Chapter 5: Second Chances

Riley was waiting for Adrian, standing by a stone pillar in the Slytherin common room. She looked around casually, and saw Sarah Selwyn kissing Jason Fletcher on the couch. Sarah got up from the couch giving Jason a last kiss, before walking away from the common room. Sarah was incredibly beautiful with her long straight black hair, blue eyes and tanned skin. She could understand why boys were so into Sarah, why Flint fancied her. Riley glimpsed down at her own hair, she also had long hair, but with messy waves that were very hard to tame sometimes.

Just then, someone entered the common room. Riley watched as many Slytherin students stepped aside quickly to let Marcus Flint pass.

"So you're not going to class anymore?" He asked Fletcher, throwing himself on the leather couch.

"I was here with Sarah, haven't seen her much lately!" He said shrugging. Riley glimpsed at Flint but his expression remained neutral.

"Where's she?" He asked casually.

"She's just left. There's something I would like to talk to you about." Jason said, stroking the back of his head.

"What's that?" Marcus asked, putting a chewing gum in his mouth.

"I think Sarah is cheating on me." Suddenly, Flint's eyes met Riley's, he stared at her with an intense glare. Her eyes skidded away quickly.

"What makes you think that?" She heard Marcus' voice.

"I don't know, I'm probably being paranoid, but she seems distant, you know." Marcus just stared at him, with an unreadable expression. "Well, I guess you wouldn't know, when was the last time you were serious with a girl?" Jason asked chuckling.

"Not many girls are worth the effort." Flint answered shrugging.

"Yes, I'm lucky to have Sarah." He said smiling slightly.

"Sorry, I couldn't find my tie." Riley startled. She turned her head and saw Adrian there beside her.

"You scared me." She said making him giggle. "Let's go."

In their way to Potions class, Riley spotted Fred for the first time since she got back to Hogwarts. He was with George, making some paper planes magically follow Snape. Snape turned around and burned the paper planes with a simple wave of his wand, looking angry around him. But the corridor was too crowded for him to know who was responsible for it. Fred met her gaze and smile at her, winking. She smiled back at him.

"Today, you're going to prepare a Wideye Potion which is a potion that will prevent the drinker from falling asleep. It's also an antidote for the Draught of Living Death." Said Professor Snape once everyone was in the classroom and seated.

Riley who had been preparing a N.E.W.T. level potion for the last months found that one very easy to make. Thus, she finished her potion fifteen minutes earlier, and Snape allowed her to go to the library before the end of the class.

The library was nearly empty since most of the students were still in class. Riley went to an empty table by the window and sat down. She started doing her Transfiguration homework, Professor McGonagall gave them a huge pile of homework and she still had a Charms essay to do. Not knowing the answer to the next question, Riley went to look for a book on the shelves. She stopped immediately when she heard Flint's voice on the other side of the bookcase.

"Sarah I think we should stop seeing each other."

"What? Why?"

"Because Jason suspects that you're cheating on him."

"WHAT?" She shouted getting a 'shhh' from Madam Pince. "Did he told you that? I bet that little bitch Potter opened her mouth." Riley felt her pulse rate.

"No, I don't think she did." Marcus said calmly. "It's actually because you've been distant with him lately." He added a little more coldly.

"No more than usual!" She snapped defensively. "I still think Potter has something to do with it."

"Anyway, we can't continue."

"Don't you dare to do this to me, Marcus Flint!" She said raising her voice.

"Keep your voice down! Look it's been fun and all that, but, I don't want to lose a friend and I'm pretty sure you don't want to lose your boyfriend either."

"Well, I might if you're willing to take his place." She whispered putting a finger on his chest lightly tracing it downwards. Riley sighed, why was she always in the most inconvenient places? She couldn't walk away without them noticing her. So she just stood there, waiting and hoping they wouldn't see her.

"Stop it Sarah." He said pushing her away slowly. "You know I don't do that!"

"Do what? Snog? Nothing has to change you know."

"I don't do relationships!"

"Well sorry, but we're already in a secret relationship."

"I can't. I'm sorry Sarah." He said before leaving her there. Riley heard Sarah swear before leaving as well. Once she was certain they had both left. Riley went back to her table, but she didn't finish her homework. Instead, she thought about the scene she had just witnessed. More specifically she thought about Sarah's accusations towards her. Why did she confront Sarah in the first place? Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut? Had the last months taught her nothing? Riley closed her transfiguration book, put her stuff in her bag and headed to the Great Hall.

Riley walked across the corridor, lost in her thoughts, when she bashed into someone.

"Look where you're going." Angelina Johnson snapped grabbing her bag that fell onto the ground.

"Well sorry, but it's as much your fault as it is mine." She snapped back. Angelina narrowed her eyes.

"So typical Slytherin!" She muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that you're a daft Slytherin who only thinks about herself!"

"You don't even know me!"

"I know more about you than you know." She said arching her eyebrows.

"Is that so? Please, enlighten me."

"Everyone knows what you did to Fred and George."

"Not that it's any of your business. But, I've already apologized to them, and they accepted it. So, it's cool."

"Did they? I wouldn't be so sure of that. I heard an interesting conversation last night in our common room." Riley's heart raced.

"What did you hear?"

"People were talking about you, not very nicely, though."

"Saying what?" Riley asked, losing her temper. But Angelina just shrugged before walking away with a grin flickered on her face.

Riley went to the Great Hall and sat down next to Adrian.

"Where were you?" He asked her.

"In the library." She said putting some mash potatoes on her plate. She glanced at the Gryffindor table, where the twins were. So they hadn't forgiven her after all. Then, a scary thought crossed her mind, what if they were planning something against her? Adrian was complaining about something, but Riley wasn't listening.

"Hey, are you listening to me? Where are you looking at?" Adrian asked her. Montague who was sitting in front of Adrian followed her gaze.

"Why are you looking at the Gryffindor table? Wishing you were there as well?" Riley chose to ignore him and turned to Adrian.

"Sorry what were you saying?" She asked smiling at him. Adrian didn't answer, instead he looked at her uncertain.

"Nothing." His voice trailed off. Montague looked at Adrian, as if to say 'I told you so'.

"Ok." She said weakly. She glanced one last time at Fred and then at Adrian, listening to him talk about Quidditch.

Snape had moved her "detentions" to Friday afternoon, so she could have her Saturdays off. She was able now to prepare her potion by her own, but Snape still checked it before she took it.

"I have to say your Wideye Potion was very good." He said to her, one Friday afternoon when she was brewing her Sleeping potion. Riley glimpsed at him smiling briefly. "And you're preparing this one better than my seventh-year students."

"Yeah well, that's all I've been doing."

"Your mother was also very talented in potions." He said after a moment or two.

"Did you know my mother?" Riley asked astonished.

"Yes." He answered, not looking at her.

"How?"

"We were in the same year when we were in here."

"Oh." Riley said, she wanted to ask him about her, she was always seeking for new information about her parents, but then she remembered that her mother was a Gryffindor, and also a Muggleborn. "But she was a Gryffindor, so I suppose you were not very close." She finally said.

Snape didn't answer, as if he wasn't listening. Riley looked at him one more time, before deciding that it'd be a waste of time to ask any further questions.

"Professor Dumbledore asked for your diary." Snape said, changing the subject.

"Oh right, it's in my dorm. Should I go get it?" She asked.

"Not now, give it to me on Monday, in potions class, that will do. Now, you can go, Miss Potter."

Riley left to the Slytherin common room. She was feeling extremely tired. She sat down on the couch fighting to keep her eyes opened. Riley leaned her head back, finally letting her eyes shut, when she heard Cora's voice.

"Emily, for the last time, do something to your hair! It looks like an owl made its nest on it! You're embarrassing us!" She was about to seat on the couch when she saw Riley in there. "Oh, you're here." She said, scowling.

"Yes." Riley confirmed dryly.

At the same time, Adrian entered the common room along with Montague. Montague glanced at Cora.

"Hi Cora." He said smirking. Cora gave him a quick smirk, and made a sign to her cronies to follow her she left the common room. Montague looked at Adrian with a grin. "Hard to get, I like that. She's the hottest girl in our year, don't you think?" Riley snorted.

Montague glared at her. "You're just jealous, I mean, who would want to date you?"

Riley glanced at Adrian as if she was expecting him to say something. But, he lowered his head feeling extremely uncomfortable. Every time Montague mocked, insulted or teased her, Adrian pretended not to be listening. At first, Riley thought that he was indeed not paying attention to them, but after a while she realised that he was actually just ignoring the whole situation. Riley rolled her eyes and looked back at Montague.

"You're right, I think you and Cora were made for each other." She gave him a fake smile before getting on her feet. Adrian grasped her wrist before she walked away.

"Where are you going?" Adrian asked faintly.

"Away from you." Riley answered dryly.

She slept that night, feeling lonely than ever. The only person Riley thought she could count on, was being a true idiot. In addition to that, Fred hadn't talked to her since that day in Hogsmead, confirming her assumptions that he hadn't forgiven her after all, and Sarah Selwyn thought she was the one who told Fletcher about her and Flint. Only six and a half years left, she thought to herself before falling deeply into sleep.

The next morning, Riley was eating her breakfast alone. As usual, she was glancing at the Gryffindor table. She stared as George made a mocking imitation of Professor Snape who had just walked past them. The students next to him burst out laughing. Riley smiled slightly, she didn't dislike Snape anymore, but it was indeed funny. Riley stopped smiling the minute she saw Angelina sit beside Fred. She glanced at Fred to watch his reaction, when someone sat down across her, blocking her view.

"What do you want?" Riley asked dryly.

"Why are you talking to me like this?" Adrian asked uncertainly, Riley reckoned he knew exactly why.

"Seriously?" She asked, Adrian sighed.

"Look Riley, I'm sorry about Montague. He can be a real git sometimes."

"I'd like to see you say this to him." She retorted sarcastically "You are supposed to be my friend".

"You don't understand! He's my roommate, and well… Nobody likes you very much, so… Well… I mean, you're always talking with Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors." He paused for a second, "I really want to be your friend but I don't want people to hate me too!" Riley's eyes widened, she couldn't believe what she had just heard. She stood up very abruptly grabbing the attention of those around her and grabbed her bag before walking away from the Great Hall. She could feel Fred's eyes on her as she left. She ran off towards the School gardens and sat down on a bench.

"Hey little girl, is everything all right?" Tonks sat down beside her.

"Yes." Riley answered trying very hard to wipe away the rebellious teardrops that insisted on falling from her eyes.

"You don't look fine." She stated faintly.

"Don't worry, it's just an ordinary day in my life." She said trying to force a smile.

Not knowing what to do, Tonks started to stroke gently Riley's hair, in a clumsy attempt to comfort her. Riley looked at her.

"I'm serious thinking about being home schooled."

"Why?" Tonks chuckled. "Wouldn't you miss your friends?"

"What friends?" Riley asked miserable.

"Huh, me?" Tonks said, making Riley smile slightly. "That little boy that you said it's only your mate?" Riley's smile suddenly faltered.

"I guess I was wrong."

"Oh, that's the reason you're upset." It wasn't a question. "What's happened?"

Riley shook her head. "It's just really hard you know, convincing people to like you." Tonks burst into laughter.

"Then stop trying so hard, just be yourself." Riley smiled at Tonks.

"That hasn't worked so far."

"I'm pretty sure you're wrong."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

"You know, I heard some Hufflepuff first year girl say that you are very cool, and then a boy said you are also pretty." Riley didn't know if Tonks was just saying that to cheer her up. But it was working.

"Now, come on, It's Saturday, you can't possibly be sad on a Saturday. Save it for another day." Tonks winked at her.

"Can I… stay with you?" Riley asked haltingly.

"Of course." Tonks smiled at her.

They went to meet Claire Ackers, who was watching the Gryffindor team practise. It was extremely cold, and Riley regretted not putting on some warmer clothes.

"Hi Tonks, hi Riley!" Claire waved her hand at them.

"Hi Claire!" Tonks and Riley said in a unison.

"How's it going?" Tonks asked.

"Fine, but to be honest, I don't like Quidditch very much, but please don't tell Charlie that!" Claire said making both Riley and Tonks giggle.

"How can one not like Quidditch?" Riley asked.

"I don't see any fun in a bunch of people flying around with some balls." Claire simply stated. "Besides, it's not a very good weather for it, is it?"

Riley didn't mind, all that really mattered to her was the adrenalin she felt while flying. In Riley's opinion there was nothing better than a bunch of people flying around with some balls. But she wasn't going to contradict Claire.

"Do you play Quidditch Riley?" Tonks asked her.

"Yes, I love it! I hope I can play for the team next year." Tonks half looked at Claire, they both seeming uncomfortable "What?" Riley asked.

"Well, not to discourage you little girl, but… Slytherin hasn't have girls in their team for ages!"

"But it can change right? I mean, next year there will be a new captain!" Riley said, trying to reassure herself.

"Flint?" Claire ackers chortled. "Yeah, cause he's a real gentleman." Tonks glowered at her friend. "Sorry."

Riley thought about Marcus Flint. Taking aside the whole story with Selwyn and Fletcher, he was not that bad. He was a bully for sure, he liked to scare first years, mainly Hufflepuffs. He was also extremely arrogant, and he didn't seem to care about other people's feeling either, even if they were his friends. Riley sighed, at least he didn't think she was the one who told Fletcher about him and Sarah. She couldn't even imagine what he would do to her if he did.

"But you ought to stand up for yourself, Riley!" Claire Ackers said, straightening her back. "Hey, speaking of it. Selwyn has been oddly nice to me lately."

"Really?" Tonks asked astonished.

Riley didn't look surprised, after all she was the reason why Selwyn wasn't doing anything.

"Yeah, maybe she just got tired of it, you know."

"I find that very hard to believe." Tonks finally stated.

Sunday afternoon, Riley was in the Owlery sending a letter to Remus. She wanted to tell him everything that was happening, but she couldn't. Therefore, she wrote a boring, simple letter, saying that things were doing well and asking him for news. She gave a small piece of bread to an owl, and stroke it slightly.

"That's my owl." Riley turned around and saw Fred Weasley. "Well, technically he's my family's owl. He often loses consciousness during long journeys, so he stays here until he regains enough strength to go back home."

"Sorry, I didn't know. I thought he was one of the school's. I'll choose another one."

"That's fine." He said shrugging. "Errol's old and he's always getting lost, if you want your letter to be delivered you'd better choose another owl."

Riley giggled. "Poor thing."

"Yeah." He giggled too. Riley gave her letter to another owl. "Why him?"

"Sorry?"

"Why did you choose Errol among all the others?" Fred asked. "It's not like he's the prettiest or cutest owl here."

"I don't know. I like him, he's the only owl here that let me stroke him." She smiled at Fred who smiled back at her.

"Weird, because usually he bites." He said grinning. He approached her and bent over the window of the tower, staring at the grass down below. "Listen, I thought about what you said before the Christmas holidays and… Well, I… I would like us to become friends again. I still like you, even if you're mad." He gave her a smirk.

"I'd like that too." She smiled at him. "Does that mean you forgive me?"

"Yeah... I may have overreacted. I admit that it was pretty fun making someone's head shrink, it was actually evilly brilliant, come to think about it." He chuckled. "I just wished you'd have told me."

"Yeah, I don't know why I didn't. I'm sorry."

"That's ok." He said looking straight at her eyes. "Now, let's get back inside the castle. It's chilly out here!" He added, putting his arm around her shoulder.

After they went in different directions, Riley was heading alone to the Slytherin common room. She couldn't stop herself from smiling. She felt so relieved to know that Fred had forgiven her after all.

"RILEY!" Adrian shouted, "Where the hell have you been?"

Riley chose to ignore him.

"RILEY!" He called again.

"WHAT?" She asked bitterly.

"Well I wouldn't go to the common room if I were you. Fletcher knows everything. It's pretty tense in there right now!"

"What? How?" Riley asked surprised, forgetting all the anger she felt towards Adrian.

"Well that's the worst part…" Adrian pondered for a moment, "He said it was a first year who told him everything."

Riley's eyes widened, "It's not possible! I didn't say anything I swear!"

"Are you sure?" Adrian asked haltingly.

"Of course I'm sure! I think I would have remembered if I told him anything!" Riley closed her eyes putting her hand on her forehead. "No, no, no, this can't be happening!"

"What are you going to do?" Adrian asked uneasy.

Riley sighed deeply, "I have no idea!"

This chapter is a little shorter than the others but I'll try to update soon. Thanks for reviewing :)

And about Diggory, I also thought so, but he's actually described as a fifth year in Prisoner of Azkaban, like Fred and George. ^^