Veronica yawned loudly and glanced over at the clock. It was seven and she knew she'd be getting no more sleep, especially with all the mumbling and groaning coming from Kylie's bed. She got up and changed quietly. The other girls wouldn't be up until at least ten. After all, it was a Saturday.
Veronica walked silently down to the common room. There were a few sixth years sitting in one corner and two third years playing a game of chess by the fireplace. She debated with herself on whether to stay or go for a walk. She chose the second option. It was a nice day. Perhaps I'll take a walk by the lake, she thought.
She wandered slowly through the corridors towards the doors. The trip to Salem had been just what she needed to clear her mind and escape from her problems. She had been back for two weeks now, and no problems had arisen. There were no more attacks, she had found out no more of her mothers lies, Amelia had been leaving her alone, surprisingly enough, and Tristian wasn't causing problems either.
She frowned slightly, as she pushed open the door. The sun was shining brightly, and a soft, yet cold breeze was blowing. Pulling her cloak tighter around herself, she kept walking. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't talked to Tristian since she had left for Salem. He always seemed to be with Amelia or Snape. It never seemed as if he was interested in what they were saying, but he was with them all the same.
Veronica stopped when she reached the far end of the lake. Someone was sitting out on a rock overlooking the water and the castle. Veronica recognized the person immediately. She walked over to him and smiled. "Fancy seeing you here," she said.
The boy turned around, causing his silvery blonde hair to shine in the sunlight. He grinned. "Well," Tristian said, "Look who we have here."
Veronica smiled. "Long time no see. Well, at least long time no talk."
"I suppose it has been a while," Tristian said. He looked her up and down. "You seem to be quite happy."
"I guess I am," Veronica said, "No attacks. I haven't heard my mom telling any more lies. Overall, everything is going quite well."
Tristian frowned slightly. "Well, I hate to rain on your parade..."
"I truly doubt that sometimes," Veronica said, raising her eyebrows.
Tristian smirked. "Now, now, now," he said, "Is that any way to talk to a friend?"
"Friend?" Veronica asked, smiling, "Have I been promoted?" Tristian simply shrugged. Veronica decided not to push her luck. "So go on and tell me what's wrong. I mean, this happiness probably won't last much longer anyways."
"Well, it's not as bad as the attacks or your mother's lies," Tristian said softly, "But I figured you'd want to know. Amelia and Jon seem to have it out for you."
"Tell me about it with Amelia. Merlin knows she hates me," Veronica said, "But what did I do to Snape?"
"Something about the train ride," Tristian said, "You remember that. I didn't see the whole thing, so I can't exactly say. Well, regardless, he and Amelia have teamed up to get revenge on you and your friends."
Veronica groaned loudly. There goes the peaceful life I had, she thought. On the bright side, those two weeks of peace sure were nice. "Any ideas as to when and what?"
Tristian smirked. "Now that you mention it. I came up with the idea."
"What?" Veronica asked in a shocked voice.
Tristian frowned. "Calm down. How else did you expect me to get it to where you can reverse it? I see you still don't trust me."
"Well, how do you expect me to feel when you just say something like that without explaining," Veronica snapped.
Tristian raised his eyebrows. "Relax, will you," he said, "And to answer your question, I'd assumed by now you would be able to not jump to conclusions."
"Well, I like to jump," Veronica said defensively. She sighed. "Sorry, okay."
"Sure," Tristian said. He turned to look out at the lake. "They're going to do it tomorrow, right before your first class." Veronica frowned. That didn't give her much time to come up with a plan. "The curse is a relatively advanced one. I suppose it's about late second or early third year in difficulty. However, the counter curse it really easy..."
"What does the curse do?" Veronica interrupted.
"It gives you frog legs," Tristian said smiling. His eyes glazed over for a moment as though he were reliving a memory.
"Have you used it before?" Veronica asked, eying him curiously.
Tristian looked over at her and smirked. "Yeah, right after I got my wand," he said laughing, "I used it on my younger cousin Pontiard. It was quite hilarious."
"How did you do it?" Veronica asked, trying to keep the surprise off her face, "I mean, if it is really that hard and you just got your wand. And how did you know about it before you got to Hogwarts?"
Tristian smiled humorlessly. "There are some benefits to being in my family," he said softly, "One is being able to see any book you want, regardless of the content. I'd been looking at spell books and practicing since I was nine. I used to steal my mothers wand."
"Oh," Veronica said softly, "So what about the counter curse? Do you think I could do it? I mean, I'm rather good at Charms, but I'm no pro."
Tristian smiled. "Even you could do this spell."
Veronica shot him a glare. "How kind of you. So, what is it?"
"This particular curse has two counter curses," Tristian said, "The first is just your standard counter curse. It removes the effects of the curse. The other, however, can also act as a sort of rebound if you use it at the same time they fire the curse at you. As such, you keep your legs and your enemy end s with frog legs. Also, if the curse does rebound upon Amelia and them, then the only way to remove their frog legs is with that counter curse. The other does them no good and it's the only one I taught them."
"Okay," Veronica said, trying to take in what he said, "At least that way I have a second chance if I screw it up."
Tristian smirked. "That's what I figured. The spell is Ellusify."
"Ellusify," Veronica mumbled.
"Come on," Tristian said, standing up, "Get up. I'll teach you."
Veronica watched him stand up and stretch before getting up herself. "I thought it was supposed to be easy," she said, eying him skeptically.
Tristian smirked. "It is. For me anyways, but I figured since you said yourself that you're no pro at Charms, then I can teach you."
Veronica sighed. "Sounds good to me. Maybe I can learn it a bit faster this way."
Tristian smiled. "Alright, I'm going to say the curse and you are going to try and block it, okay?" Veronica nodded. "Remember the spell is Ellusify. On the count of three. One, two, three. Secangio!"
"Ellusify!" Veronica shouted. However, as soon as the words were out of her mouth, Tristian's curse hit her. She stumbled backwards slightly. She felt suddenly off balance. Tristian was laughing rather loudly.
Veronica glanced down with growing dread at her legs. She almost screamed when instead of her legs, she saw a pair of slimy frog legs. "That is not funny," she snapped.
Tristian kept laughing. "I beg to differ," he said between fits of laughter, "It's quite hilarious from where I'm standing."
"You're giving me the feeling that you're only doing this to get a good laugh at my expense," Veronica said eying him with annoyance, "You could fix me, you know."
Tristian smiled. "Now, now," he said, "Do you think I'm that terrible of a friend? That I would just do this to get a good laugh? Plus, you know the counter curse. It's Ellusify, remember?"
Veronica glared at him. "Ellusify," she shouted. Her legs returned to normal and she breathed a sigh of relief. She looked up at Tristian. He was still smiling, but she felt her anger fade away. He had called her his friend twice today and this was only the second time she had ever seen him laugh at anything. That was worth being turned into a half frog half human freak.
"Shall we try again?" Tristian asked, raising an eyebrow.
Veronica smiled. "I think so, but this time, you're going to be the one with frog legs."
Tristian smirked. "Somehow I truly doubt that."
"A bit cocky now aren't we?" Veronica asked grinning.
"Only because I can be," Tristian said, drawing his wand and smiling, "On the count of three."
Veronica took out her wand. "One, two, three."
"Secangio!"
"Ellusify!"
Veronica frowned when Tristian started laughing again. "Ellusify!" she shouted, before looking up at him. "Again?"
"Are you sure?" Tristian asked grinning, "You really must enjoy having frog legs."
"Shut up," Veronica said shooting him a glare. "I'm going to get this right at least once and then we'll see who's laughing."
Tristian smirked and then shrugged. "If you insist."
Twenty minutes later, Veronica was still unable to block Tristian's spell. "Darn!" Veronica shouted loudly.
Tristian laughed. "Calm down. You'll get it eventually. You're just having problems because I'm so good."
Veronica rolled her eyes. "I think you'd get along quite well with Parker," she said shaking her head slightly.
Tristian looked skeptical. "Somehow I doubt that. I think Parker is a bit too prejudiced to be my friend, let alone have a civil conversation with me. Shocking for a Muggleborn. She practically bleeds Gryffindor pride."
Veronica smiled. "Yeah," she said, "You'd have to give her some time to get over that stubbornness. Ready?"
Tristian nodded. "Secangio!"
"Ellusify!"
Veronica waited. She felt fine. She glanced over at Tristian and burst out laughing. "You're right," she said, through fits of laughter, "It is funny!"
Tristian glared. "Ellusify," he muttered. "Quite the hypocrite aren't we. It's only funny on someone else."
Veronica grinned. "I could say the same for you." Tristian smiled. Veronica glanced down at her clock. "Oh my gosh, it's ten thirty. We better get back. The girls will be worrying."
"Tristian!" a voice shouted.
Veronica jumped. The voice belonged to Amelia. "Bloody great," Tristian said scowling, "Where is she?"
Veronica scanned the lake. She saw Amelia standing on the opposite side of the lake. "I don't think she can see us," she said squinting to get a better look at Amelia.
"Good," Tristian said grinning, "Then let's get going!"
"Tristian!" Amelia shouted again.
"You're just going to ditch her?" Veronica asked.
Tristian laughed. "Have I taught you nothing?" he asked grabbing her hand, "Let's go."
Veronica stared in shock for a moment, but started running when Tristian jerked her. Veronica found herself laughing as Tristian dragged her back towards the castle. He stopped when they reached the doors, completely out of breath. Veronica looked out towards the lake. Amelia was nowhere in sight. Veronica figured she must be on the other side.
"Looks like we gave her the slip," Tristian said smiling.
"All too easily," Veronica said, smiling back.
Tristian laughed. "You better be getting back," he said, "Wouldn't want your friends to worry, now would you? Oh, by the way, you might want to warn Potter, Weasley, Bryant and Black that they're on the list as well."
Veronica looked at him in surprise. "I can't believe you warned me about them. I thought you hated them."
Tristian shrugged. "I do. But you don't, do you?" He glanced at her briefly and then disappeared through the doors.
Veronica stood outside for a moment. Despite the news that Amelia and Snape were after her, she couldn't help but feel happy. Tristian was actually calling her a friend and that warning for the boys cemented her belief that he considered her a friend. Smiling happily, Veronica walked slowly back towards the Gryffindor tower.
When she walked into the common room fifteen minutes later, she saw the girls waiting for her on the couch. "Finally," Parker said loudly.
"Where have you been?" Kylie asked.
"We were worried about you," Daniella added softly.
"Come on," Veronica said, "Let's go up to the dorms. Levinia and Annabel have already left, right?"
The girls eyed Veronica curiously, but followed her silently up the stairs to their dorm. Veronica made sure the door was closed before turning back to the girls, who had taken seats on Parker's bed.
"So what's up?" Parker asked.
Veronica smiled. "This morning overheard Amelia and Snape talking," she began, "And it seems as though they think that they are going to prank us tomorrow morning before the first class."
"Are you kidding?" Kylie asked, incredulously.
"Oh dear," Daniella muttered, "What are we going to do?"
"Prank them first of course," Parker practically shouted, "I can't believe they think they can actually prank us! Ridiculous!"
"Relax, Parker," Veronica said still smiling.
"You're smiling," Kylie said, looking curious, "Do you have a plan?"
"As a matter of fact..."
"All right, Nicci!" Parker shouted, "Show them what you're made of!"
Veronica laughed. "Okay, I overheard what curse they plan to use, so I took the liberty of looking it up in the library and happened to find a counter curse that can also act as a rebounding charm," she said, "There are actually two counter curses, but if you use the one that also rebounds then the only way to get the charm off is to use that. And I don't think our lovely Slytherin friends know that one."
"Perfect," Parker said laughing, "So what is the counter curse rebound thing?"
"The spell is Ellusify," Veronica said, "Shall we practice a bit?"
Veronica smiled over at the girls. They had practiced the spell all night and even Daniella had managed to get the hang of it. To her own surprise, she was looking forward to meeting up with Amelia and Snape. She'd figured that she would be nervous, but for some reason she wasn't. Probably because I'm comfortable with the spell, she thought.
"So are you guys ready?" James asked, sitting down next to them and grinning broadly.
"Yep," Kylie chirped.
"Look at them smiling over there," Orion said, grinning, "I can't believe think that they can actually prank us! Ridiculous!"
Veronica looked over at Kylie and smiled. Kylie smiled back. Funny, Veronica thought. One would think that Orion and Parker were best friends if they just met them separately.
Parker seemed not to notice. "What idiots," she said laughing.
"Yeah," Shane said pleasantly, "We'll be showing them that soon enough."
"Got to give them credit though," Jeff said, shaking his head, "It would have been a good idea."
"Very true," James said frowning, "It's a bittoo good for idiots like Amelia and Snape though."
Parker nodded, frowning as well. "Yeah, I agree," she said looking over at the Slytherin table, "I don't think that they were smart enough. And we all know that Goyle, Crabbe and Harrows are bloody gits. I think it had to be Malfoy. He's the only one with brains."
"As much as I hate to say it, I agree," Shane said, "I've seen him class and he is pretty good. Plus, I heard he's really good at Charms."
"I don't see why it matters," Veronica interrupted.
Kylie shrugged. "It doesn't, I guess."
"True," James said, "Anyone who is there will just get the curse rebounded on them."
Veronica nodded. She looked over at Tristian who was eating his food and looking bored, unlike his companions who were smiling broadly and talking. I hope you aren't there Tristian, Veronica thought, feeling slightly worried. Of course, he knows the counter curse. It was meant to reassure her, but for some reason it didn't. She didn't want to curse him.
"Come on," Parker said grinning, "I think it's about time for class."
"Shall we all go together?" Kylie asked.
"It is a special occasion," Jeff said slowly.
"I don't see why we can't for something like this," James said, "It will make it all the better when we get them all at once. We wouldn't want them to split up and us only see half of them with frog legs."
"Very true," Parker said laughing.
"Well, let's get going then," Veronica said.
They walked slowly down the corridors, talking about random things, mainly Quidditch. Veronica didn't feel much like talking. She was too worried. What if Tristian is there, she thought. I can't curse him, but if I don't everyone will wonder what's going on. Either way, I lose a friend. Veronica sighed loudly.
"Hey," Shane whispered suddenly.
Veronica turned to look at him. Everyone had stopped. "We're almost there," James said softly, "Wands out everyone."
"They should jump out of the empty classroom two doors down," Orion muttered.
"How do you know that?" Parker asked.
"With a little help from Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs," Jeff said grinning. The boys laughed.
"What?" Veronica asked.
"I don't get it," Daniella said quietly.
"You wouldn't," James said.
"Did you steal it from Dad?" Kylie asked, looking curious.
"Never mind Kylie," James said, with a wave of his hand, "Let's go."
They walked silently for a few steps, before James and Orion began talking in loud voices. Parker and Kylie began talking as well, just like they had planned. Veronica reached into her wands and gripped her wand. Just as she did so, eight figures jumped out of a classroom.
"Secangio!" Several voices shouted.
"Ellusify!"
A thick cloud of smoke surrounded them. Veronica assumed it was from all the curses fired. She waited for it to dissolve. She coughed loudly and looked around at her friends as the smoke cleared. All of them appeared to be fine, including the boys. Veronica was most relieved to see Daniella had performed her spell properly.
Coughing from the eight figures caused Veronica to turn towards them. The smoke cleared completely to show eight kids with frogs legs. Veronica pushed her fist into her mouth to stop from laughing. She recognized Snape, Amelia, Jillian, Cristina and Crabbe immediately. The other three were second year Slytherins, but Veronica didn't know their names. All of them had an identical look of horror plastered on their face.
"Amelia!" one of the second years shouted, "What the hell happened? I thought they didn't know!"
"I don't, but, how, it's..." Amelia stuttered.
"Did you actually think you could pull one over on us?" James asked, smirking.
"Nobody bests a Black," Orion said, smirking arrogantly, "Remember that."
"And no filthy Slytherin ever beats a Gryffindor," Parker said coldly, "I thought I warned you earlier this year. Don't mess with us."
"We know the counter curse," Snape snapped.
"Do you?" Veronica asked pleasantly.
They eyed her suspiciously. "Isido," Amelia shouted. Nothing happened.
"You must have done it wrong," one of the second years snapped, "Isido!" Again nothing happened.
"Well that just sucks," Kylie said smiling innocently.
"What the hell did you do!" Snape shouted.
Jeff frowned. "Oops," he muttered, "Does anyone remember what the counter curse was for that rebound charm we did?"
"Nope," Veronica said smiling.
"Me either," Kylie said.
"Sorry, I forgot," Shane said grinning.
"Well, I guess you're on your own," Jeff said with a shrug.
"You'll pay for this!" Amelia shouted furiously, "We'll get you back!"
"I'd like to see you try," Veronica said coolly. Amelia glared at her. Veronica simply smiled. Amelia didn't scare her. After all, Tristian was on her side, not Amelia's.
"I'll make sure you pay especially, Winters," Amelia said coldly.
"Cash or credit?" Orion asked.
"Shut your mouth Black," Snape growled.
"Make me, Frog Legs," Orion said coldly.
"You just wait," Amelia said shrilly, "Let's go!" The Slytherins turned and ran down the hall. Veronica started laughing. Perhaps run isn't the proper word, she thought grinning, more like hopping.
Veronica was laughing so hard now, she thought her sides would split. Kylie had fallen to the floor and Veronica was trying unsuccessfully to help her up. The laughing was making it difficult. James was leaning against a wall, laughing hysterically. Jeff was bent over slapping his knees. Shane was on the floor rolling. Parker was leaning against Orion. Both were laughing so hard, they didn't seem to notice. Daniella had her hand over her mouth and Veronica could tell she was trying to hold back a smile.
A door opened on their right. "What is going on?" an adult voice asked.
Veronica turned to look. She recognized the voice as her mothers. She quickly tried to gain control of her giggling as she looked at her mom. Veronica noticed with interest that Professor Potter was standing next to her.
Kylie seemed to notice as well. "We should be asking you the same thing," she said grinning, "And what is going on with you two?"
"We were having a cup of coffee, Kylie," Professor Potter said, "And why are all of you out here dying of laughter?"
"No reason," James said smiling.
"Somehow I doubt that, James," Professor Potter said, eying him suspiciously, "I haven't seen Miss Keowen and Mr. Black stand next to each other with out trying to curse each other since the last time they tricked me into believing that they had called a truce."
Parker and Orion looked at each other and quickly jumped apart. "Nicci?" Ginny asked.
"We were just having a little fun," Veronica said smiling, "Were you having fun?"
Ginny blushed slightly. "Yes we were," Professor Potter said, "Now why don't you all run along? I do believe that you have class in five minutes."
"Okay," James said. He lowered his voice, but just enough so that everyone could still hear and he could pretend he didn't mean for them to. "You two have fun on your little date. But honestly Dad, next time I recommend that you aren't so cheap. Dinner is much more romantic."
"James!" Professor Potter said, blushing furiously.
James laughed and disappeared around the corner, with Orion, Jeff and Shane behind him. "Bye mom, Professor Potter," Veronica said smiling at the two blushing adults.
The girls laughed and took off running. They stopped when they were far from listening distance of Professor Potter and Ginny. "Merlin," Kylie said, slightly out of breath, "I think they actually like each other!"
"I know," Veronica said grinning, "Did you see how they were blushing?"
"Yes, I did," Parker said laughing, "It was quite funny actually."
"I feel bad for them," Daniella said softly, as they walked inside. "They looked very embarrassed."
"Exactly why it was funny," Parker said, shaking her head.
"Didn't think you had it in you, Carter," James said, as the girls sat down.
"Yeah, we were right surprised," Jeff commented, "I was so sure you didn't like to curse people."
"I don't," Daniella said quietly. She looked a bit pale and was still gripping her wand tightly.
"Well, congrats on overcoming your conscience," Orion said loudly, "About time."
"We're proud of you," James said grinning. He winked at her. She blushed. James laughed and then turned to Veronica. "Looks like our parents have a thing for each other. Wouldn't you just love to be my sister?"
Veronica frowned. "Kylie's sister, yes," she said, "But yours, questionable."
"That's not very nice," James said.
"Should I be nice?" Veronica asked, "You owe us one, not the other way around."
The boys frowned. "Yes, we know," Shane said, "And we're not fond of debts."
"Butwe always payour debts," Orion said, "It's in our honor code."
"Honor code?" Parker asked, "Since when do you four believe in honor?"
"Shut it, Keowen," Orion snapped.
"Ah, ah, ah," Parker said grinning, "Honor code, remember?"
Orion scowled. "It doesn't say I have to be nice to arrogant gits."
Parker made to say something back, but Professor Miller walked into the room. "Welcome class," she said smiling cheerily, as usual, "As you all know today we will be taking a short quiz over the reading you were supposed to do."
Several students groaned. "Quiz? Since when?" Shane whined.
Professor Miller smiled. "Since I told you when I assigned the homework." She walked over to her desk and retrieved a large stack of papers. She walked around and began putting them on desks.
Veronica let out a sigh as Professor Miller placed a test on her desk. She had read, but couldn't really remember what it was about. She read the first question and groaned. For once, she just wished she actually knew the answers for Professor Miller's tests. She glanced over at the other girls.
Kylie appeared to be thinking. She was biting her quill. Daniella seemed to be doing quite well and was filling in answers with ease. Parker was looking off into space. Her entire test was filled in, but Veronica could tell from a distance that most of them were far from right. After all, even Veronica knew Mickey Mouse didn't lead the Goblin Rebellion of 1588. Giggling quietly Veronica turned back to her own test. At least I'm not the only one who's going to fail, she thought grinning.
Veronica let out a sigh of relief when the bell rang. She handed her test to Professor Miller and quickly left. She and the girls had just turned the corner, when she realized that she had forgotten her book.
"Oh bugger, I forgot my book," Veronica said, letting out a frustrated sigh.
"You sure have a knack for forgetting things, Nicci," Parker said laughing.
Veronica stuck out her tongue and jogged back into the History of Magic classroom. Professor Miller was piling up a large stack of books. She turned as Veronica came in.
"I forgot my book," Veronica said.
"I see. I do it all the time, dear," Professor Miller said with a laugh. She picked up the large stack of books. A small piece of parchment floated from the pile onto the floor. Professor Miller seemed not to notice. Veronica walked over towards her.
"Oh, Professor," Veronica said, picking up the paper, "You dropped your..." She looked down at the paper. She noticed the names of several first years. A few had check marks next to their name. "List," she finished.
Professor Miller looked at her sharply and grabbed the paper. She scanned it quickly, before her face visibly relaxed. "Oh, it's just my list of Muggleborn first years," she said, smiling at Veronica, "I thought it was my list of grades. We're not supposed to let any kids see that. I suppose I should get rid of this, huh?"
Veronica smiled back. "Well, I suppose," she said, "I mean, we're almost second years. Um, what is it for anyways?"
"Oh, I used it to determine who might need help with their studies at the beginning of the year. After all, Muggleborns don't know our history when they get here like we do," Professor Miller said. She glanced over at the clock. "Oh, dear, I'm going to be late," she said, "Come on, dear. I've got to get going."
Veronica grabbed her book and left quickly. Professor Miller followed her out and shut the door, before walking quickly down the hallway.
"What her hurry?" Parker asked, staring after her strangely.
"She's late for something," Veronica said shrugging.
"Oh, well, we'll be late too if we don't hurry up," Kylie said.
"Yes, Herbology starts in ten minutes and it's quite a long walk," Daniella said, glancing at her watch again.
"Okay, let's go then," Veronica said smiling. They walked rather quickly down the corridor towards the greenhouses. Veronica wasn't particularly fond of Herbology, but she really didn't mind. Today had been a good day. Perhaps her two weeks of peace weren't over yet after all.
