Double update due to the glitch delaying the Chapter 11 release-
ElejahAlwaysNForever and dafatcat101, glad you're enjoying the story!
In the next few chapters, some mysteries will be answered, and some will only become more complicated...
"M-Malfoy?"
"She-Potter."
"What did you call me out here for?"
He lifted his chin, peering at me out of the side of his eyes. I shivered. I'd forgotten how scary he could be sometimes.
Then he walked towards me slowly.
Shit, Malfoy's going to murder me. Yep, this is how I die. I provoked the fricking snake, and now I'm paying for it.
He stopped about a foot away and looked down at me with a supercilious air and a sneer.
"So, you want to know about Astoria?"
Chapter 12: The Malfoy Problem, Part 1
"Yeah," I said quietly.
Malfoy glanced around to make sure no one was coming down the hallway, then cast Muffilato.
"Hmm, how do I put this lightly?" He tilted his head to the side. "Oh, yeah, she's a psychopath. Would you like me to elaborate?"
Clearly he was not going to make it easy for me to get any information out of him.
"Yeah."
"Is that the only word you know, She-Potter? Yeah?" he taunted.
I stared up at him, folded my arms, and frowned.
"Did you call me out here just to show off your sparkling wit, Malfoy?"
Malfoy sighed deeply.
"She's a pureblood fanatic who hoards Dark artifacts, but I'm quite sure that you already know that. It's common knowledge. What else do you want to know?"
"Aurelie."
"Yes."
He turned away from me and began to pace away, then spun to face me again.
"There is that problem. You're wondering where this mystery sister comes from, no doubt."
I stalked towards him, my shoes tapping loudly on the stone floor.
"I'd appreciate if you could just tell me and stop trying to be so melodramatic."
Malfoy smirked. "But where's the fun in that, She-Potter?"
I glared at him.
"Fine, fine, fine. Your wish is my command, She-Potter. You want to know why Aurelie's existence was a secret, and if it has anything to do with Astoria's ambitions."
I nodded. I was finally getting somewhere.
He sighed. "Right. Astoria has kept Aurelie under lock-and-key since she was born, as you probably suspect. She wants her to be pure, thinks she'll be some kind of Dark Chosen One. A Dark Lord. Dark Lady, maybe."
My jaw dropped.
"You're pulling my arm - this isn't funny, Malfoy!"
He exhaled forcefully, giving me an annoyed look.
"I'm as serious as a heart attack. Obviously, you've met her. She's a complete idiot and nearly a Squib." Malfoy snorted.
I thought that was just a bit cruel.
"Voldemort, Grindelwald, all the Dark wizards of old... they were powerful from a young age. Unless Astoria thinks she can make Aurelie powerful- Look, I'm kind of in the dark, too, She-Potter. Astoria is very secretive."
"Am I supposed to believe that you don't know what's going on in your own home?"
He sneered. "Believe it or not, She-Potter, there are many places on the Malfoy estate where I have never set foot."
"I-" It was too much information to take in, and I wasn't sure if I believed half of it.
He strode over to me again, and fixed a harsh stare on me. "Don't investigate, She-Potter, whatever you do. Leave it to the Aurors. And be careful, things are not what they seem."
Malfoy spun on his heel and turned to walk back into the Great Hall. I hurried after him, still in shock.
"Wait, Malfoy!"
"What?"
"Thanks."
Malfoy shrugged. "You're welcome, She-Potter."
I stood by the entrance of the Great Hall, still trying to sort out my thoughts while I watched him walk back over to the Slytherin table to whisper something to Albus.
He nudged Imogen Zabini, and she got up and followed him out of the Great Hall. I saw her hand slip into his as they felt.
I felt a twinge of some unpleasant feeling that I did not want to name. I pushed it down until it was a single nagging thought at the back of my mind.
I crossed my arms even more tightly. I do not like Scorpius Malfoy. I do not. I do not care if he's with Imogen or not. I just need to get this information to Dad today.
"You're really quiet today, Lil," Carla observed as we practiced the Summoning Charm in Flitwick's classroom.
I couldn't get my mind off of two things: Astoria grooming Aurelie to be some kind of Dark Lady and Imogen's hand slipping into Malfoy's. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts.
I pointed my wand at the quill in front of me. "Accio quill. It's nothing."
The quill did not budge. I sighed.
"Yeah, there's been a whole lot of noth-"
"Shut up, Hu!"
I heard Maddie laugh behind me.
Flitwick called the end of class, and I stood up to gather my books, following Maddie, Hugo and Carla out of the classroom. I trailed a few steps behind them, still thinking about what Malfoy had told me. Could the innocent naiveté just be an act to earn everyone's trust? What if she's already truly evil?
I imagined a wicked smirk spreading across Aurelie's face as she carried out a reanimation ritual to reawaken the Serpent of Slytherin.
No, that's too unrealistic.
But, the idea of Aurelie being a Dark Lord is ridiculous, too.
What if she always planned to be Sorted into Gryffindor to carry out some nefarious deeds and the reason Malfoy wasn't surprised was because he knows who she really is?
Or, maybe this is just one giant prank.
We are talking about Scorpius Malfoy, after all.
We were on our way to the greenhouses for Herbology with the Ravenclaws when we ran into a group of mostly sixth-year Slytherins. Imogen Zabini, Princess of Slytherin House, was still holding Malfoy's hand. Zabini and Nott were there too, and Albus trailed behind them, looking absurdly bored and pissed.
"Hi, Al," I muttered, avoiding Malfoy's gaze.
"Hi, Lil," he replied.
Normally, that was that when I happened to run into Slytherins in the hallway.
What followed was not normal.
We had nearly gone past the Slytherins when Imogen looked up, curling a strand of her perfectly-coiffed hair around one of the fingers of the hand that wasn't holding Malfoy's.
Her voice was sweet and languid.
"My, my, my, aren't you the most pathetic bunch of losers in this place."
"Just keep walking," Carla muttered, but I was rooted to the floor. She grabbed my elbow and tried to pull me forward, but I couldn't move.
"As much as She-Potter and Weasel are absolutely useless, just like the little vagabond they seemed to have picked up this year, the one that I find particularly pathetic is the Mudblood." She tilted her head up towards Malfoy. "Don't you agree, Scor?"
All hell broke loose.
"Control your little girlfriend, Malfoy! Or I'll shut her mouth for her."
"Like hell you will," he snarled.
"Learn your place, Imogen!"
She tossed her head. "Rein in your baby sister, Potter. I think she needs to be brought to heel."
"Do not speak to my sister like that!"
Wands were drawn and spells started flying everywhere.
I thought I aimed a Pimple Jinx at Imogen but it hit Nott instead. Maddie hit her instead with a well-placed Trip Jinx that sent her sprawling. I saw Hugo get hit with a Full-Body Bind Curse right after he hit Malfoy with a Tickling Charm. Al was casting Shield Charms, trying to stop the fight from escalating.
I yelped as my wand flew out of my hand and into Lucas Zabini's just as a voice yelled, "STOP!"
I looked up to see Professor Magellan and Professor Longbottom coming towards us.
Uh oh.
"Quite frankly," said Professor Longbottom, looking between the nine of us, "I'm very disappointed in all of you. Especially you, Mr. Malfoy. As a prefect, you should set an exa-"
Magellan interrupted. "With all due respect, Professor Longbottom, it is clear to me that Ms. Potter started this."
"I did not-" I started, pocketing my wand as Professor Longbottom cast the counter-curse on Hugo. He sat up, rubbing the back of his head and frowning as he noticed Magellan.
"You will be quiet. Miss Potter has a history of being antagonistic towards Miss Zabini; in fact, just a few weeks ago, I had to deduct points from Gryffindor House for her behavior towards Ms. Zabini in my class. Furthermore, we must remember that James Potter was well-known during his time as a student for starting fights; apparently the rash temperament runs in both sides of her family."
Magellan turned towards me. His thin ponytail was pulled particularly tight, making his eyes bulge slightly.
"I am disgusted with your behavior. Miss Potter, your Hogsmeade privileges are hereby revoked for the rest of the year, you are in weekly detention for the next three months, and fifty points will be deducted from Gryffindor each."
"Two hundred points? Professor, that's ridic-" started Carla.
"Those who follow foolish leaders should be punished as well."
"Professor Magellan, I think that's harsh-" began Professor Longbottom.
"They attacked other students."
"We don't know who started it!"
"It is clear who started it."
"Imogen called Carla a - a Mudblood!" Hugo got to his feet shakily.
"Quite frankly, Mr. Weasley, I don't care if Miss Zabini called your friend a Hungarian Horntail," snapped Magellan, his ponytail quivering.
"These four students are in Gryffindor, and as their Head of House, I have the final say in the punishment that they will receive," Professor Longbottom drew himself up to his full height. "Furthermore, we will finish this conversation later, as Herbology begins in ten minutes."
I silently thanked Professor Longbottom, and hurried towards the Herbology classroom behind Hugo.
"Miss Potter!"
I turned around to face Magellan just before I entered the classroom. He sneered.
"I will be watching your every move."
Imogen giggled behind her hand, and I saw Malfoy wrap an arm around her waist as they continued down the hallway.
I felt a strange, unpleasant feeling that was definitely not jealousy.
"He's such a hypocrite!" Maddie spluttered as we sat down, "He hasn't even taken five points from the Slytherins, and they fought too!"
"Yeah, and Magellan's all about fairness," Hugo responded bitterly.
Professor Longbottom shushed us, and I pulled out parchment and my quill as he began to lecture on the safest methods of extracting bubotuber pus.
I do not like Scorpius Malfoy. Not one little bit.
It had been a tiring day, and Carla, Maddie and I spent the evening relaxing in the Gryffindor common room and eating popcorn. Rose had come to keep us company.
Maddie scooped up a handful of popcorn. "So, Scorpius Malfoy."
"Scorpius Malfoy?" I responded with the blandest intonation that I could manage.
Maddie had a wicked look in her eye. "Yeah. You know, the hot blond Slytherin guy who hangs around the Gryffindor table just to speak to you? Should I clarify that even more?"
Rose laughed as she reached over, filling both hands with popcorn and spilling some on the rug in the process. "Scorpius Malfoy, indeed."
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the fluttery feeling in my stomach. "He does not hang around the Gryffindor table just to speak to me. He has a sister in Gryffindor." Aurelie Malfoy, aka the Dark Chosen One. That really sounds ridiculous.
"You have a brother in Slytherin, but I don't see you over there every minute," said Maddie.
"That's different! Al can take care of himself, he's older than me!"
"He's even got a cute name for you-"
"He's got ones for everyone! He even calls Rose She-Weasel! Carla, back me up here!"
Carla shook her head, laughing too. "I call something that sounds like The Nile. Lil, you have to admit that you and Malfoy have a certain je ne sais quoi."
"Seriously? What are you two trying to accuse me of?"
"Nothing, just that you and Malfoy have a thing for each other."
"I do not have a thing for Malfoy, and he does not have a thing for me. Yeesh, come on, Mads. If anything, going by the events of today, it's looking like he's with Imogen Zabini."
Maddie sounded shocked. "Imogen Zabini? As in, that girl who hates you from our Potions class? The girl who called Carla a you-know-what?"
"The very same."
"I don't believe that."
"Proof's in the pudding."
"Time will tell."
"Whatever."
Carla sighed. "In the totally hypothetical case that you like Malfoy, what the hell does Imogen have that you don't?"
I tapped a finger to my lips in mock thought. "Hmmmmm, Carla, let's see. Oh, wow, wait, she's gorgeous. And isn't that all guys care about?"
"Oi, I resent that!"
The three of us whipped around.
"Hi, Hu," Rose said absentmindedly, having noticed him come in.
"Hu, when did you get here?"
"At the right time, apparently."
Carla tossed a pillow at him. "We're having a girls' moment, Hugo! When you, Lorcan, and Lysander are doing whatever, we don't bother you!"
I stood up. "I'm going to go ask Al if I can borrow Houdini, I need to send a letter to Dad."
"But Rose has got an owl too!" Hugo said, "She's right here!" He pointed at his sister, who had zoned out completely.
I ignored him and left the common room as quickly as possible, ignoring Hugo's protests.
I do not like Scorpius Malfoy. I do not, I told the little nagging feeling as I tried to list his bad traits.
He's got a bad attitude, he's a snarky bastard, a Slytherin, he likes Imogen, he's rude, and he's annoying. I definitely do not like Scorpius Malfoy.
I checked the Marauder's Map. All clear. Albus was still inside the Slytherin common room. I thought of waiting outside for someone to come out, so that I could ask for him, but I remembered Magellan's warning and thought better of it. Besides, I didn't want to risk running into Imogen, or worse, Malfoy.
I sat down in a quiet alcove, pulled out a pen and a sheet of paper, and began to write.
Dear Dad,
I've got an update on the Malfoy problem. It's pretty big. So I couldn't get much out of Aurelie and instead I spoke to Scorpius Malfoy today. Apparently Astoria did lock Aurelie up in Malfoy Manor because she thinks that she's going to be, in Malfoy's words, some kind of Dark Chosen One. Or Dark Lady. Anyway, I think it's very, very worth investigating both Astoria and Aurelie. There's something going on, Dad. Something really, really dark.
Love,
Lily
P.S. Give Mum and Teddy a hug for me. Miss you and can't wait to come home for Christmas.
I stared disbelievingly at what I'd just written. It felt ridiculous. What evidence did I have? I thought wildly of adding a P.S.S. and scribbling absolutely everything down: the book, the basilisk, the mirror, Scorpius Malfoy...
I heard a soft meow and looked down. Kai was staring at me intently, his big green eyes wide and curious. The kitten mewed softly and I reached out to pet his head.
That meant Malfoy couldn't be far. I got up, and checked the Marauder's Map. My fears were confirmed; it was one of his patrol nights.
I left in a hurry towards the Owlery. I needed to send the letter, anyway, and I didn't think prefects patrolled that tower.
The cat was following me. I sighed and quickened my pace. Kai mewed again, drawing attention to my location.
Worse yet, both Magellan and Filch were in the area.
My best bet was James's office. Luckily it wasn't far, just a few doors down from where I was. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw a light under his door.
"James? James! Open up, please!" I knocked on his door, peeking at the map. I'd get caught if I waited another minute.
"Who is it?" The door swung open.
"Oh, Lil. Come in, what's going on?" James took in my frantic expression.
"You have to hide me! Malfoy, Magellan and Filch are after me!"
James was always good in a pinch. He pulled the Invisibility Cloak from his desk without questioning me and thrust it into my arms.
"Quick, under the cloak and next to the window. They won't go over there."
I obeyed him as quickly as I could, and the door swung open again immediately.
That's rude, barging into someone's office.
There was barely room for Magellan, Malfoy, and Filch in the cramped office.
I heard Kai meow again as he squeezed in between Malfoy's legs. Fluffy little traitor.
"Potter," Magellan said, crossing his arms and peering at my brother with a look of immense disapproval.
"Professor Magellan."
James tried to look relaxed, adjusting his glasses. "What brings you here?"
"I am looking for your sister."
"Oh, uh, I haven't seen her since dinner. She's probably in the Gryffindor common room now, it's after hours. I could ask Rose-"
"Ms. Weasley's services will not be required."
"Oh. Anything else I can help with, then?" James leaned on the desk, a bit awkwardly. I shook my head under the cloak. How did I manage to get stuck tonight with the brother who's a horrible liar?
Filch looked particularly devious. "I heard voices a moment ago."
"Yeah. Oh. I, uh, was talking to myself."
Oh, James.
Malfoy piped up, gathering Kai in his arms. "Professor, if I may?"
He's just as bad as his cat.
"Mr. Malfoy?"
He straightened his posture, and began to speak in a dignified voice. I felt my face get hot under the cloak.
"I spoke to my sister before I left on patrols. She's a Gryffindor also, and she told me that She-Potter, I mean, Lily, had gone to bed early since she was feeling tired. I believe Potter is correct in saying that she's in her common room."
Filch and Magellan barely bothered to hide their disappointment.
Malfoy was the last to leave the office. He and James awkwardly acknowledged each other.
James shut the door and took a deep, relieved breath. I pulled off the cloak.
"Thank you, James."
He grinned, sticking his hands in his pockets. His eyebrow had started to grow back. "No problem. What are you doing up this late anyway?"
I waved the (now-crumpled) piece of paper in my hands. "Urgent letter for Dad."
"I can mail it for you. Now, go to bed before you get in even more trouble. And keep the cloak for tonight, you can't risk getting caught now that both Filch and Magellan are after you."
He laughed at my shocked expression.
"Oh, yeah. I heard about what happened in the hallway today. I would have done the same, of course. Magellan's a hypocritical arse. Don't worry, I won't tell Mum and Dad. It'll be our little secret."
"Yeah, until Professor Longbottom tells them."
James sighed. "There is that. Now run along to bed before you get into even more trouble."
Thanks for reading!
Lily's in big bad trouble; how is she going to help Albus and James figure out the riddle now that Magellan's watching her every move? She's got a Malfoy problem in more ways than one...
