Don't get me wrong. I do like being here. Despite the usual quarrels and the piles of homework that McGonagall somehow expects us to complete in a matter of a night and six hours, I do like it here. Though Cordelia's shrill voice is something I wish I would never hear in my life again and Millicent just has to be aware of the silencing charm we've been putting everyday since first year so we could get a decent night's sleep. But it will be odd that in just two years (counting this one) that I probably will never see the Slytherin common room ever again. Never lie in this bed, never use the showers. I'll probably miss the showers the most. I swear, we must be near the source of wherever we get the hot water here. Unlike the other houses, which sometimes complain about the cold water, we have never had an instance of cold water in the entire history of Slytherin House. Actually, this is even noted in Hogwarts: A History. I've never read it, but I really don't need to. I could just ask Theo.
If you would believe it, Dad and I bonded over something. Yes, it's true. No joke. But it was rather odd. Remember that yo-yo I bought in Muggle London? Well, I was experimenting with that a few days ago. But I couldn't get it to work. It just…hung there. While I was trying the thing out, Dad was yelling at Wormtail over something. I think it was about how he got close to some place called "Privet Drive", but was nearly captured. Really pissed off Dad. But Dad has this thing about torture: he doesn't do any of it in front of me. Out of curiosity, I asked Bradley and he said that Dad didn't feel I should be learning dark torture curses yet. Dumbledore is a Legilimens and no doubt would check me. And if I tried to learn Occlumency, that would be suspicious.
Back to what happened. Dad was fuming and Wormtail just kneeling there trembling in fear really didn't help his mood. I'm beginning to think that someone should write a Death Eater handbook or something. Rule 1: Do not show defiance, but also don't show cowardice. It's a paradoxical rule, I know, but if those Death Eaters followed it, well then they'd be better off. So, Dad just grabbed the yo-yo out of my hand and – pow! – he nailed Wormtail in the head with it! It was bloody wicked! And then it went back to his hand, just like that! Turns out that Dad knows how to use a yo-yo because of his days at a muggle orphanage. He even taught me! Practicing on Wormtail, of course.
This could prove useful.
Well, we did the same thing we did every year to get me on the train. Bradley and I portkeyed to the station with no problems, wished me luck, and then left. Every year he shrinks my trunk to make it easy for me to just go on the train. Dad apologized for not coming, but it would create quite a scene if he did show up. Probably off plotting or something. He isn't at the house anymore, not wanting to put suspicion on Bradley, or myself, as well as looking for a more strategic place for a headquarters. But I'm on my own now, back at Hogwarts. FREEDOM!
It wasn't hard to find Theo at all. We did have an interesting run-in with an older man: Herman Corner. The great-uncle of Michael Corner apparently thought we were some old acquaintances of his: Celesta Arsenys and Artemis Nott. Do I really look that much like my grandmother? Seriously! We explained to him who we were, though he seemed slightly put out, he wished us luck on this year.
Together we boarded the train and went to our compartment. Yep. Our compartment. We always sit in the same compartment every year: the last one in the second car of the Hogwarts Express. Nobody ever sits there other than Slytherins. It's a sort of tradition. So, we weren't expecting anyone inside it. There I am talking to Theo, not really looking because of the said tradition, to sit in my customary window seat.
Needless to say, I was just as surprised to find myself in the lap of Harry Potter as he was.
I will not deny that it was very awkward.
After a few moments of argument, we allowed Potter to sit in our compartment. He looked pretty…off. It must have had something to do with that death Theo mentioned. His reasoning was that he wanted some time to himself without anyone "interrogating" him or inquiring about his health. Silently, Theo and I agreed that this would be a good opportunity. We let him stay, on the terms that he wouldn't cause trouble, his Gryffie friends wouldn't show up to bother us, and that he wouldn't discriminate against us. Definitely the last one, since Theo's dad is a Death Eater. And I am…myself. But he doesn't know that.
It was sort of uncomfortable at first, but Potter stayed quiet so Theo and I started talking about stuff again (minus the 'sensitive' areas, of course). After a bit, Potter started talking to us and, as much as I hate to admit it, he wasn't so bad. We actually had similar interests and even the same sense of cynical humor. After talking to him, I have to wonder why Potter isn't a Slytherin. And I could see Theo was wondering the same thing. But all in all, it actually, dare I say, fun.
May Dad never find this notebook.
Blaise showed up a few minutes later. As it turns out, we were right, he wasn't alright when he came in. Well, we weren't expecting much already. Our blue-haired friend has always been peculiar, but after spending a majority of the holiday with the Flemmings? He was nearly insane. But he came bursting in exclaiming how he couldn't take it anymore and how all of us needed to redo our hair. After babbling for a few moments incoherently, he told us a horrid tale of forced makeovers, frilly skirts, countless balls, and being stuck in a large isolated manor with only prissy pureblood girls for company. Then he did the same thing as Theo and Dad did when they saw my new look.
Guys.
In the end, he calmed down enough to do the yearly "Homework Check". That's when we give each other's essays to the person who is best at it. Which means that I get Charms and History, Theo has Transfiguration and Potions, and Blaise takes Arithmancy, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures. It was made slightly easier when Potter decided to participate. Between the three of us, we're good at DADA, but Potter is better at it than even we are.
But not by much.
But that is still saying something.
Yes, we were a delightful group of individuals in this compartment. The son of a Death Eater (Theo), the descendant of one of Grindelwald's most trusted generals (Blaise), and the daughter of the Dark Lord (me). Add in the Boy-Who-Lived and savior of the wizarding world, Harry Potter.
Mix and let sit for about a nine hour train ride.
Results may vary.
I don't know why but he seemed slightly happier when he was around us. It was fun and after we started we ate from the food cart, we had a large conversation over quidditch teams. Can you believe he likes the Chudley Cannons?! I mean, c'mon! They're losers! Theo, Blaise, and I are loyal Falmouth Falcons fans. They rule! He's probably spent so much time with Weasley that he doesn't know that there are better teams out there. I think we managed to get him to convert (yes, Falmouth Falcon fanship is a religion!).
After awhile, Potter fell asleep. Looked like he needed it, too, considering the shadows under his eyes. What made it uncomfortable was the fact that during a turn, Potter (who was leaning against the window) shifted. Towards me. Just fell to the side, his head falling onto my lap. He then mumbled something before going off to dreamland again.
You could imagine how this looked.
I am going to kill Blaise and Theo. You could tell from their perverted smirks what they were thinking. Granted, Theo said it all with, "Fraternizing with the enemy much, Maia?"
We decided to be the polite purebloods that we were (as if it mattered much) and let him sleep (on my lap) while we tried to work out a quiet conversation. I was going to show them the yo-yo trick, when who comes barging in?
Yep. Malfoy. And, being a Malfoy, he ruined everything.
First, he walked in all haughty-like, smirking. Asking for where I was, specifically. Which meant that he knew that I was the Dark Lord's daughter (I think I have some title of my own, but hell if I know it. It isn't as if I'm going to refer to myself in the third person. It might just be 'Lady'.). And that was not a good thing. Note to self: Obliviate Malfoy. Then, he…ogled me. Or maybe a better word is 'leer'. I wouldn't know; I'm not usually the object of most guys' attention. Or if I was, I wasn't very conscious of it. But I know that look. He gets it every time he sees a girl he likes.
My skin is crawling with disgust.
And if he thinks he's getting me, he's wrong. I would rather kiss a ferret before…
Bad analogy. Kissing Malfoy would be like kissing a ferret.
Or possibly worse.
Then he noticed that Potter was sleeping on my lap.
Priceless.
His face got this slack, shocked look. Then these two really light blotches of color appeared on his face. Yes, blotches. He's that pale. When I first came to Hogwarts (I had met Theo before, and Blaise on the train), Theo was swearing that Malfoy was albino. He isn't.
Malfoy started to rave about Potter and Slytherin pride as soon as he recovered from about five minutes of shock (Theo's acerbic wit brought him out of it). There's something about a prissy rich boy going on and on, that just wakes a person up. Yes, Potter woke up (he did later apologize for what he had done), but I guess he was a bit groggy, because he made no attempt to get up from my lap.
And let the crap hit the fan!
Then the little git started going on about how my dad was going to get Potter and everything, completely missing the more than obvious signs that Theo was making to shut up. Idiot. Then, to make things worse, the rest of Potter's stalkers showed up, making more of a scene. Apparently, they had been looking for him (since it was such a CRIME not to sit with them), but didn't think of searching the "Slytherin" compartments. Right. Ron Weasley, his sister Ginny (her real name is 'Ginevra, I think, but I'm not one to keep track of the Weasleys, now am I? There's too many of them and I have better things to do.), Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom. They started yelling at each other, all the while trying to drag Potter out of the compartment. Add in the fact that Potter's head was still on my lap and looked as if he didn't want to move. Good Circe. In the end, I got so mad I did the yo-yo attack at Malfoy and Weasley. One, they were annoying me, and two, they both gave me these…leers. But they still refused to leave, the whole lot of them. So, Blaise did the monkey trick.
Yep
That's right, the monkey trick. You can't beat it!
They all left in the end, including Potter, who was dragged away by those self-righteous Gryffindors.
Dinner was horrible. Firsties sorted, Dumbledore makes speech on what's forbidden and the dangers that Dad is posing to the magical world, yadda-yadda. Then we got to eat. My erstwhile favorite feast was ruined though. Malfoy decided to seat near us. He usually never does, but what do you know? He was leering at me again, which caused a full half-hour interrogation by Pansy. Halfway through dinner, Blaise got so annoyed by this that he literally dragged me out of the hall – Theo following. Like I'd be interested in some pampered rich boy that nearly fits all the qualifications of a stereotypical dumb blonde. Okay, I admit that Malfoy isn't really 'dumb' academically, but in a social situation, let's just say there is more to be desired. Blaise, though (or rather, we) did stop at the Gryffindor table to remind those annoying Gryffindors that ruined the train ride of the "monkey" trick. Weasley (both of them) looked as if they were about to blow. Not surprising. The female Weasley maybe dating Thomas, but she was clearly making moves on Potter. Not that Potter noticed at any rate, with people asking questions and Granger nagging at him to eat this and that.
It is this that makes me happy to be Slytherin. We mostly mind our own business unless we either need to or if we think it's a serious situation. We're the independent types.
Granted, we have a strange outlook on what is a 'serious situation'. To us, that is severe threatening, getting bullied, extreme (in the extreme sense) physical or mental injury, etc. We stick together…in a strange fashion.
But you could practically taste the anti-Slytherin prejudice in the air. From the Gryffindors, it wasn't particularly new. And the Hufflepuffs, since quite a few of the our house did not stand to honor Harry Potter at the End of Term feast in fourth year. It doesn't help that a majority of the house likes to make fun of the Hufflepuffs to begin with. But even the Ravenclaws were giving us evil glares! So-called House unity!
…Okay, I admit that we aren't the nicest group in the bunch, but it's the principle of the matter!
We're going to have to ask Steph about it. That's Amarantha Stephania Nott, Theo's little sister. We just call her 'Steph' and she prefers it. She's a Ravenclaw 5th year now.
Theo did notice that Dumbledore was looking at me oddly. Blaise and I are working out the "whys" to that. Is he putting two and two together? Probably. How else can he remain the headmaster of a school like Hogwarts? And there is that blasted resemblance. I have to watch myself. But it's hard not to look at him and be reminded that Samuel Corner called him 'Albie'.
Well, either way, we're going to have to find some way to give Potter back his Charms essay without being jumped by his friends or Malfoy.
Talk about "mission: impossible".
-Maia.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was in its usual tumult. Owls hooting to each other from their cages, cats wandering this way and that. The familiar sound of a boy looking for his toad. Everything horrifyingly normal.
If one discounted the incredible amount of security that was around. Aurors were stationed everywhere, observing everyone and asking a lot of annoyingly officious questions. Maia Knight smirked at the irony. All these precautions to keep Death Eaters from infiltrating Hogwarts, yet they had no idea that Voldemort's daughter was going to step on the train with no fuss at all. It was quite laughable really. Though no one knew that she was the Dark Lord's child. Only those that were trusted beyond all doubt were let in on that secret.
And to Maia Knight, that only applied to two people. Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini.
Bradley Kincaid towered above her (he was quite tall), the dark-haired man looking down on her with his typical expression of worry and concern. This was nothing Maia was unfamiliar with, Bradley had been her guardian and primary bodyguard for nearly her entire life. Though he was more like an overprotective older brother than those previously said titles. His face was graver than it ordinarily was, probably due to the fact that Voldemort had returned and had taken residence in his home for the entire summer. That was bound to get anyone more than a little stressed out. He had worn dark green robes, the ones that he rarely ever wore because it was a terror to clean. Bradley fiddled with his wand nervously, looking at the security with an openly worried eye.
She knew it was all an act. What better way to fool the security than by being openly conscious of them? He looked much like the other parents around the platform.
Maia stood unconcerned. She had a ticket, so they couldn't stop her from going if they tried. But she was very concerned with the glances that she was getting from boys. She wasn't used to this attention at all.
No…not exactly. She did admit that her curvy figure had attracted some notice before, but it wasn't shown as overtly as this! She shuddered in disgust. It was almost as if they were undressing her with their eyes. And she would like to stay dressed in her long blue denim skirt with a slit on the side, lightweight black leather jacket, and green t-shirt with her knee-high beige Timberland boots, thank you very much.
Perverts, the lot of them. Wait until they found out she was a Slytherin. That tended to keep people away.
"Do you have everything?"
"Yep, I'm all set."
"Good. Are you prepared for anything that could happen?"
"Yes. I know nothing about what Dad is doing and, as far as I'm concerned, I have no connection that I know of to him."
"Excellent. Though I know you're getting tired of hearing this…"
She sighed dramatically. "Be careful, I know. Dad said it to me about fifteen times before we left the house, twenty the night before also." The nearby parents gave Bradley the sympathetic look of: 'They always say that, but it never gets through their head, does it?'
"Well, he's understandably worried about you. You are his only child."
"How do you know that? We have no idea what Dad has done before or after my birth in that area."
Bradley pulled a face. "…I'd rather not think of it. Trunk?"
"In my pocket. Like it has been for an hour. Must we go through this every year?"
"Yes. Especially this year. Now we aren't kidding about being careful. There's bound to be a lot of prejudice against your house this year due to…um…"
"The current condition of the nation?"
He relaxed visibly. "Good euphemism. You're going to be an obvious target."
"I don't see how."
"Your father isn't kidding when he says that you resemble your grandmother quite a bit. Someone might make the connection. We're hoping that Dumbledore doesn't get too suspicious of you."
"I highly doubt that would happen, with Malfoy and his cronies acting like the 'new regime'."
"Nevertheless, stay alert. Stick by those you trust. Remember your task."
"Oh yeah…the impossible-to-do one." She made a large wink as well as the 'okay' gesture with her hands. "Gotcha."
He rolled his eyes at her, exasperated with her sarcasm. "Be happy that he's giving you a good time interval for this. These things do take time. Even just getting close to him is a feat. Now if you have any problems, talk to Professor Snape. He's one of us."
The girl raised an eyebrow. "Really?" She blinked in confusion. If anything, Maia would have thought Professor Snape to be one of Dumbledore's most loyal followers. Maybe there was more to her head of house than she thought.
But it could go both ways…cunning and deviousness are never discriminating.
She forgot where she heard that before, but it was a true statement.
"Also," Bradley went on, his tone that of an older brother, "stay by Theodore and Blaise." She nodded in understanding. It was no lie that she herself was quite capable of taking care of herself, having been taught how to duel from a skilled professional assassin and bodyguard as Bradley Kincaid, as well as knowing a few basic self-defense moves. She had never understood why she had to learn them before when she was young (though she enjoyed the dueling), but she was in a lot of danger considering who she was. Though she was conditioned to take care of herself, Lord Voldemort wanted to make certain that his daughter was more than well protected. Theo had been purposely trained to be her personal guard since the minute he could walk, the arrangement decided before either of them had been born. Blaise was chosen for the position as her second guard a few months after that decision, after her father began suspecting Lucius Malfoy of trying to elevate himself and his son too much for his own good.
Voldemort didn't like the idea of 'arranged marriage' at all.
She was thankful of this.
Very thankful.
It was awkward meeting all of them at first, both having the idea of 'her word is law' indoctrinated in them. But they relaxed soon enough. Let Malfoy have the brainless cronies. She wanted intelligent conversation. And friends wouldn't hurt either.
"Right," she nodded.
"Here's Theodore," Bradley noted. Within moments, the dark-haired boy appeared at her side, standing at attention and ready, regarding the older man with clear respect. Sure, Theo was only half an inch taller than she was, but he was taught to be the best bodyguard she could have. He didn't look it, but Theo was a threat both with and without his wand. Combine that with his thirst for knowledge, then you had one dangerous individual. Which was exactly what Voldemort had hoped for.
"Sir," Theo greeted deferentially. "The area is secure and I'm capable and ready to take over." This was common between the two, though personally, Maia hated that sort of talk. Not only did they sound like robots, but also it made her seem like an object.
"If both of you are done," she interjected. "You know I hate that!"
"Standard procedure," the two of them said in synchronization.
"Right…see you, Bradley."
"Bye…and listen to me for once." With a sharp crack, Bradley was gone, apparating back to their home. Dawdling a moment as she usually did when Bradley vanished like that, she and Theo began walking towards the scarlet steam engine, the trolley holding Theo's trunks trailing behind them.
"How did it go?"
"I managed to stay out of trouble with Dad. 'Bella' got all the blame."
"Good, I had been wondering what happened. I suppose that she doesn't always look like that?"
"You know it."
"Figured. I mean, after all those years, how could she look like that? Though I've heard from my father that she was pretty good-looking in her Hogwarts days."
"And that was when?"
"Touché. Have you seen Blaise?"
"Neither hide nor hair of him. Hair particularly, since it's not hard to miss a person with blue hair."
"I'm sure we'll find him soon – what the bloody hell?!" Maia immediately drew her wand at the exclamation, prepared just in case. Theo had his out when he had muttered 'the'. Two wands were pointed at the perpetrator, who had a hold on Theo's trolley. It was an old man, whose frailness was apparent in his shaking wrinkled hands and his wizened face. He was dressed in decent wizard robes, but he looked at least in his early nineties. Sharing a glance, the pair dropped their wands, though they held them ready at their sides just in case.
"Excuse me," Theo ventured politely. "Do you mind letting go of the trolley? I'd like to get on the train." Though he was generally disdainful of the "blood-traitor" families and the muggleborns, respect for the elderly was ingrained in them.
The old man, however, did nothing more than grin. "Still as cold and polite as ever, Artemis? C'mon, don't you remember old Sammy?" Maia gave the other boy a skeptical look, which he returned with a shrug. Sammy, as they assumed the man was, had then turned to Maia, an almost adoring expression on his face. "And Celesta! Celesta Arsenys, I haven't seen you in years! Continuing to pal around with Arty? And still as beautiful as you ever were. It's almost as if it were yesterday!" He continued, a glazed look in his ancient eyes, talking about times that were obviously long and gone.
"Umm…sir?" Maia tried to interject.
"My, I remember you caused a stir in that russet-colored dress that you had at that ball, remember? Absolutely smashing! Ole Albie Dumbledore was practically drooling on the floor, along with the rest of us gents back then. That's the same ball where you set Bilius Weasley on fire for ogling the poor lass, Artemis! Don't call me that, Celesta, no need to be formal among friends!"
"Sir, she isn't Celesta Arsenys," Theo interrupted, "nor am I Artemis Nott."
It was as if a hand slapped the poor man across the face. "What?"
"I'm Maia Knight, her granddaughter," she explained gently. "This is Theodore Nott." Theo beside her nodded gravely, looking mildly curious at what the old man had spoken about. As far as Maia knew, Artemis Nott (who was Theo's great-uncle) had died in the war against Grindelwald. It was assumed that was the case. The man had vanished in the midst of battle and was last seen in the march on Grindelwald's stronghold.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the man apologized, though he appeared more as if he were about to cry right there and then. "You looked so much…brought back a lot of memories…wonderful, those two were…Samuel Corner's the name. Please, when you see them, send them my regards. Good luck." With that, Samuel Corner walked away, looking more ancient than he had when he approached them.
"We shouldn't tell him that they're both dead, Theo."
"I heard from my cousin Derek that we start séances in Divination this year. Maybe if for once that old bat teaches us right, we'll get the message across."
"That's nice of you…why?" she demanded.
"Hey! I can be good-natured!" The droll stare that Maia gave him said it all. "When I want to be."
"You're kidding!"
"Nope. He actually did it. And you know what? He's really good!"
"Wow…you know that this changes my view of your father completely?"
Maia laughed merrily as Theo helped her onto the train car with practiced gentlemanly chivalry, proceeding after her. "Of course, I know! How do you think it was for me really seeing him do that? You wouldn't think of him doing it, considering…his reputation. But it's true! No lies!"
The train was packed, as it usually was. And, as usual, no one was able to just sit in a compartment and stay there. No, there was commotion here and there, everywhere really. Theo lead the way down the hectic corridor, pushing people out of the way with either his hands or just a look. Behind him, Maia followed, one of Theo's eyes constantly trained on her. The girl, however, was more concerned with avoiding the sometimes too blatant attempts of some the boys to better acquaint themselves with her. Theo maintained a cheerful attitude with her, though he was anything but that when Anthony Goldstein decided to say hello. She could swear on Salazar Slytherin's grave that she heard the wrist bones of that Ravenclaw crack painfully. Though Goldstein's expression of pure agony – as well as Theo's triumphant and gloating smirk - told the tale quite clearly.
Finally, they reached their destination. It was one of the cars near the front of the train, the last compartment. On the handle, was carved a small snake. This symbol was important – only Slytherins were allowed to sit there. In fact, there had not been a single person outside the House of Snakes to sit in that specific compartment in a hundred years. Usually, there was a select group of people chosen to sit there, they choosing another group when they left. Blaise's cousin Marius was part of the previous group, so they were given the honor. Merlin bless nepotism.
Therefore, it was highly unlikely for anyone to be sitting there. Theo opened the door for her, ignoring the swat on his hand for being so deferential, before they walked in. They did not look around. They did not think they needed to. Theo's trunk packed itself up on the rack, quickly joined by her now resized one.
"Your father – the terrifying man that he is," Theo continued, as if the previous incidents had been as mundane as swatting a fly, meanwhile cuffing a particularly raucous first year over the head for attempting to enter the compartment, "can really and truly make a wicked casserole?!"
"Yes," Maia affirmed, nodding her head as she walked further into the compartment. Specifically, to her customary seat next to the window. Not even thinking, she plopped down to sit.
The fact that she was not sitting on the usual leather seat was the first clue that something was wrong. The second was that the surface she was sitting on felt like denim. And denim was not the material that made up the seats. Looking towards the back of the seat, her light brown eyes were met with surprised emerald green. Blinking, trying to convince herself that this was not a joke, she took in the full picture. Unruly black hair, green eyes, round glasses, scar…
Crap! Maia cursed in her head. This was not happening! "Potter," she asked skeptically. "Harry Potter?"
He nodded wordlessly.
This was not happening! Unfortunately, a quick pinch to her arm proved that, in fact, this was not a cruel and heartless dream that her subconscious mind had cooked up just to see her squirm. This was pure, harsh reality. And it was happening right now.
She was not supposed to meet Harry Potter and start her mission by just seating herself right in his lap!
And it looked as if he were just as surprised as she was.
"Theo?" Maia asked, her voice wavering slightly. "I am sitting on Harry Potter's lap right now…right?" Theo blinked, before wiping his glasses with a shirttail before, setting the back on his nose, and blinking again. He also nodded, seeming unable to find the words to speak. Maia glared at him, but the bodyguard merely shrugged. Maia did have to admit he had a point: what could he say to this?! It was the most unthinkable thing to happen since Millicent Bulstrode managed to kill some second-year's cat (the feline was howling in heat during the night, so it was a good thing) with just one backhand!
Well, he should at least say something, Maia thought furiously.
Fortunately for Theo's overall well being, the compartment opened, which was odd in itself. No one came in other than the chosen people; it was an unspoken rule! Okay, Potter had evidently broken it. Speaking of which, he looked very under the weather. Sure, he was now taller (she could tell) and slightly less scrawny, but he was still pale and had dark shadows beneath his eyes, like he hadn't had a good sleep in weeks. This was taken in a passing moment, for at that moment, Potter had grabbed her roughly by her shoulders and brought her close to him, his arms wrapping around her in a kind of embrace. "What are you doing?" she whispered harshly.
"Shut up!" Potter merely commanded. She could already see Theo readying his wand for the attack. Hopefully, the result of this little interruption wouldn't be so bad – Theo knew quite a bit and when he didn't know what to make of a situation, it added to his aggression. Also, Maia was hoping that this would be quick. This was just too weird even for her.
"Excuse me," a timid voice broke the silence, a voice she immediately recognized. When did Neville Longbottom of all people have the guts to come into a Slytherin compartment? From her…position, she looked on out of the corner of her eye (Potter's head was thankfully not in her way). The Gryffindor was looking around the compartment warily, his stare lingering on herself and Potter, but was obviously more concerned with the wand that Theo had pointed right in between his eyes. Maia smiled grimly. She couldn't help it! It was funny! Longbottom looked ready to drop that plant he was holding and run. "I was wondering if you had seen…Harry Potter…"
"Please, excuse my friends over there. They are just overjoyed to see each other. Young love, eh? A summer apart can really put a strain on a romantic relationship. Hopefully, they won't be snoggingthe entire trip over to Hogwarts. And no," Theo replied in a conversational tone, like the weather outside was being discussed, but his wand was aimed. One thing was clear: After I'm through with Potter, Theo's next. "Why would we? If he had enough sense in his head – which a great deal of us doubt – he wouldn't be seen anywhere near the Slytherin compartments. Like this one for example, he wouldn't be in here. So, make yourself scarce or else I'll be forced to give your disgusting toad a companion. You know, personally, I think a fly would suit you perfectly…"
It was no surprise that Longbottom and his plant were gone in a flash. Grinning, Theo shut the compartment door; throwing off the livid glare that Maia was sending his way with practiced ease. Maia relinquished herself from Potter's hold, only noting the short gasp of relief for a moment, before slapping smartly him across the face. To Maia's annoyance, Potter seemed (after the initial shock) angry about the assault.
"What was that for?!" he asked hotly.
Maia's right eye twitched in frustration. She knew this was not what her father had in mind, but she felt that she was in the right. "What do you think that was for?" she demanded. "Here I am, sitting in your lap and then, as soon as your friend shows up, you suddenly get the urge to grab me!" The dark-haired girl then rounded on the smirking Theo. "Don't think I'm letting you get off easy, either! That's the best story you can come up with?! I'm now Potter's girlfriend?!"
Theo just laughed, taking his usual seat, which under normal circumstances would be across from her. Certainly, he was still across from her right now, but this wasn't normal. At all. And, damn it all, she wanted normalcy right now! Unfortunately, someone up there had a thing against her.
Potter, recovering once more to the outburst (didn't anyone yell at him? Did they all treat him like some kind of earthly god?), then retorted. "If you remember, you were the one to sit on my lap!"
"Because it's my seat!"
"Where does it say that only you and your friend," Potter nodded over to the unruffled Theo (who looked like he was enjoying every minute of this), "can sit here?!" Maia pointed to the plaque hung to the left of the door. There, on shiny brass, under an engraved cobra, was the inscription 'Snake's Haven, Slytherin compartment since 1889'. And beneath that, were three names: Maia Knight, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zabini. Potter's response? A simple, "Oh."
Maia, eye still twitching, got off of Potter (that did not sound right) and instead took the seat beside him. Withdrawing her wand from her sleeve, she held it casually in her hand. Though its tip, like Theo's was pointed directly at the Gryffindor trespasser. The only sounds were that of the train slowly making its way north towards Hogwarts, silence reigning.
Potter, after fidgeting a bit, finally sighed. Theo and Maia shared a skeptical look. "Listen," Potter began. "Can I sit here for the trip?"
Theo snorted. "You're joking, right? The exalted Boy-Who-Lived, Golden Boy of Gryffindor, gracing us humble members of the dark and evil Slytherin House with his presence in our compartment?" he mocked scathingly, causing Potter to flinch. Maia gave him a warning gesture, imperceptible, just a slight cutting motion with her hand. It wouldn't do to antagonize him…not if the mission were to go as planned. Though, she personally felt that the mission that her wonderful father gave her was going to end up nowhere in the end.
"What brought this on?" Maia inquired suspiciously. "If you hadn't noticed, your friends believe that any Slytherin walking innocently by to be a Death Eater in disguise." The blatantly distrustful glances that Ginny Weasley and several other members of Potter's little club sent towards any Slytherin proved that they were being watched carefully. It was more annoying, than anything else. They only had paltry dueling skills – they weren't taught since they were young how to fight. "Why do you want to sit with us?"
Potter cringed in disgust, but it was clear it wasn't because of them. "I just want some peace, okay? Everyone's been following me around, asking if I'm alright, do I need anything, you don't look so good," he spat. "Just a few moments without being watched." His eyes turned to her, Maia meeting his eyes without any pretension, anger, or sympathy. "That's why I did…that. Neville didn't see me, as you probably gathered. I'm sorry about that…Maia?" He gave her a puzzled look. "You're in my year?" Maia rolled her eyes, before nodding. Unsurprising that he didn't know her. Most people didn't. She made no attempts, like Draco Malfoy or Pansy Parkinson, to make herself stick out like a sore thumb. "You look sort of familiar…"
"That's because," Theo interjected, "my best friend here does not participate in class a lot, much like myself and Blaise. Apparently, in the eyes of the majority of teachers, Slytherins aren't allowed to be academically excellent." His eyes were narrowed at Potter, accusing. "We all gave up soon after first year. It's why we like Potions so much, Professor Snape understands that we are given the short stick in everything."
"That's what makes us tougher than the rest," Maia put in. "Let me put it this way, Potter. In first year Transfiguration, Theo managed to turn his matchstick almost completely into a needle. All he needed was the hole to put the thread through. McGonagall just looked at it and flounced off. At the end of class, Hermione Granger was recognized for having a matchstick that had turned silver and pointy. Theo was completely ignored." Theo scowled and blasted a random corner to let off some steam. "Imagine that kind of treatment in almost every class. Is it any wonder why we gave up? It wasn't worth it. We only do what we do for ourselves. And Theo," Theo looked up at the sound of his name. "Please, next time, not near me." The area just two inches away from Maia's head was blackened and smoking.
"Sorry about that," he apologized. He then threw a disdainful look towards Potter, who looked to be pondering something…deep. Whatever it was, Maia didn't know. "So, should we let him stay? Or kick him out?"
"I don't know…Potter? You there?"
Her voice seemed to snap Potter back to attention. "Sorry, just thinking about…first year." He looked uncomfortable talking about it. "I won't bother you or anything. Did you know that this is the first time since June that anyone has talked to me normally? No hushed voices and all? Just let me stay, please."
Theo looked toward Maia for confirmation, which was given with a brief nod. "Fine, Potter. Welcome to Snake's Haven, one of the fabled Slytherin compartments, you have to be the only non-Slytherin in here since 1889. Be thankful for it. No trouble, no discrimination, we'll get along just beautifully. And your Gryffindor friends don't show up." He smirked at her, and then moved his head to avoid a curse. "We don't want you to have to use Maia again like that, do we? She's been through so much!" He deftly avoided another curse. To his credit, Potter looked amused.
"Deal."
"Watch it, Theo," Maia warned, though a smile lit up her face as she said it. Which lead to an expression of mock fear to flit across her guard's face. "I'll get you for that. And, yes, I've experienced worse."
"Like what?"
"My father is already picking out tentative names for my yet-to-be-conceived child." She was the recipient of two shocked glances, to which she shrugged. "You know how my Dad is! You don't, Potter, but Theo does." She couldn't help thinking that Potter did, in fact, know how her Dad acted, but he wasn't supposed to know that. "Obsessed with the usual stuff and continuing the family lineage. Thank Merlin he hates the idea of an arranged marriage. Or I'd be engaged to Malfoy." Maia's face contorted into a scowl. "Maia Malfoy."
"If that happens, my dear Lady Maia," Theo promised, smiling at her expression. "I promise to visit your house daily and keep you company."
"What about kidnapping me? I'd like that."
"Wait…" Potter interrupted. "You don't like Malfoy?" He didn't need a response, as their faces were enough to answer him. Potter opened his mouth to speak again, when there was a slight 'ping' noise and the compartment door slammed open. This time, neither Theo or Maia were alarmed, they just looked up. Potter did look alarmed, but relaxed soon enough when he saw whom it was.
"It's about time, Blaise," Theo quipped. "Where were you? You missed so much and we aren't even at school yet!"
A trunk made its jerky way up to the racks and Blaise followed after it, smashing the compartment door closed. He was much taller than any of the other occupants, looking a little over six feet. He was not thin and gangly, like Ron Weasley was, but more muscular and built. His shoulder-length hair was typically messy and free, its bright electric blue color extremely catching. Blaise then threw down the book he was carrying in his hands before shouting, his hazel eyes wild…
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH! I WILL NOT BE PUT THROUGH ANYMORE OF THAT TORTURE! AND ALL OF YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO GET YOUR HAIR DONE!" He pointed at Potter, his finger shaking. "ESPECIALLY YOU! WHAT IS THAT, A CROW'S NEST?!" Potter looked alarmed, but Maia and Theo shared a knowing glance.
"Bad time at the Flemmings?" Maia inquired gently. Blaise had his…moods. Bradley did say that Blaise's best asset as a bodyguard was his unbelievable unpredictability.
"YES, IT WAS A BAD TIME, MAI-" He then stopped short, now looking at her as if he had never seen her before in his life. "Maia? That is you, right?" Blaise then strode over to her and began poking her experimentally, until Maia swatted his hand away, giving him a glare. "Never mind, it is you. Extra duty?" She nodded. "Thought so. Wait a second…what's Potter doing here?"
"He's my fiancée," Maia said sarcastically. "Soon, I will be Maia Potter, wife of the famous Harry Potter, so on, so on, and so forth. I will give birth to two or three black-haired, green-eyed children, each having the innate ability to attract trouble as well as the instinctive gift to drive Professor Severus Snape up the walls and to the brink of insanity."
"Excellent, when's the wedding?"
"Fraternizing with the enemy much, Maia?"
"Shut it, Theo. And I don't want any comments from you, Blaise!"
"I wasn't going to say anything. It's natural for two people about to get married to want to be physically close to each other."
"I was being sarcastic earlier, Blaise."
"I can dream, Maia. And when I dream, I dream big."
"You want me to marry Potter of all people?!"
"It doesn't matter to us, really, Maia. But I have to agree with Blaise on this: it would be extremely funny if you did. And your dad would probably have a conniption fit."
"I don't think he'd have a conniption fit. I think he would erupt into an inferno of dark rage and anger, killing any and every single living thing in his path. I also doubt he'd walk me down the aisle in that case either."
"Which could be a good thing, right? The guest roster would be significantly larger if he wasn't there. And there wouldn't be a need to hold funerals afterward."
"Do you want me to cast a freezing charm on the both of you?" Silence. "I thought so."
The sky was darkening outside, the flaming sunset losing its fuel and fading into a demure purple and deep blue. The conversation in the compartment was quiet, a peaceful hush that was comforting and soothing. Inside were four students, one girl and four boys, all clad in the black robes of Hogwarts, though three badges proclaimed Slytherin, one for Gryffindor. Harry Potter, the sole Gryffindor in this compartment, was in a deep sleep, looking quite contented in his position.
Maia Knight, who was currently giving a look that promised death to Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini, was not so at ease with the current situation. For one thing, said Harry Potter was sleeping in her lap. And when you're the daughter of the most evil dark wizard in recent years, this was…weird. It had been like this for about an hour and a half, the more conscious boys valiantly trying to hold in their 'witty' remarks before they finally couldn't take it anymore. Maia let it go, deciding she might as well just deal with it. Potter looked like he hadn't slept in two months anyway. And if she were in his position, she wouldn't want to get woken up over that. She'd want to sleep.
"Anyway guys," Maia began, reaching to her pocket, all the while trying not to disturb Potter, withdrawing a green yo-yo. "I figured out this muggle thing – a yo-yo."
"Yo-yo?" Blaise repeated skeptically, taking it from her and examining it, jumping slightly when it clattered to the ground and he was only left with a thin white string in his hands. "Sounds like something Cordelia's friend from the States was talking about. Weirdo, really. Apparently, there's some kind of craze among the muggleborns, something called 'hip-hop'."
Theo snorted dismissively. "Purebloods from the States are weird enough, imagine the muggleborn ones. What does it do?"
Maia opened her mouth to answer, but the words never left her lips. At that moment, the compartment door slid open, interrupting her. Blaise and Theo were already on their toes, it was easy to see by their eyes. Though they soon relaxed, when they saw who it was. Maia herself? She sighed and hoped that this moment would pass…quickly.
Draco Malfoy was standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame, his arms folded across his chest, his wand held casually in his pale hands. His pallid face was pulled in a smirk, his gray eyes taunting. His white-blond hair was pulled back in its usual slicked back style, a heavy gold chain around his neck – a trinket she had seen before on Malfoy Senior. All in all, he looked pretty much like his usual cocky self. And Malfoy was just always a joy to deal with, wasn't he? Maybe the Malfoy idiocy that her father relied so much upon (and made fun of) would shine through? "Hello, everyone," he said arrogantly. "Have anyone of you seen Maia Knight around? I was just looking for and –" It was at that moment he noticed the finger that Blaise was pointing towards her. He looked at her, smirking again, before his face froze, his eyes widening. Then the smirk appeared again. "Ah. Hello, Lady Maia."
Maia knew that look and what it entailed…and she did not like it one bit. And that tone…
This was bad. He called her 'Lady'. Which meant that…this was just one of those days, wasn't it?
"Hello, Malfoy," she answered back, her voice wary, already reaching for the wand lying beside her on the seat. This was made slightly difficult because of the sleeping boy on her lap. Indeed, when she shifted, he groaned slightly before resuming his nap. This caught Malfoy's immediate attention and his face went slack, his mouth dropping open in shock. Two bright pink blotches appearing on his pale cheeks.
"I knew you did ferrets," Maia said dryly, "but fish?" Theo rolled his eyes while Blaise looked on nonchalantly.
"Well, what do we expect from the estimable Draco Malfoy?" Theo jibed. "He is a man of many talents, most pertaining to quite remarkable feats of animal impression."
That seemed to snap Malfoy out of it and he angrily rounded on the dark-haired, glasses-wearing Slytherin. "Be quiet, Nott! I thought you were on my side, you helped out enough last year."
"But that was last year," Theo replied in a singsong voice. "And there was reason for that. Not anymore."
"What did I just say?" he said shrilly. "What is Potter doing here?! In a Slytherin compartment?! On her lap?!"
"Didn't you hear?" Blaise asked cordially. "He's Maia's fiancée. Incredible, isn't it? Especially when you consider their backgrounds…"
Maia bit her lip trying not to laugh at Malfoy's expression, which promptly turned angry. He promptly yelled out, "What in the name of Merlin are you talking about?! This is Potter! And Potter is going to be dead by the end of the year! The Dark Lord's going to torture him until he's begging for mercy and then slowly kill him! And then I'll have the honor of-" It was at this time that she noticed Potter's eyes fluttering open at the noise that Malfoy was making, though he still looked a bit out of it. That had to be the reason as to why he didn't move. All the while, Malfoy continued to list out the various implements of torture that the Dark Lord was capable of using, completely ignoring the signs that Theo was making: which included a finger across the lips, mouthed words to be quiet, and several curses which missed because Malfoy had a habit of moving his hands and head when he was raving. Blaise looked on, as if there was nothing wrong in the world.
"And this is a Slytherin compartment! POTTER IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE A SLYTEHRIN!"
At that proclamation, the compartment door slammed open yet again. This time to reveal Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Ginny Weasley. She heard Potter groan in frustration.
Personally, she couldn't blame him.
The portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses snoozed against their frames, though some valiantly tried to remain awake to listen to the conversation, but were failing. The window outside showed the clear visage of the starry sky, the lake glimmering with the shine of silver from the light of the full moon. The Forbidden Forest was dark and sinister, but the golden light coming from the small hut drove away some of the threatening shadows. A phoenix was perched on a stand, the red and gold of its plumage showy and bright, its intelligent eyes focused on the headmaster and his visitor.
"I gave you the notebook, headmaster," Snape growled, looking more annoyed then ever. "I didn't come here for lemon drops or tea. What did the book say?"
Shaking his head, Albus Dumbledore pulled out an open notebook from his desk drawer. It was rather ordinary looking, muggle-made and unremarkable save for the one taped phrase on its cover. Which, at the time, had made absolutely no sense to the greasy-haired potions master. Dumbledore, however, handled it carefully.
Emblazoned in green ink on the cover was the name Maia Christine Knight.
"It took forever to get Lestrange to get me a copy of the blasted thing," Snape sniped. "It has some kind of charm on it, so neither she or nor I could get it open." The younger man leaned back in his chair. "Why so interested in this girl, Albus? Is it because she's a Slytherin? She's done nothing wrong in the entire time that she was at Hogwarts and is quite intelligent. Eleven OWLs says a lot. She keeps out of trouble and has no known grudges."
Dumbledore merely chuckled. "Do you know why I had Harry Potter come to my office previously before? It was to open this notebook – though I covered the name, of course. The password must be said in Parseltongue."
"Parseltongue?" Snape questioned, before he sat up ramrod straight, eyes rod. "You mean that-"
"Yes, Ms. Knight is the daughter of Voldemort. She just had taken the name of her mother, though looks nothing like her. Takes more after her father's side – the Slytherin side – of her heritage. You remember Gloria, do you not?"
A derisive snort. "How can't I? She had probably been with every single honest-to-goodness male during her time at Hogwarts that could breathe. I think five times with Black and eight with Potter, and they were two years younger. I myself? Probably twice." Snape spared the notebook a hateful glance. "I knew that she was her daughter and was happy that she wasn't following in her mother's footsteps."
"I personally don't think it is in her nature to. She reminds me much of her grandmother." A sad smile passed over the old headmaster's face, as he leafed through the pages of the notebook. "The resemblance is uncanny and not just in features. I can tell by just reading this. The spell is cast so that it updates with the original?"
"Of course. Granted, Lestrange just wanted to get back at the girl…for something. I didn't hear the entire story."
"Hmm…well. It doesn't say exactly what Voldemort's plans are currently…"
"So the thing is garbage?! Do you know that I had to give Lestrange fifty galleons and a gallon of restoration potion for her 'precious face' for this thing?! That takes hours to make just one pint and I have much better things to do than whip up cosmetics for homicidal bitches!"
"Actually, Ms. Knight was given the task to seduce Mr. Potter, then to lure him over to her father so that he could kill him."
"…That's actually a good plan. But who in their right mind would like Potter? He's a scrawny little thing with glasses and a crow's nest for hair as well as an alarming tendency to try to get himself killed."
"She also mentioned reservations…and, apparently, the Dark Lord has a soft spot for his daughter."
"You're joking."
"I'm assuring you, Severus, that I'm not."
"…That could work to our advantage. She's here in our territory. Daddy can't protect her, now can he?"
"Well, it does give an interesting insight into the trials of a teenage Slytherin girl who happens to be the daughter of the Dark Lord. Did you know that you're considered somewhat of a sex god to the older girls of the Hogwarts population?" concluded Dumbledore blithely, a large smile gracing his face.
"Honestly, who'd go for Pot – I'M A WHAT?!"
This was the longest chapter so far in Dark Reflections. In this chapter, Maia is more frustrated than anything else. This chapter was created to move the plot along, as well as to show the Slytherin point of view as well as opening the relationship between Harry and Maia.
Next chapter: in which Blaise reveals exactly what the dreaded monkey trick exactly is at the worst possible time (a.k.a. breakfast), Malfoy getting in the way, a jealous Pansy and Cordelia, Theo being 'forced' to use violence, Theo's sister being a matchmaker, Dumbledore being himself, more Gryffindor/Slytherin clashes, Snape, rumors that Harry Potter is engaged to an influential Slytherin heiress in the newspapers, infiltration of the Gryffindor common room, and Maia and Harry in a rather uncomfortable situation due to the fact that he left his Charms homework behind.
---Raven Dragonclaw