Chapter 6: The offer
She didn't turn up the next day. Not a big surprise , though it seemed that she had not broken any rules. Slughorn was whistling a cheerful tune this morning in potions.
Staying behind after the lesson I approached him.
"Professor, may I ask how Miss Crane is?" Making it sound like I was seriously worrying about her. It was obvious that she was not seriously injured, thinking of the look on her face when she walked towards the castle yesterday. She seemed willing to kill every single person who would stand in her way. There were many speculations what might have happend, one less likely than the next.
"Oh, Tom, my boy. Yes yes, she seems to be of a tough disposition, young Miss Crane. She had a few minor injuries. Don't worry about her."
He waved my faked concerns away.
"Even though..." He seemed to hestitate, but eventually gazed at me again.
"Between you and me, she was attacked yesterday. We weren't able to find any trace of them, so far. You should keep your eyes open, my boy. We don't know what they wanted or why they attacked." At his words I raised my eyebrows and thought for a moment.
"Yes, of course, Sir. Thank you for telling me." I smiled politely and left the classroom.
So, she had been attacked. That would explain the craters and the fire. The prevailing rumor was that she had practiced magic and it got out of control. Preposterous, of course. Every person who saw how she fought the flames could see her skills.
I didn't like this. Was she really as powerful as it seemed?
Finally I reached the Great Hall and sat down next to Rosier and Nott. The excited chatter was not bothering me today, I was still deep in thought, as I tried to sum up what I knew about her.
She was a talented witch, not easily intimidated and a good actress. My look fell on Walburga Black, for once her hands didn't shake when she picked up her pumpkin juice, clearly due to the fact that Crane was not present. I came to the conclusion that she was a threat, she needed to know her place in the foodchain before she attemted to usurp me. Before the thought could even cross her mind to challenge me. The question was how? A smile spread on my lips. I would bring her to my side, she was undoubtedly more talented than any of my knights.
I had a free period after lunch and decided to look for her. One of the blacks told me that she wasn't in their room, so I went to the library, the common room and eventually the Grounds. The bloody Baron crossed my way and I asked politely if he knew where the girl with the strange white hair went.
"She went to the green houses," grumbled he back.
I thanked him for his help and shortly thereafter saw her. She was standing next to one of the green houses and looked down at the burned trees behind the pumpkin patch. Her green eyes fixed on me when she heard me approaching, not a word came out of her mouth.
"How are you feeling today, Crane?" I said smiling friendly at her.
"What do you want?" Her words and expression drained of all emotion. She was not in the mood to play games today, it seemed.
"Good, I'll make it short then. I've heard of your little struggle yesterday and would like to make an offer to you." Her only response was an arched eyebrow.
Looking into her eyes, I stepped closer and explained in a soft voice: "I happen to have founded a little group and I think you would do well to become a member." I was undoubetedly taking a risk here, in telling her about the existence of the knights of Walpurgis. Her emerald eyes narrowed and she asked: "What would be the purpose of this 'little group' ?"
"To enforce our beliefs," I simply stated. Her lips formed into a sneer.
"You mean the blood supremacy your little followers believe in so firmly? Not interested." Anger flared in me. How could she dare to look at me with disdain.
"You should consider it," I replied through gritted teeth and grabbed her arm tightly. She didn't even flinch,no, her face was now inches from mine and she looked straight into my eyes.
"I had the impression that you were clever, such a disappointment." Cold fury raged within me and I tightened my grip around her arm, still no reaction.
"I would prefer it if you would release my arm, or should I bite it off?" I did not move.
She took a deep breath, while looking at me.
"I don't believe in blood supremacy and am quiet surprised that you do. Aren't you a half-blood?" How could she speak to me like that?
"Uh, that is a sore spot, isn't it? Well, I don't care." Drawing my wand, my eyes didn't leave her's for a second. She was just as fast, the moment my wand pointed at her throat I felt a tip on my cheek.
She cocked her head to one side and gazed up at me, smiling.
"Don't try to intimidate me, that might have consequences for your health." I pushed her hard against the glass wall behind her, our wands still pointing at each other. A gleam flickered in her eyes.
"You don't have a slight idea what I could do to you," I stepped twords her.
Something suddenly hit my leg and I fell to the ground, while I was falling I sent a curse her way. It missed her and hit the glass behind her, shattering it. But she didn't care, turning around she sent a curse in another direction.
"Protego!" She conjurned a shield around both of us.
Another curse hit the shield, but where the attacker stood was impossible to make out. Looking down at my leg I took in the deep cut from ankle to knee. Dizziness was already clouding my mind.
Crane looked down at me without any emotion, then kneeled next to me. The shield charm still protecting us, even though no new attack came our way. She opend her belt and tied it above my knee. Why was she doing that? Oh, of course, it looks bad if she wouldn't do anything to help a fellow student. A groan escaped me and she grabbed my face and forced me to look at her.
"Just pull yourself together. I'm not good at healing so I can't do anything, but I promise if you faint I will tell every student, teacher and ghost in this school that you acted like a little girl in the face of danger." Her voice was relentless. I gritted my teeth and shot her a hateful look.
"We are not done,Crane."
"Again, you are not clever. I could hide you in a broomshed and let you bleed to death, fool. I would ask you now not to die, this little exchange of ours just became interesting. And I am bored to death in this school, most of the time." She swung her wand casting a patronus.
"Go to Professor Dippet," she ordered.
"A snake?" I wondered.
"A black Mamba, to be precise. I'm in Slytherin for a reason." She glared at me, while my eyes narrowed at her.
Professor Beery came around a corner, a confused expression on his face. But this was quickly replaced by shock.
"Professor, help me to get him to the Hospital Wing." When he didn't move, still in shock, she said louder:"Now!" He woke up from his paralysis and together they supported me. Crane eying our surroundings with suspicion.
The headmaster hurried towards us, as we had crossed the threshold of the castle. My leg was burning and I could feel cold sweat on my forehead.
They laid me down on a bed and Madam Bingley hurried towards us, taking in the scene. She wasted no time and ripped the leg of my trousers open to inspect the wound. She used a few healing charms and the cut closed slowly, I tried not to scream at the excruciating pain. Crane's eyes didn't leave my injured leg, while she held me down with her hands. When the pain finally ebbed away, Professor Slughorn entered.
"Tom, my boy, what happend?"
"Another attack, Sir," said Crane angrily.
Slughorn's face turned ashen, while his fearful eyes rested on us.
