I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to Another Witty Ninja, Sam-EvansBlue, LissaWonderland, xandromedax, Allen Pitt, Spontaneous. Combustion99, Whispering-Lestrange, SlytherinChick24, Forest Grrl, Gotacold, sci-fi-rocks, AnonymousMSQ, HarryPotter-Twilight2929, narniagirl19, panneler-san, Princess-Lazy-Chan, lovemalfoy9309, Treacherous Darkness, animeboyluv, PrimiGrl, PixieVolturi96, and Spontaneous. Combustion99.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

I am writing 5 other fan-fics at this time as well. If you could please check out my profile and check them out, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks! :)

Chapter 37:

Failed Research and Discouraging Discussions

Really Quick Clarification Note ~ Most of you believe that, after last chapter, Hermione is going to figure out the truth. I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but that's not the case. Because of two reasons. 1) There simply isn't enough information on the topic, especially at Hogwarts, and 2) I simply don't want it to go that way. Sorry! Okay, now on with the show!

Chapter 37:

Failed Research and Discouraging Discussions (Take 2)

"There's nothing in any of these about the Cruciatus Curse being legal!" Hermione Granger said, exasperated, slamming a pile of books onto a table, startling her two best friends.

"If Malfoy's reasonable for this, then of course it wouldn't be in a normal book, Hermione." Ron said, his voice sounding as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I think what Ron is trying to say, Hermione, is that since the Malfoys are a dark family, then why would something coming from them be in a normal school book?" Harry said, explaining to his friend.

Hermione sighed out loud, before sitting down, peeved.

"It just doesn't make any sense. Why would anyone make the Cruciatus Curse legal?"

"It's madness, Hermione. But there's nothing we can do about it, and it doesn't affect us, so why worry?" Ron said.

"What I want to know is whether Malfoy can legally put us under it or not." Harry said, leaning forward in his seat.

"I don't think so. Because I remember Ariella saying that it was an exception. Though why, I don't' know." Hermione replied. There was a moment of silence Harry broke it by speaking again.

"Was it just me, or was she unusually calm after both Moody and Malfoy cursed her?"

"Harry, stop pondering her! What Malfoy did was wrong, yes, I'll agree to that. But that doesn't mean that she's automatically right. They could have planned the whole thing for Merlin's sake!" Ron said, extremely annoyed that his friends wanted to talk about a stupid Slytherin girl.

"There was no way she planned that, Ron. Who, in their right mind, would wantto be placed under the Cruciatus? Did you not see her in Defense Against the Dark Arts today? Did you nothere what she was saying to Malfoy? To me, it seems that, as unfortunate as it is, she's been put under the curse before, and was therefore able to tolerate it and prepare herself today. But from the look on her face when Malfoy announced that he wanted her to be put under it by Moody, she didn't look as if she was excepting it. There was no way it was planned." Hermione replied fiercely, before crossing her arms, and leaning back in her seat, giving Ron a hard glare.

"Hermione's right, Ron. I don't think any of it was planned." Harry said quietly, earning him a glare from Ron, and an appreciate glance from Hermione.

"Whatever," Ron muttered.

"I think we should tell McGonagall what happened." Hermione said, to no one's surprise. Harry nodded in agreement, and Ron groaned, but followed reluctantly behind his friends to their teacher's office.

If the Transfiguration professor was surprised to see them she hid it well.

"And what are you three doing here? Not causing trouble, I hope," she said brusquely.

"No, Professor, but…but there is something else." Hermione said nervously. McGonagall opened the door for them, and the tree students came in.

"Well then? What is it?" the older witch said. Harry and Hermione shared a quick glance, before the former said,

"Professor, today we saw Ariella Lyons hit with the Cruciatus Curse. Twice." Professor McGonagall paled, before saying, her voice hushed,

"By whom?"

"The first time was in our Defense Against the Dark Arts class today. Malfoy suggested to Professor Moody that he should show us what the curse does to a person, using her as the person to be demonstrated on. She didn't even try and argue. She just went along with it." The Head of Gryffindor simply nodded for Ron to continue, but instead, it was Harry who picked up the story.

"The second time was in the hall this afternoon. Malfoy used it against her directly this time. One thing we noticed was that both times she was under the curse, she never screamed, which leads us to believe that she's been put under the Cruciatus before." McGonagall was silent for a moment, before speaking.

"Thank you for telling me this, though I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. I do, however, find it very interesting that you wanted to help a Slytherin."

"Professor, Ariella's…different." Harry said struggling to find a way to describe the young girl, and his teacher just stared at him, before turning to Hermione who was once again, asking a question.

"Professor, when we asked her about it, she simply said that there are times when the Cruciatus Curse is legal. Is that true?"

McGonagall pursed her lips, deliberating her answer before responding, unsure of what, or how much to say.

"Yes. These are very rare and for the most part, unheard of situations, but unfortunately, yes, they do indeed exist. Now, I suggest you get back to your common room before it gets too late." Their professor said. Her students nodded, and left, each pondering what they had been told.

Hermione was disappointed in the lack of information she had gotten from her teacher. She hadn't known that the Cruciatus could ever be legal, but she was certainly not going to drop the matter…at least, not at the current moment. Because if there was one thing Hermione Granger was, it was persistent, and she was determined to find the answer to her question by reading as many books as she could.

Ron was angry at his friends for going against him, and not considering his opinion. Why was it that they were so concerned about this Slytherin? Sure, she had helped them out from time to time, but after seeing her in the forest at the World Cup, with Malfoy, he still didn't believe that she was being totally truthful to them. She was hiding something, that much he was sure of.

Harry was also disappointed with the lack of response he had received from his professor. What did she mean; nothing could be done about this situation? And why did Ariella feel as if she hadn't had a choice in whether or not Moody demonstrated on her? And why had Malfoy treated her as if she was beneath him? (More than he did to the Gryffindors, that is.) And why did he reply the way he did to his Professor?...Because there's something differnt about her. Because she's been willing to help you out, and doesn't seem as bad as all the others.Then why was she in Slytherin? All this puzzled Harry, and he was determined that, by the end of his term at Hogwarts, he would find out the answers. (Little did he know that he wouldn't have to go far for them when the time became right for him to know.)

If you want a preview, let me know. I'm about 1/2-way done with the next chapter!

Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora