Eleven.
Even as Amelia stepped out of her ball gown and into her pajamas, she could still smell the scent of Lucius on her skin. While she knew how silly she must have seemed with her schoolgirl grin plastered on her face, she couldn't help it. Almost overnight, she had reconciled with herself the fact that she wanted to be in Lucius' presence, not Kingsley's and that in some way, he was better for her.
She would have very much liked to revel in her thoughts about the Slytherin but it was it was nearing midnight and the others would be back momentarily. Amelia had just enough time to draw under the heavy afghan on the couch in front of the fireplace before Edgar and the rest of the Ravenclaws minus Emmeline returned.
"I don't care if he's your boyfriend, Emmeline!" Edgar called out into the hall, "you'd better be wearing blue and bronze on Saturday!"
"Yellow is such a dodgy color." Nathalia said absently.
"Yeah." Edgar nodded turning his attention to Amelia, who feigned sleep. "Quiet, you lot!" he whispered harshly.
"Kingsley's out there waiting for Lia." Cordelia said softly, her arm locked with Elliot's.
"Right." Edgar sighed. "I'll wake her."
Amelia made a mental note to discretely shove Cordelia for her mention of Kingsley. He was the last person she wanted to see because in his own charming and ignorant way, he would make her feel guilty. Even though guilt was an emotion she should have been feeling, having technically cheated on her boyfriend, she refused to let herself feel it, at least not tonight. She would hate herself for it later, but she would have to lie – again.
"Lia." Edgar whispered, almost inaudibly.
Amelia hoped he would give up and tell Kingsley she would see him tomorrow at breakfast. Unfortunately, Edgar was just as adamant about his sister's relationship as Kingsley was.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "Lia … wake up … Lia? Liaaaaa." Edgar sang. When she still refused to move, he shook her lightly. However, ignorant to his own strength, his subtle shake was actually a violent convulsion that caused Amelia's eyes to fly open, and due to the unexpectedness of it, she fell off the couch and onto the floor.
"Oh!" Edgar exclaimed, grabbing her to help her sit up right. "Sorry, Lia."
"'S alright." She said in mock sleepiness, hoping he would take pity on her freshly woken state. "What's happened?"
"Nothing, nothing. No need to worry." He explained. "We've just returned from the Ball."
"Oh?" she forced a yawn, resting her head on a pillow. "How was it?"
"It was good." He said slowly, giving her a quizzical look at her near sleep state. "I was talking to Kingsley-"
"Mmhmm, that's good." She sighed lazily. "You two should really get together more often, you know? Nathalia and myself are coming between you, y'know?"
"Lia." Edgar said, giving her a slight shake back into consciousness. "He's outside in the corridor. He wants to talk to you."
"Wha-? Now? It's after midnight!" she said exasperated.
"Lia, you come back to the Tower each night well after one." He said with a grin.
"But-"
"Be reasonable. He sat down there all night wondering if you were okay. The only reason he didn't chase after you was because you asked him not to. Just talk to him for five minutes, please? You owe him that."
Edgar was, as always and annoyingly so, right. Amelia nodded and stood up, straightening her clothes, the weight of the situation setting in.
Kingsley was, just as Edgar said, waiting in the corridor, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He stared aimlessly at the floor, making a slow paced circle in the open space. He looked down trodden and miserable. Amelia sighed – all he had to do was look at her and she would have felt like a wretch.
"Hello, Kingsley." She said softly.
At the sound of his name, Kingsley looked up, his face lighting up softly, his eyes turning wide.
"Lia." He said, making his way to her in three long strides, kissing her lightly on the cheek. "How're are you feeling? I've been worr-"
"-ied all night, yeah, Edgar told me." She finished.
"Big mouth." He muttered.
"Tell me about it." She said in agreement.
Kingsley grinned lightly, consoled that her sense of humor was still the same. Amelia tucked her hair behind her ear and rung her hands together nervously, unsure of what to say.
"So." Kingsley began, breaking the silence. "Are you okay?
"Oh," Amelia said, wavering her hand. "Yeah, well, now. I just had a bad reaction to the … the Sheppard's pie at lunch, that's all." She said matter of factly. "I guess it caught up with me." She admitted sheepishly.
"But … we didn't have Sheppard's pie at lunch." Kingsley countered, confused.
"We didn't?" Amelia asked, a bit nervous. "Oh! That's right. We had that desert that looked like Sheppard's pie." She said with a bit of a laugh. "You know, it just ... looked similar. And the taste was a bit the … same, you know? It must have had the same ingredients." She nodded.
"Uh-huh." Kingsley said, perplexed.
"Yeah, the … er …" Amelia stuttered, unable to recall what had been served only 12 hours ago.
"Strawberry cobbler?" Kingsley offered.
"Yes!" she grinned. "See, it's making me delirious even now. Merlin." She said, shaking her head.
"I really missed you tonight, Lia." Kingsley said with a grin.
Amelia was thankful that the corridors were poorly lit because if Kingsley had been able to clearly see her, he would have seen her face fall. She hoped that the conversation would not take a turn toward the fine aspects of emotions because she wasn't sure if she could tell him what he wanted to hear. Two months ago, Amelia was certain that Kingsley was it for her mainly because she never thought about the opposite sex enough to care. Lets be honest; Amelia spent more time going over the details of margins and grammar than what she looked for in a man. Of course Kingsley was handsome, and charming and many other things that had seventh year boys jealous and seventh year girls swoon. Out of all his many options, and Kingsley certainly had his pick, he chose Amelia, who at the time, didn't really care.
Over the course of those two months, Kingsley had fallen in love with her. He had put his heart and soul into making her happy and looked forward to a future with her. But something happened. Amelia began tutoring Lucius Malfoy and somewhere between yelling at him for inappropriate jokes and going out of her way to pass him in the corridors, she fell into something, too. Not quite love, because she didn't know Lucius extensively, but she knew enough to know that it was Lucius' face in her mind at night, not Kingsley's.
But tonight, she sighed, tonight was not the time to discuss or think about any of this, Amelia thought to herself. Eventually, she promised herself, she would set things right. For the time being at least, there was no pressure.
"I missed you, too, Kingsley." She said softly. "You know, maybe next weekend, we can go to the astronomy tower. There's supposed to be a meteor shower. I'd really love to watch it with you."
"Really?" Kingsley beamed, his face lighting up. This had been the first time Amelia had been the one to suggest they do anything together. In fact, now that Kingsley thought about it, Amelia had been very passive about anything they had ever done. Nodding, Kingsley thought that maybe Amelia was really starting to feel comfortable showing her love for him. "Sure, that would be great. But," he added, flashing a very charming but also shy grin, "you have to promise me something."
"Oh?" Amelia asked nervously. "What's that?"
"Miss Amelia Bones," he said matter of factly, "You owe me a proper dance."
Amelia grinned and nodded, promising the brown-eyed boy the dance he wanted. After kissing him goodnight, Amelia hurried off to bed before Edgar and Emmeline bombarded her with questions. Sometimes, she thought, they were worse then Rita.
As Amelia lay down, she closed her eyes, remembering the feel of Lucius' breath on her neck. Sighing, she though, 'Kingsley, I owe you more than a dance.'
–––––––––––––
The following morning at breakfast, Lucius settled down at his table beside a very aggravated Narcissa. He supposed she had every right to be angry, but that was not his primary concern. Narcissa was, of course, beautiful and very much a part of his life, but she did not possess the substance he was craving. With that in mind, he rested his index finger at his temple and focused his attention on the Ravenclaw Table. However, instead of the familiarity of the back of Amelia Bones' head, he was presented with a gapping hole. For whatever reason, Amelia had decided to forgo breakfast.
Slightly annoyed by her absence, Lucius focused his attention on his meal, which he did not enjoy.
The screeching of owls as they soared into the Great Hall, however, interrupted his thoughts. Various packages and letters found their way to their owners with ease. When his own midnight black barn owl flew overhead, a nervousness set in. He was not expecting any post, at least, not so soon. He prayed that perhaps it was not from who he thought it might be from.
When the letter landed in front of him, relief set in. Thankfully, it was from Amelia. He only knew it to be from her because of the terrible handwriting.
"What is it?" Narcissa asked, drumming her fingers loudly on the wooden table.
Lucius discreetly opened the letter and let his eyes scan the single word written on the parchment. 'Now' was all it said. Lucius let a smirk fall upon his face, taking the urgency to mean only one thing.
"Is it from Him?" Walden asked hastily.
"When's the date?" Evan pressed.
"I shouldn't have to wait much longer for mine." Alecto muttered to herself.
Unaware that he was being watched so closely, Lucius straightened up, tucking the letter inside his breast pocket. He would make an excuse to deal with the vultures later.
"I'll get back to you on that." He said, standing.
"At least tell us what it said!" Evan demanded in a harsh whisper.
"Let him go." Rookwood said, swirling his pumpkin juice in his goblet. "He'll tell us about it later when he gets back, I'm sure. You all had better learn that He doesn't wait for anyone." Raising his glass to their leader, Rookwood nodded, "To Malfoy."
In unison, the other Slytherins drank in his honor in that he had officially been accepted into the Dark Lord's Inner Circle. At least, that's what they thought. Now more then ever, Lucius was feeling the weight. Each member of the Slytherin house looked to him for answers. When Amelia called him the King Cobra, he tried to deny it. But looking at Narcissa, his betrothed, Rookwood, his second in command, and the other dozen green clad students he had at his beck and call, he realized that she was right. Even Regulus Black, a lowly first year was eager to shake his hand. For them, next to Him, Malfoy was a God.
Nodding curtly, Malfoy quickly made his way to the seventh floor, straightening his tie, even though he was sure it was going to be discarded in a few moments anyway. He bolted up the many stairs, reaching the Room of Requirement in record time. Once through the entrance, he peered around the frame of the door anticipating his favorite Ravenclaw. After fully scanning the room, Lucius spotted her behind her podium doing, of course, research of some sort.
"You have me run all the way up here before I can eat an adequate breakfast and don't even give me a proper greeting? What kind of girlfriend are you?"
Amelia looked up suddenly at the sound of his voice, startled. She had just closed her book when he used the term 'girlfriend' to describe her. While she did like the sound of it, she felt more like his mistress than anything else. Tucking her hair behind her ear and setting her hands atop the podium she said,
"I'm not so sure that's such a good idea." She said, biting her lip in reference to his new label for her.
"Amelia," Lucius said with a mild grin, "do I have to convince you all over again?"
Amelia grinned softly as he placed a kiss atop her head and looked up at him.
"I didn't mean that. I mean … maybe we shouldn't be too sure of ourselves. We don't know for sure if anyone saw us last night and … and Kingsley and I are still together."
"Regrettably." He muttered, which caused a grin to tug at Amelia's lips. "I know, I know. But not for long, I hope. It was difficult enough to watch you with him. I'm not sure if I can stomach the image of the two of you with the knowledge of your feelings for me much longer."
Amelia raised her gaze to Lucius'. She had been avoiding looking at him closely for the longest time only because she was uncertain of any emotion she might feel. However, now that her affection was certain, zeroing in on his grey eyes was becoming something of a habit, her favorite pastime. As much as she would have liked to jump in with both feet first with Lucius, she did not fancy herself a slag. Enough damage was being done to Kingsley already, Amelia did not want to inflict any more.
"No," she shook her head, "No, not for long."
The truth was, Amelia and Lucius didn't even know each other at all. They thought the other handsome, but other than the physical attraction, there was no substance. Amelia felt obligated to at least learn a bit more about him before dedicating herself wholly to him.
"I'll see you later than, yeah?" he asked, assuming her response to be 'yes.'
"Actually, no." she sighed.
"I beg your pardon? I understand playing hard to get but this is a bit too much." He said with a smirk.
"Believe me, I'm not playing hard to get. That's sort of the furthest thing from my mind." She said with Lucius raised his eyebrows, taken aback by her uncharacteristic bluntness in terms of flirtation. "I think it might be a good idea to spend the evening in our respective common rooms. I just don't want to throw up any red flags."
Lucius nodded, giving Amelia a once over. Taking a step forward, he brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes letting out a sigh.
"You love making things difficult don't you?"
"It's not intentional, I promise." She said, managing a small smile. "Besides, I'm sure you can find something to do to keep yourself occupied."
"I suppose," Lucius said after a moment, "that it might be a good idea to head down to the pitch for practice. The log book should be empty – it's the start of the month."
"There you go." Amelia grinned. "We'll keep it low key, just for tonight."
"It should not be this hard to walk away from you, and even still I can't seem to make myself go." He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment.
"It's only one night." She reminded him.
"Haven't you ever heard that one night can change everything?" he teased. "I'll see you tomorrow then, eh?" He brushed his lips across her forehead.
Amelia turned and walked away, closing the door behind her. Casting her eyes to the windows, she peered outside herself. The weather was, of course, getting colder, but Amelia Bones was on fire.
–––––––––––––
Throughout the entire day of classes, Amelia felt a bit paranoid, as if someone's eyes were focused on her all day. At lunch, Kingsley wrapped his arm around her and she flinched.
"That 'Sheppard's Pie' still has you wonky." He grinned.
Even when making her way to Transfiguration, she had an eerie feeling and the incessant need to turn around could not escape her.
Despite the strangeness, there was a bit of a spring in her step. Finally, after two months of bickering, staring, loathing and lusting, Amelia was able to look at Lucius without guilt or shame. There was, however, the matter of Kingsley, to whom she promised to spend Saturday night with in the Astronomy Tower.
"I can't wait." Kingsley beamed at dinner about the date.
"Hmm?" Amelia asked, looking up from the dinner she was not eating.
"The meteor shower." He repeated.
"Oh, right." She nodded. "Me either."
"What's going on?" Edgar asked, looking across the table at Kingsley, who had placed a kiss on Amelia's head, the same spot that Lucius' lips had been only five hours before.
"There's a meteor shower this weekend. We're going to watch it in the Astronomy Tower." Kingsley explained.
"Is this to make up for the ball last night?" Elliot asked.
"Yes." Amelia nodded absently.
"You better give him more than a meteor shower." Amos said, biting into his drumstick.
"Like what?" Amelia asked, raising her eyebrows.
"A pep show might work. Or if you want to keep with the shower theme-"
"Hey, hey." Edgar chastised, turning back to Kingsley and his sister. "It sounds lovely."
"Er, thanks." Amelia said uneasily.
Amelia had not thought about propositioning Kingsley in such a way, but now that Amos had implied it, Kingsley would most likely be expecting it. As if matters weren't already out of control, Rita's eyes were locked on Amelia throughout the remainder of the meal.
As it had been, Amelia normally excused herself from dinner just as it had ceased and exited to the Room of Requirement. Today, however, she politely waited for her housemates to finish their meals while looking absently over her parchment, ordering herself not to look at Lucius who was just behind her shoulder.
"You look pained, Lia." Rita said, startling Amelia, who looked up in Lucius' direction almost instantly before catching herself and turning her gaze back to Rita.
"Sorry?" Amelia asked, clearing her throat, shuffling her papers and tucking them into her text.
"Just offering concern for my fellow housemate." Rita said with an innocent shrug. "I knew how sick you were last night – I do hope it's not coming back. Wouldn't want you to turn a horrid shade of green." Rita said lightly, getting to her feet.
"No, of course not. I'm feeling fine." Amelia said with a nod.
"Right then." Rita said before offering a bright grin and heading out of the Great Hall.
Rita's tone was gentle enough and her manner was polite, but her careful phrasing of the word 'green' made Amelia uneasy. Amelia watched as Rita's blonde curls bounced against the back of her head as she left the hall. Somehow, she felt better with her gone.
"You'd better head off." Elliot joked beside Edgar to Amelia.
"Sorry?" Amelia asked, tearing her eyes away from a group of Slytherins who were departing from their table.
"You've never stayed at dinner this long. We'd figure you'd want to get a good seat in the library." Edgar grinned. "They fill up fast you know."
"You should really consider giving up your prospective career as an Auror, Ed. Comedy is looking better and better for you every day." Amelia said with a roll of her eyes.
"Say, that's a brilliant idea, Lia! We could become a family act. I'll be a ventriloquist and you can be the dummy. That way, no one will have to hear you talk." Edgar nodded.
"Wow, Edgar." Emmeline said with genuine impression. "That was almost as stupid as the last thing you said."
"Better not provoke your boyfriend's opponent, Vancey." Edgar warned.
"Oh, no." Amos said, draping an arm across Emmeline's shoulder. "Go ahead. It'll be much more entertaining to watch him sulk afterward. I'll be sure to give you two ladies Hufflepuff colors to wear on Saturday." Amos said with a wink at Amelia and Emmeline.
"Don't you dare, Diggory." Edgar stated.
"Well would to you look at that! Funny and good at alliteration!" Amelia said in mock amazement. "Mum will be so proud when I tell her!"
"Anyway, what are you still doing here?" Edgar asked, annoyed.
"I was planning on staying in the common room tonight." Amelia shrugged.
"Thank Merlin." Edgar grinned.
"I had no idea you'd be so eager for my company." Amelia said with a raised eyebrow.
"Despite Kingsley's babbling, you're really not all that fun to be around, Lia." Edgar joked. "It so happens that the night you choose to grace us with your presence is the same night I have Quidditch Practice."
"No you don't." Amos said pointedly. "I booked the pitch for us today."
"The both of you have your days mixed up! I always put Gryffindors on for Monday night." Kingsley said.
"Today is the first?" Edgar asked.
"All Souls Day." Xeno observed from behind his text.
"Yeah. Which means I have the pitch." Amos argued.
"Lucius has the pitch tonight." Amelia said absently, remembering their conversation from earlier.
"Lucius?" Edgar said with distaste. "Since when are you on a first name basis with him?"
"I'm not." Amelia said, doing her best to hide her quickly blushing cheeks.
"How would you know, anyway?" Emmeline asked curiously.
"I wouldn't. I just assumed." Amelia said, trying to shrug off her slip up. "You know how these things are – anything that can go wrong will go wrong."
"You don't even need to practice King! You don't have any games scheduled for two weeks!" Amos said loudly, taking all attention off Amelia, something she was thankful for.
"Please," Kingsley said with a charming smile, "you flatter me. I know I don't need to-"
"I'm going to check the log." Edgar said finally.
"Not without us. How do we know you won't erase our names?" Amos asked.
"Wouldn't you write it in ink?" Xeno asked absently.
The three boys all exchanged looks of regret. Evidently, none of them had remembered to make their mark permanent.
"You didn't write it in ink?" Amelia asked with a laugh. "You don't have to worry about it then – Lu – I mean, in that case, I'm positive Malfoy has the pitch tonight."
"Shut it, Lia. I don't exactly carry an inkwell around with me all the time." Edgar said defensively.
"You could always use a spell." Xeno said, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Shut it, Xeno." Edgar fumed.
"Just when I thought you couldn't top yourself, Ed, you go and surprise me." Amelia grinned.
"Well, look," Amos paused, "It's only 5:30. The pitch isn't even open until 6. So, even if Malfoy did book it, then there isn't any way he'd be allowed down there until then."
"So?" Kingsley asked, exchanging a confused look with Edgar.
"So," Amos continued, "I say that out of the three of us, whoever gets there first gets to practice."
"And if Malfoy has the pitch?" Emmeline prompted.
"We cross the bridge when we get to it." Amos shrugged.
"Okay, fine. But there's one problem. Edgar here is far too old for foot races." Kingsley teased.
Clapping both Amos and Kingsley on the shoulder with a clever grin, Edgar said,
"Oh ye of little faith."
And he took off down the Great Hall at an alarming speed as Amos and Kingsley scrambled out of their seats to catch up with him.
"You would think Ed would be smart enough to have Professor Flitwick to override any dispute so that he could practice for the game." Emmeline observed.
"Actually," Elliot said with a grin, "I already took care of it." Out of his robes, he pulled a scroll of parchment with the Hogwarts seal on it.
"If you had this the whole time, then why didn't you say anything?" Emmeline grinned.
"Oh, come on. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to watch those three fight over Quidditch?" Elliot reasoned.
"He has a point." Emmeline nodded.
"I always knew you were my favorite brother." Amelia laughed.
"Anyway, I'd better get this to 'em before they start causing a scene."
Nodding shortly, Elliot bid the two girls goodnight and made to catch up with his brother. Though it was not spoken, what Amelia had said was half true. She did favor one of her brothers over the other, but it was not Elliot. For whatever reason, she had always been closer with Edgar. She leaned on him for everything. When she scrapped her knees as a little girl, when her first pet died, he stepped in every time, filling the role of the older brother as he should have.
The three Bones children would deny it to no end if asked, but they knew; Amelia loved Edgar more than Elliot. She was almost embarrassed to even think about it but there it was.
Once back in the common room, Amelia and Emmeline sat side by side at one of the many desks in an effort to start their homework. They did not succeed, however, as many of the third and fourth year girls, for an unknown reason, were pestering Rita with questions.
"Begging, my dears," Rita said coolly, "Will never get you any where."
"Come on, Rita!" one girl exclaimed.
"What did you find out?" another asked.
"The usual; Why Caradoc Dearborn turned Hestia Jones down, who Bertha Jorkins was crying over, why Rufus Scrimgeour didn't go to the Ball at all, who wore the same unfortunate outfit, who the brunette dancing with Lucius Malfoy was-"
At the mention of Lucius' name, most of the girls shrieked and giggled, but it was not their childish manner that cut Rita off. Amelia had knocked over her inkwell at the mention.
"Lia?" Emmeline asked as Amelia knelt down to pick up the shattered glass. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry." Amelia said, managing a smile, "I'm just such a klutz sometimes."
"Amelia." Rita said, using the brunette's full name, something she hardly ever did. "Is something wrong?" Rita knelt down beside Amelia, her gaze scrutinizing.
Amelia shook her head with a brave face. Keeping Lucius' words in mind, she reminded herself that her secret had not been let out. Whatever hunch Rita had was wrong. She had no proof.
"You're sure? It's not something I said, was it? Something about Caradoc, maybe? Bertha and her obsession with your boyfriend, Kingsley? Perhaps it was … something else." She said innocently.
Amelia could sense the game Rita was trying to play and vowed that she would hold her town. Tucking her hair behind her ear, Amelia pulled out her wand and waved it over the inkwell, clearing up the mess instantly.
"Caradoc is a friend, Rita, that's all. I just don't like his character maligned. I couldn't care less about Bertha." Amelia said firmly.
Getting to her feet, Rita straightened her blouse, smirking knowingly. It would take much more than a clever wordless spell to silence the blonde. Amelia followed suit and stood, sitting back down at her desk, turning her attention back to her work.
"I find that very hard to believe." Emmeline muttered.
"What?" Amelia asked absently.
"Malfoy with someone other then Narcissa. She must be a real slag." Emmeline rolled her eyes and Amelia flinched.
"I suppose you're right, Emmeline." Rita said, having heard their exchange. "It is, after all," she nodded, "uncharacteristic of him. His single days are long past. You know, normally," she said, folding her arms across her chest, "I would doubt the rumor myself. But I happen to have proof."
Amelia, who had been trying so hard to focus her attention to her books, felt her eyes snap upward at Rita. Surely they hadn't been that careless, Amelia thought quickly. They had on masks at the Ball, they were dancing too fast for anyone to even notice them. They left too early for anyone to even spot them. Amelia recounted each moment in her head, looking for something, anything that would give Rita what she needed. Her dress couldn't have given it away – there were half a dozen people wearing blue. Amelia's thoughts stopped. Blue. The blue ribbon. Amelia felt her hand reach back and touch the soft fabric. The blue ribbon she always wore. She was wearing it the night of the dance. Rita must have seen it, she thought, panicked.
"That's absurd, even for you, Rita." Emmeline said in disbelief. "No self respecting female would stoop to the level of investing her time with Malfoy. I mean, he's a womanizer. He doesn't have any respect for anyone, least of all women. And if anyone were to even consider being with him, how could they do that to Narcissa? Granted," Emmeline explained, "I don't fancy the girl, but it's not right."
Amelia felt her heart sinking with all of Emmeline's words. She was absolutely right. Amelia had been so preoccupied with what she was doing to Kingsley she hardly had any time to think about what she was doing to Narcissa. She was a right slag, Amelia thought, ashamed.
"That's a very, very valid argument, Emmeline. Perhaps you could explain this insight in greater detail to Malfoy's dance partner." Rita challenged.
"What do you mean?" Emmeline asked.
"She's sitting in this room."
All at once, everyone looked up, scanning the other the room for anyone looks of guilt or embarrassment. Amelia looked down helplessly at her parchment. Do something she commanded herself. Get the blame off you.
"Lia!" Emmeline said in shock. "Can you believe it! Rita has to be making this up, right? Who in their right mind-"
"Yes, Amelia." Rita said, her hands at her sides, full emphasis on Amelia's name. "Who in their right mind would spend time with Malfoy? Who would even bother to look his way? Who would dare to fall in love with such a snake?" Rita spat venomously.
Amelia felt her temperature rise at Rita's last comment. The need to defend Lucius was at the back of her throat but she quickly realized that there was an even greater urgency to protect the both of them.
Standing, Amelia set down her quill and tucked her papers back into her books. Looking Rita square in the eye, she took a deep breath.
"Rita, I understand that you have an obsession with Malfoy and that this fabricated story is just some ploy to project feelings of jealousy for Narcissa or whoever it is you think you saw with him. I also understand that you crave attention from your peers because you never get it at home from your lovely, but absent parents." She said coolly, at which Rita hardened. "I don't know why you find it necessary to slander everyone's name all the time but I have a sneaky feeling that that might be the reason that you don't have one friend to your name. Give it a rest, Rita. We're all just a little bit tired of it."
Stepping from behind the desk, Amelia made her way into the corridor, cupping her hand over her mouth. She sighed heavily, in disbelief at what she had just said and that she had the nerve to even say it. How had Rita, of all possible people, gotten wind of Amelia and Lucius together? Suddenly the outlets seemed infinite. All of the staring across the Great Hall, her absent evenings, the subtle mentions of his name. Amelia supposed that Rita had her suspicions all along. The Ball merely confirmed all of it.
Rubbing her forehead in distress, she heard the Ravenclaw Tower entrance close from behind her. She knew that it was Rita; she could feel the blonde's eyes on her.
"Impressive performance, Amelia. I'd give you an Oscar nod for it if I could." Rita mused.
"How long have you known?" Amelia asked quietly. There was no point in trying to hide it now. Surely, Rita had told everyone as soon as Amelia had left the room, which was why Emmeline hadn't come to find her. They were all undoubtedly gluing the pieces together – she couldn't break it if she tried.
"Long enough. How far did you think you could take this, forgive the term, masquerade?"
"Longer than this, obviously." Turning about, Amelia stared at Rita through the torch light. "How did you figure it out?"
The truth was, of course, more elaborate than Rita would ever tell, as it always was. Rita figured out what it would take a long time ago to unhinge the greatest secrets, but never had the nerve to actually go through with it. It was at the Marchbank's Summer Solstice that Rita had overheard Alecto Carrow and Bellatrix Black whispering about their Dark Marks and when exactly they would be getting them. Any story about Voldemort sparked Rita's interest and if the sources of that story were within her grasp, she had to seize the moment, which was rapidly approaching. The war was upon them, and Rita was only two years from graduation. She wanted her name on the front page. She wanted the big story. And there was really only one way to make sure she had it.
Minerva McGonagall, of all people, gave Rita the idea in second year. She was heading down to McGonagall's office to hand in a paper on the difference between Transfiguring quills and inkwells. When she stepped into her professor's office, McGonagall was absent; only a tabby cat sat atop the disoriented desk.
"Bloody brilliant." Rita scoffed in her twelve-year-old voice. "She asks me to come all the way down here and decides to take a walk. I've got better things to do with my time." Rita tossed her paper carelessly on the desk. No sooner had the paper landed, the cat sprang to the floor, transforming into Professor McGonagall as it did so.
"You know, Miss Skeeter," she said in a knowing tone, "It might be in your best interests to keep less than favorable thoughts to yourself. You never know who might be listening."
An Animagus. That was the answer. If she were small enough and inconspicuous enough, she could get away with anything. Eavesdropping on future Death Eaters would be child's play. Rita had contemplated the idea for years but wasn't sure if she could pull it off. She couldn't register – that would defeat the entire purpose. But an unregistered Animagus who was discovered would end up in Azkaban, and Rita couldn't afford that. Only when she overheard Bellatrix did Rita finally make up her mind.
The process was simple enough. It required a good deal of magic and practice but she was a Ravenclaw – she could handle it. Once school started, Rita had to get used to her new identity. When to transform, how to get around without being stepped on, it was all part of the process. But she had managed well enough.
She was walking, or crawling, rather, down the corridor to see where Amycus Carrow had gone off to in such a hurry when she heard the unmistakable voice of Amelia; her octaves were always all over the place when she spoke. Rita was about to brush it off as nothing more than a conversation between friends when she heard another voice. Another unmistakable voice.
"Alright . . . but it'll have to wait until I can put these books down in-"
"We're not going to the library." Lucius Malfoy declared.
"Pardon me?" Amelia said, confused. "I thought we agreed-"
"Change of plans."
"Why are you waiting until now to tell me this?" she said indignant under the weight of the texts.
"Your weekend was eventful. I hardly had a chance to get a word in what with your public displays of clumsiness, and late night shags with Shacklebolt." He said with a grim smile.
"Bravo, Malfoy. That's the most I think I've ever heard you say at one time. You didn't use all your brain cells stringing that one together, did you?"
Rita's beady beetle eyes widened. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. Of course Lucius and Amelia were still slinging insults back and forth at each other, but nonetheless, they were engaged in conversation; a conversation that suggested that they had plans for later.
Rita, of course, followed them to the seventh floor that evening, and each evening after that. She as there for every crucial moment, under the impression that even if it was only studying that took place, at least she could observe Malfoy. Over the course of time, Rita eventually became just as involved in their relationship as they were. Though, she still tested her theories in public; watching the way they looked at the other, waiting for them to pass. She may have had her own evidence but she couldn't blackmail anyone without giving herself away. She was waiting for the right moment when the two of them would jeopardize themselves. The Ball, thankfully, was just that moment. It didn't matter that no one else had seen them because all Rita needed was the possibility.
"It really wasn't that hard." Rita shrugged. "Your infatuation with him is written all over your porcelain little face. And curiously enough," Rita added more for Amelia's consolation than anything else, "it's written on his, too."
"Why is that curious?" Amelia asked, her breathing light as she tried o keep herself steady.
"You've known him long enough. Does he not strike you as guarded?" Rita posed as Amelia nodded slowly. Stepping closer to Amelia, Rita made a semi-circle around the brunette before she continued. "I've seen him with Narcissa and he looks at her, but he never really sees her."
"I don't see your point, Rita." Amelia admitted, folding her arms across her chest as Rita out a laugh. "What's so funny?"
"I never thought I would witness this." Rita mused. "Everything is also so structured for you, Lia. The facts always add up, everything is in black and white for you. You never really liked Kingsley; we all knew that. But you thought that over time, you could. You thought that this was how things were supposed to be. Edgar had Nathalia, Elliot had Cordelia, Emmeline had Amos and then you had Kingsley. But they had passion; they still have passion, as sickening as it is. They actually want to be with each other. You've never been passionate about anything."
"Yes I have, Rita, I-"
"Schoolwork doesn't count as something you can be passionate about, Lia. We both know that." Rita said knowingly. She cocked her head to the side and tapped her chin with her index finger. "And then came Lucius. You may know a lot of things, Amelia, but you love is not one of them-"
"I'm not in love with Lucius, Rita." Amelia said firmly, and that was true. She felt something for Lucius, she may have even wanted to feel love for him, but she was certain that she didn't feel it, at least not wholly, at least not yet.
"I wasn't talking about Lucius, you fool girl. I was talking about the man who is so eager to give you his heart. The man who is more than willing to understand. The man whose gifts hangs around your neck like a noose." Rita said, her words hitting Amelia like venom.
Amelia stopped short. She had been so wrapped up in Lucius, so worried about keeping her secret that she had forgotten all about Kingsley. She supposed that made her a horrible person.
"You're not going to tell him … are you?" Amelia asked hesitantly.
Rita let out a soft laugh and folded her arms across her chest.
"Amelia, I'm not that heartless. I could be, but this is none of my business. I wouldn't dare step in where I'm not permitted." Rita said with a wave of her hand and relief washed over Amelia. "I'm not going to tell him." Rita said carefully. "You are."
Amelia looked at Rita with a confused expression. She didn't quite understand Rita's implication. Shaking her head, she said,
"I beg your pardon?"
"While I would love to be the bearer of bad news in this situation, I must digress." She sighed. "As much fun as it would be to present Kingsley with this lovely little gift, that his perfect girlfriend isn't as … faithful as he would have hoped, I think it's in everyone's best interests if you break the news." Rita said sweetly.
Amelia felt her heart pound loudly in her ears, her throat suddenly dry. Rita must have been trying to egg Amelia on, that's all. Surely she was joking – not even Rita would humiliate someone so terribly, especially someone she'd known for years.
"What?" Amelia breathed.
"You heard me. Because even if you don't tell him, I won't hesitate to stand in as the informer." Rita said firmly.
"But you can't, Rita. I mean …" Amelia struggled for words to describe her distress. "Please."
"I'm a woman of my word, Amelia. Surely you know that." Rita said assumingly. "Don't worry, though. I'll give you some time to think about just how badly you want to break Kingsley's heart … but don't take too long. I'm not very patient, but you already know that."
Rita grinned toothily, tapping Amelia lightly on the shoulder before turning back toward the Ravenclaw Tower entrance. Amelia felt lightheaded and leaned against the castle wall to catch her breath. How could Rita be so heartless? she wondered. Almost instantly, though, Amelia rethought the same statement in application to herself. She had been just as Rita said, a fool. She had engaged herself in a relationship with Kingsley for no other reason besides the fact that she could. She had, in a modern term, led him on. Closing her eyes, Amelia realized that she had put herself in a position where she had become the villian. She was wrong and she knew it.
At approximately eight thirty on a Monday night, not Lucius Malfoy nor Rita Skeeter was the most cruelest being in all of Hogwarts. Amelia Bones was, and she desperately wondered how she had let that happen.
Secret - The Pierces