**Short chapter....comparatively**
Chapter 6 - Confusion After Revenge and Realisation
Ada sped down the corridors until she reached the dungeons. She slowed herself and quietly started down the dark stair well. The cold air gave Ada a slight shiver. When she reached the bottom landing, she paused to let her eyes adjust to the faint and sickly green lighting. The soft stone walls were damp and the cold air was heavy on Ada's breath. It was as if the stagnant air had lingered in the dungeon hallways for the many long years of Hogwarts, uncirculated. Ada had never been in the dungeons at night. The air was cleaner in the daytime. As she analyzed the dungeon's atmosphere, she paid no attention to where she was going. Suddenly, Ada fell and landed on her hands and knees hard. She let out a painful and frustrated grunt.
"Bollocks!" she whispered, loudly, "What the bloody hell was that?"
Ada stood and rubbed her freshly bruised knees. She glanced down to see what had caused her to trip. In the dim light, she could barely make out a dislodged stone.
"I think that's new. I've never seen that. I've certainly never tripped over it before."
She continued down the corridor, sliding her hands against the cold stone walls. She soon reached a large hall with four doorways leading out from it. Two of the doors were shut.
"Well, I'm obviously not going in either of those. That one goes to the Potions classroom and that's the only one left to try. I guess I'm going in there, then."
She made her way over to the open doorway, opposite the Potions corridor. When she had ventured not even five feet through the doorway, she heard slow, steady, and oddly familiar footsteps. Ada froze. She knew those even steps from her prank runs with Fred and George. It was Professor Snape. She quietly and swiftly ran back to the first doorway she came from, caught her breath, and steadied herself. Calmly, she began to walk towards the footsteps. When she was in the corridor, Snape immediately spotted her. He stopped and glared at her, intensely.
"Ah! Professor Snape. I've come to ask you a question," she covered.
"And could it not wait until tomorrow's class?" he answered, dryly.
"Well...I suppose it could. Thank you. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Ada turned and started to walk the other way.
"Ms. Alucinor." Snape's voice was deep and it vibrated through Ada's body, making her stomach churn. She turned to face him.
"Yes, Professor?"
"If you're too lazy to do homework, or any work from my class for that matter, you're certainly not going to wander down to the dungeons after dinner to ask me a question that, you claim, can wait until tomorrow." He stared her down suspiciously and squinted his eyes, waiting for a response.
"Oh, Professor Snape. You know me all too well. I --"
"Do not patronise me, Alucinor," he interrupted.
"Never, Professor. I, actually, was wondering about that book you gave me. Could you possibly enlighten me in its purpose er...secret?" Ada somehow accomplished to look completely innocent in the eerie light.
Snape's eyes shifted, apprehensively. "I'm permitted not to tell you." Ada noticed he looked more at ease after her question, although he wouldn't look her in the eye. "I will tell you, however, that it's an important spell book written by a famous witch. Now. Be on your way before I change my mind about your punishment," he retorted.
"Wait...my punishment?"
"Ten points will be taken from Gryffindor. I heard your footsteps much earlier than I would have if you were telling me the truth." He turned and started to walk away. "And try not to talk to yourself when you're planning something. Someone is likely to hear you snooping around. Especially since sound carries rather well amongst stone surroundings."
"Yes, sir." Ada wanted to argue. She wanted to turn him around and strangle him, really. She held her tongue, knowing that she'd only get in trouble more if she hadn't. Somewhat disappointed, Ada began to walk back the way she had come. I'll wait for tomorrow. She thought.
On her way up the stairs, she noticed Draco Malfoy talking to his two gorillas, Crabbe and Goyle. Maybe I don't have to wait.
"You!" she called, as she reached the top of the stairs. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle turned to look at Ada.
"What do you want, Alucinor? Tips on how not to get detention from Snape?" Draco cruelly smirked.
"No thank you. I'd prefer not to do 'favours' for Snape. I don't fancy him like you, bloody git. Besides, I'm not coming from detention." She held her gaze. Draco's smirk faded quickly. When he didn't respond, Ada continued. "What did you say to Ginny?" she asked, firmly.
Malfoy's cruel smile returned. "I made her cry, didn't I? And she can't afford to defend herself so she sends someone to do it for her. I believe asking if she paid you would be completely out of the question. Like I said, she can't afford to defend herself."
Ada's blood boiled with hatred for him. Her fists clenched.
"I'll repeat myself a little more slowly so your miniscule brain can comprehend my question. What...did...you say...to Ginny?" Ada now felt her nails, digging into her palms. Her face hurt with anger.
"I simply told her what she needs to hear. The truth." He glanced back at Crabbe and Goyle. They smiled and Malfoy chuckled coldly. Ada was clearly getting frustrated. He continued. "She's a pale carrot top who couldn't afford the famous Harry Potter's glance, at the least, even if she wasn't dirt poor."
Ada felt all the anger in her drain to her fists. She pulled her arm back and then -- BAM! Draco knelt on the floor, holding his nose. It was Ada's turn to smile coldly. She saw Draco's eyes watering from the blow.
"Aw. Did I make you cry?" she asked, her voice still showing anger. Crabbe helped up Draco while Goyle started at Ada.
"Don't move one more step, monkey boy. This is between Draco and me." Ada held up her hand to halt Goyle.
Malfoy held back Crabbe and Goyle. "You'll get yours, Alucinor," he said, still choking through the punch. "You and all your pathetic friends!"
Ada's arm flung back once again and catapulted forward, landing her fist hard on Draco's face. She hit his eye this time.
"I'll get Professor Snape," Goyle fumbled quickly. Crabbe, not sure of what to do, followed him. Ada was left with Malfoy, his eye already swelling. She stared at him. Malfoy stuttered.
"When I --"
"When you see Ginny again, you will apologise," Ada finished for him. He looked at her as if her command was ridiculous and unheard of. "If you don't want another black eye and a busted jaw to go with that swollen nose, you'll do it," she added.
Echoing off the dungeon walls, came the anxious mumbles of Crabbe and Goyle, frantically explaining the situation to Professor Snape. Ada glanced back at the staircase, then back at Malfoy. She gave him a look of warning and quickly walked away. She could hear him faintly talking to himself.
When she had reached a corner at the top of the stairs, she peeked out behind it. She saw Malfoy painfully poking at his nose. Snape emerged from the dungeons with Crabbe and Goyle clinging to his arms.
"Where is Ms. Alucinor, Draco?" Ada heard him ask. Draco glanced up towards Ada and open his mouth. Ada thought for sure that he would tell on her.
"She already left. She's probably in her common room by now."
Ada's mouth feel open in astonishment. She blinked with surprise. Malfoy took one last look at her and started to answer the questions Snape was asking. Ada, very confused, walked back to the Gryffindor common room.
