Chapter Twelve - The Truce

Over the next few weeks, Meissa found that students generally kept their distance, with the exception of Seth. Neither Tabby nor Claudia had come anywhere near her, though for that she was quite thankful. Even Snape seemed to be ignoring her at the moment…

She usually avoided public places, rarely eating in the Great Hall and always hidden in a far corner of the Library - where she sat for hours on end searching… The end of year exams seemed to pass quickly, the last game of Quidditch had been won by Slytherin - against Charlie Weasley's fine efforts, and it was word in the corridors that Slytherin would definitely win the House Cup this year.

Leighton Hayes still attempted to hex her every time they got within a reasonable distance of each other, but she noticed he seemed a bit more reluctant to do her any serious harm as she was now regarded by most of her classmates as somewhat dangerous.

Meissa had considered skipping the end of year banquet in the Great Hall, but felt obliged to go after a close encounter with Claudia, whom she had met on her way to her last Charms class. She had intended to walk straight past the hot tempered red-head, but '-Meissa' Claudia called, hesitating as students along the corridor paused to watch the exchange, obviously hoping for another fight. Meissa seemed to have a growing reputation as a trouble maker - she narrowed her eyes as she stared coldly up at the older girl

'-Look! I was wrong. It wasn't your fault about..' she trailed off, it seemed as though she too could not bear to utter his name. 'Claude… I'm so sorry about Alex… I just wasn't fast enough -' Meissa never actually got to finish that sentence, as Claudia had rushed at her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Meissa tensed, unsure of what to do and completely bewildered, and patted Claudia's back. Claudia drew away and clutched her hand, a wide, sad smile forming on her lips as she said 'Promise me! Promise that no matter what happens… we'll handle it together' she gushed.

So it was to be. Meissa sat between Claude and Tabby at the Slytherin table, and as before, they ignored the hissing and cursing of acknowledgement by the other Slytherin's. Dumbledore had stood up to make a small speech. 'This has been a very unusual year… for everyone' Meissa could have sworn his blue eyes paused to study her as he looked around the Great Hall 'We have had… some horrific incidents… I am sure that many of you here have been greatly affected by that… I can only say that this is as good a time as any for everyone to pull together' and with that he nodded solemnly and sat back down. Claude was clenching Meissa's hand in hers, her eyes glittering strangely.

Soon Meissa was dragging her trunk through the torch-lit passage heading towards the Entrance Hall, her heart heavy as though the ropes, which had been so momentarily loosened, seemed taut and unyielding now around her heart. 'Lestrange!' a familiar silky voice reverberated along the stone passage and Meissa turned to see her favourite Professor leaning against his office door and surveying her with his usual unreadable expression. 'Professor..?' he led her into his office and motioned for her to sit at her usual seat in front of his desk. She glanced around at the many distasteful jars lined on the shelf behind his desk and then met his eyes as he lowered himself into his own seat and watched her over the top of his clasped hands.

'I imagine that you listened closely to the Headmaster' his voice was as silky as usual and Meissa stared, nonplussed 'but I would like to press the matter. Please do not do unwise over your six week brake. As much as you failed to conduct yourself with any sort of intellect or common sense' Meissa opened her mouth to argue but Snape overrode her 'I am looking forward-' he gave a slight sneer of distaste and fixed her with a look of careful disdain '- to seeing you again next year - although I would suggest a thorough evaluation of your behavioural skills in your time off' he waved towards the door, signalling that the conversation was over. Meissa shrugged and turned towards the door, and once more he called her back as she reached for the handle 'and Lestrange' she turned around with a bemused look 'take… care…'

So she made her way up to the Entrance Hall with a slight smile playing across her face. She inhaled the sweet air of the castle for one last time before following the trail of students outside. Claudia was waiting for her at the bottom of the stone steps, questioning her as to where she had been once Meissa got within earshot, to which Meissa replied only with a wry smile.

Once they had entered the scarlet steam engine, in which Meissa was considerably more drenched than the others - the reason for this is that the gamekeeper had insisted on her travelling with her year group back across that 'DAMNED LAKE!' as she described it. Still, Meissa was happy with the knowledge that soon she would be back with Lucien and Remus once again.

Perhaps this was the reason she did not respond with apprehension when Leighton Hayes came sidling into their compartment. Meissa noticed that he had considerably fewer mates now. This was something that pleased her no end. 'Someone told me to give this to you Lestrange' Hayes mumbled, shoving a small package into her hands. Then he left without another word, not even pausing to send a hex her way. 'Go on - open it' Claude had sat forward in her seat with interest. Meissa ripped off the brown paper and a small, silver cup rolled into her lap. She gasped as she held it up to the light, there was a crest branded into the shiny polished handle.

Claudia had chosen that moment to latch onto her arm so that she could get a proper look at the treasure when a funny jolting feeling behind Meissa's navel made her stomach turn over…