Veronica woke up the next morning feeling extremely tired. Her mind flashed back to the night before. She had seen the attacker. She shuddered. Oh God, what if the attacker came after her? Or Tristian? Veronica frowned.

"Hey, Nicci, are you okay?" Parker asked. Veronica's head snapped up to look at her. Parker, Kylie and Daniella had all crowded around her bed, looking worried.

"You look pale," Daniella said softly.

"Yeah, and we were worried when you basically disappeared last night," 'Kylie said.

Veronica shifted uncomfortably. "Let's talk about it later," she said softly. "I just don't feel like it now." Her eyes shifted over to Levinia and Annabel, who were sitting on Annabel's bed, completely oblivious to the other girls conversation.

"Something we don't want to talk about in front of them," Parker asked quietly.

"You could say that," Veronica said.

Kylie nodded. "To breakfast then?"

Veronica nodded and forced a smile. She wasn't really hungry, but she got up anyways. She quickly changed, brushed her hair and then followed the girls toward the Great Hall.

She sat down quietly, while the other girls talked, and picked up a piece of toast. She sighed and looked over toward the Slytherin table. Tristian was sitting off to one side, his face down. Veronica frowned when she saw Amelia sitting next to him. As though sensing her gaze, Tristian looked up. He met her eyes. He had pretty eyes, but they were so cold.

Veronica jumped when an owl landed directly in front of her. She pulled her eyes away from Tristian to look at it. It was quite large and formal looking. She took the letter curiously.

"What's that, Nicci?" Kylie asked, glancing over.

"I don't know," Veronica said softly. She opened the letter slowly.

Dear Miss Winters,

You are to report to the Headmasters office immediately after breakfast. You are excused from your morning classes.

Signed,

Hermione Weasley,
Deputy Headmistress

Veronica frowned. They must want to ask me about last night, she thought. She shuddered as the image of the attacker entered her mind. It was bad enough imagining what the attacker was like. Seeing it only made things worse.

"So," Parker said, looking at Veronica expectantly.

"I have to go to the Headmaster's office after breakfast," Veronica said dryly.

"Why?" Daniella asked softly, "Are you in trouble?"

"No," Veronica said, "I have to tell him about last night, I assume."

"Which you will be telling us later?" Parker asked, with her eyebrows raised. Veronica nodded. "Shame you get to miss all the fun we're going to have in Potions though."

Veronica eyed her curiously. "What fun?"

"Well, today is the day that I borrow a few things from Professor Malfoy," Parker said grinning mischievously.

Veronica forced a smile. Normally, she would find a prank of Professor Malfoy entertaining, especially if it involved a situation where she wouldn't be caught in the middle. However, today she really wasn't in the mood.

Veronica sighed loudly. "Well, I better get going," she said, "I'm sure they'll want me there as soon as possible."

Kylie nodded. "Yeah," she said, "We have to go too. Don't want to be late to Potions."

Veronica smiled and then got up slowly. She smiled encouragingly at Daniella, who looked white with worry. Veronica wasn't completely sure if it was over her or over the trouble Parker and Kylie were planning to cause.

Veronica walked slowly through the halls. The bell rang and Veronica suddenly realized she had no idea as to where she was going. She frowned and searched for someone to ask. Then she realized that everyone was in class.

She stopped outside a classroom and was debating with herself on whether or not to go in, when she saw a ghost fly by. "Hey," Veronica called.

The ghost stopped and turned around. "Yes dear," she asked.

Veronica shifted uncomfortably. She had never talked to a ghost before. It felt utterly ridiculous. "Do you know where the Headmaster's office is?" she asked finally.

The ghost chuckled. "A trouble maker, are we?" she asked, "It's down on the first floor. You'll find it behind the statue of the gargoyle."

"Thank you," Veronica said, as she turned and headed for the first floor. She had passed the statue many times. Who would have guessed it was the entrance to the Headmaster's office, Veronica thought.

She walked slowly down the corridors and stopped when she reached the gargoyle. She examined it closely. There was no door there. Was that ghost just joking with me, Veronica thought. She felt a surge of irritation. She really didn't have time for this.

"You need a password, you know," a voice said.

Veronica jumped and turned around. "Tristian," she said with a sigh of relief.

Tristian smirked. "Jumpy this morning, aren't we."

Veronica frowned. "What are you doing here anyways?"

"Same thing as you, I suppose," Tristian said with amusement, "Or did you forget that I was there too?" Veronica glared. He could be so irritating.

Tristian smiled slightly and stepped in front of the gargoyle. "Padfoot," he said. Veronica almost jumped again, when the gargoyle sprang to life and stepped aside, revealing a moving spiral staircase.

"Coming?" Tristian asked, while raising an eyebrow. Veronica nodded and stepped on the stair case with him.

"How did you know the password?" Veronica asked.

Tristian smiled. "I've been here before."

"Why?" Veronica asked.

"Let's just say, I've made a few comments to some teachers that they didn't like," Tristian said.

Veronica was going to ask what he said when they reached the top of the stairs. A huge oak door was directly in front of them. Written across the door on a gold plate were the words, Sirius Black, HEADMASTER.

"Shall we?" Tristian asked.

"Might as well," Veronica said with a sigh.

Tristian stepped forward and knocked on the door. They waited a few minutes, but there was no answer. Veronica frowned. The letter had said after breakfast, hadn't it?

"I suppose we'll have to wait," Tristian said. He walked across the room and took a seat on a large bench. Veronica sighed and followed him.

She sat down on the bench and waited. Five minutes into the silence, Veronica decided she couldn't take it anymore. "Did you see its face?" she asked.

Tristian frowned. "No," he said, "It was too dark."

Veronica sighed. "A lot of help we're going to be," she said softly, "I didn't see it either."

Tristian glanced over at her. "We can tell them it was human."

Veronica frowned. "It was wearing a cloak, but does that prove it was human?"

Tristian smiled slightly. "You aren't very observant are you?" he asked, sounding amused.

Veronica glared. "Not when I could be killed by some freaky cloaked thing," she snapped irritably.

Tristian smirked and shook his head. "Did you see how it ran?" he asked, "Not to mention that it didn't attack us. Most creatures aren't smart enough not to attack at random. However, our creature knew we couldn't see its face, so it didn't have to worry."

Veronica frowned. That was true. Now that he mentioned it, it had to be human. It ran on two feet, wore a cloak, and that attack thing made sense too. "True," she said softly.

Tristian smiled and Veronica had a feeling he was about to say something annoying like "I told you so" when two men stepped off the staircase. One was Headmaster Black. The other was someone Veronica had been hoping to avoid that day, Professor Malfoy. Didn't he have a class to teach?

Veronica took a closer look at Professor Malfoy. He was furious. Looks like he already taught my class, she thought. A sense of dread came over her. Have I really been up here an entire class period?

"Sorry to keep you two waiting," Sirius said, "Mr. Malfoy wished to be present when I questioned you on what you saw last night and he had a class to teach. Not to mention, I had a little business of my own."

"We would have been here sooner," Professor Malfoy said coldly, his eyes fixed on Veronica, "If there hadn't of been a little accident in my class." Well, I guess I can tell Parker and Kylie that I didn't miss all the fun, Veronica thought irritably. I get to see the part where the teacher gets extremely close to killing the student.

"Come on," Sirius said, "Why don't we go inside and get started?"

Veronica got up slowly. When she walked in the office, she was surprised. It was a lot larger than she thought it would be. The walls were lined with pictures of all the previous Headmasters, who were chatting amongst themselves. She was particularly interested in the one of a man with a long silvery beard who was wearing an amusing set of purple robes. In the middle of the room was a large, cluttered desk scattered with several papers and strange looking objects.

"Take a seat," Sirius said, gesturing to two armchairs in front of the desk. He took a seat at the desk and Professor Malfoy stood over behind him, half hidden in the shadows. "I'm assuming you both know why you're here," he continued, more seriously.

Veronica and Tristian both nodded. "Okay," Sirius continued, "Why don't you tell me what you saw last night? Mr. Malfoy, you first."

Tristian nodded. "Well, we were walking down the hall when we heard footsteps," Tristian began, "And there was this well, noise, like it were dragging something too. So we decided to go see what it was. When we got to the hallway, we saw a cloaked figure standing over the body."

"Did you see the figure's face?" Sirius asked.

"No, it was too dark," Tristian said, "But it was human."

Sirius nodded. "I had a feeling it was." He glanced back towards Professor Malfoy. "What about you Miss Winters? Did you see anything?" Veronica shook her head.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Sirius continued, "Think hard." Veronica frowned a let her mind wander back to that night. She could see the figure clearly in her head. It was tall and thin. The black hood covered the entire face.

"Dark hair," Veronica muttered.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"I think it had dark hair," Veronica said. She stopped and thought again. Yes, she was sure. She could recall a strand slipping from under the hood. A rather ridiculous thing to notice at a time like that, she thought. "Yes, it had dark hair."

"Anything else," Sirius asked, "Any markings on the cloak?"

"I can't think of anything else," Veronica said.

"Me either," Tristian agreed.

"Well, alright," Sirius said, but a deep frown had settled on his face.

Professor Malfoy stepped out of the shadows. "So what were you two doing out that late anyways?" he asked. Veronica jumped. She had completely forgotten he was there. She turned to look at him. A sudden thought occurred to her. He wasn't there to find out what they had seen. He was there to find out why she and Tristian were together. Oh great, Veronica thought. What am I going to say?

Tristian seemed to pick up the same thing Veronica had. "I was out for a walk," he said coolly, "I assume Winters was doing the same. Am I right?"

Veronica nodded dumbly. "What a strange coincidence that you two happened to be in the same place at the same time," Professor Malfoy said softly. Veronica knew immediately that Professor Malfoy had seen right through their lie. She felt a surge of irritation flow through her. He didn't even care about Shaylin, Brittany or Shane. All he cared about was who his son was seen with.

"Strange indeed," Veronica said calmly. She was surprised her voice was so steady.

"Well, I suggest that you two limit your late night walks," Sirius said, "It really isn't safe anymore." Veronica and Tristian nodded. "Good," Sirius continued, "You have the rest of your classes off until lunch. Why don't you take a break? I think you two need one after last night."

Veronica and Tristian both got up and left. As soon as she shut the door, Veronica heard Professor Malfoy start talking. She frowned. No wonder people hated the Malfoy family. All they seemed to care about was their stupid social standing.

"Your father didn't seem very pleased," Veronica said softly, as they stepped onto the stairs.

Tristian smiled humorlessly. "He rarely ever is."

"He didn't even care about what we saw, did he?" Veronica asked.

Tristian shrugged. "Most likely not," he said, "After all, in his mind, there are more important things to worry about."

"Like why we were together," Veronica said.

"Yes," Tristian said, shaking his head, "He doesn't want me see with a Gryffindor, let alone a half blood. It would be a disgrace to the family if it got out. And trust me, we've had enough disgraces to last several centuries."

Veronica frowned. "Doesn't it matter to him that people are getting hurt?" she asked.

Tristian smiled slightly. "Yes, just not as much as our social standing does," he said. He glanced at Veronica and then smirked. "I better be going," he said, "After all, I wouldn't want to be seen with you." Veronica shot him a glare. Tristian simply smiled and kept walking.

What a jerk, Veronica thought, feeling annoyed as she turned and headed towards her dormitory. At least I don't have to go to any more classes until after lunch, she thought. Smiling, she continued to walk. She didn't notice the person who followed her silently.

Five minutes after she left the office, a voice broke Veronica's peaceful thoughts. "Winters!"

Veronica groaned. She knew that voice well and at the moment she wasn't really in the mood to deal with the person that the voice belonged to. She turned around slowly. She was somewhat surprised to see only one person. "What do you want Zaben?"

Amelia glared back at her furiously. "I want you to stay away," she snarled.

"You're the one who keeps coming up to me," Veronica said coolly.

"You know what I mean, Winters," Amelia said, looking annoyed.

"No, I'm afraid I don't," Veronica said, smirking slightly. It was rather fun annoying her. Parker would be pleased.

"I want you to stay away from Tristian," Amelia said angrily.

"Oh, here we go again," Veronica said, rolling her eyes, "Haven't we already had this conversation?"

Amelia glared. "He's mine Winters," she said, "I know you want him and I know you two were seen together last night. What were you two doing anyways?"

Veronica held in the frown she felt forming on her face. It hadn't occurred to her that people might find out that she had been out with Tristian last night. Great, she thought irritably. "What we do isn't your business," Veronica said, keeping her voice cool.

"Oh, yes it is," Amelia said angrily, "Tristian Malfoy belongs to me."

Veronica rolled her eyes. "We're eleven, Zaben," Veronica said, "No one belongs to anyone." With that, she turned and left. Amelia stood staring after her. What a weirdo, Veronica thought. It's not like Tristian and I are going to go off and get married. Come on, we're only eleven.


"So are you going to tell us what happened last night?" Parker asked as she walked into the dormitory.

Veronica looked over at her and then glanced around the room. Levinia and Annabel were gone and they still had twenty minutes until dinner. Kylie and Daniella looked up from their beds, where they had been seated waiting for Parker to return from the bathroom.

"If you're not ready," Daniella said softly, "You don't have to tell us."

"No, I'm alright," Veronica said softly, "Well, you see..." Parker, Kylie and Daniella moved over to Veronica's bed.

Veronica sat up and shifted slightly. I suppose I can just skip past the talking with Tristian part, she thought. "Okay," she began again, "Last night I went for a walk. It was pretty late, but I needed to clear my mind. When I was walking back I ran in to Tristian Malfoy..."

"Did that slimy git do something to you?" Kylie said angrily.

"We can make him pay, you know," Parker added.

"No," Veronica interrupted, a bit sharper than she had intended. Parker raised her eyebrows slightly. "I mean he didn't do anything," Veronica continued.

"Oh," Kylie said.

"Well," Veronica continued, trying to avoid the strange look Parker was giving her, "We heard something and we went to go see what it was. And we saw the, the...attacker."

"The one who's been taking kids?" Daniella asked, looking pale. Veronica nodded.

"Bloody hell," Parker said, "Did you see its face?"

"No," Veronica said, "But there was another person attacked."

"Who?" Kylie asked.

"Shaylin Meyers. She's in Ravenclaw," Veronica said.

"I wonder why the teachers haven't said anything," Parker said.

"I don't know," Veronica said quietly.

Kylie sighed. "Well, let's try and think of something more pleasant," she said, "Like dinner perhaps?"

Veronica forced a smile. This was obviously Kylie's attempt to lighten the mood. "Yeah, let's go," she said, "I haven't really eaten anything but that piece of toast all day."

The girls got up and walked towards the Great Hall. Parker made idle conversation and Kylie joked about random things that weren't really all that funny. Veronica sighed. I really need something to take my mind off what happened last night, she thought, as she and the girls took their seat in the Great Hall.

"Hello ladies," James said. Veronica turned to see the boys sit down next to her. Okay, not exactly what I was thinking, she thought, but hopefully it will work.

Parker glared. "What do you want?"

"We just want to congratulate you on pissing off Professor Malfoy," Jeff said, holding his hands up.

Veronica looked over at the girls. "You never did get to tell me exactly what happened," she said, "I saw the aftermath though. Professor Malfoy was furious. He looked like he wanted to kill someone."

Kylie and Parker smiled. "It looks like you did your job even better than it was planned," Parker said, nodding at Kylie with approval.

Kylie bowed from her seat and then turned to Veronica. "It was beautiful."

"Well, what happened?" Veronica asked.

"Well, first Kylie threw a lit firework into Amelia Zaben's cauldron," Parker said, grinning with pleasure, "The entire cauldron exploded and made a smoke screen. During the commotion, I slipped in to Malfoy's cabinet and borrowed a few things."

"Borrowed?" Orion asked. Parker smiled.

"For what?" Shane asked.

"What happened to Amelia?" Veronica interrupted.

Kylie laughed. "She got covered in the stuff and so did Professor Malfoy. Their faces got covered in boils and their hair turned blue," she said. Her eyes glazed over and Veronica had no doubt that she was reliving the moment.

"What did you borrow the stuff for?" James asked.

Parker smiled. "You'll see tomorrow morning," she said, "In fact, I think you'll be speechless."

The boys frowned. "I don't like the way you make that sound," Jeff said slowly.

"Then let's get on to more pleasant conversation," Kylie said, "Like the Gryffindor Slytherin game in two weeks."

James smiled. "That is going to be one hell of a weekend," he said, "We have another home game too."

"Home game?" Daniella asked. Veronica jumped. Daniella had been so quiet, she had almost forgotten she was there. She looked over at her. Daniella looked terribly pale. Perhaps I shouldn't have told her about what I saw last night, Veronica thought.

"Yep," Orion said, "Against Beauxbatons."

"Where's that at?" Parker asked.

"France," Jeff said, "My Aunt Fleur went there."

"Wow," Kylie said, "Two big games in one weekend."

"Yes," Shane said, "I think it calls for a prank."

"Against the Slytherins?" Veronica asked.

"Of course..." James said.

There was a loud clunking noise, as several goblets fell over. "Oops," Parker said. She pulled out her wand and muttered something. The goblets righted themselves and filled again.

"Nice," Orion said, "Aren't we the clumsy one."

Parker glared, however before she could say anything, there was a clinking of a fork to a glass. Silence immediately filled the hall. Veronica looked toward the teacher's table. Sirius stood up and scanned the room. The usual twinkle in his eye had faded.

"There was another attack last night," he said. There were several gasps and whispers. "Quiet please," Sirius continued, looking tired, "After a long talk with the teachers, we have agreed that students are not to leave their dormitories after dinner time. You will be escorted to your classes by teachers. With that, I bid you goodnight."

Dinner ended five minutes later and Veronica was glad. She was extremely tired. She glanced at the teacher leading the way to the dormitories in front of her. Professor Longbottom. He taught Herbology. He was very good with the plants, but you couldn't depend on him to help you out when you needed a spell to be freed from the grasps of a plant. He had tried to help a Hufflepuff named Christie and had set her hair on fire. He was a great guy though. He was always really nice.

"Want to hang out in the common room?" Annabel asked.

"No go ahead," Parker said.

"Too tired," Veronica mumbled. Annabel laughed as she and Levinia left.

Veronica flopped down on her bed and closed her eyes. "Don't go to sleep yet, Nicci," Parker said happily, "We have to finish the rest of our prank."

Veronica looked up. "Finish what prank?"

"The prank against the boys for messing with our robes," Parker said, "I already slipped a little potion into their drinks at dinner."

"It that why you tipped them over?" Kylie asked. Parker smiled.

"It isn't anything dangerous is it?" Daniella asked.

"Of course not," Parker said, "Then again, I really don't know. After all, I made the potion. I could have messed up somewhere." Daniella paled.

"How did you make the potion? I mean, with what?" Veronica asked, sitting up.

"With the stuff I borrowed from Malfoy," Parker said smiling.

"What?" Kylie asked, in shock, "We just got that stuff this morning. When did you have time to make a potion?"

Parker smiled. "What did you think I was doing when I told Professor Longbottom I was going to the lavatory?" she asked.

"You lied to a Professor," Daniella asked quietly.

"No," Parker said. She stopped and smirked. "Not exactly. I said I was going to the lavatory. I let him make his own assumptions as to why. I let the potion sit for a while and then I picked it up right before dinner."

"Didn't someone see it?" Veronica asked.

"No," Parker said, smiling, "I put it in Moaning Myrtle's stall."

"Nice," Kylie said smiling.

"Yep," Parker said, "And now time for step two. She pulled out a large box. "Itching powder, courtesy of Carly Weasley. I've been waiting for just the right time to use it."


Veronica woke up the next morning feeling extremely excited. She smiled as she thought about the prank they had pulled last night. Of course, Parker still hadn't told them what she had slipped into the boys drinks at dinner.

"Who's ready to go down and watch the damage we've inflicted upon the boys?" Parker asked jovially.

"Must we," Daniella said softly and looking as though she didn't approve.

"Of course," Kylie said smiling, "It would be no fun if we didn't get to watch the horror and annoyance on their faces."

"Let's go," Veronica said grinning. Parker smiled, grabbed Daniella and followed her. Kylie did as well. They took their seats on one of the couches and waited.

Five minutes into waiting, a smile appeared on Parker's face. "It's time," she whispered excitedly.

"I don't hear anything," Veronica said.

"Me either," Kylie said.

"Exactly," Parker said smiling.

"What?" Kylie asked, looking confused.

Veronica was about to say something as well, when she heard loud footsteps pounding on the stairs. James, Orion, Jeff and Shane appeared moments later looking absolutely furious. All of them were scratching themselves. Veronica waited for them to say something, but they just stood their glaring.

"Is something wrong?" Parker asked pleasantly, her eyes glittering mischievously.

Orion opened his mouth. Veronica started laughing when nothing came out. Orion looked terribly hilarious just mouthing things. He mouthed furiously at Parker. Veronica recognized them as a series of curse words Parker used quite often.

"Voiceless Potion. Brilliant Parker!" Kylie said, before she started laughing.

"Very nice, Parker," a voice said amusedly. Veronica looked over to see Carly Weasley. She was smiling and looking at the boys with interest. "Got anymore of that potion," she asked, "I think I'll use it on Jeff when he comes over to visit." Jeff looked outraged.

Parker smiled and handed her a vile of clear liquid. James clapped his hands, trying to get the girls attention. Veronica looked over, as did the other girls. James carefully put his finger to his neck and made a slicing motion and then pointed at the girls. Shane mouthed something, looking furious.

"What was that?" Parker asked, smirking innocently, "I can't hear you."