Slaps and Stones

After the Halloween feast, Anna went straight for the books. The young blonde read every book about criminals and deadly curses in the entire library. It was amazing that she had time to do all her homework and have free time to sit with Basil and Albus at the quad as they discussed theories.

Today was one of those days. It was mid-November, Saturday to be exact, and freezing at that; there was no snow yet but it rained heavily the night before so the grass was slippery and muddy. Anna sat between Albus and Basil on a stone bench and looked over the notes she's made.

"Sweets worked during this time at Diagon Alley as catering to other businesses and his hours were fairly flexible. It was easy for them to convict him." Anna mumbled and flipped through her notes.

"Also they saw him perform the curse in front of their own eyes." Albus reminded and scanned the pages.

Basil sat in silence while they discussed over several theories. It became tedious to listen anymore; Anna always would squeal when there was a solid idea that came up. Basil focused on the scenery, the grass and trees mainly, thinking back on some of the Herbology work she had done. Something struck her in that moment. Mainly about her horrible nightmare she had the night before; it was a replica of the nightmare she had on the train. Suddenly her thought was a seemingly amazing idea.

"Where did you find curse?" Basil spoke out and looked at the black covered notebook.

"In Deadly Curses and Spells for Revenge. It is called the Medusa's Curse; it takes advanced potion and herbology knowledge. The user must drink a certain powering potion then conduct the curse within twelve hours of drinking it." Anna replied blankly and looked over the page.

"Where can you learn the spell?"

"Any dark art book or from dark art practices." Albus answered and pursed his lips.

"Does my grandfather look like the kind of person to learn dark arts?" Basil smirked as a sign of a win. Anna shook her head.

"Not enough. The ministry has proof that your grandfather hated them and anything they passed." Anna bit her pen cap.

Basil groaned loudly and fell back down on the small space she had to occupy. Albus was leaning over Anna's shoulder and mouthing everything he read. It seemed like hours for Basil when finally Anna slammed the notebook shut and crossed her arms with a clear sigh in defeat.

"This is impossible." Albus moved over so Anna could stretch her legs on the bench.

"Nothing is impossible. We're missing something." Basil argued and sat up.

There, standing a few feet away and drawing close, was Scorpius. Peter was with him and snarling like a rabid dog as soon as he saw Basil and her group. Scorpius watched Basil with his light blue eyes and didn't move his gaze. Basil stood up and crossed her arms.

"What are you staring at?" Basil snapped.

"Don't be so sensitive Sweets. Can't I drop in and see how you are?" Scorpius's sarcastic tone was almost migraine worthy.

"Just peachy, now if you will, leave us be." Basil finally said and sat back down next to Anna. Scorpius saw the notebook.

"Oh what's this?" Scorpius eyed the booklet and raised his hand to touch it.

"Nothing!" Anna squeaked and swung her arm back, barely missing Albus's shoulder.

"Touchy are you? Must be a diary." Peter laughed and reached for the notebook.

Basil, frozen, watched horrific event unfold. Peter pushed Albus backwards while reaching and ripped the book from Anna's hand, which also caused her to fall backwards in the muddy grass. Anna shrieked and Albus screamed out 'Malfoy' in anger. Scorpius pulled the book from Peter's clutches and scanned the contents. Basil felt rage and terror course through her veins; but she couldn't do anything as she didn't want to be expelled.

"Good god, your grandfather is Arnold Sweets! Notorious criminal. No wonder you were so touchy." Scorpius spat and threw the notebook at Basil roughly.

"Don't you dare say a word Malfoy!" Basil yelled furiously and jumped right in front of him.

"It's the public's right to know we have a felon on campus." Scorpius threw his arms behind him and stared straight into Basil's eyes.

"I'm not a felon! I've done nothing wrong." Basil whispered in a harsh tone. A few students started to watch the events.

"Oh don't get angry with me. I rather not be turned to stone." Scorpius remarked snidely. Basil was enraged.

That was the moment that no one saw coming. It was slow motion for Basil as her hand rose up and smashed against soft skin. Basil slapped Scorpius across the face and screamed a rather provocative phrase at him. Peter watched in horror and Scorpius was ghost white except for the red hand mark on his cheek. Everyone was for a loss of words at what had just happened; even the few students who witnessed were quiet.

"I…I didn't mean that." Basil muttered and stepped back in horror.

"You'll be getting it now, Sweets." Peter spat and pulled Scorpius away from courtyard.

Basil was frozen again, her mind was blank, and no one said anything to her. Albus helped Anna to her feet and examined her muddy back; they were in a desperate need in a bath. Anna cautiously approached Basil and held her shoulder gingerly.

"Are you okay?" Anna stood in front of Basil with watery eyes.

"Come on guys. You two need to get cleaned up and redressed." Basil blankly replied and rushed out of the courtyard.

Basil shuffled down the hallway with her head down and her eyes fixated on the floor. Why did I hit him? I didn't even want to. Basil thought and approached the entrance of the Ravenclaw tower. Before she could even step onto the staircase, a voice came from behind her.

"Sweets, come with me." McGonagall boomed from behind her.

Basil turned forlornly, her eyes never making contact with McGonagall. The young brunette was in fear that looking at her would make it worse. They marched down the halls and to the headmaster's office; Basil never wanted to enter this part of the school. They sat down in the headmaster's office, Basil sat stiffly in a chair.

"What were you thinking? Hitting another student, a Malfoy too." McGonagall lectured and paced around the room.

"He…he was provoking me."

"Doesn't permit you to slap-"

"He was making fun of my family! He threatened to tell everyone that I'm Arnold Sweet's granddaughter!" Basil's anger was uncontrollable at this point. Nothing seemed wrong to her in that moment.

"The fact that your grandfather is a known criminal should not cause you to hurt another student. If Mr. Malfoy heard this, he'd make my life a nightmare." McGonagall sighed and stood parallel of Basil.

"So, I'm expelled?"

"Oh no, nothing that serious. I'll have Professor Carrie decide your punishment as head of the house. If you strike another student though, do not expect this easy treatment."

Basil nodded expressively and thanked her for her consideration. After a few minutes, Basil had entered the Ravenclaw common room and threw herself on an empty chair and let her eyes tear up. She could hear people come and go from the room, not taking a second to acknowledge her existence; but she knew Anna had appeared when there was the sound of the chair being pulled up beside her.

"You know, it is Malfoy's fault. He should have known that you were going to fight back." Anna spoke quietly. Her hair was slightly wet and she was wearing a new set of clothes.

"I know, but I shouldn't have hit him. I went to his level." Basil sat up and whipped her eyes from leftover tears.

"I think that it was Peter who told on you. Scorpious was too scared to say anything." Anna assured and sat back in her chair with her signature smile.

Basil began to talk comfortably again with Anna. They discussed about if Anna had found anything, she didn't, and if they saw Albus after the whole fiasco. Anna had told her that Albus was fuming after Basil treaded off; Albus was threatening to murder Scorpius, but Anna talked him out of it.

Suddenly, Persephone and Meg dashed into the common room, breathing heavily and beet red, they were making sounds that were inaudible and practically gibberish. They hit their knees in front of Anna and Basil, both ghostly white.

"What's wrong?" Anna gasped and helped them into open chairs. Other Ravenclaws came to the scene.

"It's Kristina Young." Meg coughed dryly and tried to regain her breathing.

"What about her?" Derek Collins interrogated and kneeled down to Persephone's level.

"She's…she's been turned to stone." Persephone muttered softly and inhaled some air.

Anna turned instantly to Basil with worry all over her face. Basil's mouth stayed agape, her mind raced with so many things that it was nearly impossible to pin point one thought. The whole room was abuzz in the news, mostly was frightened and couldn't come up with any reason. Basil escaped the madness and to her room where she sat in her bed with Hairball and continued to contemplate the events. The person is here…I have to stop him… Basil decided and looked off out the window nearest to her bed. Everything seemed to crumple around her and she couldn't stop it; it was like escaping from quick sand. Basil took deep breathes and tried to set her mind to one thought to calm down.

"At least Scorpius is the least of my worries."