Title: The Firebrand Chronicles Book Two: After Dark
Summary: No one knew what awaited them upon returning to Hogwarts that year. No one expected a monster to attack the students, and certainly no one expected anyone to assume that Harry Potter was the party responsible. Blaise Zabini certainly didn't. This is his story. Book Two
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter any of its characters or events. They belong to J.K. Rowling
Author's Note: Well it looks like I've been very neglectful of my story (getting sick really takes the creativity out of me) and I'm very sorry to those who have been waiting. I now believe I owe you all five chapters (11-16). As there are only five chapters left until "After Dark" is finished I shall strive to get them up as quickly as possible and not draw out that ending any longer than necessary. (They're all written I just have to do one last edit round. ) And here is the first of the promised five.
Firebrand Chronicles
Book Two: After Dark
Chapter XII
I paid for my infraction, oh how I paid. Mother did something she had never done before; she confined me to my room for the rest of the holidays. Several days at least. I had never had a grounding last more than a couple hours before. Alright, so call me spoiled. It's probably true. It is true, even in the midst of the punishment I still had all the comforts of my own room. But considering all I don't think I turned out to be too bad. I'll let the reader be the judge of that.
My meals and anything I needed were brought to me and I was not allowed out of the room, the bathroom being attached and anything else being considered unnecessary. I longed to go riding or venture to town, but those options being forbidden I consoled myself with my books and Bandit's company. It was a relief when school started again.
It was discovered upon arrival back at the school that Hermione Granger was in the hospital wing apparently covered in fur. I managed to suppress my own curiosity in light of my family tragedy and surprisingly said tragedy inspired several of the Slytherin ladies to declare their sympathy though I made no effort to appear to be in morning. Tracey choked back tears when she hugged me hello, Daphne and Millicent each kissed my cheek and Pansy repeated the first words she had ever spoken to me and said only, "it's ok. You can cry if you want to," though she said it in such a wry tone I knew she was saying them for form and not because she thought I actually would.
Third year Mina McNair with her red hair and blue eyes perhaps gave me the greatest shock of all. Wearing a knowing smile I didn't trust, she curled up next to me on the couch moving so close she might as well have been in my lap, reach across and stroked my cheek being gentle with her long nails.
"I understand you recently lost your step-father?" she murmured in my ear, this was too close for comfort. I tried to stand without being obvious to no avail. "Well if you need anything you know who to ask. She grabbed my chin so I had to face her, brushed her lips across mine, rose and strolled away, leaving me quite awkwardly trying not to watch her and not composed enough to face my friends. In my astonishment I barely registered the jealous looks some of the older boys were throwing my way.
"She's like that every time she wants something," Tracey warned me taking the vacated seat though not nearly so close, "and the things she wants usually involve money." I took the warning to heart.
Herbology classed resumed with term though we were allowed nowhere near greenhouse three. Halfway through January Professor Sprout did allow us into greenhouse two with the strict instructions to stay away from the Acadian vines at the back. The vines had a formable defense system including lashing out and grabbing hold of predators releasing a paralytic toxin into their system. Sometimes the creature got away though remained lethargic for days, sometimes weeks. The longer the vines held on to their target, the larger the dose. They did, however, produce very valuable seed pods used in some of the most difficult potion antidotes.
Our class was situated at the front of the greenhouse though my position at the end of the long work table put me closest to the vines. Not that it was worth worrying over. There was plenty of space between me and the plants, and they seemed to be asleep. We were set to work harvesting moly flowers. It was tricky removing the pale flowers from their log stems without being pricked by the thorns. Sprout informed us that Muggles often mistook moly for a subspecies of rose. I had a feeling that fact might turn up on an exam at some point and so filed it away. We were also informed that all the flowers we harvested would go either to the potions classroom to restock the school stores, or to the hospital wing, Moly Tea being in great demand during times of great stress. We all understood that this was a time of great stress for everyone at the school.
Halfway through class Lockhart popped up and started poking around at the different plants humming to himself as if he had every right to disrupt the lesson. "Can I help you Gilderoy?" Sprout asked after watching him for a moment.
"Ahh yes I wanted to show my sixth years a sample of moggletree root, I used some on my adventures of Africa where I drove a manticore away from a village, for further reference see my published works. Well anyway I was informed that I might find some in one of the green houses."
"Greenhouse three," Sprout sighed, "if you'll wait a few moments I'll get you some."
"Oh course . . . I ah . . . wouldn't want to upset the mandrake, they do know you best after all."
"I trust you can harvest moly without me for a few moments." She stated piercing us each in turn with a glare that implied we'd best do exactly that.
"Yes Professor," we mumbled as she left.
Lockhart, however, began poking around pausing every now and then to say things like, "Ahh I thought she might have one of those," and, "a very fine specimen." I rolled my eyes and like the rest of my male classmates chose to ignore him. I caught Pansy staring at him a dreamy look in her eyes and several of the other girls weren't doing much better.
"Bet you five Knuts he doesn't even know what he's looking at!" Draco hissed from down the table.
"You've got a wager." Theo hissed back none of us noticed Lockhart making his way to the Acadian vines.
Professor Sprout arrived back seconds later all but shouting the moment she came through the door. "Gilderoy get away from there!" Lockhart had leaned too close to the vines and they had shot out in an attempt to ensnare him. Professor Sprout's warning came in time for him to jerk aside. I however didn't realize the danger I was suddenly in and was grabbed from behind. The vines wrapped around my torso and shoulders and began to drag me back, my cry of alarm echoing in the room. Surprisingly instead of my own house it was two of the Ravenclaws that came to my rescue. Padma Patil and Lisa Turpin rushed forwards and grabbed my arms above the elbow putting all their combined strength and weight into keeping me where I was. Meanwhile my body felt like it was on fire and I very quickly realized my mobility was fading fast. In addition the vines were cutting into my flesh as they tightened and tried harder to pull me back to their root. I quickly realized they must be giving me a double dose of toxin to keep me complacent as my lounge went numb and I could only mumble an unintelligible plea for help.
The vines couldn't have had me for more than a couple of minutes because as soon as Professor Sprout had a clear shot with her wand I was released and the plant was enclosed in a kind of protective bubble.
I collapsed forwards nearly on top of the girls. My blood was on fire, my brain fuzzy the cuts stung. I barely managed to move my head to see the others and vaguely realized Theo was hauling me into a seated position leaning against one of the table legs. My shirt and robes were torn and bloody and I briefly thought that this was not the way I would choose to appear before my classmates.
"Blaise, are you alright?"
"Idun felwl, Wo . . .wowen . . .bet" I tried to force the words from between my lips.
"Mr. Nott you'd better help me get him to the hospital wing. Miss Patil, you too. That scratch on your hand needs to be looked at," Professor Sprout said calmly. I was lifted to my feet and half carried half dragged out the greenhouse door. Behind me I heard Lockhart bewilderedly ask. "Were those venomous Acadian vines? I ran across them once in . . . well perhaps that story better wait."