Chapter 14

Trinity left her Uncle's office and made her way towards Hagrid's hut. She tapped on the door and when it was opened she was greeted with a warm smile.
"Hello, stranger!" Hagrid motioned for her to come in and closed the door. Trinity seated herself on the gigantic armchair as Hagrid sat on the sofa beside Fang.
"I'm sorry I didn't come on Wednesday...I wasn't feeling well."
"Don't worry about it, I'm going to see Norbert after dinner if you want to come." Hagrid smiled kindly, "are you feeling better now?"
"Yes thank you, and I'd love to come." Trinity pulled the dragon mug out of her bag. "I noticed your mug was chipped, so...happy Christmas."
Hagrid chuckled and took the big mug in his hand, "thank you, Trinity. I've got something for you too." He got up, "I rescued him actually. The man said he was going to skin him! I couldn't let the poor creature die, so I took him in but...I didn't have enough room for any more animals, so I thought of you." He opened the front door to his hut and stepped outside, "come along!" He called. Trinity frowned as she got up and followed the giant.
Round the back of the hut was a brown furry cat with black spots, trying to catch butterflies. "Trinity, this is a Kneazle. His name is Pip, happy Christmas!" He picked up the cat-like creature and handed him to the Gryffindor.
"I've never had a pet before." She said, taking the cat in her arms and petting his head. "Thank you Hagird. He's the best gift I've ever had."
The Kneazle purred and rubbed his head against Trinity's hand before leaning towards her and sniffing her curiously. He tiltled his head to the side before placing his paw on her earlobe and meowing quietly.
Hagrid chuckled, "he seems to have taken a liking too you. Do you know anything about Kneazle's?" He asked.
Trinity shook her head, "not much." She replied, "can't they tell the difference to a persons enemy's and their friends?"
Hagrid nodded, "and they'll warn you about trouble and danger. They're life-savers," he said, petting Pip gently on the head. "You seem to be a very wary girl, Trinity. About who's trustworthy and loyal, and who isn't. I thought Pip would bring out more confidence in you."
Trinity smiled, her green eyes sparkling. "Thank you, Hagrid."

Trinity and Pip were sat together in the Gryffindor common room that afternoon, Pip was curled up infront of the fire and Trinity was admiring Draco's handwriting as she did her Potions homework. She'd finally finished her final three Dark Arts essays which had taken her just over two hours to compete. She was now writing her final Potions essay, and she still had to do three questionnaires.
Pip lifted his head and pawed Trinity's foot, meowing softly. The raven haired Gryffindor patted the cushion beside her, and the Kneazle hopped up and settled down on her lap, purring in content.
The amber flames dancing in the fire place suddenly burst into green light, followed by a loud crashing noise. Trinity screamed as soot flew out from the fireplace and settled ontop of the three people on the floor.
Ron spat out a mouthful of soot, "that's the last time we're doing that." He stated, standing up and brushing himself off. Pip stood up, his back arched and he hissed at the the Weasley's. The Kneazle then stopped hissing and relaxed, tilting his head to the side as he examined the three strangers with wide teal eyes. He then settled down on Trinity's lap and continued to purr again.
"Hey, Trinity!" The Weasley's greeted cheerily.
Trinity frowned, "what're you guys doing back so soon?"
"Are you not happy to see us?" George clutched his heart in mock defeat.
"Of course I am!" Trinity gently shifted Pip onto the couch beside her and stood up, "but you've barely been home for a day. Is everything alright?"
"It's fine!" Ron reassured, shaking ash out of his red hair. "Dad's working all holiday and Mum's going to stay at her sisters for the week...so...we decided to come back."
Trinity drew her wand to clean up all three Weasley's and the common room floor which was covered in soot. "Scourgify." Once satisfied, she pocketed her wand and then hugged her red-headed friends.
"You have a Kneazle?" Ginny asked.
"Pip was a gift from Hagrid. He saved him from being skinned but didn't have any room for him."
"Hey, Pip." Ginny rubbed the Kneazle's head gently.
"Doing your homework then?" Ron asked.
Trinity nodded and then rememered the owls which had the Wealsey's Christmas presents. "Did you pick up your presents?" She asked.
"We packed them so we can open them with you on Christmas." George stated, smiling as he read the first parragraph of her Potions essay. "This is really good. Malfoy knows what he's doing."
Trinity smiled, "that's good then. At least I know he's not making it up."
Ron cleared his throat, "shall we head down to dinner?" He suggested.
Trinity, Ginny and George all nodded, they left their bags in the common room and left the Gryffindor tower, Pip followed the raven haired girl and then started to growl. "What's this?" Draco sneered, "the Weasleby's have returned for Christmas? Did your parents not have enough money for your dinner?"
"Shove off, Malfoy." Ron spat.
Trinity stepped fowards, "I told Pansy not to insult my friends, that goes for you aswell."
Draco smirked and cast his eyes down Trinity's form, "I apologise, Riddle. Let me know how I can make it up to you..." Trinity blushed and grabbed Ron's arm - pulling him towards the Great Hall. Ginny and George followed behind, and once they reached the safety of the Great Hall, they took residence at the Gryffindor table and filled their plates with the different foods available.
"Thanks for sticking up for us." George stated.
"That's alright." Trinity replied, smiling shyly. Pip hopped onto the bench beside Trinity and meowed softly. "Do any of you know what Kneazles eat?" She asked.
"Meat?" Ron suggested, his mouth full of pasta.
"Try fish." George stated, pointing to the tuna. "Cat's like fish."
Trinity nodded and took a spoonful of tuna out of the bowl and placed the silver utensil on the bench beside her. Pip sniffed the food and licked it, before hissing and turning his nose up. She then tried ham - but he didn't like that either. Trinity sighed and put the spoon on the side of her plate. 'I'm going to Hagrid's after dinner anyway.' She thought. 'I'll take Pip with me and ask about food when I get there.'
"So, what did you and Malfoy get up to while we were at home?" George leant across the table and winked.
Trinity blushed, "We did our homework in the library."
"Homework, sure." George winked again, causing the raven haired girl's blush to deepen.
Trinity got to her feet and twirled a lock of hair around her finger nervously. "I'm going to Hagrid's...come on Pip. I'll see you guys later, okay?" The Weasley's nodded before going back to their dinner, chuckling amongst themselves as Trinity left the Great Hall.
The raven haired Gryffindor hurried down the corridor with Pip bounding along beside her, and as they reached Hagrid's hut, the giant appeared outside with his lantern. He smiled warmly, "hello, Trinity! Hello Pip..." He gently rubbed the Kneazle's head.
"Hagrid, I was wondering...what do Kneazles eat?"
Hagrid shrugged, "is he being difficult?" Trinity nodded, "what have you tried?"
"Ham and tuna." She replied, "he's turned his nose up at both of them."
"What about this?" He fumbled around in his pocket before handing something to the Kneazle, who devoured it in five seconds flat.
"What was that?" Trinity asked.
"A dog treat." Hagrid replied, "some Kneazles prefer to eat dog food. Pip's obviously one of them." He chuckled, "ready to go?"
Trinity drew her wand and nodded, walking close to Hagrid as they made their way into the Forbidden Forest.

Draco lounged in the Slytherin common room, bored out of his mind. He wanted something to do and he'd already completed all of his homework. Perhaps the Weasley's were out and about and were desperate to be bullied? Draco looked up once Blaize and Pansy jogged down the stairs to the dorms and crossed the carpeted floor.
"Where're you two going?" He asked, looking over the back of the sofa.
Pansy smiled flirtaciously at Malfoy and waggled her fingers at him. "To the library." Blaize replied, keeping his eyes on the doorway leading out of the common room.
"Hey Drakey." Pansy sat down on the floor beside Draco. "You go ahead, Blaize, I'll meet you there a little later. Drakey looks a little tense." She began kneading Draco's shoulders with her petite hands. She leant fowards a little so she could look into his eyes and so that her breasts were pressed against the back of his head. "You look like you need a good time." She smirked and winked at him. "You know I'm more than happy to help you out..." she said suggestively.
"Well I have had a particularly awful day." He stated. But then he frowned, "when did you two come back to Hogwarts?"
"Well," she placed a seductive kiss on his cheek, continuing to massage his shoulders. "I heard that the Weasley's were back...and I thought you may need me here." She kissed him again. "Especially as you only had Riddle for company." She ran her hands over his shoulders and across his chest. "You have me now, Drakey, don't worry about anything..." She whispered, taking his hand and pulling him to his feet. "Come on," she smiled flirtaciously. "Let me make you feel better."

Blaize Zabini made sure the corridor was clear before he made his way into the boys' bathroom. He knew the Deatheaters could catch him at any time, especially as he was breaking school rules to do this. He knealt down infront of the steaming cauldron and gently stirred the contents. The Lacewing Flies were coming along nicely and it was only a few more days until he could add the Leeches and the powdered Bicorn Horn. He quickly felt around in his pocket before pulling out two vials, one full of Fluxweed and the other holding the contets of one Boomslang Skin. He quickly added the two ingredients before stirring them in and then standing up.
Blaize was waiting for Pansy to bring him the final ingredient needed to be added today. What was taking her so long? Zabini rolled his eyes, of course, she probably had Malfoy in bed right that minute.
The Slytherin waited for another ten minutes, and was just about to leave when Pansy strolled through the door, she dug into her pocket and handed him a vial of Knotgrass. In went the ingredient, and Pansy watched whilst Blaize stirred the contents of the cauldron.
"How long until it's ready?" Pansy asked, peering over the boy's shoulder.
"The Lacewing Flies should be fully boiled within the next few days." He stated, taking out the spoon and getting to his feet. "Then we can add the Leeches, Bicorn Horn and the Hair."
"Tell me again why we're doing this?" Pansy grimaced, "I do not want to be Riddle for long."
"So I can win this bet with Draco, and then you can marry him like you always wanted." He rolled his eyes, of course this was the first time he'd actually brewed Polyjuice potion and anything could go wrong. But Blaize had faith in himself. Potions was his second best subject next to Charms, the only thing that could possibly go wrong was how much hair Pansy had collected from the Gryffindor.
"Did you get Riddle's hair?" He asked. "An inch?"
Pansy rolled her eyes, "yes, Blaize." She held his arm and leant into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. "I cut it in Herbology while the bitch was asleep."
"Did she know?"
Pansy snorted and shook her head, "she was a little disorientated. But no."

Trinity made her way back into Hogwarts, a small smile on her face. Norbert had spoken to her again, and Hagrid had been overjoyed to witness them. Not only did Norbert enjoy wildlife and drizzling rain, but he loved the sunshine and liked to go for swims in the Black Lake. Trinity had asked him why he didn't like flying, and he had replied by saying how all dragons were different, and as he enjoyed wildlife, he preferred to walk through the woods rather than fly anywhere.
"Hey Riddle!" A femenine voice growled. Trinity stopped walking and looked down the corridor to her right and, once spotting Pansy Parkinson coming towards her (Merlin knows why she had just come out of the boys' bathroom) she looked down at the floor. "You're looking particularly...ugly today." The Slytherin stated, prodding a fake nail into the Gryffindor's chest. "I have no idea why my Drakey was mated with you, he's going to have some unfortunate looking children if they inherit your genes!"
Trinity knew she wasn't the most beautiful girl, but she was definately not ugly. Plain but pretty, that's what she'd always thought. "Thank you, Pansy." Trinity turned around and resumed her walk to the Gryffindor Tower. She ignored Pansy's shouting and offensive words and hurried her way up the stairs, wiping away a few tears from her porcelain cheeks. Once inside the common room, Trinity tried to avoid the Weasley's so that they wouldn't see her crying.
"What's wrong, Trin?" Ginny asked, getting up from her place on the sofa and jogging over to the raven haired girl.
Trinity sniffed and wiped the last few tears off her cheeks, "I know I don't usually get offended by what Pansy says, but-"
"-What did Pansy say?" The red head demanded.
Trinity shrugged, "she called me ugly."
Ginny smiled sympathetically, "she has the face of a pug - you'd beat her hands down in a beauty contest." Trinity smiled a small smile as Ginny carried on. "Did she say anything else?"
Trinity nodded shyly, "she said that Malfoy's going to have some unfortunate looking children if they inherit my genes."
Ginny scoffed and shook her head in denial, "you have the most amazing green eyes I've ever seen. I'd consider Malfoy pretty lucky to be honest with you. And your kids: Imagine how cute they'd look with green eyes and blonde hair."
A ghost of a smile crossed her face as Trinity threw her arms around the youngest Weasleys shoulders, "thanks for being my friend, Ginny."
Gineva smiled back, "I'll always be here for you."

Using Draco's notes, Trinity managed to finish the three Potions questionnaires before she headed to bed that evening. She had a quick conversation through the magic mirrors with Kimberly (who was having Christmas with the Malfoys') and was pleased to know that her friend was actually enjoying herself. The girls' said their goodnights before sliding their mirrors back under their pillows.
Trinity rolled onto her back, she'd finally told someone about the Dark Mark. Kimberly hadn't been too shocked about it, but also promised not to tell anyone which Trinity was very thankful for.
The raven haired girl got up a few minutes later and stepped into the bathroom, walking across the cold stone tiles towards the large mirror hanging over the sink. She placed her hands on the sides of the basin and leant fowards to examine herself. Her plain features stared back at her, her porcelain skin tone, her jet black hair, her small pink mouth, the greyish bags beneath her eyes...Trinity was a very plain looking girl - but not ugly, anything but ugly.
The only feature that made her look pretty were her Slytherin green eyes. They somehow found a balance between the darkness of her hair and the paleness of her complexion. Sighing, Trinity then moved backwards from the mirror to examine the rest of her body. She was quite slim - but that was from playing Quidditch. If she put her hands on her hips, she could see the outline of her ribcage. It didn't look healthy, but at least she wasn't anorexic.
Trinity sighed and then finally looked at the Dark Mark on her arm. The contrast of it against her pale skin made it stand out even more.
It was bold and ugly and sick.
Trinity pulled her top on again and hurried back to bed, curling herself up under her covers, assuming the fetal position. She felt like a child, frightened and scared. Her thoughts soon wandered to Draco, maybe they would have good looking children? Trinity sighed, why was Pansy being so difficult? It wasn't Trinity's fault that Drakey had been taken from Pansy for Merlin's sake! If Pansy had that much of a problem not having Draco as her mate, then why didn't she go and tell Trinity's Uncle?
Trinity tossed and turned for the majority of the night, and when she couldn't sleep anymore, she went to sit in front of the fire in the common room with Pip.
The raven haired girl was stroking her Kneazle when she began to feel funny. Her vision became blurry and an array of images crossed her mind. She was walking through the corridor towards the library when Draco came out of nowhere and roughly pushed her into an alcove.
"What're you-?" His hand covered her mouth, and his stormy steel grey eyes locked onto her frightened green ones.
"How dare you!" He growled, his eyes turning to slits. "You know what Umbridge said about keeping yourself shut!"
She scrambled at his hand and pried it off her mouth, "what in the name of Merlin are you talking about?" She asked quietly, frowning in confusion.
Draco slammed his fist against the wall, Trinity gasped and shut her eyes tightly, afraid. "You know exactly what I'm on about!" He shouted, "Merlin's sake, Riddle. I thought you of all girls' would be the hardest to charm into bed - especially by Zabini!"
Trinity was so frightened she began to shake, tears slipped down her cheeks and she could feel Draco move away from her, "you're pathetic."
Trinity opened her eyes when she felt someone gently shaking her awake, "morning, Trin!" Ginny exclaimed cheerily. "Have you been down here all night? The couch can't be that comfortable, can it?"

Thank you to my wonderful reviewers :) you guys really make my days and give me inspiration to continue this story! I hope all my readers are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it, so please review and make my day! :D x