Chapter 31

From the last chapter:

Draco looked over at Araminta. "Okay, your turn, Araminta. Truth or dare?

31 (really this time)

Araminta got really nervous. What if he asked her a question she couldn't answer? Well, maybe she could answer the questions, but it wasn't like she could tell Draco Malfoy that he was her dad. He'd never believe her anyway.

"Um, okay," she laughed a little. "Dare, Draco."

Draco flipped back his platinum blond hair and his pale eyes went wide. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I want a dare," said Araminta, who felt suddenly bold.

"Okay, then," said Draco. "Araminta, I want you to go into the Forbidden Forest and bring back a toadstool to prove you were there. There are some purple ones that grow right on the very edge. Bring back one of those."

Araminta looked out of the dungeons window (she had to stand on a chair to look out of it, because it was just a little narrow one up near the ceiling). The sun was setting and long pink clouds were hanging in the sky. Pretty soon it would be dark. Maybe even before she got outside.

"Draco, are you sure it is safe?" asked Araminta fearfully.

Draco sneered. "You're part Gryffindor, aren't you? Yeah, I think it's safe. You only have to go in a couple of feet." His stormy gray eyes grew calm and he looked around to make sure nobody was listening. "I feel like you're my sister or something. I wouldn't let you go anywhere dangerous."

Araminta smiled and Draco smiled back.

"Okay. I'll go get a purple toadstool for my dare!" said Araminta. She got up and pulled her green and gold robes tight and made sure that her hair was in a tight braid down to her knees. "I'll be right back!"

"I'll be waiting right here," said Draco, looking bored.

Araminta walked out of the Slytherin common room and into the hall. She walked up the stairs and out the front door, closing it behind her.

By now, only a little bit of light was left and it was damp and chilly. A little bit of rain was falling and everything was slippery. Araminta suddenly wished that she had her bodyguard and personal house-elf, Bollocksy, there to help her. It was a long way across the slippery, wet grass to the entrance of the Forbidden Forest.

Then Araminta laughed. This was an easy dare. She had figured out the whole thing.