Chapter 13
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...
Dinner was a relatively quiet affair, everyone tired from dull Monday classes. The group was so mellow, Malinda even withdrew a charms book and began to read for tomorrow's lesson.
Clare glared, "You really should've been sorted into Ravenclaw."
Shrugging, Malinda replied, "Slytherins are ambitious and resourceful. Well, my ambition happens to be learning and my resources are books. Besides, you all have barely spoken a word to me since Hogsmeade."
There, she finally had said it. Malinda's brown eyes went from face to face, watching their various reactions. Blaise kept utterly cool, always the best at seeming not to care. Clare's glare softened and she looked away awkwardly. Daphne choked on her potatoes before cautiously swallowing.
"I really don't know what the big deal is," Malinda sighed, going back to her book.
"No," Daphne said lowly. "You don't. You're lucky, you don't have to play by the rules here. For us, there are actual consequences. If my family knew that I sat with-"
"Classmates? Fellow Slytherins? Oh, the horror!"
"You don't understand," Clare insisted, her expression deadly serious. "In high society, half-bloods are tolerable at best."
Malinda raised an eyebrow, "Then why the hell do you lot like Snape so much?"
Clare and Daphne exchanged confused looks, but Blaise simply listened, his expression still blank. Leaning in, Malinda whispered, "Professor Snape, the head of this great house is a half-blood. Yet, you act like he's the best thing since sliced bread."
"Sliced…" Daphne frowned and ignored the odd saying. "How do you know this?"
"Haven't you ever wondered about the name Snape? It's not a known wizarding surname is it? I asked him, when I was new here. He admitted it, his father was a muggle," Malinda crossed her arms. "Doesn't mean shit to me though. Severus Snape is one of the most brilliant wizards I have ever met and I don't think that who his parents are should change that fact, especially since he didn't choose his parents."
"But," Clare shook her head, "But that doesn't make sense. My father has invited him to our dinner parties and…" She leaned in too and whispered, not wanting to be overheard. "And he's been his favorite for years, even before Potter was born."
"From what I hear, he still is the favorite," Malinda whispered. "But you'd know better than me on that, wouldn't you?"
Neither Clare or Daphne dared to reply to the jab. Blaise smirked and finally spoke, "So what's your point, Mal?"
"My point," Malinda nodded towards the head table where the professors sat. "Is that if you're going to invite Snape to dinner parties, then you can at least sit with our housemates. To deny one but not the other is just hypocritical."
Blaise's smirk returned and he leaned away, silently watching her. Malinda watched him as well, sitting upright herself. The young man was brilliant, more so than people gave him credit. Beyond academia, Blaise was cunning, he knew how to read people and how to navigate tricky conversations. A skill he no doubt inherited from his sly mother, who successfully moved from one rich husband to the next. Flirting was obviously another inherited trait.
Despite being raised in high society, despite the people he called friends… Blaise had never said a word in favor of blood purity. He never insulted Jones. He never said the word mudblood. Sure, he listened and laughed when others did, but it never came from him.
Malinda watched him and realized that Blaise was a wolf in sheep's clothing. A blood traitor, hidden amongst the blood purists. She just needed to find a way to get him to admit it to her. Maybe Draco wasn't the only one who needed a way out.
"Well, I'm off to the library then a lesson with Professor Snape," Malinda stood up and grabbed her bag. "See you back in the Common Room."
They didn't offer a goodbye and she didn't bother to look at them again. She quickly exited the Great Hall and turned left, walking towards the library until she ducked an empty classroom. She reached into her bag and took out a folded parchment. Gently she tapped it with a finger and said, "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."
Ink appeared and an outline of the Hogwarts grounds formed, with hundreds of little names revealing most residents were still finishing dinner. This was not the Marauder's Map though, but her own copy. With the help of Dumbledore, she had copied the Marauder's use of the Homonculous Charm and created a second map. Harry wouldn't be the only one watching anymore.
She saw her name and looked around it, only finding a couple of students already in the library. No one had followed her though and she left the classroom, turning away from the library and going to her true destination.
It was freezing in the astronomy tower. Snow still covered the castle and grounds, the chilly air flowing freely into the exposed platform. Malinda cast a warming spell before resting against the rail, her map open and revealing all. She watched as her friends made their way to the dungeons, Draco trailing not too far behind. While they settled into the Common Room, his footsteps climbed the boys' stairway and to his room. Despite the promise of a better path, Draco still had no interest in socializing.
She couldn't blame him. It was hard to be friends with people you would go to war against. She knew better than anyone.
When she finally saw a name climbing the astronomy tower, Malinda tapped her map and said, "Mischief managed."
She grinned to herself. That would never get old.
She was still grinning when Hermoine reached the top of the stairs, looking somewhat nervous. The Gryffindor nodded in greeting, "You asked to meet?"
"Yes, thanks for coming," Malinda dug into her bag and held out the invisibility cloak and true Marauder's Map. "I wanted to return these before Harry started asking questions."
"Oh," Hermoine reached out for the borrowed things but hesitated. "He hasn't mentioned them. Did you want to hold onto them longer?"
"No need, I've got Dumbledore's invisibility cloak and we made a copy of the Marauder's Map."
Hermoine's nostrils flared slightly. "If you already had a cloak, why ask me to borrow Harry's?" Then she considered her own question and answered it. "It was a test. To see if I would hand them over."
"And to see if you would tell them anything."
"Well, I didn't," the Gryffindor said defiantly. "I've kept my word."
"I knew you would," Malinda held up her hands in defense. "It wasn't me you had to convince."
Hermoine relaxed slightly, "It was them I had to convince. I suppose Snape wouldn't trust me at first."
"Don't take it personally, he has major trust issues in general."
"You seem awfully chummy with a professor."
"I'm not really a student though, am I?"
"Right," Hermoine finally took the cloak and map. "Well, is that all?"
"Actually," It was Malinda's turn to be nervous. This was the hero she had worshipped growing up, the fictional friend who kept her sane through dark times. Very dark times. She shifted on her feet. "I was wondering if you just wanted to chat. I… I know that it's hard being friends with two boys sometimes and with Ron carrying on with Lavender-"
Hermoine stiffened but said nothing.
"Well, I just wanted to say that I'm here if you want to talk."
The brown-haired girl assessed her. Then Hermoine said, "It can't be easy being friends with a bunch of snakes either."
"It's not."
Hermoine put the cloak and map away into her own bag. She glanced towards the stairs, deciding if she would go or stay. To Malinda's surprise, she placed her bag on the floor and walked across the small space, resting her own arms on the railing. She looked out and said, "I've been thinking about what you said, about the future. If Harry's supposed to kill Voldemort, why did you say we have to make Voldemort mortal first? I've done research on immortality and it's impossible. There's the Sorcerer's Stone of course but-"
"I can't say how, yet. But you'll learn sooner than later if all goes to plan."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Then you'll figure it out on your own. You were always meant to, I'm just here to speed things along."
"I see," Hermoine frowned then glanced at Malinda. "So did Draco do it then? Whatever you were worried about?"
"He didn't," Malinda let out a relieved breath. "He scared me there, I thought the worst. But there's hope. He's finally starting to let me in."
Hermoine considered this. "I know I'm not supposed to ask, but what was he supposed to do?"
"He was going to hurt people, only pretty badly," Malinda admitted with a wince. "He's scared. He knows that if he doesn't do what Voldemort wants, his mother could be killed."
"That kind of pressure would make someone desperate. It's not right, of course, to hurt people but… At least now I know why he would do it."
"But that's just it, he didn't do it and I'm so relieved."
Hermoine smiled slightly, "Anyways, were you really a muggle?"
"Yup, not a drop of magic in me," Malinda confirmed. "The Harry Potter books were world-changing. People all around the world are obsessed with them. It's odd, reading about your lives then becoming part of it all."
"How much did the books mention me?"
Malinda tucked her hair behind her ear, "A lot actually. They're told from Harry's perspective and you're around him quite a bit."
"Guess that means you know what my career will be, who I marry, if I'll have children," Hermoine mused aloud. "Don't tell me of course. I know fate plays a role, but I still like to think I'll make my own decisions because I want to."
"Exactly!" Malinda threw a hand up. "That's what I've been trying to explain to Draco. He's half-way convinced that because he can't change things. That he's doomed to darkness, blah blah blah. It's all quite exhausting."
"Malfoy has been nothing but a coward and a nasty git all these years," Hermoine snapped then sighed. "I thought about him a lot too. You're right though, for wanting to save him. I thought I hated him, but it's not entirely his fault for being the way he is. He was born into a… a…."
"Shitty, racist family?" Malinda tried.
Hermoine chuckled, "Yes, that."
They stood there, both looking out in a peaceful silence. Then Hermoine asked, "Who are you bringing to Slughorn's party this weekend?"
"Alec Jones."
"He seems alright. By the way, I saw what you did in Hogsmeade," Hermoine said with an approving tone. "Ron and Harry didn't know what to make of it."
"Yeah, well neither do my friends. They may not invite me out again."
"Does it really matter though? Are they actually your friends?"
Malinda gripped the railing and shrugged, "I don't know, actually. Part of me is hoping they are, but part of me knows that they're the enemy. Well, not them exactly, but it's their parents, aunts and uncles we'll be fighting when the time comes. Not sure how Clare will react to me maiming or killing her father. He's a nasty piece of work."
They were quiet again until Hermoine asked softly, "Do I send my parents away? Does it keep them safe?"
"Yes," Malinda replied. "You know, this is going to sound so stupid and creepy, but you doing that was so brave. I never had parents and I'd give anything to have them… I couldn't imagine sending them away, wiping their memories of me. But you did it, to save them. You were sort of my role model."
Hermoine actually smiled though, "Thanks, I suppose. I'm glad they'll be safe. Where do I send them?"
"Australia. The books don't go into detail about you getting them back, but you seem happy in the epilogue so I'm guessing you had no problems."
Hermione let out a deep breath. "I guess that means I survive the war too."
"Oh shit," Malinda slapped her forehead. "Well, yes, in the timeline I know you do but I probably shouldn't have said that."
"Hopefully we'll keep it that way for this timeline too," Hermoine let out a hollow chuckle. Desperate for a change of subject, she prodded, "So Alec Jones? He's quite handsome. Ginny says if he weren't a Slytherin, she might fancy him. Half the girls in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw do. I think Ginny holds out on principle."
That made Malinda laugh. "He's a nice guy. The books never detailed how shitty Slytherins could be to their own housemates though. I don't know how he and the other non-purebloods deal with it."
"Does he know? About… you?"
"Of course not!" Malinda's eyes widened and wanted to move on. "Anyways, what about you? Are you really going to bring McLaggen?"
Hermoine's amusement quickly turned to irritation, "I forget you'd know you about that too. Yes, well, seemed like the best person to annoy Ron."
Malinda whistled, "Oh yeah."
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...
The library was quiet, as a good and proper library should be. Only the occasional cough would interrupt the peace, or rarely the scratching of a too-aggressive quill. Malinda lay her head on the table, listening to the sounds of the magical Hogwarts library.
She had literally dreamed about this place. Now, she sat in it, writing a Muggle Studies essay on the Muggle England's structure of government. It was painfully ironic.
"Finished then?"
Malinda sat back up and bashfully admitted, "No, just taking a break."
Alec chuckled, "Don't let Madam Pince catch you sleeping."
"I wasn't sleeping. I was just enjoying the library."
"You are such a geek. The sorting hat should have placed you in Ravenclaw."
"So I keep being told," she shrugged. They'd been in here for over an hour now, sharing a table. It had been her idea to do these library study dates, but she hadn't expected Alec to take such a liking to them. This was their fourth already and now the next Hogsmeade visit was just a couple of days away, with Slughorn's holiday party later that same night.
She should've been excited for them, but all she could think about was Draco. Well, her frustration with him to be exact. She'd told him days ago that Dumbledore agreed to his terms and offered to meet with him personally. Draco had only nodded and walked away. He still hadn't given Malinda an answer. The stubborn git.
A hand waved in front of her and Malinda blinked. Alec was peering curiously at her, "What were you just thinking about?"
"Nothing," she shrugged again. "Shouldn't you be studying?"
He flashed a cheeky smile that made Malinda feel the flutter of stomach butterflies. No wonder half the school fancied him. How had JK Rowling not even mentioned him? Alec was kind, intelligent and alarmingly handsome. He was the opposite of what a typical Slytherin was. He cared nothing for the pureblood games and rules. So why hadn't he made the cut?
"It's hard to read with you around. You're quite the pretty distraction."
They both made faces. Alec winced, "That was overly cheesy, wasn't it?"
"Just a little."
"Romeo asked about you coming to his game again," Alec murmured. "If I'm not careful, he's going to try to sweep you off your feet."
"I told you, I'm-"
"Going back to America, I know. I told him but he's insistent you come. Here, he offered you a free ticket too. Poor bloke doesn't realize you could probably buy out the whole stadium if you wanted."
He slid a ticket across the table. Its words were in magical, shining ink that rolled around the parchment. She eyed the date and location. "Leicester? On Christmas Eve?"
"I know it's a long shot, but you and your family are welcome to attend. You mentioned your mom does charity work? Their Christmas Eve game is always a fundraiser, helps local wizarding children." Alec cleared his throat awkwardly. "You could come over for Christmas dinner too if you'd like. Romeo and David are bringing their families."
She picked up the ticket and asked carefully, "Did you ask your parents about inviting me?"
His cheeks burned and he muttered something. She leaned across the table, "Sorry, what was that?"
Alec sighed and admitted, "It was my mum's idea actually."
"You told your mum about me?" Malinda wasn't sure if she was flattered or frightened.
"Sort of, I just mentioned I had a date for Hogsmeade and of course she went running wild with it. She's written me a letter almost every day, demanding I at least ask you. I told her, just like I told Romeo, you'll be across the bloody ocean!"
Malinda had to fight down her laughter, her shoulders shaking. "My goodness. We haven't even gone on our first proper date and your mother has already invited me over. For Christmas no less."
He closed his eyes, "I know. I'm dreadfully embarrassed."
"Don't be," she giggled. "It's very kind of them to invite me. I'll ask my family but getting international round trip portkeys on a holiday may prove difficult."
He was so damn nice. Of course she wouldn't attend, she would be pretending to be an ocean away while she made plans with Dumbledore to hunt horcruxes. But a small part of her wished she could go, to be the rich witch she pretended to be.
They finished their studying as Madam Pince announced it was fifteen minutes to closing. Alec waited for her to pack her things and walked her to the exit. She paused and held up a book, "I'm going to drop this off at Professor Snape's office. He let me borrow it and he'll probably dock points if not returned."
"I'll walk with you."
She knew he would offer so she lied, "I also need to ask him about my next floo call with my family. Don't worry about it, I'll see you later."
Thankfully, Alec knew how to take a cue. He nodded and said, "Alright." He hesitated then quickly leaned over, placing a kiss on her cheek. He pulled away, watching her reaction cautiously.
"Oh," she couldn't help but say. And it was the entirely wrong thing to say. As soon as the word escaped her, Alec withdrew farther. Malinda reached out, "No- Sorry. I… Just surprised, that's all."
"Oh," he echoed with a weak smile. Malinda got on her tiptoes and bravely gave him a kiss on his own cheek.
As she settled back onto her heels, Alec watched her with a new expression. Gone was the weak smile and awkward boy. Now, the tall young man watched her intensely, his eyes sharp. Suddenly, Alec closed the distance between them again and this time, his lips were on hers. He kissed her slowly, waiting for her to respond and she did.
Eagerly.
Their kiss quickly turned into a frenzied mess of lips and hot breath. He pushed her away from the library doors, across the hallway and into an alcove. His tall, lean body pressed her into the stone wall, hiding them from the corridor. He kissed her deeply, his mouth opening to hers. Malinda let her bag fall as she slipped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer. Encouraged, his tongue slipped past her lips and explored, painfully slow, enjoying her.
His hands traveled down her back, coming to rest on her hips. He snogged her deeply and just when she began to move her hands downward, Alec pulled away. He breathed heavily and rested his forehead against hers. "I… better go. Goodnight."
Alec, forever the gentleman. She swallowed, grateful for his self-control, and replied a bit breathless herself, "Goodnight."
He reached down and returned her bag to her shoulder, before heading down the corridor. Malinda watched him go, her fingers lifting to her swollen lips.
…
…
Draco still hadn't given her an answer when the weekend arrived. He didn't ignore her, accepting her company at their usual early breakfasts, but he didn't offer his usual banter or retorts. The blond merely tolerated her, giving her short and basic responses to any attempt to conversation.
It was the same now. They sat together at breakfast, early risers while others slept in and got ready for Hogsmeade. Draco sipped his tea slowly, blue eyes on the wall behind her, lost in his own thoughts.
Malinda set her fork down and asked, "Going to Hogsmeade today?"
"Perhaps."
"Haven't decided?"
"You're the seer, shouldn't you know?"
She rolled her eyes, "I told you, it doesn't work like that."
"Right," he murmured.
They picked up her fork again and lifted it to her mouth, but froze when he asked, "Are you?"
"Going to Hogsmeade?" She clarified, setting her fork down again. When he simply stared, she nodded. "Yes."
"Funny, I don't remember Blaise mentioning you in his plans."
"I wasn't invited."
Draco gave her feral smile. "I warned you. Society here has rules and if you don't play by them…." His face crumpled angrily. "There are consequences."
"Is this why you've had a stick up your ass lately? You're scared about being banished from high society?" She snapped. "Who gives a shit? I told you, you're happy- truly happy- after the war, when you're away from all that."
"Easy for you to say."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're not the one betraying your family and friends. Everyone I know will hate me."
"You have family on the other side too," Malinda pointed out. "Your Aunt Andromeda fell in love, got married, had a kid and is free. She's loving it."
Draco said nothing.
"Have you even met your cousin, Tonks? She's hilarious. Pretty badass witch too."
Still, he said nothing. Malinda pulled her sleeve back to expose her watch. "Fine, return to your angst. I have to go or I'll be late."
"Be late for what? I thought you weren't invited."
"I have other plans."
"With whom?"
"None of your business."
This caught his attention. Draco raised an eyebrow. "Now who has the stick up their ass? Why so defensive Selwyn?"
"If you insist on being nosey, then I have a date."
Now both his eyebrows shot up. "With whom?"
"Now that really is none of your business."
Malinda got up and frowned when Draco rose too. He walked parallel to her, on the other side of the table, as she went towards the exit. He asked again, "Who are you meeting?"
She ignored him. Draco's face darkened and he met her at the end of the table. He grabbed her arm, "I asked you a question-"
"And I gave you an answer. It's none of your business so let go of my arm or I'll make a scene."
Draco's eyes snapped down to his hand and he instantly let go. His nostrils flared. "Fuck you," he muttered before striding away.
Malinda ran a hand through her hair and felt someone watching her. She turned, looking to the Gryffindor table where Hermoine Granger sat, her expression full of disappointment.
…
…
When Malinda returned to her dorm room, she found the other girls getting ready. They dressed warmly, their clothes fashionable and colorful. She prepared herself, knowing exactly what was about to happen. If there was a predictable, teenage bitch moment to be have, Pansy would fulfill it. Sure enough, Pansy perked up at her arrival and walked over, leaning against a bedpost. Malinda's bedpost. She asked sweetly, "Plans today, Malinda? We're heading to Gladsrags Wizardwear to get gowns for our holiday parties. We'd invite you but Mother doesn't like me dallying with blood traitors."
Malinda looked to the other girls. Daphne and Clare had the decency to look embarrassed and slightly ashamed, but they avoided making eye contact. Meanwhile, Millicent watched with enthusiasm. Malinda plucked a nonexistent strand off Pansy's shoulder, making the other girl shift warily. While she was nice and close, Malinda whispered, "I can't wait to watch you fall, your money gone and your family ruined. I won't have to wait long."
Then she stepped back and said loudly, "You all have fun. I hope you find some lovely dresses."
Pansy stepped away, muttering, "Crazy bitch."
She ignored them as she changed and put on makeup, taking extra care today. Malinda was tired, so tired of these games and now she had the opportunity to just… be herself. Alec liked her and she never had to pretend with him. Well, not in the ways that mattered. The girls left without her, leaving her behind in the bathroom while she twirled her hair around her wand, magic leaving it perfectly curled.
By the time she made it to the Common Room, the others had left for Hogsmeade. But there, sitting by the fire, was Alec with two familiar faces.
Romeo saw her first and jumped up from the sofa. "Hey Selwyn."
"Just call me Malinda," she waved in greeting. When she met Alec's eyes, she was reminded of how he had looked at her, just before he'd kissed her. Her cheeks warmed. "Erm, thanks for the ticket to the game. I'll ask my family but we'll be on holiday in Hawaii and-"
"I know, I know," Romeo elbowed Alec. "He told me all about it, but just thought you might miss jolly good old England and want to come back for a night or two."
She chuckled and turned to David. "Are you going as well?"
She didn't know Alec's friends well, but it was clear that David was the shy one. He hesitated then said, "Y-Yes. My mum loves quidditch, begs Dad to take her to games. She likes to see the players fly."
Because she was a muggle. Because magic was exciting to her. David eyed her cautiously, waiting for her to make a snarky comment, but Malinda nodded enthusiastically. "They're pretty fun to watch, especially when the chase for the snitch is on."
David smiled slowly, relieved that she didn't seem to care. "Yeah, that too."
"Well," Alec got to his feet and gave his friends a stern look. "We're off then. Alone. Without you."
"Aw," Romeo wiggled his eyebrows. "You sure you don't want some company?"
Alec gently ushered Malinda towards the door, "Positive. Go do something… away from us."
"But-"
They didn't hear the rest of Romeo's response because the stone door to the common room shut behind them. Alec rubbed his neck, "Sorry about that. He can be a lot sometimes."
"Seems like a fun guy to have around."
It was easy to talk with him. They chatted the entire walk down to Hogsmeade and when Alec mentioned preferring muggle music, Malinda heartily agreed. "How do you like the Spice Girls? I think they're fantastic."
He came to a halt, his jaw dropping. "You know who the Spice Girls are?"
"Uh, duh."
Alec caught up with her and gave her a look of newfound respect. "A pureblood Yank knows who the Spice Girls are. Merlin, you are full of surprises."
"I try to keep things interesting," she joked then pointed to Madam Puddifoot's tea shop. "You sure you want to do this?"
Her date eyed the pink, tacky exterior. The windows were fogged up, making it impossible to see inside, but he stepped forward. "This place is legendary. Pleased to say I have a reason to go in now."
"Alec, you and I both know there's a line of ladies waiting to come here with you."
He shrugged off the compliment, "That's the problem. They actually want to come here. You only agreed because you think it'll be hilarious."
"Because it sounds positively dreadful but has potential for some solid entertainment. How about this? If we hate it, we leave after our first cuppa and head over to the Hogs Head for a pint?"
"I doubt they'll serve us. Not even sure if they'll have butterbeer. Place is dodgy."
"I know somebody there," she waved off his concern.
"Fine, let's try here first."
As soon as they stepped inside, Malinda began to laugh outright. The tea shop was ten times worse on the inside. The whole place screamed old, crazy cat lady. The walls were covered in pink fabric, the table clothes pink with large ribbons stitched in, and it seemed like every couple in Hogwarts had already found a table. Half were snogging, their tea and sandwiches completely forgotten.
"Shit," Alec swore under his breath.
She glanced his way. "Still want to have tea here?"
He frowned, doubt creeping into his expression.
Then, Madam Puddifoot was upon them. The witch wore bright pink robes, a matching pink ribbon in her hair and she greeted them excitedly. "Table for two, my loves?"
When Alec didn't reply right away, Malinda quickly grabbed his hand and moved them back towards the door. "Actually, I think we'll come back in a bit, but thanks."
"Merlin, it was worse than I imagined," Alec said once they were outside again.
"To the Hogs Head!" Malinda declared and felt Alec squeeze her hand in response. She looked down, finding their fingers were still interlocked. His hand was warm, palms rough and very calloused. "You have a mechanic's hand."
He grinned, "I take that as a compliment."
The walk to the Hogs Head was short, but they passed many students on their way. A few outright stared at them, especially a group of Hufflepuff girls who glared viciously at Malinda. She ignored them, but her stomach twisted slightly when they crossed paths with Blaise. He was alone, a shopping bag in hand.
The Slytherin froze when he saw them, his grey eyes lowering to their joined hands before creeping back up. His gaze met Malinda's and she waited, watching. She felt Alec brace beside her, ready for an insult or worse. But Blaise simply winked at her, inclined his head ever so slightly to Alec, before carrying on with his business, walking past them without a word.
"Well, that went better than I expected," Alec murmured.
"Seems like I'm not the only pureblood to rebel against the old ways. Some are just more secret about it than me."
"Apparently."
They stopped holding hands when Alec held the door to Hogs Head open for her. The pub was just as dusty, grimy and quiet as ever. She loved it. A few wizards and witches looked up from their drinks, but most didn't, eager to ignore the cold air that swept in behind the newcomers.
Aberforth spotted her immediately and wiped down the bar, beckoning her over. He grabbed a couple of glasses and greeted, "I had a feeling you'd be back. And what's this, brought a friend?"
"Ab, meet Alec. Alec, this is Aberforth, the owner of this fine establishment."
"Nice to meet you," Alec nodded and took a seat.
"A friend, are you?" Aberforth looked back and forth between them. After a long moment, he said, "My brother know you're out with a lad today?"
"Um, no? Maybe? I don't know."
Aberforth grunted and asked, "What'll it be then?"
"Same ale as last time for me, please," Malinda replied.
"Same, thanks," Alec added. If he was nervous about asking for alcohol underaged, he didn't show it. Then again, growing up in a muggle town and with a mechanic father, he probably had his fair share of underage drinks already.
As Aberforth went to get their drinks, Alec turned to Malinda and with a very serious face asked, "You know his brother?"
"Old friend of the family," Malinda waved off the question. "So, what do you think about Madonna?"
…
…
Malinda hummed to herself as she closed the buckles on her heels, only pausing when the door to the dorm room opened. She hadn't expected anyone to be here, not with dinner in full swing, but Daphne slipped into the room.
The pretty Slytherin closed the door and considered her words for a long moment. "I'm sorry," Daphne began. "I'm sorry about Pansy this morning."
Malinda stood up, testing her balance in the heels. This was her first night properly wearing them. Once again, Dumbledore had outdone himself with his selection in gown and shoes, but she worried that she'd be barefoot by the end of the night. She'd never done well in heels.
"Don't worry about it," she shrugged. "I get it, you have to play the good pureblood part. That means exiling me when I don't."
"I'm not exiling you-"
"You barely speak to me and you refuse to spend any time with me. Sounds like exile to me, socially at least."
Daphne sighed. "I have to be careful, especially around Pansy. She'll write my mother if I do anything out of sort-"
"What kind of friendship is that? That's awful."
"I grew up with her, Clare too. We don't have the luxury of picking our friends." Daphne strode over to her bed and sat on the edge. "We have to be careful around Millicent too. She adores Pansy, tells her everything."
"Right," Malinda muttered and carefully walked around the room. She really didn't like the feel of these heels. They were sturdy enough, but the sharp edges of leather already dug into her skin. There was no doubt that she would have blisters within hours.
A cool, soothing sensation covered her feet. The pain went away, and Malinda blinked.
"When you grow up attending galas, you learn a couple of tricks," Daphne said with a half-smile, putting her wand away again.
"Thanks." Malinda took a couple of steps. Sure enough, her feet felt fine. Happy, she gave a twirl and asked, "Well, how does my ass look?"
The joke was meant as a tension breaker and it worked. Daphne's smile grew and she gave a thumbs up. "Ass looks great, as usual."
Malinda smoothed her dress, the purple silk soft against her skin. The gown was tight but flattering, dipping slightly at her neckline, before loosening at her hips to flow freely. She lifted a glass container of… Well, she wasn't quite sure what they were. "Any idea what I do with these?"
She held the container up to Daphne. Inside were translucent orbs, the size of pearls, but within them were swirling orbs of purple and glitter mist. Some sort of magic charmed them to swirl slowly like mini galaxies, the effect was mesmerizing. Daphne gave her an odd look, "Haven't you used them before? They go into your hair, like jewelry."
"Must be a British fashion thing then," Malinda lied. She had no idea and hoped that Daphne, a fashion expert, wouldn't know better.
Unfortunately, she did.
"They're quite popular in America though," Daphne frowned but stood, taking the container in hand. She popped it open and began to delicately place the orbs throughout Malinda's hair. She murmured a sticking charm as she went. "They'll stay in place for the next couple of hours."
"Right, thanks."
Malinda turned and faced her roommate. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Daphne sighed, "Yes, Mal. Of course, we are. It just… It gets complicated sometimes."
"Friendship shouldn't be complicated. I don't give a shit if you're friends with a muggleborn, share drinks with a half-blood or fall in love with a so-called blood traitor. I think you should just be you, no matter what the stupid rules say."
Daphne placed the container down on Malinda's bed. "You don't know my family. The pressure on me to find a favorable match… You don't know my father, the things he's done. He, well, he's a big supporter of-" Daphne cut herself off, looking away.
"Voldemort will lose this war," Malinda stepped forward and placed her hands on Daphne's shoulders. "You're not an idiot. You know very well that he could never win, not really. Even if he seized control of the Ministry tomorrow, people will fight him."
"H-How can you be so sure?" Daphne sniffed, her eyes watering. "You don't know what he's like. I've only seen him once, when he came to see father. He's… he's terrifying."
"I lied when I said my parents sent me here because they're interested in moving," Malinda revealed. Her friend gasped slightly, looking up in surprise. "They sent me here to keep tabs, to understand what's going on with the upcoming war."
"Why?"
"Because if a war breaks out here, how long would it take to cross the ocean? Our histories have always been tied. When there's conflict here, it tends to spread quickly."
"But why you?"
"My family has ties to high society here. Who else would be welcomed if not another respectable family?"
"So you're a spy?"
"Not really, just an observer."
Daphne snorted, dabbing at her eyes, "Sounds like something a spy would say."
Malinda chuckled then hugged her friend. Daphne was still for a moment, then wrapped her own arms around Malinda. The young beauty said softly, "I don't want to fight in a war. I don't want to kill people."
"I know," Malinda whispered. "Just keep doing what you're doing, and we'll figure something out."
The door opened and the girls jumped apart. Instinctively, Malinda shot a hand towards the door and slammed it shut just as it began to open. "Who is it?" she called out.
"Open the bloody door, Mal," Clare's voice came. "It's my room too!"
She released her magic and Clare opened the door again. She peeked in and stepped in fully, seeing it was just them two. "Just came up to say that Alec Jones is in the common room in dress robes. Guess he's your date for the Slug Club. Some of the fourth years are drooling over her, you better hurry up."
"You're taking Jones to Slughorn's party?" Daphne shook her head. "Pansy is going to love this."
"Screw Pansy," Malinda lifted her dress high up and slid her wand into a thigh holster. Even in a dress like this, she wouldn't be parted from it. "She's just jealous that I'm getting some attention from the male species."
"She's not pleased her parents haven't found a new suitor," Clare admitted. She cleared her throat, "I assume then that I'm too late to join the apology discussion?"
"Too late" Daphne confirmed.
"Damn," Clare plopped down onto her bed. "Well, for what it's worth, I'm sorry too. Now go on, have fun tonight."
"Fun with my half-blood date?" Malinda looked at Clare in surprise. "That's awfully nice of you to say."
"I thought a lot about what you said, about Professor Snape. You're right, it is hypocritical. If my family is alright with one half-blood, I suppose it's alright to tolerate another."
And maybe one day, they'd be okay with a muggleborn like herself, Malinda thought to herself as she began to descend the stairs.
