A/N: I can't stop writing this fic. I think it has a hypnotic hold over me 0_0. It's scaring me!

Chapter 3

Red Dragon opened the door and carefully closed it behind her. On the other side of the room, sitting at a large desk and going through some experiment results, sat the Headmaster. He looked up as she came in, a flash of light reflecting off his dark glasses. "What are you doing here?" his voice held a trace of irritation, but was otherwise expressionless. For answer she took the folder out of her bag and held it out towards him. He took it from her hand, almost snatching in his eagerness to see how the first stage of his plan had gone. He nodded approvingly as he read the messages. "You have done well. It is obvious that she has no idea about whose side you are truly on, your skill with words is apparent here". Red Dragon inclined her head slightly in recognition of the compliment. It was rare that she was praised and she felt privileged when her hard work was recognised.

Slipping the paper back into the folder, the Headmaster enquired "When will she next be available?" Red Dragon wondered why he was asking her that question when the answer was on the paper he had just read. Fighting to keep the irritation from her voice, she replied "She said that she would be back online tomorrow. Apparently she is calling a SPLAT meeting, which most certainly means that she will try to give me instructions."

The Headmaster studied her for a long moment, and seeing no trace of emotion in her face; favoured her with a smile that was barely discernable. Red Dragon felt very much as though she had passed some kind of test, but dared not question the Headmaster on the subject. Nodding thoughtfully to himself as he considered his prefect's information, he made no effort to conceal his annoyance as a knock sounded at the door. With more force than perhaps he had intended, he snapped "Enter!" Red Dragon flinched and backed away from him slightly, her feet brushing the edge of the evolution accelerator which had been moved from the creeper-filled BRC to the Headmaster's currant lab.

The door opened and Rose came into the office. There was an expression on her face akin to indignation, and Red Dragon gained the impression that she would soon unburden herself by delivering a tirade against her rival prefect. She was not disappointed "Please Sir, I think it is very unfair that Red Dragon is involved in your plans and I am not. You are favouring her, she's only been your Prefect for six months and she is doing all the important jobs!" Red Dragon fought to keep her face under control, and outwardly showed no reaction. However, inside she was calling Rose every bad name she could think of. At that precise moment she felt a combination of urges, from slapping that self-satisfied look off her smug face, to watching the Headmaster's reaction to having his orders questioned. Eventually she decided on the latter. The Headmaster frowned at this resistance and said in a dangerously soft voice "Firstly, you know better to question my orders, I expect better from you. Secondly, the reason Red Dragon is involved in my plans is because she is the Head Prefect of my online operations, and it is much easier to use her to ensnare Dinah Hunter, as she has a power base established there. Thirdly, I am in no way favouring her and I am astounded that you perceive me to be" Rose scowled but did not comment further. There was a look on his face that promised retribution to the next person who even so much as mentioned his orders.

The Headmaster picked up the results and moved over to a bookcase to put them in the relevant folder. While he was occupied Rose hissed in a savage whisper "You may have been able to get away with forcing me out of my right to be involved in the Headmaster's plans, but you will not stay in your position for long". Her scowl turned into a sneer "with all your devotion to the Headmaster, you are nothing more than a beginner; you must do as I say!" This was something that Red Dragon was incapable of ignoring and she darted a burning glare in her direction. She knew that if she retaliated with words then the Headmaster would hear her; and he was in a mood where it could mean serious consequences if the heavy silence in the office was in any way disturbed. However, there was something she could do which would not attract his attention. Keeping one eye on the Headmaster, she did something she had wanted to do for a long time. She gave Rose the finger.

Rose gaped at her, her eyes wide, unable to believe that a junior prefect would treat her with such disrespect. Then she snapped "How dare you! You freak! No wonder your mother died, she was probably trying to get away from you!" That did it. Red Dragon could take a lot of things, but one thing she could not stand was anyone attacking her with her mum's death. All her self control and calmness snapped. She suddenly snarled "Don't you go saying things about my mum you self-satisfied bitch!"

Instantly the Headmaster spun round, his lab coat snapping, and an expression of utter fury crossed his face. His voice suddenly thundered through their dispute, making both of them jump. "STOP THIS CHILDISH ARGUMENT AT ONCE! I am ashamed that both of you would act this way! This is no way for Prefects, especially ones as high ranking as you, to behave. You are meant to be setting an example!" Red Dragon swallowed, a combination of fear and burning rage twisting her insides. She also felt ashamed, as she knew she should not have reacted to Rose's taunts. The Headmaster hated any outburst of strong emotion and he was now very disappointed that the Prefect who had shown such control earlier had now succumbed to her emotions. Unable to meet his gaze, she hung her head, muttering "Sorry, Sir" and staring at the spotless floor.

Rose, however, was not going to let such a breach of authority go unchecked. "I will say anything I want about your mother! Don't you give me orders! You must obey me!" Rose was so angry that she gave Red Dragon a hard shove. Taken by surprise, she toppled backwards, landing on the evolution accelerator. Which at that moment was fully active. Suddenly, she felt a most terrible, burning pain spread throughout her entire body. She was only able to loose a single agonised scream before everything seemed to dissolve.