"Here you are all equally worthless." – My mother
Chapter 12
"Wizbamwaworn, reeswain wurack!"
The words were garbled like someone was trying to talk to me while my head was underwater. My head lolled as I stared blankly up at the nurse, my brain unable to formulate a coherent response besides primitive grunts expressing profound agony.
My head hurt like a sum bitch. It throbbed painfully to what might have been Jingle Bells, but I was too out of it to really pay attention. Communication between the slightly blurred image of the obviously pissed nurse and myself was impossible and I wondered why in the hell she was even trying to talk to me. Couldn't she see I was in pain?
The witch's lips pursed together in frustration as she did something funny with her wand.
The throbbing eased off a bit and my head became marginally clearer. I groaned in relief, then gasped as I became aware of the condition my back was in. And let me tell you, bad doesn't begin to describe it.
"Miss Vanderhorn, restrain your cat before he does further damage to the door." I hissed through my teeth and glared at her. She wanted me to do what?
Thunk...Thunk...Crack!
"Now, Miss Vanderhorn."
Thunk...Thunk...Thunk...The unmistakable sound of someone trying to beat down a door dimly registered in my mind and I blinked at her.
Oh.
"Righ'." I slurred slightly. "Prince, stop! Stop, whooa." I'd tried to sit up but a rush of dumbfounding pain made me rethink that course of action.
"Ahhh." I squeezed my eyes shut as I fought to master my misery. I could feel tears leaking out of the corners of my eyes and I screwed up my face in an effort to stop them. My back hurt. My legs hurt, my head hurt, shit my whole body hurt.
"Drink." A cup was shoved in my face and I knocked it back without a second thought. I gasped, first in disgust and then in pain. I dry heaved as my body responded in kind.
"Ack! Oh, shit. Shit that's foul. Bleh." I exclaimed quietly, my voice hoarse. Gagging made my head and back hurt worse and I determinedly clamped my mouth shut. I felt the nurse prodding me with her wand as she checked me for other injuries.
"Alright, I need you to sit up. Your internal organs seem to be fine, but I need to clean those puncture wounds. I'll do what I can but there might be some faint scarring." I sucked in air as the sheets stuck to my back were gently peeled off.
Yeah, like I give a rat's ass! Just give me some damn pain medication you old hag!
It was the weirdest sensation feeling her actually pull something out of my back...I felt the blood drain from my face and my vision went hazy. White spots danced before my eyes and my ears plugged up, muting all sounds. My eyes drooped and I swayed a little.
"Oh no you don't." I heard a faint pop and then my head jerked back as if the bitch had driven a stake through my nose and into my brain. My eyes watered and I put my hands to my face to rub my nose, cursing fluently.
"What in the hell! Am I not in enough pain for your sadistic ass? Friggin' A."
"It's the equivalent of muggle smelling salts, no need to panic. Now, just lie down on your stomach so I can examine your back. You're going to be fine, Miss Vanderhorn."
How about you let me drive a nail up your nose and then we'll see who's fine.
Despite my resentment, I fumbled onto my stomach, with the nurse's help, and clenched my fists as I felt her remove what was left of my mangled shirt. Slowly, and methodically she began cleaning the long gashes before gently applying a thick white paste over the wounds. I tensed and relaxed periodically as she tended to me.
"This will take twenty minutes to dry and then I will finish up with a Mending Charm. The blood-replenishing potion you took should help. Do not move from this spot. I'm afraid you have a minor concussion so you'll need to take this..." After downing another absolutely foul, goopy concoction the nurse bustled off to her office.
Grunting, I lifted my head up off the bed from where I'd sought refuge. Moving my head about I made sure I kept my body absolutely still. I knew from past experience that nurses were vicious gorgons when it came to their patients. If I so much as twitched without her permission she would come storming into the room and shove another foul, sticky, viscous substance down my throat.
Mrs. Gem, the Institute's nurse, had been real fond of horrible placebo potions she would occasionally administer to her more wayward or disagreeable patients. The potions of course served no other purpose but to discourage students to skip class and disobey her explicit instructions. I had a feeling Madam Pomfrey (she'd introduced herself while applying the paste) was the same.
Speaking of the devil...
"Miss Vanderhorn, are you aware that according to this report I received from the Salem Witches Institute, that you visited the school nurse, a certain Mrs. Gem, nearly two days a week, every week? For the past five years?" Madam Pomfrey had come barreling out of her office brandishing what I assumed was my medical file.
"No I had absolutely no idea." I said sarcastically. Her frowned at me and I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I am very well aware of that, Madam Pomfrey." She consulted my file once more in horrified amazement. Glancing over at me she almost look terrified.
"She's worse than Potter."
"I resent that." She glared at me before summoning up a stool next to my bed. I watched her face scrunch up in grim resignation as her eyes scanned the various reasons for my hospital visits. Then her eyes stopped and I could have sworn she smiled.
"Dare I ask exactly how you came to be infected with a severe case of Nymphomania?" I blushed to the roots of my hair so violently I swore the sheets smoldered from the heat.
I groaned and hid my face in the bed. Nymphomania refers to a state where a girl...where a woman feels suddenly and inextricably compelled to demand sexual intercourse irrespective of the time, place, or situation at hand. This can, of course, be contracted from nymphs.
I am glad, so glad I'll never have to take that damn animal class again.
"Honestly, I don't know why...American witches...I cannot believe they..." Madam Pomfrey was in her own little world as she flipped through my file. I agreed with her whole heartedly.
Loud voices in the hall caught my attention. Madam Pomfrey stood and marched over to the door.
"What is going–" The door flew open and three men walked into the room nearly bowling over Madam Pomfrey, which is saying something about how distracted they were.
One of the men was wearing the crisp robes of a Gringotts associate while the other two were wearing the robes of Aurors. The one on the left was Sarlow.
"No, I'm afraid this cannot wait! Miss Vanderhorn must be informed immediately." The associate stated firmly, side stepping Madam Pomfrey.
"Really! This is unacceptable and I will not allow you to speak to Miss Vanderhorn in her current condition!" All three men took a good look at me and blinked.
I smiled humorlessly at them from where I was laying on my stomach, arms folded under my chin. I wasn't entirely presentable at the moment. I was only clad in sweats and white paste after all.
I glanced over at Sarlow and saw that his mouth was open. I arched an eyebrow at him and caught his eyes. He flushed as he quickly averted his gaze, practically running to hold the door open as the other man pointedly escorted the frazzled Gringotts associate into the hall.
"I almost feel insulted." I said wryly. Madam Pomfrey didn't hear me. She was too busy making shooing motions at Prince who must have taken advantage of the unexpected visit to dart through the door.
"I believe it's been twenty minutes now, Madam Pomfrey. I wouldn't do that if I were you; I'd just leave him alone. He wont bother anything and I assure you that despite his grotesque appearance he is quite clean." Realizing she was fighting a losing battle, Madam Pomfrey returned the broom she's summoned to its corner.
"Very well." She pursed her lips and reclaimed her stool, shooting black looks at both the door and Prince.
Fifteen minutes later I was pulling a delightfully clean hospital gown over my head. I'd just cleaned the bloodstains from my sweats when the hospital door opened.
"Miss Vanderhorn?" I silenced an irritated sigh. Reaching for the curtains around my bed I yanked them open. The man from Gringotts was standing near the door. Madam Pomfrey sniffed loudly in disapproval.
"Yes?" What in the hell could this man possibly have to say to me that was so damn important? I raised my eyebrows and folded my arms across my chest.
"Miss Vanderhorn, I'm Farris Wheels and I have been sent here with explicate instructions to inform you–" He stopped abruptly and looked over at Madam Pomfrey. She gave him a withering look.
"Madam, could you please excuse us? The information I have been entrusted with is only to be shared with Miss Vanderhorn."
Grumbling, Madam Pomfrey retreated to her office, slamming the door behind her. I gave Prince an amused look. It was easy to forget that adults were sometimes no more that overgrown children.
I reached for the cup of water on my nightstand as he nodded to himself and began again.
"I have been sent here with explicate instructions to inform you that as of ten forty three yesterday morning you have come into the late Mr. and Mrs. Sweetblood's estate. However, certain documented terms must be met before you may collect your inheritance. They must be met before ten forty three today."
The cup I was holding went crashing to the floor. If it hadn't of been attached to my head my jaw would be laying next to it.
Inheritance?
"Ten forty three?" I asked when I'd recovered from my initial shock. I'd inherited an estate, as in a house?
"The precise time of your birth. You are given only thirty-six hours in which to meet the terms of the Will before it becomes void and passes over to another. I have brought the appropriate documents with me if you wish to for fill the conditions listed here." He handed me a folded piece of parchment.
Residuary Clause:
I, Astrid Gryphon Sweetblood-Vanderhorn, give, devise, and bequeath all of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, of whatever kind and character, and wherever located, to my children, those with magical ability, per share, but if any child predeceases me, then his or her share will pass, per share, to his or her lineal descendants, natural or adopted, if any, who survive me should all of the following conditions, terms, be met:
That my beneficiary, or beneficiaries adopt the name Sweetblood as their own.
That my beneficiary, or beneficiaries produce, in time, an heir of his or her own blood so as to ensure the continuance of the Sweetblood line.
That my beneficiary, or beneficiaries full fill all terms within thirty-six hours of their coming of age.
However, if none of my named children survives me or leaves a lineal descendant who survives me, then according to the order of succession, I name Marian Blodwen Allman and Bridget Anna Somerlad as my beneficiaries.
"What time is it now?" I asked sharply.
"You have sixteen minutes and–" My heart was fluttering with excitement and I felt short of breath. My mother's Will. My mother's name.
"Where are the documents? Do you have a quill?" I asked, interrupting him. He pulled out a short stack of official looking documents and handed me an eagle-feathered quill.
I quickly scanned every page as a precaution before signing. Most were all contracts of agreement that I would uphold the terms stated in the will. The others were the papers I had to sign to officially adopt the Sweetblood name as my own. Using the nightstand I wrote my signature as directed, confidently scrawling my name along the bottoms of the regal looking pieces of parchment.
Relief swept through me as I signed the last of the documents securing my inheritance.
"Astrid Gryphon Sweetblood. Astrid Gryphon Vanderhorn. Astrid Gryphon Vanderhorn-Sweetblood." I said, trying it out.
"From here on out any formal documents must be signed as Astrid Gryphon Sweetblood. If you want to however, you may keep your former surname as an alias." He informed me.
I considered dropping my father's name for a moment but…if I did that it would be almost as if he'd never existed.
And that's a bad thing? I squelched the thought. There was no way I could do that, even if he had been a mean bastard.
"Alright I'll do that. And do appreciate your persistence and foresight in bringing me those documents, Mr. Wheel." I said politely, clearing my throat as I tried to shake off the intense, out of the blue pang of guilt I'd felt.
"My pleasure Miss Sweetblood. Now I am to give you this so you may visit your new estate at your earliest convenience. This portkey will activate whenever you so desire. To activate it you simply have to hold it and repeat the words written on the slip of parchment inside." Mr. Wheel reached into an inner breast pocket and pulled out a crisp white envelope.
"Thank you." I said taking the envelope.
"It was a pleasure, Miss Sweetblood. Good day." He left without another word and I sat on the edge of my bed, curious. There was a heavy lump of something inside the envelope. I opened it and tilted it so the heavy object fell into the palm of my hand.
It was a large, grayish ring. I held it up to my eyes and saw that at least four different rings hand been woven together in a single endless circle. I ran the tips of my fingers around the smooth, elegantly twisted bands, admiring the workmanship. The way the gray metal caught the light reminded me of an oyster shell or the rainbow one can see in a parking lot puddle.
"Beautiful." I said simply, bouncing it up and down in my palm. I tried it on and was pleased to see that it fitted my right thumb perfectly.
I looked in the envelope for the slip Mr. Wheel had mentioned. Sure enough it was there.
Home sweet home.
"How appropriate."
"Merrow." Prince said, jumping up on the bed. I tugged on one of his ears playfully.
"Well we'd better high tail it outta here before Pomfrey come's back. She know's Mr. Wheel left so we don't have much time." I looked around for my shoes and tugged them on before jogging towards the door.
"Once I touch the door handle she'll know we're trying to leave. All nurses have a thing about Awareness Charms. I wouldn't put it past her to have one on the threshold too for those smart enough to will the door open so that means we're just going to have to--run for it!" I said, seeing the office door begin to swing open.
I tore the door open and dashed through it. I pounded down the hall, Prince leading the way. I smiled when I heard Pomfrey shout my name but I'd already turned the corner and headed down a flight of stairs. My grin quickly vanished as the staircase began to move.
"Wow!" I grabbed onto the rail and waited for the staircase to resettle itself before taking off again, following Prince, if a bit more warily. He led me down another flight of steps, through a secret passageway, then down some more steps.
That's all Hogwarts seemed to be made of, I thought moodily, hidden corridors and staircases.
I slowed down to a fast walk and followed Prince back to the entrance hall. At the top of the marble staircase I sat tiredly on the banister. Prince came back up the steps and rubbed against my ankle.
"Yeah, just give me a minute. I need to–I need to think." I stared down at the expansive floor and rested. I was tired. That little bout with the hippogriff had taken a lot outta me. Did I really want to go back to class? I sighed.
No.
"Little late for that now though, huh? Alright, let's go." I stood and followed Prince down the remainder of the stairs and left down the Defense Corridor. I'd have to change before I went back to class. I walked past the courtyard and saw that Professor Gooddell must have moved everyone into one of the classrooms.
"Alright Your Majesty, I'll see you later tonight." I bent down and patted Prince on the head before he loped off.
Once I had changed and tossed the gown in the clothing bin, I began to check the classrooms. The first thing I noticed was that all the doors were identical with matching doorknobs and panels. The second thing I noticed was that no sound could be heard from behind any of them. Somehow I doubted those two thing were a coincidence.
I tried the first door. It was locked. I tired the others only to find that all of them were locked. None of the elementary unlocking charms, nor the more advanced spells worked.
"Okay." I said, thinking. I stood in the middle of the hall and looked carefully at the doors this time. The one nearest the locker room had more pronounced knots in its panels than the others.
Why would these knots be so distinguishable from the wood unless they were meant to be noticed?
I strode forward to examine it more closely, my forehead creased in concentration. What would I do with these knots?
If it were me I'd probably use the knots as a way of locking the door and just insert a password...using the knots?
Maybe...I thought dubiously.
It would be a five letter word–or perhaps a phrase.
Try the obvious first.
I pressed one finger to the first of the five knots, concentrating.
"Defense." I pressed on the next one, "Against. The. Dark. Arts." One word for each knot.
Nothing happened.
"Hmm...The. Physical. Fitness. Training. Classroom." A loud click and the door popped open all on its own. I smiled in satisfaction.
It'd been a simple puzzle. But why? I shrugged and pulled the black metal doorknob towards me to fully open the door.
The room inside was immense, almost reminding me of a large school gym. Rectangular enchanted windows were placed along the vast white washed walls. The floor was covered with thick blue mats. A raised bar I recognized as a balance beam ran down the middle of the room. I cocked an eyebrow. When on earth would we be using that?
On the other far side of the room along the back wall were some bleachers set up like the sloping presentation desks you find in a muggle college. Sitting at the desks were my fellow students being addressed by a thin, energetic, balding man with hair like Einstein's.
"Miss Vanderhorn I presume. Please come and join us!" He called out in a high, nasal voice.
I must have missed break and the first half of second period. Professor Snape did say I'd have defense teachers not teacher.
I walked the length of the gymnasium quickly, giving the instructor a closed lip smile as I slid into the nearest space available: the first seat in the front row.
"Good. Now, the mannequins will only be set to perform mild Stinging Hexes so there will be no talk about visiting the hospital wing. They will start out slowly and gradually increase the speed at which they fire the hexes as you go. Make sure you are within at least ten feet of your mannequin. And remember, once you get hit the mannequin will automatically return to the original speed." The instructor said, his white hair standing straight up as he paced in front of the students, gesturing meaningfully with his hands.
"Go. I'll be monitoring you and your designated partner, checking to see that you are using the dodges and rolls we practiced earlier. Miss Vanderhorn, if you will come here for a moment."
The class split up into pairs and settled themselves along the right wall were several human sized dolls I had failed to notice when I came in. They looked a lot like crash test dummies.
My chest tightened again as I thought of my dad crushed in the three car pile up. Ruthlessly shoving that thought away I stood up and walked over to my second period professor.
"I'm Professor Emrys. I'll be teaching you certain evasion and defensive techniques. By the way, twenty points to your house for opening the door." I blinked. The corners of his pale eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Out of the entire class you were the only one able to find and open the classroom door, making every single one of them late to class." He paused to tell the class to get moving.
"I'm also wondering why you are even here, Miss Vanderhorn. I was informed that you would be spending the rest of the day in the hospital wing."
"Really. Interesting." I said, holding his knowing gaze.
"Isn't it. Well I'm afraid you missed the first part of the lesson so you may either give the mannequins a go or watch the others as there are only a few minutes of class left. I will expect you to work with a classmate sometime this week on what you missed."
"You did mention something about partners, sir?" I asked while I watched the others. Only a hand full of them were putting any true effort into what I recognized as an agility exercise. The others were either standing off to the side of their dummies, watching and laughing as their classmates were hit with the Stinging Hexes.
The pink-cheeked girl who'd spinelessly apologized to The Bitch was doing fairly well. I nodded slightly when she chose to turn slightly instead of going into a full-fledged dodge that would open her up for another hex. I turned my head a little in protest of her next move. Sure enough a small yelp resulted from a poorly anticipated hex.
Realizing the Professor hadn't answered my question I shot him a questioning sideways glace. He'd been watching me carefully while I'd been studying the efforts of the girl. He was beaming happily at me.
"I see you are familiar with this type of training, Miss Vanderhorn. Would you mind demonstrating what you know for me on the mannequin on the far end there?" Professor Emrys asked, leading me to the very last crash test dummy.
I shrugged.
"Alright." Everyone else was too busy screwing around anyway so I didn't have to worry about being watched. Nobody likes to be jeered at while they're trying to concentrate.
I placed myself ten feet away from the dummy and took a ready stance.
"Engage." Professor Emrys said. The crash dummy lifted a twig posing as a wand and fired the first hex.
I stepped lightly to the left, easily dodging it. It fired off the next hex and I stepped to the right, back to my original position. The dummy launched another hex though this time instead of aiming for my chest, it aimed at my head. Having seen the body movements signaling the move I ducked.
As the pace eventually sped up I discovered the pattern. After every two shots the dummy would increase the sped at which it fired the hex. Where it aimed at appeared to be random though I figured there was a set pattern. Not wanting to assume too much and pay for it later I let myself react and anticipate on what I observed.
It was a bit harder with a dummy because it didn't have muscles. Usually one could tell when and where the opponent was going to fire by watching how their body moved. Since the dummy was stationary I only worried about its arm movement.
A particularly quick hex zoomed past my ear and I smiled. Now this was more like it. I spun out of the way as the dummy fired off another hex only to leaned backward and jump as the tempo of the game increased impressively. There was no more room for thinking, only anticipating and reacting.
Sweat gathered on my brow as I twisted and turned, ducked and dodged out of the way. I continued to keep my evasive maneuvers simple knowing that the more I moved, the more I was opening myself up. My body, already drained from earlier was starting to wear and the quicker, less energy consuming movements became almost impossible.
I had to throw myself sideways and roll before vaulting to my feet again to leap sideways as the speed of the dummy's hexes shot to an all time high.
"Shit." I panted. This was getting to be a bit much. I jumped and then dropped to the floor as multiple hexes shot over my head. On my stomach I feigned a roll to the right.
Taking advantage of the situation the mannequin fired off a strand of hexes at me. I quickly jerked to a stop as the dummy tossed a hex in front of me. I made to get up only to fall back to the floor as more hexes buzzed past my nose.
My sides were heaving a bit as I drew my legs over my head and used my arms to flip myself into a crouch. I tilted my head left and then right as two hexes flew past them before swaying to the right and dropping to the floor again.
My breathing became strained and the muscles in my back that had been clawed by the hippogriff grew stiff. I looked up at the dummy from the flat of my back and saw him flick his fake wrist towards my legs. I used my arms to push myself backwards. The plastic bastard forced me to spread my legs apart as he shot at them and I gasped as the muscles in my back began to cramp up in protest to more movement.
"Disengage!"
I closed my eyes and bit hard on my lower lip, trying not to move or breath should I cause myself more pain. I felt my muscles slowly relax and I let out an unsteady sigh. Applause and open laughter reached my ears and I frowned, looking up over my shoulder.
The entire class had gathered around my area at a respectable distance to watch me. I grunted.
Figures.
"That's one way to get a witch to spread her legs!" Loud laughter filled the gym. I gave the ceiling a martyred look.
"Class dismissed! Your homework is to meet up with your partner and practice dodging each other's hexes. See you all on Monday! Professor Crownheart will be waiting for you in the room across the hall after lunch."
Feeling a bit weak-kneed I sat up and took my time getting to my feet. I should have stayed in the hospital wing.
A hand stuck itself in front of me and I grudgingly took it.
"Thanks." I said tersely.
Standing up I saw that the owner of the offered hand was Allman. I smiled thinly before dropping his hand and heading towards the bleachers and gathering up my things.
"I've never seen anybody move so fast. You almost outran that hippogriff."
I did out run it you dick.
"Get the hell away from me Allman. I'm not in the mood for your political bullshit." I said waving my hand at him over my shoulder as slowly made my way across the gym floor. I saw him stiffen out of the corner of my eye. I closed my eyes, wishing for patience.
"Look, it's been a rough morning. I mean it's only...?"
"Eleven twenty." He supplied.
"Eleven twenty and already I'm having a bad day. Let's talk business some other time, alright?" Tired, hungry, and impatient to be gone I opened the door to the hallway and headed for the locker room.
"Astrid," He grabbed my arm. I went to brush him off and he tightened his grip.
Without really thinking about it I cocked back my arm and punched the arrogant ass just below his sternum. He gasped and doubled over.
"Ah, bloody hell..." He groaned as he held his stomach. Annoyed with myself I sighed.
"Damn it, if you'd just keep your hands to yourself…I didn't mean to hit you, it's a reflex. Look, I'll talk to you later." I said irritably before opening the door to the girl's locker room.
Guffawing and half-hearted condolences filled the hall.
"Do you need to go the hospital wing, mate?"
"We know who carries the purse in that relationship!"
"Maybe you two should see a counselor."
Boys.
Letting the door swing shut on its own accord, I went over to my locker. The rest of the girls were already in or waiting for the stalled showers. I considered showering for a moment before shrugging. Why not? I grabbed up another set of workout clothes and headed for the open showers. There were more of them and the facilities were probably better anyway.
The open showers consisted of several silver knobs and dials fixed onto the back wall. There was also an island of sorts were you could put your clothes and towels. I ignored the incredulous murmurs and dropped my clothes on the island. The towels were stacked on a shelf nearby. I snagged one of the larger ones.
I might not be shy, but that didn't mean I was going to parade myself in front of the others. Quickly, I set my used clothes on the floor next to the island and threw my more personal garments under the water, using the Cleaning Charm on them like I had the night before. I set them up under a tall dryer I assumed was supposed to be for hair.
Once I'd found the right knobs that produced soap I gave myself a quick, superficial scrub. I tried to be as fast as I could and I yanked the towel around me when I was done.
The locker room became uncomfortably quiet. I kept my eyes on what I was doing and pulled my clothes on with a faked indifference. Why couldn't these girls just be normal? They acted like I was committing some kind of Cardinal Sin.
"Hey...are–are you alright?" I turned around after having pulled on my shirt and saw the girl who'd done pretty well with the dummies fidgeting nervously.
"Yes. Can I help you?" I asked coolly. She opened her mouth a couple times, glancing down at her hands and playing with her shirt.
"No, I just, well–I–I couldn't help but notice that you have a lot of scares on your back that weren't there this morning, so I was just wondering if you were, well, if you were okay." She finished lamely.
"I'm fine thanks." I gathered up my used clothes and tossed them in the clothing bin. When I glanced behind me I saw that she was still standing there. She gave me an uncertain smile.
I paused for a moment, staring at her as I decided whether or not to blow her off. She shifted awkwardly, glancing behind her at her friends.
"Nice job today. Next time make sure you focus on using as less energy as possible instead of throwing everything into it so you tire out after the first six shots."
As I walked down the hall toward the great hall I thought about what the girl had said. I usually made a habit of never mentioning or even thinking about the scares I had on my shoulders, my sides, my arms...in my second year at the Institute I'd spent hours pouring over books in the library looking for something, anything, that would heal scares.
My bathroom bag held three different jars of spelled concealment ointment that I applied to the more noticeable marks. Luckily I didn't have many that were too obvious, but there were enough to make me feel a bit self-conscious. None of them were really noticeable unless I pointed them out, thanks to Mrs. Gem and some special healing cream for scares she'd prescribed to me.
Was my back really so bad? I recalled the uncomfortable silence and sighed. I'd have to consult the library later and see if I couldn't find the recipe for that scare potion.
"Give it back! Leave me alone!" My eyes flickered around the hall for the source of the small voice. Near the steps leading to the dungeons I saw three fifth year boys taunting two small first year girls. One of which had big brown eyes and a head full of curls.
Leslie.
Sighing, I pulled out my wand and hit the bullies with a favorite spell that I used for such nonsense as I walked past.
Pepullimaximus.
The three boys cried out in surprise and dropped whatever it was they had taken. I smirked as they held their faces, one of them actually crying a little. If you can't take what you dish out...
"Miss Vanderhorn!"
Damn.
"Thirty points from Slytherin for using magic on other students. That is unacceptable behavior." Professor McGonagall was descending the stairs, no doubt oblivious that the boys had been asking for it. If she wasn't, to hell with it.
Shrugging, I continued on toward the great hall.
"But Aunt Mini–" I heard Leslie start. McGonagall silenced her with a look and I chuckled. Aunt Mini? McGonagall's hard eyes fixed on me and I gave her an amused smile as I passed the bottom of the stairs.
Lunch smelled wonderful. I headed for the table on the far left, the Slytherin table, and took the nearest empty seat. A bossy third year girl with heavily painted lids across from me, glared.
"That seat is taken."
"So observant." I drawled, pulling a plate of roast beef sandwiches towards me.
"I meant that somebody else is already sitting there. Could you move your American ass and find another seat?"
"Watch your mouth, and the answer to your question is no. Your friend can meet up with you later or find another place to sit." I said frankly without taking my eyes off my sandwich.
Her face turned a nasty shade of red and I gave her a falsely sweet smile before turning my attention to the other occupants of the table. Compared to the other students the Slytherins were quiet. Watching them over the rim of my goblet I noticed the invisible, but very substantial rift between them and the other houses. I saw looks of distaste, hatred, and mistrust thrown this way and the emotion behind them made me raise my eyebrows.
The split puzzled me. I examined the tables more closely and leaned forward on my elbows, brows drawn together. Around the great hall there were several groups of students clustered around newspapers. Every once in a while they'd sit back and glare over their shoulders at the Slytherin table, muttering darkly.
"Over there near the end of the table. The one that outran the hippogriffs this morning."
"She slept with Allman?" The words drifted down to me and I held in a sigh and picked up another sandwich.
I'd really have to get Maureen something nice for Christmas. Something she'd remember till the day she died; if life was fair that would be fairly soon.
"Miss Vanderhorn." I looked over my shoulder to see that Professor Snape had stopped behind me. I nodded my head respectfully and turned to face him as I swallowed the food in my mouth. He held out what looked like an ID card and what I guessed to be my class schedule.
"Thank you, sir." He nodded slightly before gliding over to the staff table.
The ID card was actually a Student-Worker pass for Hogsmeade. It was silver and had information such as my name, house, and grade printed across the front of it. A miniature photo of me rolled its eyes in a bored fashion before walking out of the frame. Smiling, I flipped it over and saw some regulation rules written on the back in loopy, emerald green handwriting.
This card is an official identification and should be carried by working students at all times while outside the castle.
1. Working students must:
Maintain Acceptable grades in all classes.
Check in and out of the castle with Mr. Filch.
Be back within the castle grounds before curfew.
2. Working students must provide this card when requested by any member of the school or Hogsmead officials.
3. Any other person than the designated may not use this card hereon. Otherwise, it will be taken from the bearer and appropriate punishment shall be administered.
4. Report the loss of this card immediately to the Deputy Headmistress's office.
"Huh." Shrugging, I pocketed it and glanced over my schedule.
Defense classes Monday, Charms and Healing tomorrow, Potions and History Wednesday...it looked like I'd get fourth period free every day except on Mondays. Construction was a two-hour class on Saturday and Sunday from ten to twelve.
Great.
If they were cutting the classes short that just meant they were making time for homework. I took one last bite of my sandwich and got up from the table to head for class. Perhaps I could take a short nap before the lesson started.
Students were milling around everywhere as they finished their lunch. I could feel several pairs of eyes on me as I crossed the great hall. I caught snatches of the conversations going on around me and snorted in disbelief.
"Her and Allman are apparently engaged…"
"…Fought off five of Hagrid's hippogriffs, didn't even use her wand…"
"I heard she has scars all over her body …"
"Cursed that slut Pansy just because she felt like it she said…"
"…America. Weasley says she's a spy for You-Know-Who…"
My ears perked up at that one. So now Ron was saying that I worked for the Dark Lord. Had he eaten paint chips as a child? The rumors weren't so much surprising as they were pathetic.
"Morons." I muttered walking out the doors.
"Astrid! Astrid wait!" I glanced over my shoulder only to see Leslie running over to me. A dark skinned girl with her hair pulled back in a severe ponytail followed her closely. I hurried my steps and tried to beat them out the doors.
"What?" I asked finally as they planted themselves in front of me, blocking the doorway.
"We heard what happened, are you alright?" Leslie squeaked, looking up at me anxiously.
"My brother said you out ran not one, but two hippogriffs only to show up for class later and do better than everyone on the evasion exercises." The taller of the two girls said with a grudging amount of respect. I eyed her for a moment before glancing over at her babbling friend.
"—And they said you have scars all over your back from the attack.They said you almost died!" Leslie finished dramatically, her eyes bigger than ever. Her friend rolled her eyes.
"I appreciate you concern, but I have to go." I said stepping around them to get to the door.
"But class doesn't start till one! Astrid!" I waved a hand at them over my shoulder but didn't say anything as I crossed the entrance hall.
Other students were making their way form the great hall to the courtyard, providing ample cover from the two first year girls. As I waded through the crowd of students I thought about what I'd heard about Hogwarts at Number 12. None of them had spoken well of Slytherin, referring to it only in derogatory terms.
Murderers belong with murderers.
Ron's voice said scathingly as the memory of last night came to the fore. I shook my head. That must be the reason for all the hostility towards Slytherin. They'd been labeled as the thieves and the murderers, as the Dark Lord supporters.
Of course they would be blind to their own flaws, to the traitors in their own houses. Everyone would suspect the Slytherin to be the snake in the grass, not one of their own.
Where ever they can point the finger, as long as it isn't directed at them.
My eyes laughed for a moment as I considered my own situation. I'd left one place bent on condemning me only to come to another.
Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't see the on coming collision. Someone ran past me, their shoulder slamming into me as they sprinted past. I was knocked off my feet and sent sprawling onto the hard cold flagstones of the Defense Corridor.
Sipplantare! I thought, pointing a finger at the retreating legs. I heard a startled yell and pushed myself to my feet. I coughed as I tried to get air back into my lungs, holding my ribs slightly from where I'd landed on them. I reached up to tentatively touch my chin and was relieved when it came away free of blood.
"What is so damn important that you decide you can just bowel over the people in your way?" I asked, marching over to a small, fair-haired boy scrambling to his feet.
My knees stung and I looked down to see that I'd scrapped both my knees and tore my jeans. They'd been one of the two tear free pairs I'd had. Doubly pissed I pulled out my wand and helped the lad to his feet with a sharp jerk of my wand.
"S-sorry, I didn't mean to run into you. I'm late for a meeting with—with Draco." He said, his hands coming up to fight with the invisible force that had grabbed a hold of the front of his robes.
"You knocked me over for Malfoy?" I glared at him, jerking my wand up a little more until he was standing on his tiptoes.
"Please, he said he'd curse me if I was late again!" I dropped the glare and tilted my head as I considered this new information. My eyes flickered to the Slytherin crest on his robes.
"And why would you be meeting with Draco Malfoy?" I asked, taking off the spell.
"I run errands for him." The boy said, rubbing his neck and straitening out his robes.
"Why?"
"Because," He paused, angling a suspicious look at me. I cocked an eyebrow at him and pointedly waggled my wand.
"Because I don't want them to take my books and hex me in the hallways. Can I go now?" He asked belligerently, not quiet daring to take off while I still had my wand out. I nodded and waved him off, thinking. Muttering resentfully he tore off towards the dungeons.
I walked back down the corridor to pick up my fallen book bag, wondering how many people catered to the current Slytherin Prince. What had he done to impress loyalty upon his fellow housemates?
Threats, bribes, and blackmail that's how. The rest of them just jumped on the bandwagon. Wouldn't want to stand out in this crowd.
I chuckled silently, considering my muggle clothes and overall scruffy punk attire. I saw that a large crowd had already started to gather into Professor Crownheart's open doorway. At least the other students in front of me seemed to think it was the Professor's classroom.
I peaked inside and for a wild moment thought that half the school must be in there.
Forget this shit. I'll wait out there.
I backed out of the room and sliding past more people trying to get into the doorway. How was one professor going to manage all these people? Every single fifth, sixth, and seventh year must be in there.
I heard a bell go off as I leaned against the far wall. The flow of students had stopped and I guessed there must be at least a hundred plus kids in the hallway and inside the classroom.
"All students wishing to participate in Professor Crownheart's Dueling Class please report to the Great Hall." A deep feminine voice said over the loud curious mass of students.
I started towards the great hall with the rest of the throng and zapped those who pushed or bumped into me with a quick snap of my fingers. By the time we'd all inundated the great hall with our presence the tables had been cleared away to the far sides of the hall.
A tall, dark haired woman with a straight Roman nose and large brown eyes stood in the center of the great hall. Her robes were a somber red that brought out a healthy glow to her high cheekbones and the red sheen in her hair. She lifted up one elegant white hand to direct the awestruck students as she separated them into groups.
"Please separate into the four houses, one to a wall. I would like the Gryffindors to line up against the back wall. The Ravenclaws to the right wall. And the Slytherins to line up against the left wall. Hufflepuffs you are fine where you are." She paused after every house was called, making sure we didn't have any doubt as to which wall to go to, or time to loiter.
I blinked in surprised along with the other students as they took second looks at the assumed Professor Crownheart. The depth of her voice didn't fit her serene, and admittedly beautiful face, having an almost hoarse, gravelly quality to it.
"Now, as you may have guessed, I am Professor Crownheart. However, that does not mean I will necessarily instruct you." She nodded at the Hufflepuffs.
Looking to see who or what she was looking at, we all turned towards the doors. While the professor had been speaking, three figures wearing the robes of Aurors had entered the room behind the bewildered Hufflepuffs. I recognized one of the three and inhaled sharply.
"Because there were so many of you, the Headmaster has decided to enlist the help of three Aurors willing to volunteer their time to teach you."
More like someone else volunteered them. I thought, judging from the annoyed, sour, and helpless looks on each of their faces.
"This means we will be dividing you into four separate classes. How we will do this is I will ask the first six students from each House to step forward when I call your name." She held up a long scroll she'd been holding when we all entered the room.
"From there Professors Dunsmore, Holt, Sarlow and myself will escort you out of the great hall and to a classroom." Patches of curious conversation started up around the room.
"Quiet please. I will start by naming off those who will be placed in Professor Dunsmore's class. When you here your name please line up in front of your professor. Apperson, Cathy. Aral, Jillian. Bates, Keith. Boots, Terry. Brocklehurst, Mandy…" Professor Crownheart continued to call out the first six names from each house to join Professor Dunsmore, the first coming from the Ravenclaws.
As I watched person after person go to join the sour faced, heavily lined and balding Auror, I felt my stomach sink. By the time my name was called only one or two others would be left, leaving me to join Sarlow.
"What's the glower for?" A melodious husky voice breathed into my left ear. I jerked my head away and looked back to glare at Allman. He'd flinched at my sudden movement and I smirked, relaxing.
"Feeling better?" I asked lightly, turning back to watch some Gryffindors join Professor Dunsmore's class.
"I've been told I'm very resilient." He said dryly, smiling down at me as he came to stand beside me. I snorted, folding my arms across my chest and shifting my weight to my right leg.
"How are you feeling?"
I glanced over at him and shrugged.
"Fine."
"Allman, Valentine." Professor Crownheart called out along with the names of five other Slytherins, only two of whom I recognized to be closely associated with Malfoy.
Look more like living gargoyles rather than boys.
"I'll see you later tonight?" He asked suddenly before crossing the hall to where Dunsmore's class stood waiting.
"Maybe." I said, looking past him to see who else had been called. I heard him sigh, almost a frustrated sound at my succinct reply before turning to go.
"Will the following students join Professor Holt: Abbot, Hannah. Aulander, Gabriel. Beaumont, Patrick. Bones, Susan. Cartwright, Heather. Creek, Rachel." The Hufflepuffs were the first ones called to join the annoyed Auror called Holt. Some Ravenclaws and Gryffindors soon joined them.
I was relieved to hear Malfoy's name added to the last whole group of six students left in Slytherin, which completed Holt's group. That was another odd thing I'd noticed. Where there were only about two hundred Slytherins total compared to the other houses. Why was that? Were the traits people needed to be sorted into Slytherin less common than those needed to join, say Hufflepuff?
"Looks like the Dream Team has been finally divided." Zabini, the lone Slytherin left besides myself, said.
Indeed, Hermione had been one of the first Gryffindors called. Potter had been lumped into Holt's class leaving Ron alone among his fellow Gryffindors.
"The following students please join Professor Sarlow: Sweetblood, Astrid. Zabini, Blaise." Professor Crownheart called out before turning towards the Ravenclaws.
The noise level in the hall, until then silent, rose. Professor Crownheart frowned fiercely and was forced to use the Sonorus Charm to be heard over all the students in the hall who were peering curiously at me. I ignored them and led a startled Zabini to a helpless looking Sarlow, who I noticed was staring at me with an unhealthy interest.
I lifted my eyebrows in a silent hello. When the hall was quiet again Crownheart continued.
"Hello Ast—Miss Vanderhorn." Sarlow said giving me a nervous smile. I raised an eyebrow at him and nodded before turning to watch Crownheart call off the names of the other students all of who were Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, or Gryffindors as there were no more Slytherins left.
Luckily I didn't have to worry about Ron being added to our group as there were plenty of Gryffindors left to be called before his name came up. As I waited for Professor Crownheart to come to the end of the list I glanced at the watch of a twiggy Ravenclaw girl with wire framed glasses.
"Gah! It's almost three. When do we get to leave?"
"Not until four." Zabini said in a bored tone. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed gustily.
Twenty minutes later Crownheart had finished calling out the names on the list. It's taken all class period to divide us all into the four different classes. I felt irritable and grumpy. My right foot had fallen asleep while waiting for the rough voice of the Defense professor to cease calling out names.
"This way then, follow me!" Sarlow said, gesturing with a hand to lead his relieved class out of the great hall with the three other classes.
Talk erupted as we left the great hall, following our professors towards the Defense Corridor. Sarlow led us to the first door on the right. For my own comfort I snagged a back corner table, dumping my bag onto the chair next to me while Zabini nodded to a tall, lanky Ravenclaw boy. The rest of the tables quickly filled up and I leaned forward in my chair to fold my arms beneath my head, yawning as I lay down.
Sarlow introduced himself to the class and gave them a brief background summery on his life, stumbling a few times from nervousness. He quickly found his balance though and soon was leaning comfortably against the scuffed teacher desk situated at the front of the room in front of the chalkboard.
From now on our Dueling Class would consist of various activities and group projects. Every two months all four classes would take turns using Professor Emrys doubly enlarged room to have War Games. These games would be held in the evenings and would account for a large portion of our grade. During the ten months we spent in school we would work on our performance in the Game.
He went on to explain the rules and requirements that had to be fulfilled and followed during the Game.
"By this time next week I will have divided you into groups of six. Each time we play the members in your group will change, perhaps only one or two people will be different or all of them, it all depends.
"While some of you are natural leaders, I know there are those that aren't; whether or you are or aren't however is irrelevant because all of you will learn how to take the initiative when it is demanded of you." His hazel eyes were serious and direct as they looked into the faces of the other eager students.
I closed my eyes and kept my head pillowed on my arms, listening keenly to what he was saying despite myself.
"In the game and in this class there are three main rules you must follow at all times. They're called the Three T's. The first rule is responsibility." He held up one finger. "The moment you are assigned to a group you are responsible for the welfare of every person in that group. The second rule is loyalty. You loyalty is to your group and to the mission you are given during the game. And finally there is honesty. If you break the rules of the Game you will be forced to forfeit the right to play and your grade. Question, yes?" He pointed to someone near the front.
"What do you mean we have to be loyal to our missions?"
"Before each Game your group will be given a set of tasks to complete during the game. Your grade will depend on how well you accomplish those tasks whether they are simply setting off a red spark in a certain area, seeking out a particular person, or capturing an object from a designated place. Whatever it is, you are expected to do your utmost to successfully accomplish the missions within a set amount of time and without breaking certain rules." He smiled, shaking his head slightly as he remembered something.
"I'll tell you right now that it'll be hard. Aurors play the Game in training. It's a team building exercise that does more than just test your wand skills. But enough of that for now, we'll talk more about the Game at the end of the month." He said as more people raised their hands excitedly.
"As far as this class goes we'll be covering defensive spells and barriers first before moving on to concealment techniques. After that we'll probably cover some basic Alarm Spells. While we're doing that I'll show you useful offensive charms and whatnot." He said, pulling himself up on the desk like an overgrown kid as he twirled his wand between his fingers.
"Now, I'll be honest with you, I didn't exactly volunteer for this job as Professor Crownheart said. I've never taught before and I remember how much I hated bookwork so most of the stuff in here is going to be hands on." Cheers of support and relief drowned him out for a moment. He waved them to silence, smiling ruefully.
"However, Professor Crownheart has made it painfully clear that I must give you something to do. So, your homework for this week is to read chapters one and two. I also would like you to make a list of all the defensive charms and spells you are capable of performing and then research a Shield Charm that was used in the Battle of Orren the Awful during the Eleventh Siege of Roark Castle. I want three and a half feet of parchment on the charm you choose." Groaning and long suffering sighs of misery sounded through the room.
A muffled buzzing noise sounded from one of Sarlow's robe pockets. His eyes filled with relief and surprise as he pulled out an odd-looking pocket watch.
"You may go." Chairs scrapped and feet clattered on the stone floor of the room.
I covered a yawn and grabbed up my book bag. I felt eyes on me as I joined the crowed filing out of the door. I sent a martyred look to the back of a blond haired girl in front of me.
"Miss Vanderhorn." Sarlow called. I pretended not to hear him and continued out the door and down the hall.
"Why are you ignoring him?" Zabini asked suddenly. I blinked in surprise, not having noticed that he was walking beside me.
"He wanted to ask me about the hippogriff incident. He's the one that tackled me to the floor and cracked my head open in a poor attempt at heroism. I don't feel very forgiving at the moment." I said, shading the truth.
Zabini gave me a calculating sideways glance before nodding in acceptance of my explanation. That was probably one of the reasons Professor Sarlow wanted to speak with me. The other was probably to tell me that as a professor he couldn't afford to date me, not that he could as a school Auror. I rolled imaginary eyes.
He'll probably find another skirt to chase after anyway.
"How many first year messengers does Malfoy have under his thumb, Zabini?" I asked, changing the subject as we turned the corner to start down the stairs leading to the common room.
"Mostly all of them though he does tend to leave those snot-nosed Gryffindor brats alone. They usually whine to someone or other and prove to be too much of a hassle. Those ones he just jinxes. Why?"
"Ran into one today. Thing would have begged on its knees if it'd been able too." I said with just the right amount of disgust.
"Oh, so you were the one that made little Benjamin late today." A sly smile flickered briefly over my face for Zabini's benefit.
"Well, well, well. I must say you are heartless, very commendable in a Slytherin. Tell me, were you the one who cursed that compartment door on the train?" He asked chuckling as we wound our way through the cold damp dungeons.
When I didn't answer a pleased smiled spread across his dark skin, showing me perfect white teeth.
"The Mudblood was very upset with the occupant of that compartment. Pansy isn't very happy with you either but that is to be expected." As Zabini spoke I felt a dark, grim feeling seep into my bones.
Acting like a black-hearted bitch wasn't hard, but it left me feeling slimy and irritated. I may be insensitive and cold, but I wasn't cruel. I wasn't a twisted sadistic freak who enjoyed the pain of others like Malfoy. Like Voldemort.
"Has Malfoy asked you to meet him yet?"
"Yes. I'm supposed to meet him tonight with Allman."
"Good. I believe you will find Slytherin to be just the place for you, Miss Sweetblood. Catergys." He whispered to the common room entrance. Fortunately I was able to hide my shock over the password by preceding him in to the room.
I'd wondered how I got in here last night. Prince. Clever.
We parted silently. I headed towards my room and looked forward to taking a hot shower and a nap before dinner. I felt like I'd been here for days, not merely hours. Zabini was definitely not to be trusted. Dark and slender, he reminded me of a dozing snake.
That's where I am now, in a huge damn snake pit.
(A/N)
Bout freakin' time!
Alright, readers please report on this: Errors and rough flows. I kinda just ran my eyes over it before plugging it in here, knowing that if I were you I really wouldn't care about such frivolous things but I would still like feed back.
(And yes I found and fixed the "scares" to scars. Thanks for telling me! But next time please tell me where the mistake was because I had to read the whole damn thing over again just to find it.)
If you think I should tone certain things down or change anything to make it better I'm all ears. I know this one is long and that there are definite mood swings here because I've been sneaking up to my computer at irregular intervals during the last two months. I know my moods are reflected in my writing but I dunno if it's that bad because Astrid seems to swing wildly from emotion to emotion anyway.
Glad to have updated, the author