Title: The Myth of Innocence
Author: Catalina Royce
Disclaimer: These stories are based on characters and situations created
and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books,
Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made
and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Rating: R
The next day dawned bright and cheerful. However, Virginia, still down in the Chamber, didn't know that. She'd spent another sleepless night looking for a passage she knew existed, but didn't know where. Running her hands over the smooth stone with the sensitive pads of her fingertips, she paused as she hit a barely noticeable knob in the wall. Grinning, she pressed it harder, and watched as Salazar's shoe slid out of place, revealing over twenty different stone passages.
Virginia chose one and ran along it, smiling fondly as it twisted and turned. There was a steep slope, so, obviously, she was going uphill. A light ahead signaled the end of the tunnel, and a little lump of anticipation swelled as she wondered where this passage ended. The Hufflepuff Common room, it seemed. Thankfully, it was deserted. Virginia stepped out of the room through the wall-cum-hidden-door. She had no reason to worry about her paths being discovered – Salazar had invoked ancient magic to protect them. They were unplottable, and, unless one was specifically told the passageways were there.
The knowledge of the tunnels had been handed down through the Slytherin line; Tom had passed it on to Virginia when Ginny had been possessed. She'd never had a chance to use them before. She'd never had the inclination to use them before.
The clatter that many footsteps made on stone alerted Virginia that breakfast was over. A stream of Hufflepuffs glanced curiously at her, obviously wondering what she was doing in their corridor during breakfast time. She ignored them.
The first class of the day was charms. Flitwick commended her on her fine achievement; Virginia sneered. She respected none of his praise. The attitude was the same from all of the teachers, as was Virginia's reaction. It came as a great relief when Virginia's free period showed itself.
She spent it in the library, after snarling at several Hufflepuffs and checking out "Abio Draconus." Translated, it meant 'Dragon Spirit.' The book addressed several theorems on Potions. They were to do with the idea that souls could be harness and saved by Dragon's blood – as long as the Dragon was still alive. Each contained one dangerous poison – Such as Gympie blood – but no antidote. A grimace of distaste curled her lips, and her silent insults towards these people were interrupted by a male's, "So you're the bitch that the Hufflepuff's were talking about. I should have guessed."
Virginia looked up into Blaise Zabini's dark face. She'd have to be dead not to notice how handsome he was, but he wasn't really her type. Too dark, but at the same time too light. Cheerful. Her tastes ran to pensive men. Intelligent. Silent. "They whine about nothing; silly fools that they are."
"And here I thought that Gryffindors were nice to everyone but us of the Snake Pit." His lips twitched in derision, and his dry tone made clear what he thought of such niceness – and of Slytherin reputation.
"They are. I'm not." A wealth of knowledge passed through her tone. It was she that was a Slytherin. It was she that the Sorting Hat had acknowledged. Slytherin was her rightful place, but she was a Gryffindor.
Blaise sat down, flicking his hair out of his eyes. It flopped back again a second later, and she realized that an instant connection with this person was altogether too possible. In fact, it had already happened. 'Ah. So you're a hybrid – both lion and snake.' If only he knew, she thought dryly.
It was disconcerting when Ginny didn't answer her thought. All of a sudden her mind felt empty. The feeling of vulnerability made her angry. "No. I'm a Boggart." She emphasized her statement by snapping her book closed.
"You're my worst nightmare?" Asked Blaise, eyebrow rising to show his doubt.
She relaxed at his quick reply. "Obviously. Come on, we've got Potions." It was time to bring her mind under control.
Potions was much the same as the last lesson, only this time, instead of being rejected by both Gryffindors and Slytherins, those 'of the Snake Pit' – as Blaise called them – were, with Blaise's help, generally accepting. Generally. Two very obvious exceptions were Pansy Parkinson and Blaise's best friend, Draco Malfoy. Both showed their disgust and – in Malfoy's case – contempt of Virginia and her seating position. Virginia retaliated to their disapproval by smiling with saccharine sweetness at Pansy and openly flirting with Blaise. Blaise responded with a secret smile and a wink, showing he knew exactly what she was doing. As the time passed, Draco's sneer was replaced by a scowl of loathing. Virginia couldn't have been happier.
"Your friend dislikes me," she whispered with relish. She didn't need approval from such snobs. She was above them – she knew things that they could never know. She'd been through things they'd never dream of.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Blaise retorted, as he stirred St. John's Wort – the final ingredient - into their Pepper Up Potion. It was an anti-depressant, and healed scarring and tissues. Most house wives used it on cuts and scratches at home, as it was quite powerful on its own. "I'd say he absolutely loathes you."
"…and if Mr. Zabini and Miss Weasley have finished their conversation, class is dismissed." Virginia grinned at Snape's display of authority, and left the room, aware of Blaise behind her. Draco's scowl was boring holes into the middle of her back. She began to feel uncomfortable, then shrugged it off and continued walking.
"You're going to face the Lions then?" She raised an eyebrow in enquiry. "Dinner. And they," he flicked a meaningful glance towards the Dream Team, "are just waiting to pounce on you." He held up his hand, preventing Virginia's scathing speech. "I know you can handle them, probably better than I could hope to. However, it'd be more interesting for me if I could watch. And participate, at some point. Therefore, you should sit with me."
She smiled at him with approval. It seemed the Snake Pit welcomed her with open arms. At least, this snake did. And who was she to reject logic? Besides, doing so would set a cat among the pigeons. Something she'd always longed to do, but never could, with Ginny there. "Certainly. But only if you play your part well, and you find me a bed away from the Lion's Den.''
Blaise sunk to his knees in mock servitude. "For you, Milady, anything."
"For you, Milady, anything." The young man's head was bowed, and he was kneeling, his mop of wheat-colored hair falling over his face. He was attractive enough, she supposed, in a youngish way. He was eager, too, something that was always a novelty to her.
She widened her eyes, knowing the force of her beauty. Full lips coupled with an oval face and pure white skin gave her a haunting look of innocence. Men had carried that look with them until their dying day. "Anything? You would die for me then?"
The boy hesitated. He'd heard stories about this Countess. They said she was bloodthirsty. Insane. That she'd extract all promises from the men who courted her. But then, rumors and gossip were never true, were they? "Yes, Countess, I would."
The Countess sighed inwardly. Another fool trying to impress her. So many men came, all but the one who understood her. Pushing back the aches of loneliness, the Countess smiled and snapped her fingers, imagining the blood that would run from the boy's neck. Two guards rushed forward, looking slightly sickened by their allegiances to her. They knew what was coming. She smiled at them both. "He's going to die for me."
The boy looked around, his blue eyes running almost wild. The guards grasped his arms, and pulled him away. He screamed, knowing he was heading for the Tower. He was going to die.
Oh, how she wished she were in his place.
Blaise looked at Virginia with worry. She'd gone pale for a moment, eyes spinning out of focus, as if she were listening to something particularly disturbing. "Virginia?"
She blinked once, eyes finally concentrating on him. "Pardon? Sorry, I was lost for a moment. Dreaming, I suppose." Her laugh was a superficial laugh – her eyes were solemn and slightly worried. Perhaps something was wrong with her? No, Ginny was the only other person inside her head, and Ginny was currently defenseless. She had to protect Ginny – her morals wouldn't let her tell anyone about Ginny, not when Ginny was so little, so childlike. She wasn't old enough – mature enough – to deal with that.
So what was wrong here?