And I thought up another chapter while whating GOF for the millionth time (Draco getting turned into a ferret never gets old). I had fun with this chapter, I really did. I also make a tribute to the wonder that is Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (which belongs to iromu Arakawa). If you don't catch it, that's fine, I only put it there for the sheer enjoyment of it. I actually have a decent amount of hits for this already, which makes me happy. Extra thanks to December22 for reviewing, which makes me even happier! So, anyway, on with the show!

Year Three

Chapter Three

Year Three: Even Though What You've Done Means Something Shouldn't Happen, When It Does, You Can't Help But Be Suspicious

"Marika Kanda!"

I screamed, no "practically" about it, my best friend's name as soon as I entered the Great Hall. It rather went without saying that this act turned quite a few heads in my direction, but in all honesty, I didn't give a perpetual damn. Even if I was going to take this calmly, my entrance wouldn't have gone without some notice due to my newly acquired hatred from my house. Besides, I was getting into the habit of angrily shouting my thoughts lately, was I not? I stormed over to where the target of my outburst was sitting.

"Ivrena Matrons," Marika calmly greeted, smiling. My hand twitched for my wand, but I resisted the urge. She was at least going to get an earful before I hexed her into an otherwise discernable pulp splattered upon the wall.

"You know how I have my spot where I like to go to get the hell away from everyone that no one else knows about?" I posed, standing over the Japanese girl. I was taller than she was anyway, but since she remained sitting, the difference was all the more obvious.

"Oh, you mean the tree by the lake?" Marika expertly feigned ignorance.

"Yeah, and I was just wondering that if no one knows I go there, why Draco Malfoy just happened to show up, expecting to see me." Sarcasm had always been my best language, and it dripped off of every single word with practiced ease.

"Draco showed up?" Marika continued her act, smiling sweetly. "How'd that conversation go?"

"Marika, why in the world did you do that to me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Ivy-chan. I spent an extremely productive morning following the weasel."

I twitched, clenching my fist, which just brought my long nails into my palm. No, I couldn't hex her yet. I was nowhere near finished giving her the hell she so rightfully deserved. "Funny you should say that, because Draco happened to mention that you were the one that told him where I was," I countered.

"Did he now?" Marika looked thoughtful. "I'll have to sit by him next time in Potions…" she muttered before changing the subject. "Come on, Ivy-chan, was it really so bad? You can't say you didn't enjoy getting some alone time with Draco."

That was the problem: I couldn't say that I hadn't enjoyed my short amount of time with Draco. In fact, I had actually been getting involved in the conversation, and he had actually seemed… I don't know, human for once. Completely and utterly different from his usual snob manner. Sure, it had all been an act, but it was still the most confusing thing I had experienced at Hogwarts, and I had even taken Divination this year. Man, Trelawney was a psycho.

"And… Time for a standard Ivy Matrons rebuttal is now up," Marika declared, staring at her wrist, even though she didn't wear a watch. "The jury comes to the conclusion that she enjoyed Draco's presence, and should now sit down and eat some lunch. Come on, Ivy-chan, there's turkey…"

I sat down with much more force than necessary, glaring at my plate before succumbing to the smells of the food. Being pissed off at both Draco and Marika in one morning had made me extremely hungry. I angrily stabbed a piece of broccoli (I like vegetables, so sue me) and shoved it into my mouth. I chewed and swallowed before noting that something was off.

I glanced around the table, and figured out what it was. Unlike at breakfast, where the Slytherin table had been dead silent, seeing as everyone had taken to oozing animosity in my direction or just flat-out ignoring me, it was now normal. People were talking amongst each other, and, now that I was done yelling at Marika, had no reason to take notice of me whatsoever. I craned my neck to look farther down the table. Not even Pansy Parkinson was shooting me her typical death glare, though it most certainly looked like she wanted to.

"Marika, what was that Muggle thing you mentioned where everything is weird and creepy?" I asked, taking a big drink of the pumpkin juice I had just poured myself. It kind of helped me relax, but I sure as hell could've used something more potent.

"You mean 'The Twilight Zone'?" Marika supplied, sipping at her own drink.

"Well, I feel like I'm in it." I took another large swig, draining my cup. I quickly refilled the glass. "No one's pissed off at me anymore; it makes no sense."

"Nah, the Twilight Zone has clocks. Besides, isn't it obvious what's going on here?"

"No, but I'm sure it is to you."

"Well… They got mad 'cause you stood up to Draco, ne?" Marika explained. I nodded in response. "So who's the only person who could make them quit?"

I was pretty sure my eyes had widened at that: Draco had told them to stop? The little brat must've wanted whatever it was exceptionally badly if he was willing to go this far to get it. I felt a fresh surge of anger and sudden loss of appetite. Gripping my butter knife exceptionally hard, I stabbed it into the piece of turkey I had obtained, picturing his head. It was quite satisfying.

"Ivy-chan, you're acting violent again…" Marika warned, though she actually seemed happy of the concept. I was probably reminding her of someone from back home. In fact, it was almost as if this behavior was expected of me. I shoved the idea away and tried to calm myself down. The best way I thought to do so was draining my goblet again, putting it back down with more force than necessary. I sighed and stood up.

"Marika, I'm heading back out," I informed. "Send anyone after me and don't expect to see them alive again."

"Yes, ma'am!" Marika gave me a small salute as a wave.

As I exited the Great Hall, I passed Draco. I didn't actually look at him, since attention was obviously what he wanted, but I gave a small nod that acknowledged his existence that could've been easily dismissed as a subconscious movement of walking.

I almost hoped he would follow me; the Giant Squid had to be bored of eating only the inhabitants of the Black Lake by now.