Pansy and her clique strode down the halls to Transfiguration class. They other girls were talking, laughing, and tormenting numerous Gryffindors as they passed them. However, Pansy was silent, the image of Draco smiling at Cliodne was burning in her mind, forcing her to bottle up a fiery rage. She had never seen Draco smile like that before. Pansy took a deep breath and tried to calm herself as she entered the classroom with a fake smile. A smile, that faded instantly from her lips as she gazed at the sight before her.
Draco was sitting in his usual front row spot, sitting on the end seat closest to the wall. The normally empty seat next to him, which was usually occupied by Pansy, was taken by a certain blonde transfer student. Pansy angrily slid into a last row seat, and turned to her friends. The girls were looking at her with concern and seemed very nervous.
"What the bloody hell are you all staring at?!" she ferociously snapped at them. As they all turned away, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She glanced to her left and found herself gazing at her most trusted friend, Millicent. Pansy managed a smile and Millicent smiled back, telling her to brush it off for now and that they would talk about it later on. Professor McGonagall started class and Pansy jotted down notes, trying very hard not to steal a glance at the pair.
Professor McGonagall's lesson was on advanced transfiguration spells, and also on spells that transformed an element into another form. Pansy recognized most spells that she listed; Avifors, the turning of an object or creature into a bird, Serpensortia, the summoning of a snake, and Pullus, the turning of an object or creature into a chicken.
However, one spell listed was one she had never heard of in her life, and was curious as to why McGonagall prohibited the attempted casting and performing of this spell. It was called Fiendfyre, and Pansy was utterly clueless as to what it did. She figured that McGonagall would ask the class soon, which meant at least ten extra points to Gryffindor. That mudblood girl, Granger, from Potter's lot, always got points for her house in every class. She was such a know it all, and adding the fact that she was muggle-born made Pansy's stomach quench.
"Now, can enlighten the class as to what Fiendfyre does?" McGonagall gazed hopefully at Granger, but to everyone's surprise, a hand shot up from the front row. The pale, slender hand belonged to Cliodne, and McGonagall nodded to her. She lowered her hand, and as she took a breath to answer, all eyes were on her.
"Fiendfyre, is a very powerful spell of the Dark Arts. It conjures an immense amount of enchanted flames in the form of an animal or creature. The type of creature depends solely on the user, and is usually a terrifying and feared one. Basilisks and dragons are among the most common. Fiendfyre is a terribly complex spell, and only a very powerful dark wizard can cast it perfectly."
Professor McGonagall was astonished that a student knew so much about this spell, and took a moment to collect her thoughts. She nodded and spoke more of the spell, although she mostly just repeated and rephrased all of which Cliodne had just said.
As the class came to a close, she looked over at Cliodne, "I am greatly impressed by you, Miss Costello. I am truly honoured to have you in class, and am excited to see how you will continue to share your knowledge with the class. Ten points to Slytherin, for your answer." She looked at the class and waved her hand in dismissal, and the classroom immediately became a much louder place.
Draco turned to Cliodne, a look of shock on his face, "Clio! You were brilliant! I guess you weren't kidding when you say this was your favourite class, eh? You also got us points! You are just too amazing."
Cliodne found herself in a tight and warm embrace, and time almost stood still as she wrapped her arms around Draco. His hair brushed against her face, soft as silk, and she found herself putting her hand around the back of his neck. Draco was too intoxicated by her scent to even notice. She smelt of freshly bloomed lavender and it drove him insane. This only last for a second, if that, then the pair pulled away from each other. They both were blushing and laughing and Draco picked up Cliodne's books, and offered to carry them to their next class.
Pansy was fuming in her seat and her fists were clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white. She felt a huge sting of jealousy in her heart, and she was getting angrier by the second. Pansy grabbed her things and got up to leave, as she headed to the door, she soon found herself walking behind Cliodne and Draco. She stiffened and rudely barged in between them and into the hallway. Millicent was waiting for her, and as they headed to the Grand Staircase, she turned around and smirked at a bewildered Cliodne and a glaring Draco. She turned to Pansy, the smirk still on her lips.
"Pansy, we should really show Clio a proper welcome by inviting her to a party." Pansy stopped on one of the platforms and gave her friend a puzzled look. Millicent leaned against the wall and held up a piece of parchment. "I thought we should propose a Masquerade Ball to the Headmaster for Christmas holiday. Everyone in masks, and the teachers will all be chaperoning, giving us time to break some hearts. We'd have just enough time to brew some Polyjuice potion, and to get hairs from our Prince and his newfound Princess."
Pansy's eyes widened in shock, and devious smile appeared on her lips. "So one of our girls could turn into Cliodne, and mess things up with Draco by flirting with some other guy, and one of the guys could turn into Draco, and have her walk in on he and I kissing or something. It'll break her little heart, and Draco will come running back to me!"
Millicent giggled and the two skipped off to the Entrance Courtyard. Professor Dumbledore was sure to approve this party, and the ultimate plan for revenge would be perfectly executed with absolutely no flaws. Or so the girls thought. Little did they know that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had heard the entire plan. They stood on the stairs and Hermione turned to speak but Ron cut her off.
"Don't even think about it, 'Mione. I will not do anything to stop them, especially since they are sticking it to Malfoy."
"Ronald! Don't you ever listen? It's not just Malfoy they are going to 'stick it to', but the new girl as well!" Ron looked at Harry and shrugged and yelped as Hermione struck him with her Ancient Runes textbook. "She happens to be the younger sister of the prefect your brothers' fancy, and from what I hear, she is too nice to deserve this! Besides, I want to know how she knew that answer in class."
Harry laughed, "Hermione, she's a Slytherin? How in the world could she be nice? The lot of them are just plain evil."
Hermione turned around and hit him as well, "Goodness, Harry! Just because some are doesn't mean they all are! Draco may not be your friend but he hasn't bothered anyone since he met that girl. If Pansy messes this up, he'll go back to his old self, and will probably act worse than he did after the ferret incident."
Harry sighed, and Hermione's pleading eyes forced him to give in. The two looked at Ron, who shrugged, but then nodded as Hermione lifted her book again. The trio headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts, a class none of them were looking forward too. As Harry's thoughts turned to Umbridge, he almost wished that Draco was tormenting him all day as he usually did.
Almost.