Ok ok, I know I am the worst updater ever. And I doubt anyone actually keeps reading this. But any way, heres the next chapter. J
Unicorn Hair
The beginning of November dawned icy and cold outside of the castle, the inside however was cheery and warm, bright fires burned in every hearth and the candles were always lit. The dungeon kept specifically for potions however, remained cold, despite the fire burning in the single hearth. As the fifth years hurried out of the freezing dungeon Snape called to Raid to stay behind. Hermione cast Raid a worried look but continued out of the classroom and waited outside in the corridor. Draco looked mildly interested and let go of Raid's hand as she moved to stay behind.
The door swung shut as the last student left.
"Yes Professor?" Raid enquired.
"I trust you are fully recovered from your attack Miss Minorita? You have only been back in lessons two weeks." Snape asked, concern almost showing through his voice.
"Yes Sir, fully recovered." Raid answered cautiously.
"It is a truly miraculous recovery, do you study much around your subject?"
"A little", Raid answered casually. "Nothing of healing though."
"Really?" Snape sounded intrigued. "And what do you study out of lessons then?"
"Mainly about animals really, and a bit about concealment and disguise. Whatever takes my fancy."
"Hmm, well, you may go." Snape conceded, he rubbed his left arm uncomfortably and the action did not escape Raid.
"Bad arm Sir?" She questioned mockingly.
"That is none of your concern young lady." Snape snapped.
"None at all Sir."
"GET OUT"
"What was all that about?" Hermione asked as Raid left the room.
"I have no idea! He was asking me about what I study outside of lessons."
"Maybe he thinks you're practicing the Dark Arts." Hermione jested.
"Perhaps." Raid said thoughtfully.
The two girls hurriedly left the icy dungeons for the warmer levels of the castle.
The dinner in the Great Hall warmed them up perfectly, a thick winter stew was served with steaming mugs of coffee, tea, blackcurrant and pumpkin juice. Raid deliberately sat so that Hermione was forced to take a seat next to George, there were no others. Hermione blushed as she sat down but forced herself to remain composed. Raids plan didn't quite go as expected as Hermione and George soon exploded in to a blistering row over the twin's enterprising business of skiving snack boxes. Raid couldn't help herself laughing as George stormed out of the Hall after a blistering retort from Hermione.
"Well I think that went rather well." Raid said as she helped herself to some chocolate sponge.
"Shut up Raid." Hermione snapped, as she too helped herself to chocolate sponge.
Raid just grinned.
Later in the evening, Hermione and Raid were found in their usual spot by the window working. Hermione still wasn't talking to Raid, which Raid found highly amusing. Losing interest in her homework Raid leaned back to eavesdrop on some of the conversations in the common room. She could just hear the twins quiet conversation to her right, and the topic made her smile.
"If we could get hold of Acromantula poison that would be amazing." Fred said dreamily.
"Well if you want to go and get it." George said and laughed.
Fred visibly paled.
"Well, Unicorn hair would be just as amazing." Fred said.
"And just as hard to get." George countered.
They silenced as Raid pulled a stool over and sat down. She earned a glare of daggers from Hermione. She leaned over to the twin conspiratorially.
"How about, black Unicorn hair?" She whispered.
Both boys eyes shone.
"A business deal!!" Hermione shrieked. "A business deal with those two? You're helped them to get kids to skive off lessons you realise?"
"Actually Hermione. I was hoping that you would do the helping." Raid said cunningly.
"Me? How could I get Unicorn hair? And I'm a prefect, I couldn't possibly condone this." Hermione said, not quite shrieking this time.
"Well, its only a bit of skiving isn't it." Raid reasoned. "And think how impressed George will be when he sees you pulling hair off a black Unicorn?"
Hermione suddenly looked very interested.
"Me? George would be.. Ooooo"
"So you're going to do it then?" Raid said hopefully.
"Well, maybe. I'll think about it." Hermione said, but Raid knew she had Hermione snared.
"I'll tell them Saturday then."
Saturday morning, characteristically of Scottish winters, was freezing. Raid had them all outside the castle at 9 o'clock.
"Why are we outside in this weather, at this time in the morning?" Fred grumbled.
"Do you want Unicorn hair or not?" Raid challenged.
"Yes." Fred muttered sullenly.
Raid leaned over and whispered in Hermione's ear. "Now whistle, just like I showed you."
Hermione did, it was a shrill whistle and echoed round the frozen ground. The two girls had been out practising with Shadow the past week to get this just right and to chase away Hermione's fear of horses.
The two boys looked around warily, unsure of what to expect. In the distance they hear the drumming of hooves, it got closer. Fred and George glanced at each other uncertainly and then glanced at the two girls, they seemed totally relaxed. They look deep in to the forest and a dark shape seemed to detach itself from the gloom. As it got closer it took the form of a horse and then closer the boys could see it was a black Unicorn. In unison they gasped.
The Unicorn stopped about 10 feet away from the group of teenagers. Unused to so many people Shadow did not come closer.
"Come on boy, it's ok." Raid coaxed.
"Hermione held out her hand and the Unicorn took one tentative step forward, then another till he was next to the two girls, he still eyed the two boys nervously.
Hermione carefully moved to Shadow's tail and gently pulled out the stray hairs, making sure not to hurt him. Fred and George for once seemed lost for words.
"Will this be enough." Hermione asked.
Unable to speak Fred nudged George who simply nodded and held out his hand for the large handful of hair.
Raid grinned and with a playful slap on her horses rump she sent him galloping back in to the forest. Fred and George followed Hermione back in to the castle stammering their thanks. Raid followed at a slower pace grinning broadly as George glanced back at Hermione and winked at her as they parted ways at the entrance hall.
"Am I a genius or what?" Raid said.
"Yes you're a genius." Hermione conceded, rolling her eyes.
They made their way in to the Great Hall for breakfast and parted ways. Hermione going to the Gryffindor table to join Ginny, and Raid sliding over to the Slytherin table, she waved to Ginny as she caught her eye.
As Raid approached the Slytherin table Draco did not look up from his breakfast and a murmur of disapproval and anger passed through the table startling him. He glanced up, amid stares of disgust and looked at Raid. She ignored the hostile stares of the other students and smiled at her boyfriend.
"Mind if I join you?" She asked.
Draco glared at the second year sitting next to him and the young boy fled. Raid slid smoothly in to his seat and kissed Draco's cheek.
"Sorry I've been neglecting you." She whispered in his ear.
He gave her an unimpressed look.
"I thought I'd make up for it by spending the whole day with you." She said brightly. You don't have any other plans do you?"
"No." Draco said, trying to act sad but he couldn't suppress the smile that Raid always managed to extract from him.
"Well, it is my birthday on Monday, so I thought I had better get you on my good side." Raid said slyly with a giggle.
"Why you!" Draco began, but was silenced by a kiss.