One week had passed sense Halloween and security was now tighter than ever. The Minister was still convinced that Sirius Black had something to do with the Demon attack no matter how much Willow explained that he couldn't possibly have the knowledge to pull it off. Cornelius Fudge had ordered Aurors to stand guard at several key locations throughout the castle when he learned that Dementors had no effect on soulless creatures. This made them completely ineffective against most Demons.
As to the actual identity of the Witch or Wizard that hired the Demons, Willow had her suspicions but didn't know where the bastard learned about the Order Of Taraka. The only possible way he could have gained information saddened the Wicca, who truly felt hurt and was dreading the confrontation that would happen today after the Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch Match.
The California Witch was making her way down to the School Stadium to get a seat with her friends. She figured Hermione, Ron, and Ginny would all set together but doubted her Slytherin friends would want to join them. If not for Pansy, Daphne, and Tracy then Willow would have joined the Gryffindors in a hart beat.
Willow hadn't really talked with any other Slytherins since Halloween. After the attack, Crabbe slapping her had truthfully slipped her mind. Not that she would ever forgive the fool but there had been more pressing concerns. She was reminded exactly what happened the morning of Monday, November 2nd. As she and her Housemates sat down to breakfast, Willow setting between Tracy and Pansy so as not to set by Vincent, the Daily Prophet was delivered as usual. The Wicca herself did a spit take with her orange juice when she saw the front page.
The paper showed two moving pictures side by side. The first distinctly showed Crabbe slap Willow and the second clearly showed Dudley knocking Crabbe out. Much to Willow's embarrassment they kept repeating themselves in a continues loop. She refused to look across the Great Hall at her brother and friends. Pansy, Tracey, and Daphne shared a worried look as Willow read the article underneath the pictures.
...Article Begins...
Is The Wedding Off?
By Rita Skeeter
Special Correspondent
Dear readers, earlier this year I wrote a shocking article in relation to the recently discovered Willow Potter being forced to marry the brutish imbecile Vincent Crabbe, son of suspected Death Eater Rigel Crabbe. As the twin sister to one Harry Potter walked through the Village Of Hogsmeade for the first time on October 31st, both Halloween and the 12 anniversary of her parents death, she was made to experience the sights for the first time with the groom-to-be that was forced upon her, rather than her brother and close friends. Investigating the matter closer this reporter has learned that not all was well with the couple long before this doomed outing.
To understand several key issues, one must know that Willow was sorted into Slytherin at the start of the year. Several times, however, she was seen eating at both the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff house tables at various times of the day. Her cousin Dudley Dursley is in Hufflepuff and her brother is in Gryffindor. According to an eyewitness that wishes to remain anonymous, several Slytherins tried to bully Willow into breaking ties with her own family. Apparently Crabbe, and several of his friends, believed Willow wasn't investing enough time into their relationship and potential future. Somehow Harry learned of the ambush and came to Willow's rescue along with several other Gryffindors.
Even the Slytherin Head Of House, Professor Severus Snape, was overheard telling the young girl that she would be better off not spending time with other houses but instead focusing on building allies in Slytherin. It should be noted that this conversation happened after someone put Crystalized Dragon's Blood in Willow's cauldron during class which caused a small explosion. It would appear Professor Snape was telling Willow that it was her fault that someone sabotaged her work that day and if she was a better Slytherin than it wouldn't have happened.
Willow Potter was intimidated enough to start toeing the line a little more by taking more meals at the Slytherin table. She appeared to be spending less time with family and friends in other houses and staying closer to Slytherin and Vincent Crabbe. It was noted by her body language, behavior, and annoyed looks that this was done reluctantly.
It would appear that this worked in keeping Willow from being bullied further. For weeks all seemed quiet in The House Of The Serpent. The young girl continued to keep her head down while attending class and hanging out with friends. She didn't completely break ties with the other houses, but anyone could see she was reluctantly spending less time with them.
All was calm until Halloween. It was decided Willow and Vincent would spend the day together in town getting to know each other. After a mundane outing both teenagers decided to walk around the village to look at private magical gardens and houses. The reason for the assault is believed to be regarding Blood Status.
Some unknown person or persons had been spreading false information about Lily Potter's Muggle parentage. Several students became confused when Willow and Harry clarified that Dudley Dursley was in fact their blood cousin became the boy is a Muggleborn. It was falsely believed that Lily Potter was adopted by a Muggle family and there for had no siblings. When Willow confronted young Crabbe about the rumor he became angry. When Willow explained she had been correcting the rumor he became violent. There is no telling how far the incident would have gone if Dudley himself hadn't stepped in. Though one does wonder why the boy didn't simply use his wand and a good Curse or two. After Mr. Dursley laid out Mr. Crabbe, he dragged his cousin away to the Three Broomsticks.
"I remember they came in and sat in the corner. Dursley seemed extremely agitated, the other two Hufflepuffs seemed nervous, and Willow was quietly fuming and seemed lost in thought, as if she couldn't wrap he head around something, but they never told me what happened." Madam Rosmerta commented when questioned about what she observed that day.
So far there has been no talk of voiding the Marriage Contract, but this Correspondent wouldn't be surprised if the axe fell any day now.
...Article End...
Willow could feel her face glowing from anger and embarrassment at the time. The article had made her sound like she was a scared girl in need of rescuing. When she felt Harry's anger spike considerably she looked around the Great Hall. Everyone at the Slytherin table was extremely quiet, looking between Willow and Crabbe. They noticed there were several seats between them. The Wicca noticed Vincent's face was white with anger.
Harry was on the verge of standing when Professor McGonagall walked up to him and whisper something in his ear. Reluctantly, he sat back down and glared at Crabbe across the hall. Willow noticed several Hufflepuffs giving Dudley pats on the back and looks of admiration. Crabbe had noticed this as well.
That day nothing was said about the incident until after classes. Harry found Willow after lunch and made her fallow him into an empty classroom along with Ron and Hermione. Willow remembered thinking about how there appeared to be several unused classrooms around school, when Harry started talking.
"What the hell Willow? Why didn't you tell me this happened?" Her brother shouted angrily.
"I forgot ok..." She started.
"How could you possibly forget he slapped you? You think that might be something you remember?" Harry asked still angry.
Hermione looked nervous and Ron looked angry just like Harry. Willow looked at both her brother's friends and realized they wouldn't be any help.
"With the Demon attack and everything else that happened it slipped my mind. After Pomfrey checked us all over, I slipped out to have another look at the battle sight and figured out, using my abilities, that the creature was after Ginny and not you or anyone else. So sorry..." Willow said.
"What do you mean it was after Ginny?" Ron cut Willow of shouting in surprise.
"That Demon was an assassin Ron. Someone paid it to kill your sister. Unfortunately, it works for a Demonic Order that will probably send more. I've fought them before and I'm sure there's at least two more close to the school." The Wicca had explained.
Without saying anything Ron tore out the room with Hermione close on his heals. Harry looked at Willow with a worried face. "Why would someone want Ginny dead?"
"You can't marry a corpse Harry." Willow told him simply. Harry left to fallow his friends. Willow had hoped that nothing more would be said about the incident, but she wasn't that lucky. Returning to the Common Room she ran into Draco Malfoy.
"Willow, can we talk a moment." The pale boy had demanded nicely. Not wanting to argue the Wicca walked with Draco towards a secluded corner. She noticed everyone trying to listen in discretely.
"Look ... what happened was bad I'll give you that, Crabbe should have never laid a hand on you, but did you have to tell Rita Skeeter so much private business?" Draco asked.
Willow closed her eyes to center herself. The fool honestly believed she would carry stories to reporters.
"Draco, you're an idiot. First, I don't need anyone's help in dealing with Vincent, especially not Rita Skeeter. Secondly, I'm not someone your dad or your money can intimidate or buy. I don't care about your blood and your riches. That also goes the same for Vincent Crabbe, who I see didn't even have the courage to face me." Willow told him flippantly.
"I made Crabbe go to our room to calm down. If he tried talking to you right now, it would have probably ended badly." Draco explained coldly.
Willow just smiled at Draco and took off for the 3rd year boys' dorm. Upon reaching it she politely knocked and said. "This is Willow Potter and I'm coming in, so you boys need to be decent." She gave them ten seconds before walking in.
Inside Willow had found all the 3rd year boys plus Millicent Bulstrode. Draco walked in behind her and shut the door. Crabbe got of his bed, where he and Bulstrode had been setting together, and met her in the middle of the room.
"You have something to say to me Willow?" He asked threateningly with his knuckles clenched white.
The Wicca looked him up and down dismissively. She then told him in a cold voice. "Keep away from Dudley. Keep your family away from my Muggle Aunt and Uncle, or there will be consequences."
Vincent stood there shaking so enraged, he was unable to speak. Goyle walked up beside his friend. He looked Willow in the eye and said in a gruff voice. "After the war, many families went home to their lives after leaving several Muggles dead. Do you know why? In the end we still rule this world and no Half Blood will ever change that. We aren't afraid of your consequences."
"Really Goyle, you aren't afraid of dying." Willow shot back as she turned around and left.
Ever sense that day no Slytherin had confronted Willow again. She figured that the amount of time and the Quidditch Game would probably bolster one of them to try again to get her to see reason, or their version of it anyway, so she really hoped Gryffindor stomped them today.
It began to rain halfway to the stands, but the students had umbrellas. Willow hopes her brother and his team would be ok but didn't care what happened to the Slytherins. Some might say Draco had been trying to help her out with Vincent, but the Wicca knew better than that. The heir was only fallowing his father's orders and nothing more.
Taking their seats, the Slytherin girls looked out across the field at their fellow Schoolmates. Willow wasn't surprised to see that the majority of the school supported Gryffindor. All the Students were wearing their house colors, but almost everyone was waving scarlet and gold flags and banners.
The rain was really beginning to come down hard when the teams took the field. Lee Jordan, a Gryffindor and friend of Fred and George, was doing the commentary for the game. Being as they were so far away, the Slytherin really couldn't make out what he was saying over the wind and rain. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and both teams took to the air. Willow watched as everyone struggled to control the magical broomsticks as they took flight.
'Why exactly are they playing in a hurricane again?' She thought sarcastically.
Willow tried to keep up with the game, but it was difficult. Judging by the boos and cheers it would seem Gryffindor was ahead by two goals. Possibly 40 to 20, but it could also be 50 to 30, if she was even right about Gryffindor being in the lead that is. Her umbrella was magically enchanted to block out more water than a normal umbrella, but she was still getting wet from her knees down. The high winds were making the Wicca freeze as well. If Harry wasn't playing she wouldn't be here at all.
The Gryffindor captain called a time out and both teams landed. Willow could just make out Hermione and Ron headed for the team huddle. The Slytherins landed closer to their stands but no one ran down to see them. The large boys and Draco stood there shivering in the cold wind. Flint seemed to be having strong words with Draco if the finger poking his chest was anything to go by. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and both teams took to the air.
The game continued for ten more minutes. Willow no longer cared about the score, she just hoped Harry caught the Snitch soon. The Wicca noticed the air getting colder rapidly. At first she paid it no mind except to wrap her cloak around her tighter. It wasn't until she heard cruel laughter in the back of her mind that Willow knew something was wrong. People began to panic and point towards the field.
A hoard of at least one hundred dementors had gathered on the grass. They all seemed to be staring up at the players. Looking up into the sky, Willow enhanced her vision with magic to make warm bodies glow. She saw Harry struggling to stay awake. Thinking quickly, she sent a large pulse of magic through the bond to shock Harry back into consciousness.
As the students around her started to panic Willow began throwing handfuls of the Pure Flame Of Light. The Dark Creatures began to let out unearthly screams as they tried to run away from the flaming white balls of death. The Wicca poured a tremendous amount of magic into one final massive fire ball and hurled it at the middle of the group, turning to ash thirty at least. A large Phoenix shaped Patronus chased the rest away.
The redhead noticed several kids looking up at the players. Fallowing there gaze she saw everyone coming in for a landing. Harry was holding his right hand high with the Snitch grasped tightly. Gryffindor had won the game, everyone immediately headed back towards the castle.
Later that night found a subdued Slytherin House moping in the Common Room. The score had been 210 to 50. Willow wasn't really sure how she had lost track of the game so badly. All she could figure was so did everyone else that would cheer or boo.
She and her three friends were sitting in a corner table going over Charms Homework. Other Slytherins started their own homework or various projects. The half-grown troll Marcus Flint stumbled in from the main entrance and Willow gave him a bewildered look when she realized he was drunk.
He stumbled up to Draco's table were Crabbe and Goyle also set talking about the game. Draco was sulking and complaining about 'Potter' from what Willow could overhear. She hadn't really been paying them any mind because the only thing she wanted to tell Crabbe was the wedding is off. Drusilla was working on it ever sense the slap, but it was taking time.
"Wha happened out there Malfoy? Ya told us last year you could get the Snitch when we allowed you and your brooms on the team! Well!" Marcus asked drunkenly slurring his words.
Draco just gave him a sour look before answering. "It wasn't my fault Scar Head beat me. He was having trouble because of the Dementors and would have fallen from his broom if Willow didn't chase them off. Not only that, I'm pretty sure the fire she used lit up the sky enough for him to find the bloody Snitch."
Flint blinked drunkenly down at Malfoy before looking around the room. His blood shot eyes landed on Willow and he stumbled over to the third year girls' table. He stood there swaying, trying to keep his balance while glaring down at Willow. The Wicca looked up with a cheerful smile.
"What ya smiling at. We lost in case ya didn't know. Now I come to fin' out it was your fault we lost in the first place. I thought Crabbe set ya straight during your date, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe ya need a more thorough lesson?" The drunk boy said trying to sound intimidating.
Zoe Accrington and Darius Berrow walked up to the table. Darius grabbed Marcus by the shoulder and spun him around. "You're not looking to go Flint, maybe you've got a head cold from the bad weather. How about you go on up to your room and sleep it off."
"I'll go an sleep it off tha moment I fin' out why she helped Gryp..., Gryp..., tha Lions." The Slytherin Captain said felling the alcohol more.
Zoe rolled her eyes at her fellow 7th year's stupidity. Looking down at Willow she asked. "Did you help Gryffindor win?"
"Honestly, I don't know. I was just getting rid of the Dementors. If my actions are what caused the Gryffindors to win than this is the first time I'm hearing about it." Willow told Zoe truthfully.
"You should have let them be. There interference would have gotten me the Snitch." Draco shouted from across the room. The Wicca noticed several Slytherins seemed to agree with the Slytherin Seeker.
"My brother is worth more than some game. I'm sorry you lost the match, but I'm happy no one was hurt. I'm also happy my brother did so well." Willow said with her cheerful smile still on her face.
This was the wrong thing to say apparently. Flint lunged at her only to pass right through the Wicca as she turned to mist on instinct. The drunk snake crash to the floor and Willow's body reformed completely unharmed. The redhead looked down at him with the infuriating smile still on her face.
"That wasn't very nice Marcus." She said simply.
The Slytherin Capitan got unsteadily to his feet. The moron looked like he was going to try again but thought better of it at the sight of Zoe's wand. At that moment, the entrance wall opened up.
"What is going on here?" Snape, asking in his usual cold voice, stepping in.
"Nothing sir, Flint isn't feeling well and tripped. I was going to escort him to our dorm room." Darius explained to the Potions Master.
"Then I would suggest you see to it Mr. Berrow. As for the rest of you it's late. Finish up your work and go to bed now." Snape said angrily. "Ms. Potter, come with me please."
Snape turn to leave, and Willow fallowed close behind him. They made their way to the Potion Master's quarters. Snape opened his door, a painting of a ghostly Witch, and indicated Willow walk in before him.
Looking around the young girl didn't really see anything that would give away much about her Head Of House. She noticed two doors leading out of the room, not including the main entrance and figured they probably lead to a private library, kitchen, or bedroom. The room itself was decorated in Slytherin green and silver with a large stone fireplace on the back wall. A large black rug took up most of the stone floor, along with two black leather armchairs facing each other and a small wooden table between them. Snape sat in the chair to the right of the room and indicated Willow set in the other.
He looked at Willow for a long time before speaking. "Binky."
Willow was confused for a second before a House Elf popped into the room. "Master Snape called sir."
"Tea, Binky, and a tray of biscuits." Snape said without taking his eyes of Willow.
After the Elf delivered the tray to the table and left, Snape took his time preparing two cups of tea for himself and Willow. He handed the girl her cup and took a sip of his own.
Willow looked down at her tea and said. "Earl Grey with a dab of honey, milk, and two sugars. I guess my mom and me have the same taste in tea."
Snape paused for a second about to take a second sip from his cup. He placed his cup back on the table. "Yes, that was how your mom took her tea. Earl Grey is more of a Muggle tea, but I like it anyway. If I may ask, how you discovered that I knew Lily?"
"The first time I saw you and Aunt Petunia together, your emotions and hers conveyed surprise. I knew my Mother was from Spinner's End and, after some digging, found out you were as well. Don't worry though because unless someone knew how to work a Muggle computer, and look through Muggle records, they wouldn't really find out anything. You probably forgot but you do have a birth certificate in the Muggle World." Willow explained.
Snape thought about the information and let it go. It wasn't the issue at the moment. "Ms. Potter, I have been trying to help you adjust to Slytherin. I was troubled by the newspaper article and must apologize for Vincent Crabbe's behavior."
Willow was silent as she waited for Severus to get on with it. He blamed the potion incident on her so he would somehow try and make Vincent's behavior her fault as well.
"However, I don't think you understand the pressure the boy is under regarding his family." He continued somewhat formally. "His father demands a certain behavior in the boy that upholds the family image. When you began to go against that image his father began to pressure Vincent to control you."
"Do you think that I need to be controlled Professor?" Willow interrupted.
Snape gave the girl a calculating look before answering. "No Ms. Potter, I don't. I think you are, however, deliberately causing strife."
"Sorry if spending time with my friends and family causes poor fragile Vincent strife, but I'm not going to stop just because he demands I do." Willow said hotly.
"No one is asking you to stop spending time with your family, just try and do it more discretely." Snape told her agitated.
"Please, you know that the Crabbe family doesn't want me anywhere near my own family. They want me quiet and docile just like Vincent's mother, Irma Crabbe." Willow responded angrily. "Anyone can easily tell that woman has been abused. She was beaten down verbally and physically, forced into her place."
"I don't want to see that happen to you!" Snape shouted. "There are quite a few people that would help that woman if only she'd ask for it, but she's too afraid. I don't want to see you become that one day."
Willow was surprised by Snape's honest response. "I appreciate your concern, but it's not needed. I'm more than strong enough to handle the Crabbes."
Snape took a moment to compose himself. If Lily and James Potter we're still alive this would never have happened. Potter would never have allowed Willow into an arranged marriage and Lily would have already killed the boy that would dare to strike her daughter.
The problem was that this was happening. Willow was engaged to a boy Snape truly didn't wish to see her with. Willow also knew exactly the kind of boy he was, if the private talk he had with Dumbledore was any indication. The Headmaster had been most troubled after his visit to the Weasley Family home.
"So what do you plan on doing Ms. Potter? You're engaged to him now. Your life and his are now locked. Do you think you can control him? Do you think you can change him? I know what was discussed between you and Dumbledore regarding a murder Vincent Crabbe committed." The Potion Master said with a casual tone.
"Simple really, I've already wrote to Drusilla about annulling the contract because of the assault, something I'm sure will make Millicent Bulstrode happy. If that doesn't work then I'm going to do some very disturbing things to break it myself." The Witch said smiling.
"How do you tend to break the contract yourself?" Snape asked sarcastically.
"Make out with another girl in public." Was Willow's simple response.
"Ms. Potter this is no laughing matter to joke about. You need to think..." Snape started to explain until he realized that Willow wasn't kidding. "Oh."
"Do you find something wrong with that Professor?" Willow challenged.
Snape coughed to cover up his surprised laugh. How many times had he seen that face on another redhead? Willow didn't just inherit her mother's facial appearance but also her facial expressions. The dreaded Resolve Face.
"Ms. Potter, Willow, you aren't the first student I've had revel to me their preference in partners. There was once a 7th year Hufflepuff boy that had a crush...never mind." Snape said a little flustered. "I'm not sure that your plan will work. The Heiress of the Potter and Whitehall families kissing another girl in the Great Hall might be a scandal, but the Crabbe Family could still weather the storm."
"Well darn, who should I make out with then?" Willow asked jokingly. She kind of wanted to hear more about that Hufflepuff.
Snape's lips twitched as he fought to keep from smiling. He really hoped Willow was joking and not seriously asking him for advice on making a scandal.
Both continued sipping their tea in silence for a time. Willow remembered something she was meaning to do. She pulled a small bag out of her pocket and reached inside. The fact her arm disappeared all the way to her elbow told Snape it was much bigger on the inside than its size suggested.
The redhead placed several small silver bells on the small table. Snape picked one up and inspected it. He felt a hum of unfamiliar magic coming from the trinket. "What's this?"
"Those are bells anointed with holy water and soaked in a special magical oil that gives them the ability to detect Demons. Unfortunately, their completely useless around Sunnydale but Hogwarts is another story. Can you pass them out to the Professors and anyone else you think might need them." The Wicca explained politely.
"This is to protect Ms. Weasley. Has anyone found out anymore regarding the Demon attack on Halloween? From my end there has been no new information." Snape inquired.
"Nothing new, no. The only thing we are certain is that the Order Of Taraka sends three assassins at a time that work independently of each other until the job is done, or until there all dead. That pretty much guarantees that there are two more assassins lying in wait." Willow explained.
Willow sat there studying Snape quietly. She could feel true concern coming from the man as he examined the bell. At the same time, she could feel Voldemort's Dark Mark on his arm which told her at one time he was a true Death Eater. The man was all over the place with Willow's danger radar.
Snape looked at Willow with an unreadable expression. "Back to why we are here Ms. Potter, even if you do break the contract there is still Slytherin House to consider. They could make life at Hogwarts difficult if you keep going against the Pureblood wishes. No doubt more than one has been told by their families to make sure you represent yourself, and your two Magical Bloodlines, according to Dark Family values."
"I've dealt with Peer Pressure before back in Sunnydale." Willow said off handedly. She had to handle Sunnydale kids without magic. Slytherin would be a piece of cake.
The young redhead sat there drinking her tea and still trying to figure out Severus Snape. This man had at one time grew up next door to her Mom and been her friend. He turned towards Dark Magic when life didn't turn out exactly like he wanted. More than likely he diluted himself into believing becoming a Death Eater would solve all his problems. Something made him turn on Voldemort though, and she desperately wanted to know what. She also understood from Harry that Snape hated James Potter, and he took that anger out on her brother. The Potion Master didn't seem to have the same hatred for her though. Willow wondered if it was the familiar appearance to Lily or the fact she was in Slytherin.
Perhaps Willow's biggest aggravation with the Potion's Master was that he was a bully. He used his position of authority to pick on any student he didn't like. This reminded her of something she overheard about the Gryffindor's D.A.D.A Class that he substituted for. He had taken points from Hermione because she tried to answer a question.
"I have to ask you something Professor." Willow said. "Why did you get mad at Hermione Granger for knowing the answer about Werewolves?"
Snape's face looked like he just ate a sour lemon. "Not that it is any of your business, but I took points because Ms. Granger kept speaking out of turn, and for no other reason than that even if I did phrase it badly. I believe that will be all for now Ms. Potter, head back to Slytherin."
Willow stood up to leave. As she opened the door Snape stopped her. "Think about what I said regarding your house Ms. Potter. Try to be more responsible if you will."
"More reasonable? Like inviting my family to join me in Slytherin House for a study group." Snape quickly rounded on Willow. "Don't worry Professor, I'd never do something so horrible to my brother and cousin. Don't forget about the bells. Good night."
With that the Wicca angrily slammed the door in Snape's face.
As the Witch mad her way back to the dorm, her mind wondered back to the bells and Ginny Weasley. She couldn't put it off any longer. It was time to confront her friends.
Walking into the Common Room, Willow saw several older students still doing homework. Many paused what they were doing to give her mean looks. The Wicca ignored them and headed up to her room.
All the Slytherin 3rd year girls that shared Willow's room were still up. They turned towards the door as the redhead walked in. Bulstrode gave her a smug look and asked. "Snape set you straight, Potter?"
Willow closed the door aggravatedly and looked the bully straight in the eye. " Millicent, go to sleep and don't wake until morning around eight."
Pansy, Daphne, and Tracey watched shocked as Bulstrode did exactly what Willow told her to do. The redhead waited for the mean girl's snores before closing her curtains and placing a Silencing Charm over Bulstrode's bed.
Turning to look at her friends she said. "I want the truth and I won't be mad. Did any of you ever go through my things or take any of my books at Whitehall Manor?"
Feeling out with her empath abilities Willow found her answer. She suspected this to begin with but that didn't make it easier.
"Pansy?" She asked quietly.
The black haired girl looked shocked, then got defensive. "Why do you assume it was me, Willow? All three of us have been to your house over the Summer, and so have Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle!"
"I never let the boys in my room, plus Crabbe and Goyle are far too stupid to know what to look for. I'm not even sure they know what a book is." Willow said sarcastically.
Back pedaling Pansy focused on the other two girls. "Tracey and Daphne have been in your room. Maybe one of them took the Taraka Book."
"Willow never asked about a specific book Pansy." Tracey stated coldly. Daphne stood beside Tracey with her arms crossed.
The scared girl realized her slip and became nervous. Willow quickly hugged her. "Its alright Pansy but I need to know, please."
Pansy sniffed and cried into Willow's shoulder. "He ordered me to snoop around whenever I could, my Dad that is. He would dig threw my memories when I'd come home. ..sniff.. He saw the book in my head and made me still it. ...sniff... I swear I didn't want to, but I was scared."
"Its fine Pansy really. I don't blame you. I need to know if there was ever anything else. It's extremely important." The Wicca said while comforting her friend.
"No, I swear it was just the one book." Pansy reassured Willow still crying.
Willow stood there thinking about the Demon that attacked Ginny. She remembered how it turned and ran when it realized that she was too strong to fight. She had a horrible feeling.
"Pansy, when was the last time you heard from your dad?" She asked worriedly.
Pansy stopped crying in shock. Looking up at Willow in confusion she replied. "A few days after Halloween. He said there was business overseas he had to tend to. Why?"