Courtney sat with a bored expression on her face. It had been a little while since Amanda's adventure, and she had begun to feel as if Hermione was a little bug that was never going to go away. She kept asking stupid questions like what it's like when she transformed, no matter how fast it was, or if she hunted or not. Amanda, not to Courtney's surprise, was also getting annoyed. Kalayla hadn't been asked anything because she kept disappearing. Probably to the Forbidden Forest, but Hermione would never know that.
Courtney sighed as she realized that it had been exactly two months ago that she and her sisters had been Sorted in their houses. Time flew as she studied and did homework in the Library, not to mention her time in the Forbidden Forest. It was beginning to be a daily thing, now, and it felt great. The centaurs ignored her, and everything else saw her and fled. Now, she felt normal, and all of her animal instincts were sleeping soundly within her. Courtney also noticed that she got irritated a lot less, and that her boredom was cured.
At the moment, Courtney was in charms and she was absently watching as the class tried to levitate the single feather laid before them. She hadn't tried, simply because she was more interested in trying to decide whether that Seamus Finnigan boy was going to blow up the classroom again.
"Now don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing," Courtney's Head of House was saying to the rest of the class. "Swish and flick, remember. Swish and flick. Saying the magic words is important, also—don't forget Wizard Baruffilo, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo in his chest."
It was hard, according to everyone else in the class. Harry and Seamus tried and tried, but nothing happened. Even Ron was trying, though Hermione seemed irritated by this. Courtney watched curiously as Ron tried again.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron said as he waved his arms like a windmill.
"You're saying it wrong," Hermione snapped. "It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long." Ron narrowed his eyes and held his head up high.
"You do it, then, if you're so clever," Ron snarled.
Hermione nodded, flicked her wand, and then said, "Wingardium Leviosa!" Her feather rose of the desk and climbed higher, and higher, and higher. Courtney couldn't help but giggle at the disappointment in Ron's eyes, even as Flitwick noticed.
"Oh well done!" the Professor said, clapping. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it!"
Courtney sighed, shook her head, and then tried herself. It wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy, either. She was one of the few who managed to get their feather at least a foot above their desk by the time class ended, and after that Courtney found herself following Ron, Harry, and Hermione.
"It's no wonder no one can stand her," Ron was saying. "She's a nightmare, honestly." Courtney watched as Hermione sped pass them, tears in her eyes. Courtney sighed and shook her head, feeling that she was to the point of eavesdropping.
Courtney turned left and walked towards the Library. Aunt Cynthia had sent her an important letter that she needed to send a response to.
Dear Aunt Cynthia
Thank you for informing me of this, I am grateful. As I assume that Kalayla and Amanda have gotten the same letter, I will not tell them, but I will at least tell you of my concerns.
Haley is at her wildest at midnight, as your friend has told you, I'm sure, but before that she is usually calm. I am frightened to think of the reason that she attacked like that, unless her Wolfsbane potion did not come. I'm glad that your friend got out safely, but if Haley did not take the Wolfsbane potion, you might want to wait a few more days before you pick her up. After all, she is still in a wild state of mind until the third day after the full moon.
We're doing fine here at Hogwarts, though I am working harder than I had ever imagined. After our classes I usually finish my homework in the Library and leave quietly to the Forbidden Forest to hunt and exhaust my snow leopard instincts. It has been working, lately. I know because my irritation has been coming up a lot less.
Oh right, I forgot. Sorry for not telling you sooner, but I was placed in Ravenclaw. Tiffany and I never talk too much, but I've seen my other sisters a lot lately. A few weeks ago Kalayla found a three-headed dog and showed us to it. Sorry for breaking the rules, Aunt Cynthia, but Kalayla was consistent. Just to shut her up I had to go, though I nearly got expelled as I did so.
As you have probably heard, Amanda transformed and showed herself to Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, and his little friends; Hermione Granger, a muggle-born witch, was one of those friends. She has been bugging me to answer so many questions, I'd swear that she was a bug. If only I could turn her into one. . .
Just kidding, Aunt Cynthia.
Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you are well. Happy Halloween.
Love your logical niece,
Courtney Faith Coppin.
Courtney folded the letter and put it into the envelope, smiling slightly. It had taken her a few hours to write the letter, but she was happy that she did. Hearing that Haley had actually nearly bitten someone was news, and if she hadn't gotten her Wolfsbane potion, Courtney had a certain potions master to talk to.
Courtney stood up and walked to the next room, which was the Owlery, and walked up to Vaylen, who was asleep until she whispered his name. The silver owl hooted and glared, but Courtney ignored it. If the proud bird was ignored, it would not act proud. That's at least what had been working for her.
He hooted happily this time, and held out his leg for Courtney to tie the letter. She did so happily, and then he was off, soaring through the October wind.
Courtney watched him disappear, and then walked over to the Great Hall. From what she'd heard, Hermione had gone to the girls' bathroom and hadn't returned. Not even for classes, which was odd for Hermione. Courtney had realized her absence sooner than the rest of them, because it was the first free period since Amanda's revealing that Hermione hadn't asked her a question.
A shadow moved, and Courtney turned her head quickly. Instants later, Amanda walked out from a room that Courtney had no intention of finding out the reason her sister was in. Courtney glared as Amanda noticed her presence.
"Where are you going?" asked Courtney. "Not the Gryffindor common room, I hope." Amanda narrowed her eyes, and then folded her arms.
"I am going to the girls' bathroom, if you must now, to—"
"Spy on Hermione?" Courtney asked, raising her eye brows. Amanda nodded, making Courtney roll her eyes.
"What?" Amanda asked. "It's not like I'm going to transform. I'm just having a bit of fun without breaking the rules." Courtney snorted, but then sighed.
"As long as you're not breaking the rules, you are allowed to do anything you want." Courtney explained. "So just do what you want to do and refrain from telling me, please."
"Okay!" Amanda said at once, and then sped off. Courtney shook her head, but then continued walking towards the Great Hall. Courtney had grown bored of trying to learn everything that her sisters did. It was working, because she had found out by a first year Hufflepuff that Kalayla had been going to the Great Hall for breakfast every morning accompanied by a fourth year boy called Cedric Diggory.
Courtney ate in silence, as usual, but keeping an eye on the Slytherin table. For whatever reason, Amanda had not returned, and Courtney was getting very worried. Normally, she would have just expected Amanda to give up, but if her sister was still in the girls' bathroom and chose to skip dinner, than Hermione must have been giving very juicy information to Amanda.
Kalayla was sitting with the normal first year girls at the Hufflepuff table, making Courtney feel at ease. Tiffany had chosen to sit by her today, which was strange, but she was at least keeping to herself.
"Hey, Courtney," said Tiffany. "Do you know where Amanda went? I noticed she wasn't at the Slytherin table." Courtney turned her head and nodded.
"I don't know what made her skip dinner, but I don't think she's in trouble." Tiffany nodded at this, and began talking with the other Ravenclaws. Courtney sighed and continued eating.
Courtney's eyes sprinted up from her plate as the Great Hall doors opened. Professor Quirrel ran through, a look of horror in his eyes, and made it to the staff table in nearly two seconds.
"Troll—in the dungeons—thought you ought to know." No sooner than a moment later did the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher faint and fall to the floor. Everyone except for Courtney seemed to stand up and scream at nothing. Courtney was too busy thinking of how to ask Dumbledore to sack Professor Quirrel.
If he faints like that, stammers, and drenches his own classroom with garlic in fear, than how on earth can he be a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?
After a few moments, Dumbledore had managed to calm the crowd down. Now, everyone was looking at him with very worried eyes. Courtney rolled her eyes, but continued to watch the Headmaster.
"Prefects," Dumbledore said. "Lead your Houses back to the dormitories at once!" Tiffany, the Ravenclaw Prefect, stood up at once and began urging everyone forward. Courtney followed until they were out of the Great Hall, realizing a very important fact after glancing toward her sisters: Amanda wasn't there.
After both of the Ravenclaw Prefects were looking elsewhere, Courtney walked quickly out of sight. All of her senses were alert as she power-walked towards the girls' bathroom, and it was then that she ran into Ron and Harry, who had both stopped to look at her.
"Courtney?" Ron asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Going to the girls' bathroom to warn my sister, who was following Hermione all day." Courtney snapped, her irritation growing. "I assume you two are going to go warn Hermione?" They nodded, but Courtney didn't see. Her sharp ears had heard some footsteps, so she was too busy pushing them through a door that led into a small room. She closed the door then, and waited as the footsteps passed.
"Who was that?" asked Ron. "Percy?" Courtney looked at him and shook her head.
"Snape, and he's heading toward the third floor." Courtney replied, her hearing trying desperately to stay on Snape's footsteps.
"Where the three-headed dog was?" Ron asked. "Why would he go there?" Courtney growled and shrugged.
"I don't know, and frankly, we have a bigger problem on our hands." Courtney snapped as she opened the door and led the way toward the girls' bathroom.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused. Courtney growled lowly again, but then looked straight ahead.
"I don't know for sure, but I think the troll is close." Courtney explained. "And we're near the girls bathroom, I think." Just as she said this, the troll appeared. Twelve feet high, it was a granite gray color, and it held. Courtney could have gagged at the smell, even though that was her weakest sense, but she restrained herself. At the moment, she needed to get rid of the troll without transforming.
The troll looked through a door and as curiously grumbling to himself. Harry and Ron were close to it, but whatever was in the room was attracting it's attention more than they ever could.
"We could lock it in," Harry suggested, as he pointed at the key in the door. Courtney narrowed her eyes, thinking, for some reason, that this was a bad idea.
"Good plan," Ron said, waiting quietly for the troll to walk in. Just as it did, Courtney finally scented something familiar and was about to stop them, but they had already locked it.
"Yes!" Harry and Ron said.
"No!" Courtney snapped. "That was the girls bathroom, you idiots! You've just locked both Hermione and Amanda in with a troll!" Harry and Ron looked at each other with worried looks, but that only lasted until a high pitched scream sounded from the bathroom.
That would be Hermione. . . Courtney thought.
Then a loud hiss came, but Courtney could tell that it was human, thank Merlin.
. . .and that would be Amanda.
Courtney growled under her breath as she heard the hiss, but then unlocked the door quickly. Harry and Ron swooped in quickly as she held open the door, and then she walked in.
Hermione was shrinking by the sinks, hiding the best she could. The troll seemed most interested in her, but it couldn't get pass Amanda, who was standing right in front of it like an idiot and keeping the troll from hurting Hermione. How? Courtney could only guess.
"Confuse it!" Courtney snapped at Harry and Ron. "Make it more interested in you!" Ron looked over at her with a confused look.
"Are you mad?" asked Ron. "That thing could kill us!"
"We're quicker and lighter, Ron," Courtney hissed. "We just have to lead it out of here and let the professors deal with it!" Harry, thankfully, had already gotten the thing's attention, and it was now looking at the three of them. Courtney growled, got the right amount of attention, and pulled both Harry and Ron in front of her the best she could.
"Amanda!" Courtney yelled over her shoulder. "Do not leave until we get back!" It was too late, however, because, for some reason, the troll found Amanda and Hermione a lot more interesting now. Courtney growled again, but it was no use. The troll was moving back toward Amanda.
Amanda hissed at it, and Courtney knew from her expression that she would love to transform at the moment. To Courtney, she could, because Hermione and the others already knew, but it would be breaking the rule again, and she wanted anything but to be expelled.
Then, suddenly, Amanda looked away from the troll.
"Amanda!" Courtney yelled. "Pay attention to the troll!"
It was too late, though, because the troll had already risen it's club, and brought it down on Amanda. Courtney's sister fell with a loud hiss that made Courtney grimace. Amanda screamed slightly a few seconds later, though Courtney could barely hear it through her anger. With her protective instincts growing back, and it rising it's club again, Courtney felt there was no other way.
Courtney closed her eyes and transformed.
The familiar fur and paws returned to her, and, as she unsheathed her claws, her eyes swung open. The troll had turned, finally finding her interesting, and had it's head tilted toward her. It raised it's club, then, and Courtney took that moment to lunge at the troll.
Courtney sunk her teeth in it's calf, making it roar in pain, and then moved swiftly away to Amanda's side. Her eyes were narrowed as the troll stopped roaring and turned to face it. It was angry now, and that made Amanda happy, Courtney knew. Amanda had already transformed behind her, making a hissing sound that Courtney did not wince at. Courtney looked at Amanda's snake form and nodded, letting her know that she could do anything she wanted.
Then Courtney lunged to distract the troll. It worked, and so she dodged another swing of the club. It was still angry, and Courtney found herself happy. Amanda had all the time in the world to gather the venom she needed, and then they would transform before any of the professors who didn't know, like Quirrel if he was awake, would show up.
Courtney jumped just in time to miss the club, but it had destroyed a wooden stall that made wood fly everywhere. Courtney felt a small piece slice one of her hind legs, but ignored it. Amanda had just given her the warning hiss, which made her leap to the opposite side of the bathroom that Amanda was on. Only seconds later did the troll roar with burning pain after Amanda bit into it.
Courtney transformed as Amanda did, and then turned to Harry and Ron. "I don't have my wand with me," Courtney explained quickly. "and I think we need help."
"W-what do you mean?" asked Ron, worry on his face. Courtney narrowed her eyes.
"It can't see at the moment due to Amanda's venom," Courtney explained, though she had no idea if that was the venom Amanda used or not. Probably, since the pea-brain was blinking and it had a cloudy look in his eyes. "But it will be able to in a few seconds, which is why you need to knock it out."
"But how?" Ron asked. "I don't know as many spells as you or Hermione do!"
"Think of something!" Courtney snapped. "And quickly, please!"
Ron's eyes were wide, though Hermione could tell Harry was thinking for a spell as well. His eyes landed on Hermione, who was telling him to do something that Courtney couldn't hear. Ron nodded, and then Courtney took a few steps out of the way.
Ron stood up straighter and then raised his wand before saying, "Wingardium Leviosa!" It worked, or at least on the trolls club. The club raised in the air, and then above the troll's head. Then it fell on the troll's head, making it grunt. Ron quickly got out of the way as it fell, and Courtney sighed with relief as the troll's closed eyes letting her know that it was knocked out.
"Good job Ron," said Courtney softly before running over to Amanda's side. Hermione had already stood up and got over to Harry and Ron.
Amanda didn't look too bad, though Courtney was still worried. Her arm looked broken, and maybe her wrist too, but nothing else, and Courtney knew that Madam Pomfrey, the medi-witch at the hospital wing at Hogwarts, would be able to heal it in no time.
"You idiot!" Courtney hissed in Amanda's ear. "Never do that again!"
"What, get hurt?" Amanda snapped. "Like I'd want to do that again."
Courtney laughed as her sister stood up, holding her arm funny, then walked behind Amanda and over to the door, where Hermione and the others were.
"That was awesome!" Ron said as he saw Courtney. "All of it!" He added as Amanda glared at him. She looked happy after that.
"Don't tell anyone," Courtney warned. "Or I will have to transform again." Ron's mouth went shut, but that was only seconds before Professor Mcgonagall, Snape, and Quirrel showed up.
Professor Snape took one look at Amanda and narrowed his eyes, making her hiss slightly. Snape looked away, and then examined the troll.
Professor McGonagall was unhappy, however, and her lips were white. She was obviously furious, and Courtney knew that points would be taken from all of the houses today at one time.
"Explain yourselves!" McGonagall snapped, making Courtney narrow her eyes.
"Please, Professor," Hermione interrupted. "Harry and Ron were looking for me."
McGonagall turned to face her, her eyes narrowed into slits. "What do you mean, Miss Granger?" Hermione took a long, exhausted breath but then replied.
"I had gone looking for the troll," Hermione explained, making Courtney irritated again. "I—I thought I could handle it on my own—you know, because I've read all about them. If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived." McGonagall now looked as if she wasn't going to believe her, but then she sighed.
"I am very disappointed in you, Miss Granger." McGonagall said, making Hermione sigh silently in relief. Ron and Harry looked relieved, as well, but mostly surprised that Hermione lied to a teacher. Courtney was surprised, too, but she knew what McGonagall was going to point out next. "However, I would like to ask how these two got here." The professor finished, her hand waving and Courtney and Amanda.
"That, Professor," said Courtney. "will be a matter that I think the Headmaster would like to hear." McGonagall turned toward her with a confusion look, but Snape interrupted her before she could ask her question.
"Yes, Minerva," Snape said. "I think Miss Coppin is right." Amanda scoffed quietly, but Courtney's glare made her quiet.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall said, then looked to Harry, Ron and Hermione. "If you are not hurt, you may return to your dormitories. Most of the students are finishing the feast in their houses." All three of them nodded, and left.
McGonagall then looked at the two of them, narrowed her eyes tighter, and turned to walk out of the door. Courtney and Amanda followed, Snape making sure he walk behind them. Courtney figured that Quirrel was forced by Snape to stay behind, but couldn't know for sure.
Courtney waited quietly for Dumbledore to say something. She had just finished explaining everything, and why they transformed, which had been his first question. McGonagall seemed shocked—probably because Courtney had revealed that Hermione had lied—and Professor Snape seemed impressed, which was obviously because of what Amanda did. Amanda herself was sitting quite proudly in her chair, and yet Dumbledore still gave an emotionless expression that Courtney could only hope to learn in the future.
Finally the Headmaster sighed, then said, "Well, you have broken a rule. However, that was to defend yourself, so I am not going to expel you." Courtney gave a relieved sigh, despite herself, and Amanda looked even more pleased, if that was possible. Dumbledore then looked to Amanda. "What I would like to know is why you didn't just make it sleep, if your venom can in fact do so."
"I couldn't," Amanda put simply. "I didn't have enough time. To blind for a few seconds took me only three minutes, knocking it out would have took at least ten, and killing it would have taken an hour, probably. It all depends on how strong the venom has to be." Dumbledore paused, but then nodded.
"That is a reasonable answer," said Dumbledore, his smile growing. He frowned as he turned to Courtney, however, making her eyes narrow. "But going after your sister when you could have just told the professors was not."
"Sorry, Headmaster," Courtney apologized, though her voice was far from apologetic. "My protective instincts are still there, apparently." Dumbledore eyed her, making her smirk a little. Courtney knew that she had promised to leave the protecting up to the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress, but that was far from happening.
"Your sister did the right thing, at least." Dumbledore said, sighing. Courtney tilted her head to the side, confused.
"Kalayla?" asked Amanda. "What did she do?"
"She came and got the professors that came after you defeated the troll, Miss Coppin." said Dumbedore, smiling. "Hufflepuff will be awarded 15 points for that." Courtney narrowed her eyes again, but did not say anything. The wise old wizard had more to say and she knew it. "If you hadn't done it out of protecting Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger it would have been a lot more, but I am taking five points from Ravenclaw and Slytherin." Amanda frowned, but didn't say anything.
Dumbledore waited then, as Courtney and him had a staring contest, but then dismissed them after a few moments. Courtney stood gladly, and then swiftly walked out of the room. Amanda and her split up as soon as they were off of the stair case, and then she walked in silence.
Courtney then worked on calming herself down as she walked down a large dark hall. It was a wonder she hadn't transformed in the Headmasters office, she she quickly sped out of the Hogwart grounds when she found an opening and walked quickly over to the Forbidden Forest.
Courtney smiled as she realized that she wasn't breaking any rules. It was not yet time for her to be in the castle, and she was transforming outside of the castle. It was perfect.
When she made it to the forest, she made her ears listen for any human. Since she found none, she transformed for the second time that night and sprinted forward, running through the forest. It was a free feeling that made her purr softly. It was a wonder no one heard her, or anyone that cared, anyway. Courtney was loud when she transformed.
Courtney slowed to a jog after awhile, feeling the need to rest a bit. She was exhausted mostly from the troll incident, but running through the forest was also tiring. Even if she was in shape from coming to the forest every day, it wasn't long before she could get tired.
A quick movement caught her eye, making her eyes follow it. It looked like some dark figure, and it was chasing what looked like unicorn. Curious, Courtney followed as the two figures sprinted off.
Both of them were fast, Courtney noted as she dodged another tree. However, the darker figure seemed to be gliding, not running. Unless it was a dementor, which Courtney doubted, this—this thing was unknown to her. This irritated her, but was making her keep running was that this thing was trying to kill the unicorn, and then probably drink it's blood, which would result in a cursed life. Courtney just needed to figure out what this creature was.
Then the unicorn was caught, and a neigh of worry came from it. The dark figure killed it easily, then it fell to the ground. Courtney watched with disgust as the creature bent down and started sucking the blood out of the unicorn. She kept watching, making herself see everything so that she could catch a glimpse of it. She saw nothing but a dark cloak, which also irritated her.
When it stood—if Courtney even didn't call it standing—it seemed to turn toward her, though she had hidden safely behind a large bush that she could barely see out of. Then it glided forward, making Courtney wonder exactly how safe that bush was.
"There's someone here," said a voice, as if telling it to someone. "But I don't know exactly what it is. . ."
"Would you like me to find it, master?" asked another voice, though this one was firmer. It was definitely coming from underneath the cloak, and it sounded somewhat familiar. A few moments passed before she heard the first voice again.
"No," said the second voice. "I do not think that will be necessary." Then it glided onward, disappearing from sight. Courtney sighed with relief and walked out from behind the push. This was certainly something she'd talk to Dumbledore about, if she ever got the chance.
I'm just wondering what sort of creature that thing was, Courtney thought. It's as if it had two minds, and one wasn't supposed to be there. . .
Dear Courtney
Yes, I have sent this to Amanda and Kalayla, though neither of them responded with such a long letter. Neither of them even questioned about the Wolfsbane potion.
Haley did not remember taking the Wolfsbane potion, nor did she remember getting it. I think that Professor Snape forgot, but I would like to make sure. Could you talk to him about it, after class or something? I am sorry I am asking so much, but I do not feel that sending him a letter will end on a good note.
It is good that you're in Ravenclaw, and I am not disappointed in you or Amanda for the troll incident. You were protecting those you loved, no matter what you did to do it.
Please talk to Professor Snape.
Love,
Aunt Cynthia
As Courtney read the letter, she nearly ripped it into pieces. Professor Snape had not forgotten, and she knew that. He just didn't give it to her, probably because he heard that she was attending Hogwarts, and this made Courtney mad. He could have hurt her—physically and mentally—and she was going to find out why.
Courtney folded the letter carefully, put in her robe pocket, and stood up. She was the only one in the dormitory, thankfully, so her sudden leave would strike anyone's attention. After all, she spent most of her time on her bed reading books, or in the Library. Leaving like she did—stomping and probably looking as if she would kill somebody if they got in her way—would have made the whole room look at her, and then the rumors would be born. Courtney hated that.
As she opened the door out of the Ravenclaw tower, she felt even angrier. Snape had probably deliberately not given her the Wolfsbane potion after hearing that she would attend Hogwarts next year, and Courtney would not stand there and wait for him to realize that she needed the potion for her own sanity, and her sisters as well. She would have left it alone til later so that her sisters could help her make him understand how much of a danger "forgetting" to give Haley her potion was, but she figured that Kalayla would be to kind to force him, and Amanda would probably get detention for yelling at her Head of House. That would be bad, considering Amanda had only just ended her detention after the Gryffindor Tower incident, and at the moment, Courtney had to get her anger out at somebody, and soon.
It took her a little while to make her way toward the Slytherin dungeons, but she did it quicker than usual. Courtney sighed as she walked closer and closer to one of Snape's less private rooms, but stopped when she saw Harry walk into the same room she was about to go into. Courtney stopped moving and listened closely as she heard Snape yell to himself.
"Blasted thing," Snape muttered. "How are you supposed to keep your eyes on all three heads at once?" Courtney's eyes widened as she heard this, her heart skipping a beat, and then beating quicker. Why on earth was Snape seeing the three-headed dog? To get whatever it was guarding?
"POTTER!" Snape finally yelled. Courtney heard Harry murmur something, but didn't catch it. It was drowned out by Snape yelling, "Out! OUT!" Courtney watched as Harry left the room, his eyes looking dazed as he thought the exact same thing Courtney was.
Thinking quickly, Courtney rushed up to him before he could get away and said, "Keep what Snape said in mind," she warned. "It has something to do with whatever the dog is guarding. I think a visit to Hagrid might be a good idea, since he's so nice with animals."
Harry blinked, but then tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"I'm just getting suspicious about Snape," Courtney snapped, trying hard not to blow Haley's secret. "and you already seem interested, anyway. Just make sure to think about it." Harry nodded slowly, and then left. Courtney sighed in frustration, but then turned and entered the room.
Courtney was very surprised to find that one of Snape's legs had been badly wounded, and blood seemed to coat it enough to make it a deep red. Filch was helping bandage it up, though he would leave soon, Courtney was sure. Snape's eyes were already on her, making her smile a bit.
"Coppin! Out!" Snape snapped, as if she were a dog.
"Not likely," Courtney said darkly before growling a bit. "After what you did to my sister, I don't think I'm going to leave for awhile. Remember," she added as Snape began to interrupt her. "I have protective instincts." Snape sneered, but then shooed Filch away.
"I'll have Poppy fix the rest," Snape muttered. Filch left after that, probably sensing the tension. Courtney was still glaring at the Professor, making him squirm a bit. His uncomfortable look ended a few moments later, forcing Courtney to drop her expression as well.
"Why didn't you give Haley with Wolfsbane potion?" asked Courtney as soon as she heard Filch leave earshot.
"I did not think she needed it after you arrived, Miss Coppin," said Snape. "Obviously I am wrong." Courtney narrowed her eyes.
"You are lying, Professor," Courtney said, her voice darkening even more. She was going to talk him into circles until he understood, or maybe even into a corner. "I know Aunt Cynthia gave you a letter telling you to keep sending the potion—I watched her write it. You responded three days later, stating that you would."
"Prove it," Snape snapped, limping over to a nearby table. "Bring it up to the Headmaster. I doubt he'll believe you."
Courtney laughed.
"I doubt he will, too," Courtney agreed. "Which is another reason I'm keeping it secret. I don't want the Headmaster, nor Aunt Cynthia, to know about this little chat." Snape looked confused now, or as much as he could with that slimy emotionless mask that made Courtney unable to see what emotions lay behind it.
"Why?" Snape asked simply, making Courtney angrier.
Courtney grinned. "Because I don't want either of them to know how serious I'm taking it, though whining to them would make it sound like I'm weak." Courtney growled lowly. "Haley is my sister, and without her Kalayla, Amanda and I would be lost. We've always had the full moon to be free, but if you make our sister wild and dangerous we would have to stay away, and then you would be caging us up." She paused, but then sighed. "You wouldn't want to do that with your little snake, would you?"
"That isn't going to work, Miss Coppin," Snape muttered. "I am trained to ignore things like that."
"As am I, to some extent," said Courtney. "As you probably know."
"Yes, I have noticed," Snape snapped. "And I will glad to be rid of you after your O.W.L's."
Courtney laughed again, wondering how stupid Professor's had to be to get into Hogwarts. "That's five years from now, Professor," Courtney reminded him. "You're stuck with me until then."
"Unfortunately," Snape muttered, his eyes narrowed. Courtney smiled at this frustration, but then shook her head.
"I have to leave, now," Courtney explained. "But, just in warning, I shall have you know that I can do much worse things than talking you in circles if you "forget" my sisters potion again. That three-headed dog I have heard you talking about may just get another visit from someone. . .unfamiliar." And with that, Courtney left, leaving Snape gap at her knowledge behind her.
As she walked back to the Ravenclaw tower, she felt that she did something productive. Snape would not know how she got the information, though he would probably guess the answer. That wasn't bad, though. It had scared him enough.
A/N: I do not own Harry Potter.
Another chapter. =D I didn't have time to do it yesterday or before that. =)
See what I mean? Snapes conversation with Courtney was waaaaaay to. . .Mary-suish. *gags* but not all of her conversations are like that, and she gets fixed at the middle of this book, I promise. =)