Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. However, I do own you ;)

Authors Note: Sorry it took us so long. We just want our story to be good. And, well, we also got inspired to write two other stories. I'm not telling you anything. Well...except that we are doing them under a combined pen name (we decided we work well as a team), which is: Zabini the Pyrate.

Chapter 6. Shady Dealings

Darkness. Yet, she looked closer, the surroundings were sharpening; blurred, but definable. She waited with quivering dread. She would see it this time. She knew it would be horrifying. A darkened shape detached itself from one of the blackened forms. The hood of the thing was still, a deadly pall over the menace beneath. She shuddered. It drew closer and she stifled a scream. Now that the cloak was near, she could see the tiny vibrations in the inky fabric. Red glinted from under the hood and she did not try to muffle her scream. It shattered the soundless midnight and the thing lunged…

I awoke with my mouth open and no sound emanating forth.

That dream.

I always enjoyed my dreams. They were completely different from my waking life, filled with happiness I knew would never be real. But this, this atrocity…No words could describe my aversion.

It haunted me because I could not escape from it: sleep was my escape and it had invaded my precious sanctuary.

Because of the wonderful joys of being placed in Slytherin, there were few to whom I could confide.

I shuddered, but banished all thoughts of the dream from my mind for the time being. It was still very dark outside. Not that it was much of a surprise. It was the middle of the night after all.

I sighed before quietly getting up and grabbing my cloak.

Who could sleep after a dream like that? Not me.

There had been nights before, where much had been weighing on my mind, and I had gone for walks in the dark to clear my head. It really did help.

No one knew about my midnight walks. Not even Draco or Blaise. They were something I preferred to keep to myself. And so I went out of my dormitory, careful not to wake my roommates.

Several minutes later I was standing outside of the portrait entrance, trying to decide where I would go. Wandering around aimlessly was out of the question. I had to admit, even I was afraid of being caught by a teacher. Detentions were not something that I usually had on my schedule. Well, that doesn't count the idiotic detentions with Professor Weasely.

And so I decided to go to the quidditch pitch. Who else would be there at this time of night? No one.

I took a back route that Draco had shown me once; one that didn't include running into anybody. A rush of cool air blew on my face as I stepped outside.

Brrr. Chilly.

I wrapped my cloak tighter against myself before stepping cautiously out onto the quidditch pitch. My bare feet sunk in the moist earth beneath me. I smiled momentarily and wiggled my toes before walking further. I looked up, and frowned as I remembered that the prat still had my beloved broom. One of these days he was going to pay.

"Shut up. Stop thinking of him. Think of something nice. Like..oranges!" I whispered to myself.

Oranges. Orange hair. Oh grrr. That prick just wouldn't get out of my brain. I shivered. It was getting colder. I should have put on more clothes. Oh well. I glanced over to the locker rooms.

Well.

It probably was warmer in there. I shrugged before trudging over to the door. I was about to open it, but suddenly I heard voices.

I froze.

Then bent closer to the door.

Oh shut up! It's not my fault that my ear just happened to be near the door.

"When is the shipment coming?" A voice whispered furiously.

"Soon. Should be next week." Was the answer.

"Have you checked everything? With the buyers?"

"Yes. Its all good. The shipment is in perfect condition."

"Where will they be arriving?"

That voice. I knew that voice.

The voices lowered and I couldn't make out what they were saying.

Growling quietly to myself in frustration, I leaned closer.

Big mistake.

I forgot that the door to the locker rooms was in poor condition. It was rotting wood, and very unstable.

In simpler terms, the door flew open and I went crashing to the ground. Leaving, what I am sure, two people very shocked.

My face was on the ground, and so I hadn't seen them. I closed my eyes, and desperately tried to block out my humiliation before standing up. My eyes met two sets of brown eyes.

"Aha! I knew it!" my voice was weak, shrill.

The Weasely twins blinked.
"Whatever are you talking about?" asked Fred.

"Don't try and cover up the truth! I know you are selling things on the black market!"

I cackled hysterically.

Oops, maybe that was a bit rash. Oh come on, you've got to forgive a girl when she is feeling humiliated and tired.

"Black market?" George echoed, turning it into a question.

"Yes! Selling illegal objects! I knew it! Oh, you and your shipments and when they arrive…I heard it all!" Okay, so maybe that was a bit of a lie, so what?

They both paled. "Er, Ms. Parkinson, isn't it a bit late to be out of bed?"

It was my turn now. "Um..." I laughed nervously. "No its not!" Okay, maybe it was. So?

"We wouldn't want to give you a detention…But we may consider letting you off if you don't mention any of this to anyone." Fred said, looking slightly hopeful.

My eyes narrowed. I was about to tell them off and run to the Minister of Magic to get them thrown in Azkaban when I realized that I didn't really want a detention. Especially one with the Weasely twins.

I ground my teeth. "Fine."

They both grinned. "Good!" Fred said.
"Now, it's awfully late. Goodnight Ms. Parkinson." George said, winking at me.

I glowered. "Good night." I replied stiffly, before turning and walking briskly away from the quidditch pitch.

"Of all the insane things to happen!" I whispered madly to myself.

"I always knew they were villains. I did." I reassured myself.

I knew I was in the right.

That night I dreamed about them. Well…That's not entirely true. I mean, the fact that they're twins makes me think of them in two's. Okay, so that's not the whole truth.

Fine!

So what if my dreams were only about that one. It doesn't mean anything, Right? Don't get me wrong, dreaming about, well…

I didn't feel unsettled because I had dreamed about him. I frequently have lovely dreams about the look on his face after I feed his broomstick and his twin to the Whomping Willow. No.

This dream was…pleasant. Erg. I shudder to think about it now. I can't believe I had a dream about me…and him…talking. Yes! That is my latest, deepest, darkest secret.

So don't tell anyone.

Or I'll come and find you.

And, well, I assume you can use your imagination.

Thank you's:

Slytheringurl650: Yes, do forget about what you suspect might be D/G. I'm not telling you if it is. Some have thought it to be something else. I'm glad you like our story. I hope we don't disappoint. By the way, for everyone who is reading this: please forget about Draco, that's not who this story is about. Thanks for reviewing!

beanzmeanzheinz: We're so glad you enjoy our story, we'll try to keep it interesting and keep our readers happily surprised. Thanks for reviewing, we really appreciate it!

mistress-cadaver: Did you see the note about our new shared pen name? We hope to write more stories soon. Don't worry about Draco, he probably won't be given a second mention in this story. And it's not safe to assume you know who the lady is, though I'm not telling you if you're right or wrong. Thanks so much for reviewing!

Once again, please remember to review if you can. We are not begging for your reviews! scoffs

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