Chapter 4: Hidden Agenda
"Hi everyone," Harry said, "This is Corianne. And Corianne, this is everyone."
Dean threw a napkin at Harry and Harry ducked.
"We've met her," Ginny said, "Hermione and I. We introduced last night."
"Good," Harry said, "spare me the introduction." He took a seat beside Ron and Corianne sat down next to him.
"I'm Dean Thomas," Dean said to her, "This is Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom"
"Hi," she said shyly, "I'm Corianne Laddel."
"Has anyone seen Janieve?" Hermione asked suddenly.
"Er, I did," Harry replied, trying to sound casual. "I think she was on her way back to the Gryffindor tower."
"Thank god she made it in time. It's Snape's lesson this morning," she said.
"I got an owl from her this morning, I didn't expect it to be so soon," she explained to Ron's questioning look.
Harry got a distinct feeling that he was missing out a great deal of information where Janieve was concerned. All his friends appeared to know where Janieve had gone over the summer except for him.
The morning classes went by slowly – Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. Both Professors had repeated stressed the importance of NEWTS this year.
"It is the turning point of your life and it determines the path you'll take in the future. Which career you will take and whether you will be successful at it," Professor McGonagall had said.
Ron had whispered conspiratorially to Harry, "Not with Voldemort still out and about." And the comment had weighed down on Harry through lunch. The burden was getting heavier on him.
Hardly touching his food, Harry, Hermione and Ron made their way to their Potions lesson. Professor Mason's classroom was complicated. No other word to describe it. The cauldron area was enclosed in a exhibition-like glass case and connected to it was two rubber gloves which could reach into the enclosed area – the cauldron and the materials. The students were supposed to slip their hands in and concoct their potions in that manner. It was only after two periods with their new Potion Master did Harry understand why.
Professor Mason was a weaker form of Mad-Eye Moody. Instead of "Constant Vigilance!", Professor Mason had chose to say "Be careful…" in a slow and quiet manner. Perhaps one could say he was a cross between Moody and Gilderoy Lockhart. Very cautious about everything he did and at the same very afraid of anything that might threaten his well-being.
Harry sighed as he struggled with his mixture through the awkward gloves. He would take Professor Winter any day, Death Eater or no Death Eater.
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"Lestrange!"
Janieve stopped dead in her tracks preparing to face the person she knew she would face when she turned around. No one else address her that way in Hogwarts.
"Malfoy," she stated. "What do you want?"
"Now, Janieve, surely one does not expect such hostility from one's cousin?" Draco sneered.
"If the cousin in reference is you, perhaps the definition of expectation would be viewed differently," Janieve shot back scathingly. She spun on her heels to leave.
Malfoy hastened his steps to catch up with her. "That I wouldn't be surprised," he said haughtily, "You really should be in Slytherin."
Janieve ignored him and walked faster.
"Why are you not curious I said that?" Draco went on relentlessly.
"Why are you not getting the hint that I have no wish to associate myself with you?" Janieve snapped angrily but not slowing her pace.
Draco laughed, which absolutely irks Janieve to the core. "Of course! You've just proven that I was right. Denying all family ties if the alternative is a threat to your interest is a typical trait of a true blue Slytherin indeed. That includes killing one's mother," he said.
Janieve said nothing and he continued, "Let me give you a piece of cousin to cousin advice. While such a trait is indeed desirable, be sure you know which side you're fighting for, else everything could very well come to nought."
Janieve whirled on him and directed her wand under Malfoy's chin. "Don't force me," she said through gritted teeth.
"You wouldn't dare," Malfoy said. Seven years of Hogwarts had changed him from a cowardice bully to one of fearless arrogance.
"Try me, Malfoy," Janieve challenged and held her steely gaze on him.
A flash of fear flitted through Draco's eyes. Well, maybe not that fearless, Janieve mused silently. "Suit yourself," he said, shrugging.
Janieve waited until Draco Malfoy was completely out of sight before she pocketed her wand. Head held high, she walked purposefully on the grounds outside towards the Forbidden Forest.
The snow swirled down on the washed-out grounds of Hogwarts and the wind flapped at Janieve's ears like bees. Janieve tugged her robes tighter around her, her shoes crunched against the semi-hardened snow.
"Janieve!"
Janieve spunned around with her wand drawn, "I told you to leave me alone," she yelled.
"Woah hold it there," Hermione said.
"Oh it's you," Janieve said simply.
"I'm really curious who got you riled up like that," Hermione said laughingly.
Janieve scowled. "Who else but that Malfoy prat." Harry and Ron exchanged looks.
"Listen," Hermione said, breaking the silence, "We're going to Hagrid's too."
Too? Janieve thought.
Hermione must have caught her confusion for she asked, "Wasn't that where you were heading?"
Realisation hit Janieve and she said quickly, "Oh right."
"Malfoy must have really gotten to you huh," Harry said suddenly.
Janieve looked at him, surprised. "Well, yeah…of course," she agreed feebly, "yeah I suppose."
They reached the wooden front door and they could hear Fangs barking from within. Harry raised his fist to knock but the door swung open before he even managed to touch it. Their tall gentle giant friend stood in the doorway.
Hagrid's face lit up when he saw them. "Harry! Hermione! How nice!" he gushed as he ushered them into his humble hut. "Tea?" he offered. Harry and the rest mumbled their thanks as they each took a steaming mug from him.
"Janieve!" Hagrid exclaimed, startling her slightly, "I heard 'bout yeh little adventure with Charlie. A pity I couldn't be ther'," he said with palpable disappointment.
Janieve smiled warmly, "Well you could come along next time," she replied kindly. She could feel Harry's curious eyes boring into the back of her head.
"Hagrid," Harry began, "have you seen Sirius?"
Hermione, Ron and Janieve turned to look at him sharply. Hagrid looked around uneasily.
"Harry…" Hermione said tentatively but was interrupted.
"He's still alive isn't he?" Harry demanded, raising his voice slightly.
"I dunno where yeh get tha' idea from," Hagrid said, "but Sirius is gone."
An awkward silence followed and Janieve sneaked a glance at Harry. His face was unreadable.
"I'm sorry, Harry," Hagrid said sympathetically. Then, in a brighter tone, he asked, "Would yeh like ter stay for dinner her' tonight? I can get the house-elves ter brin' some food here," he added hastily upon seeing the horrified looks on their faces.
Janieve looked out the window beyond the whispering trees. Her task would have to be put off to a later date, she sighed softly.
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Next chapter: 26th April (Tuesday)