Veronica walked quietly down the corridor. It was an hour past curfew and she had just narrowly missed Professor Malfoy who was patrolling the corridors. Why did the Slytherins have to leave after curfew for Drumstrang? Couldn't they have left at the same time Gryffindor had, she thought with annoyance.
Normally she never would have come out after curfew, but this was a special occasion. She wanted to see Tristian before he left. After all, he had came to see her off even if he hadn't admitted it. She should do the same.
He should be passing by here sometime soon, she thought. Hopefully Amelia and Snape won't be with him though. She waited quietly in the shadows behind a statue of a thin woman in long flowing robes.
Tristian rounded the corner five minutes later. He was alone. "Hi," Veronica said quietly, stepping out of the shadows.
Tristian jumped slightly. "Did I scare you?" Veronica asked with a smile.
Tristian scowled. "No."
Veronica smirked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Tristian snapped, "What are you doing out so late anyways?"
"Well, I figured, since you were so rude and didn't come to say goodbye, that I would just come to you," Veronica said grinning.
"Don't call me rude," Tristian said, looking slightly angry, "No one asked you to come. Don't try to give me a quilt trip."
Veronica stared at him in shock for a moment, before it was replaced with a wave of anger. "I am not trying to send you on a guilt trip," she said angrily, "I was just coming to say goodbye. I wish you would have told me you were going to be so rude, because then I wouldn't have bothered. Do you realize its after curfew? I almost got caught by your father and if I had, I would have detention for months!"
"A few detentions never hurt anyone," Tristian said coolly.
"Maybe not you," Veronica snapped, "But my mother would have been furious, especially if I was putting myself in danger."
"You're not in any danger."
"Earth to Tristian," Veronica said, feeling extremely annoyed, "The attacks."
"I said you don't have to worry," Tristian said.
"And how do you know that?" Veronica asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I just do, okay? I mean, unless you're, but you're not so..." Tristian muttered.
"Well, pardon me if I don't just take your word for it," Veronica snapped, "What is wrong with you anyways?"
Tristian sighed. "Can't I have a bad day every once in a while?"
Veronica held in a sigh of relief. For a minute there, she had thought he was mad at her for something. "Well, if that's what's wrong you could try saying, sorry, I'm having a bad day."
"Malfoys never say sorry," Tristian said dully.
Veronica felt another surge of annoyance. "Oh, I forgot," she snapped, "Malfoys are so great. I should just forget the sorry and be happy that you've lowered yourself to talk to me."
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Tristian shot back.
"Oh, well, maybe I don't know it," Veronica said in an annoyed tone.
"You did too," Tristian said in an accusing tone, "You're taking it the wrong way on purpose."
"That's impossible," Veronica said, "You can't take something the wrong way on purpose."
"Well, you just did," Tristian snapped.
Veronica stared at him in shock. She had never seen him express so many emotions at once. He had always remained cool and aloof in their previous arguments. She sighed. "Sorry," she muttered, "It just makes me angry that you won't tell me what's wrong."
"I don't feel like talking about it," Tristian said, glancing away.
"I told you everything that has been bothering me."
"I didn't force you to."
"Maybe not," Veronica said, "But that's what friends are for. You're supposed to listen to their problems and share your own."
"Unfortunately mine can't be solved by talking them through," Tristian said. He glanced down at his watch. "I have to go." He started walking away, but stopped at the corner. He turned and looked back at Veronica. "Thanks for coming," he said softly, "I do appreciate it." He turned quickly and disappeared.
Veronica stared at the corner where he had disappeared. I suppose that was his way of saying sorry, she thought. The sound of footsteps caused her to jump back behind the statue. It was going to be hard to make it back to the dorms unnoticed, she thought. But it was worth it. Tonight, she had seen yet another side of Tristian Malfoy.
"There you are Nicci," Parker said grinning, as she, Kylie and Daniella walked into the common room. "You're up awfully early."
"Couldn't sleep," Veronica said with a yawn, "Strange because I am so tired."
"We didn't see you last night either," Kylie said, tilting her head, "We looked all over the common room and the dorms. You weren't here."
"And lets not forget it was after curfew," Parker interrupted. "So where were you?"
Veronica frowned. What was she going to say? Think of something quick, Nicci. "Well, I was..."
"Ladies!" Jeff said loudly, as he James, Orion, and Shane walked into the room.
Saved by the boys, Veronica thought with relief. Parker and Kylie were still staring at her with suspicion, but for now she was safe. Maybe the game today will buy me a little more time too, she thought.
"Weasley," Parker sneered.
"Now, now Keowen," Orion said smirking, "In a bad mood already?"
"I wasn't until you got here," Parker said coolly.
Orion scowled. "Well, its not like I'm pleased to see you either."
"Now, now Black," Parker said smirking, "Have you forgotten your honor code?" Orion glared. "That's what I thought."
"So how good is the Ravenclaw team?" Kylie interrupted, hoping to end the argument. Parker and Orion continued to glare at each other.
"They're pretty good this year," James said thoughtfully, "But they don't compare to our team."
"A little cocky now aren't we?" Veronica asked.
James looked at her with surprise. "Only because I can be." Veronica rolled her eyes.
"Well, it's true," Jeff said grinning, "Gryffindor is really good this year."
"And I heard Ravenclaw's star Beater, Jenny Macabee, is out of the running with an injury from their last game against Slytherin."
"Is she alright?" Daniella asked, looking worried.
James waved his hand. "Who cares? She isn't playing today and that's good for us."
"Not that we need the extra help," Jeff said.
"That's terrible," Daniella said in a disapproving tone.
James threw his hands up in the air. "What are we going to do with you?"
"Nothing," Kylie said.
"Yeah, we don't need you corrupting her," Veronica said.
"That isn't very nice, Winters," Shane said, raising his eyebrows, "What is bothering you so bad today?"
"Nothing, I'm just a bit tired," Veronica said quickly.
"Well, you better wake up," James said grinning, "You won't want to miss Gryffindor kick Ravenclaw's butt."
"At least we better if we want to make it to the Quidditch cup," Kylie said.
"We will," James assured. He glanced over at the boys. "Come on, I want to get some breakfast before the game starts."
They started to walk away. "Ri!" James yelled. Orion turned reluctantly towards him.
"I win!" Parker shouted.
"Did not!" Orion said, "I have to leave."
"Coward," Parker said smirking.
"Loser," Orion snapped.
"You lost, not me," Parker said.
"Did not," Orion said, "I have to leave. We'll have a rematch when I don't have more pressing matters to attend to."
"Like I would spend any more time with you than absolutely necessary," Parker retorted.
"Who's the coward now?" Orion asked smiling.
"Fine we'll have a rematch later," Parker said, smiling back, "I do enjoy beating you."
"You didn't win," Orion snapped.
"Give it up, Orion," Shane said loudly.
"Yeah, we're starving," Jeff groaned.
"And I have a game to get to soon," James said.
"I'm coming," Orion said, as they walked towards the doorway, "We need to pay back that debt soon. I can't stand owing Keowen something."
"How do you think they plan on repaying the debt?" Veronica asked, as soon as the boys left.
"Who knows," Kylie said yawning, "It will have to be something big though, because they consider our telling them about the prank a big debt."
"Perhaps we should just tell them to forget it," Daniella said softly, "I think it's terrible. People shouldn't feel the need to repay acts of kindness."
"Have you gone mad?" Parker asked, looking outraged, "You actually think we should give up the opportunity to watch them do things for us? No way."
"Let's forget it," Veronica said, "I'm hungry and the game starts in an hour."
"Yeah, we better hurry up if we want to eat and get good seats," Kylie said, getting up slowly.
"Do you really think we're going to win today?" Daniella asked.
"Of course," Parker said, "Do you honestly think we'd lose to a bunch of brains? Come on, Dani. We're Gryffindor and let's face it, Ravenclaw is too busy putting their heads in a book to pay attention to the game."
"Parker," Veronica said rolling her eyes.
"What?" Parker asked, smiling innocently. "It's true isn't it."
Kylie laughed. "Well, let's hope the part about us winning is true."
"Yeah, let's hope," Veronica said, taking a seat. Her eyes moved over to the empty Slytherin table.
"Nice not having them here, huh?" Parker said, following her gaze.
"Definitely," Kylie said, grabbing a piece of toast.
"Amelia sure is annoying," Veronica agreed, "At least we don't have to be looking behind our backs every five minutes."
"Hey, maybe we'll get lucky and she'll decide to stay there," Parker said hopefully.
"Doubt it,"Kylie said thoughtfully, "Hogwarts is the best wizarding school in the world. Even if her parents don't like mixing her with Muggleborns, they still want her to get a good education."
"Why?" Parker asked, "She's too dumb to learn anything anyways." Veronica and Kylie laughed. Daniella sighed and kept eating.
"Girls!" Annabel squealed as she ran up to the girls with Levinia and Rob trailing, "You girls won't believe what I just heard." Rob sighed and shook his head.
"Hey Rob," Jeff shouted, "Want to come with us?"
A look of relief crossed Rob's face. "I'll save you a seat Anna," he said quickly, before walking off.
Annabel waved her hand, but continued staring at the girls, clearly waiting for one of them to ask what she had heard. "What?" Veronica asked finally.
Annabel smiled. "It seems as though Tristian Malfoy has a girlfriend."
"So," Parker said dryly.
"Who cares who he dates?" Kylie said.
"Don't you two know anything?" Annabel asked, rolling her eyes, "He's only one of the richest kids in school. Not to mention he is really cute."
"Ugh," Parker said scowling, "He's a Slytherin."
"And a Malfoy," Kylie added, looking disgusted.
"I'll second you on that," Levinia added, "Personally I was more interested in why he was hiding it."
"Hiding?" Daniella asked, finally looking up from her breakfast, "But didn't you say you knew he had a girlfriend."
"Well, sort of," Annabel said, "Molly Burton, that first year in Hufflepuff, saw them together last night, right before Slytherin left for Drumstrang."
"Last night," Parker muttered. She looked over at Veronica, but then shook her head as though she was crazy.
Veronica tried to remain calm. "Did she see who it was?" she asked, trying to sound interested.
"No," Annabel said looking disappointed. Veronica held in a sigh of relief. Annabel's face brightened soon after. "But Molly said she got a picture of them talking. She's going to develop them Monday, since the dark room isn't open this weekend."
Veronica felt a surge of panic. Oh, God. Come Monday everyone would know that it was her and all her friends would hate her...
"Well, I don't think we can trust gossip like that," Daniella said, "If he had a girlfriend he would say so and if he didn't want to, then I think that is his business."
Levinia frowned at her. "But don't you get it? If he was hiding her, that means that old Professor Malfoy definitely wouldn't approve and that means she's not a Slytherin. She might even be in Gryffindor."
"Doubtful," Kylie said, shaking her head.
"Yeah," Parker agreed, "No Gryffindor would ever stoop that low." Veronica felt a surge of shame and quickly averted her eyes.
"Speaking of Gryffindor," Levinia interrupted, "Are we going to the game or what?"
"Yeah, let's go," Kylie said, getting up.
Veronica followed them slowly. What was she going to do? What can I do, she thought bitterly. Come Monday, I'll have no friends. Kylie, Parker, Daniella and all the Gryffindors will hate me when they find out about Tristian. As for Tristian, we won't be able to talk either once his father finds out, she thought.
"Nicci!" Parker called.
Veronica looked around. They were already at the pitch. "Up here!" Kylie shouted. Veronica looked up. Parker, Kylie and Daniella were beckoning at her. She had been so caught up in thinking that she had stopped in the middle of the stairway.
"Are you okay, Nicci?" Daniella asked softly.
"Yeah, you seem a bit out of it," Parker said, frowning.
"I just feel a bit ill," Veronica said softly. That wasn't a total lie, she thought. She did feel ill. After all, who wouldn't in her position?
"Perhaps you should go see Madam Pomfrey after the game," Kylie said, looking worried.
"Perhaps I will," Veronica said. Luckily, she was saved from further questioning when Darien Jordan's voice echoed through the stadium.
"Welcome to the game between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw! This years Gryffindor players are Captain and Keeper Peter Baylen, Chaser Carter Matthews, Chaser Nathan Richards, Chaser Gabrielle Phillips, Beater Carly Weasley, Beater Greg Waters, and Seeker James Potter!"
The Gryffindors burst into applause and Kylie whistled loudly. "This years Ravenclaw team consists of Captain and Seeker Richard Hayes, Chaser Airen Winn, Chaser Kalibar Spelling, replacement Chaser Susannah Combs, Keeper Alexander Smith, Beater Jason Todd, and Beater Candice Williams." The Ravenclaw side started cheering.
"And the game begins!" Darien shouted, "It's Gryffindor in possession. Matthews passes to Richards. Oh, nice reverse to Phillips. She shoots, she scores!"
Veronica sighed and turned away from the game. She really wasn't in the mood to watch. Her eyes wandered out over the stadium. Everyone was so excited. She wished she could feel that happy.
"And Phillips scores again!" Darien shouted. Kylie and Parker screamed. "The score is tied at 50-50."
Veronica rubbed her ear. Kylie and Parker sure could scream loud. She looked over at them. Both of them were standing. Kylie was shouting some play and Parker was yelling, "Just hit them with your bat, Carly!"
Veronica smiled, but it disappeared immediately. It was hard to be happy when she knew that Monday everything she enjoyed about Hogwarts would be gone.
"Yeah!" the Gryffindors cheered.
"And Gryffindor takes the lead, with that awesome play be Matthews! Oh, wait, Potter's seen the snitch!"
Veronica looked out over the field as Kylie screamed, "Come on James!"
James was diving straight down near the Ravenclaw goal posts. The Ravenclaw seeker was right on his tail. Slowly James began to inch forward. His hand reached out...
"And Potter's got the Snitch!" Darien's voice echoed over the roar of the Gryffindors! Gryffindor is going to the Quidditch Cup!"
Veronica looked out over the lake. It was Sunday night. Curfew was in an hour, but she really didn't care. Tomorrow her entire life would be ruined. Tears filled her eyes, and this time she let them fall. She had almost cried many times over the past two days. She buried her head in her knees and continued sobbing.
"Nicci?" a voice asked.
Veronica looked up slowly and turned around. "Hi, Tristian," she said softly.
"What's wrong?" Tristian asked, sitting down next to her. He looked quite uncomfortable, Veronica noted.
"She has a picture of us together...and she's going to get it developed tomorrow," Veronica said through sobs, "And all my friends are going to hate me and we won't be able to talk because your dad will find out."
"Who's she?" Tristian asked. His voice had changed. He was angry.
"Molly Burton," Veronica stammered, "My whole life is going to be ruined. I'm going to have no friends..." She laid her head on his shoulder and started crying harder.
"Don't worry," Tristian said softly, while patting her shoulder, "I'm going to take care of it. I promise."
Veronica got up early the next morning. She couldn't sleep. Today was the day. She looked over at her sleeping friends. She smiled. Parker looked like an angel when she slept. Definitely the opposite of when she was awake. Kylie was tangled up in her covers and barely visible. Veronica was glad to note she wasn't having another of her nightmares. Daniella was tossing and mumbling incoherently, but a smile was plastered on her face.
Will you ever forgive me? Veronica thought. Sighing, she got dressed and left the common room. She'd come back just before breakfast. Our last meal together as friends, she thought.
She wandered aimlessly through the halls. Suddenly every detail seemed more important. It had been in this corridor that Parker had been covered in pink paint the first day of school. That was the statue she had hidden behind when she come down to see Tristian before he left for Drumstrang.
It seemed so long ago, and yet really it wasn't. She stopped. Someone was walking in the next corridor.
"Ah, Molly," a voice drawled, "Fancy seeing you here."
Veronica frowned. That was Tristian's voice. She walked quietly over to the corner and peeked down the corridor. Tristian was leaning against the wall, next to the door to the dark room. Molly Burton was standing a few feet away.
Tristian walked over to her slowly. Molly seemed rooted to the spot where she stood. "This is a nice camera," Tristian said coolly, taking it from her. He looked down at it and then back at Molly, "I bet it takes nice pictures."
"Yes, uh, it does," Molly stammered. She's scared, Veronica thought.
Tristian smiled coldly. "I bet it even takes pictures in the dark," he said, turning it over in his hands.
Molly didn't answer. She shifted nervously, as though she was going to take off running. "You're not going anywhere are you?" Tristian asked.
"Actually, I do need to be going, I..." Molly said quickly, as she turned to leave.
Tristian grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her back. His face contorted in anger and his eyes blazed. Veronica took a step back instinctively. "I've been hearing some interesting things around campus about what you're taking pictures of Molly," he said coldly, "And I'm not liking what I hear."
"I, well I..." Molly started. She glanced up and down the corridors as though looking for help.
"You see, your pictures have extremely upset a friend of mine," Tristian continued coldly, "And naturally I don't like it when my friends get upset."
Tristian let go of Molly's arm and pushed her into the wall. He took out his wand and muttered something Veronica couldn't hear. Molly's camera burst into flames.
"This is your only warning. Keep your nose out of my business, or one day you might wake up and realize you no longer have one," Tristian said.
Molly took off running. Tristian smiled and started off in the other direction. Veronica leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. That was the Tristian Malfoy that Kylie had warned her of. That was the Tristian that everyone else knew. Veronica shivered. He was so cold, so cruel, so evil...
He wasn't joking either. Veronica knew that. He had meant every word of the threat and Veronica had no doubt that he would do it either.
