Bottle Fame: Chapter Four
"...never expected for Draco Malfoy of all people to invite us to sit with him at the head! Come on, aren't you curious as to why? He's the Slytherin Prince! I mean, he's so hot. Those eyes! And for all these years, he's never spoken a word to me, but now he actually knows my name!
"Serena, are you listening to me?" Lucy frowned. Serena nodded without care, continuing to read her book.
Lucy, accepting Serena's careless nod, continued ranting about Draco Malfoy. Serena ignored the majority of what she said, only nodding every once in a while to keep Lucy preoccupied. Eventually, Serena shut her book, standing up from the bed, and turned to Lucy, "I'm going to go speak with my father. There's no need to wait for me."
"Okay," Lucy nodded, a light blush to her cheeks, her thoughts still revolving around the fifth year boy, "Goodnight, Serena."
Serena started on her way toward her father's chambers, making quick time. Soon, she was standing inside his classroom, in front of his desk, looking around at its contents. As she waited for her father to come out of his adjacent bedroom, she noticed a single, white lily placed delicately on the edge of his desk.
Serena picked up the flower, eying it her hand. She brought it up to her nose to smell the sweet fragrance, before putting it back onto the table; exactly as it had been before.
"I suppose you're here to collect your permission slip for Hogsmeade tomorrow."
"Yes father." Serena nodded to her father as he stepped into his office from the door on the far end of the room. Silently, he crossed the room in three long strides, stopping next to her. Serena watched as he opened up a locked drawer on the lower right of the desk, taking out a carefully folded, and signed, Hogsmeade permission slip.
He straightened up, holding the parchment out to her, "Here you are. While you're in the village, would you pick up some ingredients for me? I have the list here."
"Alright." Serena nodded and took the two slips of parchment, tucking them into her robe.
Her father then handed her a small pouch filled with Galleons, "This should pay for the ingredients and whatever other trinkets you want to get."
"Thank you."
"Do be safe. There might be some unwelcome characters lurking around." Her father warned. Serena, who had already begun to walk away, glanced over her shoulder.
"Don't worry, father. You taught me well."
As she was walking down the paved street, Serena took notice of all the shops around her and what they held. Students lingered about, going into random stores and spending unnecessary money on useless trinkets.
Serena had already gone to the Apothecary and picked up all the ingredients her father had requested. They were now tucked away in her shoulder bag.
In the past couple of days, the weather had gotten colder and snow had begun to fall. There was now a thin layer resting on the ground as she walked. Serena, however, had always enjoyed the colder weather, rather than the heat.
To stay warm, she wore her customary mid-thigh trench coat over a black, wool dress. She paired with stockings and knee length boots to help from slipping. And, as always, her mother's necklace.
The necklace had been a gift from her father to her mother when they were fifteen years old. After the incident, it had been passed down to her. Now she never went anywhere without it.
She fingered the necklace with remembrance.
Serena had been in the parlor, seated before the old piano, playing a soft melody from memory when her father walked in to see her.
"You've gotten better."
"I've been practicing, Father."
The five year old had learned how to play many instruments from an even younger age, and from over the years had developed a remarkable talent; specifically with the piano.
"I didn't know you'd be back so soon. I thought you were visiting Mother." Serena questioned as she continued to play softly.
Her father came and sat down next to her on the piano bench, ignoring her earlier statement, "I want to give you something."
As he spoke, Serena's father reached into his cloak pocket, pulling out a small pouch. After staring at it for a moment, he handed it to her silently.
Serena carefully opened the pouch, taking out a beautiful necklace. She held it up between two tiny fingers. "It's beautiful…Thank you."
He deftly took the necklace out of her hands, unclasping the thin chain and putting it around Serena's neck. "I gave this necklace to your mother when I was fifteen years old. It was a birthday present. After that day, she never took it off."
"…Then neither will I."
The noise of rowdy teenagers stirred Serena. She looked over to her right and saw a large pack of students from all years going towards the Hog's Head. Curious, she followed them at a safe distance.
Once all the students were inside the pub, Serena noticed an open window close to where they had gathered. She went to stand beside it, up against the pub's structure, and began to listen in on their conversation.
"I had the idea - that it might be good if people who wanted to study Defense Against the Dark Arts - and I mean, really study it, you know, not the rubbish that Umbridge is doing with us -" Hermione continued to speak about Defense Against the Dark Arts and the Dark Lord's return, with few interruptions by other students. Finally, she let Harry take over.
"If you've come to hear exactly what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone I can't help you," Harry said, "I don't want to talk about Cedric Diggory, all right? So if that's what you're here for, you might as well clear out."
After that, everyone started asking Harry questions. Some included: his Patronus, defeating a Basilisk, and the Triwizard Tournament. Overall, Serena was impressed by his humility. She hadn't expected that of him.
Finally, after everyone had signed an agreement contract, one of the Weasley twins announced their departure, with their other twin following close behind. Eventually, the rest of the group trickles away, leaving only the golden trio behind.
"Well, I think that went quite well," said Hermione as the three exited the small pub. Serena watched closely from the window as they talked between themselves, turning her head when they went past her. At first she thought that she was in the clear, but training kept her from letting her guard down. Evidently her instincts were correct.
"I'll meet you guys at the Three Broomsticks. I forgot my scarf." Hermione excused. By then, Serena had started a brisk walk in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, the other girl was persistent. Hermione caught up to her, grabbing Serena by the forearm.
"I would advise you to drop your arm immediately."
Hermione rolled her eyes and complied with the younger Slytherin's antics, "How much did you see?"
Serena stared at the girl, contemplating her choices. She could go to Umbridge with the new piece of information, though that didn't seem to help her in any way, or she could go straight to her father, who would no doubtingly go on an angry rampage. Neither of which seemed very appealing.
She went with the unspoken third option. Blackmail.
"What ever do you mean?"
Hermione blinked at her with obvious suspicion. She had no proof that Serena had been listening from outside while the group was in the pub, she had only just seen her as they walked out. If Serena would have allowed it, she would've smirked then.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Hermione asked. Now she was second guessing herself.
"Contrary to popular belief, not all Slytherin's spend their time spying on others." Serena turned, walking back in the direction of the castle. This time, Hermione didn't follow.
With her hands in her pockets and her shoulder bag securely strapped, Serena made her way back to the school. Along the way, she saw the Three Broomsticks. Unintentionally, Serena stopped.
The Three Broomsticks stood ten feet to her right, a large window letting the passerby look in. She could distinctly see Harry Potter and Ron Weasley laughing and joking around at their table. Hermione had yet to arrive. She focused on the darker haired of the two with something close to fascination. Her eyes softened momentarily and at that exact moment, Harry decided to look out of the glass window panes and see her. Serena saw him look back over to Ron, before realizing what he had seen just seconds before and quickly glanced back up.
But by then she was already gone.