ear. "What if they found out about the duel?!" The brunette gulped, then shrugged.
"Then I ride it out. Now c'mon, let's get this over with."
The Great Hall was filled with chatter and whispers by the time Arianna and her friends got there. Most students were still in their pajamas. Several teachers were, too. Snape looked like he was in need of coffee. Several gallons of it.
"Students, please be seated," Dumbledore said. Arianna's heart immediately plunged. His face held none of the usual amusement, and the twinkle in his eye was gone. Obediently, she took her seat next to a worried Grace (who was nervously rubbing her fuzzy blue slippers together) at the Gryffindor table.
"There has been a terrible turn of events. It grieves me to have to tell you this so early in the year. However, it is knowledge that must be shared." The students were paling and looking very frightened.
"I ask that you all remain calm." Arianna took a deep breath. It didn't sound like he was talking about the duel. So what, then?
With a sad look on his face, Dumbledore continued. "A student has disappeared." The hall exploded into whispers and gasps. The man silenced them by raising a hand.
"If anyone has any information, please alert a teacher immediately." The hall was silent. No one moved. Taking a deep breath, Arianna rasied her hand.
"Yes, Miss Black?" Dumbledore asked.
"Who… who exactly is it that's missing?" she asked nervously.
Someone from the Hufflepuff table let out a strangled sob. "Miss Kaori Iwakura. I believe she was a second year Hufflepuff, was she not?" He turned to Professor Sprout, who nodded solemnly.
Dumbledore regarded the room. Finally, he said, "Well, since we are all already gathered here, we might as well make use of it and eat." He clapped his hands, and food appeared on the table. However, no one had much of an appetite.
"What the hell is going on?" Grace asked finally, throwing down her fork. Arianna didn't look up from where she was mashing her eggs.
"I don't know, Grasser," she said sadly.
"And I doubt they'd tell us anything more if we asked," Shawn added.
"Hey," Bryan said suddenly, looking thoughtful. "This could be bad for Ari's duel."
Ace nodded. "Yeah. If some kid disappeared, then wouldn't they tighten the school's security? Have more teachers scouting the halls at night, not letting anyone out?"
Arianna grinned as she stood from the table with her friends. "Then I'll just have to pull a little Marauder's Magic, hmm?" They blinked.
"Marauders?" Arianna grinned mischievously. Shawn shook his head.
"I don't wanna know…"
Later, at lunch, Arianna received a letter from Harry.
Dear Arianna,
I'm glad you're doing good so far. Sirius sends his love and says that he's proud of you, but also to stay out of trouble.
Ginny was doing WHAT?! Oh no... I feel sick... oh God... oh Jesus...
These are some interesting doodles, Arianna. I'm not even going to ask about the ones in the bottom left corner. They rather disturb me.
Shawn sounds like an interesting person. I would much like to meet him. Maybe I can teach him a few tricks. Or maybe the other way round...
A boys' dorm? But... you're a girl... And he tried to turn your friend into a marmoset? Bouncing ferrets are much more persuading.
Grace McCartney: Brilliant at Charms, eh? Reminds me of a friend of mine named Hermione. But then again, Hermione was brilliant at everything. So that doesn't really say much. ...singing underpants? I remind myself: with Arianna, it is best not to ask.
Ace Young: Viva la... okay. Um... ah... moving on.
Shawn Russell: Somewhere in there is a compliment. I'm going to just focus on that.
Bryan Murray: Again with the marmosets...
...plastic moose...rubber pants...for the sake of my sanity, this will probably be the last letter I write you, unless Sirius insists that I do.
Harry
p.s. I have enclosed a list of handy dueling charms on the enclosed parchment. Good luck!
The brunette smirked. Oh, this makes writing to Potter much more enjoyable… She read over the list attached, and then shoved both pieces of parchment into her pocket. Shawn cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Arianna Black, what did you do now?" She grinned.
"I scarred my godbrother for life!" she said proudly. Bryan blinked.
"Godbrother?" Arianna rolled her eyes.
"Potter, remember?" He "aaaah"-ed loudly. She sighed.
Ace poked her with his fork. "So you gonna write him back?" The brunette shrugged.
"Maybe after the duel," she said, flinging a piece of potato at Ginny Weasley, who had apparently noticed that the owl was Harry's and had been staring at it with glittering eyes. The redhead huffed and turned away.
Serves the sheet-molester right… the voice in Arianna's head commented. For once, Arianna agreed.
~*~
The time before midnight was spent researching further and finishing up their homework. It was 11:30 too quickly for any of them. With a sigh, Arianna hauled herself up from the common room's couch. "Uuuugh…"
"You sure you don't want us to come along?" Bryan asked, looking up from his Potions assignment. Arianna shook her head.
"No, I'm goin' solo." She stretched up, tucking her wand into the holster in the sleeve of her robes as she did so. For a moment, she just stood there, looking at her friends. Then Ace stood up and pulled her into a hug.
"Good luck, Ari," he said, squeezing her to his chest. As they separated, she grinned.
"Hey, no sweat, right?" She headed for the door.
"Hey, Ari?" Grace called after her. She paused, looking over her shoulder.
"Yeah?"
Grace grinned. "If you don't come back, can I have your Transfiguration homework?" Arianna grinned back and walked out of the common room.
~*~
Ignazio was waiting for her, leaning casually against the doorframe. Who gave him the idea that he was cool, and where can I find this person so I can slap them? While she agreed with the voice, she silenced it.
"Well, I see you didn't chicken out," Ignazio drawled. "I supposed you deserve some credit for coming, even though you knew you were going to lose." Arianna rolled her eyes.
"Look, how long are you going to stall, Vinceguerra?" she asked impatiently. He bristled.
"Why you--!" Arianna just rolled her eyes again, pulling her wand from her sleeve and baring the red mark on her arm. She sighed with annoyance.
"Let's just begin, shall we?" Ignazio bit off his retort and unbuttoned the top of his robes and the shirt underneath, baring an intricate red mark with the initials A.B. in the center. He looked up from it to her, and sneered.
"You can still back down, Black." Arianna raised an eyebrow.
"And why would I ever want to do that?" Ignazio glared. Before he could speak, Arianna tapped her wand to her mark. It seemed to glow for a moment before it floated from her flesh, hovering in front of her. With a resigned sigh, the greasy-headed male did the same. They arranged themselves so that they were back to back.
"Ten paces, got it?" Arianna nodded. Realizing he couldn't see her, she replied, "Yep."
Arianna began sorting through all her spells. Expelliarmus would be her best bet, but if Ignazio was quicker to use it, she would be defenseless until she managed to grab her wand. She'd be hexed three times past Sunday before she could reach it. Hrm…
Her ten paces were up. She quickly spun, wand out, and yelled, "Pumlius Pumilio!" just as Ignazio yelled, "Rictusempra!" Arianna turned to dodge it, sending her spell flying into Flitwick's chair. It transformed itself into one of her chibi duplicates and launched itself at the screaming Vinceguerra's head. Arianna was too busy laughing on the floor to notice.
"Damned… tickling charm…" she wheezed between attacks of laughter. "F-fin…" Get a hold on yourself, Black! Come on… Think of something not funny… Think… Dementors, think Voldemort…
Think of Voldie and the Dementors in tutus! the voice in her head cried.
Shush! You're not helping! Arianna was aware that Vinceguerra was finally throwing off the chibi. Come on… Think serious…
Think what will happen if you lose. Well, that was a waker-upper. Arianna took that moment to point her wand at herself and say, "Finite Incantatum!" She pulled herself up just as Ignazio transfigured the chibi into a cheeseball, which he quickly crushed. Oh well, the brunette thought idly, looks like Flitwick just lost his chair…
"Well," Ignazio, began, sneering, "it looks like…" Arianna tuned him out. Merlin, does he ever shut his mouth? The brunette gave a mental shrug, pointed her wand at him lazily, and cut him off with a, "Tarantallegra!"
Ignazio glared. "Hey! I was talki--, oh, screw it. Locomotor Mortis!" Arianna cursed. Great, just great… He's Jelly-Legsed and I'm leg-locked. Oh, the joys of my life…
Oh, stop whining already! He's about to attack! "Relashio!"
"Engorgio!" Arianna would have laughed at Ignazio's growing head had she not just been hit by a string of fiery sparks. She growled.
"Ferula!" she cried. Ignazio began to say his own spell when he paused, blinking.
"Ferula? You moron, that conjures up a wooden—GAAAAAAH!" He was cut off by Arianna beating him over the head with the wooden rod. She laughed. Ignazio put his arms up to cover his head, making a low, angry sound in his throat.
"Incend--!" Oh, crap… Arianna yelled the first spell that came to mind.
"ALOHOMORA!" The tiny closet in the corner sprung open. Arianna fell over, just barely missing the fire conjuring spell, her wand falling just a few feet out of reach. However, she couldn't get back up. She watched as Ignazio turned to stare at an elderly man wearing a business suit who had just fallen out of the closet. The man held up a pad of paper in front of Ignazio's face.
Said raven-haired male ran screaming from the room. Or as well as one can run while under the Jelly-Legs Jinx.
Arianna blinked, looking at the paper. And bit back a laugh. "The estate and all possessions of the Vinceguerra family have been seized due to bankruptcy." What a moron. What a money-obsessed moron.
The brunette stared at the man. He began towards her, shifting shape. "What the--?!" It dawned on her. "Boggart!"
The dark creature finished shifting shape. "What. The. Hell?!" It has to be defective. Yes, that's right. A defective boggart. That's can't be what it thinks I'll fear the most… Arianna stared as boggart-Hagrid (clothed in a plastic-looking pink paisley miniskirt and a similar-colored tube top) began singing. "Oops! I did it again… I played with your heart… Got lost in the game… Oh, baby baby…"
Arianna screamed. Boggart-Hagrid winked one of his overly-made up eyes. The brunette felt queasy. "Damn you, Vinceguerra," she muttered as Hagrid danced. "Damn you and your leg-locking-ness to hell…"
Mercifully, the door swung open. "Riddikulus!" a voice cried. Arianna looked up to see the boggart turn into a large, silvery glowing orb before Remus locked it back into the closet. Vinceguerra raised an eyebrow from behind Snape. Arianna just gulped.
"Miss Black!" McGonagall's stern voice yelled. The brunette bit back a wince. Those were the last three people she wanted to be around when she was rule-breaking. "What do you think you are doing?!" Ignazio smirked from behind Snape. Arianna glared at him.
Without turning, McGonagall said, "Don't think that you are going to escape punishment, Mr. Vinceguerra. Stand here, both of you." Ignazio gulped, standing where McGonagall had gestured. Arianna began trying to pull herself to the wall with her elbows. With a sigh, Remus came over, pulling her up.
"Finite Incantatem." He handed her back her wand. She took it silently, flexing her stiff knees. Arianna was careful not to meet his eyes. She didn't want to have to see the disappointment in her father's face she knew she'd see.
"What were you two thinking?!" McGonagall demanded. "You heard about Miss Iwakura, did you not?" The two students kept their eyes downcast. "Well? Did you not?" Arianna nodded.
"Yes, we did, ma'am."
"Then what possessed you two to go off and decide to duel in an empty corridor after hours with the risk?" They were obediently silent. She fixed a stern glare on them. "Well?"
"Professor McGonagall--" Ignazio began. The witch held up a hand to silence him. "No, Mr. Vinceguerra. I do not wish to hear it. I must get back to my rounds. I will leave you with Professor Snape so that he may assign you your punishments." Arianna fought a gulp. Snape looked too excited. She was doomed.
Her brain began playing through all the possibilities. "Miss Black," Snape began, sneering, "you will have to help Hagrid pick out his dress for the Yule Ball this year." Arianna shuddered. "I think he looks rather stunning in pink paisley, don't you agree?" She felt sick. From behind Snape, Hagrid winked. Ergh… Merlin, have mercy!
"Well, Miss Black? Miss Black?" A disgusted sigh. "Miss Black!" Arianna's head shot up. She breathed a sigh of relief. Only a nightmare… Err, daydream… No! Not a daydream! Errrrgh. It was a… daymare. Mmm. That's it. She blinked innocently up at her professor.
"Yes, sir?" He glared in disgust.
"Can't even manage to pay attention to your own punishment, can you?" Ignzaio sneered over Snape's shoulder. Arianna fought back her glare. "Five points from Gryffindor, as well as the fifty this little… escapade… has lost." He sneered.
"Severus…" Remus piped in, "Fifty is much too much, don't you agree? I believe that this only deserves half that amount." Snape glared at him. Remus stared calmly back. Snape made a disgusted sound.
"Fine… Twenty-five points this little escapade lost." Arianna relaxed slightly. "Too accompany this, you will be sorting out the student store cupboards on Monday. Eight o' clock sharp." She bit back a groan. The student store cupboards were the reasons students brought their own materials. Merlin only knew what Snape would keep in there…
Snape turned to Ignazio. "As for you, twenty-five points from Ravenclaw, and…" He thought for a moment before sneering evilly. "…you will help the house-elves clean up the results of the prank in the Entrance bathroom." He paused dramatically. "Without magic." Ignazio's face fell. He gaped. It took all Arianna had not to laugh.
"Now, off with you." He began pushing them out of the Charms classroom. "We will lead you back to avoid further mischief."
Out of the corner of her mouth, she murmured, "Ha ha, you get led back by Snape." Ignazio glared.
"Shut up, Black." She smirked.
"Git."
"Arsehole."
"Oh, I am so deeply wounded by your wit."
"Shut up."
"Make me."
"…I won."
She raised an eyebrow. "You ran screaming from the room."
"But the ending ritual was never performed. Therefore…"
"…the bonded duel is null and void. Merry Christmas."
"…It's September."
Silence.
"…Bitch."
"Moron."
Remus sighed. "Are you two quite through yet?" Arianna blushed. She hadn't realized she'd raised her voice. Apparently, Ignazio hadn't, either. Snape ushered him down the corridor to wherever the Ravenclaw dormitories were. With a sigh, Arianna began towards Gryffindor Tower, falling into step with her father.
Well… the voice in her head began, in a comforting tone, I'll bet Potter didn't get a detention in his first week…
Arianna just groaned.
¤~End Chapter~¤
Third chapter by the Ara completed. All *counts* twenty-eight-and-a-half pages of it. O.o Ohh my…
Ara's Replies:
Shi-chan: *head burst with pride* YAAAAAAAAY! THE SHI-CHAN'S BEEN CONVERTED TO THE YAOI SIDE! *bounces* Yaoi/Slash is the basis of all my favorite pairings. I rarely ever read het stuff unless it's on the side of a slash fic. ^^ Oooh, yes, Kevin does go to my school. I was talking to him last week and suddenly said, "You know, I'm writing a story, and in it, you get set on fire a lot." Can't understand why he's been avoiding me since… *shrug* Ah, well. Yes, he is a scary little dude. ^__^ Don't we all, dear, don't we all… Thankies for the reviews. ^^
Jake: *leaps to the defense of the -kuns* Kun can be used for tomboyish females, like Miss Black. Or meeee. But I'm Ara-chan, anyway. Because Ara-chan RULES. *cough* Keitaro's one of my favorite manga dudes. 'Cause he is. And who can resist the Tama-chan?! WHO?!
Scrat's Replies:
Jester's Miss American Pie: Yes, yes you ARE "that special." *nods and passes out*
Tempral Bouncer: Dot doot. ... IT WASN'T MY FAULT! Ari was supposed to tell you... T_T *carefully avoids the fact that she was the one who wrote Chapter 4*
Jakie: *blinks and hides* Rice and beans, m'dear... rice and beans...
¤~Reader's Poll~¤
It's back again, my loves! The Reader's Poll of DOOM!
So tell us, dearies:
Who is YOUR favorite Child of Night character?
Is it Bryan? Or perhaps everyone's favorite greaseball, Vinceguerra?
You tell us!