"Where are you going?"
Draco looked up at me with a frown. At his expression, I gave him a sigh back. It had been a busy first day. We had finished with lessons, and now the lot of us were finishing up dinner. Around the table, the others were recounting stories about each of their holidays. But there was only so much time in a meal, so everyone had to take their turn. Everyone except Daphne, who insisted on adding something new between every other conversation. So far she had been focused on the positive notes from Greece, now mentioning her supposed similarities to Aphrodite, or so some of the local boys had said. And I was trying to use her latest ramblings as a distraction to get away, but it seemed more than just Draco noticed.
"Can we just leave in the middle of a story now?" Blaise called out, seeing me. Daphne waved a hand in front of him in protest, but her frown was turned in my direction.
"I have to go to the dungeon," I responded to her look. "I left something down there."
"Are we not meeting in the Library?" Theodore asked, looking as I pulled myself from the table.
"I'll meet you there," I called out, stepping further from them. "There is something I have to drop off for Professor Snape. I will head over after."
I continued out of the Great Hall, hearing Blaise laugh behind me. I turned for a moment to see him and Draco chuckle as Daphne did her best to look back sternly. Ignoring their callowness, I continued downstairs, into the Slytherin Dungeon. Running into my dormitory just long enough to grab the necessary parchment and text, I moved quickly to Professor Snape's office. Out of courtesy, I knocked on the door, waiting a moment, not expecting much of a response. But to my surprise, the door opened.
"Good afternoon, Professor," I greeted, though with a hint of surprise in my tone. And from the look of it, he seemed to be caught off guard as well.
"Miss Volkov," he spoke in return, as his eyes glanced behind me.
"Are you expecting company?" I asked, noting his glances. Realizing it had caught my attention, he turned back, shaking his head at me.
"Not quite. Come in," Professor Snape offered. I nodded in response, letting myself in. Once inside his office, he closed the door behind us before turning to me. "Are you in need of some ingredients so soon?"
"No, although I appreciate the consideration," I smiled before turning down to my bag. Searching for a moment, I pulled out a scroll of parchment. "I came with a revised version of the variety of venom essay; I had some time during holiday to work on it."
"Re-entering this as well?" Professor Snape commented, taking the scroll from my hand.
"If you would be so kind," I nodded at him, looking down at the parchment. "You suggested a few adjustments in the last one I entered that seemed to improve the work. I'd like to try it again with a different subject, to see if I truly understand what you're searching for in Outstanding level work."
"I commend your hard work, although I did not expect you to come so soon after holiday," Professor Snape pondered looking down at the scroll.
"And I did not expect you to be here," I smiled back at the comment. "I simply imagined I would leave the parchment with a note. But it seems like I found you as you awaited someone."
"I will revise and return this when I find myself with free time," Professor Snape replied, avoiding the question I hadn't fully asked. That was the second time, meaning I wasn't imagining it. But with a smile, I gave him a nod.
"That is all I ask, thank you, Professor. I will take my leave."
Professor Snape walked further into his office, glancing at the parchment I had handed him. There was something he was up to… but I shouldn't pry. He was already doing me a favor. Whatever he was doing, it was none of my concern. Still glancing back at him, I exited the professor's office. Watching Professor Snape sit back down on his chair, I closed the door behind me. Finally turning, I jumped, finding myself faced with Potter's similarly surprised expression.
"What are you doing here?" he asked sharply. Now over my shock, I gave him back a frown.
"I'm a Slytherin; I sort of live down here," I replied, gesturing to the room. After a pause, I looked back at him. "In the dungeon at least. And you… don't."
"I have potions lessons," Potter responded defensively.
"After dinner? I wasn't aware Professor Snape gave lessons so late in the day," I spoke carefully.
"Yes, well, it's Remedial Potions. Apparently I need all the help I can get," Potter sounded scornful at the thought. I paused for a moment, but not for long, before I turned to smile at him.
"Well, I wish you luck. Now, if you'll excuse me," I called, walking past him. At the professor's door, Potter watched me go with a frown.
He was lying, clearly. If anyone needed extra lessons it was Longbottom. Possibly Goyle, though he would never bother. But Potter… he didn't need them. From what times he had been called on during lessons, most of his mistakes seemed to be from lack of attention. Whether he had forgotten an ingredient, or hadn't brewed it long enough, it wasn't something that could be changed by added lectures. An experienced instructor like Professor Snape would know that. Even so, there was a reason he was there, and there was someone the professor had been waiting for…
Still frowning at the thought, I entered the Library. Scattered around the room, several fifth years were setting up for their night of studying. Madam Pince shuffled around the room, shushing any students speaking anything above a whisper. Even as more filed in, those just finishing up with dinner, I looked around a moment, but paused when I saw Daphne. Sitting next to her was a seventh year Ravenclaw. He seemed to be trying to teach her something that she clearly wasn't paying attention to. I could almost hear the efforts from across the hall. Clearly so could Madam Pince, as she crossed and focused on their direction. I couldn't help but smile at that.
"I wouldn't get too close," a voice in my ear made me jump. Behind me, Theodore was standing, watching the two as the librarian finally reached them. "She'll start calling to us from across the library, and leave us without a place to work."
"Looks like you've been replaced," I replied, turning directly to him. Theo smiled at me, nodding to the side.
"One could only hope," he sighed, and started forward. In the direction he was leading, a table was waiting, with his materials already in place. "Unfortunately, it seems my ability to properly focus her attention is a rare one."
"From experience, I would have to agree," I sighed, making his smile grow a bit more.
Theodore offered me a seat before taking the one beside it. Already, he had some of his things arranged. The scroll of his assigned "holiday homework" lay on the desk, with nearly every item crossed off. Out of them, only the items still left to be discussed were left alone. I had brought mine too, along with a few notes, and placed them on my half of the table. After everything seemed ready, Theodore spoke first.
"Before we start, I do have a question," he spoke in a low voice, one more appropriate of the library. I turned to him and waited. Theo looked down at his parchment before continuing. "Are you aware of what Daphne gifted me this holiday?"
"Do you mean the parchment set Draco made?" I asked in the same low tone. In response, he frowned.
"So, he really did make it," Theo tapped his quill lightly against the desk.
"I was annoyed too," I smiled at him. "This is why I always tell him, if he just applied himself he could do some great things."
"It is annoyingly impressive," he admitted, sitting himself up. "Not only is the spell one that is ranked far above our year, but the Protean Charm held even with the distance between us."
"So it worked even in Greece? That's reassuring to know," I mumbled to myself, making him turn to me. At Theo's look, I smiled. "Draco made one for us, as well."
"So Daphne said," Theodore nodded. Figures she would tell him. As far as she knew there was no reason to hide it, and no need to lie. Turning back to her table, I saw she was no longer sitting there. The desk had been cleared by Madam Pince, already kicked out. I smiled over at the sight, as he continued to frown slightly. "Somehow, it's a bit irritating to know he was behind it."
"You don't think it's something to do with not wanting to have a dummy like him be better than you at something," I teased. Theo, however, responded more seriously.
"I never thought of him as a true idiot. As you've stated, he simply never applies himself. The same could be said of Zabini. You see what kind of results they are able to produce when they do try," he mentioned, and I had to agree. "Still, I would be lying if I said I wasn't bothered by it."
"Maybe if you ask nicely he'll give you some lessons," I giggled, earning me a smirk.
"That's certainly an idea," Theo smiled in return.
Our focus shifted back to the work before us. We discussed what research we had done individually, exchanging text between each other. There were a couple of specific notes we made sure to bring up, but otherwise just made the information available to both. After a moment of that, we took a pause. I raised my arms, stretching back against my chair, as Theo looked across the list once more.
"I still believe we should make finding a proper study location a priority," Theodore spoke down at the parchment. "There's only two of us, so I would hope there are options, especially if others are doing the same."
"Others?" I asked, looking over in confusion. The comment had caught me by surprise. Theo smiled at my expression.
"It is only a guess," he lowered his voice, more than was necessary for the library, "but I can only assume the Gryffindors have a bit of a study group of their own."
"What makes you think that?" I asked, curious to know his reasoning.
"You have suggested studying very specific techniques," he replied, drawing out his words. "Certain stunning spells, and independent jinxes to be exact…"
"I don't see why those are considered specific, out of all of my other suggestions," I waved away the comment.
"No, but you did mention them directly after speaking to your Gryffindor," Theo commented in reference to George; not finding him favorable to use his name but not so vile that he resorted to the little nickname the others seemed to have. "And, unlike any other suggestions you made, these were not linked to a direct text of origin."
"Do you remember the exact text in which you learned any bit of information?" I asked in return, but he continued, ignoring my question.
"And of the Patronus Charm…" he mumbled as if to himself, spinning his quill between his fingers. "Isn't it Potter who recently discovered he was able to produce a Corporeal Patronus?"
"We are studying Defense Against the Dark Arts, are we not?" I responded, avoiding his actual question. "What is darker than a creature who can suck the very soul from your body? And, what is a better defense to that than a charm which can combat said creature?"
"So are you denying the existence of such a group?" Theodore asked with a knowing smile.
"It is an interesting theory at least," I answered with my own, turning back to look at the parchment before us. Beside me, I heard him let out a faint chuckle. "The point is, we need a study location. Any ideas so far?"
Theodore pulled his chair forward, allowing me to derail the subject. I hadn't expected him to piece together all of that with such little information. I hadn't even considered what I was saying as possibly suspicious, or to give away so much. But considering his reaction, he knew the truth and had just wanted to see if I would confess to it. I wouldn't, of course. If I gave away the Gryffindors' little "Army" I was sure I'd never hear the end of it. And it might bring up some irritating conversation.
"I believe it might be helpful to list some of what we desire out of this location, possibly work through a process of elimination," Theo suggested, moving right along. I responded with a nod.
"The more obvious one would be somewhere private, one that would give us a low chance of being caught."
"Meaning it must either be somewhere well hidden or rarely visited," he concluded my suggestion, before turning to me. "Any ideas thus far?"
"Not particularly," I frowned. Annoyed, I leaned against my fist. "There are obvious choices, but not very favorable ones. For example, there is the common room. Most underclassmen are too cowardly to call us out, and any upperclassmen would just suggest a favor for their silence."
"I would rather not owe any of them any favors," Theo made an unpleasant face at the thought, thinking of some of our fellow Slytherin. I smiled, nodding in agreement, as Theodore continued. "Suppose another option could be to use our dormitory."
"From experience, I should say, it is more difficult than you would think to keep four people away at once," I commented. From past study sessions with Draco, I knew at least one of the boys always seemed to be in dire need of their room at the most inopportune times. Theo frowned, though he seemed to agree. "Don't suppose you'd fancy just asking Umbridge for permission to start our own sort of 'club'?"
"And how would you like to open that proposal? By letting her know we find her lessons useless and would rather start our own?"
"Precisely," I smiled. Theo smirked back but shook his head.
"If only it were that simple," he sighed. "I believe this is something we will need time to think through."
"I did think about it during holiday, though nothing seemed to quite fit," I pouted, having ran through a few scenarios. I had considered using The Room, but I had a feeling neither Draco nor Lev would be very happy themselves. Besides, I had just furnished the place to my liking and wasn't exactly rushing to get it all wrecked with misfired spells. "Since we are taking the time to think, any other recommendations for the location? One of mine would be, to not have to worry about fixing any damage we might cause while there."
"Preferably somewhere not overtly dangerous," Theo muttered his own thought. I cocked my head slightly confused, but he smiled before explaining. "As a last resort, I had considered the Forbidden Forest. It is deep and dark enough that we could possibly get away with having our practices there. But we would have more than just professors to worry about."
"The castle is big and old enough, there should be someplace hidden for us to use," I grumbled. Theo gave me a lingering look, making me frown. "What?"
"If the Gryffindors really did have some sort of group going," Theodore began his words slowly, "what sort of place would they use?"
"Would you believe me if I said I didn't know?" I smiled back at him.
In truth, I didn't. For this very reason, I had never asked George. I knew what it was they practiced at their meetings, and what they were doing during their lessons. George had also mentioned some tips Potter had given them in an attempt to persuade me into joining. That was enough for now. If I ever did change my mind I could easily have him tell me. But, until then, I had plausible deniability.
"I would," Theo gave me a nod, after a moment of contemplation. "I assume, if there was such a group, you wouldn't be struggling to find a location with me when you could very well join them. And, if you're not directly involved, I would assume you are smart enough to know as little as incriminatingly possible."
"If," I nodded. Theo gave me a smile, turning back to the parchment scattered in front of us.
"I suppose that is all we can do for now," Theo spoke quietly, shifting back to the more neutral expression he usually wore. He reached out to shuffle between the notes. "We should return, before one of the others comes to find us. I wouldn't much fancy a ban from the library, and be left with only the common room and dormitory as my only study locations."
"Do they give bans from the library?" I asked, but began to help him in tidying up. Beside me, I heard him sigh.
"I'm sure they would find a way," he grumbled, making me giggle back.
Looking outside the window, it was getting dark out. It was best to call it a night. Finishing separating the notes and text between us, we stood from our workspace just as Potter walked through the door. His complexion looked pale as he glanced around the room. I frowned at him, curious as to what Professor Snape had said in their supposed lessons. Perhaps it had been some sort of detention or punishment he had been too proud to admit to. He continued forward, meeting the other two to his usual trio. Hermione and Ronald sat at a distant table with some work of their own. I hadn't noticed their arrival.
"Shall I ask?" Theodore smiled, noticing them too. I gave him one back. "Maybe if there is a group, they will let us join?"
"I'm sure he would love to tell you all about it," I cooed, hugging my books against my chest. Theodore chuckled at me as he led the way out.
We returned to the dungeon together. Once inside the common room it didn't seem the others were there, so we decided to part ways to our individual rooms. In my dormitory, there was no one in the room when I arrived, not even Lev. He was most likely off in the Room, Daphne had likely gone somewhere with the Ravenclaw, and I could only begin to guess where Pansy and Millicent had gone. Pansy could have also gone off somewhere with Draco, to do Merlin knows what… I ignored that thought, reaching for one of the books I had brought with me.
In the library, Theo and I had exchanged some text. I began to glance through the pile, realizing we would not have much in terms of where to go, even if we settled on what to study. There was no place for us, none that we could think of at least. Considering the possible damage that could happen, the dormitories weren't somewhere I would prefer if other options became available. Neither was the common room, nor the Room. The Forbidden Forest may have fewer valuables hidden around, but it would certainly leave us exposed and in view. We would need a sort of hall or practice room, somewhere we wouldn't mind getting destroyed, and somewhere not very popular to visit.
Pansy was the first to return, alone. They were not always together, but half the time I expected to see Millicent trailing alongside her. I turned back down as she entered the room, going back to my pondering without a proper greeting. But I felt a gaze on me, making me turn back. Pansy's look lingered on me, though she remained silent. It wasn't one of anger or annoyance, just a look. Out of confusion, I returned it. After a moment longer, I sat up, setting my quill down.
"There's something I've been thinking about."
"Merlin, you don't say," Pansy called back sarcastically, turning away from me now. Ignoring the tone, I continued.
"You wouldn't happen to know of any private rooms in the castle, would you?"
"No, why?" she responded apathetically. Nodding to myself, figuring as much, I turned back down to my work.
"I need a place to be alone with someone, without getting interrupted," I mumbled back to her, not sure if she had actually meant for me to. From her side of the room, Pansy made an unpleasant sound. As I looked back up at her, it seemed the expression on her face matched it perfectly.
"Ick—this isn't something you want for you and the beggar, is it?" Pansy asked in disgust. I rolled my eyes at her.
"No, not—"
I stopped my sentence abruptly. A thought had just popped into my head, and I couldn't afford to let it slip. George. Had he shown me a place before?
"Not what? Finish a sentence, would you?" she sighed. But again she wasn't upset, like I would have expected, though I was too distracted to focus on her tone.
"A room? No, not a room…" I mumbled to myself, still trying to solidify the thought.
"What are you muttering about now?" Pansy rolled her eyes at me. "I don't know why you're bothering to put that much thought into this. If it's for the beggar just take him out to the Forbidden Forest. It's plenty deep for you to go and hide, so no one has to stomach seeing you. And, if you're lucky, something might eat him."
"Would you shut up," I snapped at her. Pansy looked back at me with a frown. Letting out a sigh, I shook my head. "No, just—I'm near a thought. Just give me a moment."
"Sure thing, your majesty," Pansy feigned a curtsy before turning away.
I ignored her, trying to think back to my half-formed thought. It wasn't a room I was trying to picture, but there had been somewhere George had shown me. It was a hidden place, sometime last year… We had taken a passage. I stood up quickly, turning to pace around the room. Pansy didn't bother to look up at me as I followed the lead.
It was the day after the Yule Ball, we had used a passage to get us to Hogsmeade. It was the day he had tricked me into our first date, second if the Yule Ball was to count. We had gone through a passage that led into Honeydukes. Not quite wide enough for two people to walk side by side comfortably, but hopefully just wide enough to cast a spell or two. And if it wasn't used for its intended purpose, it could be considered a very long room.
I didn't say a word as I walked out of the door. Not bothering to put my things away, I left the dormitory. In a rush, I hurried to the boys' room. It was getting later, but they should still be up. Most tuckered in early the first day back, but if Daphne was still out when she was so insistent on her beauty sleep, it should be early enough for the boys. Knocking quickly before the memory left my head, I waited impatiently at their door. From inside I heard some grumbling, just before Blaise pulled the door open. Looking a certain mixture of bored and annoyed, he didn't bother with a greeting as he turned his back to me.
"Malfoy!" Blaise called, stepping from the door. I rolled my eyes as he walked back in.
Inside, Blaise threw himself against his bed, reaching for a magazine he had left, one with a blank cover. Considering he didn't enjoy reading, I was sure I didn't want to know the contents of those pages. Theo was in his own bed, books scattered around, not looking up from his work. Draco looked over and began walking towards me from a corner, where he stood with Crabbe and Goyle. I smiled but shook my head at him, making him pause. Frowning slightly he stood, looking in my direction.
"I'm actually here to see Theodore," I called, answering his puzzled stare. From his bed, Theo looked up slowly towards me. "If you have a minute."
"What for?" Draco was the one to ask, once again making his way towards me. I gave him a sigh.
"I'm curious to know myself," Theo spoke up. He didn't move from his bed, though I saw him place a marker on his page.
"I thought of a suggestion… About what we were discussing in the library," I hinted, not wanting to outright say it to the present crowd. Having now reached me, Draco gave me a confused frown. But Theo seemed to understand, as he fully stood from his bed.
"I thought it would take you more time," he admitted, stepping towards the door.
"So I remembered something," I shrugged in return.
Theo gestured me towards the door, offering a way to a more private conversation. I gave him a nod and turned to walk out. Draco, however, moved a bit faster. Extending his leg out, Draco's foot touched the door, and closed it in front of me. I turned back to give him a frown, finding it unnecessary, but his expression was fixed on Theodore.
"Whatever you have to say, you can say it here," Draco insisted with a look. Rolling my eyes again, I kicked his foot from the door.
"We may as well," Theo sighed, looking at the now closed entrance. "I don't much fancy walking all the way to the common room, and I have a suspicion we would just be heard from the other side of the door."
"You don't need to know everything I do, you know," I grumbled over at Draco.
"Yes I do," he glared down at me, before turning back to Theo, "now talk."
"You were saying," Theo sighed down at me, prompting me to continue.
"Not that it's anyone else's business," I called loudly, having noticed Blaise peeking from over a page, "but Theo and I have been looking for a study spot."
"We want to get more practical use out of spells, and would rather do so in private," he added, as I nodded along.
"I happened to think of somewhere, not long ago, and thought I would suggest visiting it. Possibly later tonight?" I added the latter bit with a look. Theodore looked about to answer when Draco interrupted, taking a step closer to us.
"You're not going to tell him about the—" he almost spat out, before I kicked him, hard. I glared at him, not believing he was careless enough to almost mention the Room, and he glared back.
"Ha! I knew you two had a little lover's corner," Blaise called out arrogantly, no longer pretending he wasn't listening in. "Greengrass owes me a galleon."
"It's a place I stumbled upon last year, one I don't exactly frequent," I emphasized the latter part clearly, with a look to Draco, before turning back to Theodore. "From what I remember it's somewhat narrow, but large enough for us to practice in. At least to start us off. As far as I am aware, only a handful of people know it exists, myself included."
"I don't know about this place. How do you know about this place?" Draco questioned, still leaning down to rub his leg.
"That doesn't matter," I frowned at him, then turned back to Theo. "What matters is that this is a possible study location, and we should go see it."
"Is it some sort of hidden room?" Theo asked curiously, and I shook my head in response.
"Passage," I corrected. "One that, if used for its intended purpose, would only be occupied during the day. So, if we go at night, there shouldn't be any problems."
"Is this something the beggar showed you?" Blaise sneered over, following the comment with some kissing noises. That earned him a frown from all three of us. Satisfied, he let out a laugh and went back to his "reading".
"I was hoping to go tonight," I spoke up, getting our conversation back on track. "A little later, once the corridors have emptied completely."
"I'm going too," Draco interjected.
"You're not invited," I frowned up at him. Draco glared back down at me. Between us, Theo let out a sigh.
"What time were you looking to meet?" Theo continued the conversation.
"Near midnight, in the common room. Unless you have any objections," I added, not needing to set too rigid of a time.
"Not particularly," Theo assured, shaking his head. Agreeing on the plan, I gave him a nod.
Draco stood frowning near the door. Ignoring him, Theo went back to his bed, our business done for now. Seeing him reopening his text from where the bookmark had been placed, I turned for the door to leave. Not agreeing with my plans, Draco placed a hand on the door, his weight shutting it closed again. I sighed in front of me before turning towards him. With his arm still outstretched beside me, Draco leaned down towards me, his expression annoyed.
"You are not going to some hidden passage—that I don't even want to know how you found—in the middle of the night, with Nott, alone," he hissed, somehow fitting all his complaints into one sentence.
"Fine, if you say so, I won't go," I smiled up at him. Draco lowered his eyes at me, and let go of the door.
"Like I would believe that," he grumbled to himself. Running a hand through his hair, Draco turned back down to me. "How did you find this place?"
"I'll tell you someday, maybe. For now, be a good boy and go to bed, alright," I reached up to pat his cheek. Not appreciating the gesture, Draco slapped my hand away. But not waiting for his response, I stuck out my tongue at him, opened the door and quickly exited the room.
For what time remained, I made my way back to my dormitory. Daphne had still not returned, but Millicent and Lev had found their way into the room. I ignored my two roommates, heading straight inside to meet Lev on my bed. After a moment of coddling, my glance shifted to the clock, noting the time. There were still a few hours left before I needed to prepare. With that, I sat down and grabbed a book.
I focused on studying in the meantime. Lev leaned himself against me on the bed. One by one the others began to find their way to their beds, settling for the night, while I pet Lev beside me. Daphne was the last to fall asleep, waiting until the eighteenth step to her nighttime routine was complete before allowing herself the rest. That's when I turned to the clock. It was almost time. Trying to keep quiet, I began sorting my things. Taking only what I thought would be of need, I grabbed Lev and exited the dormitory.
In the common room Theo sat, waiting. He was the only one sat, the common area cleared of everyone else for the night. Everyone, that is, except for the obvious suspect. Draco stood, leaning against the common room entrance, his arms crossed. I gave him a frown but continued on my way. Theodore stood as he saw me. His expression turned to Draco, signaling the intruder in case I had missed him. Not that it was easy to miss the unpleasant expression on his face. Done descending the stairs into the common room, I let out a sigh, setting Lev down.
"What are you doing here?" I frowned, already knowing the answer.
"Where are you going?" Draco repeated his earlier question, completely ignoring mine.
"We are going to have our romantic affair," Theodore responded blandly. Draco frowned at his tone. "Well, that is what you were expecting to hear, was it not?"
"It's late," Draco continued, ignoring Theo's attempt at a joke.
"Yes, that's the point. I told you, we're going to study. And it's not the kind of studying we can do here," I gestured before crossing my arms to emphasize my point.
"I am not interested in Katerina in any way besides as a useful study partner," Theo added, with a certain look to Draco before turning to me. "No offense intended."
"None taken, the feeling is mutual," I responded, before turning to Draco myself. "And is that what you're getting all huffy about?"
"No," Draco answered, but with a glare at Theo. Contradicting his answer, he took a step in between us, making Theo sigh and step away. Draco watched him for a moment more, before frowning back down at me. "I told your mother I would watch over you."
"Well, whose mistake was that?" I squinted back. "And if she's just started caring last month I'm sure she'll be over it by the next."
"Ignoring the fact that you've yet to tell me where you're going, it's a far cry from curfew. I could well give you two detention for this," Draco threatened, stepping closer.
"Then do it," I stepped forward myself.
"You think I won't?" Draco leaned in, matching my tone. Despite his intentions, I didn't turn away.
"Look, before you get that shiny prefect pin in a bunch, you should think about the reason we have to hide these lessons. If Umbridge were to find out about them, she could take it as a personal offense to her teaching. As she should, of course. But in that case, she would give us detention herself, so have at it," I dared, meeting his glare. "But before you do, remember something… I know you're aware of the kind of detention she's handing out. Are you so stubborn that you would subject me to that for the sake of your own pride?"
"No," Draco reluctantly grumbled.
"Then stop being a prat and let us go," Theo sighed, clearly impatient himself at the conversation. Grumbling in his direction for a moment, Draco turned back to me.
"What floor?" Draco asked again, making me frown. But before I could argue, he reached up and pinched my cheek. After a wince from me, he continued. "All I'm asking for is the floor, you brat. In case you get yourself injured or something."
"Third," I answered, rubbing at my cheek. Draco gave me a sigh.
"I'll give you one hour," he replied. I began to protest, but he put his hand over my mouth before I could continue. "You're lucky to get that. You said you were only going to look, didn't you? Well, you can look, but nothing more. Then we can discuss whether you can keep going to this place or not. Understood?"
Draco frowned, waiting. It took him a second to realize he was still holding his hand over my mouth. As he let go, I scowled at him. But, taking one more breath in, I answered.
"I hate you," I squinted, taking a step from him.
"Too bad," Draco replied with an unbothered expression. Leaning down, he kissed my forehead, before flicking my head in the same spot. "One hour."
"I heard you," I complained.
I rubbed my forehead and stuck my tongue in his direction. Ignoring the glare I felt on my back, I huffed my way out of the common room. Lev and Theodore followed out after me. As we exited the common room, Lev trotted his way to the front. Giving him the proper signal to which floor we were headed, he began his duty as the lookout. With a soft almost silent yelp, he led the way.
"It seems you two are as close as ever," Theodore spoke quietly, as he climbed out of the dungeon.
"You think?" I asked rhetorically, only partly listening. My attention was focused on my puppy ahead. I watched a moment more before turning an exaggerated expression at him. "Don't tell me you actually are planning to confess to me."
"No need to worry," Theodore chuckled. I frowned in return.
"Somehow I feel that laugh was uncalled for," I pouted, but he returned a smile.
"It is not a derogation of you personally. As I said, I only see you as a helpful study partner," Theo replied, before turning forward. "I merely mentioned it as an observation. Daphne sure likes to talk about your relationship. She likes to make plans, you know, even without considering those involved."
"Trust me, I know," I grumbled. Theo turned to me a smirk. "Still, I'm sorry she forces you to listen."
"It would help if you didn't give her a reason to."
"What does that mean?" I frowned back. Ignoring me, he went on ahead. With a pout, I followed after.
We stopped a few times to let Lev have a start, inspecting floors until we eventually landed on the third. If I remembered correctly, there was a particular statue, a witch. Perhaps with a hunchback… one-eyed… It was a moment until we found it halfway down the corridor. Having stopped, Lev circled at my feet, waiting for instructions. I signaled him towards the statue. For a moment he pawed at my feet, before rushing forward.
"Gunhilda of Gorsemoor," Theo called, watching where Lev paused. My puppy circled a bit larger of a perimeter. Once he was sure it was safe, he turned to calmly sit at the statue's feet. Theo moved forward to meet him.
"Back here," I called to him. At my words, Theodore walked around to meet me. Taking my wand from my robes, I frowned, hoping I was remembering correctly. With a tap to the statue, I spoke the familiar charm. "Dissendium."
At the incantation, the back of the statue opened. It wasn't a large opening, but surely enough for us to fit. I began to climb in but paused, realizing Theo had yet to take a step forward. Leaning myself back, I turned curiously at him.
"Seems a bit small," Theo mentioned, looking at the opening. I rolled my eyes in return.
"George fit. A bit taller than you, isn't he? You'll be alright," I called, gesturing him in. Taking the suggestion, Theo shrugged into the opening, going in first.
Theodore slid down the opening into the passage. When I didn't see his shadow, I followed after. Lev stayed and watched me go down. I had forgotten quite what the passage entailed, and slid more of a ways down before slamming against his back.
"I'm sorry," he called up, moving from my path, "I should have moved."
"I should have warned you, or remembered," I shook my head, swatting at my robes.
Theo walked forward, giving me some space. My eyes began to slowly adjust, taking in our plain surroundings. It was a passage, nothing more, and just as bland as I remembered. As I took a step after him, I felt the damp earth under my feet, as the floors remained unfinished. I had of course hoped for better. But it was hidden, albeit a bit dark.
"Lumos," Theo called, thinking before I could.
As it illuminated, the passage looked just how I remembered. It was a narrow, dark, and low passage. Looking over at Theodore, I noticed his head only a few inches of distance from the top. He was either taller than I thought, or George had grown a lot since our last visit. Theo noticed as well. Looking up, he reached a hand to touch the top. I reached as well, but my fingertips didn't seem to touch. He noticed. With a smile, Theo looked down on me as I rolled my eyes and marched forward.
"You did mention it was somewhat small, but it seems to stretch far," Theo mentioned, aiming his wand towards the opening. Even as the light faced it, there was pitch black on the other end. If I didn't already know what was on the other side, it may have been unsettling. "Where exactly does this lead?"
"Honeydukes," I answered, continuing forward, watching the ground.
"In Hogsmeade?" Theo mumbled as he followed. I nodded and turned back.
"George took me there last year," I answered honestly, feeling at this point there was no reason to lie. "Outside of a visiting weekend, I mean. Apparently that is how he's always able to buy ingredients so easily at odd times of the year."
"I'm assuming his twin knows as well," Theo spoke to himself, before focusing on me. "Who else knows about this place?"
"I'm not sure," I admitted. "We didn't use it too many times. I did ask him about it later. He simply said he and Fred just stumbled upon it."
"And you believed him?" Theo asked skeptically. I smiled, stopped, and spun around to face him.
"Not entirely. I'm sure in a way it's true," I shrugged at the comment. "I don't expect they created or actively sought this place out, but I'm not sure how they found it. But I didn't pry. Since he didn't offer more information I assumed they wanted to keep it discrete. If they did tell anyone, it couldn't have been more than a couple of people. They do know how to keep a secret."
With that as a valid enough stopping point, both of us began to take a look around. We were some distance from the entrance now, but still not a significant way through the passage. Theo stretched his arms to the side, gauging the width of the area. Taking that into consideration, he looked towards the entrance for a moment before turning back down to me.
"Honeydukes and other such shops are only open until evening. There is also a Hogsmeade trip next month," Theo added, having read the announcement in the Common Room board. "Even if there are others who know, it would be smarter for them to just wait than use this passage. We shouldn't be interrupted, at least until then."
My glance turned from the walls to the ground. I picked my foot up, frowning at the soles of my shoes. One thing I did remember disliking was the too soft ground. It might help if we practiced any disarming spells, but should consider what to do about our robes thereafter. No doubt they would get dirty.
"If it leads to Honeydukes, that is a long way to travel. Any deviations?" Theo asked, still gazing towards the end of the tunnel.
"No, it is a straight passage. Linear, at least. It is somewhat winding, I assume from maneuvering around the castle, land, and all along to Honeydukes while remaining hidden."
"A considerable distance to keep straight," he agreed. "I wonder if there might be any others like it."
"There are," I answered simply. Theo turned a curious look to me, making me smile. "None that I could tell you about, primarily because I do not know myself. Again, I didn't try to pry. George mentioned he knew of a few more, but most other it seemed Filch knew about as well. They're all either boarded up or heavily supervised. The few he didn't have under his care didn't work or were just too unpleasant to use. Considering this is already a bit unpleasant itself, I didn't ask to see the others."
"We may have to do something about the ground," he agreed with the thought, looking down at our feet. "Although, if we alter it in any way, someone might realize what we're doing."
"We might want to consider bringing a spare pair of shoes next time," I offered, and he gave me a nod.
We took a bit of a walk around. There wasn't much to see, we mostly inspected any inconsistencies. Looked for uneven footing, watched for widened spaces, and the like. After pondering some better practices, we decided on the passage for the time being. But eventually, we decided to leave before it was too late. For one the night was continuing to pass, but there was also a certain busybody prefect waiting for us downstairs. I had no doubt he was still waiting impatiently in the common room. The hour probably had yet to pass but he had to be contemplating going in search already. And with that prefect badge, it had become harder to lecture him on things such as curfew, as now he was supposedly the one to enforce it.
Back on the third floor, we removed our shoes before stepping out of the statue's entrance. Dirty tracks would give us away more easily than anything. I frowned down at the already dirtied floors. With how many house-elves occupied the castle, I would expect better results. Then again, with so many students occupying the halls, they could be much worse. Lev continued as he had before, guiding the way down to the dungeon, only stopping us once for what I assumed to be Filch's cat.
When we reached the common room, Draco sat waiting as was expected. Unexpected, however, was Pansy sitting alongside him. Both turned up as we finished walking in. Most likely sensing an argument was about to take place, Theo said a quick goodnight to the room before heading towards the boys' dorms. Again, in a surprisingly out of character move, Pansy did the same. Saying goodnight to Draco, she stood. With just a wave she walked away, not commenting or even looking my way. I wasn't sure if I was more confused by the lack of cooing to him or the lack of insults towards me. With a frown to her, I continued to walk towards Draco.
"You told her," I guessed, watching her go up the stairs to the girls' dormitories. I was sure she felt me staring, but didn't glance back.
"We're prefects, we were just guarding the halls," Draco explained as I turned a frown his way. "Besides, she woke up and noticed you were missing. She was going to go looking for you."
"Out of the goodness of her heart, I'm sure," I rolled my eyes at the comment, before turning away.
I walked a bit towards the nearest window. Sitting myself on the windowsill, I threw my shoes on the seat beside me. My glance turned out of the window and into the lake, avoiding the talk I knew he wanted to have. I didn't want to speak about it but I knew better than to just leave. I stretched my arms up, feeling groggy, trying to ignore Draco's footsteps as he followed after. He stayed stood, arms crossed, looking down at me. Pretending not to see him still, I stretched my arms in front of me. I hadn't felt it before, but now I could really tell just how much space that passage had restricted.
"I thought you said you were going to the third floor," Draco scowled, looking down at the messied shoes.
"I did, and we did," I answered honestly. "The passage doesn't have proper flooring. Ask Theo if you don't believe me. He doesn't usually care for lies."
"Unlike you, who's just so full of them," he frowned in return.
Ignoring the latter comment, I kept my look fixed out the window. Beside me, I heard him sigh. Draco took what final steps he needed to come sit across from me against the window. With that same attitude, he knocked my shoes onto the floor. I might have cared, had they not been so filthy. Sat as comfortably as was allowed, Draco continued to stare, until his eyes met mine.
"How did you find out about that place?"
"George showed me," I answered blandly. "I didn't think to mention it before because of that mood you get into whenever I mention him. I also assumed you would've gotten the wrong idea, or simply gone into a huff."
"Well, excuse me for worrying about you," Draco grumbled, but I kept my expression.
"You're not worried. You're jealous," I answered seriously. Draco frowned at me before turning to the window, like he was physically trying to ignore my words. "We both know it, don't we? I'm not saying you're always jealous, but not all the complaints you have about George are justified."
"Maybe they are, and you're in denial about them," Draco replied, making it my turn to ignore him. "Have you ever stopped to consider why everyone is against you two dating?"
"Not everyone—"
"The mu—muggleborn doesn't count," Draco strained, clearly about to say another word. I much preferred when he just called her Granger. I lowered my eyes at him, but he sighed. "Everyone else can see how wrong you two are together. But, like I said, no one has the guts to have this conversation with you."
"So they left it to you?" I scoffed.
"I wasn't assigned," Draco sneered back, "but I'm sure you can see it too, when you let yourself. You're just in denial."
"Oh, so if I were with anyone else, you'd be perfectly fine with it," I gave him a dry laugh.
"Of course not," he answered seriously. My smile disappeared, watching him, as Draco turned his attention back on the waters. "But, if it were someone actually worth your time, I wouldn't be constantly having to remind you that you could do better. I wouldn't be happy, but at least I'd know you would be."
We were quiet a moment after. This was the kind of conversation I hated, and the reason I had avoided him so much after Bulgaria. It made our relationship feel… different. More importantly, it reminded me of how cruel I had been in my ignorance. I turned down to look at my shoes, wanting to focus away from the thought. That occupied my attention until Draco sighed, and stood himself.
"It's getting late. You should go to bed," he mentioned. When I didn't move, he lightly tapped my head. At that, a smile appeared on his face. "Now, you brat, before I actually give you detention."
"I'd like to see you try," I answered, but stood. Reaching down for my shoes, Draco handed them to me first.
"We'll talk about your little practices with Nott in the morning. For now, get some rest," he instructed, holding my shoes between us with a smirk. "I need you awake for our Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. If you're too tired tomorrow, we'll all get Troll on our O.W.L.s for sure."
"Nice to know you care so much about me," I rolled my eyes at him, and snatched the shoes from his grasp.
Not putting them on, I kept walking. Reaching the stairs to the girls' dormitories, I took a few steps before glancing down to the floor. Draco still waited in the common room, watching me leave.
"Go to bed," he called, noting my pause. I sighed, and waved my shoes in his direction.
"Whatever you say, mum," I called back halfheartedly, and headed up to my room.