Secrets and Lies
By Rayven Darkheart

Chapter Three

Draco Malfoy walked through Hogwarts' halls silently, his very presence enough to scare the first years, and even a few second years out of his path. He was incensed and wanted to see Blaise Zabini immediately. 'That blathering idiot will be able to tell me what that girl meant.'

As soon as Draco sauntered through the common room doors, he was greeted with the sight of Blaise being mauled by two Slytherin fourth years. Blaise no more than glanced at Draco's face before he threw the girls off. "All right ladies, enough for now. I expect to see the both of you later." The girls giggled in a sickeningly girlish manner and ran off into their dormitory. "Malfoy, you look like you swallowed Longbottom's toad. What's wrong?"

"Who is your cousin's father? Why would he care who my father is or what my surname may be?" Draco looked as if he were going to blow a blood vessel if he didn't get his answers soon.

"Draco, sit down. Seriously, you look horrible." He refused to tell his friend anything until he sat. "Does this have anything to do with our bet?"

Draco flew out of his seat. "Screw the damn bet. I want these answers now. She threatened me."

Zabini chuckled and waited for a few Gryffindor first years to pass. "She's usually so calm. You must really be screwing up to make her threaten you, git." He ignored the glare that wished only bad things for him before continuing. "No one but her mother knows for sure. We always assumed it was Knott's father since they were having an affair, but we can't prove it. All we know is that she is rather talented in the dark arts and will probably become a Death Eater if Dumbledore doesn't foul that up."

"She looks nothing like Knott. She looks more like a Weasel with that red hair of hers." The pout on Draco's face was too much for Zabini to bear. He let out a hearty laugh. "Glad you find it humorous."

"Trust me mate, she's not a Weasel. Notice how she despises that Granger girl? She's one of ours, I'm sure of it. Besides, you know she would not be talented in anything but muggle studies if she were."

Draco shook his head and stood to leave. When his friend shot him a questioning glance, he replied, "I have to meet LaRue and Snape. Apparently since he's mad at her, he has to torture me." Draco walked out and closed the portrait, not quite closing out the sound of Blaise's laughter.

Draco walked into Snape's dungeon just in time to catch the tail end of a rather wordy lecture. "Furthermore, I don't see how you seem to find it all right to hex another student, especially your Potions partner, right before class. Perhaps Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall will deal with your quirks but I will not. 15 points from Gryffindor. Congratulations Miss LaRue, for once I do believe the Gryffindor house will have no chance of winning the house cup this semester thanks to your antics."

Draco expected to find a weepy, almost wilted looking girl when he entered. Instead he found Alyma appearing as proud as ever, her hair falling down her shoulders like a scarlet banner and her emerald orbs staring straight ahead, as if she knew something the rest of the world didn't. He mentally slapped himself for the thoughts and appeared behind Alyma, waiting for Snape to notice him.

"Ah Mister Malfoy, it's so delightful of you to join us today. That will be 1 point from Slytherin for being tardy and 5 points added for being brave in the face of a hex." Alyma rolled her eyes at the apparent show of favoritism. "Please take a seat beside Miss LaRue."

Draco did as told, but instead of sliding his chair farther away as he normally would have with a dirty Gryffindor, he slid noticeably closer, still trying to win the bet. "Now, it appears to me that there is a problem with you two working together. Does anyone care to tell me why?"

Both murmured, "No sir." Alyma looked at Draco who returned her jewel toned gaze with his artic blue one. She didn't look away as he had expected.

"Well, you're getting an extra assignment. Not only do you have to brew a polyjuice potion, you have to do a report, 7 scrolls worth, detailing the following: positive and negative attributes of the potion, how it can be used for both good and evil, its origins, and its original intent. I also want a full scroll about the experience including all steps and who performed them, and a full and detailed ingredient list. Do I make myself clear?" Snape looked down his nose at the two students, neither of which was writing down his requirements.

Neither wanted to be the first to break the other's stare, but Alyma was the first, but only by a moment. "Crystal, sir." He dismissed the both of them and Alyma seemed to be racing an invisible opponent to get out of the door.

Draco, on the other hand, wanted to stay a minute. "Professor, may I ask you a personal question?" Snape nodded in the affirmative. "Do you know anything about that girl? I asked her cousin and even their own family isn't sure about some things. She seems so… guarded and strange, don't you agree?"

Snape seemed to consider his student's words for a moment before responding carefully. "Mister Malfoy, I do know some things about the girl, but I would be breaking a strict confidence between her family and this institution. If she feels that her situation is something she wishes to enlighten you to, then she will. I will say however that yes, she does keep her past carefully guarded, and for good reason. Good day to you, Mister Malfoy."

Alyma ran through the halls, careful not to run into anyone. She wasn't so lucky when she got to the fat lady's portrait. Just as she was running in, something invisible was moving out. This something was solid, but completely invisible and breathing. "I'm guessing you aren't a ghost."