A/N: Hello Everyone!
I just want to quickly thank everyone who reviewed chapter 20! All those lovely reviews were just what I needed to get going on this chapter!
Chantal J: Thank you so much for the lovely compliment:) I hope you find this chapter to your liking. Thank you for always reviewing; I really do appreciate it.
The Grim: Thanks so much for reviewing! And not to worry, Kaida is not the type to go down without a fight;)
Starcatcher-Girl: First of all, Welcome to my little story! I'm always glad to see new readers. Thank you so much for reviewing! I hope you'll continue to do so.
WotcherTonks: Thank you for continuing to be such a faithful reviewer! I don't think I can put into words how much you all mean to me. I thank you for all the kind comments and compliments. I hope that you will continue to read and review! (oh! And not to worry, there will be a Remus/Kaida scene coming up...not in this chapter...but soon!)
richellebelle10: Another new reader! Welcome! Welcome to my little story! Pull up a chair! I just want to thank you for reviewing and thank you for the lovely compliments! I hope you will continue to read and review! I love hearing from my readers.
jojo: Hello jojo! Welcome to my little story! I'm glad to have you aboard! Thank you for reviewing! I hope you will continue to do so; I look forward to your comments on this chapter and subsequent ones:)
pirate grlEe: Welcome to my story, pirate grlEe! Thank you so much for the lovely review and the generous compliments! I hope you'll continue to read and review.
Neoma: I am honored that you think so highly of me! If anything I should be asking YOU for lessons! You are a marvelous writer, so full of talent and passion; it's truly inspiring! I doubt I have the talent (much less the stamina) to write an entire book...you on the other hand, look destined to.
Titou Moony ;-P: Thank you for reviewing! I hope I managed to clear up some of your confusion. Terribly sorry about the poor translations of those emails...I unforetunately do not speak the romantic language of french...sigh if only I did! Anyways, thank you again for continuing to read and review!
Countess Vladislaus Dragu: Welcome, Countess, to my meager story! I hope you will find it to your liking! Thank you so very much for reviewing! I hope you will continue to do so.
The Parrot has ceased to be: As usual, you are correct; the Slytherin who doused Bulbotuber Pus on the Hufflepuff was not Pansy. I am sorry about the cliffhangers...the chapter has gotten so long that the only places that seem to be appropriate chapter endings are cliffies. Terribly sorry! I will try to refrain from doing so in the future (no promises though) :P Thank you for reviewing! I hope you'll continue to do so:)
Dark Vampiress: Thank you! I was hoping you would all notice that. I am doing my best to write this fanfic so that it runs along the original story; crossing in places to create an air of possibility...that perhaps Kaida did exist and that Rowling simply forgot to mention her;) Here's hoping that I will be able to pull it off! Again, thank you! Hope you will continue to read and review:)
EyesofEmerald: I am always flattered when gifted writers (such as yourself) take time out of their busy schedules to read and review my pitiful little chapters! Thank you! Thank you for everything!
Aerlalaith: There is really no need to apologize. The fact that you are taking the time to read my story and review is more then enough for me...if anything I should thank you for doing so! Thank you! Thank you! I hope you mean 'strange' in a good way....I know it is odd to see Kaida this way. But that is somewhat my intention. I wanted to show a different side of Kaida, the side that allowed her to survive in Slytherin. I wanted to give her a bit more dimension as a character. Anyways, I'm rambling....Thank you for reviewing! I hope you'll continue to do so!
dragonsgrl (lilyfan): I love your new pen name! And thank you so much for reviewing! I hope you will continue to read and review!
Thank you one and all for reading, and for patiently waiting for this chapter! I hope that you will find that it was well worth the wait. Now with out further ado, Chapter 21.
Thank you all again!
Ninde Annare
P.S. A note to my silent readers: Please, if you are enjoying this story, review. I would love to hear from you; whether it be good or bad. Thank you.
Chapter 21:
They circle me; their eyes starved of sympathy. I stand before them, out numbered but not out witted. I know this game. I've played it before. This is a game of retribution, my cries of defeat: their prize.
This game is simple in its rules, the true challenge comes in their application-it is all in the execution. A simple slip of the tongue can cost you dearly; for in this game we are only as strong as our words. It is the verbal equivalent of chess; we battle with our words until our opponents are reduced to little more than emotional masses. Rarely is this game fought alone, as that goes against a Slytherin's nature-this game embodies the essence of my house.
This game calls upon all the virtues prized by Slytherins: a strategical mind, a strong character, and most importantly, a cold heart. This game is not to be taken personally; it is a game of restraint and patience. It requires the participants to maintain composure-to resist the allure of striking back. It is when one player gives into their instincts that the game is lost-it is when one player falls victim to their emotions that they fall.
I must admit that this game is one that I thoroughly enjoy. The exchange of words, the slinging of insults, the witty banter-this game brings out the best, as well as the worse in people. I enjoy seeing people at their most base moments, to see them before me as emotions tear through their body. I find it all so…Invigorating!
Emotions are so foreign to me. To be able to examine them displayed before me in their purest form is amazing. Perhaps it is a need to live vicariously through them…to be able to surrender to emotions… Whatever the reason, I find the stimulation to be wondrous.
I can feel my heart quicken with anticipation. I wait eagerly for it to begin-for the emotions to spill forth…for the chaos to ensue.
Parkinson makes the first move. She breaks the curvy path of intimidation to stand in front of me. Her lips curl into a wide smile, as smugness engulfs her once fearful eyes. "Fancy meeting you here!" Her voice reeks with mock-surprise.
"Indeed…though I doubt you would have had it any other way." I tilt my head in the direction of the two large boys to her left.
"Oh yes, how rude of me! Allow me to introduce to you my 'entourage', Crabbe and Goyle." Like trained dogs the boys step forward at the utterance of their names. "Come, come, boys! You mustn't be rude; shake the young lady's hand." Her smile widens to expose her canine teeth-an evil radiance playing upon them, as she leans over to whisper into my ear, "Enough of a challenge for you?! What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
Feigning a yawn, I bring my hand to my mouth-she winces at the sight of it. I can see the anger begin to build inside her. She glares angrily at me for inducing that momentary lapse of confidence in her-for striking the first blow. She signals for Goyle to step forth.
Obediently, Goyle extends his hand, a sneer upon his sullen face. I place my hand in his; I feel him quiver in the shadow of my icy claw. I stare up into his face as his massive hand clamps down onto mine. I feel the immense pressure of his grip as he embosses his callused hand upon my pale skin-as he tries to squeeze what little life remains in my manus. Had I mortal hands they would have surely been reduced to little more then a pile of flesh and dusted bones. Fortunately, within the porcelain finish of my hand beats a heart of steel.
With a look of eerie calm upon my face, I return the gesture. I begin to bring my fingers in, as I wrap my hand around his. I feel him struggling against the bonds of my hand; but like a snake with its prey ensnared in its coils, I have no intention of letting go. As I said earlier this is a game of intimidation, not one of mutilation; I have no intention to harm Goyle, I merely want him realize that in this game his brute strength is no longer an asset.
I watch as the sneer upon his face melts into a look of utter bewilderment. I smile pleasantly at him, as though it were quite common for one to triturate the hand of an acquaintance. Finally, his hand grows still as he is thrown into a stupor. In response to his surrender, I release him from my grasp. Pulling his now unfettered hand to his chest, he stumbles back-a look of fear and confusion upon his face. The corner of his left eye twitches with what I can only assume is nervousness.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." I continue to hold his gaze with my own, thoroughly enjoying the effect of my smile upon his shocked face. He opens his mouth in response but no words escape his lips. The first pawn has fallen.
I turn to face Crabbe; my hand extended, all the while smiling sweetly. A look of panic washes over his pudgy face as I move towards him. His beady eyes dart to his broken comrade, as he continues to back away from my awaiting hand. Pansy grabs hold of his collar, twisting it in her fist as she pulls him down to her height. "What are you doing?!" She hisses threateningly. Like Goyle, Crabbe appears to have lost his ability to speak as he feebly shakes his head.
"Perhaps he's just shy…"
With an icy glare she hisses, "Perhaps…" Desperately trying to maintain her composure she releases Crabbe. Dumbfounded, Crabbe retreats to the flank of their cortege- trembling in the wake of my smile. And yet another pawn has been overcome.
"I see you haven't learned a thing from our last encounter…" I say with a sigh, my voice heavy with ersatz concern. With her confident exterior rapidly crumbling at the loss of her myrmidons, I fear that this game has grown stale. There really is no point in dragging it out. I take another blow at her decaying façade of aplomb, hoping to perhaps induce a final struggle from her, "Dull-witted girl, aren't you?" She glares at me, but continues to say nothing. Somewhat disheartened by her sudden loss of insolence, I take my coup de grace. I only need her to lose control, for her to give into her base instincts. I have no intention in harming her physically; I merely want to bruise her ego-I only want to prove my point. With that, I move towards her, as I tell her in a hushed voice, "Perhaps I should refresh your memory…"
She flinches at the sound of my steps; I hear her whimper softly as I close in on her now trembling form. "Do you know who I am?!" She splutters, as though her identity could keep me at bay.
"Should I care?"
"I'm Pansy Parkinson! Daughter of Adrian Parkinson and Jesimae LaRouse." She brandishes her pedigree, hoping perhaps to subdue me with her family's social status. I look at her with disinterest. In desperation she grabs hold of the blond boy; pulling him to her side, "And this is Draco Malfoy! That's right! Malfoy! Lucious Malfoy's son! Not so cocky now are we?! Scared, are you?!"
"Hardly. It seems to me that you don't understand the full implications of the events you have set into motion. You've crossed me for a second time this evening-despite my warnings…" I pause in mock-bemusement, "Perhaps I should speak more slowly...."
Parkinson is beside herself with rage, forgetting her fear she screeches, "How dare you! I've never been so…"
Growing weary of this venture, I try to bring it to a swift close, "Inane? Yes, I was rather surprised as well. To think that someone of your…intelligence, could ever manage to worm your way into Slytherin; it's mind boggling…"
"Are you implying that I am stupid?"
"Very good. Now that we're on the same page, perhaps you'll be able to take part in this conversation. I've been getting rather tired of carrying it all on my own…"
Her face burns with an angry blush as her mind works frantically to think of a response, "You think you're so smart! But you're not! You're just…" Her eyes dart from one face to the next; searching for inspiration-for an invisible implement of insult. Moments pass, with her slow wit becoming more obvious with each passing second, she takes a desperate strike, "...just…a bully!"
I am caught completely off guard by her rather ironic insult and for a moment I am at a loss. Quickly regaining my composure, I scramble to make up for lost ground, "I did not realize that quietly conversing was considered bullying. Did I scare you? For that was not my intent…"
"You didn't scare me!" She catches the folly of her words, seconds after almost uttering her surrender-of admitting that for a moment she had been frightened.
"Then what exactly have I done to warrant such a harsh accusation?" She stands before me, limbs trembling with anger. She opens her mouth to utter another insult but no words manage escape her lips. She stands positively convulsing with anger, her mouth agape, flushed with rage, completely flustered. The queen has fallen.
Malfoy, who has done nothing to stop my onslaught of his comrades, steps forward. Shaking his head with what appears to be disgust, he ushers his underlings away, "Pansy why don't you just go to the feast? Crabbe! Goyle! Go with her." He flashes me a vexing smile, "I'll take care of this personally."
He watches Pansy slink away, Crabbe and Goyle by her side; they soon disappear from view-swallowed up by the monstrous doors of the Great Hall. Malfoy turns to face me. I can feel his translucent gray eyes wash over my body-I shudder as I watch them move over me with an icy fluidity. Thoroughly disenchanted by his stare, I pull the front of my robes shut, denying his feasting eyes the glow of my skin. There is definitely something about this boy…something very unsettling… But I refuse to fall prey to the likes of this dark child. I cast a disinterested eye upon him; much to my surprise, he greets it with a sweeping bow.
"Draco Malfoy, at your service. And your name would be?" His voice is still young and fine. It carries beautifully through the empty halls-hanging in the air like the reverberations of a bell. But there is a coolness to his words; a detachment…it sends shivers down my spine…it ensnares my curiosity… Feeling my guard slip from me, I pull myself back into the game-I will not be made a fool by a child!
"Let's cut through the pleasantries Malfoy. I do have a feast to get to." I try to fill my words with the same numbness as his; making certain that he understands where I stand.
"All business aren't we? Well, if you insist; let's get on with it." That same vexing smile still plays upon his pale mouth. His smile is as enigmatic as his tone-though his lips curl in the same manner as most mortals' do when they smile, his lips seem to be lined with a villainous grace…a framework of wickedness. His eyes roam over my face, stalling at each of my unnatural features. His gaze soon falls upon my lips. He stares hungrily at them, as he licks his own. I feel the corner of my mouth recoil from his gaze, causing it to contort into an unintentional sneer. The welcoming allure of my face quickly melts away in the wake of my disgust. "Now, I'll be perfectly honest with you, I have no interest in 'fighting' for Parkinson's honor. The whole affair does not concern me; and I really do not see any point in pursuing the matter…however, for the purpose to maintaining allies I believe I will have to do something…" He grabs hold of my collar and pulls me towards him. "That is, unless you have something better to offer me… You know I would make a wonderful friend…" I mentally shudder at his words; my body, however, still remains relaxed and unscathed by his proposal. His face is mere inches from mine but I refuse to surrender to him.
Grabbing hold of his wrist, I pull his pale hand from the ebony of my robes. I cannot let the disgust I feel bubble over into my words-I must maintain a veneer of indifference or lose the game. His words are meant to distract me from my goal, to unnerve me…but two can play at this game. Pulling him forward, I whisper into his ear, "Though I do keep my friends close…I keep my enemies even closer…" With that said, I allow my body to brush briefly against his. I hear a moan catch in his throat as he quivers with arousal. The king has fallen.
Pushing him from me, I make my way towards the doors of the Great Hall. The look of confusion that momentarily rendered him speechless gives way to an intrigued smile. Turning back, I make certain that he understands his loss, "Oh and Malfoy, you should know that if another part of your anatomy should ever touch me again, I will have little recourse but to rip it from you."
"But of course. Until we meet again, my Shadow Lady."
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed that! I will update as soon as I am done writing chapter 22; so please be patient. For all my wonderful readers who have cannot put me on their author's alert list, if you would like to email me your email address I will be more then happy to email you the next time I update. Thank you again for reading! Now if you would be so kind as to click the review button I would be most thankful!
Ninde Annare