Cookie05: Cool.

max artemis potter: Thanks.

unnamed anonymous reviewer: Thank you, I'm so glad you like it! :)

ButterflyFlyToMe: Something tells me that you like the Rangers.

darklilyofthevalley: Yeah, I thought so too.

AnnabethWeasley22: Thank you.

SGWLESSUIT: Thanks, I'm really glad you think so. The name Vaisey actually does appear in one of the Harry Potter books. Ron claims that he's the best Chaser on the Slytherin Quidditch Team, but apparently was hit in the head by a bludger. The way I see it, that could be referring to Aleron or his older brother who he sometimes talks about.

"But I don't want to go!" Vaisey protested angrily. It had been several days since Rose had first invited them, and no matter how much he complained, Annabeth took none of it. "Besides," the Slytherin boy added, "I'm pretty sure she doesn't want me there either."

"I really do not care," replied Annabeth. "You are not going to weasel your way out of this one. There is no way I am going to that party alone. And besides," she added slyly, "you owe me one."

Aleron groaned. It was true, he did owe her. He owed her big time. But still, why did it have to be this? He would do anything else, anything other than go to that Hufflepuff's stupid party. It just wasn't fair.

Rose's birthday party was being held in Hogsmeade. And although first-years were usually not allowed in the wizard village, Zeller had managed to talk her parents into working something out. As long as they had an invitation.

As the two made their way over to the town, something began to circle them overhead. It was Admete, Annabeth's owl. Chase and Vaisey stopped, waiting for the bird to come.

Admete swooped down and landed on Annabeth's shoulder. The perched bird stuck out her talon, waiting patiently for the young girl to take it.

Opening the note, she saw it was written in Greek. It read:

Meet me at the secret place. There are matters we need to discuss. Come alone.

-Nott

Annabeth scribbled back a reply on the back and sent her owl off. She turned to Aleron. "Okay, funny story. You see, something just came up and I have to meet Nott. He said to come alone, but if you're so desperate to get out of going to that party, you can join me if you want."

Vaisey shook his head quickly. "No way. If Nott says to go alone, you go alone and hope he'll give you a painless death. I'd rather go to the party!"

Annabeth nodded, slightly amused. She had anticipated this. "Okay, so you go to the party. Tell Rose I'm just running a little late. And when I get there, you better be present."

Aleron didn't know why, but he decided that he better not cross Annabeth. He could always hide in the loo until she came, claiming that he had a stomach ache, but something told him that she would see though his lie instantly. So he reluctantly agreed to the terms.

Not in any rush to reach the party, Aleron took his sweet time getting there. On his way, Vaisey noticed an abnormally large group of students making their way towards Hogshead. Aleron didn't know all of their names, but he recognized some. It was an odd group that included several of the Weasleys, Smith, the Patils, and even that annoying mudblood from their class. They didn't seem like the kind of people who would get along.

Instantly Aleron's mind filled with questions. Why were they headed towards Hogshead? What were they doing? And why did they look so skittish? Overcome by his curiosity, Vaisey hid in the bushes, and decided to do what Slytherins do best: snoop.

The Weasley girl kept glancing around nervously, as if to make sure no one was following them - - which, coincidently, was exactly what Vaisey was doing. He smirked. Oh, the irony.

"What'cha doin'?"

"Ahh!" Vaisey cried. He looked at the group. Thankfully nobody had heard. Aleron turned to face . . . Harper. He rolled his eyes. Of course. It was just his luck that of all people to catch him spying, it would be him. "Be quiet!" he hissed.

Harper laughed. "What's this?" he asked in mock surprise, "Aleron Vaisey, spying? Wow, and all this time I thought you were just a goody-two-shoes. Maybe you a Slytherin, after all."

"Shut up," he growled. "You're not even supposed to be here. It's for third-years and up only."

"I could ask you the same question, or do rules not apply to you?"

"I happen to be going to a birthday party. I have special permission to visit the village." Oh no, the party! He had completely forgotten. Annabeth was going to kill him.

"Okay," said Harper, "but I'm pretty sure spying on people from the bushes is not part of the party," he grinned slyly. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Oh, Vaisey. You naughty, naughty little boy."

"Says the kid who snuck out. Just keep silent," he ordered, and crept closer to the group.

" . . . You sure this is a good idea?" one of the boys asked. "I mean, what if we're caught? I promised my parents that I wouldn't get into any trouble this year."

"But the trouble is justified!" a Hufflepuff girl protested. Several of the others nodded in agreement.

Aleron and Forrest exchanged glances. Harper raised his eyebrows and Vaisey just shrugged. They continued to listen.

"Besides," said another, "if anyone can do it, Potter can. I mean, who better to teach us then 'The Boy Who Lived' himself?"

Harper snorted. "More like 'The Boy Who Just Wouldn't Die'!" even Vaisey cracked a smile.

"Keep your voices down," a Ravenclaw ordered, "we don't want any trouble."

The others nodded and soon their conversation turned into inaudible murmurs. And after straining their ears to listen for several minutes without success, the two boys finally gave up.

"Well," Harper said, getting up and dusting himself off, "that was pointless." He looked down at his pants, they were now covered in dirt. "Great," he muttered, "Mum's going to have a fit."

"What do you think they were talking about?" asked Vaisey, "It sounded like they were forming some sort of club, and Potter is going to be their leader. Do you realize what this means?"

The other boy looked bewildered for a moment, and then nodded in understanding. No words needed to be exchanged, for they both shared the same one: blackmail.

"We'll need to find out more information before doing anything," Vaisey said, "Annabeth can help, too."

"Fine," Harper agreed. His companion began sprinting in the other direction. "Hey, where are you going?"

"To the party." If he wanted Annabeth's help, he would have to start by getting on her good side.

Aleron was sure that by the time he reached the party he would come face to face with a glaring Annabeth demanding to know why he was late. Vaisey spent the walk trying to come up with semi-believable excuses as to why. But, surprisingly, when he finally reached the place Annabeth wasn't there. In fact, there was only one person present. Rose Zeller sat on the floor crying.

He stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of what to do. "Is the party over already?" he asked. But the little girl seemed to have not heard him, she was too lost in her tears. "Hello?" he said a bit more loudly. No response. Now angry, Vaisey shouted, "Hey, Zeller!"

This time Rose looked up. Seeing the Slytherin boy, she quickly stood up and wiped her tears away. She glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I was invited."

Rose looked down, "Oh," she said. Suddenly she stomped her foot. Pointing her index finger at him, as if accusing the boy of some horrible crime, she cried, "It was YOU! YOU did it! This is your fault! YOU told them not to come!"

"Told who - - " Vaisey stopped as he realized what must have happened. Nobody had shown up. That's why she had been crying. He instantly felt a pang of guilt for not wanting to come, but with one look into those cold eyes and all pity for the girl vanished. How could she possible accuse him of doing such a thing? It wasn't fair. "Has the thought ever occurred to you that perhaps nobody showed up because they all hate you?" he asked, his voice drawling nastily.

Zeller froze. Clearly, the idea had never once struck her. Her blue eyes watered and for one horrible moment Vaisey thought that she was going to cry again, but she didn't. Instead she said, "then why did you come?"

"I came because Annabeth wanted me to. But seeing that I am clearly not welcome, I will just be on my way," he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Rose said suddenly. Aleron paused and turned around. "Why don't . . . why don't you stay for a little bit?" she asked.

Vaisey was so surprised by the question that for a moment he just stood there. He couldn't have possibly heard her correctly. She wanted him to stay? One look into her eyes, however, told the truth. The poor girl was so desperate for a companion that she was willing to accept a Slytherin.

Once again, he could not help but take pity on the girl. It was pathetic, really. Not a single person had shown up. He hesitated. And for years to come, he would not understand why he did what he did next, but it felt right.

The Slytherin boy nodded.

Yay, another update!

Coming up: Annabeth strikes a bargain with Theodore Nott, and the aftermath of Rose's birthday party has some shocking results.

Please review!