My first month at Hogwarts flew by almost instantly. Though a few things happened between myself and other students. Malfoy and his goons (Crabbe and Goyle) and that pug-faced brat Parkinson; always harass Hermione–at least five times a week someone gets hurt, and it's never "us." Snape doesn't like me very much–on the basis that I'm always helping Harry, Ron and Neville with potions class... And that I always show up in the nick-of-time when Harry needs some back-up against him.
But Snape aside, all my teachers seem to like me, Hagrid enjoys taking me away from the class and showing me dangerous creatures–like a hexarte, a small miniature pony like things but dead looking, if you touch their scaley skin you'll die a painful and slow death... and if they snort their fluids at ya, you won't die but you'll be sick for a few days/weeks; near death but the benefits of their fluids are "worth it". Apparently you'll gain a seer's prospective and become very lucky in all your doings in life... It's most definite NOT worth that hassle.
Madame Hooch tried to teach me how to ride a broomstick; ah ha, I called my broom "up," and got whacked in the face–Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and several other sixth-years were watching from the grounds. Neville helped me to the hospital wing that day–the day that the broomstick broke my nose; sigh. Since then I haven't touched a broomstick–Neville doesn't blame me, he told me of his first and last experience on a broomstick his first-year. I'd like to think of the broomstick incident as a blessing in disguise–it brought Neville and me closer together; made him open up to me more. Yes, he and I are close now, he's asked me to Hogsmeade tomorrow afternoon–not as a date or anything, poor guy is much too shy, it's cute really.
My Divination teacher, Professor Trelawny, likes me... I think. She's always telling me to take certain routes to my next classes or to the Great Hall. Everytime she tells me that, I make haste because she's not a fraud–at least I don't believe she is. She usually see's my friends in trouble, usually she'll give me a vague but a to-the-point tidbit of what's going on. Like yesterday evening--she told me to take a detour outside to Hagrid's hut.
Malfoy and many of his Slytherin friends had Neville, Ron, Hermione and Harry surrounded.
Malfoy stared menacingly at Neville.
"She's mine you fat ass, stay away from her, unless you want pictures of your parents' torture to be passed around the school."
Neville never once asked about my parents so I in turn never asked about his. Though I was quite curious about them–Malfoy's comment made me realize that when I read and spoke of Neville's soul being scarred with pain and him believing that life was pointless. I had struck a nerve no wonder he was upset with me during the train ride... I slowly made my way around Hagrid's hut as too not be seen and listened in.
"She hates you with a passion, you slimy git," Ron growled.
"I can be very persuasive when I want to be, Weasel."
"She doesn't take to shagging filthy deatheaters like you," Hermione hissed.
Malfoy slapped Hermione so hard she fell backwards into the mud–gaining laughter from the Slytherin's.
Neville stopped Harry and Ron from attacking Malfoy.
"There's eleven of them and four of us–don't, she'll be here soon."
"Ah," Parkinson laughed, "you think Vixen'll come save you all? Not likely, Trelawny took a nasty spill this morning and if she does get to the grounds, we've told Snape that she's holding some forbidden potions and items in her robes. So you see, she won't be here." Parkinson walked up to Neville and attempted to kiss him–he turned his head quickly, she smacked him across the face.
I gritted my teeth as I rubbed my knuckles; looking on.
"Enough, Pansy, get up Granger."
Ron helped Hermione to her feet and placed his arms around her protectively.
The Slytherin's laughed it up like idiots.
"Awww, Weasel got himself a nasty girlfriend, a Mudblood."
I walked around Hagrid's hut again so I was close to Malfoy but not close enough that Neville and them saw me. I pulled my wand from my pocket and gripped it tight–waiting for my chance.
"At least fat ass has something in common with Vixen–both their parents were tortured to the breaking point, but unlike his pathetic parents, her parents stayed sane for another go-round. But when I'm through with you, you'll be in St. Mungo's bouncing off the padded walls with his loony parents."
I put my wand away and stepped behind Malfoy and made my face look grim.
"Malfoy.." I hissed.
He turned around as did the other Slytherin's–everyone's face looked like they'd seen a ghost for the first time.
I clenched my fists tight–my anger building up rather quickly.
"You've insulted everyone of us, but yourself." I advanced on him slowly, he backed up with every step I took. "You're a disgusting, distasteful, trashy, cruel, filthy little pureblood.
He shook his head.
"You're a filthy death eater wannabe and a stupid prat if you think that I'd give up a potential boyfriend like Neville for a man whore such as yourself."
Malfoy's face twisted into one of pure hate and anger. He brought his hand down to hit me, I waited for the pain but it never arrived.
I looked up to see his wrist being crushed by Neville's hand.
Neville shoved Malfoy backwards into the mud and stepped protectively beside me as did Harry, Ron and Hermione.
The Slytherin's all began dispersing when Hagrid's large form stumbled from the forbidden forest, cursing loudly.
"Oi, Malfoy what are ye doin' down der in de mud?" he gruffed.
Malfoy got up and ran off toward Hogwarts.
I sighed.
"Sorry Hagrid but it's late and we'll be in trouble if we don't haul ass back to the school."
"At least we get out of potions class, Harry, don't complain," my right hand was laced with Neville's left as we all (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and myself) made our way into Hogsmeade village. I kicked Harry in the ankle when he called Professor Snape something really nasty.
"Well it's true!" he defended himself, "Snape probably has his female student line-up for a ride so they can pass his class."
I laughed with Neville.
"Nah, I think he's got a secret dungeon full of goodies; whips, leather restraints, chains, anal toys, the whole sha-bang. It would explain why all the Slytherin boys are so committed to Snape like sniveling lap dogs."
Everyone laughed.
"We'll I'm taking Hermione to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer..or two... or ten," Ron smiled and dragged her into the saloon.
Harry sighed.
"Guess I'll get some sweets at Honeydukes," he proclaimed.
"Oh candy!" I smiled gleefully. "I'll join ya Harry, how 'bout you Neville?" I eagerly, linked arms with Harry.
Neville smiled some then linked arms on the opposite side as Harry.
"Shall we?" he asked.
I giggled.
"Lead on my good men."
After testing nearly every candy in the shop and filling tonnes of bags, we heading to the counter to pay.
Neville and Harry were fighting over whom got to pay for the candy.
"Dammit!" I shouted and smacked them both upside the head. "Just pay it 50-50, because if you don't I'll pay for it! And I get pissy when I've gotta cough up the cash."
They paid for the lot of candy–several small and large bags, not just for us, but for something "special" they've got planned for this evenings festivities. Neville, Harry and myself linked arms and strutted out of the shop–Malfoy was outside chatting with pug-face and the goonies. I pulled them along the path away from Malfoy, I knew they wanted to exchange words but I wouldn't allow them to ruin our day by having words with that idiot.
"What? Aren't even going to say anything, Potty?" Malfoy sneered.
I rolled my eyes and kept on walking, I turned my head back and growled low in my throat; but loud enough for all to hear.
"Oh, Malfoy, I'd get that checked"
He looked at me confused.
"You're walking with a limp," he took a nasty spill in care of magical creatures class this morning. "Obviously from all the dog fucking you've been doing around school, doggin' teachers and innocent first-years, and by the way, how's Professor Snape doing? Heard you and him go at it like--"
"Sod off!" Malfoy turned on his heels and walked into the three broomsticks.
I laughed coldly while Neville and Harry stared at me.
"Sorry I got a nasty temper and 'trucker mouth'."
"She's a keeper," a voice gushed from behind us.
"Yeah, we 'aven't seen old Malfoy that angry since your third-year,Harry," another voice interjected.
I turned around with Neville and Harry. Two tall boys with red hair were staring at me. I blinked slowly then laughed out loud.
"Wild guess. You're Molly's son's; George and Fred Weasley."
"Ah, that we are." They spoke in union.
"Vix, this is George," Harry pointed to the redhead wearing a dark green knitted scarf, "and that is Fred Weasley," he pointed to the other redhead that wasn't wearing a scarf.
I giggled.
"Hiya, I'm Vixen Valkyrie, it's a shame Ron isn't like you two, I could do with a good laugh at that school."
"No, the real shame is if you're not single," Fred spoke loudly.
"I'm single, but I do have a close eye on some guys," I smiled slyly as I glanced at Neville–quickly changing the subject. "Mrs. Weasley said you two lived in London. What're you doing in Hogsmeade?"
"My thoughts exactly," Harry was putting the candy bags into several robe pockets.
"Expanding business, of course," George laughed. "I'll be living in Hogsmeade while running the new shop, and it's across from the three broomsticks. It'll be opening just in time for Halloween, but for the time being, we're trying to hire people and get all our shipment in, it's quite the hassle, but don't worry about that. Why don't we buy you lot some butterbeer's and get to know your friend a bit better, Harry."
"So that's me and my life in a nutshell," I said grimly while drumming on my butterbeer bottle. Fred and George had insisted on me spilling everything.
George leaned over the table and whispered. "They never found your parents bodies, maybe they're still alive."
I laughed coldly.
"I always thought that way for five years then became pessimistic about it over the course of this last year. I don't hold out much hope for their safe return..." I stared at the table intently. "Voldemort obviously had something to with their disappearance and the murders in and amongst my family over the past six years." I held back my tears as I told them about the nightmare I had on the train and the more recent nightmare's; hearing my father and mother's screams and being tortured for information on me. "If I didn't put up such a fight in moving to England when I was nine and didn't refuse going to Hogwarts when I was ten up til I was fifteen–my parents probably would be alive today or at the very least my brother, his fiancé and newborn baby." I blinked through my tears as I glanced at all four of them. "I hate myself so much because my family has been torn apart by the deaths caused by my living and breathing."
"Don't ever think that way, Vixen," Neville took my hand in his and squeezed gently. "It's not your fault. They all sacrificed themselves so you could get away from danger–they loved you that much." Neville stood up and lifted me into a hug.
I cried harder into the bend of his neck when he began rubbing my back in a comforting way.
"Neville's right, Vix," Harry jumped into the non-existent conversation. "My parents died protecting me from Voldemort. It hurts at times but you'll come to understand why they did what they did–when the time comes." he smiled warmly and I hugged him awkwardly.
After calming myself down–we all settled back into our chairs and talked about Hogwarts, students and Ron.
"I made a deal with Ron a few nights ago in the common room, it was nearly three in the morning." I laughed at the memory. "He was complaining about Hermione not accepting his offer to goto Hogsmeade together. I basically told him to cut the proverbial shit and just ask/tell Hermione straight up what he wanted..." I smiled along with the other four. "The deal was if he asked Hermione out on a date in Hogsmeade then I'd in turn ask Neville to the Masquerade Ball...oops," I looked at the table.
Neville's cheeks turned pink.
I giggled.
"My bad, anyways, if Neville declines I gotta face a Boggart in front of everyone in the Great Hall. I know it doesn't seem so bad, but I'm not sure what my fear is, honestly, I'm scared of what it'd turn into, because I might pass out of something embarrassing like that."
Fred and George exchanged looks then looked from Harry to Neville.
"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," I jumped to my feet and slowly walked away. I noticed a blonde haired woman staring at me–on the table her bewitched quill was writing feverishly on several pieces of parchment. I stared back at her until she looked away. I started walking toward the bathrooms slowly so I could listen to Harry and the twins giving Neville a pep talk...sort of.
"She's a definite catch, Neville, and she's interested in you," Fred said, encouragingly.
"She's been flirting with him since they met on the train." Harry laughed. "And he was clueless."
"No I wasn't, she's out of my league, she doesn't want a fat boyfriend, she wants a built guy like Malfoy."
"NO!" the three of them yelled in union.
"She hates guys like that, even I could tell and I just met her." George sighed.
I sighed as well as I weaved in and out of tables, ignoring Malfoy's table–they were leering at me. I danced around some drunk looking (acting) gentlemen. I pushed towards a table that had Professor's Snape, McGonagall, Trelawny, Dumbledore and Lupin.
Lupin noticed me and smiled warmly.
"Oh, hello Professor Lupin," I blushed and waved slightly.
"Hullo Vixen, enjoying Hogsmeade?"
I laughed.
"Yes, yes I am, Harry and Neville fought at Honeydukes, both wanted to pay for our large stash of candy–though I'm still not sure why three people would need nearly twenty bags of candy."
All the Professor's looked at me.
Lupin chuckled.
"Maybe they're preparing for a party of some sort in the common room. The boys of Gryffindor are notorious for throwing over the top and random parties."
"Oh really?" I looked over my shoulder then laughed. "Good to know, I love a good party."
Professor Dumbledore looked up from his fire whiskey and smiled.
"Where else have you been in Hogsmeade?"
"Zonko's joke shop with Fred and George Weasley; Weasley' Wizard Wheezes–though it hasn't opened yet, they gave us the grand tour; and other shops." I trailed off.
"Been to the Shrieking Shack?" Snape asked coldly.
"No, but Hermione started gushing about it's history and some other boring crap, on the way here." I sighed. "She means well, but still, there's a such thing as turning into an irritating-know-it-all."
Snape seemed to approve of my comment.
"All I remember her saying was that it's haunted or something like that and it moves something or other... Anyways, I ought to find Ron, he and I made a bet so, I gotta see if he didn't wimp out." I turned around only to become face to face with the same middle-aged, blonde haired woman from before. I took a step back and nudged the table with my ass.
"Who are you?" I hissed.
The woman opened her nasty crocodile-handbag and pulled out a slip of parchment. She held it up at my eye level and when I blinked, she recited everything that was on it–before I could read it.
"Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet journalist..."
I stepped towards her, ignoring Dumbledore's plea's for me not to.
"You were writing what I was saying to my friends, how dare you!" I grabbed her handbag and stepped back from her. "Journalist or not, you have no right," I looked from Dumbledore to Rita then sighed–Dumbledore has that look that makes me calm down and soften; I hate that. "If you wanted to know about me or my lineage, you could've asked, though I've heard stories about you bending the truth. Just let me read what your quill wrote." It took me a few minutes to read it all, she hadn't twisted anything, thankfully. "Well, you can use that story, it's basically everything I've said."
Rita smiled as I turned away to head back to the table.
"Oh by the way, you might wanna put down my full name, I'd like for anyone who knew my family to write to me about anything that would help–Vixen Marisol Valkyrie. My mother was Sheena Valkyrie and my father was Dorian Grey–they've been missing... for 6 years..." I looked past Rita and saw Fred and George get up and move in front of Neville.
"Stay away from her, fat ass!" Malfoy practically screamed as the saloon fell silent.
I sighed and watched all the Professor's stand up.
"Malfoy!" I shouted. "His name is Neville Longbottom, you'd best remember that unless you want a shit kicking from me. And I'm not...nice..when I'm..." I felt my blood grow hot and pulse through my body like liquid-fire. I closed my eyes trying to bring up my anger. My whole body grew hot instantly–people screamed. My eyes shot open, I saw Rita's quill writing feverishly again; Professor Dumbledore, Snape and Lupin were all staring at me.
I turned towards Malfoy and started walking. "I'm not nice Malfoy, I've never been," the words weren't my own–not even the voice, it was deeper more menacing. "I'm pure evil, straight to the core, and I shouldn't be fucked with." I walked straight into tables and chairs–before I could touch them, they'd skid out of the way and into people. "If you do not wish to land in St. Mungo's for the remainder of your life, I suggest you quite insulting Neville and call him by his name." I reached Malfoy and towered over him as best I could with my hand son my hips.
Malfoy grumbled.
"This fat ass is a loser; he can't even make a proper potion or conjure a spell to save his life. He lives with his grandmother for god sakes."
I punched Malfoy in the nose, twisting my hand at the end. He snapped back and slapped me hard–I turned and spat blood on the floor.
"Furunculus!" someone shouted from beside me.
People were screaming, some were running around us. I looked over and Neville had his wand pointed at Malfoy.
"Can't cast a spell to save my life huh?" he hissed.
Malfoy looked up at Neville and I saw his oh-so-perfect face covered in nasty pus filled boils–lovely.
"Stup--"
My wand appeared in my right-hand and I pointed it at Neville.
"Expelliarmus!" I screamed. Neville's wand flew out of his hand and land in my left hand. I walked over to Neville and my body began to cool off. I tucked his wand into his back pocket and kissed his cheek–though he looked very confused. I felt Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall and Lupin at my back. "Neville, try to limit yourself on spells, there's no sense in getting all worked every time some idiot," I glanced back at Malfoy, "gives you a hard time, their not worth getting in trouble over." I looked behind me; Dumbledore and Lupin were beaming with pride–I giggled.
"But he--"
"I know, but Malfoy isn't worth another thought, at least not today." I smiled as I linked arms with him–I looked up at Harry, Fred and George. "We're heading back to Hogwarts, see you there Harry, it was nice meeting you two." I pulled Neville out of the saloon hastily and sighed when we got a few shops away. Neville broke the silence.
"Will this day ever end?"
"That's what I was thinking," I giggled.
We walked in silence back to Hogwarts once we goto the Entrance Hall, Neville laced his fingers with mine, catching me off guard.
I looked at him.
"I forgot to ask you something, Vixen," he blushed. "I-I-Iwantdtoknowiye'dliketogottheMasqueradeBallwitme." He spat out the words too fast for me to catch.
I thought for a second–rephrasing his words in my head; then smiled gently and leaned into him.
"I thought you'd never ask me to the Ball, Mr. Longbottom, I'd love to goto the Ball with you, as long as you meet me in the Astronomy tower tonight at Midnight." I kissed his cheek and walked up the Grand staircase toward Gryffindor tower–smiling as wide as I could the whole way. It was going to be a long night. Dammit to hell