Chapter Four
"Poison you?" James said incredulously. "C'mon, Elle, get real."
"You heard Madam Pomfrey!" Noelle indignantly stated. "She said it wasn't just regular old food poisoning; it wasn't like fungus or anything. It was a man-made poison that someone must have put in there."
"How would this so-called food poisoner know where you were sitting?" James asked.
"It couldn't have been someone out of the school," Noelle said softly. "It had to be someone who knew where I sit every mealtime. We always sit in the same seat, you and Ian next to each other and me across from you."
"I think you're being paranoid," James said. "It's silly to think that anyone would want to poison you. What would be their motive?"
"I don't know, that's why I ran the theory past you!" Noelle hissed angrily. "Why would I suddenly become Public Enemy Number One? Why would someone feel the need to disable me?"
"Maybe they were in Slytherin and knew about your unbeatable Chaser skills and so they decided to stop you."
"Shut up, that's so stupid," Noelle said. "Quidditch season doesn't start until mid-November. It's not even Halloween yet, James."
"So what you're saying is that someone inside this school who attends mealtimes regularly tried to poison you but got Ian instead?"
"Exactly."
James stared at her as she sat across from him. It was nearly ten at night but they were both awake, the only two in the Common Room. Both still hadn't changed out of their regular clothes into their pajamas. Right after classes had ended, both of them had gone to visit Ian in the Hospital Wing. He had been asleep but had woken up later and they made some talk. Ian asked James to bring him all his work so he wouldn't have to work extra hard to make things up. He had been told about the poisoning and his parents had been informed. Dumbledore had asked them to come the next morning when students were at classes so they wouldn't cause a commotion and start a hunger strike at Hogwarts.
The kitchens were being searched as well. The house elves were being questioned about suspicious characters in the kitchen.
Ian had been feverish and clammy when they had visited him. His bright red hair contrasted fiercely with his pale skin. His freckled stood out and his blue eyes were glazed over as he tried to make conversation. As James and Noelle had left the Hospital Wing, they had seen Madam Pomfrey wheeling out an IV.
"Having to resort to Muggle medicine," she was muttering angrily. James and Noelle exchanged a surprised look before they left.
"Jamie," Noelle said, "this isn't just some accident. Someone went out of their way to poison me and now Ian's in the Hospital Wing on an IV!" She stood up, pacing, then flopped down on the sofa. "James…I'm scared for Ian."
"Me too, Elle," he said, sitting next to her. They were quite, staring into the empty fireplace. James stroked her hair lightly. Ever since Noelle was little, whenever someone touched her hair gently it made her become warm and sleepy. Her head was heavy feeling and she slumped against James, closing her eyes and burrowing herself deeper into his side. He smelled of clean laundry and a hint of comforting sweat. Slowly, her cheek resting against his chest, she fell into a light sleep where she was aware of her surroundings but if someone were to call her name, she wouldn't have answered.
His cotton shirt was soft against her face and she relaxed into him.
James was awake, continually stroking her hair and smelling her scent: a mixture of flora and something else—something clean. Her hair was soft and smooth in his fingers. He felt her body go limp and she was comfortable against him. James had known Noelle since they were in diapers, practically. They had been born on the same day, although in different countries. Noelle was a few hours older than James, however. James was born at L'adore Maison, the name Ginny Weasley has given to their house; French for Love House. Ginny was known to walk around the house at night, creeping into her children's bedrooms and whispering, "Je t'aime. I love you." She would kiss them goodnight and leave, knowing they were awake but pretending to be asleep. L'adore Maison was in England, a large sprawling house in Cornwall.
Noelle had been born in Los Angeles at a hospital, then taken home to Veritas House. Hermione called it that because she never lied to her daughter and she never intended to. In that house nothing was held back but whenever James visited, he always felt that Hermione was under a great weight of a great lie. He didn't discuss this with Noelle or Ian, preferring to keep it to himself. He didn't want to accuse Noelle's mother of lying to anyone since their house was, after all, Latin for truth.
Noelle nuzzled deeper into James and her light animal breathing calmed him. Her theory had frightened him because it seemed to be the thing that everyone was thinking. He had been denying it to keep himself from worrying. What if she was right and someone had been trying to poison her? Now their best friend and James's cousin was in the hospital because of a goblet of pumpkin juice. James looked down at Noelle.
Who in the world would want to hurt her?
In the morning, Noelle found herself in her own bed. She remembered last night, how she had fallen asleep on James. How had she ended up here?
"James had me bring you up when I went down to get more water," Silver said. "I floated you up." Noelle obviously hadn't hidden her confusion well enough.
"Thanks, Silver," she said.
"No problem," Silver said. "Do you know how hard that would have been if we were Muggles?"
"If we were Muggles, James would have simply carried me up here," Noelle said, getting up and glancing at the clock. It was nine fifteen. She hadn't forgotten her date with Clion. She took a very hurried shower and dried her hair with magic, then dressed in a white tank top with a cream-colored net sweater over it and a knee-length grey skirt. She wore tiny black Mary Janes on her feet and stared at herself critically in the mirror.
"Going on a date?" Amy teased. Elisabeth stopped brushing her hair to look at Noelle.
"No!" she said. Noelle nodded, grinning slightly as she applied another dot of foundation to cover up her zit which had gotten smaller since yesterday. "Really?" Elisabeth smiled, nodding. "We all thought you were a lesbian!"
"I'm not a lesbian," Noelle said, pulling her hair back to see how that looked. She frowned and then shook it back where it was loose.
"Obviously," Elisabeth said.
"Who is he?" Silver asked.
"Clion Snape," Noelle replied quickly.
"What?" the four other girls said simultaneously.
"He doesn't talk!" Hannah hissed.
"He does too," Noelle replied. "You just need to prod him a bit." She checked herself over one last time and then left, saying, "See you later."
She didn't find James in the Common Room so she assumed he was in the Hospital Wing. She checked her watch. With ten minutes left until ten o'clock, Noelle went to the Hospital Wing. James wasn't there. She visited for a little while with Ian, then his parents arrived.
"Thank you, Noelle," Lavender said, hugging Noelle. "Thank you for keeping him company." Ron hugged Noelle as well but didn't say anything.
"I'll bring you something from Hogsmeade," Noelle said as she left. "Bye, Ian."
Ian lifted his hand in farewell as she left.
Clion was in the Entrance Hall, leaning against the wall and looking as slick as ever. He was wearing a white t-shirt with: IVY emblazoned on it in red lettering and faded blue jeans, vintage-looking sneakers on his feet. He brightened considerably when he saw her coming down the stairs. "Hello," he said first which surprised her. She was normally the first one to talk.
"Hi," she replied. "Ready to go?" He nodded and they set off across the grounds. It was a brilliant day with a crisp breeze but not enough to chill anyone.
"Nice weather," Clion commented. She nodded, wondering if he was trying to be charming. She decided she liked him when he talked as well. "How's your friend?" This took her aback even more than his odd behavior.
"How do you know about Ian?" she asked.
"Are you kidding? Everyone knows about Ian," Clion said. "Is he any better?"
"I'm not sure," she said. "I visited him right before I came down here; we didn't discuss his condition." They flashed their school IDs at Filch, who crossed off their names on the list. Slowly, they headed down the road towards Hogsmeade. "It's a bit scary," she confided. "I'm scared for him."
"Scared for him? Why? He's a big boy; he can take care of himself," Clion said.
"Apparently, he can't," Noelle said, slightly angry. "I mean, he got sick, didn't he? And now's he's in this terrible condition where he can't eat anything and he's on Muggle medication."
"Muggle medication?" Clion was confused.
"They put him on an IV," she said. He looked even more confused. She was frustrated at how ignorant Wizarding people could be. "It's a thing that they stick in your veins to keep you from getting too dehydrated."
"Ah, I see," he said. "Muggle medication means bad news."
"Not necessarily," she said. She couldn't believe that on her first date with this guy she was talking about such a depressing subject. She fell silent.
"You don't want to talk about this, do you?" he said.
"No," she said. "Would you like a drink or something?" She indicated towards the Three Broomsticks that they were passing on the road.
"Actually, I need to send an owl," he said. "Long-distance, you know. I can't use one of the school owls for that." She nodded and they went to the post office where Clion selected a large grey owl to send his letter. When he was done, he said to her, "Did you want a drink?"
She laughed. "Not at all." They continued walking, entering Zonko's Joke Shop. Noelle always felt a bit like a traitor whenever she set foot in here; there was now a Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes right down the road. Fred and George Weasley had franchises all over the world now and Noelle appreciated that. They went into Honeydukes and Noelle bought chocolate for Ian. As the cashier wrapped up her chocolate, she felt Clion's warm breath on her neck and shivered, goosebumps sprouting along the length of her spine.
Then they went into Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes and she and Clion had fun looking at all the merchandise. She bought a few things for Ian and then her and Clion wandered around Hogsmeade until it was three o'clock. Clion looked at his watch for a long while, Noelle watching him, puzzled.
"I think we should be heading back," he said.
"Sure," she said. They walked back up the lane. Noelle then realized that she hadn't seen James all day today. She wondered where he was but didn't press the matter in her mind. He probably met up with a girl and went to Hogsmeade with her.
Filch checked Noelle and Clion back in and they went into the Entrance Hall together. There was an awkward silence.
"I had a nice time," Noelle finally said. "I had fun today."
"Likewise," Clion said. That was all he would say.
"Well, I'll see you around," Noelle said. "I have to get all these things to Ian." She gestured towards her shopping.
"Right," Clion said. "Later." They separated and Noelle headed up to the Hospital Wing. She found James sitting in a puffy chair by Ian's bed. Ron and Lavender were nowhere to be seen. Ian was talking to James when Noelle came in.
"Hi," Noelle said, setting her packages at the end of Ian's bed. She looked at James. "Where have you been today?"
"I was with Ian and his parents all day," James said, a slight accusing tone in his voice. Noelle thought it was unfair of him to blame her for not staying when he knew she had a meeting with Clion.
"What's wrong with you?" Noelle said, taking a seat.
"Why didn't you stay here?" James said, nearly snarling.
"James, shut up," Ian said. "Elle had a date today, remember?"
"With a Slytherin," James said. "Fraternizing with the enemy, are we?"
"The enemy?" Noelle said sharply. "Whose enemy? Mine or yours?"
"Both," James said. "He probably felt you up and you let him."
"James!" Ian exclaimed. "Shut the hell up, man? What are you saying?"
Noelle looked coldly at James. "Yes, James, what exactly are you saying? That I'm a slut?"
James blushed but kept his mean demeanor up for show. "How would you rather spend time with him than with Ian, your sick friend?" Ian was incredulous by this point.
"James, you bastard, shut up," Ian said. The packages lay unwrapped at the foot of the bed.
"I had a date already planned," Noelle said. "I brought Ian back something and I visited him this morning. I think that counts for something."
"Yeah, a five minute visit counts for something really special," James snarled.
"Enough!" said a voice. All three teenagers looked up. Harry Potter and Ron were standing there. Ron had permanent worry lines but Harry looked incredibly angry.
"James, were you saying something to Noelle?" Harry directed toward his son.
"No, nothing," James muttered.
"Implying that someone is a slut is not nothing," Harry said. "Are you aware of what you said?"
"No, Harry, don't bother," Noelle said. "I'm out of here." She made to leave but Harry grabbed her arm. She looked up at him questioningly and he smiled gently down at her.
"You've become taller," he said. She shrugged.
"Just a little," she replied.
He gave her a hug, whispering, "He didn't mean it, you know." She nodded, threw a nasty glance at James and stormed out of the Hospital Wing. She half expected James to follow her, to apologize for everything he'd said but he didn't and she didn't really want him to. James was proud and apologizing to her would break his pride. Noelle blew her bangs away from her face. She had nowhere to go. She wondered where Megan was but didn't have the faintest idea where she could find the Ravenclaw best-friend and spill to her about everything James had said.
So quickly she ran up to her dormitory, emptied her bag of all her books and threw in her new book project Echo by Francesca Lia Block. Along with that she pitched in her CD player with the mix CD Seneca had made her called Counting Stars, a notebook and her pencil bag. At the last minute, she tucked her wand into one of the front pockets. She fastened the bag and headed to the library where she knew she'd find security.
Seated in her usual corner, she took out her notebook and a pen and began to write. One page filled up quickly so she turned it over and started on the other side. That page filled up as well and slowly but surely she wrote nearly ten pages until she was aware that someone was watching her. She glanced up and saw Tristan Malfoy standing at the fiction shelf, staring at her.
"Are you stalking me?" she said sharply.
"One would think so," he replied, "but no, Granger, I'm not stalking you."
"Then why do you always end up where I seem to be?"
"Ever think that maybe you might subconsciously be stalking me?" he suggested.
"Ever think that maybe you subconsciously want me to stalk you?" she said. He grinned and she felt a wave of revulsion rise up inside her chest. "Ugh. You're sick." She started to get up but he stopped her.
"No, Granger, do whatever you were doing," he said. "Don't let me stop you."
"I'm not," she said. "I'm going somewhere where you aren't."
"Always so cold to me, Granger," he said. "Always so mean."
"And yourself?" she sneered. "Mr. Ice King, kiss my ass."
"Why do you hate me, Granger?" he said to her, stepping closer. She felt angry.
"Why do you hate me, Malfoy?" she asked.
"I asked the question first," he said.
"Does that matter?" They both sighed in defeat. Noelle knew she could never answer that question because if she did, it would make her sound like a prejudice asshole. She only hated Malfoy because that was what she taught to do. Her mother hadn't like Draco Malfoy when they were in school together and that carried on into Noelle. She carried the Malfoy prejudice like a torch lighted inside her. She didn't hate him because he was rich or a Pureblood or even a womanizing jerk (okay, maybe she hated him a little for that); she hated him because he was a Malfoy. She hated him because he called her a "half-breed" and made her angry; she hated being angry. It was like having a drink with her; she could get drunk on anger and lash out at anyone, like she had at James and Ian a few weeks ago. Like James had lashed out at her today.
Malfoy, in fact, didn't hate Noelle Granger by any means. His rebellious attitude towards his father would have required him to be friendly towards Granger and her two dim-witted Gryffindor morons and, of course, the Ravenclaw punk girl. Tristan Malfoy was intimidated by Noelle Granger. Noelle was smart, athletic and gorgeous, he admitted that. She had an acid tongue that had left several people speechless when she spoke to them. She was lusted after although she didn't know it. Noelle had friends that cared about her whereas Tristan's friends were just mere acquaintances. His only real friend—and not even friend at that, more like confidant—was Clion Snape and Noelle was interested in him.
Clion never talked about his relationship with Tristan, although the thought of them dating amused him. Noelle didn't know about it and Clion wanted to keep it that way.
"God, every time we talk to each other, it always ends up becoming another battle," she said, threw her things in her bag and got up to leave but he couldn't let her leave. He leaped and fastened his hands around her wrists.
"Let go!" Noelle demanded. "Let go of me, Malfoy!"
"Answer the question, Granger," he softly to her. She nearly spat at him but thought better of it. What if he hit her? She acted tough but if any man hit her, she knew she'd break.
"No," she said. "I want to leave now."
"You want to answer it, don't you?"
"All I want is for you to release me," she said in a fierce whisper, staring up at him, her eyes brimming with loathing. He leaned in closer to her, his lips brushing her earlobe. She felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn't believe it. How could her body betray her like this?!
"Noelle," he whispered into her ear, his warm breath sweeping against her earlobe and neck like a soft zephyr, "answer the question."
"I…" She nearly choked talking. "…can't."
"Don't deny yourself what you want to do," he whispered.
"I'm not," she replied, trying to put an edge to her voice but it wouldn't come. Where was her voice? She was furious at herself but that anger was deep inside her. She couldn't feel anything at the moment.
"Really?" he said, releasing her wrists. She didn't move. His eyes were boring into her. She couldn't hold her anger any more. It slipped away, trickling from her hands like water.
He bent his head and gently brushed her lips with his. She closed her eyes, all senses leaving her. He teased her gently before he put his mouth full on hers and deepened the kiss. His tongue taunted her mouth open and he entered her mouth without delay, her own tongue battling him. He felt like he was drinking her in, a perfect wine that he had wanted to taste as a child but had only gotten the chance to now. It was a good wine. His hands lifted her up from her waist to gain better access of her mouth.
Her nerves were screaming. She grabbed his shoulders to balance herself, then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled her body into his. He felt her moan in his mouth and longed to continue the kiss but they both needed to breathe. He pulled away from her and set her down. Her eyes opened and they conveyed two feelings: disbelief and betrayal.
"Shit, Granger, I'm sorry," he said. But he wasn't as he walked away, leaving behind a very confused seventeen-year-old girl.
Noelle walked back to her dorm in a daze. She couldn't even think about anything else but what had happened in the library.
I made out with Tristan Malfoy! She screamed at herself. Oh my God, I just kissed the Ferret's offspring! Oh my God!
She fell into bed and closed her eyes, letting out a breath of frustration. Her thoughts were whirling and she was still worried about Ian but she was even more worried about her feelings toward Tristan. She thought she hated him but with the recent events that had come up made her extremely confused. Hadn't she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back instead of pushing him away? She felt betrayed by herself. She rolled over, nearly crushing her bag underneath her. She sat up and emptied everything out of her bag and put all her school things back in it. She had homework to do but she didn't want to do it. Nonetheless, to keep her mind away from certain things, she finished her Arithmancy homework and started on her Potions essay before Silver and Amy came in and started chattering.
Noelle slammed her book shut and went down to the Common Room. James wasn't there, thank God. She was afraid that if she saw him, she might hit him. Last night when she had fallen asleep on him suddenly seemed very far away. She sighed and flopped down in a chair.
"Are you alright, Elle?" Molly's voice said. Noelle turned to see Molly sitting at a table, a book open in front of her and parchment spread out all over the table.
"Ugh, just tired," she said.
"Where's James?"
"Don't talk to be about him," Noelle said.
"Oh no."
"Your brother said some horrible things to me today," Noelle said.
"Dick." They both laughed and Noelle moved to the table, sitting across from Molly.
"What exactly are you doing?" Noelle asked, eyeing all the parchment.
"Trying to compose a letter to Mum," Molly said. "It's harder than you might think."
"Aye," Noelle said, nodding. "Interesting."
"Do you ever find it difficult to write to your mum?"
Noelle shrugged. "Sometimes," she said. "If I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing, I have to make sure that I don't mention it."
"Isn't that lying?" Molly said, her green eyes wide.
"She doesn't ask about it," Noelle answered. "If she asked about it, I'd tell her. But I don't tell her every detail of my life here."
"I see." Eyeing the parchment, Noelle suddenly remembered something. Snape's letter to someone named Hermione.
"Hey, Molly, can I use one sheet of parchment?" Noelle asked. "I think I'll write to my mum as well." Molly nodded, gesturing at the parchment. Noelle took a clean sheet, pulled a quill towards her, dipped it in the ink and began to write
Mum,
How are you? I hope things are okay in Veritas House. How's the book coming along? You haven't written in a while so I thought I'd write to you. Delicious needs a job, anyway.
It's becoming winter here. I'm imagining you wearing sunglasses every time you leave the house and going to the beach to write. I'll bet the water's cold but you see surfers there anyway. Can you still hear the dolphins? How is Seneca and her boyfriend? Well, I hope.
Ian got food poisoning and he isn't doing so well. Ron, Lavender and Harry are here to keep an eye on him. I fought with James today because I had a date with this amazing guy named Clion and he's a Slytherin and Professor Snape's son. Apparently, James thinks I'm fraternizing with the enemy, which is so stupid. There is no enemy.
Speaking of Snape…when I was in his classroom today, I saw a letter that began with: "Dear Hermione…" which was strange. Why is Snape sending you mail?
I'm good here. Have fun in L.A. and send me some pictures.
Love,
Elle
Noelle read over that, then folded it over and thanked Molly for the parchment and quill. Molly was writing furiously and didn't hear Noelle.
Noelle stood up and left the Common Room, heading for the Owlery. She climbed the winding staircase and entered. It was nearly nine o'clock but Delicious was still asleep. "Delicious," Noelle said gently. The owl was awake instantly, fluttering down to a lower perch. "Hey Delish," Noelle said, stroking him. He nipped her affectionately. She quickly took the letter and tied it to the owl's leg.
"Take this to Mum, alright?" she said. "She's at Veritas House." Delicious landed on her shoulder, gave her a reassuring squeeze with his talons and swooped out the window. She watched him go, then went back down the stairs. She went into the Common Room where James was sitting with Molly.
"Oh. It's you."
"You sound disappointed," James said.
"Believe me, I am," she said, mounting the first step to her dormitory.
"You talk like that with Malfoy, not me," James said, sounding sad.
"You behaved exactly like Malfoy today," Noelle replied. Although you didn't kiss me like a god.
"And how was that?"
"You were volatile and mean," she said. "I don't want to speak with you right now, James."
"Elle—"
"No way." She ran up the rest of the stairs and found her roommates playing cards down on the floor in front of the empty grate. She sighed and sat in her bed until Silver's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Do you want to play, Noelle?" Silver asked. Noelle stood up, studying them. Then she smiled.
"Sure."
Author's Note: I thought it was about time that Tristan and Noelle finally DO something rather than exchange insults. So I made them kiss and it's all cool. Now Noelle's confused about a lot of things. James is finally mean, thank goodness for that. This chapter kind of strayed away from the suspense at the end of three but I promise the next chapter will shed more light on that.
Fae