Chapter 3: Secrets In the Night

Thinking the whole conversation over in his head, Trent said seriously, "She's might give us a bit of trouble this year."

Alexei looked down at the ground as Osiris slithered out from under her chair, his huge, round glossy form hardly noticeable in the fading candle light. He made his way up around his master's neck. While petting her constant companion on the head Alexei said calmly, "Yes, she could be. But she is quite clueless when it comes to the Dark Lord so she will not be our problem."

"But she speaks Parseltongue, she could be an heir and just not know it or she could be an enemy. Shouldn't we tell the Dark Lord?" Trent argued.

Alexei looked down at Osiris, her thoughts making quick work of her decision. "Yes we should." Pulling Osiris' head closer to her face she smiled and asked as sweetly as could be managed in Parseltongue, "Would you like to go on a little adventure for me?"

"Of course my lady." said Osiris as he bow his head.

Nearly an hour later Alexei emerged from the Common room with Osiris' large form wrapped around her waist, neck and shoulders. She walked down the dark corridor, the smell of potions reaching her even here. The dark shadows made it difficult to see even a few inches before her so she pulled out her wand and cast 'lumos'. When she reached the entrance hall she stifled the spell and walked swiftly to the owlery.

Kari pressed one last key on the piano to finish her song. She had gone and locked herself in the music room for some peace and quiet so she could think about things. Music had always been something that had put her in a good mood. Hearing footsteps outside the music room, she walked to the door, unlocking it. The blonde peeked out seeing Alexei walking down the hall. Where in the world could she be going at this time of night? She thought as she stepped outside of the room, closing the door soundlessly behind her.

As Alexei approached the owlery she stopped and uncoiled Osiris from her body, placing him on the floor. "He will be waiting for you outside the forest. Get there quickly and don't let anyone see you." As the snake nodded and slithered away Alexei turned and entered the owlery, still unaware that Kari had been following her.

Kari had followed the Slytherin girl to the owlery, making sure to keep herself hidden so that Alexei wouldn't detect her presence. She knew she shouldn't be following her but for some reason she had felt compelled to do so. She was curious to find out what the girl was up to.

Easily spotting the large black eagle that often was found in Darion's company, Alexei walked over to it and retrieved the package it had for her. Unwrapping the box and removing the top, she saw the contents and gasped. She lifted the gift from the box, revealing an ebony wand with silver snakes wrapped around it. The beautiful emerald and ruby eyes of the snakes glisten in the moon light as Alexei pulled a small piece of old and worn parchment from the folds of red velvet in the box. The writing on it seemed vaguely familiar to her and she assumed it was Darion's, though she wasn't quite sure.

Beware of the Darkness lurking in the light.

As Alexei pulled out the wand and read the small note, Kari watched carefully, managing to get a good look at the specially crafted stick she held. I've never seen a wand like that before. She thought, narrowing her eyes.

Sensing someone nearby and watching, Alexei dropped the box she held causing the black bird to flutter out the window. She turned, brandishing her new wand, and walked slowly towards the door. Her senses were on high alert as she prepared for some form of confrontation.

Kari cursed mentally as the dangerous looking Slytherin came towards the door. This was bad. If she was caught she knew it wouldn't be good. Her hand instinctively fingered her wand in her pocket as she took a few steps back, completely out of sight. As Alexei neared the door, Kari darted down the steps and around the corner, being careful not to trip as she went. That was way too close for comfort. I need to be more careful. But what was that freaky looking wand all about?

Reaching the door, Alexei got there only in time to see Kari's retreating back. Fortunately for the Slytherin the moon provided ample light for her to determine who her pursuer was. Annoyance flickered through the blonde's features, but she decided not to take chase and deal with the girl in the morning.

Harry, finally finishing the last of his summer homework, was now lying oh his bed bored out of his mind. He got up and searched his trunk for anything that may entertain him. He spotted the Maurader's Map and took it out. He wasn't worried because all he other room mates were down in to common room, doing there own thing. He returned to the bed to lie on his stomach.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

He slowly began to search the map, looking for nothing in particular. As his gaze swept over the seventh floor, Harry spotted a 'Danielle Christensen' in what he assumed to be the Room of Requirement. Interested, he grabbed his invisibility cloak from his open trunk and quickly exited his dorm. Nobody in the common room noticed as he ventured out of the portrait hole.

Wondering the corridors, Danii, unaware of her surroundings began to pace. Bored and agitated she desperately wished for somewhere to read, drink, play music, or something. She glanced up and down the corridor seeing a door she could have sworn wasn't there moments ago. Cautiously she stepped up and opened it, gripping her wand just in case. Peering inside she saw a cozy room with a blazing fire and comfortable looking furniture. Sensing nothing within the room, she stepped in and closed the door.

Glancing around she noticed a bar with all kinds of alcohol. "Gods I love this place already." Danii went forth and grabbed a bottle of Everclear. She immediately poured her self a shot and downed it.

Looking around the room still she went over to the bookshelf, bottle in hand. Scanning the columns of books and folders she realized each of the works on the shelf were plays. In alphabetical order, she scanned the shelves until reaching 'P' and reaching for her favorite play, Phantom of the Opera.

Settling down on the couch, she took another refreshing shot before opening the script and quickly flipping to the page with the first duet of Christine and Raoul. Just like a magical theater, the melody started around the room. Danii, not quiet sure how it all worked, hoped that at least it would act like a practice room, like she had back at the Academy. Waiting for the beginning note, she started off with Christine's dialog. As Raoul's line came in, a masculine voice sounded with in the depths of the room. Danii smiled and continued to sing.

Unbeknownst to Danii, Harry slipped into the room and behind an armchair, still under the cloak. Harry, utterly amazed by Danii's voice, seemed to be under a trance, by her voice and mystique. Her black hair, mused, as if she just didn't care. Her full lips, ripely pink against her pale skin. He'd seen a couple of movies, although they were limited and scarce, her paleness reminded him of a vampire. Her soft melodic tone, perfectly in time with each note. He vaguely thought of where the music was coming from.

Danii sighed in frustration as the song ended. She took another shot of Everclear as Jean exited her pocket. "Daniis... you shouldn't upset yourself with what they said. Damies doesn't like it when you do get upset. For good reason." He hissed, putting more attitude in the last sentence.

"Oh shut up Jean. Damie has always been worried about me, even before he had reason to." She tenses, feeling another presence in the room. Casually she grabbed her wand. "Jean do you smell that?"

Jean flicked his forked tongue and nodded his head. "By the arm chair."

"I know." She replied, setting down her bottle on the ground. She stood and pointed her wand in the general direction of the arm chair.

Harry thought of running from the moment Jean had shown himself, but now caught, he began to wonder if it was a good idea to have come in the first place. Danii called out, "Show yourself willingly or I will force you to." Harry immediately took his cloak off and stood.

"Potter, what the fuck are you doing here?" Danii stared at him questioningly. She cursed her curiosity for not seeing reason in a few silencing and locking charms.

Harry looked around the room, for a moment feeling very embarrassed, before turning back to her and smiling weakly. "Sorry, I didn't intend to eavesdrop but I heard you singing and wanted to check it out, sorry."

Danii fell back onto the couch and sighed, "Its fine. Have a seat stay awhile, I really don't care." Takes the bottle of Everclear and chugs a bit more of it, no longer bothering with the shot glass.

"You're a really good singer. So how long have you been singing for?" Harry asked conversationally while sitting in the arm chair he'd just been crouching behind.

Closing her eyes she said off handedly, "I've always been able to sing, I guess it's a family trait. I don't know, my father used to say how lucky my mother and I were that we could imitate different vocal and bodily expressions."

Harry nodded his head in not fully understanding what she was implying too. He glanced down at the bottle in her hand. "Your drinking. You know that's bad for you. Muggles get addicted all the time."

"Yes I drink. And its not as if I get hella drunk then go off and do something stupid, usually I just drink on my own to prevent stuff like that from happening." Lifts the bottle towards him, "Did you want some?"

"No thanks, I've had my share and learned my lesson."

Danii took another drink, "Suit yourself." She looked down at the bottle, pondering. She turned to Harry, "You know I've heard your story, but that's from papers and stuff." She paused and held Harry's gaze. "What do you know about Voldemort, cus'," she said in a mocking voice, "my fellow Slytherin's, think that I don't know enough about him. Apparently I should fear him. Or at least show some more respect for your screwed up political system and wizarding standards." Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

Staring at her for a moment, still amazed that she didn't show the slightest fear for Voldemort's name. "Your telling me that you got into Slytherin, and you don't know much about Voldemort?"

Danii's eyes shift back and forth around the room and then back to Harry, "Yeah. I wasn't aware I had to know everything about him, its a house in a school, not a fucking club."

Harry chuckled at her comment, "Generally since Voldemort was in Slytherin, people automatically think that you know about him. And if your put in Slytherin, then you had to of chosen it. The Sorting Hat doesn't choose for you really. Its the house you think you would do best in." He looked over at her, deep within his own thoughts. Unable to resist the urge he asked, "So why did you choose Slytherin?"

Shrugging, Danii stood and stretched. She then walked over to the bookshelf on her right, and silently skimmed the shelves. Turning back to Harry after a minute she sighed. "To be honest I don't know why. The Sorting Hat put me there, I think it runs in the family. It's always been either Slytherin or Gryffindor."

Studying Danii, Harry noticed how perfectly pale she was, almost eerie in a sense. Her black hair and dark eyes made her skin glow, even in the dim candle light. She was slim, athletic and toned. He barely registered what she was saying, he was too caught up in watching her. Mentally he slapped himself and looked down at his watch to hide the blush that wanted to creep onto his face. It was nearly midnight. "We should head to bed." he said hesitantly.

Danii raised an eyebrow at him, "..." she shook her head. "Well go ahead, I think I'm going to stay here a bit longer." Harry shrugged and looked back at Danii right before he walked out the door, she truly was beautiful, and she had such a mysterious air about her. Harry wanted go solve that mystery.

Free periods really were a blessing to all of the Gryffindor's. Kari and the Trio headed outside, after a long and loud lunch, to rest for the free time given. Kari collapsed against a tree trunk near the lake. Potions earlier that day had taken a lot out of the Gryffindor spirit. The Trio sat as well, although Hermione tutted for a moment ,she gave in and sat down between Harry and Ron.

Danii wasn't happy about what she had said last night, seriously, that is why she drank alone. Alcohol impairs your judgment and you say stuff you really shouldn't, not that she had said anything regrettable. Her actions were still a little off. Maybe she could just clear some things up, or at least talk with Harry again to make sure of... of... she really didn't know why she wanted to talk with him, she just did. She cleared her throat as she reached the Gryffindor's. "Um.. Harry can I speak with you about last night?" Danii said discretely in parseltongue.

Harry blinked, and blinked again, " Uh... Sure." He got up and walked a few feet away from the others and looked at Danii expectantly.

Alexei, on her way to deal with her little problem with the Corio girl, heard Danii speak parseltongue to Potter and stopped in her tracks. " What happened last night? Potter declare his undying love for you?" She said sarcastically as she leaned against the wall and crossed her arms.

Danii rolled her eyes at Harry's horrified expression and looked at Alexei seriously, "No he didn't declare his undying love. We had a little discussion."

Harry blushed, "It was just curiosity nothing more."

Alexei raised an eyebrow and smirked evilly, "Curiosity huh?"

Shaking her head and smiling, Danii momentarily dismissed any other quarrel she had with the blonde and chided, "NOT that kinda curiosity Alexei!!"

Harry looked between the two Slytherin's in confusion before it finally hit him and he blushed even more and mumbling, "I didn't mean it like that."

"Sure you didn't Boy Blunder" Alexei said sarcastically as she pulled herself up from the wall.

Harry growled in the back of his throat, but said nothing. Though he did continue to glare at her wishing her to blow up like a balloon like his Aunt Marge did back in third year. That wish never came again, he figured it was a one time thing.

Danii gripped his shoulder gently and he stared at her for a moment before she said, "Calm down." She turned to Alexei and asked, "Was there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about Alexei?"

"Not really, I was just on my way to deal with a little Gryffindor trouble, but I over heard you two and figured I could have fun with you before I go on a hexing spree." Alexei said as she smirked and looked in the direction of the other trio.

"Oh I want to see this!!" Danii exclaimed. "I'll talk to you later." she mouthed to Harry before following Alexei. Harry stared after the two Slytherin girls and followed them, seeing as they were headed to the same location.

As soon as the three of them made it within earshot of the other Gryffindor's , they heard as Ron huffed, " Since when has this school become a parseltongue magnet!?"

"Since the school finally got taste in who they accept." Alexei said as she fingered her usual wand that rested in her pocket. She had decided against bringing such an important item with her to deal with the Gryffindor.

Hermione stood up, "Ms. Malfoy, please leave, we'd rather not have anything troublesome start up." she said hesitantly. Kari and Ron were already standing too. Ron was glaring daggers at Alexei and gritting his teeth, this couldn't be good.

Alexei locked eyes with Kari for a moment then turned her gaze to Hermione, "No I think I'll stay. I'm planning on having Kari help me with a few spells." She said with a bit of malice in her voice, then turned and locked eyes with Kari again, this time with a smirk on her face.

Kari glared at the girl before her, hating the smirk on her face and resisting the strong temptation to take out her wand. For some reason Alexei really got under her skin. She had hardly ever talked to the girl. It was just the feeling that emanated off of the other blonde that really irked her. Kari smiled gingerly back at her, her hand fiddling with the wand in her robes pocket. "Sorry, but I haven't any time to help you with your spells. Sadly I have my own studying to do. Sorry I can't be of much help." She replied, putting up a brick wall around her mind, not sure if the witch had already read it. Her heart began racing slightly. It seemed the Ice Princess knew she had followed her the night before.

"I think you know why I'm really here Corio." Alexei said, her smile turning stone cold. He expression told everything of her mood and her intentions towards her new found nuisance.

Kari's fist clenched her side, "Yeah, I do." She replied, not seeing the point in lying. She knew Alexei had figured out it was her and it wasn't necessary to lie to her face.

The Trio and Danii looked at them in confusion. Danii watched them curiously. Had something happened last night? Whatever it was obviously deeply effected the two blondes, but what was it? Or could it just be some other stupid reason, one that came long before the school year had even began? They all mused these questions. Hermione feeling a little more inquisitive asked, "Why is she here Kari?"

"Oh...ummm... I was out last night and I went to the owlery just for no reason, boredom most likely. And well I saw Malfoy up there...I guess you could say I sorta eavesdropped without realizing it..." Kari blinked and took a really deep breath after she was finished, she barely had taken a breathe during the whole explanation. Now she felt mentally exhausted, no more talking for her.

Danii chuckled, trying to bring some humor to the thick, suffocation atomosphere around them. It had nothing to do with the weather either. "Yes, that's it Corio. Take deep breathes, never try explaining something so fast again, okay!!" Danii rolled her eyes and leaned against the tree, arms crossed waiting for Alexei's reaction.

Alexei glared at Kari and nearly blurted out a curse that would have gotten her into more than a little trouble, the girl was lying and that was certain. "You better learn to mind your own business or something bad might happen to you. What is the muggle saying?" Alexei stopped and appeared to ponder it for a second. "Curiosity killed the cat."

"Like I said earlier, can you please leave. We don't want any trouble." said Hermione apprehensively.

Interrupting, before Kari or Alexei could say anything else, Danii said, "Both of you follow me." She gestured to the two girls. Turning back to the Trio she said, "Don't worry nothing bad will happen. So just stay here and relax, get a tan, whatever." She immediately walked off, not really caring truly if Alexei and Kari followed her.

Alexei stared after Danii, not really caring to hear a lecture or get scolded by someone more than likely younger than her. She walked off in the opposite direction, thinking of how difficult it was going to be to have any fun with this girl around.

Kari looked after Alexei, deciding to see what Danii wanted, she quickly ran to catch up with her. "Where are we going?"

Danii looked sideways at Kari then looked behind her and sighed. "Well it really doesn't matter now. I was going to let Alexei have her fun, but looks like she really didn't want to." Puts on a mock pouty face and then smiled at Kari's lost expression.

The pale raven looked Kari over. She obviously didn't have much self control, well at least over small actions and thoughts. Danii had known she was lying, and so did Alexei. She really was interested in Alexei. She was smart, even if her arrogance got in the way of her thinking. Danii smirked at nothing in particular, Alexandra Amun-Malfoy was going to be a puzzle that she was itching to put together. Danii may not be into the current events as much as she should have been. But she had read about Alexei's father. I wonder if it runs in the family? Danii mused to herself.

Shaking her head out of her thoughts Danii turned and held out her hand, stopping Kari. "You shouldn't lie Corio." Danii said seriously.

"What? How did you kno---" said a surprised Kari. "Do you know legamency?"

Smiling, Danii nodded her head. "I think I might have underestimated you Corio. Yes I do. And so do some other people in this school." she hinted this, knowing that Kari would get the point, and if she didn't, well then she deserves whatever she gets in the future for lying.

"Oh." Kari looked down at her shoes embarrassed. When she looked back up, she was alone. She sighed and headed back over to the Trio of Curiosity.