Chapter 22 - Silver Ring
It was just after curfew when Anastasia Morrigan caught a glimpse of somebody sneaking into a darker part of the dungeons. She quickly Disillusioned herself and saw Pansy Parkinson heading to the shortcut that lead to the stairs. She made herself fully visible, and caught Pansy from behind. The girl let out a small shriek and turned around, bewildered. Seeing it was Anastasia, she breathed with relief.
"You scared the wits out of me," she breathed and held her hand against her chest. "Why didn't you just call me?"
"It it my duty to be sure that everyone stays in their respective houses after the curfew," she said.
"But I was just heading to the Hospital Wing, to make sure that Draco is okay," explained Pansy, with surprise clearly visible on her features.
"I know, and we are friends...but I became a Prefect for a reason, and if someone caught me making exceptions, it would not end well for me."
"But we ARE friends, and a little exception will simply go unnoticed if you won't make a lot of fuss about it."
Anastasia furrowed her brows; she hadn't been expecting this. "If this is your definition of friendship, then you really disappoint me. I can't risk my position for this, and I'm sure that Madam Pomfrey will keep Draco safe and well until tomorrow. Now better go back to the Slytherin Common room; you don't want to make me deduct points from my own house."
Pansy just shrugged and dragged her feet back to the Dormitory. She was worried that their friendship wasn't as strong as it seemed, but probably it was the Slytherin fate; loyalty wasn't their best trait. She was only going to visit Draco; he was a victim of that irresponsible oaf of a Professor. Pansy wanted to be by Draco's side during bad times not only for show, but because she deeply cared about him.
Anastasia should understand her better. If it was Marcus there, Anastasia would dump her prefect duties and run to the Hospital Wing; she was sure of that.
They walked back in silence, and as soon as they reached her room, Pansy just threw herself on the bed, crying silently. She wanted to know if he was really okay.
The Slytherin Common Room wasn't very crowded before breakfast, but Anastasia waited patiently. Goyle was an early bird, and he had a big appetite, so she didn't have to wait for a long time. Of course he passed her by, and didn't even notice that she was watching him.
"Hey Goyle!" she shouted before he reached the door. Was she really this invisible? That he didn't greet her even if she was the only occupant of the room? She sighed and looked at him.
"You called me?"
"Yes, I just have a little question for you, nothing big. Would you spare me a minute of your time?"
Goye shrugged. "Yeah." He plopped on the armchair, next to her. "What is it Nadia?"
"It's Anastasia," she said with resignation. She should be used to it by now, though.
"Whoops, sorry," said Goyle sheepishly.
"Doesn't matter. However, I'm very curious about what happened during yesterday's lesson of Care of Magical Creatures, where Malfoy was injured."
"Oh, that. Draco said something about 'bastard' to the big animal and it attacked him. Personally, I think he should have known better, 'cause the Professor told us to show respect for the thing, so I stayed back of course. I feel sorry for Draco, though, 'cause he was bleeding badly."
Anastasia nodded at that. "Pansy Parkinson claims that Draco did nothing wrong, and the fault lay entirely on the teacher's side. What can you tell me about it?"
Goyle scratched the back of his head. "Dunno. Maybe I wasn't watching so closely, as good as she did. Yeah, she could be right, but he warned us to behave nice."
"Have a good day, Goyle." she said dismissively, and boy just got up and left. Probably Draco wasn't troubling Goyle's mind the way it was for her.
Argus Filch just opened one eye lazily during his afternoon nap when he heard a knock on the door. He wrapped himself in a robe and opened the door to Katia Ivanov.
"Hello," she said and smiled broadly. "Did you miss me?"
Argus just shook his head. "Finally managed to get off the arm of the Quidditch Captain to spare me five minutes, huh?" he said, but inside it felt nice to see her. He let her in and gestured to the armchair as he started to remove the empty bottles from tea table.
"I missed you too. If you do not mind, I would like to practice under your watchful eye my dance this year. I must thank you, by the way. You really helped me to pass."
Filch just rolled his eyes. "Should I thank Merlin that you still have your teeth after you fell face first when you claimed that you're ready?"
Katia laughed. "That was a good one. If you're so interested about who is dating who, you may be able to answer me one question. It is really troubling me after I made some observations."
"Girl, if you weren't plaguing me with your presence all last year and you weren't glued to Flint's arm for the last two days I saw you, then I wouldn't give a damn. I'm not interested in schoolgirl crushes, believe me."
Katia boiled some water and put a teapot on the table. She then took two cups from the cabinet and poured some hot tea. "Would you like me to get some milk?" she asked, but Filch knew her so well now, that he figured that she surely was up to something.
"You very well know that I take my tea black."
"So maybe I can get you a steak for late dinner, you must be hungry."
Filch frowned. She usually got him dark chocolates or fruit salad; something she could digest. This was getting weird, and he grew impatient.
"Where are you heading with that? Get yourself a steak if you're so hungry and give me a break. This is the questions of yours? If I have milk to my tea or a steak for a dinner?"
"Sorry," she said, lowering her gaze. "Just why don't you want anything?"
"Honestly? I have a serious diarrhea and puking problem after I eat those. Satisfied? Or would you try to smuggle some to see if I'm telling the truth?"
Katia just shook her head. "No, I would never do that."
"I just have a sweet tooth for milk chocolates, even if I regret it afterwords. What was that question of yours?" asked Argus, who could barely contain his growing curiosity. Katia rarely asked stupid questions, and that's why he allowed her to come to him in first place.
"It is that I've noticed ongoing animosity between the new Professor of the Dark Arts and Professor Snape. Before you say it's nothing , I wanted to add that it seemed to me that Professor Lupin wasn't impressed by Professor Snape's loathing gaze. I thought that maybe you can tell me something, because they were both students here not so long time ago. From what I know, Professor Snape is only thirty four years old."
Argus hasn't expected that. He had suspected that she may ask about Lupin, but this was a nasty case, and he wasn't eager to tell her about all the shit that went on with Marauders. They cost him a lot of nerves and humiliation , and they tried to make his duties living hell many times. However, she had told him about Potter and his friends last year, and she deserved an answer.
He exhaled audibly. "Very well, but know that there is no pleasure in it for me to tell you about that."
Katia took a sip from her cup and raised her hand. "If you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to tell me. There is always a possibility that I'll find out on my own."
Filch slammed his fist against the table. "I'm not made of porcelain; you don't need to keep me in some nice cocoon. I may not like it, but it will do no harm to my psyche to tell you the tale. But I assure you, it is not a nice tale."
"I would like to hear it anyway, please."
"Well, then. Snape was a poor lad. He wasn't very social either, and the fact he was Lily Evans friend wasn't adding to his sympathy from the Marauders. There were four of them: James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. They pulled nasty and cruel pranks on him, and they finally took him somewhere where..." He trailed off. "I'm not supposed to tell you what it was. I promised to keep the secret."
"Then don't tell."
"What I can tell you is that it was a situation where Snape almost lost his life, but Potter senior came to his senses and dragged him out of there. He was seen as heroic by doing that but, bollocks. My arse that it was heroic because he was conspiring with the others all the time and was leading the group."
"You're telling about Black and Potter senior. What about Lupin?"
"Lupin was always hanging there, and kept an eye out for teachers, out for me, in situations when they cornered poor Snape. Usually he stayed as a mere observer, but not always. Four to one it was, and Pettigrew encouraged them to be nastier, more straightforward in engaging Snape. And I tell you, that this animosity comes from that. And Dumbledore giving the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to Lupin? It was like he poked Snape in the eye."
"You've said that Potter senior was very close to Black. I cannot understand what reason Black could have to be against Potter's family."
"The same as any of them would have. I can see none. They were a group that went everywhere together, lived in the same room, attended to the same classes, and shared the same animosity towards Snape. I wish I knew. Then I could help solve the mystery of Sirius Black."
Katia put her hand over Filch's wrist. This had a strange calming effect on him. "Thank you for telling me this. I agree that there was nothing pleasant, and knowing how students can be, they took it as a goal to make your life miserable."
Filch pulled his hand immediately, as if he'd been burned. "Don't pity me girl, because it will be the last thing you do in our acquaintanceship."
"It is not!" she protested. "I know what they say about you, and I strongly disagree. The same time I can't tell the students anything, and I can imagine how could it be when more creative troublemakers take fun in pissing you off." She closed the distance between them a little and looked him straight in the eyes. "Tell me, would you really prefer if I left and never came back?"
"For Merlin sake, Katia! It's not the point. I have a fierce temper and you very well know that. You just like to try my patience too much."
Argus calmed down. He wondered how much would be too much for the girl. If she decided that she wasn't welcomed by any means, he wouldn't be depressed but he had to admit that her visits were a welcomed change in his routine. In a fact, there was never a student who came to his rooms, or came to his office of their own will.
"It works both ways. My temper conquers yours, but I restrain myself because you are superior to me. Honestly, I don't know if I will always be able to do that. Please, keep that in mind."
Argus laughed a deep, throaty laugh. "You are impossible girl." Polite and straightforward, she really wanted to be here, to talk with him for reasons he didn't know. Was she happy in his dingy office? The witty, athletic teenager who could have the world at her feet, had fun talking with the old caretaker despised by the students and vice versa?
Unknown to him, Katia had left the castle after their little chat, and walked to the border.
Pansy was beaming when Draco Malfoy appeared late to their Potion lesson. She had come to terms with the fact that Anastasia wouldn't let her to Hospital Wing after the curfew, so she visited Draco during the day, but now...Now he finally came back to class and poked Potter on the nose with being late without consequences.
"How is it, Draco?" simpered Pansy Parkinson. "Does it hurt much?"
"Yeah," said Malfoy as he put on a brave sort of grimace. He had to be in real pain, she thought. Little did she know that behind her back, he winked towards Crabbe and Goyle.
She heard Katia Ivanov sigh. What was it to her? She didn't go and visit Draco even once. Daphne Greengrass elbowed Ivanov in the ribs and they both went to competition of slicing fast and precise, and added some ingredients in the mean time. Surely, they would have their potion ready long before the rest of the class.
Draco went back to bullying Weasley a bit by getting the ginger-haired boy to slice and skin his ingredients, and Pansy giggled at that. Deep inside, she would have gladly helped Draco.
Pansy followed Draco to their next class. She promised herself to stand for him and help him with whatever task they would be assigned to.
"Why the sad face, Pansy?" asked Draco suddenly, and she was so deep in thought that she dropped her bag. Fortunately, there were only two subjects today, so there wasn't much to collect from the floor.
"Sorry," she said. "It was like...Gryffindors have no compassion at all. I bet they would've laughed if that crazy Hippogriff had killed you."
"I'm not that easy to kill," he said cheerfully and together they went to their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Pansy felt so happy inside because she was accompanying Draco, and Crabbe with Goyle were walking behind.
Marcus Flint just went back to the Slytherin common room from supper alone. During the evenings, Katia usually sat in library with the Gryffindor bookworm. If she was always there, he had no idea, but she had always found time to go with him to Quidditch practice, to watch him fly. He was just about to get her for supper, the one he prepared for her, when Morrigan, a girl from his class joined him. He usually paid her no mind, as she was a gray mouse with her nose constantly in a book. This time she actually got in to his way.
"Hey Flint!" She waved.
"Hello," he said; he was unsure if her last name was Morrigan or Merrygan.
"I just wanted to tell you that I completely support you against Malfoy," she said; she looked behind him as if to make sure that Malofy wasn't anywhere near.
Marcus stopped; she now has his attention.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I've talked to his classmates, and they briefly they told me that he engaged the Hippogriff on purpose and his injury wasn't really all that serious; that's what Madam Pomfrey said. He played us for pity; he wants the teacher sacked, and I fully support your dislike towards him."
This had Marcus wondering. "I thought you were inseparable with Parkinson, who is drooling all over him. Do you think I'll believe that you switched sides with no reason?"
Morrigan flushed pink. "I've never 'switched sides', as you put it, and Pansy is my friend, but I've never fancied that Malfoy brat myself. I thought that you might be interested in the fact that he wasn't sincere by any means, and your dislike towards him is very well justified. And please, call me Anastasia."
Marcus looked at her again, suspiciously, but she seemed sincere. He extended his hand.
"Marcus."
Little did he know what a swarm of butterflies started to fly in Anastasia's belly caused by this simple shake of hands.
Marcus met Katia in the corridor. She was a little short of breath, as if she had been running and had came from the opposite direction than the Library.
"Hey, you missed supper!" he said. She embraced him.
"Sorry, I just lost track of time." she said with a smile. He was about to ask where she came from, when she kissed him fully on the lips. Her face was cold, but all questions were forgotten as she pressed herself against him.
"I've got a surprise for you," he said as he led her to the dungeons.
"What is it Marcus?" she asked as they passed the entrance to the Slytherin rooms.
"If I told you, there would be no surprise."
"You've got me."
They came to a rather large niche; Marcus swished his wand, and two pillows appeared. With another swish, two plates full of grilled vegetables and potato pancakes appeared. "I thought that if you didn't want the supper in a Great Hall, we can have our own private supper here."
Katia shook her head. "I can't believe it! It's so… so very nice of you." She put hands on her cheeks and smiled. This smile melted something inside him.
When they were seated, Marcus took two silver rings from his pocket.
"I've bought them during summer and I thought it would be a perfect occasion to give you this". He handed her one ring and she looked at it.
There was a tiny, tiny carving inside: Always yours. Marcus
"Thank you," she said and kissed him. She slid her ring over her thumb. She thought it was big at first but it fit her perfectly.
He did the same with his ring. "The writing can be seen only by you and they adjust to fit any finger you put it on. I thought it would be cool, as in Lord of the Rings, though golden ones were ridiculously expensive."
Whatever he wanted to add was silenced by her kiss. She embraced him from her cross legged position and stroked his hair. "I prefer a silver one, really. How did they do it that only I can see the sentence inside?"
She took the ring off her finger and inspected it closely. Her full lips were pressed in concentration as she waved her wand, but apparently found nothing.
"They coded it magically somehow to fit your magical signature. I had one of your hairs and it was enough."
Katia raised her eyebrows and smiled broadly. "That's so cool, especially that we both have the same ones!"
"I thought it would be some sign that we will be together and for you to always think about me when you look at the ring."
She shook her head. "I think of you all the time anyways." Then, she started to eat the food, but Marcus felt too overwhelmed with the fact she liked the ring, he didn't feel like eating right now.
"You know, sometimes I can't believe my luck. What do you see in me? You are from a wealthy family, you're pretty, and you're smart. I bet most of the boys are jealous and you could pick any of them. I'm not the nicest guy ever and -" Katia clamped her hand against his mouth.
"Stop it, Marcus! I won't hear that rant any longer. You're the one I care for; I don't want any other boy. When I look at you, I feel a nice warmth inside. You're smart, funny, and you have the fire that I really like. Don't bother with that fucking Transfiguration. You're not stupid! I barely passed my last year here."
"Flint!"
A loud scream echoed in the hallway. "Flint where are you?"
Marcus excused himself and stepped out of the niche. "I'm here Montague. Why so loud?"
"Hooch is gathering all Captains to set the matches. We couldn't find you anywhere, so you're late. Get your ass in motion"
"I'm coming," said Marcus and then turned to Katia. "Don't wait for me. It will probably take an hour or so. I'm sorry."
She smiled. "That's fine. I know you have your duties, and we can't be with each other all the time; though I would prefer to be. Thank you, Marcus."
Anastasia Morrigan was in the center of attention for the first time: she was organizing the Slytherin party after the feast in the Great Hall. She should be happy, but instead she just watched Marcus Flint, who wasn't interested in decorations. He had one personal decoration, which sat in his lap, and giggled madly. They were all drinking U-boots (A Butterbeer mixed with Firewhiskey) and the pair had obviously had enough of them.
"All right guys. Enough drinking, we're about to have a party and some of you," she pointed and Flint and Ivanov, "have obviously had enough."
"Did you swallow a broomstick that you're not allowed to remove, Morrigan?" asked Bole, and everyone laughed.
Anastasia became red and looked at her knees. In the meantime, Katia and Marcus left Hog's Head and headed to the less crowded place.
They kissed and Katia tilted head to one side to give him better access to her neck. He bit her; it was a little too harsh in his opinion, but she moaned and pressed herself against him.
"It's cold, but I'm so hot," she breathed to his ear, and inhaled his scent, which drove her crazy. "I want you so badly that it hurts," she said as she arched her back and pushed his hand under her bra. He pinched her hard nipple and cupped her breast; Katia started to move her hips against him. "Touch me, hurt me, please don't stop," she moaned as he slid another hand under her blouse.
Katia's curse was fully in control, and Marcus didn't seem to have a problem with that. But he didn't know about it, so it flattered him that the girl couldn't get enough of him. "You want me to continue?" he asked as he lifted her bra.
"Please Marcus, please," she said as she pressed her chest to his hands.
He pinched another nipple, twisting it as he was kissing kissed her passionately. His rough, hard fingers were multiplying the sensations that she felt. This time, she was more straightforward than ever, and she was encouraging him to be more rough on her. He could swear that no one, nothing ever made him so close to lose control over himself. He stopped being gentle, squeezing squeezed her breasts, pulling pulled her nipples, biting bit the delicate skin of her neck, and pressed pressing her with to his body as hard as he could against the door.
Katia felt a rush of heat between her legs and lost herself completely.
With one swift motion, she opened his trousers, slid her hand into his boxers, and took member and stroked it. He was exceptionally aroused, and he could feel her gently stroking him with her hand. Her other hand was holding his neck tightly while she carved a path of kisses there. If he had a tiny bit of self-control, it had left him completely.
He lifted Katia and helped her to get rid of the lower part of her clothes. He put a hand between her legs and slid a finger inside her, and felt a tight, wet heat there, and then he heard her sharp intake of breath. He didn't want to imagine how it would be to feel it with his member. He was about to enter her and experience it when someone shouted.
"And what in the Merlin's sake is going on here!"
Marcus let her go and did his best to cover himself.
A short plump woman with pretty face stood not too far away from them, with her finger pointed at them.
"You, Flint, you think that you're going to...to screw this girl against my back door?"
"Madam Rosemerta, we're so-so sorry! I- we didn't mean to..."
Katia slowly came back into her senses. She hid face in her palms. It wasn't only shame. She was literally an inch from a total catastrophe.
While Marcus was explaining them, she adjusted her clothes, and took her leave. She ran, and punched nearby trees so hard that her knuckles were bruised.
"Fuck it all to hell," she swore under her breath. She reached Hogwarts quickly and went to the Prefect's bathroom. Her face looked wild, her hair was a mess, she had bite marks on her neck, and her knuckles were bloodied.
I'm so, so stupid. I should have ended it when I had the opportunity. Just walk in opposite directions and never greet him on the fucking train station.
She slid against the wall and sat there for a long while. It didn't help that she looked at the silver ring on her thumb. She would never ever date him again. This was over. She slid the ring from her thumb and aimed, willing to throw it away with all her might.
No, I would never.
She put the ring back on her finger and combed her hair using fingers before she pulled it back into a neat ponytail, and took her fringe back along with the rest of her hair.
She went to back to her room, and changed in trousers and high collar jacket - which hid the bite mark on her neck, took a sobering potion, and headed straight to Dumbledore's office.
"Hello Miss Ivanov," Dumbledore greeted her. "Please take a seat and explain to me what brings you here during the evening of Halloween when everyone is having fun in Hogsmeade and are preparing for the feast."
"I came, because you've left me a note sir."
Dumbledore stroked his beard. "Oh yes, my child. Your father asked me to schedule your lessons in Legilimency."
Katia straightened in her seat. "Headmaster Dumbledore, kindly refrain from calling me a child, please. I'm an Adept who is at the end of training, and soon, nothing childish will be left in me at all, sir."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Oh, oh. So mature and rebellious. Remarkable. Tell me Miss Ivanov, has something really significant happened in your life recently? Something bad?"
"I refuse to answer as you mock me, sir. I've devoted my life to gather information in a particular way that is both humiliating and life-threatening."
"Now, now. You do your best to sound like an adult, and in your head I believe that you are very mature. Nevertheless, believe me when I tell you, Miss Ivanov, that you have a long road ahead. But we will talk about that after your initiation. For now, you are what...fifteen, sixteen? I am terribly sorry for shattering your delusions."
Katia took a calming breath. "I am sixteen, Headmaster Dumbledore. I am terribly sorry as well...That you cannot put yourself in my position, sir. I am young and I have my wants, which are at mostly inconvenient in the face of upcoming events. I must train, learn, run, dance, and I have to control myself in situations when I want to sit, cry, and smash something. If that wasn't enough, I'm a slip of a witch, and whatever you may personally think, I am sure that Professor McGonagall would be most pleased to fail me. Can you put yourself in my place? A talented wizard; you had the world at your feet, and you are still superior to many others when a muggle man dies being half your age. Not to mention he shits in his bed and calls food 'yada yada'."
Dumbledore chuckled softly and leaned back in his seat. "You may have your point Miss Ivanov, as well as I have mine. But we will not go far defending our grounds; someone has to let go. You may treat it as your first lesson: don't give too much. Moreover, remember, training and orders are important, but do not let them always influence your judgment; sometimes, the heart knows better." He gestured at the door. "You are dismissed, Miss Ivanov."
"Yes sir." Katia rose from her seat and gave a stiff nod before she left.
Marcus searched for her everywhere. He went into every pub and shop in Hogsmeade, but to no avail. She probably left Hogsmeade, he thought. Surely, she was ashamed, maybe even terrified with the fact that he was so straightforward. However, it seemed that she had taken the lead, and he was more like a willing participate. There was no shyness or fear in her actions. He went back to the Hog's Head and ordered another U-boot.
Someone tapped his arm.
"I believe, that you shouldn't have any more now," said Morrigan.
In a flash, he was angry. Stupid twit just babbled about some meaningless decorations when his girlfriend had literally left him with pants down and ass hanging up in the air. Hell knows where he should go to search for her.
"What are you babbling about? Why are you talking to me?" he spat.
Anastasia made a step backwards and Marcus smiled. She was terrified, and somehow it made him feel better. He remembered Katia fighting back instead of cowering from him.
Morrigan's eyes were big and full of unshed tears.
Marcus decided that it was enough. He took the bottle and marched out of the pub. But he couldn't get rid of some sense of foreboding; it welled up in his stomach.
He reached Hogwarts rather fast, but Katia was nowhere to be seen. The common room was deserted, as the students who weren't allowed Hogsmeade had already left for the feast.
He went there as well, but there was only a few people there.
Katia breathed heavily in the cold air. The hallways were long and she ran all the way. The curse held her strongly and her agitation wasn't helping at all. She sat on a cold rock, and wiped her muddy shoes against the grass.
Her breaths were too loud to hear footsteps from behind her. She didn't have a chance to scream, as a hand clamped her mouth. An arm embraced her throat quickly, silencing her muffled moan.
She became silent for fear that the one who held her would strangle her to death. If the predicament she found herself in wasn't bad enough, the curse started making her feel aroused with fact that a stranger held her like that. Her senses saved her anyway. Particularly, her sense of smell.
Dear lord, how he stunk!
"Don't you know that wandering alone can put you in a lot of trouble?" asked a raspy voice from behind.
She shook her head as 'no'.
"If you promise to be quiet, I'll take the hand off your mouth. Nod if you agree."
Katia nodded and as soon as she could speak, she asked, "What kind of trouble?"
The man laughed, and it was bark-like laugh that she'd never heard before. "Me," he said, and he turned her face a little so she could see him.
A/N: Who might it be? Who is the stranger and the harder part: what can he possibly want? I'm waiting for your suggestions :)