Chapter Sixteen

Matthew Lysander

"I did." The sixth year that I'd seen take the Gaudium berry stepped forward.

"And why would you be interested in where I go during the day?" I asked forcefully. The Slytherins were dividing between us, like the sea before the religious Muggle Moses, creating a clear space between us.

"Wouldn't everyone like to know though…" He said. I frowned. Kerry had come to stand beside me.

"Right then, what do you think you know?" I asked. Matthew Lysander drew himself to full height and stepped forwards.

"One, there's something going on between you and Snape, meeting in the potions lab or his office on regular occasions. Two, you told him that it was a Slytherin who dealt with Weasley."

"He knew that already." I told him.

"So you admit?"

"No. He asked, and I remained impartial. Carry on, I'm sure there's more untrue things you can find."

"Three… The other night you weren't in the hospital wing. Snape wasn't here either, but there was some firework display over Hogsmeade. Four, your broom has been in the bottom of your trunk since the following evening, in two pieces and burnt by a spell so much that its irreparable."

"Keep talking Lysander." I said, reaching into my robes.

"You're just like your parents, a traitor, helping Voldermort with Snape!" I laughed. I drew my wand out from my robes and pointed it at him.

"No-one speaks about my parents as traitors. No-one!" I snapped.

"Elixa…" Kerry warned.

"Caecus!" I shouted, using the same blinding curse I'd used on the dark wizard. Lysander obviously didn't think I'd have the guts and suffered the consequence as he failed to cast any blocking curse. He clutched his eyes, falling to the floor.

"Now you really know how it is to be blind, not that you used your eyes for any good before."

"Elixa!" Kerry exclaimed, much more loudly.

"What?" I asked, "He deserved it!"

"Not as much as you will be deserving detention Miss Amethyst." Professor McGonagall said. She stood in front of Professor Snape, who'd obviously let her in. I felt myself drain of colour, and fear set in. Snape avoided my surprised look, and walked over to Matthew, who was still on the floor trying to work out why he couldn't see.

"Finite Incantatum." The professor muttered, and Matthew realised he could see again. I saw him open his eyes and stare at Snape's feet for a couple of seconds, before looking up at the Professor.

"Get up." Snape ordered.

"The two of you, outside now." McGonagall said, her Scottish accent no longer soft.

Snape's office was the nearest staff area and served as a place for both Professors to deal with both Matthew and me.

"In front of the whole of your house, what sort of example do you think you're setting? You know duelling is forbidden."

"With respect Professor, it was only Elixa who had her wand out." That's it Lysander, drop me in it.

"True Mr Lysander, but if you insist on provoking other students, you should learn the consequences." Snape spoke directly to us for the first time. He'd been quiet all the way through, letting the deputy headmistress deal with us. We were his own house, but he couldn't bring himself to deal with us. I suspected it was the conversation in the broomshed.

"Mr Lysander you will be informed of your detention later today, and you may leave now. Miss Amethyst you will remain here for the time being." I watched Matthew go out of the corner of my eye, shooting a grin at me. He'd won, provoked me and got what he wanted. Humiliation and trouble for me, the creep.