A week later, things are still going well at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are closer now, probably just because they all fought a troll together. But, hey, as long as they're getting along, I'm okay with it. Classes are going well, with Hermione's help, of course. I don't have another detention, yet, which is good. Everything seems to be going perfectly.

It's the second week of November when things come crashing down again.

"I can't believe you just fit an entire piece of toast in your mouth," I tell Ron at breakfast, laughing. He tries to say something in return, but it doesn't come through the bread inside his mouth. "Sorry, what was that? I didn't quite-"

"Hey, Laetus!" a drawling voice calls from a few feet away. Malfoy. Fantastic. I turn around to face him, Crabbe, and Goyle, a bored expression plain on my face.

"What do you want?" I ask. He comes closer, until he's standing right in front of me.

"Just thought I'd share something with you," he claims, before tossing a newspaper at me. The Daily Prophet, of course. What does that have to with me?

Oh. Oh no.

Daughter of Accused Death Eater Testifies Against her Mother, reads the headline. My stomach starts turning.

No, he won't tell everyone… Would he? Judging by his face, I think he's about to.

"Here, let me read that for you," he offers, not trying to help me at all. He grabs for the newspaper at the same time that I do, but he's just barely quicker. He makes a show of unfolding the paper, very slowly, then clears his throat.

"Malfoy," I try to start, but I don't have anything to say. Instead, I just stare up at him, horrified, but trying my best not to show it.

"'Last night, the trial of accused Death Eater, Cynthia Cambione, took a surprising turn,'" Malfoy reads with a sickening grin. "Things looked grim for Cambione from the start, when she was first accused, but the latest testimony, given by her own daughter, sealed her fate. The girl, currently in her first year at Hogwarts, was questioned privately in the school, to make sure she was comfortable and less stressed during the ordeal. Although this was said to have occurred weeks ago, a transcript from her testimony was revealed to the Court just last night. Filled with graphic details of how Cambione would abuse and outright torture her daughter, it was enough to make an Auror sick.'"

To my horror, the article continues to delve into a summary of my testimony, revealing all the horrible details to those sitting nearby. They don't know that what he's reading is about me, yet, but I guarantee they will soon. If I could just do something… But I'm frozen, so terrified that I can't move. Eventually the details of my testimony grow fewer and fewer, and I can tell the article is coming to a close.

"'The girl's testimony against her mother was the final straw. It is extremely doubtful that Cambione will be sentenced to anything less than life in Azkaban now. After the Wizengamot heard quotes such as 'I did think of ending it all, quite often towards the end, but I never had the courage to,' and 'I took what I got, nothing more, but nothing less, either. That's just how I had to survive,' their minds were made up. There was disturbed muttering echoing around the court room when the transcript was done being read, and nearly everyone looked as though they were about to be sick. Though the girl never showed her face, it was hard not to feel bad for her. What monster would torture her own child like that? As the transcript of her daughter's testimony was being read, Cambione did not look the least bit repentant, however. This begs the question, is she incapable of feeling emotion? Or does she just hate her daughter so much that she feels nothing about the revolting torture she put her through? It's doubtful that we'll ever find out. As of now, Cambione seems set to spend the rest of her life in Azkaban. Hopefully the young girl, whose surname has been changed for her protection, will one day be able to get past the first eleven years of her life, but it might be impossible. She said it best, 'I can't live if I'm afraid of her my entire life.' But it seems as though the girl will not have to fear her mother for much longer. If the Court listened to her testimony, Cambione will be thrown into Azkaban for the remainder of her life, and her daughter will never have to worry about her mother again.'"

Malfoy looks back up at me, eyes glinting maliciously. I know I'm unnaturally pale at the moment, but it's better than breaking down again.

"How did you like that article, Laetus?" he asks, sounding excited. "Or perhaps I should call you Cambione now."

There's a loud gasp from behind me. It sounds like Hermione, but I can't turn around to check.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy," I try to say nonchalantly. "My last name is Laetus, not Cambione."

"Are you completely sure about that?" There's rustling as he turns the paper towards me and the small group around me. "This woman sure looks like you."

It's over as soon as everyone sees the picture of Mother. Blonde hair, like mine, blue eyes, like mine, round face, like mine. It's obvious that she's my mother, and the silence around me tells me that everyone else sees it, too.

"Tell me," he continues. "Did you really consider killing yourself? That seems like a very weak move to me. Of course all that pain doesn't sound appealing either." Seeing my face, he laughs. I know I must look horrified, but I can't hide it. They… They know now. All my friends… "So, your mother was a Death Eater. Are you one, too? Did you just make the story up so you could escape punishment?"

I stand up, about to say something, but losing my voice. Malfoy and I stare at each other for a moment, neither of us breaking eye contact. Then he brings his hand up quickly and throws it towards my face, about to hit me. With a gasp, I flinch and throw my hand up to stop him, but he never makes contact. I carefully open my eyes, then look over at him. Malfoy still has his hand up, but it's barely moved forward an inch. Comprehending, I put my hands down at my sides again. He… He pretended to hit me so I would react exactly the way I did. He… He…

"I guess you aren't faking after all," Malfoy says calmly. I turn to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, horrified, but they're just staring back at me with the same shocked expression on their face.

They know. They know all of it. Feeling tears build up in my eyes, I look at them once again, but they are still looking at me, shocked. They're looking at me… Everyone's looking at me. Oh god, everyone's looking at me. I can't… I can't do this. I… I just can't!

Before I start sobbing, I turn and run out the doors of the Great Hall, leaving Malfoy and that horrible article behind me. Without thinking, I find my way up to Gryffindor Tower and, crying, go and sit in an armchair by the fire.

Why would Malfoy do that? Does he have no decency at all? Does he even know how hard it is for me to remember everything? And I wasn't going to tell my friends, not for a while anyway, but now… Now they know who my mother is and what she's done to me. I doubt they'll ever look at me the same way. I'm sure they won't want to be friends with the daughter of a Death Eater, either. I probably lost them, just when I thought I was really getting to know them. Now they're gone and… And I have to start all over again.

This thought brings on a sob. Now what do I do? Maybe I should just tell Dumbledore that it was a mistake, coming here, and I want to drop out. That… That might actually be the best thing to do. But Hogwarts has been the best part of my life so far! How can I leave? I'll die if I go, I won't be able to take the outside world. But can I even take the inside world?

Before I can think of an answer, the portrait hole creaks open. Looking over, I see Harry, Ron, and Hermione entering the Common Room. They spot me, too, and immediately walk over.

"I… I didn't want to t-tell you," I sniff, unable to look any of them in the eye. "I'm s-sorry."

"Rose, you don't have to apologize," Hermione tells me, sitting in the chair across from mine and leaning forwards. "We understand. Having a mother like that…" She trails off, unsure of what to say.

"Do you hate m-me now?" I ask sadly, hiding my face in my robes.

"What?" This time it's Ron speaking. "Why would we hate you?"

"I'm the d-daughter of a Death Eater!" I exclaim. Though I'm still crying, my voice is becoming clearer. "Why wouldn't you?"

"Because you're not a Death Eater," Hermione tells me calmly. "You just lived with one your entire life… If you can call that living." She says this with pure hate on her voice.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Harry asks. I look up at him.

"I… I didn't know how you would take it," I admit. "And, well, I didn't want to remember it."

"Malfoy had no right to do that to you," Hermione says angrily.

"You should've seen McGonagall after you left, though," Ron adds. "She was furious when she figured out what happened. Gave Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle detention for a week. Something about scrubbing the Great Hall. I'm not completely sure, we were running up here by then."

I laugh a little, wiping the remainder of my tears off my face.

"How did… How did everyone react?" I ask, not completely sure I want to know.

"Well…" Hermione begins hesitantly. "Most of the Slytherins that heard were… Well, laughing. But everyone else wasn't!" she adds quickly when she sees my face fall.

"Most people were really supportive," Harry takes over. "I mean, some of them were shocked for a bit, but they broke out of it eventually. Lots of them looked ready to kill Malfoy."

"I've never seen Fred and George look so… Murderous," Ron says thoughtfully. "He really shouldn't have made them mad."

I smile at the thought of the twins getting Malfoy back. They'd probably hit him with dungbombs or something like that.

"How many people heard?" I ask. It's going to spread around the entire school eventually, of course, but I have to know who it started with.

"Uh…" Ron begins, thinking. "Well, other than us there was Fred and George, obviously. Most of the first years at the table. Percy, I think…" He shrugs. "I don't know who was listening the entire time, though. I think Neville was, by the look on his face."

"But the important thing is that everyone will probably be too, well, disturbed to bring it up much," Hermione tells me.

"Everyone's gonna know by the end of the day," I point out glumly. "And there are plenty of people who will bring it up. I don't think they'll forget it soon." There's a silence. None of them can think of anything to say at this point, they know I'm right. Everyone in Gryffindor and Slytherin probably know by now. Oh, the looks I'll get. I can't deal with those, not now at least. "I'm not going to class."

"But Rose-"

"Hermione, I can't. Not today."

"Then we won't go either," Harry says determinedly.

"No, you should." The three look at me doubtfully and I sigh. "I just need some time alone. I'll be fine, I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"…If you say so."

Casting doubtful looks back at me, the three slowly leave through the portrait hole again. When I hear it close, I sigh and look down at the fireplace.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione are just too nice, really. They knew exactly what to say to calm me down and even offered to stay with me for the day. But no. I have to be alone right now. It's something I have to deal with on my own, and they can't help me.

I can't stay here, in the Common Room, though. People will be walking through all day and I'm really not in the mood to be seen right now. But where can I go? Not the library, there are too many people there, too. Not the hospital wing, I'd rather not be watched over by Madam Pomfrey. And I can't just roam the hallways, people will see me when they change classes. Maybe the girl's bathroom… It won't be comfortable or clean, but it will be mostly private. Sure, some people will come and go, but they won't stay long. Yes, I'll do what Hermione did and hide in the bathroom all day. Hopefully I won't be attacked by a troll this time.

/

I don't pass by anyone on my way to the bathroom. Class probably started already, leaving me alone in the halls. The bathroom is also empty, unsurprisingly. I choose the biggest stall and lock myself inside, then sink to the filthy floor. It's not that bad, really. My old closet was much worse.

And it's with that small thought that I start crying again. It's not anywhere near what I did earlier, but it's enough. Even though I'm not making a sound, I'm shaking while tears flood my recently dried cheeks.

Why did Malfoy tell everyone? That's a low blow, even for him. He had to know I would react like this. He read the article first, he knew what was coming. If he was in my position, would he want anyone revealing his horrible past to the entire school? I highly doubt it.

But I still have something on him, don't I? My mother would always talk about the Malfoys weaseling their way out of trouble. If I just let that slip…

Wait. It wouldn't even work. The Minister himself told me that they were pardoned by the Ministry, and he sounded absolute about it. And everyone else at school, or anyone with knowledge of the war, already knows that the Malfoys were Death Eaters, whether they believe they were forced or not. I wouldn't be revealing anything new.

So I have absolutely nothing on him while he spilled everything on me. Resisting the urge to track him down and rip him apart with my bare hands, I clench my fists. That little son of a-

The bathroom door creaks open.

"Rose?" a male voice calls. Either Fred or George. I really don't know.

"You're… You're not supposed to be in here," I tell him, quickly wiping my face clean of any leftover tears. I've stopped crying by now, but it's not like there are no traces left. My eyes are probably red and swollen now, and I probably look like a complete mess, just in general.

"Oh come on, we know you're the only one here. We checked!"

The map. Right.

"Well if you're here to check up on me, I'm fine and you can leave," I say, not trying to sound mean. It's just… I really can't face them right now.

"We didn't just come to check up on you." Then why are you here? "We came because we have a plan you might want to join in on. To get back at Malfoy."

I jump up and open the stall door.

"Continue."

One of them smirks.

"Follow us."

/

The twins lead me through a maze of hallways, going down the Charms room, then stop around the corner from it. Then George pulls out a piece of parchment, which I immediately recognize as the Marauder's Map, the one they used the other day they found me crying. They must think I'm a total drama queen or something.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he whispers, and the map comes to life. After taking a moment to make sure nobody's around, he turns the map towards me. "Malfoy's in Charms right now, which ends in…" He checks his watch as I stare down at Malfoy's name on the parchment. "Ten minutes."

"Why does that matter?" I ask, confused.

Fred pulls out three pairs of gloves from his bag and hands a pair each to me and George.

"You might want to put those on," he advises. I do what he says

Then Fred sticks his hand back in the bag and pulls out three circular disks with teeth surrounding the edge of them. I stare at them, mouth wide open. What are those for? Are we killing Malfoy with them? Because I'm so ready for that.

"Fanged Frisbees," he explains. "Got them from Zonko's joke shop when we went into Hogsmeade. We wanted to save them for something special, and we agreed that this counts." I nod, confused. Why the hell would they sell these in a joke shop? "So as soon as Malfoy comes out that door, we throw them at them, then start running. The Frisbees can take it from there." He sighs, sounding disappointed. "Now, they won't kill him, but they'll cut up his face pretty bad. What do you think?"

I smile gleefully, then think for a moment.

"How do you throw them?" I ask.

"Easy," George replies, taking his from Fred to demonstrate. "You just…" He swings his arm back, then quickly flicks it forward, without releasing the Frisbee. "Doesn't matter where you aim, these beauties won't land until they give everyone a bloody face. Hopefully Malfoy will come out first so everyone else can just close the door, but if he doesn't," George shrugs, "Collateral damage."

"The Slytherins always come out of lessons first, though, so I don't think we'll hit any Ravenclaws," Fred reassures me, seeing my doubtful face. "And first year Slytherins are especially horrible this term, so I really don't mind bloodying a couple of their faces up."

"Okay," I agree finally, reaching out for my Frisbee. Fred hands it to me with a grin.

"Don't drop it," he warns. "I really don't want this to backfire on us."

We sit in tense silence for a few minutes, waiting for the bell to dismiss the class. I'll admit, I'm looking forward to getting my revenge on Malfoy. If he wants to make fun of me, fine. I'll just have to mess up his pretty face later. He's getting less than what he deserves, still, but this won't be the last thing I do to him. Oh, he's going to regret ever opening his fat mouth in the first place.

Then the bell rings and the three of us jump into action.

"Oh, good, he is coming out first," George informs us. "And… Here he is."

I see the door open and Malfoy strutting out proudly, as if he owns the entire castle.

"Count of three," Fred whispers. "One…" Everyone else seems to be really slow coming out. "Two…" Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle are still the only ones in the hallway. "Three!"

Fred, George, and I launch the Fanged Frisbees at the exact same time, and they soar down the corridor to exactly where Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle are standing. As soon as I hear shrieks coming from their general direction, I know it worked. I risk a quick peek around the corner to see them and almost die from laughter.

The three of them are getting dive bombed by the Fanged Frisbees and, even though they're trying to hit them with their books, the Frisbees aren't stopping. To my amusement, Malfoy has five long scratches along his face already. Before I can look at Crabbe and Goyle, though, I'm pulled back.

"Come on, move!" Fred tells me urgently. We turn around and are about to sprint away, when we're stopped by a black haired witch standing in our way, an angry look on her face. McGonagall.

"You do know that Fanged Frisbees are not permitted in the hallways, don't you?" she asks sternly. I look from Fred to George, but they aren't looking back. Instead they're staring at their feet. After a moment, both of them nod and McGonagall sighs. "You should get back to the Common Room before Filch comes around." There's a brief silence. "Well, go on!"

"Yes, Professor," George says in awe.

I'm just staring up at her, frozen with shock. McGonagall letting us off? That's a first… A hand wraps around my wrist and starts tugging me forward.

"Come on," Fred whispers. After we're around the corner, he pulls me into a run, with George following close behind.

"Yeah, don't want her changing her mind," George agrees as we sprint up to the Gryffindor Common Room. As soon as the portrait hole closes behind us, we all start laughing.

"Malfoy's face," I gasp. George imitates the shocked expression and attempt to bat the Frisbees out of the air. This makes me laugh so hard that I have to sit down in one of the nearby armchairs.

"Do you feel better now?" Fred asks, once we calm down. I nod. "He deserved worse, but since murder is illegal…"

"Thank you both so much," I tell them, getting to my feet again. "I owe you."

"How about we stop owing each other and just consider each of us to be permanently in the other's debt?" Fred suggests. I smile.

"Sounds good to me."

/

The next day, when I go back to class, I do get stares from nearly everyone, but the combined efforts of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the twins when I see them keep me from thinking about it too much. The Slytherins are a bit harder to ignore with their quotes from the article, but it's not all of them. Even most of their House has a line they won't cross, and that article seems like it's pretty far across it. It's really only Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson's group that keep doing it. Even they grow quiet after a week or so, finally leaving me alone. And the day that they stop, something miraculous happens.

I'm at breakfast, with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, when the owls come flying in.

"I love how they just fly over you and somehow don't get feathers in your cereal," I tell Hermione admiringly. She just grins and shakes her head.

Then a large tawny owl lands at the Gryffindor table, right in front of me, with a note tied to its leg. I take the note, confused, and it flies away.

"That's weird," I muse. "I never get mail."

"Come on, then, open it," Ron tells me.

I unfold the note, then quickly read the writing inside.

Dear Miss Laetus,

Your mother's trial has officially ended, after lasting nearly four months. I am pleased to tell you that she was found guilty, and will be spending the rest of her days in Azkaban prison. The evidence on her was overwhelming, and it was a unanimous decision. Your testimony was perhaps the most influential piece of evidence that there was. Even though she did not have the Dark Mark to distinguish her as a Death Eater, due most likely to her being a spy, your testimony saying that she was managed to convince the Court. You did an incredible job during the trial, and I hope that you can now move on from this experience. Congratulations.

Sincerely, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

"She was found guilty!" I shout gleefully. "Mother… My mother was found guilty!"

"What?" Hermione asks excitedly.

I read the note aloud to everyone around me, including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George. Their reactions are almost all the same. Cheering, congratulating me, shouts of happiness… Everyone does something along those lines.

Soon enough the message is passed along the Gryffindor table, then around the Great Hall altogether. Some people come up to me to say they're happy for me, while others just turn and smile. Most of the Slytherins are muttering, clearly conflicted between joy at a horrible child abuser being put in prison and sadness that another Death Eater, like some of their parents, was now being locked up. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, however, seem very disappointed. Their faces no longer bear the cuts from the Fanged Frisbees, but I bet they still remember them.

Even with mostly positive reactions around me, none compare to what I'm feeling. Relief, joy, peace at last. It's enough to make me cry.

And I do, in fact. The tears are slow, unlike my previous outbursts, and are born from happiness rather than fear. Hermione, too, starts crying with me, caught up in the emotion. We turn to each other and hug, both of us glad that it's finally over.

I never have to think about Mother ever again.