"Don't tell me what you wanted with that troll. Oh what does it matter I KNOW WHAT YOU WANTED! Merlin, is it really that hard to control yourself?"

Crucie stared at the floor. It was true that she had left with nothing but good intentions, but the sight of the troll had made her forget about those completely. Professor Snape sighed angrily.

"You have undoubtedly helped in defeating that troll, and I don't doubt your talent came in handy, but you would never have been in that situation if not for your own recklessness. You heard of that troll and thought what? Let's go torture that shit? Oh for fuck's sake Crucio Lestrange!"

Snape never cursed, nor did he use her real name. At least, until now. It somewhat shocked Crucie, but left the potions master a little calmer. He glared at Crucie.

"Well?"

"I… I didn't hear about the troll… I wasn't in the great hall; I was looking for Hermione Granger. I had seen her friends had upset her, and since we are not on unfriendly terms I thought to help her. I mean, she doesn't have that many friends… So I was walking the corridors and heard the troll and… I just forgot my good intentions. Finding Hermione was completely coincidental, as was meeting those other two."

Snape sighed deeply. Why couldn't his life just be easy? He shook his head.

"I heard from Lucius you had been given the means to release yourself, don't they work?"

"Means?"

"A cat that is apparently torture-resistant."

"It's not enough. I mean, it is enough, technically, but… I'm tempted everywhere. And I don't want to, not just randomly, but people piss me off and then…"

"You're a teenager, with teenage moodswings, but that doesn't rectify using unforgivables on people. Even without a wand it is an unforgivable curse Miss Black… I hope you realize that. In fact you have committed multiple criminal offences in the past months, which would account for a rather long and unpleasant stay at our least favourite place in the world."

"WHAT?!"

Crucie felt as if her heart stopped beating all the same. They wouldn't… Snape shook his head.

"You're underage and on Hogwarts domain, so for now you're safe. But you will need to learn to control the urges better. I can only guess how you have managed while living with Rabastan, but you won't find that amount of release here on Hogwarts. I will have to consult the headmaster on this."

"He… w-will I b-be expelled?"

Crucie couldn't help her voice from trembling. Snape shook his head.

"Lucius took precautions, hung up some story about you being in danger if not protected by the wards of Hogwarts, so I doubt they will send you away. Dumbledore is not that bad a person. Now, better get back to your dorms as soon as possible."

Crucie wanted to walk away, when Snape remarked.

"Oh, and 60 points from Slytherin for foolish bravery, lack of self-control and inexistent self-preservation senses."

Crucie wanted to sink into the floor. 60 points… that was an awful lot. Her house-mates would send seriously foul looks at her if they heard…While walking away she passed the dark corridor, but she didn't want to talk to Salazar, afraid she'd get scolded again for what indeed had been a painful lack of control. The Malfoy family had raised her for the greater part, how had she never taken over their famous self-restraint? Perhaps she had, but living with longhaired, loose-mannered uncle Rabastan had made it come undone… Crucie mused sadly. In her dorm she looked at the pictures of her parents, specifically the stern official one of the Yule ball. Bellatrix looked unhappy there, but also completely in control of herself. Crucie decided she really had to be more like her mother…

(Pagebreak)

Hermione avoided Crucie too now, and seemed to have grown closer to the two boys. It was a tough nut to crack for Crucie, but she decided not let her anger and disappointment show. At least they hadn't made the rumours about her torturing everything that moved any worse… that was something to be grateful for. She remained courteous and didn't go on a cursing spree even though she often felt like it. It was hard to concentrate on the lessons, and she got severely annoyed with Professor Quirrell. His stutter, his smelly turban, his silly manners… It was like Rabastan's fake moustache, but worse. It was so obviously a façade for something else that she couldn't help but get suspicious. The things they were taught in that class were pretty useless too; for every counter-spell given, Crucie knew a dozen curses that would beat it. She wished she had someone she could share her lingering suspicion with, but none of the people she was friendly with were suitable. It was a frustrating situation…

She went to watch the first Quidditch game in which Potter would be Gryffindor's seeker, mostly because of curiosity, and was treated not only with Potter almost falling off his broom, but also with a lovely sight of Snape's coat spontaneously catching fire. It was quite funny. Nevertheless, she was sure Quirrell had to do with at least one of the events. She secretly hoped it was him who had set Snape's coat on fire… that would cause some commotion (and hilarity) in the staffroom she was sure. Hilarity that she would hear all about from Salazar, who was despite everything a huge gossip when given the chance…

(Pagebreak)

Crucie had bought gifts, just a few because she didn't have many people to get gifts for, and generally she was happy with the things she'd bought. There was a silk hair bow for uncle Lucius, a crystal vase for aunt Narcissa, a fake moustache and a chocolate fudge pie for uncle Rabastan –she was sure he'd get the joke- a new tie for Mr Burke, candy for the girls of her dorm, an illustrated botany book for Daphne, and that was about it. Merlin bless owl-post-order catalogues… Only last minute she had realized she needed one more gift, and she had no idea what to get.

"Err… Mrs Ravenclaw?"

Crucie was still a bit intimidated by the beautiful founder of the Ravenclaw house… The other paintings of the founders were empty for the moment, Crucie guessed Helga was somewhere in a painting with a well-filled dinner table, Godric was probably in a fight of some sort and Salazar was in his 'secluded portrait' enjoying the quiet. The only person she could ask was the imposing Rowena Ravenclaw. The black-haired woman looked curiously at her.

"Miss… Black, isn't it?"

She hesitated just long enough to let Crucie know that she knew it wasn't her real name. Crucie nodded.

"I have a question. It may sound silly, but I would like to do something for Mr Slytherin, for Christmas, and I don't know what. Do you perhaps have an idea?"

Rowena's lips quirked in a bit of a smile, but not quite it. Crucie had since long understood that the Ravenclaw founder smiled even less than Salazar, and it only added to the overall impression the portrait made on her…

"Being of Slytherin yourself, you should know the best gift is a favour. It is always good to have favours to call in."

Crucie nodded.

"Thank you for your wisdom, Mrs Ravenclaw."

"You're welcome."

A favour… Crucie knew a lot of the dealings on the dark side had to do with the exchange of favours, Uncle Lucius had often complained about having to call in favours for stupid things and Rabastan had always encouraged her to make other people be in her debt. Perhaps a favour was indeed a good gift… at least she didn't need to worry about how to wrap it.

Christmas came, and with it came more gifts than Crucie had expected. She woke up early on Christmas day because Timor was excitedly mewing and attempting to scratch the wrapping paper from the gifts on the foot end of her bed. She was happy to wake up first, because now she could open her gifts in relative quiet. The first one was a heavy package wrapped in brown paper with a thin rope around it. Crucie ripped the paper and found a thick black leather-bound book, clearly old from frequent use and worn around the edges. In gold letters the cover read 'Secrets Of The Darkest Art'. When she opened it, she saw a dedication was written on the first page.

"To Crucio Lestrange, the best assistant I ever had. I hope this book will bring you as much pleasure as it has brought me. To me, the most unforgiveable thing you ever did was leaving… Greetings and Merry Christmas, Caractacus Burke."

It made Crucie smile. She softly caressed the book. She was almost certain it was on the list of books forbidden by the ministry… A peak in the table of contents confirmed her suspicions, and only made her more enthusiastic. The second gift was from the Malfoys, soft pink dress robes adorned with a lot of glittery rhinestones. The colour made her want to hurl, but she supposed that was uncle Lucius' revenge for tormenting Draco. Or just aunt Narcissa's bad taste, that was possible too.

"Merry Christmas, Crucie dear! I saw these robes at Twillfitt and Tatting's and I imagined you in them… I bet you'll look great! Lucius ensured me you would love them! Merry Christmas, much love from your aunt Narcissa! P.S. Lucius also sends his best."

How to take revenge, Malfoy Style… No wonder uncle Lucius was a good politician. Despite the thought of having to wear the robes, Crucie couldn't help but smile. Rabastan sent her a funny letter and a whole lot of candy, and Daphne had made a botanical drawing of a plant called "Cruciata chersonensis" or Crossworth, which had made her think of Crucie's name. The gifts delighted Crucie… She almost looked over the final gift, a very little black box that had apparently come with Rabastan's load of candy. In it she found a long silver chain with an emerald pendant on it. A small note stated, "This belonged to your mother, I thought you might want to have it. I helped my brother pick it for her back in the days. Love, your uncle."

Crucie put it on and bit away her tears. She would write a very long letter to uncle Rabastan to thank him for that. She knew he kept most of the things that reminded him of her parents to himself, silently mourning them in his own way. Sometimes the haunted look her uncle got in his eyes made her believe that Azkaban was truly a sentence worse than death… He had never told her how he had escaped the day of his arrest, and she had never asked. If anything, she didn't want to think about it. She just imagined her parents somewhere else, out of reach but not… there. The few bits she had read about the place had given her enough material for nightmares already. She carefully put away her gifts, except for the necklace, that she put on. While patting Timor she dozed off again, until the commotion of the other girls unwrapping their presents began.

(Author's Notes)

Yeah, I'm updating quite fast. I know. Please people; REVIEW! I need your reviews... Every time I see I have no new reviews my inner muse withers and dies a bit more. She's really vulnerable, my dear muse. Reviews are the only food she will take! Make me and my muse happy and leave us a little note please? Comments, critics, compliments... I love getting all of them! Without your reviews I never know if what I'm writing is okay!

So yeah, Snape cursed. SNAPE CURSED! He did, actually. Poor man, completely exasperated. You can imagine his despair at the fact that the student he is supposed to keep an eye on is happily torturing mountain trolls.

And Christmas gifts! Imagine her in those pink robes... *lols* Narcissa is the queen of tacky... (and Lucius is a bastard, but we already knew that much xD). I imagine Mr Burke sending her that book because well... she's really been hanging around in that shop since she was little, I think he considers himself to be her grandfather a bit ;)

Also, the pendant has a story... don't worry, it will be revealed! I you review, that is xD

Also... that favor... She'll have to pay that one off sooner or later... so be prepared...